OPTIMIST THE
FRIDAY September 14, 2007 Vol. 96, No. 7 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Just where can you find ‘The Loft?’
Hometown finish
Ambler no more?
ACU drops proposal to name section of Ambler Avenue University Avenue but not dropping the possibility, page 3
New downtown restaurant ‘The Loft’ tough to find but worth the quest, page 4
Golf team ends home tournament with top-five finish, page 8
Overall enrollment hits 4-year low Upgrades By Mallory Edens Page 2 Editor
Fall enrollment dropped by about 100 students this year, with 4,698 enrolled for the 20072008 school year compared to 4,796 last fall. The university unveiled enrollment numbers at a luncheon on Wednesday. Despite the figure, which is lower than numbers for the past three years, admissions officials said figures show a rise in global, and academically strong stu-
dents at ACU. This year is one of the five best enrollments in the history of ACU, all five of which have occurred in the past seven years. Robert Heil, director of admissions and enrollment management, said a lot of this growth has come through the university’s previous Centennial vision and current 21st Century Vision, which will lead ACU through the year 2020. “ACU continues to be one of the largest private schools in the Southwest,” Heil said. “The last five years have marked growth in
numbers and quality of students. The Centennial vision has been leading us to this point of what we have achieved. In the 21st Century Vision, we are looking at what levels of growth we do want to experience and what programs we want to obtain.” Since the university opened 102 years ago, the ACU student body has grown to represent 49 states and 63 nations. This fall, one out of four new freshman students is an ethnic minority, either international or from the United States. The total num-
ber of international students enrolled this fall comes to 65 students, a 14-percent increase from last year and the second highest number in ACU history. This brings the total number of international students to 225, compared to 215 last fall. Japan, China, Madagascar and Nigeria have the largest representation on campus, but the highest growth has come from Hispanic students. See
ENROLLMENT page 5
planned for Sherrod residents By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor
Sherrod residents can breathe a little easier — they won’t be homeless as a result of recent attention to the declining married student and graduate housing facility. John Delony, director of residence life, announced to residents in an e-mail Thursday that in a meeting with administrators on Tuesday, the decision was made to maintain Sherrod as a housing facility for three years, allowing residents to graduate. The university will not accept any new residents in the complex. See
SHERROD page 5
Pool hours now include mixed time By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Emily Tidwell, freshman undeclared major from San Antonio, and Jessica Sloe, freshman graphic design major from Arlington, Wash., vote for freshman class senators and residence hall representatives in the Campus Center on Tuesday.
2007-2008 Students’ association congress The first Students’ Association meeting will be Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Hart Auditorium and is open to all students. * appointed n Freshman Senators: Stacy Klinge
Jeareme Mosley Danielle Urias Orrin Sharp Trevor Cochlin n Sophomore Senators: Abby Barnes * Michael Amend Wilson Rotenberry David Vanderpool Jessie Lozano
n Junior Senators: Kelline Linton Jamie Spires Josh Jackson Corey Winn Hayden Huey n Senior Senators: Brandon Smith Perry Harrison Nathan McKenzie * Seth Copeland * Alaina Bearden *
n Residence Halls: Adams: Amy Hedgecock Barrett: NONE Edwards: Charles Gaines Gardner: Amanda Gunderson Mabee: Adam Tate McKinzie: Mark Daughdrill Morris: NONE Nelson: Rachel
Morris Sikes: NONE Smith: Jason Sanchez * UP: Caleb Archer * Casey Bingham n Academic Buildings: Hardin Administration: Karissa Martin Melanie Wheeler
Jordan Hancock Ben Word * n Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building: Anna Peters * n Williams Performing Arts Center: Byron Martin *
n Off-campus: Samantha Popp Tyler Baker n Mabee Business Building: Dulce Vidana * Ryan Martin * Preston Woolfolk * Dustin Koctar * n Foster Science Building
Kyle Pickens n Chambers: Dayami Gonzalez * Sarah Pulis * n Don Morris: Tony Godfrey * n Gibson: Jared Elk * n Zona Luce: NONE
The pool hours changed this semester to allow a new “open swim” time, which allows men and women to swim together. Open swim time is Mondays and Thursdays from 6-10 p.m., Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. The exercise science staff received word last spring that it was time to consider mixed swimming, said Lorraine Wilson, associate professor of exercise science. “So far, it’s been a seamless transition without any problems,” Wilson said. “We haven’t had any negative feedback.” Student feedback prompted the changes, said Dr. Nicki Rippee, professor of exercise science. “The biggest reason for the changes was that a lot of students requested open hours,” Rippee said. “Many claimed the hours for men and women were inconvenient, and we really want to get the pool open to more students. Swimming is a great alternative to the pounding workout that you get from jogging.” Separate hours for men and women are still available in case anyone wants to exercise with just his or her gender. Men’s swim is Tuesdays from 9-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. Women can swim by themselves Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. and Saturdays See
POOL page 5
Many know the name; few know the man By Jared Fields Editor-in-Chief
Most everyone knows — or knew — the Hilton Room. While the room is now gone, the name will remain in the area. The Hilton Food Court celebrated its official grand opening Thursday and will receive a plaque designating it so sometime in November or December. “Since that whole area’s been known for years as the Hilton Room, we thought it would be fitting to name that the Hilton Food Court,” said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university. For the popularity that area of the Campus Center enjoys, few know the behind-the-scenes man and his family for whom the room was named in 1991. Bill Hilton enrolled at Abilene Christian College shortly after processing out of the army in January 1946. More than 60 years later, Hilton retired as vice presi-
dent emeritus on May 31 after 57 years of service to ACU. Hilton served as vice president emeritus for 15 years and previously served as the vice president for finance and administration for more than 20 years. Hilton joined the business administration faculty in 1950 to teach and continue his education. “I really came back to get some more courses in education. I needed education [classes] to continue to teach. I just never did leave then,” Hilton said. “I started working in the business office and teaching full time.” Hilton did so until 1969 when he became ACU’s business manager for a year. In 1970 he became the vice president for finance. More than 300 of Hilton’s friends and family gathered in honor of his decades of work on Aug. 25 in the Teague Center. Money presented Hilton with a T-shirt he had made for the presentation that read: “I SURVIVED
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
4 ACU PRESIDENTS.” President A.B. Morris hired Hilton in June 1950. Since then, Hilton worked under presidents John Stevens, Bill Teague and Royce Money. Outside of ACU, Hilton served the city of Abilene and Hillcrest Church of Christ, which he helped start 47 years ago. In Abilene, Hilton served as a member of the City Council, the Board of Adjustors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the chairman of the Education Committee for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and was the Secretary/Treasurer for the Abilene Higher Education Authority. “I was busy, but it was things I enjoyed too,” Hilton said. Now he spends that time visiting doctors’ offices. “When you get to my age you spend your time going to doctors,” Hilton said. Hilton still remains active, working out for an hour three
times a week at 6:30 a.m. in the exercise room at ACU. Hilton and his wife, Alvah Jean, have four children, all of whom went to ACU, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Money said he first met Hilton when he was a student in the early ’60s. “I got to really know him well in the late 1980s; he was VP for finance,” Money said. When Money became president, Hilton told Money he looked forward to retirement but would continue serving in his role until he found a replacement. Money found a replacement, Jack Rich, and said the transition went perfectly. “I cannot say how smoothly that transition went,” Money said. Money said Hilton was an “immaculate record keeper” and always looking out for what was best for ACU. See
HILTON page 5
Abilene Christian University
katie gager CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kara DuBose, sophomore marketing communication major from Fort Worth, dances with the Chick-fil-A cow at the grand opening of the Campus Center Hilton Food Court on Thursday.
Serving the ACU community since 1912
About This Page Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, September 14, 2007
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Calendar & Events Friday
Purple Friday Last day to withdraw from a class for a 60 percent refund. 8:30 a.m. Social Club ranking will take place in the Campus Center Living Room until 4:30 p.m. Ranking is mandatory to be considered for a social club. Failure to rank results in being dropped from the process. Students must turn in their pledging contract, medical form and rush card when they rank. 5 p.m. A FilmFest 2007 interest meeting will be held in the Bean Sprout for those who would like to participate in FilmFest.
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Saturday
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins. The first Service Saturday of the semester. Spend the morning serving the Abilene community and earn service hours. Sign up at the table in the Campus Center by Friday. 6 p.m. The football team plays Southeastern Oklahoma State at Shotwell Stadium. 7:30 The PRCA Rodeo will take place at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in the Coliseum.
5:30 p.m. The third annual Entra a la Plaza will be held in the ACU mall area to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This event will feature mariachi, traditional Latin American food, ballet folkloric, music and entertainment.
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Monday
90th annual Lectureship Series, “Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Messages from Micah.” Along with traditional keynote speakers and a wide variety of Bible classes, Lectureship will feature special classes on “Art and Faith,” “Gospel and Culture,” “Prophets’ University,” “Marketplace Faith” and “Justice and Mercy.”
hold an informational meeting Thursday in the Campus Center Living Room at 7 p.m. Get involved as a freshman. Issues Facing Women in the Medical Professions, a symposium for women in pre-health, will take place Sept. 29 from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the Campus Center Living Room. This event is sponsored by the ACU Body & Soul pre-health program. Featured guests include Dr. Kristie Clark, director of pediatrics at Yoakum County Hospital in Denver City, Dr. Tammy Camp from Texas Tech Medical School and Dr. Kimberly McMillin from Garland. Flu season is near. The Medical Clinic will host a flu vaccination clinic for students, faculty and staff Oct. 15 and Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room. The shot costs $25 and can be charged to a student account or can be paid in cash or check. The Medical Clinic also takes flu shot patients daily on a walk-in basis. For more
Tuesday
90th annual Lectureship, “Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Messages from Micah.” Along with traditional keynote speakers and a wide variety of Bible classes, Lectureship will feature special classes on “Art and Faith,” “Gospel and Culture,” “Prophets’ University,” “Marketplace Faith” and “Justice and Mercy.”
11 a.m. Keynote speaker Fred Asare from Accra, Ghana, will speak on the topic “Her Wound is Uncurable,” based on Micah 1:1-9.
11 a.m. Keynote speaker Jay Hawkins from Tulsa, Okla., will speak on the topic “I Will Surely Gather You,” based on Micah 2:12-13.
7 p.m. Keynote speaker Landon Saunders from Norwich, Vt., will speak on the topic “Night Without Vision,” based on Micah 3:1-12.
7 p.m. Keynote speaker Wade Hodges from Tulsa, Okla., will speak on the topic “They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares,” based on Micah 4:1-5.
Announcements 11 a.m. Chapel will not be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday because of Lectureship. Instead, students can receive two Chapel credits for each evening Faith Alive forum they attend and each evening keynote Lectureship address, which will take place on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. For more information, view the Lectureship Student Track information on the myACU spiritual space. Connection Groups will be held next week on Thursday, and the week will conclude with a Friday Praise Day led by Wade Huggins and his worship team. Campus Conversations, which began this week, will reconvene Sept. 25. If any student has yet to register, Common Ground in Moody Coliseum is still open for registration. Once a student registers and begins attending the forums, they will be given Chapel credit. Venturing at ACU, a new coed service and social club, will
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information, contact Kathy Stokes at (325) 674-2625. Male students seeking help from struggles with pornography or lust are invited to gatherings two blocks from campus every Thursday at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Kurt Boyland at (325) 674-2878 or at boylandk@acu.edu. The medical clinic will be closed Sept. 25, 26 and 27 for electronic medical records system installation and staff training. Should any student need health care services, go to the Walk-In Clinic on Judge Ely Boulevard by Jack ‘n Jill Donuts. If it is a medical emergency, go to Hendrick Medical Center on N. 19th or Abilene Regional Medical Center on Hwy 83/84. The Medical Clinic will re-open Sept. 28. Spots are available for the Oxford spring 2008 semester. Sophomores and juniors who are interested in this opportunity can turn in their applications to the Study Abroad Office in the Administration Building.
Volunteer Opportunities G.V. Daniels Recreation Center will host a Teen Conference Saturday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Volunteers are needed to assist with classes and cleanup. The Office of Ministry Events needs volunteer ushers to help at Lectureship from 6-8 p.m. Ushers will assist guests in finding seats and help elderly or disabled guests with the stairs. The Lectureship office also needs four volunteers to help Acappella load and unload its sound equipment Monday from 1-3:30 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. They also need two people to help at the C.D. sales table from 5-10 p.m. Anyone who is interested in helping should e-mail Kate Miller at miller@bible.acu.edu. Keep Abilene Beautiful needs volunteers Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon to help the citizens of Lake Fort Phantom clean up the lakeshore. Volunteers will be picking up litter and any other items that need to be discarded. To help with this need, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.
Corrections In the article “Students depart for foreign studies” from the Aug. 29 issue of The Optimist, the number of students traveling is incorrect, Dr. Sutherlin’s name is misspelled, and the term “foreign studies” should have been “study abroad.” Also, in the article “More international students enroll after 9/11 decline” from the Sept. 12 issue of The Optimist, the wrong name for the director of international recruiting was given. His name is Steven Gist. The Optimist regrets the errors.
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@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mxe06a@acu.edu.
To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
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Entra a la Plaza promotes culture By Kate Whitworth Student Reporter
Las Rosas is not the ultimate source of Hispanic culture in Abilene. On Sept. 21 from 5:3010 p.m., ACU’s Hispanos Unidos, a group for promoting Hispanic culture and unity, will host its third annual Entra la Plaza event on the campus mall. Food will be donated not only by local Mexican restaurants from Abilene, such as Tamales and Los
as the balet folkorico, all the way from Mexico. “This year we’re thinking bigger,” said Dulce Vidana, president of Hispanos Unidos and senior business management major from Abilene. “We want an event that ACU and the Abilene community can come together for. Hispanos Unidos wants everyone who comes to feel like family.” Mexican Independence Day is Sunday, and the name Entra la Plaza origi-
“We’re thinking bigger. We want an event that ACU and the Abilene community can come together for. Hispanos Unidos wants everyone who comes to feel like family.” Emerald Cardenas, junior business management major from Abilene
Arcos, but homemade dishes will also be made by ACU students and faculty from their own home country, whether it be Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia or Uruguay. Hispanos Unidos also hopes to have a mariachi band and will feature student talent at Entra a la Plaza, including a traditional Nicaraguan dance. The group is currently in communication with the Students’ Association for possible funding. “We want to just make aware to the ACU community Hispanic heritage and culture and what it ranges from — not just food you might find on Judge Ely, but also life, from when you wake up until you go to bed,” said Emerald Cardenas, junior business management major from Abilene. The idea of using multiple facets of Hispanic culture to the community is a primary concept upon which Hispanos Unidos is founded and functions. It is a group enabling students to come together to worship and to hear from Abilene business people how having a Hispanic background has impacted their lives. Entra la Plaza is a means of branching out to include all ethnicities to share in the experience — incorporating food, music and entertainment, such
nates from the idea of a plaza at the center of every Hispanic town or city, Vidana said. “We want this to represent that — the community of the Hispanic culture,” Vidana said. Free food and music are ways to remind the student body and the Abilene community that there is a vast wealth of cultural heritage incorporated in the Hispanic society and are also ways to remind people of the importance of melding culturally. “There are a lot of misconceptions of what is Hispanic culture,” Vidana said. “Hispanic is not just Mexican. There are also people from other countries. Taco Bell is not Mexican food. We want this to be authentic.” Hispanos Unidos hopes to have up to 1,000 people at Entra a la Plaza, and it aims to break from what Vidana sees as a pattern of more isolated ACU events so the community may become involved. “It’s to bring something local into the school,” Cardenas said. “They’re bringing the entertainment to you.”
E-mail Whitworth at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, September 14, 2007
Page 3
Mysterious mold makes a home in Barret By Mallory Edens Page 2 Editor
Residents of Barret Hall are keeping blankets on hand as the humidity rises outside to combat recurring mold growing in the residence hall. Just before school started, Physical Resources did routine maintenance to the hall and found a white, mildewy-looking substance on the floors of Barret. Physical Resources had the substance looked at and discovered it was, in fact, mold that was caused by high humidity levels Abilene experienced this summer. Residents were informed upon arrival to keep their air conditioners at 70 degrees or below to keep this mold from spreading. As they usually do each year, Physical Resources turned off air conditioners in Barret
this summer to save electricity. While this is not unusual, the humidity this summer was high because of frequent rain. Bob Nevill, Director of Physical Resources, said there are three requirements for mold to grow: a food source (like carpet or painted walls), warm temperatures and high humidity. These were present this summer, creating ideal circumstances for mold to grow around campus. While Nevill said mold was discovered in other buildings on campus, the mold in Barret was the first found and the most progressive. Upon finding the mold, Physical Resources employees called environmental experts to come investigate the growth and make sure it was not dangerous. The experts verified it was benign and gave methods
Rodeo features new, entertaining events By Denton Josey Features Editor
This year’s rodeo at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo brings top names and new events. Kelly Gill, chairman of the West Texas Fair Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo committee, is in his third year as chair and has served on the committee since 1993. He said presently there are 22 members on the committee. The current rodeo is an Abilene tradition of more than three decades. “There was a rodeo here in the past, but the first PRCA sanctioned rodeo was in 1970,” Gill said. “Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were there as performers; they were in the headlines.” The rodeo features six men’s and women’s events and barrel racing for women only. Gill said bull riding is probably the most popular event. “Action, risk — it all happens in eight seconds,” he said. Currently, the overall leader in the PRCA is Trevor Brazil. Heading into the end of the season, Brazil is signed up to participate in team roping during the rodeo. Gill said Brazil has earned $218,000 this year. Gill said the rodeo participants aren’t only from Texas or Abilene. “There’s a lot from Texas, but they’re from all over the United States,” he said. New to the Abilene rodeo this year is mutton busting. It begins 30 minutes before the rodeo officially starts at 7 p.m. In mutton busting, children under 60 pounds strap on safety equipment and attempt to ride sheep as long as they can. “It’s a good, clean, fun
children’s event that’s done in rodeos all over,” Gill said. Gill said a number of professional rodeo cowboys started out mutton busting, and it is a good way to get young people involved in rodeo. “Hadley Barrett is the announcer for mutton busting, so those children get the same announcer as somebody who’s leading the world in rodeo.” Every night, the rodeo costs $6 for adults and $3 for kids. It lasts around two hours and 45 minutes, Gill said. “I think pro[fessional] rodeo exemplifies a lot of the heritage of Texas and this area of west central Texas,” Gill said. “The first rodeo was in the 1880s or 1890s and it was in Pecos, Texas, so there is a long history of that here. This is a continuous and consecutive public sponsored event for 38 years.” Gill said the rodeo exemplifies a part of Abilene’s Wild West culture. “In Texas working with livestock and agriculture has been a big part of our livelihood and base,” Gill said. “That’s why Abilene was started.” Bob “Kool” White, nontraditional student from Abilene, said he grew up going to the fair and tries to go every year. He said even if some people aren’t into it, it only comes once a year, and it is something to do. White goes to the rodeo “for the sake of the splendor, the fellowship and seeing your friends.” White said his favorite event is bareback riding. “There’s just more action. It’s not like the cow milking contest — there’s not much action there. It’s a spectacular event.”
E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu
of remediation, including filtering, vacuuming and wiping down the infested area. “We were very concerned with it,” Nevill said. “The only problem you would have is if you are allergic to this particular type of spore.” After completing the experts’ advice within a week after the expert examination, the Physical Resource team decided to go even further than the experts’ advice and complete an extraction process. Air conditioning units were turned on in each pod and each unit was wiped down and kept clean. But the mold kept reappearing. Physical Resources called several people who did the original construction work on Barret Hall, including the general contractor, Physical Resources members, WFF Janitorial Service
workers, a sub contractor who did the original air conditioning work and another engineer who did the original heating, ventilation and air conditioning work on the building. After they looked at the circumstances, they found that as students came in and out of the building, they let hot air into the room, recreating the outside humidity problem inside the building. Physical Resources moved to take further action by finding out what schools in more humid environments do to avoid mold problems. “The humidity was amazingly high like the Gulf Coast — near 80 percent,” Nevill said. “Val Mascari, director of WFF, really took a vested interest in dealing with this. He contacted other resources across the country to make sure they did
the best work they could.” This work included closing off sources that brought outside air into the building and cooling the water that is sent from Central Plant because at a certain temperature below 45 degrees it removes humidity, Nevill said. Even with these actions, mold recurred in isolated places throughout the building. Nevill suggested that any student who finds mold in his or her room should leave the air conditioning on between 60 and 70 degrees at all times to remove moisture from the air. If the humidity remains high after these steps have been completed, students should let a resident director know the problem or call Physical Resources at (325) 674-2665 so Physical Resources can look at the mold
to make sure something more serious is not going on. Nevill said he hopes this is a one-time occurrence, but he says he sees this as an educational opportunity and a community effort. “This is giving us an opportunity to be educated on this issue that other parts of the world live with all the time,” he said. “We are hoping this is an anomaly, and we won’t have to deal with it again. We have to keep it clean and the temperature cooler than we would like. You may have to wear a jacket in the building. We’re all battling this together right now.”
E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
FilmFest 2007: a year for a ‘Revolution’ By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor
If FilmFest draws a large enough audience to sell out the Paramount, not only will the crowd be the largest in four years of FilmFest history, but Doug Darby, executive director of FilmFest, will shave his head. “And that’s saying something. I’m putting my head on the line,” said Darby, who boasts a full head of hair. “I think it’s an achievable goal.” In the spirit of FilmFest’s theme, “Revolutions,” Darby is willing to make the change if the 1,200-seat theater is filled — and if 50 films are submitted, which should yield about 25 competing films, Darby said. Since its inception, FilmFest has garnered an audience of about 1,000, and last year 42 films were submitted with 21 emerging as participants. Registration begins Monday in the Campus Center, and interested students can attend a meeting Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Bean Sprout. Like its theme, FilmFest is undergoing more changes than a haircut for its director. This year, students can use
either their own equipment or the festival’s,’ as long as the camera is a single-CCD video camera, which is a consumer camera — not a professional’s. All entrants must use iMovie to edit their films. “It keeps our playing field level,” Darby said. “We want to let them try to be as creative as they can within the limits.” Students cannot exceed $200 on their films, and they must include a “control element” to ensure they did not film early. The limits shouldn’t stunt student creativity, though. “I think the films are getting better; the technology is getting better,” said Matt Maxwell, former FilmFest director, who has helped Darby with FilmFest for three years. “It’s an avenue for a lot of students to do some really creative projects and to express themselves in a way no other venues allow.” After Maxwell graduates in December, he said he plans to attend a film school in Los Angeles to pursue a career in film. And he’s one of many. “We’ve seen more and more students coming to
ACU interested in production,” Darby said. FilmFest helps get students’ videos in the hands of people who can help. The winning film will be posted on iTunes, and Darby said he has been in conversation with Apple about other venues. “It really impressed a lot of people what was coming out of ACU,” he said. Darby said he is looking to expand FilmFest to include other CCCU colleges, among them Oklahoma Christian University. ACU has been a leader among CCCU schools with FilmFest since it began four years ago. “We operate a lot like a film school would in a number of ways,” Darby said. This year’s judges include popular Web personality Cali Lewis, whose podcast “GeekBrief” is produced by her husband, Neal Campbell. Lewis will do a live podcast from ACU. Brian Hardin with Whiplash Records will judge, and an artist on the label, Jill Parr, will perform. Darby said he is waiting for confirmation from some perspective judges, and said he expects about six to eight
judges for the event. This year’s judges will award winners in six categories: Best Producer, Best Director, Best Technical Director, Best Writer, Best Sound and Best Production. Last year, awards included Best Actor and Best Actress and this year an award for Best Music Competition will also be awarded. As always, People’s Choice and Best Overall will be awarded. Winners will walk away with cash awards or Video Nanos. And in the name of revolution, Darby is also looking to make FilmFest a weekend event, considering a FilmFest Chapel and a way to allow judges to interact more on campus. These “Revolutions” reflect a campus trend, Darby said. “At all levels, there is this sense of revolution. I see the change in technology … and the way students come in,” Darby said. “One person can make a change. What is your revolution?” Darby’s could be a haircut.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
ACU drops Ambler name pitch – for now By Jared Fields Editor in Chief
Ambler Avenue could become an answer to an ACU trivia question. The university proposed changing the stretch from Interstate-20 to Grape Street to University Avenue, but it withdrew the request Aug. 24. Despite the withdrawal to rename the street, ACU has not dropped the subject completely. ACU dropped its proposal because of concerns renaming the street could raise. Associate Vice President for Administration and Chief Operations Of-
ficer Kevin Watson said the application to the city council was pulled back for further studies on the change’s impact. “There’s already a University Boulevard behind Hardin-Simmons, [and could be] confusion related to that name change,” Watson said. “What we’ve said is we’re interested to do what’s best for the city as well.” Problems related to the similarly named streets could arise with 9-1-1 calls and similar situations where the two streets could be confused, Watson said. Also, residents and businesses along the street must change their address.
“I think it can get done and would be disappointed if it didn’t,” said Executive Vice President for Finances Phil Schubert. “Other than [the confusion] I’d be very surprised if we didn’t get that done.” The increased amount of traffic on Ambler Avenue since the Wal-Mart opening is another reason ACU wants to rename the street. Along with the plan for a park off I-20 on Ambler, Schubert said renaming the street would further the university’s goal of conveying a university atmosphere to traffic driving on I-20.
Watson said a friend of the university gave him the idea for the name change and took the idea from there. Schubert said the idea made perfect sense for both universities. “I didn’t think about it initially, but it’s a great idea,” Schubert said. The university said a timetable is not set for the proposed name change. Watson said the university needs more research before a decision can be made and added, “We don’t have a way to gauge that.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
ArtsFriday Optimist
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Friday, September 14, 2007
The Loft: Local eatery unveiled and preparing the food, which is impressive for the amount of customers Restaurant chains are who were there and the among the majority in way the food was neatly Abilene. Just look at the placed on the plate. Ambler and Interstate 20 The pricing of the intersection, drive down dishes ranged from the loop or — here is one $2.50 to $8.00. The food that hits closer to home is priced affordably for — drive down Judge Ely. college students and ofThis town is not lacking fers the right amount of in fast food and chain food for what you pay. eateries. When decidThe atmosphere was ing on a place to eat, you one of friendly service definitely have options: and a quaint style of decCracker orating. It Barrel, Olalmost ive Gar- “This restaurant provides praiseworthy cuisine and reminded den, Taco commendable service. This local eatery will satisfy me of the Bueno, restaurant your need for a new place to eat.” WhataSerendipburger, ity in New and if all York City, else fails, which you just go to Chili’s. But right amount of lunch have seen if you have these options are the portions, is divided into seen the movie Serendipsame restaurants you three sections: salads, ity. The restaurant was can find anywhere in al- sandwiches and soup. welcoming and calming most any town. In other The items range from — a good place to eat words, I have eaten at Italian-style sandwiches with friends. the restaurants a million made with prosciutto If you are looking for a times before. Personally, (which is Italian ham) to good place to eat lunch in variety would be great the conventional chick- a quaint setting, I would and much appreciated. en Caesar salad to great recommend The Loft to Most towns I have vis- homemade potato soup. all. This restaurant proited are always chalked Sandwiches are served vides praiseworthy cuifull of local stops and with homemade crispy sine and commendable food joints. The local chips, and soups are service. This local eatery restaurants in Abilene served with New York will satisfy your need for are hard to come by and bagel chips. The dishes a new place to eat. not out in the circulation are complimented perThe Loft is open 11 a.m.– among college students. fectly with these sides. 2 p.m. Monday through Through the local The presentation of Friday and is located on grapevine, I came across the food was neatly put 244 Pine Street above Una restaurant that serves together and pleasant to der One Roof. great lunch and has great the eye. From what I obcustomer service. served, there were only The Loft, which is four people running the located downtown, is restaurant, and they were E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu above the shop Under serving, waiting on tables By Sara Snelson Arts Editor
One Roof, which makes this local lunch stop even more hard to find but worth the discovery. If you are looking for good homemade soups, sandwiches and salads, The Loft is the hot spot for lunch. The items on the menu are unique and unlike any other items other restaurants in Abilene serve (at least in my experiences). The menu, which is not big, but offers the
Megan Lowe STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Island Hut, which specializes in subs and paninis, is located on Buffalo Gap Road and is replacing Bahama Bucks.
Shaved ice replaced by subs Because of decreasing profits, shaved ice vendor and college-student favorite Bahama Bucks on Buffalo Gap Road has been converted into a sandwich shop, Island Hut, which specializes in subs and paninis. “There’s been some sadness,” said co-owner Joe Thomson. “A lot of people come up still, even though we changed the signs, and think it is still Bahama Bucks. We just didn’t get enough of the college crowd [to maintain business], I guess because all the colleges are across town.” Thomson said, sales had been dropping for a year and a half before Bahama Buck’s owner Glenn Sims decided to partner with Thomson to transform the snow cone shop into a restaurant. “It needed more than just shaved ice,” Thomson said. “We decided
that we would do a sandwich shop so that in the wintertime it would be profitable.” Despite its reputation as a favorite among college students, being so far away from the three universities in Abilene likely stymied profits from that demographic, Thomson said. Recently, Island Hut’s customer base has consisted more of families, and the new restaurant sees more customers each day. “It’s been slow coming,” Thomson said. “We see a growth everyday, everyday a growth.” Heath Newton, junior Bible major from Round Rock, is a self-proclaimed Bahama Bucks enthusiast who said he ate there at least two to four times a month, was disappointed to find it no longer served snow cones and has not tried the new sandwich shop. “I was appalled [by the change],” Newton said. “I do like local business, [but] if there were snow
cones, I’d be more prone to go back.” Though Glenn and Thomson currently have no plans to reinstate snow cones as part of their restaurant, Thomson asserted depending on how well their other products sell, they might consider adding shaved ice to the menu eventually. “We’re just trying to make a business grow,” Thomson said. “We want everybody to come out and try it.” Island Hut, located at 3910 Buffalo Gap Road, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and serves subs and paninis made with the customer’s choice of several breads, meats, cheeses and toppings in addition to breakfast and coffee.
BOX OFFICE stats
Coming Soon
advised to see out contemporary incarnation. Buraki, the serpent of all serpents, resurfaces and decides to lay waste to the city of angels as the two people are looking for the chosen pair.
By Laura Acuff Student Reporter
Newly released movies and gross rates for Sept. 7 - Sept. 9. n 3:10 to Yuma (R): $14.5 Million n Halloween (R): $10.0 Million n Superbad (R): $8.0 Million n Balls of Fury (PG-13): $5.7 Million n The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13): $5.5 Million
Movies opening Friday: n The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Carmen Ejogo. A woman’s life changes after a brutal attack leaves her partner dead. The woman feels the police will never be able to catch the perpetrators so she begins to live in constant fear. This outlook that she put on her life leads to taking justice in her own hands. n Dragon Wars, starring Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks, Robert Forster, Craig Robinson. The movie starts out with a bygone era when creatures called Buraki roamed the land morphing from serpents into dragons and back again. A man is given a red pendant and is
E-mail Acuff at: optimist@acu.edu
n Eastern Promises, starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl. A midwife at a North London hospital finds a diary that belonged to a teenager who died during child birth. The midwife tried to find out the girls lineage in her diary, but it is all written in Russian. Her family urges her to not get involved, but she does the opposite and unleashed the full fury of the Vory, a notorious organized criminal brotherhood. The midwife is now trying to keep this diary and all she knows away from everyone who comes after her.
FROM THE FRONT
Friday, September 14, 2007
Page 5
Sherrod: Housing complex slated to be phased out Continued from page 1 Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of student life, said administrators are still examining demolition costs, and he estimated demolishing the complex could take about five years because of the staggering cost. “We know that we don’t want to invest in the current facilities,” Thompson said, adding that discussion of the property’s future
is ongoing. “It just doesn’t make sense to invest a lot of money in it,” Thompson said. “For those who still live there, we need to make it a reasonable living process.” While graduation may be a few years off, residents will note some changes around the facility. In his announcement, Delony said laundry facilities will double — from two washers and driers to four — and 10 light fixtures will be installed. The light-
“For those who still live [in Sherrod], we need to make it a reasonable living process.” Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of student life
ing comes as a response to complaints from residents that the dark laundry room, which is located in a vacant apartment in the complex, was a safety hazard. The laundry room is also slated to receive new paint, new carpet and tables for folding laundry.
A munchy bunch
Also in the name of security, Delony said administrators are looking into the possibility of installing a phone line in the laundry room, and the university ordered 10 replacement doors. Some residents complained their doors warped and could not close after the
heavy rainfall in August. The little changes play a role in making the complex livable for current residents, whose time at ACU and in Sherrod will be honored, Thompson said. “I feel in the past, there just hasn’t been a direct line and a consistent line of communication between the residents and others,” Thompson said. “We’ve cleaned up the communication.” Discussion of the complex is widespread.
Thompson said at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, participated in a follow up discussion on the complex. “Even from the top,” Thompson said, “There’s quite a bit of care and responsible action to doing this right.”
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Enrollment: Numbers drop Continued from page 1
The graduate program has also increased, hitting record numbers of 679 this fall. This includes 565 residential graduate students and 114 ACU WorldWide online students, which is
line programs we will create in the next five years. Adult education is another opportunity to grow.” ACU welcomes 1,030 new undergraduate students, approximately one fourth of which qualified for the Honors Program. To qualify, a student must
ENRollment While among the top five best years for enrollment in the university’s history, enrollment numbers dropped by about 100 students this fall. n 2007-2008: 4,698 n 2006-2007: 4,796 n 2005-2006: 4,703
“A lot of growth will continue to be in online programs ... Adult education is another opportunity to grow.” Robert Heil, Director of admissions and enrollment management Matt Newhouser STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jodi Bishop (’06) and John Bishop, freshman Christian ministry major from Wichita Falls, enjoy food and fellowship at the second annual Cedar Creek neighborhood barbecue Tuesday night.
Hilton: Food court namesake retires Continued from page 1 “He’s just one of the towering influences in the 101 year history of the university,” Money said. “He played a major role in shaping the university.” In 1990, Hilton received the third Honorary Doctor of Christian Education degree from Amber University — the first went to Dr.. John Stevens. “ACU-Dallas, they pulled off and became an independent school called Amber,” Hilton said.
Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services at ACU, spoke at Hilton’s dinner as a colleague and friend. Watson knew Hilton through church, and in 1982 Hilton needed to hire someone to run Abilene Educational Supply. Watson ran that alone and then ran both the Campus Store and Abilene Educational Supply before leaving ACU for a year to get his stock-broker’s license. Hilton called Watson
again, this time to say the investment officer position had been vacated. Watson took the job, working with off-campus projects and properties, and shared an office with Hilton for a few years. “He’s an honorable person, very knowledgeable, highly respected in higher education throughout the country,” Watson said. “Just an amazing guy.”
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Pool: ‘It’s recreation and fitness’ Continued from page 1 Rippee said the Faculty Senate requested a few years ago that a family swim time be added to the pool hours. “We talked with upperlevel administration about it, and they said family time was fine,” Rippee said. “Adding open time is just another addition of coed swimming.” “Mixed bathing” was an issue back in 1968 when the pool was built, but society is progressing away from that, Rippee said. “People simply don’t have
the same feelings about coed swimming as they did years ago,” Rippee said. “It’s just one of those issues that has changed over the years. If you took a poll of all the people in the Churches of Christ around here, I doubt many of them would be against coed swimming.” Both Rippee and Wilson said they are trying to get away from the Church of Christ mixed bathing terminology. “It’s not bathing, it’s recreation and fitness swimming,” Rippee said. “Bathing involves soap
and scrubbing,” Wilson said. “We’re just swimming.” Rippee said even though there’s no negative feedback yet, it’s still a little scary to break with tradition, and though some may be against coed swimming, she hopes the change in hours doesn’t offend anyone. “You can use anything for the wrong reasons,” Rippee said. “But if you can conduct yourself as a Christian in any activity, it’s not an issue.”
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
48 more students in the graduate program than last year. Graduate enrollment has increased 19 percent in just the past three years. Heil said he expects this program to continue to increase in numbers. “A lot of growth will continue to be in online programs,” he said. “We are exploring what new on-
make a 27 or higher on the ACT. The freshman class as a whole had an average ACT score of 24, which places students in the top quarter of ACT test takers in the nation. In addition to high ACT scores, the freshman class has 40 National Merit and Presidential Scholars. As for future growth,
n 2004-2005: 4,786 n 2003-2004: 4,675
Heil said ACU desires to keep quality and diversity of students high. “We want to continue to attract a large number of Christ-centered students who want to be challenged academically and study at a high level in an environment where we put Christ first,” Heil said.
E-mail Edens at: mxe06@acu.edu
ViewsFriday Optimist
Page 6
September 12, 2007
Intramural system needs improvements The problem:
ACU’s intramural system doesn’t offer many sports, and the cost to participate is higher than what it used to be.
Our view:
Other schools don’t pay extra fees and yet have a higher quality of intramurals, so ACU needs to improve the current system.
The solution:
Allow students to contribute their opinions about the system and invest more in intramurals, especially because intramurals are so popular with students.
ACU students love intramural sports. More than 3,000 students drop their books to pick up a football, basketball, volleyball, racket, golf club, baseball glove or pair of cleats every year to play intramural sports, according to the intramural department. Whether representing campus organizations, social clubs or just a group of friends looking for a combination of fun and competition, intramural devotees’ passion runs deep at ACU. But despite the faithful participation, the intramural optionsintramural arena lacks one essential ingredient – a cohesive effort by the student body, intramural department and university to make intramurals fulfilling and enjoyable to a maximum degreecontinue to decrease. ACU does not offer as many sports as in the past and fewer than two other Church of Christ-affiliated schools. Although participation continues to growintramurals on campus do fulfill most of students’
participation Improvements are necessary, specifically needs, imamount of sports offered. provements are necessary, specifically the cost and amount Students pay a mandatory $75 of sports offered more sports student activity fee each semester should be offered so more stu- that is split among the Students’ dents will have a reason to play Association, Campus Activities intramurals.. Board and intramural department. Intramural director Danny Kit- The intramural department, which tley said ACU tries to expand the receives $5 from each student. number of sports offered, but beIntramural director Danny Kitcause of a lack of interest it sticks tley said the additional fees to play to the main sports. intramurals fund 90 percent of The 2007 fall intramural sea- intramural costs and without the son includes only three sports: additional fees intramurals could flag football, softball and water- not operate at its current capacity. ball. Kittley said he did not have the inThe fee to play flag football formation for the amount of monrose to from $200 to $275 from ey intramurals receives from the $200; the fee to play softball university. Your credibility stands increased to $150 from from at risk if you go without this hard $100 to $150$100; and waterball data. Go to McCaleb. No data guts dropped from a full season sport your point. Tell him you’ve got to a weekend tournament. Harding and Lipscomb data but The participation cost climbed can’t get ours. See if he wants to and the number of sports offered let Kittley look bad without the this fall dropped, but the amount data. In the past ACU has offered of money every student pays for as many as 15 sports in a year, intramurals did not change. last year ACU offered eight.
the cost and
Kittley said that the intramural department hasn’t decided how many sports will be offered this year. We hope they will offer more. Because the intramural department’s budget relies mostly on additional fees, the cost of playing lands significantly on the pocketbooks of students. At Harding University and Lipscomb University intramural sports’ popularity mirrors ACU’s, but similarities end there. Although Harding and Lipscomb intramurals get a cut of some form of a student activity fee, students at Harding and Lipscomb do not pay extra fees to play intramurals. Jim McGowen, Harding director of men’s intramural sports, said students do not pay any additional fees for playing intramural sports. Meanwhile . McGowen said that on a budget of $19,000, Harding offers four team sports and 10 individual sports through-
Alex York
Lebensgefahr
Pledging changes redefine community In less than two weeks, students will soon be skipping across campus, sporting bizarre clothing and appearing everywhere in pairs. Chapel aside, few c a m p u s traditions raise more Soar mixed feelSubjects ings among Kelsi the student body than Peace social clubs and the pledging process — and all eyes are watching this year as several changes go into effect. So with Bid Night slated for one week from today, I offer a challenge to all students with club affiliations: make it work. When it comes to club,
I offer a challenge to all students with club affiliations: make it work. I tend to sit on the fence — I don’t hate the concept or the organizations, and I even considered pledging this fall. While some members, frustrated that the changes will require far less from future pledges than was demanded from them, make a valid point, it’s a poor way to view the process. Social clubs repeat their mantras about forming community and benefiting the campus, and in the wake of countless forums addressing division, ought to know exactly how to form said “community.” A major trend last spring sought to merge the university’s “sub communities,” and among discussion of racial and gender issues,
some questioned the benefits social clubs offer. Earlier this fall, Dr. JeanNoel Thompson, vice president and dean of student life, observed campus sub cultures and said he wanted to bridge those gaps. And while each individual social club is a sub community, if the community it offers its members enriches their lives, than club is little cause for concern. A fresh start for the pledging process and returning men’s social club Sub T-16 means an opportunity to rise above tired stereotypes and work creatively under the changes — the good and the bad. And for this year’s pledges, new requirements to
attend all rushes offer a chance to meet the members and to pledge the club that really fits — not the club with the best reputation or the longest family tradition. I’ve talked to several women who are leaning toward clubs I never would have expected, and their independence is refreshing. Social clubs have a rich history in the university, but the greatest institutions are fluid enough to change with times while retaining deep-seated tradition. Campus culture is changing — will social clubs make it work?
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
out the year – six more sports than ACU offered last years. Lipscomb does not charge its students additional fees and offers nine sports during the fall semester, five more than ACU in the fall this year. Lipscomb offers 16 intramural sports overall, with almost no participation fees. Andy Mankin, director of campus recreation, said students must pay green fees for golf. the sports are operated on a budget of about $55,000. If two schools close to the smaller size ofthan ACU can invest offer more in intramurals options than our university, it can improve the quality and scope of its intramuralsACU needs to step up to the bar. Diversity in the number of sports offered will strengthen the intramural experience at ACU. Intramurals are already loved by ACU students, and with more sports the love will grow. E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Integrity: Is it a dying art form? Well, I finally did it. terpreted that Jiminy Cricket It’s something I’ve secretly song about always letting my wanted to do during my years conscience be my guide. at ACU — Lately I’ve noticed that peomake it into ple, and particularly our genthe police eration, only do what we have log on page to do to get by. When was the two of the last time you tried to do evOptimist. erything you possibly could No one else to make a situation better? would ever I know it’s been a while for know the po- me. We’ve gotten so bogged lice log entry in down in our own self-absorpWork In Wednesday’s tion that we don’t notice how Progress issue on page much we hurt other people by two reading just getting by and (in some Rachel “hit-and-run situations) not even doing evDavis at Barret Hall” erything that’s necessary. was referring So, here’s my proposal to to my car, but still, it’s a small change the world: next time feeling of satisfaction. you find yourself in a sticky Of course, that doesn’t mean situation, don’t act like a child. I’m happy That’s why about the we’re here way I made at ACU — to Next time you find yourit into the find out self in a sticky situation, police log. what it’s like don’t act like a child. Actually, to become an I’m quite adult and to frustrated become your about the own person. whole ordeal. Try putting your whole heart It’s never too exciting to into something instead of gowalk out after a long day of ing through life in a lackadaisiclasses and work to discover cal manner, and listen to that that someone caused over conscience of yours for once. $1,000 worth of damage to I suppose I’m lucky it’s just your car. my car that was hit and not I don’t know how it hap- me. But I hope the person who pened — my car is rather small did it is reading this. I’d like to compared to most, and I was tell them that while I forgive in the middle of the spot. So I them for the error, I also hope think whoever did it was pretty and pray one day they discovmuch the world’s worst driver. er integrity and realize that as And whoever did it left adults, we have to own up to a bad taste in my mouth. I our errors. thought we were at Abilene Maybe someday I’ll make Christian University, but I it into the police log on my guess someone forgot about own merit. But until that day the Christian part. comes, I’ll just have to settle Isn’t integrity a big part of for being involved in that hitChristianity? Even if someone and-run reported at 8:02 p.m. isn’t a Christian, isn’t there last Thursday. still a drive in us to be honest and try to do what’s right? I’m pretty sure there is a drive like E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu that — I don’t think I misin-
In Your Words
What do you think of the new intramural changes? I heard about the waterball thing, and I know there are a lot of people who aren’t going to like that.
I heard the waterball changes were made — that kind of stinks because it was one of the highlights of the season.
I was informed because I’m an officer in my club— a lot of people are unhappy about waterball.
I know a lot of girls are upset about waterball not being played out and just being a weekend tournament.
Wade Huggins
Justin Smith
Karissa McCoy
Kristen Benton
Junior finance major from Austin.
Sophomore worship ministry major from Abilene.
Junior nursing major from Keller.
Junior nutrition major from Austin.
Editorial and letter policy 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 personal
attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
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Online: www.acuoptimist.com
Friday, September 14, 2007
Wildcats face No. 6 St. Edwards By Christina Johnson
Soccer
Sports Writer
The 4-3 ACU women’s soccer team will play two away games this weekend. They face two highly ranked teams who have a long history of women’s soccer programs. The Wildcats play St. Edward’s University first on Friday in Austin. They are currently 3-2 and ranked No. 18 in the NCAA National Women’s Division II poll and No. 1 in the NCAA South Central Regional Women’s Midwest Division II poll. Head coach Casey Wilson is unalarmed with the match coming up Friday. He said his team used this week to work out all its mistakes from its previous two game losses against Ouachita Baptist University and Missouri Southern University. “I think sometimes when we play better teams, some things get exposed, as far as mistakes go,” Wilson said. “I think this
team is talented enough to make adjustments and not let that be a setback.” Assistant coach Thomas Pertuit is pleased at his team’s performance this season. “I think we’ve done a good job so far. We’ve made some mistakes, and we’ve learned from those mistakes,” Pertuit said. “Each game we’ve been improving. As long as we’re improving each and every game, we’re going in the right direction.” Pertuit acknowledges his team’s struggle this season, but claims they can use it to their advantage. “I think [St. Edward’s and Dallas Baptist] have more skills, but our girls, if we play the way we can, we can beat them,” Pertuit said. “If we fight and capitalize our mistakes, we can beat them.” Pertuit confesses the Wildcats’ secret weapon of power
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore goalkeeper Allison Egan dives in front of a shot on goal during the second half of ACU’s loss to Ouachita Baptist on Sunday.
lies in friendship. “I think our biggest strength is our leadership and unity,” Pertuit said. “Our team has a strong jell, and they’re really cohesive.” ACU will also play a 2-2 Dallas Baptist University team Sat-
Ranked teams head to Tech
urday in Dallas. “I think if we go in there, play hard and minimize our mistakes, I think we’ll give them a tough run for it,” Wilson said.
E-mail Johnson at: optimist@acu.edu
Golf: Three finish in top 40 of home tourney Continued from page 8
fall golf schedule
Oklahoma’s Colby Shrum and St. Mary’s Matt Vela. “Charles had a really good first tournament,” Campbell said. “We are looking forward to see how he does the rest of the season.” Senior Erik Manning shot a combined score of 146 to place in the top 20 tied with Matthew Hensen from St. Edward’s, Kyle Hatch from Southeastern Oklahoma State and Zach Cleland from Central Oklahoma for 19th overall. Next in line for ACU was junior Patrick Hanauer, who placed in the top 40 after shooting 76 on day one and 73 on day two for a combined score of seven over par. “Patrick is one of our leaders,” Campbell said. “He definitely has the experience.” The Wildcats will head to Cameron University’s home
The ACU golf team finished fifth at the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate and will play in four more tournaments this Fall. n The Territory Classic in Duncan, Okla., on Monday and Tuesday n Grand Canyon University Fall Classic in Phoenix on Oct. 1-2 n Texoma Championship in Kingston, Okla., on Oct. 8-9 n The Rattler Round-Up in San Antonio on Oct. 22-23. course in Duncan, Okla., and compete in the Territory Classic. At the Classic, ACU will compete against most of the same schools they played against in the Charles Coody Invitational.
E-mail MacDonald at: optimist@acu.edu
Perkins: No. 44 retired for good Continued from page 8
By Anastasia Mathis Sports Writer
Now that the ACU cross country team has practiced together for three weeks and dominated its first meet of the season, the cross country teams will compete at the Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open in Lubbock on Friday. Both teams are nationally ranked, the men at No. 1 and the women at No. 12, and head coach Derek Hood said this weekend is another chance to improve. “The ladies will be running the same distance, so I will be looking for improvement in the times, compared to what we ran two weeks ago,” said head coach Derek Hood. “It’s going to be a mile further for the guys than what we ran two weeks ago, so I’m expecting to see how they hold up running this longer distance.” Loice Cheboi, Mary Mwangi, Hayley Garner, Venessa Whittle, Lindsey Putman, Nicodemus Naimadu, Serge Gasore, Philip Birgen, Julius Nyango and Amos Sang placed in the top 10 during the Wildcats’ first meet, the ACU Cross Country Classic, and are striving to continue running with fast times and ranking well individually and as a team. “My goals for this meet is to run strong, competitively and to improve as an individual and as a team,” said freshman Lindsay Putman. The Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open is the next step in preparing the ACU cross country team for the Oklahoma State
Page 7
SPORTS JUMPS
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
ACU runners Hayley Garner and Lindsey Putman run downhill during the ACU Cross Country Classic at Sherrod Park on Sept. 1.
Cross Country Jamboree on Sept. 29. Hood said Texas Tech’s team will be the biggest challenge for ACU’s women. “They have a national champion on their team, and they have a very good women’s program,” Hood said. For the men, Hood said South Plains Junior College, and Texas Tech will be the toughest competition. “Texas Tech has a few good individuals on their team, and the competition will be better than what we had here two weeks ago at our meet,” Hood said. Schools participating in the Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open are South Plains Junior College, Western Texas College, Northwood University and Texas Tech.
“The main benefit for running this week is that it will give them an idea what we will be running for the Oklahoma State meet,” Hood said. “It’s a change to put the uniform on and see what kind of shape we are in. It’s another fitness check.” Three-time national champion Nicodemus Naimadu said this next meet is one step closer to reaching his goal to be the first runner to win four NCAA Division II individual titles. “[A fourth NCAA II individual nation championship] will be my major goal; I know that no one has done it,” Naimadu said. “I’m seeing this as the only [goal] that I’m going for. As the first one ever though, in the back of my mind, I know it’s the fourth; I’m going to look at it as the first.” E-mail Mathis at: optimist@acu.edu
1977 NFL Draft. After his college and professional football careers, Perkins was a voice of encouragement to local high school athletes and summer camp church youth groups in the Granbury area. “Johnny had a very likable personality,” Bullington said. “He had good people skills. He met his wife here, Debra. And she was from New York, so it was neat that he went to the New York Giants because she sort of went back to her roots that way.” A committee made up of Dr. Gary D. McCaleb, vice president of the university; Jared Mosley, athletic director; Shelana Poindexter, assistant athletic director; and Bullington reached a collective agreement to retire Perkins’ number because of his outstanding football career. Perkins was an all-America wide receiver who still is ACU’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,529 yards. He is third in touchdown catches (22) and sixth in receptions (116). He led the nation in receiving for the Wildcats as a junior in 1975, catching 50 passes for 1,195
yards and 12 touchdowns. In 29 games in his ACU career, he had a school-record 12 100-yard receiving games. “We really were a passing team,” Bullington said. “To do that, you have to have great wide receivers and a good quarterback, and we had both.” The combination of Perkins, quarterback Jim Reese and wide receiver Cle Montgomery made up one of the most feared offensive teams in the nation. “He was the epitome example of what a true teammate was,” Montgomery said, who was Perkins’ roommate for three years. “He practiced hard; he played hard. He was unselfish. As long as the team was winning, he didn’t care.” Perkins helped lead ACU to a 9-2 finish in 1976 and a win over Harding University in the Shrine Bowl in Pasadena. “It was a lot of fun,” Montgomery said. “We had a lot of camaraderie. We were like family, like brothers. We were a close-knit unit back then.” During Perkins’ career as a Wildcat, he earned honors including team MVP, Lone Star Conference Lineman of the Year, first team NAIA all-America and second team
Associated Press Little allAmerica. He was named to the all-decade team of the 1970s at ACU, and he played in the Senior Bowl and BlueGray all-star games after his senior season in 1976. Perkins left ACU after his senior season and played wide receiver for the New York Giants in the NFL for eight years. In November 1990, he was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame. In August 2005, he was voted to the ACU Football all-Century Team, and in November, Perkins was one of 75 former players and coaches named to the LSC’s 75th anniversary all-time team. Currently, ACU senior defensive lineman Joe Edwards wears No. 44, but he will be the last Wildcat to ever wear the number after this season. “Coach Chris Thomsen and I met with Joe and told him the importance of being a good representative of No. 44 this year,” Bullington said. “And he certainly agreed.” Perkins’ jersey will also be displayed in the Teague Special Events Center.
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Storm: Passing defense struggles Continued from page 8 laden and struggling passing defense. In ACU’s week two win over Texas State, ACU had problems defending the pass. ACU gave up 294 yards in the air for three passing touchdowns. ACU is ranked 10th in the LSC in pass defense and has given up 509 yards in the air this season. The Southeastern offense has one of the best passing offenses in the LSC, averaging 256.5 yards
in the air after two games. “I guess as a veteran in the secondary, the main thing we can do right now is emphasize on film, film, film,” said senior cornerback Corey Jordan. Former starting defensive back Bobby Tatum was injured in the Wildcats’ first game against the University of Central Oklahoma and starting sophomore linebacker Jody Walker was injured in the Texas State game. “It’s tough obviously; we’ve lost players we counted on being in all season,” Thomsen
said. “We had to pull up a few guys who were gonna red shirt that we believe will have the ability to step up.” But regardless of the injuries and defensive struggles, Jordan said losing at home isn’t an option. “I think it’s huge because I don’t want our fans to come out and not enjoy the game,” Jordan said. ACU and Southeastern will kick off at 6 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium on Saturday. E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
SportsFriday Optimist
Page 8
Golf team finishes fifth at Coody
ScoreBoard Standings
By Nathan MacDonald
Scoreboard as of Thursday
Football
Team
Tarleton St. MSU ENMU WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-K
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Volleyball
Team
WTAMU TAMU-K Tarleton St. ACU ENMU Angelo St.
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Women’s Soccer
Team
Div. WTAMU 0-0 MSU 0-0 Central Okla. 0-0 ENMU 0-0 ACU 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 TAMU-C 0-0 East Central 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 NE State 0-0 SW Okla. 0-0
Overall 5-1 3-0-2 4-1-1 4-2 4-3 2-2-1 2-2 2-3-2 2-3-1 1-2-1 0-6
Golf
Sports Writer
Overall 3-0 2-0 2-0 2-0 1-1 0-2 0-2 Overall 8-5 4-3 5-7 4-6 3-11 2-9
September 14, 2007
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior Curtis Harris sets up his putt on the 17th hole of Diamondback Golf Course during the West Texas Charles Coody Intercollegiate on Monday.
The ACU golf team was unable to repeat its 2006 first place finish at the West Texas Charles Coody Invitational after shooting a combined score of 17 over par Monday and Tuesday. The hosts finished fifth out of 17 teams, while the No. 13 NAIA school in the nation, Texas Wesleyan University, won the invitational with a combined score of two under par. ACU finished behind second place St. Edwards, third
place Southeastern Oklahoma State and fourth place University of Central Oklahoma. Though the Wildcats came away from the tournament in fifth, head coach Mike Campbell knows there is still a lot of golf to be played this season. “We didn’t play as well as we expected, but we know that it’s a long ways away from March and April, and we know we will play better in the future tournaments,” Campbell said. During the first round
Cats prepare for ‘Storm’ ACU faces one of LSC’s struggling defenses
Monday, the tournament was postponed an hour and a half due to a rain delay. Campbell said weather is just a part of the game. “No matter what the conditions are in golf, you just have to deal with them and move on,” Campbell said. One of ACU’s new additions to the ACU golf team, freshmen Charles Levitte, played the best out of the ACU team, shooting 69 on day one and 72 on day two, which put Levitte in a threeway tie for fifth with Central See
GOLF page 7
Wildcats honor Perkins at home opener By Michael Freeman
Scores Saturday VOLLEYBALL ACU 3, Fort Hays State 1 ACU 3, Texas-Permian Basin 0
FOOTBALL ACU 45, Texas State 27
Sunday WOMEN’S SOCCER Ouachita Baptist 8, ACU 1
Upcoming Friday MEN’S TENNIS New Mexico State Invitational, TBA
WOMEN’S TENNIS North Texas State Invitational, TBA
WOMEN’S SOCCER ACU at St. Edward’s, 5 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday FOOTBALL ACU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State, 6 p.m.
WOMEN’S SOCCER ACU at Dallas Baptist, 6 p.m. n Home games listed in italics
Briefs Nicodemus Naimadu named Runner of the Week n ACU senior cross country runner Nicodemus Naimadu was named the Lone Star Conference Runner of the Week after winning his 11th Naimadu straight individual cross country championship Sept. 1 at the ACU Classic.
Intramural Round-up n Flag football began on Tuesday. Champ, Rec and Pledge leagues continue play Thursday and Monday. Any last-minute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum. For complete intramural scores and schedules visit: w w w. a c u o p t i m i s t . c o m
By Daniel Johnson
Assistant Sports Editor
Sports Editor
ACU’s offense racked up 458 total yards and scored a season high six touchdowns in its upset win over Texas State on Saturday. And in the Wildcats’ first home game of the season, week three may be a repeat of last week’s show as they take on a struggling Southeastern Oklahoma State defense. “We want to come out and perform well in front of the home fans,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. The 1-1 Wildcats will open home play against one of the worst defenses in the Lone Star Conference on Saturday: the Southeastern Savage Storm. In the 13-team Lone Star Conference, Southeastern ranks 11th in total defense, 12th in rushing defense and 12th in scoring defense. The Savage Storm, who were picked to win the LSC North, are also coming off of an embarrassing 41-17 loss to Tarleton State. Tarleton’s offense racked up 560 yards of total offense against Southeastern, and so far this season Southeastern has given up an average of 478.0 yards a game. The last time ACU and Southeastern met in 2006, the Wildcats scored 51 points, and the win launched a seven-game winning streak for ACU. But despite the Savage Storm’s early defensive struggles and last year’s results, Thomsen said he is ready for a battle. “I know Southeastern is
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior cornerback Corey Jordan bats down a pass from Bobcats’ wide receiver Cameron Luke during ACU’s game against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Texas State on Saturday.
Football ready to prove themselves,” Thomsen said. ACU’s offense is coming off of its biggest week of the season. Junior running
back Bernard Scott scored four touchdowns and junior quarterback Billy Malone threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns against Texas State, a performance that lifted ACU’s offense
yardage average to 407.0 yards a game. One weakness the Savage Storm may try to take advantage is ACU’s injury See
STORM page 7
The ACU athletics department will retire the late Johnny Perkins’ number during a halftime ceremony Saturday at the Wildcats’ first home football game against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Perkins, who wore No. 44, is only the fourth athlete in ACU history to have a jersey number retired. Perkins The jersey will be presented to Perkins’ wife Debra and his two children, Jasmine and Jia, during halftime after the Big Purple Band performs at Shotwell Stadium. Wally Bullington, athletic director emeritus, was the head football coach of the Wildcats when Perkins played at ACU from 1974-76 and said Perkins’ accomplishments off the field were just as much reason to retire his number as his actions on the field. “Johnny was a good person; he was a good representative for the university,” Bullington said. “He did a lot of youth work in the Granbury area. And for his funeral, the whole town turned out. They couldn’t get them all in the building. He was just held in high esteem in his hometown.” Perkins died on April 25 after suffering complications from heart surgery. He still remains ACU’s highest draft choice (32nd player overall) after being drafted by the New York Giants in the second-round of the See
PERKINS page 7
Wildcats to take separate ways over weekend By Kirsten Bosilikwa Sports Writer
After opening their season by sweeping the Wal-Mart Open this weekend, the Wildcat women’s and men’s tennis teams will split up to compete at separate tournaments. The men’s team will play at the New Mexico Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M., and the women’s team will compete at the Mean Green Open at the University of North Texas in Denton on Friday and Saturday. Head coach Hutton Jones said the tournaments are early tests for his players, especially the women who will be competing against Division I teams in Denton. “I expect us to bring up our own level of expectations and prove to them that we are not the underdogs,” Jones said.
Tennis The Wildcats hosted the Wal-Mart Open in Abilene last weekend, beating four other schools and dominating the competition. Juniors Juan Nunez and Sarah Drummond each won a singles flight; Nunez and junior Ryan Hudson won a doubles flight, and juniors Joey Faris and Brett Proctor won another doubles flight. Meanwhile, Drummond and her partner senior Meagan Brown won one of the doubles flights and sophomore Dina Pavlin and freshman Jaclyn Walker won a doubles flight of their own on the women’s side. Jones said the Wal-Mart Open wins should be the start to another successful season for the ACU men’s and women’s tennis teams, who finished the season nationally ranked and both quali-
week one winners The ACU tennis teams dominated the ACU Wal-Mart open, their first tournament of the 2007 fall season. ACU athletes won six flights over the weekend.
Singles winners n Juan Nunez n Sarah Drummond
Doubles winners n Nunez and Ryan Hudson n Joey Farias and Brett Proctor n Drummond and Meagan Brown n Dina Pavlin and Jaclyn Walker
fied for the NCAA Division II national tournament in the Spring. The men finished the season ranked at No. 22, and the women finished the season ranked at No. 12.
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior Juan Nunez lunges for a ball during a match at the Wal-Mart Open on Friday. Nunez won a singles flight and doubles flight with partner Ryan Hudson. “I feel like we have a good team this year,” said junior Irene Squillaci, a two-year veteran for Jones. “I think we are mentally strong enough that we will win.
We are a very close team, and that is really due to our morning practices that start at 5 a.m.” E-mail Bosilikwa at: optimist@acu.edu