OPTIMIST THE
FRIDAY November 2, 2007 Vol. 96, No. 19 1 sections, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
The film you won’t see at this year’s FilmFest
It’s that time already
Provisional no more
Social club members officially welcomed new members Wednesday, page 4
The Optimist examines a student film ACU deems too inappropriate for FilmFest, page 6
ACU men’s basketball team begins practice and exhibition play, page 8
Eyeing the judges
Def Poetry Jam could still come to campus By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor
Courtesy of AUNDREA HEARN
ACU alumna Aundrea Hearn (’92) works in Atlanta, Ga., for the advertising agency JWT after spending time in the radio and film businesses.
Aundrea Hearn By Jared Fields Editor-in-Chief COURTESY OF Randy Brewer
At right, Randy Brewer (’93) stands next to Carrie Underwood and director Roman White after winning an Academy of Country Music award for the video, “Before He Cheats.”
Randy Brewer By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor
This year has been a year of firsts for alumnus Randy Brewer, (’93). In 2007, his work as a producer earned him the longest No. 1 running video in Country Music Television history and the first country music video nominated for an MTV Music Video Award, to name just a few firsts. “It is really neat to have those opportunities and to be blessed with that kind of recognition,” Brewer said. “For me, you do that, you win an award and it’s exciting. And then it’s like, ‘What can we do next? What’s something else we can conquer?’” Brewer knows about taking the next step — since graduating from ACU, he worked in Los Angeles on commercial projects and produced videos at a company in Nashville, Tenn., before founding his own production company, Revolution Pictures, in 1997. “It kind of just happened,” Brewer said. “It was a God thing. I can dream bigger, having my own company. I don’t have any walls from somebody saying, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ It’s definitely more exciting; you have more freedom.” Brewer’s Nashville-based company has garnered 18 Telly Awards, five Emmys, two Billboard Magazine Awards, a Dove Award,
a BDA Gold Award and MTV’s Indie Music Video of the Year. Brewer has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood and Mat Kearney, who premiered Brewer’s video on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. “Working with the American Idols, that was really cool for me,” Brewer said. Before adding Clarkson and Underwood as his clients, Brewer said he aimed to shoot videos for Christian artists Michael W. Smith or Steven Curtis Chapman. He still hasn’t, but a transition into the country music arena found him working with Underwood, first on “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and more recently on “Before He Cheats,” which is now up for Video of the Year and a CMA award. The video also earned Revolution Pictures an MTV music video award nomination, which Brewer said he is most excited about. “‘Before He Cheats’ has been very good to See
BREWER page 3
Since graduating from ACU in 1992, Aundrea Hearn has worked in radio, film and advertising, but not because she didn’t enjoy previous jobs. Living in Atlanta, Ga., where she grew up, Hearn works as a copywriter for the advertising agency JWT. She currently works exclusively on JWT’s account with Ford. Hearn said she enjoys her job, but doesn’t know how much longer she’ll be there. “I usually get bored pretty quickly,” Hearn said. “After a while my ADD kicks in, so I need to do something different.” Before her job with JWT, Hearn worked on other clients’ campaigns, such as Home Depot, UPS, Blockbuster, eHarmony.com and others. Aside from her job with JWT, Hearn is also working with her cousin on organizing a charity concert in Nashville, Tenn.
The concert, “What a Pair!” pits artists together in duos singing show tunes to benefit breast cancer research. After ACU, Hearn began her professional career in Atlanta, working at a radio station. But after two years, Hearn decided to try another path and moved to Los Angeles with ACU graduates Craig and Leslie Barnett who let Hearn stay in their guest room. Hearn got a job as a production assistant at Dreamworks. One of her jobs involved organizing Steven Spielberg’s rolodex. The task took a month and a half and had perks like celebrities leaving contact information on her answering machine. Going from ACU to Atlanta to Los Angeles, Hearn said she experienced some initial culture shock after arriving in Hollywood. Hearn said she knew nothing about film and was thrown in to her job like a kid learning to swim. “It was a really great education there to learn from the ground up,” Hearn said. “And they allow you to do that there.” Her hands-on experience led Hearn to work with other award-winning directors and See
HEARN page 3
Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell By Daniel Johnson Sports Editor
COURTESY OF NEAL CAMPBELL
Cali Lewis and husband Neal Campbell started the podcast “GeekBriefTV” in November 2005 and have now reached over 1 million Internet viewers.
Congress’ first spent funds of year for bowling
Not many people know Luria Petrucci by her real name. Luria’s digital name, Cali Lewis, is a different story. Cali is the host of GeekBriefTV, a themed podcast that broadcasts tips and discusses computer trends to up to 1 million Internet viewers. Lewis and her husband Neal Campbell are among the many high-profile FilmFest
By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor
The Students’ Association Congress spent the first of its $4,000 discretionary fund on free bowling and charity at Wednesday’s meeting. Senior senator Alaina Bearden and junior senator Kelline Linton presented a bill for free bowling two days a week from 7 to 10 p.m. in the campus bowling alley. “It’s just [for] ACU students, and that’s because they give us the mon-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Judges for the 2007 show and are best known for inventing the popular podcast. The couple discovered podcasting in 2005 after hearing former MTV VJ Adam Curry discuss the Internet broadcasting medium on a National Public Radio discussion. “He was being interviewed on NPR, so we just started soaking up the information and realized this was something we wanted to do.” Lewis said.
Campbell and Lewis said they laid out a basic idea for GeekBriefTV in November 2005 and released their first show on the Internet during the winter. “We had never done anything before, so we bought our first video camera, just learned and did it,” Lewis said. Lewis, the podcast’s producer and host, takes on the
ey,” Linton said. The senators said Joel Swedlund, McGlothlin Campus Center manager, approved the plan and reduced the price for SA. Free student bowling for the rest of the semester will cost $600, a price that will cover operating costs but will not yield any profit for the university, executive treasurer Kevan Kirksey said. Congress passed the bill with 38 See
See
CAMPBELL page 3
The hit TV show “Def Poetry Jam” may be coming to ACU, if budgetary problems can be resolved to bring the members here. “Def Poetry Jam” is a show that airs on HBO Fridays at 12:00 a.m. and is a “poetry performance initiative,” said co-founder Bruce George. “What we would like to achieve is to make poetry more palatable to the youth,” George said. “It’s a way for them to cry out, to be creative. We want to bring the poets forth and bring them out of the closet, so to speak.” The show received the Peabody award from HBO, and the Broadway version of the show won a Tony award. Several celebrities, including Dave Chappelle, Benjamin Bratt and rapper Mos Def have been on the show. Now in its sixth season, the show began in 2001 just after the Sept. 11 attacks. “We were a little nervous about if the world was ready for poetry [after Sept. 11],” George said. “But it turned out the world was in a very reflective state, and that worked well to our advantage.” Students’ Association president Matt Worthington said the main problem with getting “Def Poetry Jam” on campus is lack of funding. “Since enrollment numbers were lower than projected, budgets for every department had to be cut,” Worthington said. “The English Department wanted to bring them in but couldn’t on their own because of the budget cuts.” However, students have come together and shown the administration how much they want the group to come to campus. Over 800 students signed a petition to bring “Def Poetry Jam” to ACU. “That’s about 20 percent of the student body,” Worthington said. “It’s a testimony that they can’t ignore.” Worthington said another concern about “Def Poetry Jam” coming is that at ACU, the slam poetry genre is a bit foreign to most, and some administrators have expressed concerns with the nature of slam poetry. However, most are open to the group coming to campus, and the group is fine with monitoring its content. “I told them they had to understand that ACU is a
See
POETRY page 3 KATIE GAGER CHIEF
PHOTOGRAPHER
Students’ Association vice president Daniel Paul Watkins, president Matt Worthington and chief development officer Matt Greenberg discuss a bill Wednesday.
CONGRESS page 3
Abilene Christian University
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, November 2, 2007
02
Calendar & Events
Friday
11:15 p.m. Essence of Ebony will host ‘Duos- It Looks Good on You,’ a Halloween skate night at The Skatin’ Place, located at S. 14th and Clack. This event will last until 1 a.m. Admittance for each individual with a costume will cost $5, and couples with duo costumes will cost $8.
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Saturday
6:30 p.m. Connecting Caring Communities will host a Trivia Night Fundraiser in the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church Activity Center, located at 1333 N. 3rd St. The night will include trivia, fun, prizes and dinner, which will be provided by MCM Elegante Suites, Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Mr. Gatti’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and other vendors. Ticket sales will go to Connecting Caring Communities. Tickets are $20 per person. Purchase tickets from info@wecareabilene.org or (325) 232-8241.
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Monday
3 p.m. Sophomores, or students with 3059 hours completed, can register for spring/summer 2008 classes. 7 p.m. Monks coffee shop will hold a poetry reading, ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ until 9 p.m. Baked goods will be provided free of charge. It is an ‘open mic’ event, so attendees are welcome to either read original work or bring other poetry to read.
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Tuesday
7:30 p.m. Broadway in Abilene will present ‘Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash’ at the Abilene Civic Center. This new Broadway musical features 38 signature songs from Johnny Cash. Call 1-800-585-3737 for tickets.
Announcements Thanksgiving holidays will begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21, rather than on Nov. 20 as the ACU Student Planner says. This means all Tuesday classes, including evening classes, will meet that day. FilmFest Revolutions, ACU’s fourth annual FilmFest, will take place Friday and Saturday. FilmFest is a student short-film competition. Students create all aspects of the films as the directors, writers, producers, sound designers, technical directors and production designers. FilmFest Chapel and the FilmFest premier night show will take place Friday. The Judges’ Symposium, screening of all films and the FilmFest ‘07 concert will take place Saturday. Social Justice Coalition will host a volleyball tournament Friday and Saturday. The tournament will cost $120 per team, and funds will sup-
port Steven’s Children, which helps impoverished families in Egypt. Contact Abby Barnes at aeb05j@acu.edu or Cristina del Pinal at cxd03d@acu. edu for more information. Be a part of history within the travel industry by Thursday. For Spring Spectacular Treat information, call (325) 676-0101. The Thanks Giving ArtWalk, sponsored by Connecting Caring Communities, will be held in downtown Abilene on Thursday from 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Stop by Minter Park to find out about Connecting Caring Communities. Join the Caring Team and learn how to make a difference in Abilene. Don’t miss the activities, larger-than-life video, prizes and giveaways that will take place there. Enjoy music by the indie rock band, Wouk, which includes Colin Barnard, freshman marketing major, and Wylie High School students
Matt Gotcher, Michael Perkins and Mitchell Arnold, in front of the Cockerell Building’s 2nd St. Gallery and Studios. Nearby, Pinhole Photographer Henry Morgan will be displaying his art photography and his array of homemade pinhole cameras. Check out other art galleries that will be on display downtown at the Center for Contemporary Arts, Cockerell Building’s 2nd St. Gallery and Studios, the Grace Museum and other sites. Monks coffee shop, located at 233 Cypress St., invites ArtWalk guests to wear a ‘We Care’ pin from Connecting Caring Communities into the coffee shop to receive a free cup of coffee or hot chocolate. While there, enjoy art by Brittany Koonce, ACU art alumna. The Paramount Theatre will present ‘Dreamgirls’ at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. This movie version of the hit Broadway musical
chronicles the rise to fame of a black female singing group in the 1960s who tried to cross over to the white music charts. This film is rated PG-13. Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, members of the military and children. ACU’s 21st annual Carmichael-Walling Lectures will take place Thursday at 4 and 7:30 p.m. in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building Room 130. These lectures will feature Dr. Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University, where he taught from 1969-1999. Meeks will speak about reading the Bible in a cultural crisis. The Paramount Theatre will show the classic film ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Credited Chapels remaining:
45 25
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@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.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed to read with kids in Abilene elementary schools on a weekly basis. A variety of shifts are available. Love and Care Ministries will host its annual Tent Revival at 7 p.m. Sun.- Wed. at S. 5th and Sycamore Street. The revival is aimed primarily at the homeless and needy in Abilene. Anyone is invited to attend. Volunteers are needed at 1 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at Love and Care Ministries, which is located at 234 Fannin, to help take clothes to the revival site. Volunteers are also needed at 6:30 p.m. Sun.Wed. at the revival site to help with the distribution of clothes and other necessities. Love and Care Ministries, in partnership with Arrow Ford, will hold its annual Mission Thanksgiving on Nov. 16. Many volunteers are needed for various shifts from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. During this time, donations of food, clothing and money will be dropped off at the Arrow Ford dealership at 4001 S. 1st St. These goods will benefit the homeless and needy in the Abilene community. As people drive through with their donations, volunteers will help unload and load these items. Last year, nine semi-trailers were filled with
donations. Love and Care Ministries also needs volunteers from 8 a.m.-noon on Nov. 17 to help unload the trailers at Love and Care Ministries, which is located at 234 Fannin. For more information, contact Aubi Martinez at (325) 692-9500, ext. 239. The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with a Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 22 from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Salvation Army. Volunteers will assist with setting up, serving lunch and cleaning up. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at (325) 672-1408. The Veterans Administration needs help with a Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 22 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Volunteers will help serve lunch and clean up. For more information, contact Jim DeFoor at (325) 674-1328. Hendrick Hospice Care needs volunteers to accept donations at its “Light up a Life” tree, which will be located at the Mall of Abilene in the courtyard in front of Dillard’s for men. Shifts are available seven days a week in two-hour increments from Nov. 19-Jan. 5. For more information, contact Jennifer Forrest or Brooke Hearon at (325) 677-8516.
FROM THE FRONT
Friday, November 2, 2007
Page 3
Poetry: Group offers students self-expression venue Continued from page 1 completely different culture than what they’re used to dealing with,” Worthington said. “But I think there’s a way to be an advocate of slam poetry, there’s a way to be respectful and prophetic. Paul had to find a different way to relate to the Greeks in Acts 17, and he did it.” George said the group has had good effects at the
schools they’ve been to. “We’ve been to hundreds, maybe even thousands of schools,” George said. “Through us coming to schools and giving students opportunities to express themselves, you never know what could happen. We want students to express themselves and have fun while doing it.” Worthington said several departments, including the
theater, Bible, sociology and English departments are compiling an educational proposal to bring the group here. “We’re hoping we can use some of this semester and next semester’s budgets to try to alleviate the cost somewhat,” Worthington said. The group would provide several poetry workshops and panel discussions and help students write poetry, George said.
“There’s a pretty therapeutic element to writing,” George said. “We call it the written cure. Ever since Columbine and now Virginia Tech, students are looking for a way to cry out, and we want to help them find that way.” Worthington said the group has been very understanding of ACU’s budgetary concerns. “Originally, the cost would have been around $12,000, but after talking to Bruce,
the group knocked the cost down to $7,000 to $8,000,” Worthington said. “They just really want to come here, so they’re being really helpful with everything.” After the educational proposal is completed, further steps will be taken to finalize the group’s arrival on campus, Worthington said. George expressed his excitement about the possibility of coming to ACU. In fact,
Worthington said, George was the one who called him. “We haven’t signed on the dotted line yet,” George said. “But we’re incredibly excited about the possibility of coming to ACU.” “It would definitely be a historical thing to bring a group like this to campus,” Worthington said.
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
Campbell: FilmFest judge to present live podcast on campus Continued from page 1 role of the International Director of the fictional Geek Intelligence Agency, or G.I.A. and uses her status to “brief” the agents on the latest computer news. “Within three weeks we had grown so much that our hosting company was calling us to tell us they were gonna shut our site down because we were going over the bandwidth. At that point the couple turned to podshow.com, a
Web site that hosts a variety of podcasts and was founded by Curry. “We knew we wanted to be with the podshow network so we kind of had a freakout moment.” The couple e-mailed everyone they knew that had some kind of connection to podshow. com and Curry replied offering any way to help them out. Now Lewis broadcasts on a daily basis, while she runs a blog designed to answer questions regarding the iPhone
and personally responds to any comments or e-mails to GeekBriefTV. “That’s the great thing about podcasting, individuals can say, ‘OK I’m gonna do it,’ and do it.” Lewis said. “Nobody has the power to say, ‘No you’re not good enough.’” Campbell attributes the podcast’s rapid and continuing success to being in the right cyberspace at the right time. “I think part of it was timing,” Campbell said. “We started shortly after Apple
released their first video iPod and we were thinking people were going to be getting these for Christmas and there wasn’t a lot of content on iTunes for video.” Now the couple spends their days and nights maintaining the popular podcast. “We do this more than fulltime, we do it about 16 hours a day,” Campbell said. “We try to take one day a week off because the Bible says we should.” Lewis says she doesn’t mind not using her real name
and merely took on the pseudonym to enhance the show. “The show Alias was big at that time so we just went for it,” Lewis said. “The whole G.I.A. thing was a good way to get people involved.” And now GeekBriefTV will broadcast live from the ACU Learning Commons on Friday at 2 p.m. The couple said they are looking forward to what they expect to be the largest live broadcast in the podcast’s history, but also casting their vote as
FilmFest judges. “This sounded like a fun thing to do when [Doug Darby, FilmFest director] asked us,” Campbell said. “Any time you get to do something you’ve never done before that’s something we’re all about. The whole idea of students who want to produce media is something we really care about.”
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Hearn: Storytelling Funds: Congress puts powers of the purse to work offers career choice Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1 writers. Hearn worked with Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) and John Herzfeld (Don King: Only in America). Hearn went on to work with Herzfeld and helped develop “Dr. Vegas” on CBS, “Point of Origin,” an Emmy-nominated HBO show, and “15 Minutes” for New Line Cinema. “I really enjoyed working with Herzfeld and Callie Khouri,” Hearn said. “To get your hands dirty and get involved, [from] conception to birth. I was very lucky to work with people in that. It was fun to go from working in a studio and not having that kind of access and getting thrown in the mix and being able to have a say in something.” Now that Hearn is getting her say in quite a few somethings, Hearn said she’s excited about her first trip to ACU since 1993, but she doesn’t know just what to expect. “I’m sure I’m going to feel old,” Hearn said. “That’s one thing I’m expecting.” A Siggie while at ACU, Hearn also worked as a waitress at the Towne Crier, a DJ for local radio stations and for KACU radio. Since ’93, Hearn has missed such changes to campus as the construction of University
Park Apartments, Barret Hall, the ACU pond, Jacob’s Ladder, the Lunsford Trail and renovations in the McGlothlin Campus Center and Sikes Residence Hall. Hearn will get a tour of ACU and the area Friday and looks forward to the changes since her last visit. But like everything else, Hearn’s attention span will likely grow bored with ACU and become ready for another change of scenery. With the things she has done so far, Hearn is beginning to run short on other careers to pursue. Working in radio, film and advertising, it’s all just storytelling to Hearn. “It’s just finding different ways to tell a story,” Hearn said. “There’s always a takeaway; you always think about a story.” Hearn said she would like to get into publishing but hasn’t had the opportunity yet. “I haven’t been in publishing yet,” Hearn said. “I always admired authors, but never been able to do that.” While she may feel the urge to move from job to job, Hearn will continue to be a storyteller, no matter the medium.
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
supporting and two votes abstaining, and with no debate. Bearden, along with chief financial officer Spencer Hemphill, presented a second bill to Congress seeking funds. Hemphill has spent the past several weeks organizing two Big Brother Big Sisters Bowling for Kids’ Sake teams composed of Congress members, and with nine members on the team, the bill requested $500 – an entry fee reduced from
the regular $75 per person or $350 per team. “If we have the cash, why not go ahead and pay the full price,” said senior senator Kyle Moore. Congress amended the bill to pay the full $700 entry fee and passed it unanimously by voice vote. Wednesday marked the first money appropriated from the discretionary fund, but several others expenses could be on the horizon. Vice president DanielPaul Watkins and president
Brewer: Production company expands skills Continued from page 1 While he didn’t name a favorite, Brewer said the video he recently shot for Kelly Clarkson was an effects video, which took two months to produce – far longer than usual. A typical video at Revolution Pictures takes two to three weeks, Brewer said, and in August and September, the company turned out 22 videos. With the CMAs slated for next week, Brewer is already looking to other horizons. He said he is working to devel-
op his commercial division, which presents a different challenge and a larger budget. Brewer also said he is looking at opportunities in reality TV, and after about 10 years with his company, he can finally dictate the videos he personally produces and the projects he works with. “You kind of get to the point where you can pick and chose, which is nice.” Perhaps another first waits in Brewer’s future.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Matt Worthington said plans are in the works to offer a free Starbucks day to all ACU students, in an effort to serve students who are not in student groups as well. The Cabinet is still in the discussion stages with director of purchasing Anthony Williams, and did not have cost figures as of Wednesday. Another pending cost could be “Def Poetry Jam,” but discussions for bringing the group to campus are still in the works, as departments must hurdle the financial setbacks. Worthington
estimated bringing the group to campus could cost from $3,500 to $4,000, but would be distributed between several academic departments, including English and sociology, along with SA. Next week, Congress will discuss Chapel policy with Dr. Wayne Barnard, university dean of spiritual formation, and Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president of student life.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
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Friday, November 2, 2007
Essence of Ebony scouts locations for iDance By Pete Koehn Student Reporter
Efforts are underway to find a new venue to host Essence of Ebony’s dancing event, iDance. The search began after a request to hold the event on campus was denied. Camari Carter, senior political science major from Los Angeles and Essence of Ebony vice president, said the group has a
few ideas on where to hold the event, but calls have not been made. Monks, Prime Time and an empty lot downtown are all possibilities, Carter said. The event is scheduled to take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. Different types of music will be featured. “That way it can appeal to all types of people who like different music,” Carter said. “We are
creating a way to connect all the different people on campus.” iDance will also feature a dance competition, allowing groups to perform a choreographed piece for judgment. Groups must have at least three members, and entry fees are $10 per group. Performances will be scored by a panel of judges, as well as audience feedback. General cover charge for the evening is $1.
Anna Peters, junior elementary education and children’s ministries major from Houston, serves as the secretary for Essence of Ebony. When she first heard ACU had denied the request to hold the event on campus, Peters said she was a little put off by it. “They hear the word ‘dance,’ and it’s an automatic ‘no,’ instead of listening to purpose,” Peters said.
Apart from the fun and fellowship, iDance will also serve as a fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will go toward Essence of Ebony’s summer campaign or will be donated to local organizations such as local churches’ children’s ministries, the Abilene YMCA, Big Brother Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club, Peters said. “There are two things go-
ing into the program: it’s for a good cause, and everybody loves dancing,” Peters said. Updates will be listed on the event’s Facebook page and can be found by searching ‘iDance’ under events. Flyers will also be handed out as the event approaches, Peters said.
E-mail Koehn at: optimist@acu.edu
Students present research in Boston Phase two completes pledging By Beki Hamilton Student Reporter
Dr. Jeff Wherry, professor of psychology, took nine ACU students to Boston for the national meeting for The American Academy of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry last week. The convention, which is the largest meeting in the world, drew medical doctors and some of the finest psychology scholars in the field. At the meeting, an exhibit hall housed posters presenting research on various topics relating to psychology and psychiatry. The posters represented new research completed throughout the year. All presentations are submitted on a competitive basis and are only displayed if they are chosen as exemplary, credible research. Melanie Smith, senior psychology major from Angleton, said the ACU students were the only people at the convention “without letters after their names” and that it was an honor to be able to present research alongside people who have studied psychology for years. The nine ACU students
who went to Boston for the meeting spent all last year completing research on the post-traumatic stress disorder in abused children. They submitted their findings in spring and were ecstatic to find out their research was accepted this summer. With financial aid from the Students’ Association, Graduate Students’ Association, the dean of the college of arts and sciences and psychology professor and department chair Dr. Richard Beck, Wherry and the students were able to attend the prestigious conference. While in Boston, they presented their research and participated in workshops and symposiums. They discussed their findings with experts in the field and were able to hear several prominent psychologists confer about their findings on issues such as depression and the mental health of college students. “The conversations with the doctors were nervewracking,” said Ashley Berres, graduate student from Lakevillle, Minn. However, Berres said she was also very excited to present their research, knowing that
“it could make a difference in kids’ lives, so they [would] get the care they need.” Wherry said he hoped his students would gain greater knowledge on meaningful psychology research and be able to influence those attending the conference in the field of clinical practice with children. He said the students did very well and held their own alongside members from medical schools across the nation. He said he hopes the students walked away with confidence in their abilities. Smith said she felt it was a “great opportunity and learning experience, and that it would be good for resumes” for both graduate school and beyond. Several students also took the time to sightsee in Boston, including participating in some of the World Series festivities and visiting Harvard. Overall, they were very pleased with the trip. Wherry said having his students attend this conference brings notoriety to ACU and “recognition to the ACU brand.” E-mail Hamilton at: optimist@acu.edu
By Laura Acuff Student Reporter
Social club pledging ended this weekend as phase two of the new pledging system came to a close. “Really, I think overall it was a really positive year,” said Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of student organizations and activities. “In a year of transition, there’s always going to be some need for clarification and refining once we’re done. Over the course of the semester, there have been some questions that came up that we need to look at and consider going forward, but on a whole, for our first year of a major change like this, I think it went really well.” Westbrook said although the new pledging policy will be reviewed by ACU faculty and club members following the conclusion of the pledging process, no major changes are expected. “We’ve been focused on getting through,” Westbrook said. “We haven’t really had time to sit down and talk about specifics for the organizations, but I think really, it’s going to be more minute details related to specific activities and things of certain clubs. “It’s not anything that was earth shattering, or that will necessarily be policy-changing. It’s just
“The second phase had visits, and so that’s when I really got to know the Siggies and felt more a part of it.” Rachel Pinson, sophomore mathematics major from Abilene
more thinking through and thinking how we apply this and continue to better the process, so that there’s further communication and further understanding of where we’re going. Some of those you just have to live through to really understand, and so I think now that we have a year under us, the officers next year will have even a better understanding of kind of what those phases look like.” Although several clubs concluded pledging earlier this month, including Sub T-16, Galaxy and Delta Theta, the mandatory end for pledging does not occur until sometime this weekend and is kept secret from non-club members. “We don’t necessarily broadcast that because [clubs] still want to have some sort of element of surprise for when it’s going to be over for their members,” Westbrook said. Pledges are expected to have completed certain requirements, determined by the club itself and approved by the Student Life Office, before the end of phase two. Clubs may choose not to
induct pledges who fail to meet those requirements. Visits to older club members or work on the club’s Homecoming parade float were included in phase two’s requirements, because it is more geared toward relationship-building than the traditional initiation period of phase one. “The second phase had visits, and so that’s when I really got to know the Siggies and felt more a part of it,” said Rachel Pinson, sophomore mathematics major from Abilene, who pledged Sigma Theta Chi. “I thought phase two was actually harder than phase one, just because there was so much to do.” Despite the challenges of pledging, Pinson recommends the experience. “It’s so worth it.” Pinson said. “I loved it. I loved every part of it, even the hard parts.” Clubs may accept additional pledges in the spring, but Westbrook said the specific clubs that will opt to do so have yet to be determined.
E-mail Acuff at: optimist@acu.edu
November 2, 2007
ArtsFriday Optimist
Page 5 BOX OFFICE stats Newly released movies and gross rates for Oct. 26 - Oct. 28. n Saw IV (R): $32.1 Million n Dan in Real Life (PG-13): $12.1 Million n 30 Days of Night (R): $6.7 Million n The Game Plan (PG): $4.3 Million
4th FilmFest puts all entries on the reel By Sara Snelson Arts Editor
For the first time, FilmFest will screen all produced films before the 4th Annual Premiere Night Awards Show this weekend. Doug Darby, creative and media specialist and director of FilmFest, said it will be good this year to actually see all of the films so the audience knows exactly which films the awards are going to. The awards to be given are as follows:
HBest Producer HBest Director HBest Technical Director HBest Sound Designer HBest Production Designer HBest Writer HBest Actor HBest Actress HPeople’s Choice HBest Film All of the films will be shown and are open to the public at 4:30 p.m., and the final 14 films chosen will be shown and judged by a panel at the awards show at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
FilmFest has brought in high profile judges, and this year is different. All 13 judges from all over the United States are experienced and qualified professionally in the entertainment, commercial and media industries. Students will receive more opportunities to meet the judges this year by attending the awards show, the FilmFest judges symposium on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the McGlothlin Campus Center Living Room, the FilmFest concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Bean Sprout featuring Christian artist Jill Parr and a live taping of judges Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell’s podcast GeekBriefTV on Friday at 2 p.m. in the Learning Commons. The competition is one of the few ways students
are able to show their talents through the medium of video. All of the films are directed, written and produced by students and though some of the films’ actors are non-students, a majority of actors are students. FilmFest is also an opportunity for students to interact and network with professionals who know the ins and outs of video. And one more added bonus: if the Paramount sells all 1,200 seats at the awards show, Darby said he would shave his head.
Featured Short Films “HAND BAG” n Written, directed and edited by Hannah Kelley. n Production design by Katelyn Reed n Actors/Actress: Katelyn Reed, Michael Kiter, Tyler Cochran, Isabel Oliver and Ryan Simmons. n The plot of the film is about a purse theft and the chase to get away. n “I am very excited for all of the films to be shown at FilmFest before the awards show and the audience being able to see what the awards are going to,” Kelley said.
“GAME OVER” n Produced by Haley Dilling n Production design by Annika Ringle n Lead role played by Tim Rogers along with seven other cast members. n The film begins with a man staying up late one night playing video games.
As he is playing, he gets sucked into the game. He then runs around avoiding obstacles all through out Abilene as if he is Mario. n Haley Dilling came up with the idea because all of her roommates love to play video games. “This film was a lot of fun to make and create wacky stunts for Tim,” Dilling said.
“THE ESSAY” n Produced by Doug Walton n Directed and edited by Michael Freeman n The film is a simple film about the fact that life is full of noise, but not impossible to escape. n The film starts out with a man trying to write an essay somewhere quietly, but cannot find a quiet place. He goes all over trying to find this quiet place, and just when he thinks he has found it, he discovers has not.
E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu
n Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? (PG-13) $5.7 Million
Coming Soon
Movies opening Friday: n Bee Movie (PG), starring Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick and John Goodman. Having just graduated from College, Barry B. Benson finds himself with only one career prospect: honey. As he leaves the hive for the first time, he breaks one of the only rules he has and talks to a human. He speaks to a New York City florist and discovers that humans have stolen and eaten the bees’ honey for centuries. Barry finds his true calling is to set the human race right for stealing their honey. n American Gangster (R), starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin and Chiwetel Ejiofor. A Harlem kingpin smuggles heroin into the country by hiding it in the bodies of U.S. soldiers killed during Vietnam. Frank Lucas (Washington) was never noticed, but when the criminal kingpin was charged and suddenly died, Lucas takes the opportunity to build his own empire. Lucas solidifies his status and offers a better quality and cheaper product. Ritchie Roberts (Crowe) begins to sense a shift in the drug underworld. Roberts is one of the only honest detectives left in the field and crooked detective Trupo (Brolin) does everything to compromise Roberts. While Roberts and Lucas operate on opposite sides of the law, they both believe in a strict code of ethics. Confrontation between the two men becomes unavoidable, and only one will come out victorious. n Martian Child (PG), starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Joan Cusack and Oliver Platt. A romantic drama follows and recently widowed science fiction writer who forms a family with a woman and newly adopted boy who thinks he is from Mars. Strange occurrences happen with the boy and the two wonder if where he claims to come from, Mars, really is true.
ViewsFriday Optimist
Page 6
November 2, 2007
FilmFest needs more support from administration
The problem:
ACU banned a FilmFest movie because it was deemed offensive and didn’t align with ACU’s values.
ACU’s FilmFest piqued student interest through the week before Friday night’s show. Rather than generating artistic discussion, the topic raised was that of censorship. One student’s film, “The Legend of the Stormin’ Mormon,” raised administrative eyebrows Oct. 25 and prompted the university to decide against allowing the film to take part in this year’s FilmFest. The film, which passed initial screening processes for the script and movie with FilmFest, depicts a Christian with the book of Acts fighting a Mormon using the book of Mormon as his weapon of choice. Another character, G.I. Jew: the Real American Hebrew, enters the fight of ste-
Our view:
The Optimist staff couldn’t agree on whether the banning was justified, but we do believe that ACU should have a more active role in FilmFest.
The solution:
ACU needs to be active in FilmFest so students will know what kind of rules need to be followed.
reotypes in this promise, but If ACU supported FilmFest as it should... religious satire. the university is situations like this could be avoided. But despite standing firm in the obvious satits decision. ire in the film, concerns arose [of FilmFest] and be hurt. It’s not When asked Wednesday if while uploading the film to aligned with ACU’s values.” anything could change by Friday ACU’s iTunes U site. Doug Darby, FilmFest director, for FilmFest, Morris said no. ACU administrators, not Film- approved the movie in previous The Optimist staff watched Fest officials, had reservations screenings and fought to keep the film on YouTube and agreed about the film and decided it the film in the contest. Darby said it is an obvious satire, but could was inappropriate to be in Film- the film maintained a PG rating as not agree on whether the film Fest after discussing it. determined by the Motion Picture should be included in FilmFest. “The primary challenge was Association of America standards Regardless of our opinions of the that it ridiculed particular groups and adhered to ACU policy. film, we do agree ACU should of people. A very strong feeling “[It’s] good satire, clear it’s take a more active role in partici[of ACU] was that there were not derogatory,” Darby said. pating in FilmFest. people who would be offended “Most people would look at it Darby jokingly related with it,” Michelle Morris, vice and understand it. There might ACU’s involvement with Filmpresident for public relations, be some people out there who Fest as that of “a 12th cousin said. “While meant to be a satire would misread it.” twice removed.” — while meant to be funny, we Darby and the students in“It doesn’t really interact, no felt some people would walk out volved have pled to reach a com- financial support, no institution-
Jordan Blakey
Cherry Waves
Rowling’s revelation destroys imagination For those who haven’t been immersed in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world throughout the past 10 years, the recent revelation of Albus Dumbledore’s sexual preferWork in ence probably wasn’t too Progress life-changing. Rachel But for the Davis section of the population that lives on www.mugglenet. com and other various Harry Potter fan sites, Rowling’s newest nugget of information left many shocked and dismayed. Even though it had such a huge impact, should Rowling have revealed that Dumbledore was gay? I don’t think so. A poll on www.mugglenet. com shows that most fans are either apathetic toward it or wish she had never revealed
By telling fans explicitly Dumbledore is gay, Rowling destroyed the need for imagination. the information. It’s a victory for the gay rights groups, which makes a lot of others happy. Differing opinions about the information are circulating the Internet, and pretty much every newspaper and media outlet has reported on it. While many have moral and Biblical objections to such a prominent character having homosexual tendencies, I believe there’s an even bigger issue at hand. If Rowling wanted to reveal that fact, it should have been on the pages of her books, not at a public book reading. By revealing Dumbledore’s sexual orientation, Rowling changed fans’ focus on the Harry Potter books. The story was about growing up, finding yourself, good vs. evil, loyalty and sacrifice. Not sex. Now I’m led
to speculate — what about Professor McGonagall, Argus Filch and even Hagrid? What hidden motives and agendas did Rowling have in mind for these characters? At the event, Rowling said, “The Potter books in general are a prolonged argument for tolerance, a prolonged plea for an end to bigotry, and I think it’s one of the reasons some people don’t like the books.” Anyone reading the books can see that. In the books, there’s a constant struggle for humans and wizards to live together in peace, elves bound in slavery and prejudice against the giants. Dumbledore’s sexual preference could have been an interesting addition to the books; it would have been interesting to read about how Rowling’s wizarding world
responded to a homosexual wizard, especially one so prominent in society. But revealing it after the series ended just makes it seem like Rowling, the author who created one of the most famous worlds of magic, has completely disregarded the magic of the imagination. By telling fans explicitly Dumbledore is gay, Rowling destroyed the need for imagination. As we get older, our imaginations tend to dwindle, so I welcome the chance to imagine any chance I get. I just wish Rowling would realize that by revealing facts like this, she’s crippling the imaginations of millions of fans — and diminishing our creativity. As Hermione would say, “Riddikulus!”
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
Common Ground needs honest racial discussion Letter to the Editor Letter to the editor regarding Abston’s Oct. 17 article, “Opinions collide over racial discussion.” Now is the time for candid conversations confronting the issue of race relations to take place. This cannot be facilitated through poorly planned satirical skits at Chapel or any
other venue in which students are forced to participate. In order for meaningful discourse to take place, toes must be stepped on, and opinions (no matter how offensive they may be) must be voiced in an arena that does not stifle the free exchange of ideas. Articulation of ideas, and honest discussion is our only hope for change. No semblance of progress will take place if our supposed reconciliation is
made up of apologetic prattle and pusillanimous presentations. Students, not administrators, must determine the nature of these talks of racial reconciliation, for the dynamic between races takes shape in 2007 in a way that it never has in any preceding generation. An appreciation of this country’s tumultuous past, as well as an understanding of today’s reality should be brought to the table when trying to make con-
gruent different ethnic groups, specifically whites and blacks. Common Ground as it stands today is a farce and spits in the face of an advancement in the state of race relations at Abilene Christian University.
Daniel-Paul Watkins Junior political science major from Fredricksburg, Va. dpw04a@acu.edu
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
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Time with friends trumps school work Sometimes you have to ber brings some mountain go outside and play. man beards and freshmen I was re- fuzz, plus Thanksgiving is a minded of nice break. But it is also the how impor- month you realize you can’t tant this is procrastinate any longer. after I read There’s a strong temptaan article tion to panic and dig a foxabout a man hole and attempt to make who wrote up for all the studying so much in you’ve missed, but don’t do Feeling his journal it. Try not to skip class anythat all the more and maybe study for Optimistic pages fit into an hour a day instead of an Denton 91 boxes. hour a week, but don’t miss Josey The late out on life. Reverend Most folks probably Robert Shields of Dayton, don’t need to be told this, Wash., got so involved in but don’t pass up on fun for his journaling he ended up studying or to get sleep. writing 3.75 million words That is what Sunday afterby the time he died at 89. noons are for — to make up Friends said it was com- for a week of poor sleeping. mon to find him sitting on November should be his porch in his long under- spent camping and going wear typing on one of six on road trips and playing typewriters. Shields was so outside, not getting owned meticulous in his writing by tests or papers. that in addition to writing Like the saying goes, for hours a day, he even “D’s mean degrees” or wrote about his trips to something like that. And if the restroom and had three something goes wrong and dozen ways to describe uri- you miss the D by a little, nation. And he only slept remember there’s always for two hours at a time, so next semester. he could wake up and write Seriously, while school about his dreams. may start to get less fun That’s academikind of cally, try intense. not to let I’m not saying to blow off He said it steal classes to play video games he wrote your joy. or to never sleep, but to so much I’m not make sure you are enjoying saying to because in the fublow off life and not letting school ture peoclasses run it. ple could to play read it v i d e o and posgames or sibly be to never able to find out something sleep, but to make sure you about all people, not just are enjoying life and not him. Shields even taped nos- letting school run it. tril hairs to the pages so in Because whether it’s the future scientists could journaling too much like study his DNA. Rev. Shields or studying too While I like to journal much, you’ll go crazy if you myself, this story kinda don’t find time to balance weirded me out. One per- and have fun. son commented on the onBy the time you are a line article, “With all that senior you might not even writing, it’s a wonder he remember all the classes had time to have anything you took, much less the to write about.” grades you made, but you’ll It is crazy to think about remember the times you how good we are at wasting spent with your friends. time. Though I don’t know So make that a goal for many people who spend too November: don’t die at the much time journaling, most hand of homework, but all of us have vices that eat up make time to do exciting our time, and we usually don’t things, things so rad you notice it until it is too late, or may even want to journal really close to too late. about them. That is why November will eat you, if you’re not careful. It may seem cool at first, but don’t fall for it. E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu Sure, No-Shave Novem-
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
al support,” Darby said. “For the most part we’re on our own. It’s not even my job to do FilmFest.” If ACU supported FilmFest as it should, with financial and administrative help, situations like this could be avoided. ACU must take ownership of FilmFest to help create more defined guidelines and policies to ensure students understand the rules more clearly at the beginning stages. The university has the right to deem films inappropriate for FilmFest. The students just need to know what “inappropriate” is — before they clock in countless hours and lose the chance to participate at all.
Editorial Board and News Staff Jared Fields
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Friday, November 2, 2007
Page 7
SPORTS JUMPS
ACU golf team finishes fall season at No. 12 in nation By Nathan MacDonald Sports Writer
The No. 12 ACU golf team finished their final fall tournament Oct. 22-23, tying for No. 6 overall at the Bruce Williams Memorial Invitational Tournament. The Wildcats, who only played two rounds instead of the usual three due to inclement weather, shot a combined 613 team score overall. But it wasn’t enough against a slew of nationally ranked competitors.
NAIA powerhouse No. 9 Texas Wesleyan ran away with the tournament, shooting a 26 over par, eleven strokes ahead of the second place team, The University of Central Oklahoma. ACU was behind the fifth place team, regional rival St. Edwards, by four strokes. “We had three guys in the top 16 which is pretty good,” head coach Mike Campbell said. “We are really solid in the one through five spots on our team.” Individually, Stephen Knight
Golf was the highest ranked Wildcat, firing a 76-74, his score put him in a five-way tie for the No. 5 spot. Hilton Funk was not far behind Knight, shooting a 75-76, which placed him in a tie for No. 10. Erik Manning was three strokes behind Funk putting Manning in a tie for No. 16 overall. At the end of the fall season the Wildcats moved up a spot to No. 12 in the Golf World/NIKE Golf Coaches Poll. ACU is behind the West
Coast powerhouse California State University-Stanislaus. Regional rival St. Edwards shot up the poll from No. 12 to No. 1 overall, replacing now No. 6 Barry. ACU is the highest ranked Lone Star Conference team, in front of No. 18 Central Oklahoma, who dropped seven spots, and Cameron who also dropped from No. 16 to No. 22. Northeastern St. dropped out of the rankings. Campbell said he is pleased with his golfers performance so far this year.
“I’m very pleased,” Campbell said. “We won the biggest tournament in the fall season [The Grand Canyon Fall University Classic] for the first time, placed second twice and we are No. 12 in the nation. We are among the elite teams in the nation. We definitely had all five guys step up this season when we needed it.” Campbell said that he has big plans for his golfers over the offseason between now and their first spring tournament, the St. Edwards
Invitational, in February. “We are going to work and condition so we can compete again in the national tournament,” Campbell said. “A two round day is physically demanding. Its basically a 10-hour day, so its important to have stamina on days like that. I’m looking forward to big things in the spring.”
E-mail MacDonald at: optimist@acu.edu
B-ball: ACU adds nine for ’07-’08 V-ball: Cats close LSC play at home Continued from page 8
Continued from page 8
Ross said he also hopes the team makes it to the postseason. “I want to go far into the post-season this year,” Ross said. “I don’t want it to end at conference [play] this year.” Copeland attributed the talent to the team’s depth, saying it was hard to pinpoint key players at this point. “We’ve got a lot of depth,” Copeland said. “Having this many big guards that can play and keep on people is gonna be great. Our depth is going to be huge for us. I feel like we’ve got 10 guys that on any given night can step up and contribute. We’ve just got to make sure our squad can step up on the court and in the game.” Nine new players bring talent to the team, including three division I transfers in guards Brandon Callahan, who transferred from Morehead State, Corwin Ragland, a transfer from Stephen F. Austin, and 6’9” center Stephen Musa, who came from Lamar. Callahan averaged 7.1 points per game for MSU and Musa averaged 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for Musa. The other new faces are forward Dejan Sencanki and guards Ean Wagner, Dustin Heiman, Dante Adams and Esad Sehic. Returning starters from last year are Holson, Ross, Riley Lambert, Scott Lopez, Marko Nikolic and Brooks Norman. “This team is much quicker than last year,” Holson said. “It’s going to be a lot more of an up-tempo game. We’ll be pushing the ball up and down
every practice like they were towards the beginning of the year. They’re just tired. And I think that it’s great to come back and play at home.” Last season, the Wildcats handily downed the Midwestern State Mustangs 3-0 in Kingsville. However, this
year’s team looks to be more of a challenge for ACU. Midwestern State is 25-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The Mustangs have also won 11 of their last 12 matches. Despite going up against such a formidable opponent, coach Mock believes ACU has a good chance to win. “We’ve been talking for
the last few of weeks about coming to a point where you can play your very best volleyball at the very end of the season,” Mock said. “And I think we’ve yet to see their very best. This is the perfect time to peak.”
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Rewards: Contests may continue Continued from page 8 for attendance at other ACU sporting events. “I think it’s something we definitely have an interest in doing again,” Mosley said. “We’ve always talked about ways to reward students for attendance.” In addition to the money giveaways, Saturday’s home
game is “Take a kid to a game,” day. All students under 12 years of age will not be charged at the gate, and Mosley said he sees it as a great opportunity for students to bring family members, or their little brothers or sisters in conjunction with Brig Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene or Wildcat Kids. “Take a kid to a game” is a
NCAA promotion that Mosley said ACU has done for years. “In years past we have a lot of ACU students who have little brothers or sisters and bring their kids with them to the game.” ACU and Kingsville will kick off at 2 p.m.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Hands: Wildcats end home schedule Continued from page 8
Todd piersall STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior guard Brandon Callahan pump fakes and runs past junior guard Dante Adams during basketball practice in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday. the court quickly and playing tenacious defense.” The regular season begins on Nov. 16-17 at the ACU Classic and the team will take on Hillsdale Baptist and Houston Baptist as its first
official opponents. “We’re pretty solid all around this year,” Ross said. “I really think this is the most talent we’ve had in a long time.” E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
But Scott is only one weapon on a long list of playmakers. ACU wide receivers, senior Jerale Badon, junior Johnny Knox, freshman Edmund Gates continue to make big plays for ACU and junior quarterback Billy Malone has been getting them the ball. “We just got to put the game in those guys hands and go play,” Thomsen said. ACU’s offense is the conference’s best scoring of-
fense and is the third best offense in the nation. ACU averages 528.8 yards a game and Malone is No. 10 in the nation in passing efficiency. Kingsville’s offense is a different story. The Javelinas are ranked second to last in the LSC in scoring offense, ninth in pass offense and 10th in rushing offense. Kingsville has struggled to find a consistent starting quarterback, and redshirt freshman quarterback David Garza recently emerged as
the starter. Garza is coming off of his biggest game of the season, he threw for 301 yards and five touchdowns in Kingsville’s win over ENMU. Garza’s performance was the first time a Javelina quarterback threw for more than 300 yards in nearly two seasons. “We only have a few jobs, as long as we do our jobs right, it should workout,” Savage said. E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Team mentality gives Wildcats edge at Regional meet By Daniel Johnson Sports Editor
Before each cross country meet, junior Julius Nyango and his teammates begin the meet with a team tradition. They say, “Together we win,” in Swahili to remind them that cross country is about the team, not the individual. “The best thing is if one goes ahead it’s okay because we are one,” Nyango said. Head coach Derek Hood said the cross country teams’
Cross Country goes deeper than the sport. “It is a strong Kenyan concept,” Hood said. “A runner finishing third place is just as happy as one that finishes first, because they all trained together and were successful.” The ACU men’s and women’s cross country teams will carry that team mentality to Missouri Southern State University Cross Country Course in Joplin, Mo., to defend their respective NCAA Division II
South Central Region championships on Saturday. The men will be without three-time national champion Nicodemus Naimadu as Naimadu rests in preparation for the NCAA national championships, where he will attempt to become the first NCAA athlete at any level to win four consecutive national championships in cross country. Even though Naimadu will not at regionals he will still be able to run in the national meet. He only has
to be eligible to run at the meet and on the roster. But even without Naimadu, Nyango said the team should step up in Missouri. “We are going to do it well,” Nyango said. “We can see we are in good shape.” The men have to finish in the top three at Saturday’s meet to qualify for nationals, but head coach Derek Hood shared Nyango’s confidence and said that even without their top runner the men’s team’s talent is so deep they should not have problems.
“Other than Nic not being 100 percent everyone is training well,” Hood said. “In cross country it’s all about the team and not being the one to let the teammates down.” The men, who are ranked No. 1 in the region and nation, did not let Naimadu down and won the Lone Star Conference championship on Oct. 20. Now the men are seeking their eighth-straight regional title. “We’ve all paid the price and all will enjoy the suc-
cess,” Hood said. The women will defend a title they haven’t held since 1997. The women are also coming off of a LSC championship and will be led by two-time LSC champion Loice Cheboi. And Hood said that all the practice and work of both teams should bring success Saturday. “We’ve all paid the price and all will enjoy the success,” Hood said. E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
SportsFriday Optimist
Page 8
ScoreBoard Standings Scoreboard as of Wednesday
Football
Team
WTAMU Tarleton St. ACU MSU Angelo St. TAMU-K ENMU
Div. 5-0 3-1 3-1 2-2 1-3 1-3 0-5
Overall 9-0 8-1 7-2 7-2 2-6 2-7 4-5
Volleyball
Team
WTAMU Central Okla. MSU ACU TX Woman’s Cameron TAMU-K Tarleton St. Angelo St. SW Okla. TAMU-C SE Okla. ENMU
Div. 11-0 9-1 8-2 7-3 6-4 5-5 5-6 5-6 4-6 3-7 3-7 1-9 0-11
Overall 28-7 27-5 25-4 13-12 15-10 12-14 13-10 13-14 6-19 12-19 9-17 6-19 4-24
November 2, 2007
Wildcats begin with exhibition Men’s Basketball
By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor
Coming off eight straight losing seasons, the ACU men’s basketball team is hoping to break that streak and make it to the post-season this year for the first time in 10 years. The team begins its season Monday with an exhibition game against Division I team Stephen F. Austin. “It’s just a good experience for the guys to play someone different and play someone at a higher level,” said head coach Jason Copeland. “It’s just good to get on the jerseys and get out there and play when it really doesn’t matter.” Small forward and shooting guard Cortnie Ross said he’s excited to get out and play Stephen F. Austin.
“We’ve been going kind of hard this week in practice,” Ross said. “We’re really working the defense. We’ve got a lot more team unity this year and everyone gets along with each other.” Even though the team was picked to finish seventh in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, Copeland thinks ACU will be able to perform well throughout the season. “My main goal is to make it to the conference tournament,” said Copeland, who is 18-35 in the two seasons he’s been at ACU. “If we do, it will be the first time ACU has been there in 10 years. If everything goes right, we’ll have a chance to play for the conference title.”
Since ACU’s last appearance in the LSC tournament, which was the 1997-98 season, every other LSC team has made it to the tournament, and five LSC teams have won titles. Copeland is optimistic about this year’s team. “I think this is the most talented team I’ve seen in the three years I’ve been here,” Copeland said. Forward Cam Holson said he believes this team will be able to make it to the conference championship. “Making it to the championship is definitely our No. 1 goal,” Holson said. “We’ve got a good team this year; all we’ve got to do is find our niche, get some confidence going and I think we’ll be great.” See
TODD PIERSALL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior forward Brooks Norman goes up for a layup during practice in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday.
B-BALL page 7
In their own hands
Women’s Soccer
Team
Div. 10-0 8-2 5-4 5-4 5-4 WTAMU 5-5 NE St. 4-6 ACU 3-6 East Central 3-6 ENMU 3-7 SW Okla. 1-8 Central Okla. MSU Angelo St. TAMU-C TX Woman’s
Overall 16-3-1 12-3-2 8-8-3 9-9-1 8-9-2 11-6-1 6-13-1 8-11-1 6-10-3 9-9 1-17-1
By Daniel Johnson Sports Editor
Scores Tuesday VOLLEYBALL ACU 3, St. Edward’s 0
Upcoming Saturday CROSS COUNTRY NCAA Division II Regionals in Joplin, Mo., 10 a.m.
VOLLEYBALL
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior wide receiver Chris Morris slips away from West Texas A&M defenders during ACU’s Homecoming game on Oct. 20.
ACU vs. Midwestern State, 1 p.m.
FOOTBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2 p.m.
Monday
No. 19 ACU controls its playoff destiny By Daniel Johnson
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Stephen F. Austin, 7 p.m. (exhibition)
Thursday VOLLEYBALL Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament, TBA n Home games listed in italics
Briefs ACU soccer team finishes in eighth place after first season n The Wildcat soccer team ended its inaugural season with an 8-11-1 overall record. Head coach Casey Wilson led ACU to a eighth place finish in the LSC, three spots ahead of Wilson last, where the Wildcats were picked to finish in the LSC preseason poll. ACU will only lose two players, seniors Corrie Crosby and Denise Morgan.
Intramural Round-up n The intramural schedule in the Optimist is subject to change and is not permanent. Any 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
Rewards await fans at ACU’s last home matchup
Sports Editor
After pulling out an amazing win over Tarleton State last week, the Wildcats’ playoff hopes lie in their own hands. If ACU wins its last two regular season games, a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs is all but certain, but if ACU loses just one, it will probably drop from the top six the NCAA South Central regional poll and miss the playoffs. Despite the pressure, head coach Chris Thomsen said he isn’t letting his team overstress about the playoffs. “That’s the big trap a team can fall into, is worrying too much about the playoffs,” Thomsen said.
Football No. 19 ACU will take on the 2-7 Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas in the Wildcats’ last home game of the season Saturday, in a game thats end could be one step closer to the postseason for ACU or spoil any chance the Wildcats have of making the playoffs. “We have two great teams ahead of us — if we take them lightly we’ll lose,” said senior offensive lineman Cody Savage. “We should prepare to take each team on like they’re a college football team; there aren’t any scrubs in this league.” Despite struggling the entire season, Kingsville is coming off of a close 38-35 win over Eastern New Mexico and isn’t a team Thomsen or
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Watch a video of with head coach Chris Thomsen and senior offensive lineman Cody Savage’s thoughts about ACU’s final home game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday. the Wildcats take lightly. Last season ACU won on a game-winning field goal from junior placekicker Matt Adams, that gave ACU a 4138 victory over the Javelinas. ACU, who was 7-1 at the time, won on the final drive of the game and was nearly upset in Kingsville. “The game against them last year was an exciting game,” Savage said. “I had a few heart attacks in that one.” This season, ACU’s of-
fense is coming off one of its biggest win of the season. In ACU’s 70-63 win over Tarleton State last Saturday, the Wildcats racked up 715 yards of offense behind an amazing performance by junior running back Bernard Scott. Scott was named NCAA Division II Offensive Player of the Week after running for 283 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the win. Scott’s performance broke or tied several LSC and ACU records, and helped ACU outshoot the Texans. Scott is No. 6 in Division II football in rushing yards per game, with an average of 151.7 yards per game, and is fourth in the nation in scoring. See
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Students who attend the ACU football team’s final home game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday might walk away with $200. Thanks to a donation from a member of the ACU Letterman’s Association, ACU athletics will give away up to $1000 to lucky students who come to Saturday’s game. “This is the last one,” said athletic director Jared Mosley. “Sometimes on the last home game in years past, we’ve seen a little dip in attendance just because it’s nearing the end. We’re hoping that with the afternoon game and this promotion we’ll have a good crowd to support the guys.” Because there are two entrances on the home side of Shotwell, Mosley said only the students that enter through the west side of the stadium will be counted. If 100 students attend, one student will be given $200; if 250 students are counted, two students will be given $200. If 500 students attend, three students will receive $200; if 1,000 students attend, four students will walk away with $200 and if 1,500 students attend five students will be given $200. The contest will end five minutes into the first quarter. “Hopefully we can get a few people out with that,” Mosley said. A member of the ACU Letterman’s Association, who wished to remain anonymous, provided the funds for the promotion, and Mosley said if it is a success the athletics department will considering continuing rewards See
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ACU prepared for LSC postseason tournament By Michael Freeman Assistant Sports Editor
Losing to Central Oklahoma last Saturday was just a hiccup to the ACU volleyball team as the Wildcats got back on the winning track Tuesday by beating St. Edward’s in Moody Coliseum. ACU won five of its last six matches, and is now 1312 on the season with a 7-3 record in the Lone Star Conference. The Wildcats played Cameron on Thursday night, but the results were not available by press time. With only one game remaining in the regular season, head coach Kellen Mock is looking forward to
Volleyball the playoffs. “We’ve really been on a streak,” Mock said. “I expect the girls to come out ready to win and ready to end the regular season on a great note.” ACU ended Tuesday’s match on a positive note as the Wildcats downed the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers 3017, 30-20, 30-21. The win marked ACU’s quickest victory of the year with the match lasting only an hour and 15 minutes. The loss handed St. Edward’s its third defeat in four matches, and dropped the Hilltoppers to 13-13 overall.
Senior outside hitter Abbie Lowry posted her fourth straight double-double by ending the match with 18 kills and 16 digs. Lowry finished with a .485 hitting percentage. Freshman middle blocker Shawna Hines also put up a hitting percentage over .400 as she finished with eight kills and one block assist. Other top ACU performers included freshman middle blocker Jordan Schilling, who finished with 10 kills; sophomore outside hitter Erin Curry, who ended with 13 digs and seven kills; and sophomore middle blocker Michelle Bacon, who had seven kills.
Freshman setter Ijoema Moronu, who was named the LSC co-Setter of the Week after posting 100 assists in two games, did not slow down against the Hilltoppers as she finished the match with 45 assists, seven digs and four kills. ACU’s final match of the regular season will be on Saturday against conference foe Midwestern State in Moody Coliseum. “They’re extremely excited to play at home at the very end of the season,” Mock said. “It’s the time of the year when it gets hard to get excited about every match and See
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Matt newhouser STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshman outside hitter Jordan Schilling spikes a ball during ACU’s win over St. Edwards on Tuesday.