Greatest Generation Local WWII Veteran shares story of duty Feature Page 5 vol. 103, no. 22
Friday november 7, 2014
1 SECTION, 6 PAGES
what’s INSIDE NEWS Disc Golf team advances to nationals Page 3
SPORTS Junior football player, Epps, shows excellence in all positions
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YODEL ME THIS
OPINION We hear from both Republican and Democrat students on campus and their thoughts after the election Page 4
NEWS ACU Opera raises money to go on European tour jarred schuetze chief Photographer
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John Booker, senior from La Grange, performs his yodeling act at the Ethnos dress rehersal Thursday night. There are two showings of the Ethnos Cultural Show this weekend. Friday night at 7 p.m. and Saturday night at 9 p.m.
Clubs to compete in attendence at games
OPINION We have a few suggestions for how Rick Perry could spend his free time now that he’s out of office
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SPORTS Men’s basketball has a returning set of power players from last year Page 6
NEWS AES students prepare for annual Block and Bridle Barn Dance
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what’s online
Madeline Orr editor in chief When you hear the words Christmas Slam, you probably think #ACUCHRISTMASSLAM. But that hashtag is so last holiday season as Students’ Association and Wildcat Reign propose a twist to the competition created to encourage attendance to ACU basketball games. Last year, SA harnessed the natural competition between social clubs to increase attendance at Christmas Slam, mostly through
Students get to play surgeon in spaying and neutering cat procedures
Read more at acuoptimist.com
attending, three men’s basketball games that mens’ clubs can get points for attending and then Christmas Slam which will be part of the competition for all clubs. “You are rated on your percentage of attendance and also how many people you bring from outside your club,” said Beau Carter, executive vice president of SA and junior political science major from Farmers Branch. “Also, rated on your creativity and energy at the event.” Each club will have a designated section in
Moody with the goal of seeing which club can get their section the most full. “So the girls’ job will be to try to get as many guys in their section as possible,” Carter said. Bryan Maier, president of Wildcat Reign and sophomore math education major from St. Louis, said both the women’s and the men’s coaches have offered $1,500 each to go toward the prize money. He thinks money will also be contributed by SA and from his own organization, Wildcat Reign. He said he has been communicating with club
presidents and that he thinks they are definitely interested. “They see it as a way to save money in Sing Song,” he said. Mathew Solomon, president of Frater Sodalis, said he thinks the competition will have some unfavorable consequences. “It might cultivate negative competition that is already somewhat apparent with Sing Song,” he said.
contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu
‘Ring and Run’ wins 48-hour FilmFest callie oliver student reporter A short film entitled Ring and Run won first place at last weekend’s 48-Hour FilmFest. Three groups of students competed in the competition. Each group directed, produced and edited its own short film in two days. The students were not allowed to record or edit anything before 5 p.m. Friday and had to complete and submit their videos by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Contestants were allowed to write scripts and do other preparation work before the 48-hour countdown began. Cannon Spears, senior digital entertainment technology major from Blue Ridge, directed the first-place film and took about a month to prepare. “I made sure to space out what needed to be done during the 48 hours,” Spears said. “My film was heavy in special effects, so I made sure to film the heaviest part of special effects first so I could give it
to our special effects guy to work on. All our filming took place Friday evening and Saturday morning. Then the rest of the time was spent with my editors.” Stephen Estrada, senior management major from San Antonio, was the director, producer and screenwriter of his film. Estrada said getting the film completed in 48 hours was a very stressful process. “A lot of the time people don’t understand how difficult it really is to get an idea across the screen to
two people,” Estrada said. “That’s what a director does. They have a vision in their head, and they push it to other people and show them what they want them to see.” Once the films were submitted, students were able to view the shorts and were encouraged to vote on their favorite one. The winner was determined by votes. “It just feels really great when you work so hard on a project and finally, after all the pieces come together, you have your own piece
of work that you worked so long on,” Spears said. Contestants were encouraged to collaborate with other teams. Ivan Righi, sophomore digital entertainment technology major from Curitiba, Brazil, said the best part was meeting other filmmakers and working together. “I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with the other teams and talking about what they liked with their films, what they wish they could have done better, see filmfest page 3
Star corner removed from football team Daniel Zepeda
VIDEO
the use of social media. This year, Wildcat Reign, the Department of Athletics and SA are partnering to up the annie with a proposal to award the winner with money to go toward Sing Song costumes as well as a banner with the winning club’s name on it hanging in Moody Coliseum. Instead of competing to see who can have the most members represented at the Christmas Slam game on Dec. 4, the competition has been extended to seven games total. There are three women’s games that women’s clubs can get points for
sports Director Former ACU football starting cornerback Tyler Chapa was suspended from the team indefinitely Oct. 3 after he was charged with assault. According to police, on the evening of Sept. 18, Chapa and his then girlfriend were in his apartment at The Grove complex when a verbal argument turned physical. The girlfriend, who was not an ACU student, filed an assault complaint against Chapa nine days later on Sept. 27, claim-
ing he “choked her until she could not breathe,” according to an Abilene Police Department report. In a statement, head coach Ken Collums confirmed the assault charge led to Chapa’s removal from the team. “I first learned of the allegation against Tyler Chapa on Oct. 1 and informed him that morning that he was temporarily suspended from the team until further information came to light in the investigation,” he said. Chapa, junior from San Antonio, declined to comment. Chapa was arrested Oct.
3 and charged with family violence assault by choking – a third-degree felony – and released on $10,000 bond the same day, according to public records. A thirddegree felony is punishable by prison time of two to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000. Chapa, who has not played a game since ACU’s victory over Troy University on Sept. 13, nevertheless has been a key player in the Wildcats defensive secondary. He recorded 14 tackles in three games for ACU and was tied for the team lead last season with two interceptions, scoring on one.
Abilene Christian University
Two days after the incident, ACU faced the Un i v e r s i t y of the Incarnate Word, a game in Chapa which Chapa did not play because of an injury. The next week, the day the complaint was filed, Chapa did not play when ACU faced Houston Baptist. On Friday, Oct. 3 at 3:10 p.m., police arrested Chapa in Abilene and booked him on the charges. “When (ACU police chief) Jimmy Ellison notified me on Oct. 3 that a
warrant was being issued and that the ACU Police Department would be taking him into custody, I told Tyler that he was immediately suspended from the ACU football program,” Collums said. “Tyler will not be part of any team-related activities or functions.” Taylor County prosecutors will decide whether to take the charges to a grand jury which will determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed to a trial.
contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu
friday 11.07.14
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sunday
7 p.m. AES Club barn dance 7 p.m. Ethnos Culture Show
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monday
11 a.m. Volleyball game versus Nicholls State University
Spring/Summer 2015 registration: sophomores
2 p.m. Football game versus Northwestern State
7:30 p.m. Percussion ensemble concert
9 p.m. Ethnos Culture Show
Announcements
Chapel checkup To date:
Remaining:
55 17 @acuoptimist The Optimist
Seekers of the Word Drama Ministry meets for Chapel on Thursdays in the Bible building, Room 104. Our Chapel is open to everyone. Come study the Bible, pray, worship, talk and laugh with us, and get a Chapel credit in the process! Don’t get sick and miss out on any fun (or classes) this season! Flu shots are now available in the ACU Medical Care Center for $20. We accept cash, check, credit, debit or you may bill it to your ACU Banner account. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Watch
for announcements of special clothes for 16 to 24-year-olds Nov. 17-22 in Fulks Theatre at clinic hours. are welcomed! 7:30 p.m. There will be a talkback after every performance. Come to Chapel on the Hill Looking for a summer job? Vis- Recommended for ages 13 and Thursdays for Drenched a cap- it the various camp booths in older. pella chapel. See you there for the Campus Center Nov. 12-13 a time of fellowship and reflec- to learn more. Enjoy a good story? Come tion! hear three of ACU’s MA EngNeed a little extra cash for the lish graduates read from their SSWA is collecting donations semester? Participate in cogni- works Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in for the Community youth out- tive psychology research! You the CORE classroom of the reach in Conroe, TX until Nov. can expect to earn $5-10 in 30 library. Works include a sci-fi 24. You can place your dona- minutes! Email arp10d@acu. fantasy novel, a memoir about tions in the box in the Campus edu to sign up. life in Malaysia and a steam Center. Items such as toiletries, punk historical novel. Check small notebooks, pens, sun- Dead Man’s Cell Phone is the out our Facebook event page screen, repellent, bandages, cornerstone production by for more details! hand sanitizer, Tylenol and ACU Theatre. The play runs
optimist@acu.edu Police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 10/30/2014 6:45 p.m. ACUPD investigated the theft of a student’s bicycle from the front yard of a residence on the 800 block of EN 16th. 10/31/2014 12:58 a.m. APD dispatched ACUPD to investigate a noise violation call near building 11 of The Grove Apartments. 10/31/2014 11:45 a.m. ACUPD investigated a reported hit and run automobile crash in the University Church parking lot. 11/04/2014 11:04 p.m. APD dispatched ACUPD to investigate prowlers going door to door soliciting money from residents on the 1200 block of Washington Blvd. 11/05/2014 6:03 p.m. ACUPD investigated an area resident’s report of hearing noises on the roof and banging on the front door on the 2000 block of Cedar Crest. 11/05/2014 9:15 p.m. ACUPD investigated a resident’s report that someone had struck the caller’s automobile with a pumpkin on the 2500 block of Madison. 11/06/2014 2:16 a.m. ACUPD responded to an area resident’s report of a prowler on the 600 block of EN 18th. Weekly Stats For Week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 6, 2014 - Total Events: 362 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 12 ALARM 1 ANIMAL CALL 1 BARRICADES 5 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 9 BURGLARY (MOTOR VEHICLE) 1 CHECK BUILDING 167 CITATION ISSUE 2 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1 CRIMINAL TRESPASS 1 DISTURBANCE 1 ESCORT 2 FOOT PATROL 19 FOUND PROPERTY 1
HIT & RUN 1 INFORMATION REPORT 2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 8 LOST PROPERTY 1 MAINTENANCE UNIV. ASSETS CCTV 10 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 14 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 14 NOISE VIOLATION 2 OTHER 6 PARKING LOT PATROL 11 PARKING VIOLATION 8 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 5
PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 8 PROWLER 2 RANDOM PATROL 26 REPORT WRITING 6 SMOKE 2 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 3 THEFT 1 TRAFFIC STOP 3 WELFARE CHECK 2 Police Chief Tip of the Week: With the time change, it’s getting darker earlier. Remember to use the lighted Lunsford Trail for your walking, jogging, bicycling and socializing.
Volunteer Opp0rtunities Big Brothers Big Sisters “Lunch Buddy” program is looking for volunteers. Each volunteer is matched with an elementary-age child. Volunteers spend just 30 minutes per week eating lunch with their “little brother” or “little sister” at local elementary schools, while mentoring through the simple act of friendship. Participants can enjoy playing card games, reading books and visiting during lunch. Each volunteer can choose their own “lunch buddy day” that fits best with their schedule. 138 children are on the waiting list. Contact Jamie Bearden at 325-674-3113 or jbearden@ bbbstx.org for more information. Communities in Schools needs 10-20 reading and lunch buddies at Ortiz Elementary. Volunteers are needed anytime between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Contact Sheila Ashford at 325-671-4945 ext.5351 or sheila.ashford@abileneisd.org for more information. Friends for Life needs volunteers to work with the elderly and people with disabilities, focusing on those that don’t have family or friends to care for them. Some live in nursing homes and some live independently. For nursing home clients, we have friendly visitation, reading to the blind, entertainment, playing games, help writing letters, special holiday recognition, adopt a grandparent and Gifts for Grannies and Grandpas
at Christmas. For those living independently, we have minor household repairs, transportation to the grocery store or doctor appointments, running errands, reassurance calls, change light bulbs and mow lawns. Dates and times are flexible and able to work around students’ schedules. Contact Cecilia Barahona at 325-672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org for more information. Girl Scouts is seeking volunteers to help make a difference in the life of young girls. Girl Scouts offers several flexible ways to volunteer. You choose how: a one-day event, six-week series or year-round troop! Volunteer positions are ongoing and varied. Contact the Michelle Lawson in the Girl Scout Office for current opportunities at 325-670-0432 and mlawson@gs-top.org. Keep Abilene Beautiful is looking for volunteers to help with litter clean-ups. Small and large groups are both needed. Contact Nicole Eaves at 325-734-3301 and nicole.eaves@abilenetx.com for more information. Kingdom Kids (Beltway Park Baptist Church) is looking for assistance with Sunday morning activities for Kingdom Kids (physically and emotionally challenged children). 5-6 volunteers are needed. Contact: Sharla Sanders at beltwaykids@beltway.org for more information. Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. is looking for volunteers to help deliver meals to the elderly and home-bound in Abilene, and to volunteer in their kitchen or pantry. Contact: Jessica Stewart at 325-672-5050 or volunteer@mealsonwheelsplus.com for additional information. REACH @ Abilene North Apartments is seeking volunteers. Volunteers will be a part of building relationships with at-risk kids and their families through a unique and developing apartment ministry. The program takes place Mondays from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Contact Caroline Thompson at 281-782-2956 or crt12a@acu.edu for more details. The Alliance for Women and Children is seeking volunteers for after-school child care for Pre-K-5th grade children, 6th-8th grade children and A-Teens Middle School Girls Program. For more information about times and location, contact Toni Brown at 325-677-5321 or info@afwconline.org. The International Rescue Committee in Abilene needs your help in welcoming refugees to our community. We are seeking the following donations: hygiene and cleaning supplies, bed linen, towels and kitchen items (dishware, silverware, pots/pans etc). Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. or by appointment. Their office is located at 3303 N. 3rd St. Suite D. For more information contact Marie-Pascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643.
Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246. Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work alongside a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. daily. Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296. The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107. The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing. This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To volunteer, please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@bhcmhmr.org. House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children. Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings. The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week. House of Faith lasts from 3-5:30 p.m. To volunteer or for more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@acu.edu or call 832-331-5324. Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd Street and Beech Street Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@gmail.com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@suddenlink.net. To serve on Wednesdays, contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays, contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu. The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items MondayFriday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott.com.
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news
friday 11.07.14
ACU Opera tunes up for European tour daniel block student reporter ACU Opera will perform two local shows as fundraisers for its upcoming Christmas break world tour through Germany and Italy. The first fundraising performance will be at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in conjunction with Mu Phi Epsilon, the music department’s equivalent of a social club. The concert will take place in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. ACU Opera will present its Disney show and admission will be by donation.
The second fundraiser will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Paramount Theater. Tickets are priced at $5 for students and $10 for adults. The group is comprised of twenty students and four faculty members will travel to Europe. Led by Dr. Rick Piersall, ACU Opera director, the ensemble will perform six shows and recitals between the German cities of Hildesheim, Berlin and Leipzig and Palermo, Italy. One performance will include leading the Sunday worship service at Geimeinde Christi, a Church of Christ congregation in Berlin, Piersall said. The
tour will take place Dec. 15-Jan. 8. “We are the Sunday morning worship service,” Piersall said. “For me as a professional opera singer, this is the very first time I feel accepted as who I am — professionally and artistically — spiritually, in my own faith background.” While on tour, the group will perform the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors as well as a Disney-themed show consisting of 40 minutes of non-stop Disney music, Piersall said. Both shows will be performed twice in Abilene as fundraisers for the tour.
Piersall said the group has already raised enough money to perform the shows, but he is hoping to raise about $6,000 more to cover the majority of the team’s travel expenses. Julie Brinkman, senior vocal music education major from McKinney, is a member of ACU Opera and said she is looking forward to the ministry opportunities presented in traveling and performing overseas. “We’re going to be performing at different churches,” she said. “So we’re going to be bringing people who don’t necessarily go to church; (they’ll) come and then go to church and meet the
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Opera is a lot bigger in Europe than it is here in America. There are like opera houses on every corner .”
amazing,” Vaught said. “We’re going to see operas for sure, like professional operas. Opera is a lot bigger in Europe than it is here in America. There are like opera houses on every corner.” Aside from its perforaaron vaught senior music education mances in Abilene, ACU major from bedford Opera will perform fundraising concerts in Houston on Nov. 30 and Sweetpastor so they can become water on Dec. 6. involved in the church as The tour to Germany well.” and Italy will mark the Aaron Vaught, senior first time ACU Opera permusic education major forms outside America. from Bedford, is excited to experience European opera culture. contact the optimist at “The venues that we’ll jmcnetwork@acu.edu get to perform in will be
AES saddles up for annual barn dance kynzie newman student reporter The Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science will kick off its third annual Barn Dance fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday at the ACU Rhoden Farm. Alpha Epsilon Sigma has partnered with Delta Tau Alpha to make plan the dance. Alpha Epsilon Sigma is composed of students who either have an interest in agriculture or environmental science. Many of the members are agriculture or environmental
science majors who enjoy participating in events with their classmates. In spite of the university’s proposal to close the agriculture and environmental science department to reduce expenses, students will continue to celebrate traditions, said Morgan Ruble, junior animal science pre-vet major from Copper Canyon. This fall and into the spring semester, the university will consider closing the department and move portions to the Department of Biology. Ruble is the president of Delta Tau Alpha and is
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I think the dance will be a great way for our club to come together and return to some normalcy after being shaken up by the news.” morgan ruble junior animal science pre-vet major from copper canyon
charge of organization. “We are still a department and a club and will continue to carry on our traditions,” Ruble said. “I think the dance will be a great way for our club to come together and return to some normalcy after being shaken up by the news. I’m looking forward to spending time with my
ACU friends, dancing and having fun.” Riley Morrow, junior animal science major from Bellvue, Colorado, was in charge of the dance last year. “As it has been in the past, there is no specific theme for the Barn Dance,” Morrow said. “The theme is barn dance.
Therefore, it will have a country atmosphere to it.” The dance will have country, swing and twostep dancing to raise money for AES activities. At last year’s dance, about 200 people went to the dace and raised more than $900 which made it possible for many of the students to participate in professional conventions. Amidst all of the adversity that is taking place within the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, members of AES are keeping their heads up and continuing
to push forward. Kevin Coburn, junior agribusiness major from Abilene, is president of the AES club. “Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the specific direction or plans of the club as that has yet to be determined,” Coburn said. “However, I can assure you that those decisions will be made as a collaborative effort over the next several months.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Disc golf club team qualifies for nationals elijah evans student reporter The ACU disc golf club team qualified for nationals at the Texas Collegiate Disc Golf Championship Oct. 26 in Dripping Springs. Led by team captain Ian Story, junior physical science major from White Oak, the club will make the trip to nationals for the second time in their two-year history. Nationals will occur April 15-18 at a course in North Augustus in South Carolina. The team defeated Texas A&M on the 17th hole in a sudden-death match to place third and automati-
cally qualify for nationals. “They were hungry for it,” said Deonna Shake, club advisor and instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition. “They really had their sites set on getting back to Nationals, and you can’t say enough about their competitiveness.” The team formed last year, however, the ACU Disc Gold Club was formed this semester. Shake is the club advisor, managing administrative aspects, offering motivational advice and being a team mom, she said. photo courtesy of deonna shake “The seed has been planted,” Shake said. Due to the early success sport will continue to grow expand the club and explore of the Wildcat disc golf club, and thrive within the stu- the female disc golf demoshe said she believes the dent body. Shake hopes to graphic in future semesters.
The new club will continue to raise money throughout the fall and spring semesters to finance their national championship experience. The majority of the funds will go toward plane tickets. Scott Harsh, director of the Campus Store, is a big supporter of the team, Shake said. He donated apparel to the team last year and the Campus Store was one of the big supporters for building an on-campus disc golf course. Unfortunately, the team will be one player short in the spring, after Hunter Clinton, graduate student from Keller, graduates. The team is actively searching
for players at the moment, Shake and Story said. The team hopes to have weekend practices and minitournaments next semester to recruit new players and stimulate interest. The team placed 38th in the nation last year despite three team members being new to the tournament atmosphere, Story said. “Now we know what we’re doing, so I think we’ll do better,” Story said. “I think we will probably get top 30.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Art show proceeds to help build water wells jonathan ward staff reporter Wishing Well will conduct the Liam Lowe Art Show from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 15 at Highland Church of Christ for its annual fundraiser. Mitchell East, chaplain of Wishing Well at ACU, said the goal of the fundraiser is to raise money and awareness for the global water crisis. “People on this earth don’t have clean water, and we want them to,” said East, senior biblical text major from Austin.
“If our community comes together, villages of people could have new lives. That’s our vision.” Wishing Well, an international service organization, seeks to deliver clean water all over the world. The nonprofit group hopes to end global thirst by encouraging communities to develop creative methods of providing clean water to people in need. East said Liam Lowe inspired this year’s fundraiser by creating Liam’s Wells, a project that provides developing com-
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People on this earth don’t have clean water and we want them to. If our community comes together, villages of people could have new lives. That’s our vision. ”
munities with clean, safe water. Liam started the project at the age of 6, shortly before he passed away from leukemia in January 2012. East said Liam was passionate about art, and this year’s fundraiser will continue his legacy.
FilmFest: Films get made in 48 hours from page 1 hearing their critiques from my film,” Spears said. “There is a competition side, but there is also a very valuable collaborative effort among all the teams.” Caleb Williamson, senior digital entertainment technology major from Thousand Oaks, California, has submitted four films since 2012. His favorite part of 48 Hour FilmFest is looking back
on his earlier projects and seeing how he has grown since. “The beauty of filmmaking isn’t in making a flawless product, but the growth that comes with taking risks, so just do it,” Williamson said. There will be another 48 Hour FilmFest Nov. 21. Films from both competitions will be entered into FilmFest in March, along with other films. “Get involved in FilmFest,” Estrada said. “It’s
just an amazing, amazing process. If you’re thinking about making a film, if your friend is trying to pull you into making a film, if you just have one film making thought, join FilmFest. Join the Facebook. Be a part of it. You’re not going to regret it.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
www.acuoptimist.com
mitchell east senior biblical text major from austin
“We love the idea of picking up a story and continuing it,” East said. “This event was inspired by what he did.” The art show will feature a string quartet and showcase art from members of the ACU and Highland Church of Christ
communities. East said Wishing Well is looking for art donations and encourages people to contribute their art to the fundraiser. “We’ve got a lot working for us, with sources of art from all ages and groups,” he said. “We want as many people from ACU to help because we need art. If someone has an artistic bone in their body, we would love for them to participate.” Caren Monsees, a member of Wishing Well, has been helping the organization realize its
dream of an art show since before the semester began. “For those of us who have been a part of Wishing Well since our freshman year and are now seniors, this is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Monsees, senior prephysical therapy major from Littletown, Colorado. “It’s cool to feel so much passion about an event.”
contact ward at jtw12a@acu.edu
Opinion
friday 11.07.14
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guest Column
guest Column
Citizens didn’t show up at the polls
Republicans won, but party is still splintered
LUCY DANLEY VAGABONDAGE
president of SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND ACU College Democrats
Our nation was founded on the idea that the government can not and should not be run by one man with whom lies all ultimate power but rather by it’s citizens who will confidently and intelligently decide for themselves what is in the best interest of the country as a whole. It is on election nights like last Tuesday when my own party received such a thorough electoral beating that I must remind myself of this very idea and it’s enduring importance. Since this country’s conception, it’s citizenry has drastically shifted on multiple occasions moving from a revolutionary force which brought the tyrant King George to his knees to today’s apathetic variety of at best infrequent voters. The latter of course being the political reality in which representatives, gover-
nors and presidents alike must work to be elected. That being said, the 2014 midterm election results were not the product of a people raising their voices to be heard but rather the culmination of decades worth of political ignorance and apathy allowing for humiliatingly low voter turnout and the slow deterioration of what we once knew as the “good citizen.” This decline in citizen interest is not entirely the fault of the people but is the consequence of an ever-changing cultural landscape, a media which has failed to properly inform the public on issues of national importance and political parties who have exhausted voters with decades of partisan bickering. Every election season, our televisions are drowning in political advertisements, each
one more nauseating, anxiety-inducing and fear-mongering than the last, it’s no wonder the public has given up on its political leaders! As voters we are both pandered to and patronized with few politicians on either side thinking enough of us to speak candidly or honestly about the issues at hand. In return the public seems to enjoy blaming politicians for every challenge facing our country from economic downturns to bad reality TV. And while I don’t entirely disagree with that assessment I do think it’s time for us to wake up from a long and fitful sleep to take responsibility for a country that is in desperate need of our attention. I’ve heard it said that “decisions are made by those who show up,” so I must ask, Americans where have you been and don’t you think it’s time you showed up for your country? Lucy Danley is a senior political science major from Abilene.
MATTHEW COOKSEY president of ACU College Republicans
I feel compelled to apologize. But before I do, I should explain. I’m from Abilene. I was born here, raised here, and in all likelihood, I’m going to die here. This thought obviously produces some mixed feelings, but in some ways, it’s a relief. Abilene forms the southern base of the Texas 19th, otherwise known as the most conservative congressional district in the United States, which makes growing up in this area we call the “Big Country” a unique experience. It was here that I was taught at a young age the most valuable principle my father has (and perhaps will) ever taught me: “Matthew” he said, “don’t let anyone else determine your destiny.” This notion would be echoed again in high school when I discovered my ideological hero, Ronald Reagan, who
DAILY doodle dosage
Ben Todd
demanded of each citizen one thing in his First Inaugural Address: “Dream heroic dreams.” This brings me to today. The Grand Old Party put up a spectacular fight recently, which gives me hope, yet I remain unsatisfied. Four years ago, I witnessed the rise of the Tea Party, and with it, the splintering of my party, the Republican Party. These candidates promised a return to normalcy through a revival of “common-sense” conservatism, all the while misquoting and misinterpreting statements by the Republican deity known as President Reagan. It is extremely disappointing to see candidates win Republican primaries simply by comparing themselves to Ronald Reagan the loudest. To put this in ACU terms, it would be like watching two church ministers fight over who was the most
Christ-like, with the winner getting to be the new preacher. The rhetoric of these candidates alienates moderate Republicans, and those of my own generation reading this, as well. This, in turn, constricts the GOP’s ability to be the best party it can be, thus weakening the twoparty system. For this I apologize. However, I’m reminded of something I once read: “A man is a man no matter what his blood.” It is through this idea, this simplistic and inescapable thought, that everyone in this great nation of ours has the potential to pick themselves up from current circumstances and be something great. This is, in essence, the American Dream. This, despite the opinions of some, is the platform of the GOP. If you voted Republican, I want to thank you. If you voted period, God bless you for exercising a right we so often take for granted. Matthew Cooksey is a senior business management major from Abilene.
hashtagACU Nov.4 2:23 p.m.
Guy in the gym, I know it looks like I was staring into your soul while you were lifting, but I swear it’s only becaue I was
Nov. 6 6:30 p.m.
Walking past the rec center eating a Snickers #no guilt
@RachelEFritz @chrissy_flies
Nov. 5 5:32 p.m.
Nov. 5 10:35 a.m.
This weather makes me realize that I need more sweatpants
Sean runs the grammar and syntax game in SA #satweets
@taylorcrumpton
@the_thundersonn
Rocking the high waters to avoid the high water
Nov. 5 5:19 p.m.
Rodney is not here... so we will be talking about his impeachment #satweets
Editorial
Some suggestions for Rick Perry the issue With the election of a new governor, Rick Perry is out of a job!
our take We came up with a few ideas he could do instead of throwing his hat in the ring for the 2016 presidental race.
The gubernatorial race has come to a close, and Greg Abbott is the new governor. Rick Perry, Texas’ longest serving governor of 14 years, will hang his hat as governor as Abbott moves into office. For most of us 20-something students, Perry has been our governor since before we could spell gubernatorial. We remember hearing about him running a race against someone named Kinky and we watched him struggle to nail two sentences together in presidential debates. But our favorite memory is from 2010 when he told us about killing a coyote with a single shot from the pistol he was carrying on his morning jog. Now that Perry’s time in the Governor’s mansion is over, many are wondering what he plans to do with all of his free time. There are rumors cir-
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Go on a hunting trip with Dick Cheney.
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Convince Abbot to secede so Perry can run for President of Texas.
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Create a shoe brand that is a spin-off of the popular “Sperry’s”. He’d call them “Perry’s” and they’d be very frat.
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Write a memoir about being indicted. Fans who come to the book signing get an autographed copy of his mugshot.
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Lower the tuition at ACU.
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Recharter DT.
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Adopt a micropig and name it “W” in honor of George W. Bush.
•
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Win an Oscar before Leonardo DiCaprio.
@kkdeemack
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Challenge Chris Christie to a hot dog eating contest.
Nov. 6 12:42 p.m.
•
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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.
published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board
@ellenjohnson13 Nov. 6 12:19 p.m.
Homeboy just had Jimmy Johns deliver to the testing center so he could eat during the break in his test. #priorities
Write his own Sing Song music.
@MorgBear62 It’s pretty easy for Simba and Mufasa to be singing about the circle of life when they’re at the top of the food chain. I bet the zebras hated that song.
YikYak
contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
Find a career where his new hipster glasses make sense. Like a barista or a vinyl record salesbum.
OK, so maybe some of these are a little bit out of his area of expertise. But if he really is in the market for a new job, he might have a hard time finding one considering he worked for 14 years in his last one and never got a promotion.
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
ACU PD just tried to give me a ticket for jay walking. I said what
Can the real slim shady person who threw a pumpkin at my car please stand up...?
Make it big on Instagram and get #rickspics trending. Maybe even start tweeting about #ACUCHRISTMASSLAM
@BeforeTheThrill Oct. 30 3:06 p.m.
@taylorcrumpton Nov. 5 10:22 p.m.
culating that he will make a run for the Oval Office, but we have a few other suggestions of what we think he should consider first.
Nov.4 7:48 p.m.
Changing majors came with a free shirt...Maybe I should switch around a few more times...
@AustinLinehan There should be an app that tells you if there are washers/dryers open. So you don’t have to walk down 3 flights of stairs for no reason.
YikYak One semester of ACU tuition pays for over 208 years of Netflix. Let that sink in.
YikYak
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Features
friday 11.7.14
“
I wonder if they still make men of the same caliber today?”
Remembering THE GREATEST
GENERATION
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GINA LEWIS
or captured. Historian Stephen E. Ambrose wrote that the battle began with snow during the coldest winter in Europe in 38 years. editor in chief Ken remembers the day the gray sky eventually cleared enough to allow the planes of the 8th Air Force to attack.“They came screaming down upon enemy f you love me, you won’t leave.” forces like a swarm of angry hornets, strafing and bombing the enemy columns as Ken Lewis’ mother screamed at him from the front door as he as he they headed east, back to the Fatherland,” he said. By Jan. 31, 1945, the enemy was left his Meriden, Connecticut, home to enlist in the U.S. Army. Two driven back to its original line of departure. weeks later, July 14, 1944, he was on a troop train bound for Camp BlanMorley Cassidy, journalist and war correspondent who traveled with the troops ding, Florida, and 17 weeks of infantry training. He was 21 years old. through the Battle of the Bulge and their subsequent drive into the Rhineland, Countless mothers, just like Edith Lewis, were left standing on their porchtold the story. His voice crackled in a nation-wide broadcast to America, “The 28th es. They wept for the young men who left home to fight in World War II. Many Division has performed one of the greatest feats in the history of the American wouldn’t return, but the ones who did would go on to be known as “The Greatest Army. Against nine divisions it has held so firmly that the German timetable has Generation,” a label coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the American been thrown off completely.” men and women who were raised in the Great Depression, fought in WWII and put Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. Japan would follow suit a few months their lives, and the country, back together for their children and grandchildren. later on Aug. 14. The war was over, but the world had only just begun to put their Now, at 92 with a thick gray mustache, Ken sinks into the recliner at his aslives back together. sisted living apartment in Abilene. Looking through large round glasses, he leans Even though the war had ended in Europe, Lewis’ division was “occupationed” forward, eyebrows raised high, recalling events with specific details, dates and in Germany until July.“It means occupying enemy territory,” he said. “We’d go into times. Seven and half months overseas engraved memories that have endured a towns, not cities. They’d send a jeep out with microphones, in German of course, lifetime. telling the people they had 20 minutes to vacate and assemble in a field so that we He’d left behind his mother could search their property.” without her only son with a Reconstruction was as critirecently completed associate cal in the U.S. as it was in Europe. degree in poultry science. The Unlike wars today, most civilians farmer he had been working played a role in the war effort. for desperately begged him to They lived through food rations, stay. “He promised to immeorganized metal and rubber diately deed his farm to me drives, worked in defense plants because he had no close living and even trained as coastal airrelatives if I would not go into plane spotters. Those who learned military service,” Ken said. “I resourcefulness during the Great explained to him that I would Depression carried it over to never be able to live with wartime and the battlefield. Their myself if I failed to serve my resilience sustained as soldiers country.” returned to civilian life. Together, One of his eight grandchilthey strived to recreate the lives dren, Patrick Lewis, recalls the they knew before the war. same farm story, admiring his Ken and Linda Lewis, married grandfather’s sense of duty. on Aug. 24, 1946. “Everyone gave up something, Ken sailed home to Connectibut that was really all he had, cut. He married his wife of 68 and he gave it up.” years, Linda, and like others who On Dec. 2, 1944, almost contributed to the baby boom, three years after the attack they had four sons. Ken went imon Pearl Harbor, Ken boarded mediately back into agriculture, one of the 52 ships that made starting as a milk deliveryman for up a small convoy headed for a dairy farm and then moved on to Europe. Troops were doubleuse his degree in the poultry field. loaded. Every 12 hours the solThe bulk of his career was spent diers above deck would switch as a senior management techniwith those below. cian at Indian River International On Dec. 16, 1944, he walked — the first company to breed a ashore French soil for the first male chicken for meat production. time and became a member “At one point, he was one of the of the 2nd squad, 2nd Platoon, top poultry experts in the country,” George Company, 2nd Battalsaid Mark, his youngest son. He ion, 109th Infantry Regiment, traveled to visit customers in 52 28th Infantry Division. different countries until he retired For 17 weeks he and his at age 72. division trained for the Pacific Civilians and servicemen like Theatre to become effective Ken sacrificed a great deal to see jungle fighters in Japan. the conflict through.“WWII is the Instead, they were sent to last war that the whole country, Europe as replacements. Findmore or less, was completely united ing themselves in knee-deep in the fight and everyone had a snow, everyone quickly dispart,” said Patrick, reflecting on the carded their oversized jungle stories of his grandparent’s generapacks of tropical clothing. tion. “We saw snow from the Some fought overseas and some time we got there until Easter held down the home front, but Sunday — even then you could they all led the way in rebuilding still see some underneath the American lives – even into the ‘60s evergreen trees,” he said. and ‘70s – long after they had reOne of Ken’s three battle turned home. The length and depth stars pinned on his European of their labor has earned them the Theatre ribbon represents the designation of the Greatest Generalargest land battle the U.S. tion. ever fought, the Battle of the Ken asks, “I wonder if they still Bulge. Eighty thousand Amerimake men of the same caliber Top: Mark Lewis visits with his 92-year-old father, Ken Lewis. today?” cans were left dead, wounded Bottom:Ken and Linda Lewis were married on Aug. 24, 1946.
Madeline Orr
“I
Their resilience sustained as soldiers returned to civilian life. Together, they strived to recreate the lives they knew before the war.
sports
Friday 11.07.14
Seniors say goodbye to Shotwell vs NSU
6
standings football Standings
Collin Wieder sports Editor ACU football will play its final home game of the season this weekend as they take on the Northwestern State Demons. The Wildcats bring in an even overall record of 5-5 and a conference record of 3-3, while the Demons carry a 4-5 overall record and a 2-3 conference record. The ‘Cats look to carry their momentum from last week’s huge win over Central Arkansas into the final home game. Sophomore quarterback Parker McKenzie returns to the starting lineup this week after missing the UCA game
with a concussion, but the team will continue to use redshirt freshman Kade Munden. Munden had five total touchdowns and zero turnovers in the win last week. “Our thing now is what we put together last week is worth doing,” said Ken Collums, head coach. “The question is do you throw all that out and go back to your normal stuff when Parker comes back? My answer is we are going to do whatever works. It makes sense for us to use De’Andre and Kade as Wildcat quarterbacks.” The running game is hoping to build on it’s best outing of the year. The offense ran the ball 54 times for 286 yards against UCA. Running back
De’Andre Brown ran for 171 yards in the new offense, giving the Wildcats new hope for a running game that struggled over the previous two weeks. “Munden being in the game really opened up a lot of options for us,” said Jamie Walker, tight end. “We got a lot of faith in Munden; we all knew he was athletic but we didn’t realize what kind of player he was. Seeing how he could run –and De’Andre could run and with Herschel a little bit more healthy next week – I feel pretty good about the run game.” The receivers look to get back into action after having only one reception last week in the run-heavy offense.
This will be senior wide receiver Demarcus Thompson’s last home game of his ACU career. Thompson went from fourth on the depth chart last year to the team leader in receptions (45) and second in yards (514). A large majority of the ACU defense will also play tits final game in Shotwell Stadium this weekend. Starters Nick Richardson, Damon Williams, Justin Stephens, Justin Stewart, Angel Lopez and Rob Boyd, along with contributors Blake Rudd and Brandon Dornak, will finish their Shotwell career against the Demons. The experienced defense has been number one in takeaways this season with 23.
They will need to create turnovers against a battle-tested Norwestern State offense that has seen opponents such as Baylor, Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana. Junior do-it-all corner Jonathan Epps will be one of the keys to creating turnovers. Epps was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against UCA where he recorded two interceptions taking one back 68 yards for a touchdown. ACU will kickoff its final home game of the season at 2 p.m Saturday. contact Wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu
A John of all trades Epps shows excellence on both sides of the ball sports reporter
sports Director The men’s basketball team will experience something it has not seen for a few years: a returning nucleus of players from the previous season. For the past several years, the Wildcats have brought in nearly all-new rosters from one season to the next. This year, however, ACU is returning seven players from last season including starting seniors Harrison Hawkins, LaDarrien Williams and junior Parker Wentz. After an entire offseason of preparation and a month of practices, the Wildcats are ready to see how the team stacks up against its competition. “We are much further along than we were last year, and I really like the way this
4-1 4-1 4-1 4-2 3-2 3-2 3-3 2-3 2-4 1-5 0-6
Ovrl 6-2 6-3 5-4 5-5 6-3 6-3 5-5 4-5 2-7 2-7 0-10
volleyball Standings
Team
Div.
SFA UCA SHSU TAMU-CC NSU HBU SELU Nicholls St. MSU UIW Lamar ACU NO
13-0 10-2 9-3 9-4 8-5 7-5 6-6 5-7 4-8 4-8 3-9 2-10 0-13
Ovrl 20-7 15-9 16-9 16-14 11-15 13-14 9-15 9-16 14-14 8-18 3-21 4-22 6-21
Sophomore cross country runner Diana GarciaMunoz munoz finished out ACU’s cross country season with a top five finish Monday. Munoz placed fifth overall at the Southland Conference Championships. She recorded her personal best with a time of 20:59.2.
briefings Junior cornerback Jonathan Epps was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week after he recorded two interceptions against UCA. Epps took one of sarah bateman Staff Photographer those picks 68 yards for Junior Jonathan Epps has had an impact in all aspects of the game, on offense, defense and special teams, this season. a touchdown. He also of the people, none of that. I extra,” he said. “I’m always had four tackles and sat and I prayed all summer putting in extra work. I don’t one pass break-up. and I felt like this is where God was taking me so I just went with it. That’s why I’m here.” Epps is the Wildcats’ best utility player. He is able to play receiver, kick and punt returner and cornerback and even gets to rush the ball every once in a while. Epps said by playing multiple positions, he can emulate the play of many different professional football players, including one of his personal favorites. “I’ll say one of my favorite athletes is Percy Harvin because he’s so versatile,” he said. “From catching punts to getting the ball and getting a bit more explosive, that’s somebody that I’ll watch before games and model my game after. I just love the way he plays.” From his 97 receiving yards, his 45 rushing yards, his more than 500 kick and punt return yards and his two interception game against Central Arkansas, Epps has become the team’s most adaptable player, and earns his reputation as one
sarah bateman Staff Photographer
of the best multi-role players in the country. “It doesn’t mean much,” Epps said. “I do whatever I can to help the team. It’s not about me. I love my teammates, I love my coaches, everything about it. There’s no ‘I’ in team and whatever coach asks me to do, I’ll do it. Sacrifice. Sacrifice.” Epps said all his respon-
sibilities, on and off the field, limit time to himself, but that he has to persevere. “All my effort goes into my schoolwork and trying to become a better athlete, and in order to become a better athlete, I have to cut out some time with my girlfriend and you know, gotta go lift weights and put in
like anybody to outwork me, so I stay after practice to catch balls, I come in when the coaches don’t ask me to and do anything I can to become a better athlete to achieve my goals. There’s really no free time. But, it’s worth it.” Epps has high hopes for himself and his future as a football player, and ACU is just the place to prepare him for the goals he’s set for himself. “As a Division 1 football player, for me, my goal ultimately is to make the NFL,” Epps said. “The chance of that is slim but I try not to think of it like that and try to put all my efforts toward it. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen, but if it does, that’s great. That’s something I want to do.” Epps and his fellow ‘Cats will play their final home game of the season against Northwestern State at 2 p.m. Saturday. contact thompson at Cnt13c@acu.edu
Men’s hoops returns core group of starters Daniel Zepeda
Div.
MSU SELU SHSU UCA Lamar SFA ACU NSU UIW HBU Nicholls St.
Who’s Hot
collin thompson
From offense to defense to special teams, ACU junior Jonathan Epps can do just about anything on the football field. Epps is second on the team in all-purpose yards with 788 behind freshman redshirt running back De’Andre Brown’s 949 yards coming from passes and kick and punt returns. He also plays a key role on the defensive side of the ball, recording 24 total tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown as a cornerback. After transferring from Tyler Junior College this season, Epps scored his first touchdown of the year on Oct. 25 against Sam Houston State after catching a 14-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Parker McKenzie. “It felt good,” Epps said. “I was excited. I guess it came at a good time. I didn’t like the fact that we (were) losing, but getting to score a touchdown is always great, so I was excited about that.” Epps played defensive back for TJC his freshman year but was moved to receiver for the Apaches last season as a sophomore finishing the season with 26 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown. But Epps said coming to Abilene has been a huge change for him on the field and academically. “(Getting to play for a Division I program) is great,” Epps said. “Especially because I love ACU and the program and the culture. Coming from a junior college to a D1 program was a big difference. The talent, the school, the classes, just everything is great. I’m blessed to be here, really.” Epps said football and the ACU football program as a whole were important in his decision to transfer to ACU, but that his beliefs were at the forefront of his selection. “(My faith) was the biggest part of it,” Epps said. “One of the reasons why I came to ACU is not because of the program, not because
Team
group is working so far,” said Joe Golding, head coach. “We’re excited to compete and to get things started to see where we are against other opponents.” In the preseason polls, ACU was projected to finish toward the bottom of the conference, with teams such as Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Northwestern State to finish in the top three. But even as newer members to the Southland Conference, the Wildcats will look to build off their first year in conference in which the Wildcats finished with an 1120 overall record and a 2-12 conference record. Hawkins, Williams and Wentz will lead the backcourt this season. Each player has the ability to carry a good portion of the offensive load. Before injuries and academic
ineligibility ended Hawkins’s and Williams’s season last year, they led ACU in scoring with 12.3 points per game each. Once they went down, Wentz took over and finished the year averaging a team high 13.9 points per game and shot 49 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line and 87 percent from the charity strike. In the post positions, junior Austin Cooke and sophomore Riley Payne return. Cooke started every game for the Wildcats last year, and Payne played in all 31 games and started in 20. Together, they averaged 11.3 points per game and 8.2 boards per contest. Senior big man Alexsander Milosavljevic from Svilajna, Serbia, will return after playing in just 19 games due to nagging injuries.
“Anyone who followed us last year knows that we really struggled with injuries and depth,” Golding said. “With these new freshmen and junior-college transfers, it gives us depth and the ability to have a solid team that can compete on a nightly basis.” Transfers David Hanson, Jalen Little and Duran Porter will all be expected to play meaningful minutes with the Wildcats this season. Also, four freshmen will look to be called upon as Golding and the coaching staff expect to go 10-men deep this season. The Wildcats will play five of the team’s first eight games at home in Moody Coliseum before going on a five-game road trip to finish non-conference play. The team will play Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, Boise State in Boise, Idaho, and Grand Canyon Universi-
ty in Phoenix before returning home for the New Year. Some of the more notable games of the season include Duquesne University and Stephen F. Austin in Abilene. The SFA game will be the first-ever nationally broadcast game to originate from Moody Coliseum, as CBS Sports will air the game. The Wildcats will also face the University of Houston Cougars in South Texas Dec. 6. Though a conference championship may be out of reach for ACU at the moment, the Wildcats are heading in the right direction. With returning starters, added depth and barring the injury bug, expect the Wildcats to stay competitive this season. contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu
Former ACU wide receiver Taylor Gabriel recorded his first career receiving touchdown over the weekend with the Cleveland Browns. Gabriel has 21 catches for 404 yards and one touchdown in his rookie year. He is also ranked second in the league in yards per catch with 19.2. The Wildcat soccer team had four players named to the Southland Conference Honorable Mention list: freshman forward Baylee Mitchell, redshirt freshman midfielder Leslie Snider, senior midfielder Tiffany Ysassi and sophomore defender Alyssa Gerner. Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for more stories and the latest ACU sports news coverage.
Upcoming Men’s and women’s tennis will travel to Phoenix to play in the Grand Canyon Invitational Friday and Saturday. The matches begin at 8 a.m. Friday. Women’s volleyball will play at home Saturday against Nicholls State. The match will begin at 11 a.m. Football plays its final home game of the season against Northwestern State Saturday. The game begins at 2 p.m.