2-8 -8

The Baylor Lariat

STAY CONNECTED >>

@bulariat

@baylorlariat

Baylor Lariat W E ’ R E T H E R E W H E N YO U C A N ’ T B E FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 9, 2018 Opinion | 2

B AY L O R L A R I AT. C O M

Arts & Life | 5 Anna Karenina

Addicted to tech

Companies need to do more to reduce impact of technology.

Feature | 4

Enthusiastic

Recognizable basketball fan talks about his love of the sport.

Baylor Theatre opens adaptation of Russian novel this week.

Fraternity sued over alleged rape Kalyn Story News Editor A lawsuit filed Thursday in regard to an alleged rape at an off-campus Phi Delta Theta Fraternity party in March 2016 claims the fraternity was negligent in its distribution of alcohol and its handling of sexual assault.

The suit names the fraternity, the owner of the house where the party took place and six members of the fraternity who were officers at the time.

The suit also names former Baylor student Jacob Walter Anderson, who was president of the fraternity at the time. Anderson was indicted in May 2016 on four counts of sexual assault related to the incident. He was released from McLennan County Jail on a $5,000 bond the following day and is awaiting trial.

The victim, named in the suit as Donna Doe, said a man took her “to a secluded part of the grounds behind a tent in order to get some air, however once away from everyone else attending the party” he sexually assaulted her, according to the arrest affidavit.

Friends soon afterward took her to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center for a sexual assault exam, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said at the time.

The suit alleges the fraternity and its local chapter officers were negligent in allowing Donna Doe to be drugged and in providing alcohol to persons under the age of 21 and “failing to discover, develop and/or implement basic safeguards designed to prevent and/or minimize incidents of sexual assault.”

The suit claims that although Baylor does not allow fraternity houses, the homeowner and the fraternity were aware that this was a “de facto” fraternity house, referred

to in the lawsuit as “Phi Delt Ranch,” and was existing in violation of Baylor policy.

The suit, filed by attorneys Jim Dunnam and Chad W. Dunn, says Donna Doe was unable to remain at Baylor and seeks unspecified damages.

Phi Delta Theta suspended its Baylor chapter and removed Anderson after the incident.

Rod Aydelotte | Waco Tribune-Herald via AP

CASE DROPPED Attorney Brian Bouffard, who represents Jorge Daniel Salinas, talks about his case being dropped by the McLennan County District Attorney’s office during a press conference, Thursday in Waco. Salinas was involved in the roundup following the May 17, 2015 shootout at Twin Peaks that left nine bikers dead and 20 more injured.

Waco prosecutor dismisses 13 cases tied to biker shooting Jacob Walter Anderson Baylor suspended the fraternity “until a thorough investigation into the recent charges against the fraternity for underage drinking and sexual assault is completed.”

Following the incident in 2016 the Phi Delta Theta Texas Lambda chapter at Baylor University responded to the Lariat with the following statement.

“On March 3, 2016, the Phi Delta Theta Texas Lambda chapter at Baylor University was made aware of a sexual assault allegation made against a member of the chapter. The Phi Delta Theta fraternity stands with victims of sexual assault, and does not condone or tolerate any act of sexual assault or violence against women.

The chapter advisory board, national office and current chapter members have and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials.

The chapter will not comment on

SUIT >> Page 4

ASSOCIATED PRESS A Texas prosecutor on Thursday dismissed 13 cases stemming from a 2015 shootout in Waco involving bikers and police and recused himself from two others, placing into doubt the criminal prosecution of the more than 130 bikers still awaiting trial.

The actions came hours before a scheduled hearing for Jorge Salinas, whose case was among those dismissed. Current and former staff had been due to speak at the hearing about corruption allegations against District Attorney Abel Reyna, who faces a Republican primary election in March. The hearing was canceled.

According to a motion filed Thursday, the prosecutor dismissed Salinas’ case “in order to focus its efforts and resources on codefendants with a higher level of culpability.”

The May 2015 shootout involving members of the Bandidos

and Cossacks motorcycle clubs outside a Twin Peaks restaurant left nine bikers dead and 20 injured.

Local police arrested 177 bikers after the mayhem, and more than 150 people were eventually indicted on felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity resulting in the deaths and injuries.

Ballistics evidence showed that police bullets struck four bikers, killing at least two of them. The three officers involved in the shooting were no-billed by a grand jury after being cleared by an internal investigation.

Nearly three years later, only one biker, Dallas locomotive driver and Bandido chapter president Christopher “Jake” Carrizal, has been tried. Carrizal’s November trial resulted in a mistrial when jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The second biker set for trial rejected a plea deal in December.

“The way people were arrested was fairly indiscriminate — it was

predictable that some of these cases would be dropped,” said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a University of Houston law professor, adding, “I wouldn’t doubt if we see more.”

In a statement Thursday, Reyna said that it is “entirely possible” that other cases will be dismissed after prosecutors are able to review evidence from an ongoing federal trial of the former Bandidos president and vice president in San Antonio.

While the Waco shootout isn’t mentioned in the federal indictments against both men on racketeering charges, including ordering killings and assaults, government witnesses have discussed the Waco incident in pretrial hearings, court records show.

Reyna said prosecutors expect to receive evidence from the federal case “within 60 to 75 days. Once received, we will commit to making additional decisions in each of

TWIN PEAKS >> Page 4

Too caffeinated?

Professor encourages moderation in consumption Coffee consumption among millennials and centennials is higher than any previous generation, and the modern college campus has become the center of consumption, according to research by Datassential. The enjoyment of coffee for coffee’s sake has taken a back seat to the utility it offers young adults in stressful academic environments.

The study says millennials account for around 44 percent of coffee consumption in the United States, and around 48 percent of 18 to 24 year olds consume it on a daily basis. The research also established that coffee consumption is becoming more common among younger and younger crowds.

With three Starbucks locations across Baylor’s campus and several other coffee-supplying businesses around campus, caffeinated beverages are highly accessible to the student body.

Houston sophomore Rebecca Lanier said she drinks four to six cups of black coffee every day. Whether Starbucks or homebrewed, coffee is both a useful tool for energy and something she enjoys in most forms.

“It’s my favorite drink in the world ...” Lanier said. “I don’t think I could change it even if I wanted to.”

Concerned that it might impact her sleep, Lanier tries not to drink coffee after 5 p.m. and opts for decaf if she does.

Fortunately for students like Lanier, Stan Wilfong, a lecturer in Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, said coffee consumption is not as negative as it is cracked out to be.

In fact, coffee consumption can have significant positive effects

THOMAS MORAN Staff Writer

Vol.118 No. 34

if consumed in moderation.

“It can increase focus,” Wilfong said. “It’s actually been shown to benefit folks with ADHD in terms of being able to focus … It’ll help you stay awake if you need to stay awake to some extent.”

It also has less health impacts on younger people because their bodies are able to metabolize caffeine efficiently, Wilfong said.

Unfortunately, the news is not all good for caffeineaddicted students.

In the short term, coffee consumption can disrupt sleep patterns, increase feelings of nervousness and prompt migraines, Wilfong said. While it does not dehydrate the consumer, it is a mild diuretic which can be an inconvenience.

In the long term, it may lead to increased secretion of acid in the stomach of the consumer and potentially certain gastrointestinal illnesses, Wilfong said.

COFFEE>> Page 4

Photo Illustration by Penelope Shirey | Design Editor

© 2018 Baylor University

2

opinion

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

b ay lo r l a r i at.c o m

We want to hear it. Send us your thoughts: LariatLetters@baylor.edu

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

EDITORIAL

Smartphones: useful but addictive It’s time for Apple to build a less addictive iPhone.

Apple comes out with a new phone approximately every six to nine months.

Each new phone promises groundbreaking technology that changes the way we use our cellular devices. This gives the company ample opportunity to change the way they design their phones, as well as to change the way they influence our daily habits.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the iPhone has been “one of the most important, worldchanging and successful products in history.”

But, are we sure the world has changed for the better with the iPhone? The iPhone can be placed in the same categories as some of the major technological innovations that we’ve had as a society: the printing press, satellites, ATMs, the internet, personal computers, etc.

As a culture, we are constantly consumed by the iPhone’s presence, whether we know it or not. Market data shows more than 90 million of the 223 million smartphone owners have iPhones. We have trouble connecting with the world around us nowadays. We would rather stay plugged into apps optimized for the iPhone such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Our need to stay inundated with technology has led to less face-to-face socialization in public.

Instead of having our heads raised, taking in our surroundings, greeting friends and seeing events as they take place, we keep our heads down, unaware of what is happening around us. People no longer know how to properly speak to one another. Writing fully thoughtout sentences has taken a downturn with the emphasis of texting shorthand. However, our fleeting interactions and connectedness to our glowing screens is not completely our fault.

Tech companies have begun to admit their own hand in our social shortcomings.

In an open letter to Apple, investors pointed out some of the grappling and addictive effects the phone has on students. In the letter, investors outlined a tendency for iPhone users to be less attentive in class, to lack sleep and to suffer from a higher likelihood of depression.

Rewon Shimray | Cartoonist

Though iPhones are not the only smartphones on the market, they are widely used and often on the cutting edge of technological advancements; many apps come out updates for iPhone before other operating systems. Therefore, Apple should be expected to lead the charge against their phones’ addictive nature. Several former Facebook employees, for example, have gone out of their way to suggest that the public is no match for the intelligent mechanisms of manipulation and engagement

built into smartphone apps.

The New York Times shed light on Apple’s opportunity to make up for the company’s part in creating negative social phenomena.

Clearly, iPhones and smartphones are a fully integrated aspect of society at this point.

Their creators have served the public by offering convenience, ease and entertainment.

That being said, the addictive nature of these devices needs to be addressed. We can still have smartphones and have our life simplified by

their many beneficial components. What Apple and other tech companies need to focus on now is offering these services without an addictive element since this aspect has been intentionally and knowingly added to the smartphone formula. iPhones can be used as fantastic tools.

They help us navigate an ever-changing world efficiently. However, it can and will become an extreme problem if instead of us using our iPhones, our iPhones are using us.

COLUMN

Celebrate Valentine’s Day every day BRANSON HARDCASTLE Broadcast Reporter Valentine’s Day is a time when “love is in the air.” Everyone gets together with their significant other and goes to dinner, opens gifts and spends quality time together. The question is, why is this only celebrated once a year? Why do we only celebrate our significant other on this day and not continuously throughout the year?

I have known many people who use Valentine’s Day as their one and only time of the year to do something special for their boyfriend or girlfriend. They feel as long as they do one thing, they have done their “duty” for the year.

That’s not how it should be. If you truly care for a person, you should be taking time out of your day to do something special or to make them feel special. I’m not saying you have to do it every single day, but you should make an effort to do so throughout the year.

My parents put an emphasis on teaching my siblings and me to continue to pursue our significant others throughout the relationship. What is pursuing your significant other, you may be asking – it is to chase or to follow avidly?

How do you continue to pursue someone throughout the relationship? The first step is to figure out what love is. Love is an action; it’s not a feeling. In 1 Corinthians 13, love is defined as being patient, kind, not envious, believing the best and not dishonoring others. It always trusts, protects, hopes and perseveres. Love is used to serve your significant other and seek out their best interest.

It is also important to understand that people receive and show love in different ways. Many people have taken the love language test, which gives you results based on your answers to many questions. The different love languages are quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, receiving gifts and physical touch. Usually people give and receive love in multiple ways

through these “love languages,” but what do all of them mean?

“Quality time” is exactly as it sounds. It is spending time together in a way that deepens the connection you feel with the person. “Acts of service” are done when you serve others out of love and not obligation. Encouraging and kind words that build you up are “words of affirmation.” “Physical touch” makes you feel loved by getting hugs, kisses, or touches on the arms.

“Receiving gifts” happens when you feel deeply valued and loved when someone gives you a gift. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but the thought that they took time out of their day to get you something makes you feel truly loved.

It is crucial to understand what each of these “languages” mean and which one your significant other feels most loved through. The only way to know which of these they lean more toward is to spend time with them and pay attention to what make their eyes light up. It is also important to know that many people are inclined to multiple love languages. They might enjoy quality time and acts of service, and combining them can make them feel the most valued.

Once you understand what their love language is, it is time to take action. Use your knowledge of the person to make them feel special in your daily pursuit of them. Pay attention to their favorite types of food, music, what they do for fun and how they like to relax. These things will help you understand more about them and what they would enjoy doing.

Take them out to do something special once a month or more, and do things they like. If they like receiving gifts, surprise them with a gift periodically. My dad will send my mom flowers and write her encouraging notes that talk about her character and how great she is. Those things continue to strengthen my parents’ relationship even though they have been married for 29 years.

Valentine’s Day isn’t inherently bad, but it can be used as an excuse for people to not fully pursue and value their significant other. I want to encourage you to not only spend Valentine’s Day showing others you care about them, but each and every day of the year leading up to Feb. 14, and every day following it as well.

Branson Hardcastle is a journalism major from McKinney.

Meet the Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bailey Brammer*

SPORTS EDITOR Nathan Keil

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Molly Atchison*

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jessica Hubble

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Didi Martinez

OPINION EDITOR McKenna Middleton*

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kaitlyn DeHaven

CARTOONIST Rewon Shimray*

NEWS EDITOR Kalyn Story*

STAFF WRITERS Julia Vergara Micaela Freeman Thomas Moran

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Adam Gibson DESIGN EDITOR Penelope Shirey

SPORTS WRITERS Ben Everett Max Calderone

COPY EDITOR Brooke Hill

COLUMNIST Collin Bryant*

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Meredith Wagner*

BROADCAST MANAGING EDITOR Christina Soto

BROADCAST REPORTERS Elisabeth Tharp Rylee Seavers Meredith Aldis Branson Hardcastle MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS Baylee VerSteeg Josh Aguirre MJ Routh Ryan Barrett AD REPRESENTATIVES Josh Whitney Evan Hurley Sheree Zou Quinn Stowell MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Luke Kissick Caden Bell DELIVERY DRIVERS Cayden Orred Alexis Whiteford

Want to share your opinion with us?

Send us an email >> Lariat_Letters@baylor.edu

or Follow us on Twitter >> @LariatOpinion

We want to hear from you!

Contact Us

Opinion

General Questions: Lariat@baylor.edu 254-710-1712

The Baylor Lariat welcomes reader viewpoints through letters to the editor and guest columns. Opinions expressed in the Lariat are not necessarily those of the Baylor administration, the Baylor Board of Regents, the student body or the Student Publications Board.

Sports and Arts: LariatArts@baylor.edu LariatSports@baylor.edu

Advertising inquiries: Lariat_Ads@baylor.edu 254-710-3407

Editorials, Columns & Letters Editorials express the opinions of the Lariat Editorial Board. Lariat letters and columns are the opinions of an individual and not the Baylor Lariat.

Lariat Letters To submit a Lariat Letter, email Lariat_Letters@baylor.edu. Letters should be a maximum of 400 words. The letter is not guaranteed to be published.

Friday, Febrary 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

News

3

At its core, new curriculum still values writing THOMAS MORAN Staff Writer The new 50-hour core curriculum, set to begin in the Fall of 2019, will allow students to explore new fields of study, add additional minors and majors and provide a more “transformational education”.

The lengthy process has been characterized by the challenges of compromise, as a natural result of a shortening curriculum, and a positive increase in dialogue between the departments.

The English Department was no exception to this complex dynamic and it was ultimately decided that American Literature be the sole required English course.

In the current curriculum, students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take American and British Literature, along with two writing courses, 1302 and 1304.

English Department Chair Dr. Kevin Gardner played a key role throughout the process. The decision was taken very seriously and the entire permanent staff of the department was involved in the discussion Gardner said.

After the comprehensive evaluation process, it was voted upon and the American Literature course was selected as the required course in the new curriculum. However, writing requirements have not been altogether removed from the curriculum. Beyond the eight required core courses including American Literature, the new curriculum also includes nine distribution lists from which students will be required to take a single course, one of which is called the “Research Writing” distribution list.

According to Dr. Blake Burleson, associate dean for undergraduate studies of the College of Arts and Sciences, this decision will reflect a similar model used by other notable research universities including Notre Dame, Tulane and Duke.

“The redesign of Baylor’s core curriculum has proved to be an excellent opportunity for Baylor to adopt this model of our peer and aspirant R1/T1 universities,” Burleson wrote in a statement.

The specific researchbased writing courses have not yet been finalized for the distribution list.

“No courses have actually been put into a distribution list yet …” Gardner said. “English is in the process of working through whether or not to put our existing courses into the distribution list or to propose a new course.”

With students required to take a course from the “Research Writing” list, the English department agreed that a literature-based class ought to be the core requirement.

Another factor that lead to selection of American Literature as the required course is the openness of writing as a field of study.

“Traditionally, writing classes have been housed in English departments, but there’s also an argument to be made for a culture of writing across the curriculum and that writing should happen really in all disciplines,” Gardner said.

The English department currently has around five professors who teach writing courses, however around 90% of the 1302 and 1304 freshmanlevel writing courses are taught by graduate students.

Long Beach, Calif. PhD student Molly Lewis is in her first year studying English Literature. As a literature student, she empathizes with the sentiment that students should be exposed to as much literature as possible. However, she also believes that writing is a crucial element of any university education.

“I feel like writing is going to be really important for any student of any discipline. So even if it’s not required in the

core, I would certainly hope that many students would recognize the importance of taking 1304 regardless and many students probably will,” Lewis said.

Though within the new core curriculum the English department’s writing courses will be optional on list of many diverse classes for students to choose from, there are qualities and talents within the English department that are irreplaceable Lewis said.

“I do know that the English department’s rhet/comp [rhetoric and composition] faculty is fantastic …” Lewis

said. “They’re brilliant …

There is something significant offered here that wouldn’t be available in other departments just because of the faculty we have. They literally study how to teach writing. It’s what they do.”

Students face a high degree of personal responsibility to be able to understand, analyze and evaluate the world around them Lewis said. In her view Thinking, Writing and Research 1304 is best equipped to fulfill this standard.

However, experiencing a wider range of disciplines, as featured in the Research

Writing distribution list, is a positive side effect of the new curriculum.

“One of the things that we value is having an exposure to all of these different fields, which may not interact with out daily lives, but definitely inform how we view the world,” Lewis said.

As the distribution lists are developed and finalized, the students and faculty eagerly anticipate the new curriculum.

A statement from the College of Arts and Sciences clarifies that, “Communication (both written and oral) is an essential skill for our 21st

century graduates. To this end, students are required to take 15 hours of courses in communication distributed as follows: three hours from Research Writing, nine hours from Foreign Language and Culture and three hours from Communication and Media Literacy.” A Q&A document has been created on the College of Arts and Sciences’ website to offer further clarification on this issue.

Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for media communications, assures the community of Baylor’s consistent dedication

to academic excellence throughout this process.

“Baylor is and always has been committed to a strong undergraduate education. It was important at our founding, it’s important today and will be in the future under our new academic strategic plan,” Fogleman said.

FAQ document available at baylor.edu/ artsandsciences/ index. php?id=948899

What’s Happening on Campus?

Sundown Weekend Friday, Feb. 9 Sundown Sessions: Everything, Everything, Blacklight Bowling 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Join Student Activities in Barfield Drawing Room for showings of Everything, Everything at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Enjoy Blacklight Bowling all evening in the Baylor Gameroom.

Saturday, Feb. 10 Sundown Sessions: Valentine’s Edition

9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Test your artistic expertise at this special Valentine’s Day Sundown Session. Make handmade valentines and decorate cookies to share in Barfield Drawing Room. Blacklight Bowling all evening in the Baylor Gameroom.

Friday, Feb. 9 Rodrigo Cachón Lecture

3 p.m. The department of political science presents Harvard’s Rodrigo Cachón to discuss “Basic Concepts of Leo Strauss’s Political Philosophy: An Approach to his Early Work” in the Treasure Room of Armstrong Browning Library.

Celebrate Black History Month Friday, Feb. 9 Unified Service

3:45 p.m. Join NPHC for an afternoon of community service. Meet at the SUB Den.

Monday, Feb. 12 For Us, BU Us

7 p.m. Baylor Sigmas and Baylor NAACP present a black business expo in Foster 123.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 NAACP Black Love Forum

7 p.m. Enjoy a discussion about relationships in the black community in the SUB Den.

Thursday, Feb 15 Defamation Play

4 p.m. A riveting courtroom drama that explores charged issues of race, religion, gender, class and the law. The twist? The audience is the jury. The show will take place in Foster 240.

For a full schedule of events, visit baylor.edu/multicultural.

Friday, Feb. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 11 Anna Karenina

7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Baylor Theatre presents Anna Karenina, a Tolstoy love story set during the height of the Imperial Russian Empire, in Mabee Theatre, Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center. Tickets available for purchase at baylor.edu/theatre or at the box office.

Saturday, Feb. 10 Basketball Double Header

1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Come out for a men’s game against the Kansas Jayhawks at 1 p.m. and a women’s game against the TCU Horned Frogs at 7 p.m., both at the Ferrell Center.

Sunday, Feb. 11 Semper Pro Musica Competition, Final Round 1 p.m. The final contestants in the Semper Pro Musica competition will perform in Roxy Grove Hall for a chance to take the stage at New York City’s Carnegie Hall this spring.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 World Cinema Series: The Jesus Film (Arabic) 6 p.m. The World Cinema Series hosts weekly screenings of foreign films with English subtitles.

Jesus Christ, According to the Gospel of Luke, in Arabic, will screen in Bennett Auditorium, Draper Academic Building.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 Tuesday Talks: Utilizing Your LinkedIn Profile

6 p.m. Learn how to use the resources on LinkedIn to locate and apply for jobs, in Marrs McLean Science, Room 301.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 Hope, Peace, Love

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Baylor Counseling Center presents “Hope, Peace, Love,” a Valentine’s Day mental health awareness event with food trucks, prizes, movies and more. Activities will take place all day in the Bill Daniel Student Center and the Baylor Sciences Building. Full schedule at baylor.edu/counseling_center.

Thursday, Feb. 15 “Color Coding in Roman Art”

3:30 p.m. Paolo Liverani, University of Florence, a world-famous archaeologist and a leading authority on chromatic studies in ancient Roman art, will lecture in Morrison Hall, Room 120.

For more, join Baylor Connect at

baylor.edu/baylorconnect Follow @BaylorStuAct, @BaylorMA and @BaylorUB on Twitter.

4

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

News

Spirited sports fan stands out in the Bear Pit MEREDITH WAGNER Arts & Life Editor Hayden Johnson is arguably Baylor’s most enthusiastic all-around sports fan. If not by name, Baylor affiliates know him for his green foam hat, which he wears unashamedly in the student section of multiple Baylor sports, including football, tennis, volleyball, acrobatics and tumbling and men’s and women’s basketball.

Johnson was spotted in the Bear Pit at the Baylor men’s basketball game against Iowa State on Saturday night. His enthusiasm for the team was evident in his spurts of energy and loud chants.

A senior geology major from Port Orchard, Wash., Johnson credits his love of supporting Baylor sports to his appreciation and respect for the players.

“I have class with a lot of these people, both the men’s and women’s players,” Johnson said. “It’s fun seeing them in

class and then supporting them here.”

In addition to caring for his peers, Johnson said his love of sports drives his fandom.

“I’ve always liked sports,” he said. “I think that’s one of the underlying reasons why I picked Baylor.”

Johnson attended every basketball game his freshman year, aside from those during Christmas break, and earned a leadership position for the Bear Pit, Baylor’s basketball student section, the following year. Since then, Johnson has become game day chair for the Bear Pit, where he consistently stands tall at the front of the crowd and prepares the student section before each game.

Johnson lays newspapers across the seats of the Bear Pit so that, as the opposing team’s players are introduced before the game, the Baylor crowd can kick back and pretend to read the newspaper, appearing uninterested. The lights eventually go out for a

video, and when they abruptly come back on, students toss shredded newspaper in the air as makeshift confetti.

Most of all, Johnson said his job entails having fun.

“We just try to make it a good experience for students,” he said.

Johnson’s signature green foam hat was an impulse buy his freshman year. At the time, he had no idea how integral it would be to his identity in college.

“Freshman year, my mom and I were going to Walmart to get some stuff for my dorm, and [the hat] was in the little $5 bin by the registers,” Johnson said. “I went back the next year and they were $20. I like to think that I’ve won,” he joked.

Fast approaching graduation, Johnson said he plans to attend graduate school next year. Johnson applied to schools in Arkansas and Texas, but said he won’t be continuing his education at Baylor.

With a sigh, Johnson said

Lariat File Photo

GET EXCITED Hayden Johnson (right) stands among the Bear Pit as they throw torn-up newspapers into the air to get hyped up before a 2015 men’s basketball game.

he’s going to miss attending the games each week and cheering on those he has spent nearly four years supporting.

“I spent four years of my life here, and it’s fun to root on people who have had the same experiences that I do,” Johnson said. “I’ll be back for some

games. I’ll find my way in.”

Scott Drew, Baylor men’s basketball head coach, said the crowd played a big part in the Bears’ first win in four games.

“The crowd was tremendous. It was great energy,” Scott said. “The crowd really gave us a lift. They

did a great job carrying that momentum for us.”

Bears can catch both Johnson and the men’s basketball team at the next home game Saturday at the Ferrell Center against Kansas.

New student government bill calls for religious diversity MICAELA FREEMAN Staff Writer In the political realm of Baylor University, there is an outcry for diverse religious groups. The Student Senate is reviewing a bill that states that there is a need for diverse religious groups on campus.

The university currently has a rule that students religious organizations must affirm their beliefs align with the Baylor University Statement of Common Faith.

Amman, Jordan, senior Abdula Ghali, a Muslim student, wrote the bill in November and it is currently under review by the Student Senate Campus Improvements and Affairs Committee. Ghali, a future medical school student, is an advocate for diverse religious groups since his freshman year.

“This bill means everything to me,” Ghali said. “The bill means I can practice my culture and religion and have a place on campus. Even though I am graduating [in May], it won’t affect me very much, but it’s

for those who are in my place looking for a sense of belonging but couldn’t find it.”

Dallas sophomore Suzie Tkach is a sponsor of the bill, believes that students of different faiths should be allowed to form groups and be recognized by the university. As a Senator in Baylor’s Student Senate, Tkach is eager to be a part of this bill with Ghali.

“I believe that this bill asking Baylor to be more accommodating and I’ve recognized how Baylor capitalizes on its diversity when recruiting students of other faiths and then doesn’t allow equal opportunities when they are,” Tkach said.

The bill, under the 65th legislative session of the Baylor Student Senate, also acknowledges in Texas that other Christian Texas universities allow non Christian religious groups on campus. Schools such as Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University allow for the existence of non-Christian religious organizations. At Baylor, a nonChristian religious group would not

reflect the “faith statement” it adheres to.

“I think that it’s really important,” Tkach said. “A Muslim organization would not reflect the faith statement of Baylor, but I believe it should be allowed to be recognized, because I think this is kind of crossing that line of being a private Christian school and being unable to accomodate.”

The bill acknowledges Baylor’s faith statement and the effects it has on Baylor’s student body.

“Placing the faith statement as a requirement prevents the existence of organizations such as but not limited to ‘The Muslim Student Association’ or ‘The Jewish Student Association’; and Baylor University adheres to the teachings of Christianity, and the Bible includes many references about inclusion for those who do not adhere to Christianity,” the bill states.

Tkach and Ghali said they hope the bill will be passed later this semester and offer the resolution of amending the Baylor University charter requirement.

Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor

DIVERSITY Supporters for the bill believe students of different faiths should be allowed to form groups and be recognized by the university.

Bear Briefs Sundown Sessions, hosted and sponsored by the Union Board, will be debuting the film Everything, Everything, a movie about a girl who has never been outside and falls in love with the boy next door, and will

offer free backlit bowling from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday. The event will start the Valentines Day holiday early with this Friday night bash at the Student Union Building.

The Union Board will also be hosting another Sundown Session on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will have Valentine card making and cookie decorating in the second floor of the SUB.

The Asian Students Association is hosting a Lunar New Year party 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday at the Vera Martin Daniel Plaza. The event will include games, performances by singers and a lion dance — a traditional Chinese dance

where performers move like a lion in a lion costume in order to bring good luck and fortune.

The event will also have authentic Asian cuisine for everyone to try. The entire event is free and open to the public.

TWIN PEAKS from Page 1 the Twin Peaks cases within 30 days from receipt of that evidence,” he said.

More than 100 bikers, including 11 whose cases were dismissed Thursday, have civil suits pending against Reyna’s office and the Waco police department claiming that they were wrongfully arrested.

A federal judge in Austin

had stayed the cases pending the outcome of their criminal cases.

Dallas attorney Don Tittle, whose firm is representing 122 bikers’ civil cases, said he hopes the dismissals mean “that there’s no longer any impediment” to proceeding in civil court.

Salinas, 27, a decorated Marine from Lometa, Texas,

and his Fort Worth attorney, Brian Bouffard, both cried upon learning late Wednesday from the district attorney’s office that the case against him would be dropped.

Bouffard called the dismissals a “smoke screen” to avoid having the allegations against Reyna voiced in public court, and said Salinas would

COFFEE from Page 1 Ultimately, healthy caffeine consumption looks completely different between individuals and temperance is key.

“Everything in moderation, for the most part, is just fine, unless there are some genetic

SUIT from Page 1

any ongoing investigations of current members. This statement must only be reproduced in its entirety.”

The lawsuit says Donna Doe is seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million for physical injury, mental anguish, pain and suffering.

conditions that would cause it to be an issue,” Wilfong said.

According to Wilfong, three to five cups is usually OK, though some studies have reached different conclusions.

If caffeine is negatively impacting one’s sleep, Wilfong

encourages students to find time to exercise in the middle of the day and substitute a book instead of blue screens at nighttime.

“Drink coffee. Enjoy coffee. Just do so in moderation,” Wilfong said.

continue to pursue his civil case.

Salinas “lived under this garbage for almost three years, and his civil rights were

violated. The dismissal, while welcome, doesn’t erase that,” Bouffard said.

Reyna said in a statement that claims that the dismissals

were motivated by a desire to avoid a hearing were “simply not the case.”

arts&life FOOD PREP HACK

MAYBORN EXHIBIT

Try this easy recipe next week to make your life and your schedule a little simpler. pg. 6

“Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art” is a Mayborn Museum exhibit unlike any other. pg. 6

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

“

5

b ay lo r l a r i at.c o m

The faculty at Baylor have helped me understand, as a director, how to engage in the experience and find my aesthetic.

Josh Horowitz | Director of Anna Karenina pg. 5

FOLLOW ARTS & LIFE ON TWITTER >> @BULariatArts

\

READ MORE ONLINE AT

BaylorLariat.com

Anna

Karenina

makes opening night debut Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist

MICAELA FREEMAN

B T

Staff Writer

aylor Theatre debuted its production of “Anna Karenina” on Tuesday night at Mabee Theatre in Baylor’s Hooper Schaefer Fine Arts building. he show, directed by Baylor graduate student Josh Horowitz, is a thesis production in conjunction with the Master of Fine Arts degree program.

This theatrical rendition of an esteemed literary classic came to life on stage for the first time at Baylor and will be performed until Saturday. Tickets are already sold out.

“Anna Karenina”, a Russian novel by Leo Tolstoy, was published in 1873 and was completed in 1877. The novel has since been adapted into a movie as well as a stage

production, the first of which was written by Helen Edmundson.

Edmundson, a famous English playwright, brought the imperialistic tragedy to the stage in 1992. The early ‘90s adaptation earned itself a Time Out award and has since been reproduced on stages all over the world.

The tragic story revolves around Countess Anna Karenina, played by senior Rachel Cendrick, and the torrid love affairs that envelop many of the characters’ lives. Anna’s brother Stiva is having an affair behind his wife Dolly’s back.

The plot line revolves around a love triangle that includes wealthy landowner Levin’s infatuation for Princess Kitty, Dolly’s younger sister, who is in love with bachelor Vronsky.

Many of those involved in Baylor Theatre’s rendition of “Anna Karenina” said the production has been an exciting process.

Old Bethpage, N.Y., graduate student Josh Horowitz directed the play for his MFA thesis.

Horowitz said Anna Karenina isn’t the first play he has directed, but it is definitely the biggest.

“It’s been a story I’ve always loved,” Horowitz said. “I think the faculty at Baylor have helped me understand, as a director, how to engage in the experience and find my aesthetic as a director. I also think it’s important you keep learning ... That’s what I’ve learned here.”

Abilene junior Kaelyn Matthews, a member of the stage production crew, said she is thrilled about participating in the production of “Anna Karenina” and is equally excited about how the show turned out opening night.

“It’s been really great to get to see it come together from a little model to the big production,” Matthews said. “I’m really happy and excited to see the show.”

As part of the MFA graduate program thesis,

the production was headed by graduate students and an undergraduate class. The production showcases a wide range of talents, including acting, stage lighting and sound.

“We [scenic crew] got to see the design presentation, and the sound is going to be really cool,” Matthews said. “The sound is very intense and makes the background of the play.”

The spring season for Baylor Theatre includes two MFA thesis productions, and Horowitz said he was honored to have been granted the opportunity to direct the first.

Horowitz also said he was pleased about how the cast’s performance on opening night.

“I was so proud. My cast, I trust them, and they took what we did in rehearsals and they owned it. It was their show,” he said. “Opening night is my chance to say ‘It’s yours now,’ and I loved it ... I think my actors did an amazing job sharing this story.”

Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist

TAKE THE LEAD Senior Rachel Cendrick plays the part of Anna Karenina in the classic Tolstoy novel-turned-play. The play will run Tuesday through Saturday of this week.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Cendrick, who plays Anna Karenina, dances at a ball with senior Jacob Stucki, who plays Alexey.

Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist

EXCUSE ME Cendrick remains in character as Anna Karenina opening night Tuesday.

Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Journalist

DAYDREAMING Anna Karenina returns home from the ball to her husband, but Karenina’s mind is elsewhere.

6

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

Arts & Life

Mayborn exhibit highlights Texas landscapes MOLLY ATCHISON

AND THE BIRDS SING Left and Bottom: The Mayborn Museum’s current art exhibit, “Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art,” displays the work of various Texas artits who, realistically or otherwise, capture the essence of Texas’ waterways.

Print Managing Editor Hanging in the corner of the Mayborn Museum, a stately brick building near Baylor University’s campus, is the artwork of various native Texans. These paintings depict the unique natural diversity in the waterways that lie under the Texas sky, and each image carries the personality of the artist and the colorful ways they perceive the world.

“Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art” is a Mayborn Museum exhibit unlike any other, and until March 25, Baylor students and museum enthusiasts can appreciate the beauty of Texas wilderness through the eyes of some of the best contemporary artists in the state.

The Mayborn is known for hosting unique exhibits centered around Texas culture, such as its most recent “Off the Range: The Art and Architecture of the Trail” exhibit, which ran from July 20, 2017, to Feb. 4, 2018.

“Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art” is no exception; the small but powerful collection of art encompasses a multitude of media — oil on canvas, pastels, even lithographs and handcolored linocuts — and spans many artistic styles such as impressionism and modernism.

Wandering down the hall, visitors can observe the wide range of interpretations of Texas nature, from the gritty, rust-colored work of Dallas-based Jon Flaming to the vibrant, green-hued creations of Falfurrias native Noe Perez. Each

MJ Routh | Multimedia Journalist

artist displayed vastly different elements in their work. Some chose to focus more on wildlife, such as Tyler native William Battle Montgomery’s depictions of Roseate Spoonbills.

Others, such as his wife and fellow artist Margie Crisp, rendered many of the desert creatures under the sun.

Many applied bright, defined colors to their work, such as Marfa artist Mary Baxter, whose painting “Devil’s Falls” mixes azure water with harsh, gray rocks and a blood orange sky.

Baxter, as opposed to several fellow artists, focused mostly on the natural structure of the Texas land.

Visitors will likely find whatever they desire to gain from this exhibit.

“Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art” is sponsored by William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art LLC, a gallery in Houston that is “dedicated to the promotion of historically significant Texas artists active in the state during the period of 1900-1975.”

The exhibit’s content carries a

heavy historical significance. These paintings not only display the artistic and natural beauty of the “wild” west, but they also explore the changes in creative style in Texas, from new wave impressionist art such as Lee Jamison’s “Evening Sun and Spanish Moss,” to the photorealism portrayed

by Debbie Stevens.

The mentioned artists, along with others in the gallery, painted a beautiful picture of everything that Texas embodies: rough and romantic, old and new, timeless and modern.

“Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art” will be on display until March 25.

Food prep hacks: Better-than-tortilla collard green wraps MEREDITH WAGNER Arts & Life Editor College is difficult as is, so much so that properly feeding oneself often feels like a daunting task. With an already overflowing plate, it’s no wonder students don’t want to expend extra energy adding more to the madness.

This dilemma has driven the movement and craze for the art of “food prepping,” which, if executed with a positive attitude, can strengthen the appeal of taking care of oneself in the midst of

IMAGE 1

stressful circumstances.

Try these simple wraps to make your life a little easier in the coming weeks.

Requiring no more than 20 minutes of your time, the process of blanching preserves a staple food ahead of time and better prepares busy bees for approaching lunch breaks. *Blanching is the process of scalding a fruit or vegetable in boiling water, followed by plunging the food in ice water. This shocks the fruit or vegetable, expedites the cooking process and better preserves your food over time.

IMAGE 2

• • •

INGREDIENTS

Any amount of collard greens (one or more bunches) Water Ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

1. Individually rinse greens under running water.

2. Use a pan to bring about 5 cups of water to a simmer on the stove.

3. Fill a large bowl with cold water and about one dozen ice cubes.

4. Cut the hanging stem off the bottom

IMAGE 3

of each green. Slice the stem horizontally along its spine, making it flat with the rest of the collard. See Image 1.

5. Place each collard in the simmering water for 30 seconds at a time. See Image 2.

6. Using tongs, place the collard in the ice bath for at least 10 seconds. See Image 3.

7. Lay the cooled collard on a plate with a paper towel and pat dry. See Image 4.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 until all collards are blanched and dried.

Store in the refrigerator for up to

three days.

Place nutrient-dense ingredients atop the wrap and fold together like a burrito. The next time you’re at the store, think about what you usually prefer in a burrito and buy those items in bulk. You’ll get more for your dollar, in addition to knowing where the ingredients are coming from.

Pack your collard wraps ahead of time, or roast some veggies on your hour-long break and throw it all together in the moment. See Image 5.

IMAGE 4

IMAGE 5

INTELLIGENT LIFE Right A comic strip featured weekly on our pages. >>

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Below Also featured on each issue of the Lariat is our weekly crossword puzzle. Answers can be found under “Puzzle Solutions” under the drop-down Arts & Life tab at baylorlariat.com.

NOTES:

sports

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

7

b ay lo r l a r i at.c o m

On-The-Go >> Scores & Stats:

@bulariatsports

The Baylor Lariat

@baylorlariat

BaylorLariat.com

Softball relying on experience for 2018 season the WCWS].”

Though Selman anchored the pitching staff with 24 wins and a 1.86 ERA in 47 appearances, Rodoni was just as dependable, picking up 18 wins in 34 appearances with a 1.72 ERA. She has very high expectations for herself and her team in 2018.

“Lead my team back to the World Series, win a Big 12 Championship and just win at all costs,” Rodoni said.

The Lady Bears also added three transfers in the offseason, all from SEC schools. Junior pitcher Regan Green comes to Waco from Mississippi State, senior catcher Carlee Wallace played previously at Auburn and sophomore infielder Nicky Dawson appeared in the WCWS last year with LSU. Moore said he expects all three of the newcomers to have an immediate impact in their first year at Baylor.

“Our immediate ones [to contribute] are the transfers with Carlee Wallace behind the plate, Regan Green adding pitching depth and Nicky Dawson at Jessica Hubble | Multimedia Editor second base,” Moore said. “All READY TO ROLL The softball team shows off their skills on media day Thursday, leading up to their home opener Friday. three of them will contribute to our success.”

Though the Lady Bears will be runs, which tied for the team record MAX CALDERONE Baylor will be tested throughout without two of its biggest contributors alongside senior infielder Shelby Sports Writer from last season, Lindsey Cargill and Friudenberg. Walker led the team the 2018 season, with games against Baylor softball has never been to Kelsee Selman, Baylor is still ranked with 89 hits and posted a .418 batting No. 2 Florida, No. 8 LSU and No. 11 Alabama in three separate preseason average, second behind Cargill. the Women’s College World Series in No. 10 in the preseason polls.

The Lady Bears bring back a Scroggins was named Big 12 tournaments. The Lady Bears will back-to-back years, but head coach Glenn Moore is looking to change combination of power and speed Defensive Player of the Year in also play No. 18 Michigan, No. 19 with sophomore pitcher/infielder 2017. She said she recognizes the BYU and No. 22 Louisiana. that.

Moore says a tough schedule is “That’s a big goal of ours,” Moore Shelby “Goose” McGlaun and importance of having an experienced a good thing and can only help the said. “We want to do a little better junior outfielder Kyla Walker roster. complementing junior pitcher Gia “We have a lot of returners,” team achieve its long-term goals. than we did last year.”

“Non-conference is vital right Baylor was eliminated after two Rodoni in the circle. Also returning Scroggins said. “It’s very valuable, games in the 2017 WCWS, losing to is senior center fielder and defensive because they’ve been there before now,” Moore said. “The state of our so they know what to expect and we conference is trending upward, but Oregon 7-4 and eventual champion wizard Jessie Scroggins.

Last year, McGlaun hit 11 home know how to prepare to get back [to if we just rely on our conference RPI, Oklahoma 6-3.

Big 12 Commissioner for Communications shares views NATHAN KEIL Sports Editor The Big 12 Associate Commissioner for Communications Bob Burda shed some light Thursday on some recent conference legislation changes as well as a look at the 2017 football season, regarding the Big 12 Championship game, early signing day and Matt Rhule’s first year at Baylor.

The Big 12 recently passed an experimental rule by activating two 15-second pitch clocks that will be used to deter pitchers and hitters from taking too much time in between pitches while there are no baserunners.

Burda said the Big 12 has been looking for ways to help address some of the issues facing college baseball, including pace of play.

The NCAA currently has a 20-second pitch Burda clock, but there has yet to be much enforcement of it, so the Big 12 coaches decided to go one step further and take it down to 15 seconds.

Burda added that the Big 12 has had discussions regarding the implementation of video review, but the conference has yet to be able to determine a minimum standard for using the replay system. The Big 12 is also researching the wiring and technology, as well as placement and cost for each institution to install the equipment for instant replay.

Burda said if instant replay is adopted, the earliest it would go into play would be 2019. Despite the consideration for baseball, there is no current discussion regarding instant replay in softball.

One of the major stories in the Big 12 in 2016 was conference expansion, but eventually the Big 12 and its Board of Directors decided to not invite additional institutions to the conference. Burda said that once the

Board of Directors had completed their process and decided against expansion, the agenda was taken off the table and is not an agenda that will be revisited anytime soon.

The Big 12 saw some major changes this football season, adding a conference championship game for the first time since 2010. Oklahoma defeated TCU 41-17 in a rematch of a Nov. 11 matchup, also won by the Sooners.

However, the Big 12 is unique in the way it has structured its conference championship game. It is the only Power 5 (Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC, ACC) conference that guarantees its two best teams will play in the title game every year.

Burda said the design of the championship game was to highlight the fact that the Big 12, which only consists of 10 teams, plays a full round robin schedule, making the title game the reward of who a school beat rather than who it didn’t play on its schedule.

Burda added that because all Big 12 schools are required to play each other as well as at least one Power 5 school in the non-conference slate, the conference champion should be highly considered and prepared to be given a chance to play in the College Football Playoff.

Burda said he hopes that the Big 12 will continue to engage in high profile non-conference matchups like the home and home series that Oklahoma and Ohio State played in 2016 and 2017. However, due to the nature of scheduling non-conference opponents, which often takes place years in advance, it is difficult to gauge the strength of the non-conference schedule prior to the current season. Regardless of the quality the schedule turns out to be, the goal is to play a respectable non-conference schedule and one that would position that school to be consideration for the College Football Playoff.

In four years, the Big 12 has been represented in the CFB Playoff twice, both times by Oklahoma, falling 37-17 to Clemson in 2015 and 54-48 in 2OT to Georgia this season.

A second major change that impacted not just the Big 12, but all

conferences was the early signing period being moved up to Dec. 20-22.

While schools were preparing for their bowl season, they were also out on the recruiting trail, trying to lock down and ink the next group of prospects that are set to impact them over the next few years.

Burda said with all change, there is always going to be resistance and there will continue to be dialogue regarding ways to improve the system that is in place. As coaches get used to the change, they will continue to perfect and execute their plans for recruiting as well as their bowl game preparation.

Burda also said the adjustment in signing date allows student-athletes who know where they are attending to school to end the recruiting process and begin to relax and take that next step toward their future.

Despite the change in early signing period, it did not have much of an impact on Baylor head coach Matt Rhule. Despite going 1-11 in his first season, Rhule inked the 23rd ranked class, according to ESPN. But Burda said he was not shocked

by Rhule’s success on the recruiting trail, adding that Rhule has already had a significant impact on the football program and is going to continue for the foreseeable future. It ultimately comes down to the fans and the program being patient enough to allow him to rebuild.

Although the NCAA has already implemented significant changes that have greatly impacted the Big 12 and the rest of conferences, it is still looking to create a new transfer rule that will be more student-athlete friendly. Recently Baylor law professor Jeremy Counseller and Iowa State professor of molecular pharmacology Tim Day co-wrote a proposal that looks to alleviate some of the power of the institution over the student-athlete.

Burda said the proposal is an option seeking to bring uniformity to the transfer rule, but that similar concepts and other proposals are being worked on by a transfer working group that was appointed by the NCAA Board of Directors.

we’re not going to get where we need to be at the end.”

The Lady Bears will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss.; Fullerton, Calif.; Lynchburg, Va.; and Baton Rouge, La., as part of their pre-conference schedule. Baylor will play 32 of its 51 games on the road this year.

Moore said, though not intentional, a heavier road schedule can be beneficial in the long run.

“It just worked out to where we needed to travel to play the teams that we needed to,” Moore said. “I think traditionally we’ve been a pretty good road team. I also do think it prepares us for the postseason and makes us a little tougher.”

Baylor will open Big 12 conference play with defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Oklahoma in Waco on March 2931 in a battle of two 2017 WCWS teams. The Lady Bears were picked to finish second in the Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll behind the Sooners.

The toughest conference road test will come in mid-April, when the Lady Bears will travel up to Stillwater, Okla., to take on No. 24 Oklahoma State.

With the season set to begin, players, coaches and fans alike are excited to see the Lady Bears back in action.

“The only thing I want to see is just our team having fun,” Rodoni said. “We’ve had a great offseason, we’ve had great scrimmages, so I’m excited to see us put it all together.”

Baylor opens its 2018 season at home against Northwestern State at 6:00 p.m. today. The Lady Bears will then play a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. and the second game set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

This Weekend in Sports: Friday Softball vs. Northwestern State 6 p.m. at Getterman Stadium

Saturday Equestrian vs. Texas Tech 10 a.m. at Willis Equestrian Center Men’s tennis vs. Purdue 11 a.m. at Hurd Tennis Center Men’s basketball vs. Kansas 1 p.m. at Ferrell Center Softball vs. Northwestern State Double header 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Getterman Stadium Women’s tennis vs. Tulsa 3 p.m. at Hurd Tennis Center Women’s basketball vs. TCU 3 p.m. at Ferrell Center Women’s basketball vs. Coppin State 2 p.m. at Ferrell Center

Sunday Men’s tennis vs. University of Southern Florida 1 p.m. at Hurd Tennis Center Women’s tennis vs. University of Central Florida 4 p.m. at Hurd Tennis Center

8

Friday, February 9, 2018 The Baylor Lariat

Sports

New recruits bring buzz to Baylor

Penelope Shirey | Design Editor

BEST FOR LAST? Football head coach Matt Rhule finalized his first full recruiting class with the signing of offensive lineman Johncarlo Valentin.

Penelope Shirey | Design Editor

FOUR FUTURE BEARS Baylor soccer head coach Paul Jobson addresses the media after completing his 2017 signing class. This year, Jobson added four new Bears to his class.

Bears add offensive lineman to complete their 2018 class BEN EVERETT

Baylor inks four signees from Texas to join Jobson’s squad MAX CALDERONE Sports Writer Baylor soccer added four student-athletes from the 2018 class on Wednesday’s National Signing Day. Head coach Paul Jobson announced incoming freshmen Kayley Ables, Maddie Algya, Taylor Moon and Elena Reyna have all signed their letters of intent to play collegiate soccer at Baylor.

“This is an exceptional class and I am extremely excited to have each of them signed today,” Jobson said in a press release. “Not only will they bring extraordinary talent to our team, but they will fit very well into our culture as a program here at Baylor.”

All four future Bears are from Texas. Three of the four signees, Algya, Moon and Reyna, come from the same club team, D’Feeters, based out of Farmers Branch.

Algya and Moon also played together at Marcus High School in Highland Village.

Baylor will be without five graduating seniors next year in the 2018-2019 season: midfielders Caitlin Schwartz and Aline De Lima, defenders Tanner Kaplan and Precious Akanyirige, and defender/ midfielder Delanie Davis.

Though the new signees bring an attacking mindset, they may be asked to sit back and defend more in the absence of such key players.

Ables, a forward from Waco, chose to stay close to home by signing with Baylor. She played volleyball

and soccer at Waco High School, earning the Waco Tribune-Herald’s Super Centex Player of the Year for her efforts. She currently holds her school’s record for career goals scored with 100 in just three seasons.

“We were excited to have Kayley, who is arguably one of the best soccer players to ever come out of Waco,” Jobson said. “She is an incredible competitor with a tremendous work rate and has a knack for scoring goals.”

Losing De Lima means losing goal-scoring abilities, as the midfielder from Brazil led the Bears with seven goals last season. Ables may be counted upon to bring more attacking skill with a nose for the goal.

Algya, a midfielder, serves as the captain of her team at Marcus High School.

She has picked up alldistrict and all-state honors throughout her career, as well as being named Utility Player of the Year in her district twice.

“I think Maddie is one of the most underrated players in the country,” Jobson said.

“She has a great soccer mind and works extremely hard to make other players look great on her team.”

Moon, a versatile attacker who can play both as a midfielder and forward, has racked up many awards throughout her career at Marcus. She was named her district’s Newcomer of the Year in 2015 and MVP in 2017. Perhaps most impressively, she has twice been selected to the ECNL

National Tournament “Best XI” and is a two-time invitee of the Nike National Soccer Camp in Portland, Ore. “Taylor [Moon] is an extremely talented player that is considered one of the top midfielders in the country,” Jobson said. “She has a great soccer IQ and can change the pace of the game with her decisionmaking abilities.”

Reyna, a forward from Flower Mound, is also a two-sport athlete, playing soccer and volleyball. She helped bring Flower Mound High School to a state title in 2016 and was named the MVP of the championship game.

“Elena [Reyna] is an extremely hard-working player that has the ability to make things happen all over the field for her team,” Jobson said.

With players like forward Lauren Piercy and midfielder Julie James set to return to the Bears, the new signees will have an opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in order to produce when their number is called.

Baylor finished its 2017 season with a 4-0 loss to Duke in the program’s first ever Elite 8 appearance.

The Bears won the Big 12 Championship after defeating TCU 2-1 in overtime.

Baylor will play five exhibition games as part of its 2018 spring schedule, beginning with Houston Baptist on Feb. 24 at Betty Lou Mays Field.

Sports Writer Baylor football signed junior college offensive lineman Johncarlo Valentin on Wednesday as a part of National Signing Day. The signing completed head coach Matt Rhule’s first full recruiting class at Baylor as the Bears inked 22 players.

Valentin, a native of Philadelphia, Penn., is ranked as the No. 21 JUCO recruit in the country by ESPN and No. 1 offensive guard.

Valentin played the 2017 season at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y and helped ASA College to a 9-1 record and a win in the Valley of the Sun Bowl. He was named a member of the All-Northeast Football Conference team.

Rhule said Valentin’s physical style of play will help solidify the Bears’ offensive line moving forward.

“He’s a big, powerful, physical young man,” Rhule said. “I think he’s really gonna help us on the offensive line as we move into next season.”

The Bears missed out on 4-star wide receiver Tommy Bush Wednesday after the Schertz opted to sign with Georgia.

Houston native and 3-star linebacker Joseph Ogunbanjo also turned down Baylor on Wednesday after signing with California.

Baylor started the day as the No. 18 ranked recruiting class, but after missing out on Bush and Ogunbanjo, the Bears dropped to No. 23 in the rankings.

Rhule said the top-tier recruiting class despite a 1-11 season is because of the fan support.

“I think one of the reasons we had a top-20 signing class is because, even though we had tough season, people saw what Baylor stood for,” Rhule said.

Rhule and his staff are bringing in six fourstar recruits, including Earle, Ark., quarterback Gerry Bohanon and Miami wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who both enrolled in the spring semester.

Joining the Bears in the fall are four-star recruits cornerback B.J. Hanspard, wide receiver Joshua Fleeks, running back Craig Williams and offensive lineman Connor Galvin.

Baylor begins spring drills on March 15 and will play the Green and Gold spring game on April 21.

“Via Virgilio (Virgil Street)” Fourteenth Annual

Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year Lecture Presented by:

Dr. Alden Smith

Professor and Chair of Classics and Associate Dean of Baylor’s Honors College February 13, 2018 Armstrong Browning Library - Treasure Room 3:30-5:00 pm reception to follow

Sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Students with 75+ hours are eligible to purchase the Official Baylor Ring during Ring Week, February 12-15 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please visit the ring representatives in the Bill Daniel Student Center.

Participation in the Ring Ceremony is reserved for those who purchase the Official Baylor Ring through Balfour, sponsor of the Ring Ceremony.