January 30, 2014 by University Press

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The Newspaper of Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology Thursday, January 30, 2014

Vol. 90, No. 14

STARS PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR SUCCESS OLIVIA IVINS UP CONTRIBUTOR

UP William Jones

Troy Selby, Princeton junior, scrapes ice from the trunk of car in the Combs Hall parking lot, Tuesday, during the second ice day to cancel school. Temperatures on campus dropped as low as 28 degrees, with a high of 46 degrees and a mix of hail and rain, along with strong winds up to 19 mph.

CAMPUS REOPENS AFTER ‘ICE-POCALYPSE’ LAUREN VAN GERVEN UP S TAFF W RITER After Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology shut down all day Friday due to

inclement weather, campuses closed again, Tuesday, after a winter storm warning was issued, and didn’t reopen until 1 p.m., Wednesday. It wasn’t as much the cold

temperature, which never dropped below 25 degrees, or the 1-2 inches of snow that most places around Beaumont didn’t even get, that caused Lamar to close, it was the dangerous driv-

ing conditions. After more than 90 accidents were reported in Beaumont before mid-afternoon on See ICE, page 2

Students looking to for help to maintain or improve their grades need look no further than Student Advising and Retention Services. The STARS program offers workshops, tutoring, mentors and supplemental instruction to assist students. Sheri Shoefstall, STARS director, said students can visit www.lamar.edu/ stars to learn more about the program. She added that the program is open to anyone who wants to keep their grades up. “We have students with 4.0 GPA who are coming to the tutoring center just to keep their edge up,” she said. “The center is very helpful to students who are in competitive programs such as nursing and engineering.” Shoefstall said most of the STARS tutors are college students who are able to work around their school schedule. She said it is important that students who feel they may benefit from the STARS services should visit the center as early as possible in the semester, and do not wait until they fall behind. Shoefstall said the Supplemental Instruction leaders are drawn from students who have taken the class and earned an A or B. The SI leader then takes the class with the student and creates additional alternative learning materials during the week. “(Students) don’t even have to sign up, they can just show up for a session,” she said. The sessions are based on group learning, and do not focus on one-onone instruction. “The SI leader gives a schedule and polls the class, and makes their sessions based on the best time for the class as a whole,” Shoefstall said. “The SI is a participation program, and it is the same thing with Academic Enhancement workshops. “We have faculty, staff and students come from all over the university, and the faculty and students present their research. The staff present learning and study workshops like time management, goals and priorities, note taking skills, tips and tricks.” The sessions start Feb. 4 and run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. in 103 Communication Building. “A lot of instructors give extra credit for students participating,” Shoefstall said. “We have really good statistics for our SI program.” For more information, visit www.lamar.edu/stars, or visit the STARS Facebook page.

LU Ambassadors serve as role models, faces of university JESSICA LANE UP CONTRIBUTOR It takes the right mixture of selfassurance and humility to be a Lamar Ambassador. A select few are trusted with the task of becoming the face of the university. Charles Huynh and Erica Edgerly have proven that they’re up to the challenge. Huynh is the epitome of a laidback college guy — but laid-back and lazy are two totally different things. The Beaumont native has earned numerous scholarships and, in addition to being a Lamar Ambassador, is a member of the Cardinal Tennis Club and the American Medical Student Association. “My goals keep me motivated,” he said. “My main goal at the moment is getting into medical school. I know that realistically, that will require me to work hard academically and build my résumé. When I feel like I want to give up, I remind myself that this is a

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process, and if I want to be a doctor, I have to get past this first step.” Huynh said that he knew Lamar was the perfect choice for him. “I chose Lamar mainly because of the student to teacher ratio,” he said. “I also liked the affordability of the school and the fact that it’s in my hometown.” Math and science are second nature for the motivated middle child. “When I came here, I started to see in my classes how science is applied in real life, and that just made it more interesting to me,” he said. “That’s what engineering is to me. It’s just using science to make the world run more efficiently.” Adjusting to Lamar wasn’t without challenges, Huynh said. “I didn’t know how to read a textbook,” he admitted with a laugh. “In high school I was a very lazy student. I didn’t study much; I didn’t do much. I knew that I had to change my habits if I wanted to succeed here.”

Huynh said Lamar Ambassadors has helped him make the most of his college experience. “Before Lamar Ambassadors, I’d never been to a Lamar football game,” he said. “Being an Ambassador gave me the opportunity to work in the Red Room, which is kind of like a VIP lounge for the president and his guests. It was a real eye-opener for me.” With such a busy schedule, Huynh said he uses tennis to kill two birds with one stone. It’s a compound stress reliever and work out. As for potential Lamar Ambassador applicants, Huynh suggests they get their applications in on time. “In my opinion, Lamar Ambassadors looks for someone who can be a leader, and can represent Lamar well,” he said. “Also, it helps if you’re involved in other Lamar organizations. LU has so many great groups and organizations on campus, and you see how amazing really Lamar is when

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you get involved.” The Chemical Engineering major and pre-med minor talked passionately about his desire to make a difference in the world. “In five years, I see myself still studying hard and dragging out the last couple of years of medical school before starting my residency,” he said. “I just want to be an important surgeon. I want to get phone calls at three in the morning. I know that sounds crazy to some people, but I wouldn’t mind it. Just to know that I’m needed for something important would mean that I’ve succeeded.” From aspiring surgeons to aspiring actors, there’s a place for everyone with Lamar Ambassadors. It can’t be said that Erica Edgerly lacks ambition. While pursuing her dream of being an actress, the Orangefield native participates in Zeta Tau Alpha and Lamar’s Peer Advisor program. The sophomore has also earned numerous scholarships, and

says she’s just getting started. “I like to keep my options open,” she said. “I don’t know exactly where I’m going after college, but I’m excited to see where life takes me.” Edgerly first heard about Lamar Ambassadors through her older brother, who was involved with the organization. “He was always doing really awesome stuff with the ambassador program, and encouraged me to look into it,” she said. “He’s actually the one that convinced me to go to Lamar, and now I love it here. “As an ambassador, I’ve gotten to meet some really great people who donate to the school. I’ve also gotten the chance to work in the Red Room. I just thought that was awesome, because not everyone gets the chance to experience that. “Next month, we’re having a dinner and conversation with some really See AMBASSADORS, page 2

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INSIDE Thursday, January 30, 2014 University Press

QUOTE OF THE DAY “The day you write to please everyone you no longer are in journalism. You are in show business.” — Frank Miller Jr.

ICE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Continued from page 1 Friday, greater precautions were taken on Tuesday. Tuesday morning, all overpasses on I-10, Eastex Freeway and Cardinal Drive were closed, and remained so until a little after 10 a.m., Wednesday. People were advised to keep off the roads and to stay home. This led to crowded supermarkets, Monday evening, filled with people stocking up for the one-day ice storm. It did however, lead to safer roads on Tuesday.

Courtesy photo by JoLee Tanner

With less precipitation than Friday and fewer people on the road, the number of wrecks on Tuesday stayed low, reaching just nine accidents between midnight and 1 p.m. Wednesday morning, the onequarter of an inch of ice that had accumulated started thawing, and by noon the sun came out and temperatures rose, bringing an end to the “ice-pocalypse” of 2014. With temperatures predicted to rise to the mid-70s again by the weekend, all danger has cleared and it seems highly unlikely that we’ll have another snow day anytime soon. But then again, you never know with Texas weather.

AMBASSADORS •••••••••• Continued from page 1 cool people.” Edgerly said her goal is to act professionally, but she knows she needs a degree as a backup. “I’m with an acting agency in Houston, and at this dinner one of the guests I’ll get the chance to meet is the actor Thomas Kendrick, so I’m incredibly excited about that.” The fashion merchandising major says that

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Page 2

Ice envelops individual blades of grass, Tuesday, in Orange.

NOTICE

she wavered a bit when deciding what to study. “I started out as a nursing major, and quickly realized it wasn’t for me,” she said. “I decided on fashion merchandising after sitting down and talking with my mom and other big influences in my life. They all told me to do what I love, and that one day I‘d be able to love what I do. I’ve always loved clothes, and I’d love to be able to own my own store one day. Once I found out that I could make a career out of fashion, there was really no other choice for me.” Edgerly highly recommends the ambassador program.

UP photos by William Jones

Orange graduate student Travon McNeil, above, scrapes ice off his car window, Tuesday, during the second cold spell to cancel classes this semester. Ice accumulated on the Brook-Shivers Dining Hall roof, left, Tuesday as temperatures on campus dropped as low as 28 degrees. Classes resumed Wednesday at 1 p.m.

“I’ve made so many connections and had so many great experiences through this program, a lot more than I ever would have not being an ambassador, and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone,” she said. “You basically become the face of Lamar, so people respect you a little more. It’s also an advantageous thing to have on your résumé. It’s just a great opportunity. Edgerly admits she doesn’t have it all figured out, but she’s got a plan B, C and D waiting in the wings. “I just want to be a role model,” she said.

“With whatever I’m doing, I want to be a positive force in the world. Maybe I’ll be acting in L.A. Maybe I’ll stay in retail. I work at Merle Norman right now, and I really enjoy meeting new people everyday, so I might own my own Merle Norman someday. I could also see myself working for a big retail chain in Houston or New York, or even opening my own store here in Southeast Texas.” Lamar Ambassadors is accepting applications through March 6. Application packets can be picked up in the Office of Alumni Affairs, John Gray Center, Building B, Suite 102. For more information, 880-8921.

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University Press

LU Rugby hosts first home game

UP William Jones

Lamar’s Josh Hall breaks through tackles during the Rugby Club’s first home game against Angelo State at the Driving Range, Friday. The Cardinals lost, 41-10 while the Lady Cards lost 72-25 to Rice. Both teams look to bounce back Saturday when they play away — the men against St. Edwards in Austin and women against TCU in Fort Worth.

LU to host Super Tax Day to provide filing assistance Lamar University’s Community Outreach Program in conjunction with Entergy Texas and the Beaumont Library System, are hosting Super Tax Day in Beaumont for the second year, which provides free electronic filing of federal income tax returns. The event will be held at the Elmo Willard Library/North End Community Center, 3570 East Lucas, Saturday. Assistance on Super Tax Day will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointments are necessary and taxpayers will be served on a first-come first-served basis. The program is available for households with incomes of $50,000 or less. LU’s outreach program has assembled a team of trained students and community volunteers to assist qualifying residents claim special credits, which include the EITC, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly. “We are thrilled to be hosting this for the taxpayers of the Golden Triangle,” said Elton

Payne, Jr., program manager for the Lamar University Community Outreach Program. “We had a great event last year and we hope to have a larger turnout this year.” Taxpayers must bring all relevant tax information, social security cards of dependents and information for all deductions and credits. After Super Tax Day, tax preparation services at community tax centers will be available every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at the following sites: Elmo Willard Library, 3570 East Lucas; Theodore Johns Library, 4255 Fannett Rd.; Catholic Charities, 2780 East Texas Frwy.; and Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 3730 Farm Rd. 160 N. in Raywood and the Jackson Community Center, 520 Decatur Ave, Ste. 107 in Orange. Interested persons should contact Payne at the Lamar University Community Outreach Program at 880-7983 for more information.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

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Doiron finds springboard to Lamar through TALH When Tyler Doiron enrolled at Lamar University through the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities program, she knew it would be a unique experience. TALH is one of only two residential programs in Texas that gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to start college early and earn 60 or more hours of college credit. “This program was very enriching,” Doiron said. “I would definitely recommend it to students who are looking for a fulfilling experience.” The Vidor native moved to Buna at age 10 and completed her freshman, sophomore and the first half of her junior year at Buna High School before coming to Lamar University. “I first heard about TALH when one of my friends told me she wanted to go,” Doiron said. “I thought it was a great opportunity, so I submitted my application and the TALH director told me I could go ahead and get in one semester sooner.” “My parents supported me because they realized it’d be good for me.I was taking my required courses through a college class instead of a high school class, but it taught me how to take more responsibility.” Now Doiron has completed the TALH program and is a full-time college student at Lamar with a double major in electrical engineering and mathematics. “I chose to stay at Lamar University for so many reasons,” she said. “Lamar is just a wonderful school. The teachers and programs are great, especially within the College of Engineering. And the classes are smaller. You often have multiple courses with the same people for several semesters. This creates a close-knit group of acquaintances and friends.” Doiron said that she is grateful to have been selected as a Mirabeau Presidential Scholar, but that the financial assistance did not influence her decision to attend Lamar. “I knew I wanted to complete my education here,” she said. Doiron is involved on campus as a tutor for the LU Student Advising and Retention Services (STARS). She mainly tutors mathematics, physics and chemistry. She said that she has learned a lot about the different ways students learn and how she can use her learning style to succeed. Additionally, Doiron plans to get involved in

research into Brain Computer Interface with the Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering. “It would be a great opportunity to get serious about this research,” she said. “It has many real-world applications. And since it is at its beginning stages, it would be awesome to have the chance to make groundbreaking discoveries in that area of research.” Doiron dedicates a lot of her time to volunteering for nonprofit organizations such as the Humane Society of Southeast Texas and Stable Spirit, which provides equine-assisted therapy in Rose City. She began volunteering with those organizations through TALH, where she also did volunteer work at an elementary school to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). “Looking back, I wouldn’t have changed anything,” she said. “TALH is not only about college classes; it is about getting involved and learning to successfully interact with people that are different than you in so many ways.” Doiron met people from all over the world with contrasting beliefs and views. “TALH’s slogan was right; it truly developed my heart and mind,” she said. Doiron graduated from TALH in May and anticipates graduating from Lamar in May 2016. “Hopefully, it will take me three years to get my college degree,” she said. She said the best advice she ever received was, “Enjoy life. Enjoy what you do. Life should be fun. This encompasses your job, your hobbies, your studies, how you spend your free-time and who you spend it with. But also do what you feel is important.” Her dream job would be to work for the space program, with either NASA or Boeing. She would love to travel into space. Doiron said she is interested in learning more about opportunities at Lamar to participate in research and experiments related to space including possibly flying in a reduced-gravity aircraft. “My favorite thing about the space programs and space travel is that they have the ability to teach us more about our universe,” she said. “I really want to work in this area because I want to contribute to all of the progressions that we will make in space science.” But for now, Doiron seems to be following her friend’s advice and enjoying her life at Lamar. “My plans for the future are up for grabs,” she said. “I’m going anywhere life takes me.”

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University Press

LU CAMPAIGN RAISES MORE THAN $132 MILLION Lamar University’s first-ever comprehensive campaign has surpassed its goal by raising more than $132 million, officials announced Jan. 22. “Gifts from thousands of loyal Cardinals and friends contributed to this historic campaign,” Camille Mouton, the university’s vice president for advancement, said. “This campaign will allow Lamar University to take transformational strides toward a bigger, brighter future.” Members of the campaign cabinet and Spindletop Society, donors of $1 million or more, joined in a celebration of the successful campaign. Of the total raised, $72 million is for academic support, $40 million for scholarships, and $20 million for athletics. Seven years ago, with a desire to ensure a superior university experience for generations to come, dedicated alumni and friends formed a campaign cabinet and joined with President Emeritus James Simmons, the LU Foundation and a talented advancement staff led by Mouton to launch the campaign. The campaign launch took place in March 2006 with an original goal of raising $50 million. At the end of the silent phase of the campaign in May 2008, the goal was raised to $100 million. In January 2012, the campaign cabinet raised the goal once again to $125 million in response to the enthusiasm among donors on the future of Lamar University. The campaign was seeing incredible success despite an uncertain economy, Mouton said. “When the campaign began, it would have been hard for anyone to imagine the response. We flew past the original goal and have surpassed the final goal by a significant amount,” Mouton said. Remarkably, 70 percent of Lamar employees — easily the highest percentage of participation at any university — made their own philanthropic investment in the future of Lamar, Mouton said. That pride extended to alumni and friends, as well as corporations and foundations throughout Texas. Nearly half, 46 percent, of gifts in the campaign came from beyond Southeast Texas.

During the campaign, 34,193 gifts were made. “Nearly half of the campaign gifts came from Lamar alumni and that’s good,” said Greg Thompson of Beaumont, who served as a campaign co-chair. “But it is also very impressive that nearly a fifth came from friends of the university, individuals who have come to cherish Lamar University. The balance of the gifts came from corporations and foundations that recognized the impact they could have on the future by supporting our university.” “The success at Lamar is even more remarkable given the extremely small staff that made it happen,” said Kathy Costello, who gave valuable counsel as a consultant to the campaign. “This limited staff, and a remarkable group of volunteers on the foundation board and campaign cabinet, has done something I have never seen accomplished by so few, yet done so well.” “I also compliment the integrity and true philanthropic spirit exhibited by all of the donors. It is amazing that Lamar only had to write off .06 percent of pledges where the norm is one to four percent,” Costello said. “That is a clear indicator of the loyalty of Lamar’s donors. A more generous and giving group could not be found: a tribute to leadership at Lamar and the quality of the people.” Honorary Campaign Chair Elvis Mason of Dallas said “I have been both surprised and grateful for the tremendous outpouring of financial support for Lamar from across the nation. This response from beyond the region shows the respect the university holds among alumni and friends who have not forgotten their alma mater.” As a result of the campaign, the lives of Lamar’s students are being transformed through enhanced campus life, new study and research opportunities, energized and engaged faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and equipment. As a direct result of the campaign, Lamar has four named departments — the JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing, the Phillip M. Drayer Department of Electrical Engineering, the Dan F. Smith De-

partment of Chemical Engineering, and the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music. More than $40 million has been raised in scholarship endowments, including support for the highly successful Mirabeau Presidential Scholars program, the Valero Scholarship in Engineering, the Legends of Southeast Texas Scholarships, the Larry and Cynthia Norwood Chemical Engineering Scholarship, the Gena and Albert E. Reaud Scholarship, the Jerry Rudd Memorial Scholarship, the Orange Memorial Hospital Corporation Scholarship, the Garrett Scholars, and the DeWayne Layfield-Texas State University System Foundation Scholarship. During the campaign 246 new privately funded scholarship endowments, ranging from $15,000 to $2.5 million, were established, bringing the total number of privately funded scholarships to 601. Gifts totaling $72 million have been committed to faculty and academic support, including the establishment of many faculty enhancement/innovation funds, the Reese Construction Management Program, the David J. Beck Fellowships, the Steinhagen Global Fellows, the Ben Rogers Chair in Business, the Leland Best Innovation Fund in Education, the Byron and Connie Dyer Geosciences Innovation Fund, the Larry Lawson Research Fund in Electrical Engineering, the Don and Mary Ann Lyle Endowment in Engineering, and the Bart and Martye Simmons Endowment in Business. Contributions totaling $20 million toward athletics enabled the return of football and benefitted LU’s athletics programs through improvements in facilities, including the Vernon Glass Field of Champions, Provost Umphrey Stadium, the Dan F. and Sandra A. Smith Press Box, the Morgan Suites, W.S. “Bud” Leonard Field, the Education First Federal Credit Union scoreboard, the Beaumont Bone and Joint Sports Medicine Facility, the John Payton Academic Success Center, the Emma and H.D. “Tex” Strait Baseball Training Center and the Thompson Family Tennis Center. The campaign has helped Lamar

renovate existing facilities, like the Herman Iles Building, and build entirely new ones like the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, the Charles and Eleanor Garrett Engineering Center and the Dauphin Athletic Complex. “There is no better place to make a difference in our world than through higher education,” Simmons said. “Through the campaign, those who love Lamar were able to create personal legacies. Their transformational gifts will impact the lives of students for generations to come.” Campaign Co-Chair Mike Aldredge of Bellville said “One of the enduring successes of the campaign is the $36 million in gifts that will be realized in the future. These deferred gifts, the result of decisions today, will continue to make a difference at Lamar for decades to come.” Every day the university sees the impact of the gifts received through the campaign, Mouton said. “From the smallest to the largest gift, each person’s generosity has helped us build a better campus and enrich the lives of our students,” Mouton said. “We are a far stronger university today and are positioned for even greater accomplishments because of the campaign.” “The outstanding success of Lamar’s inaugural campaign is a testament to strong leadership and the dedication of alumni and friends,” President Ken Evans said. “That legacy is an incredible foundation to build on as we look to the future of our great university.” Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall said “The tremendous success of Lamar University’s first-ever comprehensive campaign illustrates the broad base of support of its alumni and friends as well as the participation of corporations and foundations. “Lamar has experienced a period of growth and development and through this campaign is positioned for even greater accomplishment.” McCall said. “This campaign has created an opportunity for many donors to create a personal legacy that will help Lamar invent its future. These are exciting times for Lamar University and Southeast Texas.”

UPCOMING Symphony of Southeast Texas to present ‘SOST After Hours’ The Symphony of Southeast Texas announces an exciting new concert series, to be held Feb. 6 and March 6, that will change the way people experience classical music. “SOST After Hours” is “not your parents’ symphony concert,” a release states. “It is a casual, contemporary concert series featuring live music performed in a new way. Nestled amongst the striking architecture of the Rothwell Recital Hall inside the Lamar University Music Building, each concert will feature unique programs of chamber music showing off a different side of the Symphony’s talented musicians and their versatility.” This debut concert series is designed to be a more modern, casual concert experience and will be held following First Thursdays on Calder Avenue. The Feb. 6 concert will feature a string quartet performing the music of Mozart, Schubert and Brahms. Tickets for “SOST After Hours” are $15 each with general admission seating. Tickets to the Feb. 6 concert are on sale now. To purchase tickets or get more information, go to www.sost.org or contact the Symphony office at 892-2257.

NEWS ROUNDUP Sanderson continues West Texas adventures in short story collection Jim Sanderson, English and Modern Languages department chair and professor, has recently published a new collection of short stories, “Trashy Behavior.” Sanderson decided to produce the collection after winning the Texas Institute of Letters’ Kay Cattarulla Award for Short Fiction in 2012 for the short story, “Bankers.” “I had these other stories lying around, and I thought ‘Bankers’ could be the anchor for the collection,” Sanderson said.“Then the collection got published by my longtime friend and fellow writer, Jerry Craven, at the Lamar University Press.” “‘Bankers’ is one of the most autobiographical stories I have written, although the narrator, the protagonist, is nothing like me,” Sanderson said.“It is based on a lot of stuff that I encountered working at a bank in San Antonio in the late ’60s and early ’70s.” With a total of eight short stories in the collection, Sanderson said the stories interconnect, sometimes through location, theme, or plot, such as the stories, “Playing Scared,” “Dee Price’s Story,” and “Pissed Away.”

SUPER BOWL

Thursday, January 30, 2014

UNIVERSITY PRESS

HIGH ON

PIGSKIN

DENVER BRONCOS No. 1 Offense Record: 13-3 Vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS No. 1 Defense Record: 13-3

The UP ‘experts’ give their take on Sunday’s big game Chris Moore, UP Sports Editor As a “Sports Guy,” this is what I hate most — guessing who is going to win a game. As a sports editor, I realize that I am obligated to give people something, anything on the Super Bowl. I admit that I have absolutely no idea who is going to win on Sunday. No one has a way of knowing for sure. Therefore, I will give you what I want to happen. I have no vested interest in either of these teams. Both have storylines that

have been, and will continue to be, played out on the television until kickoff. However, there is one aspect that I find particularly entertaining — people’s reactions to Richard Sherman. I like Richard Sherman, but the fact that people went crazy over his confidence and volume, make me want to hear more — just to make people mad. I want Sherman to make the gamewinning play and do exactly what he did

after the Seahawks victory over the 49ers. People will go crazy and that will be way more entertaining than the game could ever be. So I’ll just sit back and watch, knowing I can’t be wrong. And now, here are the people who foolishly believe they can accurately predict the winner. Feel free to harass them when they are wrong, as they almost certainly will be.

Joshua La Salle, Sports Writer

Coty Davis, Sports Writer

Grant Crawford, Sports Writer

We are days away from crowning the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks as the next NFL Champion. Despite the suspense that surrounds this year’s game, I believe that the Lombardi trophy will fall into the hands of Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Seattle is very talented on the defensive side of the ball. However, Peyton Manning is arguably the greatest and most efficient quarterback of this era. He also has an exceptional supporting cast with his receiving corp. Demaryius Thomas has 92 receptions for 1,430 yards and 14 TDs. Eric Decker has 87 catches for 1,288 and 11 trips to the end zone, and you can’t forget about Wes Welker. Seattle cornerback, Richard Sherman has eight interceptions this season, but how can he contain all of the Broncos’ threats?

I do not follow really the NFL as much as I follow the NBA , but I do know that this year’s Super Bowl pick should be easy for anyone. How do you not pull for one of the best quarterbacks in NFL History in Peyton Manning? I have been a fan of Manning ever since I was a kid, and I really do believe that Manning and his Broncos have what it takes to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday. Also, the Denver Broncos have more experience in playing in big games like the Super Bowl than the inexperienced Seattle Seahawks. Maybe next year, Seahawks. This is Peyton’s year.

This year’s highly anticipated Super Bowl matchup has the no. 1 offense, Denver, pitted against the no. 1 defense, Seattle. If history repeats itself, odds say that the Seahawks have the advantage. This is only the fifth Super Bowl to have the best defense play the best offense, and the defensive teams have gone on to win three of the four. The only team to shake the trend is the 1989 49ers, who were led by Joe Montana, easily one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. If anyone is going to do it again, they will most likely need to also be one of the greatest of all time. Peyton Manning fits that profile. He ranks second all time in career passing yards, and holds the record for most yards and touchdowns in a season, which he earned this year. A win in New York, Sunday, will be the perfect ending to Peyton’s perfect season. Will he be able to lead his high-powered offense to victory? Or will Richard Sherman lock him under the category of “mediocre?” My money is on Peyton.

The Broncos will win 31-28.

Broncos 37 Seahawks 10.

Page layout by Chris Moore Graphic by Desmond Pickens

24-21 Broncos

Cards’ Gunnells sees more than average fan during Super Bowl COTY DAVIS UP CONTRIBUTOR

On Sunday, football fans around the world will tune in to see the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks square off in Super Bowl XLVIII, in Rutherford, N.J. While most fans will focus on the entertainment for the love of the sport, not everyone sees the game the same way. Football players look at different aspect to the game that many fans overlook. “As a defensive player, I look at my position on the field to see what kind of defense the teams are in,” Kevin Gunnells, Lamar University inside linebacker, said. “I can read plays that many fans just watching the game will miss. I can tell what kind of zone the defense is in or if they are about to run a blitz.” Gunnells will watch the game to study and analyzes the elite football players in the league. He has familiarized himself with the two teams and expects certain patterns. “In this year’s Super Bowl, I think you will see more blitzing and man coverage more than anything on defense from the Seattle Sea-

hawks,” he said. “The Seahawks have two of the best cornerback and safeties in football in Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. The way they play on defense, they can make the game a lot harder on offense for the Denver Broncos.” As a college football player, Gunnells said it is very important for a player to find ways outside the practice field to improve his game. “When I watched last year’s Super Bowl, I watched (Baltimore) Raven’s linebacker Ray Lewis more than everyone,” he said. “Every time I got a chance a watch to watch the Ravens, I studied the way Ray Lewis would play defense and try to use what I saw into my own play on the field. I always loved to watch Ray Lewis, not just because he was one of my favorite players growing up, but both Lewis and I played the same position — and what better way to get better then learning from the one of the best.” Even though Gunnells watches the game differently from most NFL fans, it does not stop him enjoying the Super Bowl just like any other fan. Back in 2010, Gunnells, a Louisiana native, watched his New Orleans Saints win Super

Bowl XLIV, the first in franchise history. “Growing up a native from Shreveport, La., the Saints have never been knows as a winning team,” he said. “When the Saints won their first Super Bowl in 2010, the play that sealed the deal for the Saints was a defense play I never saw coming, and it became my all-time favorite Super Bowl ever. Saints cornerback Tracy Porter came out of nowhere and intercepted Peyton Manning’s pass and ran it in for a touchdown. I can notice a good defensive play ahead of time, but I could not see that one coming.” Kevin Gunnells has one more year left to play in college before graduating with a degree in Communication. Gunnells said there is a small chance that he will continue his football career in the NFL. However, it still does not stop him from dreaming of what playing in the Super Bowl would be like if he ever had the chance. “I know after I graduate, my career playing football will likely be over because going pro is little to no chance for me,” he said. “But if I ever have the opportunity to go to the NFL and make the Super Bowl, it would be the ultimate dream come true.”

Kevin Gunnells, Inside Linebacker

Page 6 Thursday, January 30, 2014

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