UNIVERSITY PRESS
The Newspaper of Lamar University
Vol. 94, No. 9 November 9, 2017
Homecoming heats up LU spirit Sierra Kondos UP staff writer
Marching bands, floats, and antique cars filled the streets around the Lamar University campus, Saturday, for the 2017 Homecoming Parade led by Grand Marshall Richard Price. “Homecoming is a week full of events for our students, as well as community, alumni, faculty and staff,” Brandie L. Van Zanden, coordinator of new student and leadership programs, said. “We saw an increase of student involvement, as well as spirit, all week at our many events.” Football players, band, cheerleaders, dance team, mascots Big Red, and several hundred students from various organizations and departments made their way along the parade route around campus in a celebration of LU pride and tradition. Area high school bands joined the Lamar University Marching Band in both the parade and a massed band performance during halftime of the football game. Recognitions for parade entries were awarded to the students of Pi Kappa Alpha and Alphi Chi Omega, who won “Most Creative.” The End Zone Angels won “Most Spirited Group,” and the departments of deaf studies/deaf education and theater and dance won “Best Use of Theme.” Alpha Delta Pi and Kappa Alpha Order won the “Cardinal Spirit” award, the student engineering council won the “Presi-
UP photo by Gabbie Smith
The Homecoming bonfire and pep rally drew a large crowd to Spindletop Field. dent’s Award,” and Sigma Phi Epsilon were named “Grand Champion.” The organizations will have a plaque displayed in the renovated Student Setzer Center. The Neches River Festival float won first place in the non-student groups category, followed by Cub Scout Pack 779 from St. An-
thony’s in second place, and Lone Star Pipe Band in third. The Cardinals Activities Board announced the Homecoming Court for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors, Friday, at the Homecoming Bonfire. Michael Chladny and Alexcia Tezeno were named freshman Lord and Lady, Deshondre Sims
and Taylor Reece were named sophomore Duke and Duchess, and Trevor Caesaer and Maya McLeod were named junior Prince and Princess. During Saturday’s football game halftime show, Wayne Anderson and Haley Jones were crowned 2017 Homecoming King and Queen.
Laughing at life’s absurdities Dysfunctional siblings explore relationship in LU theatre’s latest production
Study Abroad week-long festival to begin Monday Sierra Kondos UP staff writer
Olivia Malick UP staff writer
Existentialism, jealousy and inferiority complexes consume three middle-aged siblings and a young boy-toy as they confront life’s misadventures and make peace with their choices in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” The Lamar University department of theatre and dance will present Christopher Durang’s comedy, today, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. “This play has been on my radar since it was written in 2013,” Brian LeTraunik, director and assistant profes-
“Campus seemed to be more alive and had more spirit than we have seen in the past,” Van Zanden said. “Overall, homecoming was a great week. We have a survey on Orgsync right now for students to share their opinion about homecoming and give feedback as we start planning for next year.”
pledges their support for the campaign will be automatically entered into that giveaway, and we draw for that on the very last day of the campaign.” KVLU membership levels start at $60. There are also individuals or company supporters who match money pledged during the campaign. “They will take a certain time slot of our campaign and they’ll be our challengers,” Harris said. “They agree to match whatever pledges are raised during that time slot. So, it’s just an incentive for people to give, because when they give, their gift is going to be matched.” Harris said that this pledge drive is particularly important. “We really need those membership dollars to ensure that the programming continues and that it’s not interrupted or changed in any way,” she
Lamar University will host International Education Week, Monday through Nov. 17, with an array of multicultural activities and events promoting this year’s theme, “Connecting Texas to the Americas and Beyond.” All events are free and open to the public. “A week is set aside every academic year in November to encourage U.S. institutions to think globally, and to highlight programs and opportunities that Lamar has for our students to go abroad and interact with global issues here on campus,” Jeff Palis, director of global studies and travel abroad, said. “We are also celebrating the diversity of our campuses and the contributions of our international students. This is a celebration that Lamar chooses to be a part of every year, and we prepare a week of activities to fall in line with the goal of creating a visible presence for international students.” On Monday, Marie- Josée Lepage, director of the Ecole de Langue Francaise et de Culture Québécoise, will talk to students about opportunities to study French in Quebec, Canada, at 2 p.m. in 702 Gray Library. “There is a new partnership that LU is pursing with the university in Quebec, Canada,” Palis said. “We will be sending a student on exchange to Quebec in the spring and sending a faculty-led group program to learn French next summer.” Applications are being accepted now for the spring semester. Interested students should visit the study abroad office to discuss program availability. “When the student goes on an exchange, they pay their tuition fees to Lamar and take classes for the same cost as Lamar tuition at one of our exchange partners,” Palis said. “FASFA pays for tuition here, you then get a tuition waiver at the exchange university. If we have a partnership with France, then their students’ pay at their university and come to Texas
See KVLU, page 2
See ABROAD, page 2
UP photo by Noah Dawlearn
Josh Pendino, left, and Austin Jones rehearse for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” Monday.
sor of theatre and dance, said. “There is a lot of emotion and humanity shown in this play which I think captures what (Durang) does best — write absurd plays with a human touch.” LeTraunik describes the play as a masterful blend between comedy and
insanity, with jokes that he believes will appeal to a college audience. Freshman Lianna Meador, who plays Sonia, said the play represents how the set-in-their-ways characters See THEATER, page 6
KVLU holds pledge drive Karisa Norfleet UP contributor
KVLU 91.3, Lamar University’s Public Radio station, kicked off its fall membership pledge drive, “A Jewel of Southeast Texas,” Tuesday. The fundraiser is held twice a year to raise operating funds. “This is where we come to the public and ask them to support their public radio station,” Shannon Harris, development director, said. “We have a variety of sources of support that include grants and underwritings for our programs, as well as support from our university and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Our membership is our largest source of support.” The fundraiser will end Nov. 17, with a membership prize drawing for a .33-karat diamond. “We’re really excited because we UP photo by Karisa Norfleet have a campaign giveaway, and this Graydon Glover, a worker from Servpro in Bridge City, campaign is sponsored by Cantu Fine throws away debris from KVLU’s transmitter site, Oct. 29. Jeweler,” Harris said. “Anyone that
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INSIDE
Thursday, November 9, 2017 University Press
KVLU
QUOTE OF THE DAY Page 2
“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” — Anton Chekhov
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said. “Now, more than ever, we’re using our resources towards getting our transmitter site back up and running at full power.” In August, when Hurricane Harvey hit Southeast Texas, KVLU’s transmitter was destroyed by floodwater at their Vidor facility. “We assume that there was seven feet of flooding in here due to the fact that the in-
sulation stops at about the 7-foot mark,” Byron Balentine, station manager, said. The station was forced to transmit online for several weeks. “We went back on the air on Oct. 4,” he said. “We’re running about 1200 watts but we have found that we have a good listenable signal all the way to Spurger in one direction and to Vinton in the east.”
UP photo by Karisa Norfleet
KVLU 91.3 station manager checks dout damaged equipment at the station’s transmitter site.
ABROAD
Balentine said a new transmitter is currently being constructed while the station runs on the smaller, temporary transmitter. “In the meantime, we’ve been raising money and coming up with a list of things we’re going to need,” he said. “We have some backup equipment we don’t keep here, and we’ve ordered some new equipment that’s more powerful but can also back us up until the new system can be assembled and put in. It doesn’t just go in like a toaster, it takes some skill.” The new transmitter is expected to be complete and delivered, Nov. 27. “The university has been very supportive throughout all of this, especially the dean and a lot of people,” Balentine said. “We’ve had many well-wishers among our membership.” The membership campaign is what really funds KVLU’s programming, Harris said. “It’s really crucial for us,” she said. “Every campaign is important to us because it’s such a sizable part of our budget.” The station is in its 43rd year of operation. They have approximately 20 volunteers each campaign, including on-air guests and phone volunteers. To volunteer, or to pledge, visit KVLU.org, or call 838-7000.
CALENDAR November 9
Educators’ Career Fair Gray Library 8th Floor 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Film and Discussion: “Gender Revolution” with Katie Couric Landes Auditorium 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Studio Theatre 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
November 10
Study Abroad with English and Modern Languages Maes Building Room 107 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Studio Theatre 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
November 11
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for a semester.” Miguel Chavez, LU history instructor, will lead a panel discussion on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs, title “DACA: Understanding and Protecting a Unique Component of LU’s Diversity,” at 7 p.m. in Landes Auditorium, located in the Galloway Business building. “DACA protects undocumented immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children,” Palis said. “The commitment of DACA students to pursue their American dreams against overwhelming challenges has inspired universities, as well as politicians throughout the country, to urge Congress to find a pathway that allows undocumented students to complete their education.” On Tuesday and Wednesday, a study abroad information table will be set up in front of Gray Library’s entrance from noon to 2 p.m. “Students can stop by the table to find out about all the exciting opportunities available in 2018,” Palis said. Mahdi Safa, assistant professor of business, led nine College of Business students to Panama in March and will speak to students about the research conducted in the course, and how study abroad has impacted the academic and professional lives of the students. The lecture will start at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, in 113B Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship.
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On Wednesday, “Cardinals Return Home,” a student panel which will discuss the study abroad experience, will be held at 3:30 p.m. in 120 Reaud Administration Building. “‘Cardinals Return Home’ is a great way to hear about what happens when the plane lands,” Palis said. “We have students who go all over the world, and (they will) reflect on their experiences of what they learned, and how they were challenged.” Tara Hoch, Beaumont senior, has been on two study abroad trips, studying tropical sustainability in Belize in January and French literature and film in Paris in June. “My academic experiences abroad were incredible opportunities for me to gain insight into two cultures very distinct from that of the United States,” the political science major said. “In Belize, I learned about the ways climate, industry and our environment collide in tropical states, and got to explore caves, rain forests and an island off of the Belize Barrier Reef. In France, I witnessed the country’s rich artistic, literary and cinematic tradition, and spent two weeks exploring some of the world’s best museums, famous neighborhoods and in-
credible cuisine. Both of these trips encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and into another existence. “The study abroad trips boosted my confidence, opened my world view, and resulted in some of the most fulfilling friendships in my life. These trips helped me realize I am capable of following my dreams and adapting to new surroundings, be they the tropical rain forests of Belize or crowded metro trains underneath Paris. Through these trips I grew as a person and grew in the scope of my dreams. I have raised my standards for myself in terms of what I believe myself to be capable of, and am now more inclined to seek adventure and risk over safety and comfort.” “Tlatelolco-Verano del 68,” a movie that chronicles a love story set against the 1968 student uprising during Mexico City Olympics, will be screened for International Film Night at 6:35 p.m., Wednesday, in 103 Communication Building. Miguel Chavez will introduce the film. On Thursday, a Lamar Language Fair will be held in front of Gray Library from noon to 2 p.m. “This is an opportunity for international students to set up booths to interact and teach their fellow students how to say things in different languages,” Palis said. For more information, call 880-7013, or visit lamar.edu/studyabroad.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Studio Theatre 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
November 12
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Studio Theatre 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
November 13-16
International Education Week
November 16
Student Lecture - Kevin Fontenot & Caroline Gnagy, "Singing the Dream: Cajun and Prison Music of SETX and Louisiana" Galloway Business Building Landes Auditorium 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
LU Winds Band in Concert University Theatre 7:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
EDITORIAL
3 UNIVERSITY PRESS November 9, 2017
Time to talk about gun control (again) University of Texas, (1966). San Ysidro, (1984). Edmond, (1986). Killeen (1991). Virginia Tech (2007). Sandy Hook (2012). San Bernadino (2015). Orlando. (2016). Las Vegas (2017). Sutherland Springs (2017). These are the sites of the deadliest mass shootings in modern United States history. These tragedies have become so frequent that there is no surprise or shock anymore, just anger and sadness. Every time a mass shooting occurs, a debate over gun control ensues. Unfortunately, the conversation about gun control only arises after an incident where several people are killed at one time. But what about the 90 people who the Center for Disease Control states are killed on average each day in the U.S. (excluding suicides)? Even if we take mass shootings out of the equation, Everytown Research found more than 10,000 people still die each year from gun deaths in this country. In the immediate aftermath of such events, talk about banning assault rifles is also sensationalized, but most gun deaths in the U.S. actually occur by handguns. Guns should not be a partisan issue. Far too many people are dying for us to be so divided on this topic. The politics are hard, that’s well known, but there has to be something that we can do about it. Why should gun ownership be the price of our liberty? There has to be a compromise between free reign of gun ownership and complete banishment of all firearms. The solution is out there. There is the option of extreme back-
Commentary
Olivia Malick UP staff writer
BULLET POINTS Repeal of “permit to purchase” law in Missouri in 2007 led to 23 percent increase in gun homicides Only three percent of guns used in homicides were purchased at a gun shop The CDC reports 90 people each day are killed by guns (excluding suicides) ground checks. Research has proven that background checks reduce the rate of overall gun deaths, including suicides. In 2007, Missouri repealed its permitto-purchase law, which required a background check in order to obtain the license to purchase any firearm in the state. The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research found that this repeal led to a 23 percent increase in gun homicides and a 16 percent increase in suicides. However, a universal gun policy is not going to work for every state. It’s going to take an analysis of all the factors contributing to gun deaths in each state by their respective governments in order to devise a plan that will work for them. Yes, it’s going to take funding and time, but isn’t saving the lives of Americans worth it? The major obstacle standing in the way of effective gun control is the polit-
ical climate. To gun advocates, any mention of “control” is equal to the government seizing all weapons. Proper vetting or harsher penalties is not synonymous with abolishing the Second Amendment. Responsible gun owners who abide by the law shouldn’t be afraid of reasonable regulations. What’s shocking is that only about three percent of guns used in homicides are obtained at gun stores, while the other 97 percent are obtained through other means, according to the Preventive Medicine manual. We must combat the extensive illegal gun trade. The anecdote of, “If people want guns, people will get guns” is true — guns are obtained illegally on the Dark Web, through undocumented gun sales, and through theft. But gun sales don’t require a transfer of title of ownership. Anyone can sell guns to anyone else
UP infographic by Shelby Strickland
without governmental oversight, and before we know it, guns get into the hands of the wrong people. A national gun registry is a great place to start. If original record holders of guns were held accountable for the crimes committed with that gun, people would be more vigilant in keeping track of their guns. The gun problem in America is not going to change overnight. It will take years, and the cooperation of all state and municipal governments, as well as the federal government, to solve it. There are ways to change to our current policies without infringing on the Second Amendment. It’s time to make a change. No more thoughts and prayers. No more vigils. We can’t stop every act of gun violence, but we must do better.
UPeditorial
Eating the frog
Season of gratitude
Prioritizing key to preventing stress
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with all that is happening in the world around us it is the important for us to remind ourselves of the good that still exists and to show gratitude for that good. While our schedules are jam packed with work, class assignments, due dates, extracurricular activities and holiday plans it is easy to become distracted from the overbearing number of things that we have to do. We often take for granted our health of not only ourselves, but our families and friends as well. We have a roof over our heads. We have food and water. We have a generous society that reaches out in time of need for the wellbeing of our community. We may be forgetful of the fact that not everyone has the opportunity to attend a university or earn an education, and not all young adults are exposed to the opportunities that come with being enrolled at a university (i.e. extracurricular activities that allow us to follow our passions). All of these are interwoven in our daily lives and keep us going. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are, or heading in the direction that we are. Things do get tough and life can be overwhelming, but without showing gratitude, we can eventually end up lacking one of the greatest motivations of all – joy. Even if we lack in any of these areas, we woke up today and that in itself, is something to be grateful for.
Editor.............................................Caitlin McAlister Managing Editor........................Shelby Strickland Sports Editor ...................................Cassie Jenkins Staff ..................................................Noah Dawlearn .......................Keiosha Addison, Antonio Del Rio ..............Sierra Kondos, Olivia Malick, Matt Beadle .....................................Cade Smith, Karisa Norfleet ...............................Hannah LeTulle, Shane Proctor Business Manager..........................Taylor Phillips Advertising Assistants........................Jason Tran .......................................................Gabbie Smith Advisors Andy Coughlan and Stephan Malick Member of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
Papers, exams, assignments — by this point in the semester, many students feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. In the struggle to juggle a dozen different plates, it can seem like we’re in imminent danger of dropping and breaking them all. When that happens, it’s easy for one’s anxiety level to go through the roof, and for school to become overwhelming, not to mention exhausting. I know this experience firsthand, because it’s one that I’ve been going through this semester. Between my honors thesis, several other assignments and graduate school applications, not to mention work, marching band and being the president of a stu-
Commentary
Caitlin McAlister UP editor
Letters Policy
dent organization, I thought there was no way I was going to have time to do it all. To compound matters, I’m graduating in December — meaning that I have t-minus six weeks to have everything done. In the interest of preserving my sanity, I decided to talk to one of my professors about my situation. His advice? “Eat the frog.” What?! What does that even mean?! What that means, he explained to me, is that you prioritize your tasks — starting with the biggest, worst one that you don’t want to do. That dreadful assignment, whatever it may be, is the metaphorical frog. He’s slimy, he’s nasty, he’s disgusting — but you have to tough it out and swallow him, however
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unpleasant that may be. Starting with that task whenever you sit down to do schoolwork has some real advantages. It forces you to work on the thing that you have the least desire to and, in doing so, allows you to make progress on it, ensuring that it actually gets done. This doesn’t mean that you exclude everything else you’re doing. The frog doesn’t have to be completely gone before you move on to another job, but you’ll feel better for having actually tackled it and lessened that burden. I know I have. Priorities are critical for balancing everything that is going on in our lives. Without them, that stack of assignments in front of us seems like a completely daunting mess. There will always be frogs. The trick is learning how to eat them. UP illustration by Cormac Kelly
The opinions that appear in editorials are the official views of the University Press student management as determined by the UP Student Editorial Board. Opinions expressed elsewhere on this page are the views of the writers only and are not necessarily those of the University Press student management. Student opinions are not necessarily those of the university administration. ©University Press 2017
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Thursday, November 9, 2017 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cardinals festive fun
Students, faculty, staff and alumni joined together to celebrate all things Lamar during the Homecoming 2017 festivities. The week-long event began with a block party and ended with the big parade prior to the game. Visit www.lamaruniversitypress.com for an extensive slideshow of Homecoming images.
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Victoria Seeton
UP photo by Morgan Collier
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Megan Collier
UP photo by Morgan Collier
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UP photo by Karisa Norfleet
UNIVERSITY PRESS • Thursday, November 9, 2017
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at Homecoming 2017
UP photo by Hannah LeTulle
UP photo by Ashley Kluge
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Matt Beadle
UP photo by Karisa Norfleet
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Thursday, November 9, 2017 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
All naturals unite Campus organization educates those interested in natural hair Briana Dupas UP contributor
Natural Vanity, a natural hair care organization, is in its fifth year as a student organization. “Natural Vanity is an inclusive social organization on campus that focuses on educating, inspiring and supporting those individuals who are interested in natural hair, beauty, living a healthy lifestyle and self-love,” president Brittany BallWilliams said. “We are here to uplift those who feel self-conscious about their appearance, and be a support system for those who may need help or have questions.” Natural Vanity’s members are about 95 percent African-American and the rest are Hispanic and Caucasian, Ball-Williams said.
“A lot of people think our organization is just for black women with natural hair and that’s not true,” she said. “We welcome everyone to come be a part of our organization — men and women, no matter the hair.” Natural Vanity meets at 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, in 108 Family and Consumer Sciences Building. The group hosted a hair tutorial event, Wednesday, where they taught hairstyles such as cornrows, dreads, head wraps and twist-outs. The organization also focuses on health. “We have DIYs where (attendees) get to make different things and trade different hair products,” sophomore member Kwanita Adair said. Part of the organization’s purpose is demonstrating connectedness between “naturals,” people who use
their natural hair texture without perms, relaxers or straighteners. “One lesson I learned from being in Natural Vanity is the amount of natural uplifting that is on campus, and how good it feels to know that there are so many people who are going through the same hair struggles,” junior Deja Nelle Routt, a third-year member, said. The organization has a stylist directory where students provide services to other students on or off campus. “Natural Vanity started the directory last fall because we wanted to help our fellow students gain business, and students were always asking, ‘Who does hair on campus,’” Ball-Williams said. For more information, visit their twitter page @NaturalVanityLU.
THEATER
Junior Alshone Graham teaches Natural Vanity attendees how to do bantu knots at a workshop, Sept. 4.
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adapt to sudden changes, like when Masha’s new, young, actor boyfriend steps onto the scene and forces Vanya and Sonia to examine their lives. “This play is funny and eye-opening, and it brings about an understanding of how our parents and grandparents behave,” she said. “There is this whole generation that doesn’t understand us and we don’t understand them, but this play looks at that relationship and makes sibling relationships easier to comprehend.” Sophomore Austin Jones, who plays Spike, said that the interactions between the characters shows an underlying dysfunction between the siblings, but his character’s sudden introduction to the group makes them see their flaws. “Spike does ridiculous things for attention,” he said. “He’s like bacteria — thriving wherever he lands. His ambitions to be a successful actor make him vain, but he’s actually a lovable person.” Meador said the comedic aspect Shelby Dryden, sitting, and Lianna Meador rehearse a scene from of the play will keep the audience en“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Monday, at the Studio Theatre. tertained and invested in the story.
UP photos by Noah Dawlearn
Maddy Hightower plays Nina in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” “All of our characters have great lines, like my character has great deadpan humor,” she said. “It’ll be great to have an audience to laugh at our jokes.” LeTraunik said “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is hilarious and unique — a standout production by the department. Jones said a lot of interesting events happen in the play. “For people who don’t know what the play is about, there will be some surprises,” he said.
Meador said Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s writing (the inspiration for the names of Durang’s characters) helped her understand the connection of the characters to the storyline of the play. “This play is obviously way more modern than what Chekhov wrote, but you can definitely pin point where the inspiration comes from,” she said. LeTraunik said the great triumph of Durang’s play is his ability to write something that applies to both the 50-something-year-old siblings and the audience who will see the play. “The comedy and dialogue is relatable,” he said. “I think people who come to see the show will definitely be able to put themselves in the characters’ shoes.” The play contains strong language and adult situations. Tickets are $7 for LU and LIT students, $10 for faculty and staff, seniors and, and $15 general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, or reserved by phone at 8802250. The box office accepts cash, checks, and all major credit/debit cards.
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SPORTS
UNIVERSITY PRESS November 9, 2017
FIRST-TIME CHAMPS Soccer wins SLC tourney; will face Texas A&M in NCAA, Cassandra Jenkins UP sports editor
In their first appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament, the Lady Cardinals soccer team won a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in franchise history. LU beat Corpus
Christi (1-0), Central Arkansas (21) and SFA (2-0) in three consecutive games to be the champions for the very first time. In a watch party, Monday, the team sat eagerly waiting to find out who they would face in their first game in the NCAA. Teams like Oklahoma State, California,
and some of the top teams in the nation popped up one after the other. LU sat with wide eyes, gasping at some of the matchups as they waited to see their team roll across the screen. Cheers, sighs of relief and others of astonishment finally arose as Texas A&M slid across the monitor next
UP photo by Cassandra Jenkins
The LU soccer team react to the announcement that they will play Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament, Friday.
to Lamar. LU (18-3-1) will face Texas A&M (17-2-1), Friday at 7:30 p.m. in College Station. “Texas A&M is obviously one of the best teams in the country,” head coach Steve Holeman said. “They won the SCC tournament. I’ve been there before. It’s a great and exciting opportunity to play in one of the best college soccer environments in the entire country. The girls will get a really unique experience there.” Holeman said the SLC tournament went phenomenal and has prepared them for Friday’s game. “We took it one game at time,” he said. “Just because we entered as the No. 1 seed, we knew that that didn’t necessarily mean we would win the tournament. From the get-go we were playing Corpus Christi, who we beat previously, but we knew we were still going to get their best shot. That’s their home, their field, on their turf and so we were really good in the first round and we just advanced from that point. “We got to face Central Arkansas, for the semi-finals, a team that beat us 4-1 earlier in the season. We avenged that loss and they were a very good opponent. Then we met SFA in the final, a veteran team in the Southland Conference final. They have been
to four of the last finals and this was our first time to enter that tournament. From being a team that has never even been to the tournament and walk out as champions, was amazing.” The team has many key players that have contributed to a successful season, Holeman said. “You can start with Kelso Peskin up top, one of the nation’s leaders in assists,” he said. “She’s dangerous and she gives incredible effort every time she steps on the field. Then you have Lucy Ashworth and Madison Ledet on her right and left, have just been extremely dangerous on the flanks. M.J. Eckart, in the midfield, just kind of runs the show for us. She’s phenomenal in the air. In the back, Amelia Fullmer has been outstanding. In the goal, Lauren Lovejoy has just been absolutely incredible. She’s having an amazing year. She set a school record for shutouts and wins. We just continue to have a lot of firsts for this team.” Goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy said she was excited to see that they were going to play Texas A&M. “We’ve played them a couple times in the past,” Lovejoy said. See SOCCER, page 8
UCA Bears savage Cardinals in Homecoming loss Cassandra Jenkins UP sports editor
Lamar University dropped their Homecoming matchup with the No. 4-ranked Central Arkansas Bears, 42-14, Saturday, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Central Arkansas started the night off with running back Carlos Blackman taking a 9-yard rush to be the first with points on the board, but LU wasn’t far behind as sophomore Cole Starnes rushed for two yards to tie the score at 7-7. However, the Bears went on the attack over the next two quarters, running off the next 35 points before the Cardinals tacked on a consolation touchdown in the fourth quarter. Arkansas freshman Kierre Crossley rushed for 40 yards to give the Bears a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. A 22yard pass by UCA quarterback Brandon Myers to senior Hayden Hildebrand tacked on another seven points for the Bears to end the half at 21-7. LU’s offense stalled when QB Andrew Allen left with an
injury with four minutes to go in the second quarter. Central Arkansas kept their lead in the third quarter with Blackman receiving a 5-yard pass for his second touchdown of the night, 28-7. Running back Cedric Battle added a touchdown of his own two minutes later with a 19-yard rush that put the Bears up 35-7. UCA completed their scoring when Battle completed a hat trick of touchdowns before the end of the third quarter. Lamar attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter when QB McKenzie Blake completed a pass to tight end Case Robinson for a LU touchdown, but progress was halted on both sides of the field as the game ended 42-14. The Cardinals had a total of 279 yards on offense, 26 rushing and 253 yards passing. McKenzie completed 14-of-23 passes for 165 yards. Allen had 6-of-17 for 88 yards before walking off the field. Defensively, Lamar was led in solo tackles by Rodney Randle Jr. with six followed by Chaston Brooks with four.
UP photo by Matt Beadle
LU wide receiver Martell Hawthorne catches the ball during Saturday’s Homecoming game at Provost Umphrey Stadium.
“That is a good football team,” head coach Mike Schultz said. “I thought our kids played well. I thought our kids played tough. Our defense fought extremely hard tonight. They
fought their tails off and I’m proud of them for that. I’m proud of who we are, because, believe it or not, it’s coming. I see it coming. It may not happen this year, but it’s coming. I think
We are Astros, Astros are us
The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series a week ago and everyone is still excited about it. As a person who didn’t grow up loving the Astros, who didn’t know the 2005 team that was the first to make it to the spotlight, I sure have collected a ton of Astros gear in the past few months. Some say that these all-of-a-sudden fans are just getting on the bandwagon because the team is winning, and maybe they are right. I wasn’t a part of their 111game losing drought. I didn’t
Commentary
Cassandra Jenkins UP sports editor
stand by and cheer on Biggio and Bagwell. But I have learned to love this team all the same. I went to my very first Major League Baseball game this summer and fell in love. The stadium wasn’t packed. Tickets were only $40 a seat. No one knew at that time that the Astros were going to not only make it to the World Series, but would win it all. They lost that game, but I knew from then on I would be a lifelong fan. I fell in love with watching this team. The way they played. The way they treated each other. The way you could tell how much they truly loved the game, win or lose. They supported one another, cheered each victory and consoled each loss. While the crowd trickled out of the stadium, disappointed, I stood in line to buy my first hat, eager to be a part of something great. That was only months before all the mayhem started. Hurricane Harvey hit and an unprecedented amount of rain fell on the city and sur-
rounding areas. Many cities in Southeast Texas were devastated. Houses flooded, highways broke apart and streets were strewn with people’s belongings — some lost everything. Hope was nearly gone. But no one was willing to give up. Although it may seem silly, what the Astros did was more than just win a baseball game, they gave a devastated region something to be proud of, something to take their minds of their losses, and brought people together. I threw all my money away to attend games six and seven of the ALCS, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, but man was it worth it. The crowd was enormous. The lines were hours long. People were hugging each other and crying and cheering. This was nothing like my first game experience and it was beautiful. After a seven game series that had most of us excessively chewing our fingernails and pulling out hairs, we can say “we” made it — because that team belonged
our kids believe that. I know our coaching staff believe that and I know I believe it.” Lamar will play Houston Baptist in their last away game, Saturday, at 2 p.m. in Houston.
to us. It carried our hopes and our need for hope carried them. We did the impossible, overcame all odds and became champions. I remember waiting in line at Academy after work, Nov. 1, just to purchase a shirt that said World Series Champs on it. I was early, but the line quickly grew to be hours long. Friday, nearly 1.5 million people flocked to the city of Houston for an Astros parade that only lasted about 10 minutes. I rushed out of class to make the hour-and-a-half long drive. Kids were climbing trees just to get a glimpse of their heroes. A mass of bright orange and blue could be seen from helicopters circling above. Even if you couldn’t see more than the confetti falling down, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to say we were there. We were a part of something great. We all waited hours, days and weeks — others had waited UP photo by Casssandra Jenkins years, to say, “Houston, we Fans crowd for a view of the Astros championship parade. have a championship.”
Page 8
Thursday, November 9, 2017 • UNIVERSITY PRESS
100 years ago US joined European war Sierra Kondos UP staff writer
When the powers of Europe descended into war in 1914, the United States chose neutrality. However, three years later, a simple telegram pushed the country to join in the conflict across the Atlantic. “In 1914, the United States did not join the World War between Germany and Britain, but stayed neutral for three years, and used the war as an advantage to grow the country’s economic power,” Mark Mengerink, LU associate professor of history, said. Germany embarked upon a campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1915, declaring the area around the British Isles a war zone, declaring that ships, even those from neutral countries would be attacked inside the zone. “This culminated in the sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship, that killed 1,200 civilians — 128 Americans — that were being transported from New York to the British Isles. This outraged Americans, not just because of the American deaths, but because the immortality that Germans would attack civilians,” Mengerink said. In the late 1880s, most countries agreed that civilians were off limits during war. “The Germans did not abide by this,” Mengerink said. “This starts turning a lot of people in this country against Germany, but it was not enough support to allow (President Woodrow) Wilson to bring the country into the war.” After the attack on the Lusitania, Wilson sent a strong message to Germany stating that if it happened again, the United States would join the war. Germany backed off submarine warfare for a few months, but attacked again on Feb. 1, 1917. “The United States loses a lot of merchant ships, but does not enter the war until the Zimmerman Telegram is released in 1917,” Mengerink said. “The secret note from the German government to the German Ambassador in Mexico was to get the ambassador to convince the Mexican government to get into the war on the German side (and) attack the United States. It promised (Mexico) large portions of America’s southwest that the United States had taken from them. “Mexico never considered this. They were still involved in their own civil war and
revolution, but that that did not matter for the Americans. The fact that Germany was trying to convince Mexico was enough.” In April, 1917, America joined Britain and Russia against the Germans. “As an idealist, Wilson knew at some point the war was going to end, and there were going to be major changes that will come out of this war. With all of the countries that were involved, there was going to be a worldwide significance. Wilson knew that if the United States wanted any say in what the post war looked like, it would have to be a part of the war. There is no country that was going to be a part of the war for years, let someone who did not have any skin in the game, allow them to say what the post-war world was going to look like.” Wilson believed that WWI was a fight between democracies and monarchies. In March 1917, the Russian Revolution brought down the Romanov Family, overthrowing the Czar, and replacing it with a semi-democratic system. “Wilson thought that it wouldn’t look bad to get into the war on (the Russian’s) side because the government is no longer a monarchy,” Mengerink said. “Wilson had ideals about what the post-war should look like. Very little of it will involve monarchies, like England.” Mengerink said students should know the background and role of the United States in World War I and Wilson’s idea of where America would be after the war. “By the end of World War I, the United States is the biggest superpower in the world, both economically and militarily,” he said. “The three years that the United States stayed neutral, Europe came for material, food and weapons. What they couldn’t pay for, the United States gave credit. “That goes back to Wilson’s neutrality, He wanted freedom to trade with anybody. By the time the United States enters the war, the small army was backed by a lot of ammunition and weapons at a producing capacity. It sounds trite, but there is a lot of truth that war is very profitable and makes a lot of money.” Mengerink says that students need to understand the impact the war had on American society. “First of all, the size of the government explodes,” he said. “When you get into a war this big, the government has to direct the war, and it’s going to create brand new agencies to run and coordinate the war.
Photo courtesy of AmericanHistorama.org
One of the things that Wilson does right away, is create a propaganda unit to mobilize the support for the war. The agency convinces America that the war is just, that America has a role to play — support the war by buying war bonds, ration-specific items for troops, and to plant a victory garden. “The size of the military explodes, which has tremendous implications. The United States get the first draft in this country’s history. Most people don’t think about the draft as an enormous infringement on peoples’ rights. The government comes in and says, ‘You have to serve and you have to fight.’ “The United States is a superpower and, whether we like it or not, we have to be involved in world affairs. Americans can debate how we should be involved, but not debating whether we should be involved. But that’s not what the United States did after World War I. They said we fought this war, now we are out, and we want nothing to do with Europe but to be able to trade.” Mengerink said that in some ways, that led to World War II. “The thing about not engaging in different areas of the war is that when we aren’t engaged, someone else is,” he said. “Are they friendly towards the United States or not? How much should the United States be involved? With great power comes great responsibility, so will the United States use it’s power for good or evil?” WWI ended in 1918, and while Wilson proposed the League of Nations, the country never actually joined. As a result, 23 years later, a European war cast its shadow over America once again.
SOCCER
from page 7
“One year we went, and they only won 2-0 against us, which is actually pretty good in my opinion. I’m ready to see what this team can do against a team like that. I think we are going to surprise a lot of people.” Lovejoy said that preseason, as well as conference and post play, has prepared them for this moment. “Once you get past that first game, you start steam rolling, and it’s an amazing feeling,” she said. “We just felt so confident in ourselves. We believed in one another and that’s the great thing about this team. We believed that we could go as far as we wanted to and not a lot of people did. We wanted to be first and we did it, for ourselves and for our community. It’s a really great feeling.” Although she is excited, Lovejoy said it is also nerve racking to be in the goal. “Goal keeping is a very tough position,” she said. “You have to be very mentally strong for it, but I’m extremely excited. I know my strengths. I know my abilities, and I know that my team trusts me as well. I’m looking forward to see what we can all do together out on the field.” Midfielder M.J. Eckart said she is also excited for this weekend. “I’ve just been repeating, I feel, that this is just an amazing experience and it’s been great to be a part of this history making team,” she said. “We’re just ready to add another experience in our book and more memories and go out there and play our best.” Eckart said after losing so much last year, she is more appreciative of where they are now. “I think if we hadn’t been in the bottom, we would have still been excited, but it gives a whole other appreciation from how hard we worked to turn this program around and turn this worst to first season,” she said. “It definitely adds a level of gratefulness.” Eckart said they would have been excited no matter who popped up on the screen. “We’re just happy to be here, we’re ready to go play our best and show them who Lamar is.” Follow UP’s Cassandra Jenkins live coverage on Twitter at _uplamar.