Nov 8, 2006

THE WICHITAN The Student Voice of Midwestern State University

Wednesday Nov. 8, 2006

Ordinance could outlaw indoor campus smoking AMBRA NEALY FOR THE WICHITAN

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HERSHEL SELF | THE WICHITAN

Need For Speed Police station sets up speed monitor in parking lot LATIA BANKS FOR THE WICHITAN In grade school you had hall monitors. At MSU youʼve got a speed monitor.

When itʼs available, it sits on the corner of Louis J. Rodriguez and Nocona. The device shows the campus speed limit of 20 mph while it flashes the oncoming driverʼs speed.

“Itʼs just a friendly reminder that there is a speed zone,” Chief of Police Mike Hagy said. “We make a request to the city for the speed monitor. They allow

us to borrow it until they want it back.”

He said MSU likes to use the device as much as possible.

“When we have the opportunity to borrow it, we do,” Hagy said.

Campus police use the machine to regulate speed on the street where people are most commonly pulled-over.

“We stop people all the time on Louis J. Rodriguez. We just donʼt want anyone hurt,” Hagy said.

The Episcopal School is a private elementary located on

campus across from the speed monitor.

Hagy said parents of children who attend school, call and complain constantly about students speeding.

Parents are not the only ones complaining.

“I donʼt think the sign works. A parent almost hit me on my bike because they were trying to pick-up their kid,” Lydia Johnson, 25, said.

Some students, however, believe the device is effective.

“I just donʼt speed because I donʼt know if itʼs recording me

or what,” Sherriale Garnett, 21, said.

Hagy said the sign does not record the speed of vehicles. He said there is no real proof that people will stop speeding.

“It simply tells the driver how fast they are going.”

“People still speed,” Johnson said.

Either way, campus police intend to keep the speed monitor as long as the city allows it.

Hagy said police plan to move the device throughout the campus.

A proposed ordinance eliminating smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places is leaving its mark on Wichita Falls and MSU may be next.

The proposal known as the Wichita Falls Smoke-Free Air Act of 2007 is being spearheaded by a group of concerned citizens who have formed a clean air coalition, which is supported by The American Cancer Society.

MSU may be the next entity to adopt this 100 percent smoke- free policy. The current policy in effect on campus states that smoking is prohibited within 20 feet outside a buildingʼs entrance, operable windows and ventilation systems of enclosed areas. Smoking is forbidden to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter those areas.

However, at MSU, smokers often donʼt follow this rule. University police have gone on record saying they wonʼt police violations.

Kem Hogue, spokesperson for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, said approximately 75 percent of citizens in Wichita Falls are non-smokers. So should the majority have to succumb to the vices of the minority? The supporters of the Clean Air Coalition say no. Their focus will be on educating the community.

“Our goal is to protect our community from the effects of secondhand smoke, not to alienate or intrude on the rights of those that choose to smoke,” said Jill King, a coalition supporter.

Dr. Keith Williamson, physician at Vinson Health Center on campus, was not available for comment, but he is part of a movement to revamp the current smoking ordinance on campus. For more information about Clean Air Wichita Falls visit www.cawf.org and for a listing of colleges that are taking a stance against secondhand smoke visit www.no_smoke.org or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800.

ACS-2345.

TV, films blamed for anti-Arab bias AMBRA NEALY FOR THE WICHITAN An internationally acclaimed author and media critic blamed television for the largely negative portrayal of Arabs and Muslim culture in the United States.

“We are more alike than we are different,” said Dr. Jack G. Shaheen, a former CBS news consultant on Middle East affairs. Shaheen spoke Monday night in Akin auditorium as part of MSUʼs Artist Lecture Series.

The Pittsburg native, whose family came to America from Lebanon, addressed the stereotypical images in racial and ethnic groups.

Shaheen said television is the main medium through which the

world gains its knowledge. A baby born today, by the time he or she is 65-years-old, will have spent nine years in front of a TV. “TV is Americaʼs babysitter, our living room tutor and our neglected teacher,” the gray-haired moustached author told the audience of about 75 people.

Shaheen said the American media and film industries have been vilifying Arabs for years. In his book “Reel Bad Arabs,” Shaheen explains why these stereotypes persist and provides solutions to shatter misperceptions.

“These stereotypes exist because of ignorance, political indifference, a lack of presence and apathy. Shaheen said. “Once a negative stereo-

See Shaheen page 4

ʻAs Oneʼ gospel choir brings back that old-time religion DEON NEWSOM FOR THE WICHITAN

INSIDE

When Shambria McFarland arrived at MSU in 2004, something was missing. It wasnʼt the buzz of big city living nor was it her momʼs mouthwatering fried chicken. It was the foot-stomping, hand-clapping sweet sounds she heard in her home as a child.

“No gospel choir? What?” the 20year-old junior nursing major recalls.

Two years later sheʼs still stunned. “I couldnʼt believe it.”

For this seemingly shy Dallas native, nothing has been more satisfying than the fervent messages of black gospel music. They have seen McFarland through some tough times, like when her father died in March of heart failure.

“I just love it. When things may look down, a song will come to my mind and make me feel better,” she said.

Gathering a handful of students, McFarland gave birth to the As One Gospel Choir.

“I was real excited. Singing is what Iʼve been doing since I can remember.

Itʼs what I know,” she said.

The gospel choir, an extracurricular

group not affiliated with the universityʼs music program, is not the campusʼ first. In 2000, a gospel choir, under the same name, was formed but fizzled out after its director left.

Performing a vast medley of contemporary to heavy gospel, the new choir has brought a divine feeling to Sunday morning church services, serenading congregations across Wichita Falls. Their first official performance was at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Churchʼs MSU Day in March.

“I was extremely nervous,” McFarland confessed. “I wasnʼt sure if we were ready yet.”

Applause and mingling after the service soothed all anxiety.

“I was very pleased with how it turned out.”

Since its revamp in January, the 15member choir has doubled.

Omarion Bradford, one of the choirʼs most faithful members, has been a major recruiter since the beginning.

“I feel something way beyond the music,” the sophomore education major reflects as the choir readies for rehearsal. “It encourages me and strengthens my faith in God.” With the stroke of a key, the atmosphere shifts. The echo of an upright

NAACP Votes The MSU chapter of the NAACP encourages students to head to the polls. page 4

piano fills the room and without missing a beat, everyone is standing. Rich harmony flows from their mouths.

“Oh Lord, how excellent! How excellent! How excellent! Is thy Name!” they sing.

The choir goes through about three songs before rehearsal ends.

“I love gospel music,ʼʼ said freshman Ariella Brown, glowing after a spirited two hours. The high soprano psychology major joined the choir in August. “Itʼs a good feeling.”

Brown recently led the choir in a rendition of Kirk Franklinʼs “Donʼt Cry” at Antioch Baptist Church.

“The choir has allowed me to make some friends, and I feel closer to God,” she said.

McFarland affirms that is one of the primary reasons she wanted to start the choir.

“A lot of people go to church back home but when they come up here they stop attending. The gospel choir is a means for them to enjoy gospel music other than on Sunday morning and it encourages them to go to church.”

Keeping the choir alive hasnʼt been easy.

See Gospel page 4

HERSHEL SELF | THE WICHITAN Gospel choir members enjoy singing from the soul even during practice. Lauren Kenerly, sophomore music education major, plays the piano.

‘Slither’

Final home game win

Newly released DVD gives good creepy moments with some cheesy gore.

Mustangs football win their final home game of the season.

pages 5

page 6

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THE WICHITAN

VIEWPOINTS

Finalist 2004 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award

Nov. 8, 2006

Staff Editorial

Be all you can be Once upon a time, when a person donned a military uniform, he or she was automatically deemed as a trusted individual worthy of respect.

Unfortunately, shamefully irresponsible adults have tarnished the noble name of the Army.

Last week, an ABC News undercover investigation showed clips of Army recruiters telling students lies in order to persuade them to enlist.

The students were wearing secret video cameras as they went to 10 recruitment offices in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York.

Recruiters told students that the United States was not at war with Iraq anymore. They said the war ended a long time ago. They told students that soldiers were coming home from Iraq, and that there was little chance theyʼd be sent there.

How sad.

The recruiters actually believed the students were so gullible. Because they were wearing a uniform, they thought people would automatically believe whatever they said.

What a gross misuse of power.

One undercover student posed as a druggie school dropout. He asked recruiters if his bad life choices would make a difference, concerning his entry into the Army. Recruiters told him it wasnʼt a problem and went even further by helping the student cheat to get in.

How could such serious business be a petty game?

Recruiters also led students to believe that if they didnʼt like the Army, they could simply quit. One even made up a name for the discharge: “Failure to Adapt.”

How creative.

Col. Robert Manning, the man in charge of U.S. Army recruiting for the Northeast, saw the ABC News video of his dishonest recruiters. He said he believes that the liars are not the norm when it comes to recruiters.

But Sue Niederer, mother of a fallen soldier, believes much more than a few Army recruiters are in the wrong.

Recruiters told her son, Seth, in 2002 that if he enlisted, he would not be placed in combat. He joined the Army and was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb.

Like all of us, Niederer only wants recruiters to tell the truth.

Despite the controversy of Iraq, whether we needed to invade or never should have stepped foot into the country, one thing remains: the Army is our sword and shield, despite the tragedy of the times.

A number of MSU students are in the military.

Right now is your chance, your perfect opportunity, to start counteracting this shameful behavior.

Take back the honor of wearing the uniform.

Start with the basics.

Start with always being honest.

Graduating senior reflects on leaving

A d v i sing for the Spring 2007 semester is right around the corner.

AMEN. I am officially feeling the symptoms of JESSICA COODY Senioritis.

FOR THE WICHITAN I have begun the official “how many days until graduation” countdown (by the way, I have those numbers in “how many total days,” “how many school days” and how many “Mondays”, for those who are interested).

As I write this, I am patiently waiting for the minutes to go by… in exactly 64 minutes, I will be in my advisorʼs office, flipping through the craziness that is our MSU schedule

of classes, and mapping out what is going to the most stressful, hectic and time consuming semester of my life.

It will also be my last. My last time to register. My last time to stand in line at the business office to pay for all those lab fees and library fees (you know, for the computer labs and the library that I RARELY, if ever, used). My last time to have to buy a new notebook and textbooks and scantrons. My last time to have to deal with MSU parking.

Ahhh.

Six long, hard years finally pay off. Itʼs hard for me to imagine myself during my first semester. I was such a child. At the ripe age of 18, I thought I was an independent, freethinking adult.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

At times I wish I had done things a little different.

At times I wish I would have gotten more involved. Maybe I should have lived in the dorms for awhile.

Maybe I should have rushed a sorority. Maybe I should have run for student council.

Oh well. Iʼm graduating, and that is enough to be proud of, right?

I remember all the nights of “my independent living” that led to the mornings of me missing class. I still get mad at myself for being so irresponsible.

And now I laugh at myself for thinking I was responsible the whole time.

Man, I was so dumb.

In the six years I have spent at MSU, I have learned so much more than academics.

I have learned so much about myself and the world around me, and these are lessons I canʼt imagine having learned anywhere else.

Midwestern State University was perfect for me in so many ways, and itʼs hard to believe that in a matter of months, it will all just be memory.

Sure, Iʼll miss it.

Iʼll miss the familiar faces, the professors, the “midwestern brick” that has become a part of me… Iʼll miss the couches in the atrium. Iʼll miss the bell tower. Iʼll miss the Fantasy of Lights.

I know that those lucky students who will be graduating in December are the ones who should really be counting down.

Their days are much fewer.

But I canʼt help but be excited.

This is the beginning of the end of my college career.

I am going to celebrate.

Call it premature.

Call me immature.

Just as long as you call me a graduating senior while you do it.

The holiday movie season is upon us and Hollywood is ready to flood us with its usual waste of seasonal diarrhea. In JASON KIMBRO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR case youʼre wondering what to waste your money on and what to avoid, I have decided to give you all a bit of a heads up with this useful little holiday movie preview.

But this may be a little late for, Disney has already churned out the poop machine with its third entry into the Tim Allen holiday series, “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.”

Unless you feel like torturing yourself for some little childʼs enjoyment, it would probably be best to steer away from this and any other G-rated, live-action flick.

Next week the theaters will be bringing us a variety of films, from Will Ferrelʼs “Stranger than Fiction” to Sarah Michelle Gellarʼs next entry into horror, “The Return.” The film that I believe will be worth the money, though, will be “Harsh

Times” starring Christian Bale.

The advertising for the film has no reservations in comparing it to “Training Day” and for good reason. Same writer, same aura, probably the same great experience.

Several flicks are hitting the theater on Nov. 17th as well, but the one this reviewer is looking forward to, is “Casino Royale,” the latest bond flick with a shiny, brand new blonde Bond.

I have some moments of doubt with this newest 007 film, but I will undoubtedly enjoy it, especially since Martin Campbell, director of “Goldeneye” has returned to helm this one as well.

The 22nd of this month brings us Hugh Jackman and “The Fountain,” Danny DeVito and “Deck the Halls” and my pick of the week, Denzel Washington in the suspenseful action flick “Deja Vu.” I can only hope that Tony Scott doesnʼt rely too much on the overthe-top contrast and overly shaky and flashy camera work that has cursed his last two films, “Domino” and “Man on Fire.”

On Dec. 1, Hollywood really begins to exploit the meanings behind Christmas with the newest in a recent yet spaced line of religious films, “The Nativity Story.” With its nationwide competition being

“Turistas,” a gore-laden action horror film, and “National Lampoonʼs Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj,” no explanation needed. However, the conservative do-gooders of our country will probably make the birth of Christ the number one flick for weeks to come.

As for what you should go see, well, this week in particular probably depends on your mood. I have no real interest in seeing any of them.

Due to an extensive rearrangement of release dates during the holiday season, I have decided to fill the rest of this column with movies to look out for and to avoid, for their release dates are definitely subject to change.

Mel Gibsonʼs latest directorial epic is set to be released in December. “Apocolypto” portrays the fall of an empire as the Spanish come and have their way in the southern hemisphere.

What is sure to be nice and gory if any of Gibsonʼs earlier films provide expectation, I am just gonna sit back and see if the media will find ways to call him an anti-Spaniard.

What is sure to be good campy fun in the most unintentional of ways, Michelle Trachtenberg will be starring in the horror/slasher flick “Black Christmas.”

The plot is very simple: a killer stalks and murders a group of sorority girls that decide to stay in their sorority house over the holidays.

The killerʼs gimmick is to call his victims before their imminent death.

This calls for an award for a complete lack of originality, but the director is James Wong of the “Final Destination” series. This has got to have a “Snakes on a Plane”-esque quality to it and I will definately be getting into line for this one.

Though initially releasing in limited fare, “Children of Men” is undoubtedly the one film we should all watch out for. The film takes place in a future where women are unable to reproduce anymore, so the planet is facing apocolypse.

Now for films to avoid: “Unaccompanied Minors,” “Night at the Museum,” “DOA: Dead or Alive,” “The Good Shepherd” and finally with the utmost of gusto, I must beseach you all to do what you can to avoid the drivel that is “Rocky Balboa.”

Let a washed out story dry up and blow away. This will become the epitome of what Hollywood has become, a storehouse for the continuing lack of talent that gets called ahead of those who actually can write, direct, and produce. Bye!

3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk (940) 397-4704 • Advertising Desk (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 • E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu Web site: http://www.mwsu.edu/~wichitan Copyright © 2006. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. First copy of the paper is free of charge; additional copies are $1. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address for verification purposes. The editor retains the right to edit letters.

Movies to watch out for this holiday

THE WICHITAN Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Carrie Sullivan Managing Editor Krystle Carey Entertainment Editor Jason Kimbro Sports Editor Josh Mujica Opinions Editor Christian McPhate Photo Editor Adrian McCandless

Reporters Matt Hulme Richard Carter Christian McPhate LaTia Banks Tiffany Mercer Photographers T.J. Hornbeck Hershel Self Graphic Artist SunKyu Yoo-Norris

Advertising Manager Josh Leal Cartoonist David Stephenson

Adviser Randy Pruitt

OP-ED

Bald heads better than ‘Locks’

Recently, I went to the hair salon and had about 10 inches taken off my hair, for a job that I was CHRISTIAN MCPHATE d e s p e r ately seekOPINIONS EDITOR i n g — a substitute teacher. In addition, I needed the damn haircut, for the length of my hair had reached the middle of my lower back, so the hairstylist cut it up to my shoulders.

God, I had forgotten what it felt like to get a haircut. No longer would I have to worry about getting my hair caught in the numerous bolts from the gods of pain covering the back of the classroom chairs, or the demons of the nylon seatbelt.

A couple of days later at school, some students and an assortment of random strangers asked me if I donated my hair to “Locks of Love.”

I looked at their inquisitive expressions and replied, “No,” which of course was followed with a redundant reply of “Why not?” with a shocked look splattered across their features as if I had gone against all the gods of conformity and refused a requirement that was decreed by the divine beings themselves.

For all you non-participant in society people out there, Locks of Love is a non-profit organization providing hairpieces to thousands of “financially disadvantaged” (poor people) children under the age of 18 who suffer from long-term hair loss from medical conditions like alopecia areata, chemotherapy or some other type cancer or pharmaceutical treatment.

According to their website, “Locks of Love is not a manufactur-

er of any type of hair replacement product or hair care product. As a charity and strictly a charity, we must purchase the custom prostheses we provide for our recipients.”

Tyronepa.com reported that a for-profit wig making company started the receiver-of-donatedhair organization with a little help from a nurse, Madonna Coffman who spearheaded the charity initiative when she developed alopecia after receiving a hepatitis vaccination. The Internal Revenue Service granted the organization a charity status after a volunteer board of directors was established and the new organization left the profiting company. Each week, over 2,000 hair donations arrive through the mail, with 80 percent of hair donors being children.

“She’s always had a lot of hair,” Danene Metzdorf said of her sixyear-old, who cut 15 inches off her hair to donate. “When I had the ultrasound when I was pregnant with Elise you could see her hair waving around.”

So where does all the donated hair go?

According to an Oct. 24 report in the Morrison County Record, the charity creates over 2,000 hairpieces today for recipients in all 50 states and Canada. A mold kit arrives in the mail for the family of the bald child who creates a fit cap for the designated economically disadvantaged boy or girl to insure the proper placement of the hairpiece, and then sends the molded skullcap to the organization’s creation plant.

The donated hair with fitted skullcap are sent to a factory in Indonesia by the manufacturer where the wigs, which retail between $3,500 and $6,000, are created through a masterful process involving special needles. Locks of Love must pay for the manufacturing costs even though they provide the free hair.

Lauren Kukkamaa, communications director of the Locks of Love program, explained that a combination of doctor’s diagnosis, a photo, two letters of recommendation and a copy of the parent’s most recent tax returns determine the eligibility of the bald child and “if not for free, a hair piece will be provided on a sliding fee schedule.”

“We will take six to 10 inches with the understanding that the hair will be sold to offset the cost of manufacturing,” Kukkamaa said.

According to the slogan repeated over and over on the numerous Web sites and news reports that blow the horn of hair donation, “These hair pieces help restore the children’s self-esteem and confidence.”

By teaching the children that they must hide their baldness from a world of judgmental surface junkies, and reinforce the negative feelings of being seen with a baldhead at so young of age?

Why should we as a nation of concerned parents, children and citizens strengthen the “you-don’tlook-right-bald-so-wear-a-hairpiece-to-hide-your-problems-fromthe-world-around-you” agenda?

Listen, I understand that everyone’s heart is in the right place with the hair donations and the founding of the company, but why not send a positive message filled with true feelings of self-esteem to the children cancer survivors—to all cancer and disease survivors?

Baldness is more than okay.

It is divine.

Who cares that people look at you with eyes of judgmental fire and condemn you with looks of disgust.

You are bald and beautiful.

You are a survivor.

Let the beauty of your baldness shine and eventually the whole world will understand and accept that not all people have hair.

Just in case you haven’t heard, Saddam Hussein has been tried, convicted and sentenced to hang by an Iraqi court.

No matROBERT FOX STAFF REPORTER ter where you stand on the war in Iraq, you can’t say you didn’t see it coming. You also can’t say the gulf it ripped around the world was unexpected.

Everyone against the war in Iraq has expressed everything from disappointment to disgust with the ruling. The rest of the world is celebrating a momentous occasion for the Iraqi people.

The million dollar question is what happens next.

Several of the European nations have suggested his sentence be commuted to a life sentence. There is more than one problem with that idea.

Yes, as far as we have come morally and intellectually we should have something better than capital punishment.

No, it won’t bring back the dead.

That aside, not following through will make the new regime in Iraq and the rest of the world look weak.

Being perceived as weak, militarily or otherwise, tends to get people

hurt or killed.

Letting him live will give those that still support him a chance to save him, to get him out of prison.

It may also inspire hostage situations for negotiation of his release.

Letting him live will completely undermine whatever perceived authority the Iraqi court system had.

It will send the message that the judicial system is hopelessly flawed and utterly incapable of safeguarding the citizens.

Letting him live could easily inspire terrorists to strike again.

Few militant groups like seeing their membership behind bars. If they can’t get him out of jail directly, they will seek revenge.

However, letting him hang doesn’t come without its disadvantages.

There is the distinct probability that hanging Saddam will spark a backlash from Sunni insurgents, terrorists and his followers that are still in hiding.

An eye for an eye, a leader for a leader; Saddam’s death would hurt them, and would surely want to hurt us back.

Hanging him could easily make the newly won regime look just as bad as the regime that was removed.

That which was begun with blood shall end will blood.

Saddam’s regime began with blood and ended in blood.

Oddly enough, his guilt doesn’t

seem to be the main concern even among a majority of those opposing the sentence.

Two separate articles point to the sentencing as the sticking point all the way around.

Most of the European nations opposing the death penalty are also suggesting that his trial was not impartial.

Well duh.

I can’t honestly think of a single country where he would get a truly impartial trial and sentence.

The war crimes tribunals he is facing and the charges are too widely covered, too well discussed not to influence every potential judge and juror out there.

Virtually everyone in the world has been following the occupation in Iraq and everything tied to it.

Everyone also falls into one of two categories: for the effort or against it.

One side wouldn’t mind seeing Saddam dead.

The other side wouldn’t mind seeing him live, if for no other reason that to annoy and irritate the first.

Each side would try, convict and sentence Saddam as a reflection of its view of the war.

So we return to the million dollar question.

Look weak and give rise to more potential problems, or bathe in blood and chance a new civil war in Iraq and the Middle East?

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Q: Why is voting important?

“It gives young people a say in the government they don’t have otherwise.”

– Shaina Post, 18, freshman, undecided

“Because I don’t want to be one of those complainers who didn’t participate.”

– Rochelle Tuvilla, 19, junior, nursing major

“My thing is, if people don’t vote, then you shouldn’t see them complaining about issues in the government or things they see on TV. If we’re given a right and freedom that other countries don’t have, why not utilize it?”

– Dominique Calhoun, 20, junior, pre-med major

“Voting is important to me because even one vote can make a difference in who gets elected.”

– Dr. Adalberto Garcia, professor of foreign languages

Columnist Wanted Have an opinion? Want to write about it and share it with the public? Call Christian at 397-4704.

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News

THE WICHITAN Nov. 8, 2006

chapter hopes to make a difference NAACP

Dominique Calhoun hands out free T-shirts as part of the NAACP’s effort to encourage students to vote.

Students wore the shirts yesterday as they marched to the polls.

MARVIN ARTS FOR THE WICHITAN

ADRIAN MCCANDLESS

| THE WICHITAN

Election spurs march to polls AMBRA NEALY FOR THE WICHITAN The MSU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People hosted a voters rally early this week in Sunwatcher Plaza to urge students and the Wichita Falls community to vote in the statewide midterm elections that took place yesterday.

The rally took place on Monday and was followed up by a precession to the polls located in the Harding Administration building. Their slogan “Value our Vote and Vote our Values” served as the proponent for the rally in which the NAACP urged students and citizens to let their voices be heard.

“Itʼs important for people to vote, for me it is a matter of self defense and self respect.” said Lakedra Stubbs, a senior sociology major and member of NAACP. Dominique Calhoun, president of the NAACP chapter at MSU, said that the organization felt that

as election approached, their goal was to ensure that the public was well informed about where the candidates for elected offices stood on the issues.

Members actively prepared for weeks gathering information on candidates and their platforms, hosting forums and meetings weekly to discuss the issues prior to the rally.

“We even had our own campaign slogan ʻArrive with 5,ʼ encouraging every registered voter to bring five more registered voters with them to the polls,” Calhoun added.

In efforts to jump start the rally and motivate voters, the organization gave away T-shirts with the “Arrive with 5” mantra on them.

“Having this rally was the best way for our organization to help our community understand and become an active part of the election process. Hopefully our efforts will have made an impact in our community, having possibly empowered some individuals that may not have believed that their vote can make a difference,” Calhoun said.

The NAACP at MSU is looking to make a name for itself.

The NAACP stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

MSU biology major Dominique Calhoun has been the NAACP president for a year and a half.

“This year is really our coming out year. Since our charter, nothing has really occurred,” he said.

The NAACP has planned various activities for the semester. It plans to offer a mentoring program through Sam Houston Elementary, in which eight different student organizations on campus are helping. Omega Delta Phi, Sigma Lambda, Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi are among the organizations that are helping. The NAACP is also a hosting a forum called “The Awakening” which will discuss and analyze racism and stereotypes that all races face within society. Next semester during Black History Month, they will honor all important Black Americans, past and present.

The NAACP and Black Student Union will work together on a lot of events throughout the semester. The Black Student Union is more of a social organization, and the NAACP is more of a political organization.

“The NAACP was established to maintain and reduce social oppression,” Calhoun said.

MSU lacks African American professors only four are here on campus out of 140 total professors.

“MSU prides itself on how the classroom sizes to professors are equivalent to about 32 to 1,” he said. “There are currently four black students on campus to the six hundred black students here at the school.

“This an alarming figure,” Calhoun said.

The NAACP plans to try to find out the exact reason for the lack of black professors.

“We plan on going to the administration to find out the exact demographics of this university in retrospect to others in the state to understand where we stand,” he said.

Political science chair Dr. Ernest Dover is advisor to the NAACP. “Dr. Dover is a great advisor,” Calhoun said.

Members of the NAACP are also members of other student organizations on campus. These members of other student organizations include the Black Student Union, Greeks, sororities and the University Programming Board.

The NAACP chapter works very closely with other college divisions in the state of Texas.

Calhoun plans to build a good solid foundation for the organization. “I plan to give the NAACP a structure that is fool proof so that when I leave, the ideas and the plans of the NAACP will always be the main focus,” he said.

Calhoun is hoping that his ex-

ecutive council gets to experience going to a regional conference this year, so they can bring those leadership skills back to MSU. “We will attend the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference, and the state NAACP conference,” he said. The NAACP state conference is paid for by the state through fundraising. The SBSLC is held at Texas A&M University in College Station every year.

“A lot of young black students, especially male, fall victim to racial stereotyping,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun feels when a black student, on the first day, goes to class wearing a tall-tee, with a grill in his mouth and wearing Jordanʼs, it gives a bad impression.

“Others view those type of students suspect immediately,” he said.

Calhoun feels his job as president is a difficult one.

“My difficulties as president is the same as any other president, but the only thing is that it is hard to get young black American to accept the fact that crisis we faced still exist today,” he said.

The NAACP currently has 13 members and looking to continue to build on that. The NAACP is looking to build a strong membership foundation.

“We base our membership through flyers, and word of mouth,” he said.

Minority graduates in the spring of 2007 will have a graduation appreciation night. This event will honor all minority graduates.

Gospel_________________continued from page 1 “It has been discouraging at times. Getting a group of dedicated people has been the hardest. People come and go. But things are coming together. We have to encourage ourselves,” McFarland said.

In spite of its hardships, the choir has sustained its vigor, rehearsing every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Fain Fine Arts music hall.

McFarland hopes that the choir

will outlive her time at MSU. “I want it to keep going.”

In the meantime McFarland is happily pursuing her first love.

“You can do so much with a song. The art of music, itʼs crazy. ” For this hardcore Whitney Houston fan, spirituality stems from music. And melody. And rhythm.

And soul.

New way to call in sick Weʼve all been there before. In need of a mental-health day. In need of a couple more hours to sleep off that horrible hangover.

Or just plain in need of a day away from thinking.

But who wants to wake up at the crack of dawn to avoid talking to the boss and pretend to sound sick?

Now you can plan in advance and leave the early mornings to a message service _ call in sick from any place at any time.

Alan and Jill Lougher of West Palm Beach, Fla., launched callin-sick.com Oct. 1 as a “cool gimmick” to promote their new business, a message broadcast system.

Four days later, their Web site was swamped with requests.

“I think everybodyʼs been in that situation where they donʼt want to go to work the next morning,” says Alan Lougher, 34. “For me, it was usually the day before when I knew.”

A 2005 survey by Harris Interactive shows men were about twice as likely as women to call in sick when they were actually fine.

It also shows that one in four men had faked sick that year, and parents with children younger than 18 werenʼt any more likely to call in

sick than their co-workers.

Call-in-sick.com is easy. Call 561-214-8030 and a young woman talks you through the process.

“So you wanna call in sick, huh?” the taped voice says.

The service allows the caller to record a message and even re-record to get that perfect sick-sounding tone. Pick the day and time you want the call delivered, dial your bossʼ phone number and the message will be delivered.

If the boss has caller ID, it will show the number from whatever phone you dialed the service.

Best of all, itʼs free to users in the United States and Canada.

Alan Lougher estimates his site receives 10,000 hits a day, from all over the world. He hopes the interest will translate into customers for his real business, Group2call, which allows callers to contact friends, customers and co-workers with one phone call. For example, a Little League coach can cancel practice with one call to the entire team instead of making individual calls to each team member, Lougher says.

But thatʼs not all. The Loughers are introducing ubreakup.com.

“It avoids the awkwardness of breaking up with somebody,” Alan Lougher says. “Itʼs (breaking up) the old-fashioned way but with a new twist.”

New Jerusalem Baptist Church Rev. Angus Thompson, Pastor

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HERSHEL SELF | THE WICHITAN Jack G. Shaheen spoke in Akin Auditorium Monday as part of the Artist Lecture Series.

Shaheen_____________________________________________continued from page 1 type becomes fixed in our minds it becomes imbedded and we resist change.”

Now is a particularly good time to face the issue, he stressed. In a time of war, the media plays a vital role in the way Americans see the rest of the world, particularly Arabs and Muslims, he said. He urged the audience not to become apathetic.

Shaheen said that he was raised as a Christian.

“Growing up as a boy in my home no one ever spoke indifferently of people no matter what culture they were

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from though I did notice differences in cultures,” he said.

Shaheen said he has always been sensitive to stereotypes.

The first time he ever felt discriminated against was at the University of Pittsburgh, he recalled.

“As a professor my roots played a role,” he said. “I was seen as the Arab professor and all my research and teaching was considered propaganda rather than a means to educate.”

Reporters Wanted Call The Wichitan 397-4704

Entertainment

Across Campus No classes Friday Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) will hold the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) annual membership meeting in Wichita Falls Nov. 9-11.

Since many classrooms will be used for CAST workshops and short courses, there will be no MSU classes on Nov. 10.

All offices will remain open.

For more information about the conference, go to www.statweb.org/CASTWF/.

Classic Film Series Continuing Education presents Youth of the Beast at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU. Richard Carter will present this Japanese gangster film by Seijun Suzuki. Joe Shishido plays a tough guy with a secret agenda. His violent behavior comes to the attention of a yakuza boss who immediately recruits him.

He soon tries to make a deal with a rival gang and starts a gang war. His real motivations are gradually revealed as we find out how this all ties in with the murder of a policeman shown at the beginning of the film.

Admission is free; donations are welcome.

For more information, call 397-4756.

Jazz Ensemble Concert The music department will present a Jazz Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 in Akin Auditorium.

Ed Hefti, tenor sax and former jazz band director from Iowa Park, will be the guest soloist on several of the songs.

They will play music from Gordon Goodwin, who is the hottest band leader and composer in the business today, and received a Grammy award for his music to “The Incredibles.”

They will also play the music of Kris Berg, a Texan, who writes exciting music about chickens.

For more information, call 397-4267.

THE WICHITAN Nov. 8, 2006

5

ʻSlitherʼ DVD oozes with lots of gore

RICHARD CARTER WICHITAN DANCE CRITIC A worm from outer space turns redneck yokels into zombies.

It sounds like a late ʻ50s Italian neo-realistic classic that never found distribution stateside. Whatever the case, director and writer James Gunnʼs first feature “Slither” is a popcorn chucking goodtime.

With acute social criticism, tongue firmly planted in cheek and reels of ʻ50s and ʻ60s B-movies in mind, “Slither” plays as a semi-convincing love story, an enjoyable fast action sci-fi thriller, a bloody gorea-thon and a slapstick comedy.

Itʼs also, to be accurate, a solid (and gross) grade B-horror movie.

If you like to laugh, check out some red-coated screen carnage think that foul-mouthed city officials are a good thing, then “Slither” likely beats anything else you might have planned this weekend.

The action begins when a meteor hits in the woods near a small hunting village right before deer season.

Deer season started two Saturdays ago, for any hunters out there.

The smoldering meteor, and the organism inhabiting it, is not detected until a gross older businessman named Grant Grant (Michael Rooker) is about to cheat on his wife with the town harlot.

But before the bubba even knows

what hit him, he is infected, begins craving raw meat by the grocery buggy load and starts slowly turning into a squib looking creature that wants to take over the world.

Grantʼs rather cute science teacher wife, Starla (Elizabeth Grant), freaks out when she starts to see her husband change. When she discovers their basement is filled with decaying animal carcasses, she calls Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion), the chief of police.

Pardy has long had a crush on her (and rightfully so). The two must form a team to save the town and confront the monstrous Grant. But it gets worse.

One of Grantʼs victims explodes leaving thousands of worms that attempt to get into peopleʼs mouths and turn them into zombies.

If it sounds kind of messed up, thereʼs a bunch of whack characters who ratchet up the humor factor considerably.

Mayor Jack MacReady (Gregg Henry) says whatever comes to mind, and itʼs usually beyond righteous.

“Slither” also features some really cheesy gore as well as good creepy moments.

The movieʼs semi-believable thriller suspense quotient keeps the pace moving along.

“Slither” works through its con-

JASON KIMBRO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

ver. Roddy is “flushed away.”

After an extensive trek through the sewers of London, Roddy finds himself in the middle of a miniature London inhabited by thousands of mice and rats.

Roddy wants to find his way back to the surface, but nobody is willing to help for it is supposed to be a dangerous journey.

He finally gets pointed in the direction of a shapely young mouse named Rita (and I do mean shapely; I havenʼt been this attracted to an animated mouse since Chip Nʼ Dales female companion Gadget.

I know what youʼre saying, but trust me, they gave this mouse nice, curvy little hips and arse underneath a halfway decent rack. Oh, and sheʼs voiced by Kate Winslet.)

Beyond fictinal beastiality, Roddy and Rita both get mixed up with the mob boss of the literal underworld, The Toad (voiced by Ian McKellen).

Roddy pretty much stirs up the most significant portion of the trouble and before we know it, Rita and Roddy strike a deal, if Rita gets Roddy to the surface and back home, Roddy will get Rita a valuable ruby.

The Toad sends in his goons in plentiful numbers, from his oddball henchmen Spike (Andy Serkis) and Whitey (Bill Nighy) to his French cousin Le Frog (Jean Reno).

We are taken into a lovely little world of sewage the actually lacks the sights a realistic sewer would present, but the idea of coming across such waste is never taken out of our minds in plentiful bits of innuendo and sight gags.

There are some fun bits to this film and even a couple little things that adults will find amusing, but for the most part, this film is for kids, which is a bit of a bummer for a PGrated animated film.

Pixar is known for making characters that both children and adults can love, pulling off great animated spectacles for the entire household, but this film fails to achieve such a high standard.

The PG rating is most surely there because of the setting of the entire film and the notions of human waste possibly lurking around every corner.

Beyond this little side-critique, this flickʼs value of entertainment is overall lacking.

Performances are usually fairly

A hapless female falls prey to a zombiefying wrath in the zany horror flick ‘Slither’

stituent ingredients well enough.

There are still some dull moments though when the director builds storyline. But by the time the action picks up, some things happen so

quickly that it might help to rewind the DVD a time or two.

For fans of zombie flicks and send-ups of ʻ50s sci-fi movies, “Slither” will be a damn fine DVD

rental. Fans of stuffy chick flick movies should consider themselves duly warned.

The “Slither” DVD gets a respectable grade of B.

ʻFlushed Awayʼ proves more fun for kids than adults

Entertainment Value: C Artistic Crap: A Plot/Script: C Performances: B Overall GPA: 2.75 American audiences were given two choices from which to take their children to the movie theater.

One of these films was Tim Allenʼs “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.” Unfortunately this film continues to be the downfall of Tim Allen as each of us knowledgeable in modern cinema and stardom beyond the gossip mills of Access Hollywood or Entertainment Tonight are ultimately expecting.

The other kid-friendly option, which is the better of the two, was “Flushed Away,” the cute little computer-animated feature expressed in the same fashion as the beloved stop-motion “Wallace and Gromit.”

That is one of the many interesting things about this animated feature. Unfortuneately this film lacks the laughs to keep most adults interested, but the kids should have a good time.

Hereʼs the gist: Roddy (voiced by Hugh Jackman) is a royal rodent, faithful pet of a high-class English family. His world is turned upside down; however, when his family decides to go on holiday and Roddy is left at home alone.

Normally this is a joyous time for Roddy for he gets the entire house to himself, but an intruder has come along named Sid (voiced by Shane Richie).

Sid is a corpulent mouse with the most annoying British peculiarities one could muster up for a character.

Sid takes over the house and Roddy decides he must get rid of his unwanted roomie.

Roddy plans on flushing Sid down the toilet, but the plan backfires as Roddy finds himself in the porcelin bowl, and sid pulls the le-

The animated cast of “Flushed Away” are shocked at their poor critical reception last week

hard to rate in the world of animated films, but the voice performances are actually fairly well executed.

It is pretty sad to state that Hugh Jackmanʼs best performance to date is that of an animated mouse.

There is a juicy aura to this movie that surprising helps the pace and knock out the bores that adults would otherwise have a hard time with.

British humor is lacking in American fare, and unfortunately it is lacking ever-so-needed tinge, but the British atmosphere admist the rusty, dank sewer system and extensive pipework provide a sense of enjoyment that the actual entertainment value of the movie doesnʼt contain.

The story is fairly simple. Itʼs your basic fish out of water scenario where the fish has to figure out whether or not he really is a fish.

In other words, if he was better off where he was in the first place, all the while saving the day for all the good rodents from the evil grasps of the amphibious Satan of the sewers.

Kids should love this film. Adults should be able to tolerate it. The

elderly will most likely not care, and the status quo of male college students among the crowds at MSU should probably stick to “Borat.”

British humor is one of my favorite subgenres of comedy, and I was actually looking forward to this film because of this, but I was sorely disappointed in its lack of that style and its further concentration on the kids.

Some cliches were excruciatingly present that I must warn you about. One such example is that of squirrely-voiced creatures that tend

to sing songs that were at some point in time major parts of popular culture. This film left that role up to the painful slugs that seemed to fill every orifice of the movie.

Why the makers of this film decided to do this I havenʼt a clue, but it provides what is probably the only true annoyance of the film.

Well, I hope you all have a good week! Iʼll see you next week when I will review Will Ferrelʼs latest entry, “Stranger than Fiction.” Will it be a hit or another “Bewitched?”

Only time will tell. Adios!

6

Sports

THE WICHITAN Nov. 8, 2006

Mustangs outrun hounds JESSIE LEWIS STAFF REPORTER

ADRIAN MCCANDLESS | THE WICHITAN MSU’s Antoine Cumby, 30, goes for a pass intended for an Eastern New Mexico receiver Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Cumby didn’t intercept the pass but he did knock the ball away. MSU won the game, 29-19 and improved to 8-2 overall.

Running back Ulysses Odoms had a tremendous game with a career-high 203 yards rushing. The Mustangs will now travel to Abilene Saturday to face Abilene Christian at 2 p.m.

Spurs dig into Mavericks fans TIFFANY MERCER STAFF REPORTER

“We looked like the Mavs from the past.”

A v e r y Johnson said it best Thursday night after his team was defeated 91-97 by the San Antonio Spurs.

And Iʼve been waiting for this moment since May 22.

I was born in San Antonio and have been in love with the Spurs ever since. David Robinson was my hero then; Tim Duncan is my hero now.

Although I have lived in the Dallas area since I was 8-years-old, itʼs no secret how much I hate the Mavs, especially after last seasonʼs Game 6. Yeah, that foul on Dirk was wrong in so many ways. You all know what Iʼm talking about.

So Thursdayʼs game was almost like a “Game 8” for me. I couldnʼt wait to get revenge and rub it in the faces of all the Mavs fans in town.

Ok, on to the game. My Spurs did have a rough first half. At some point in the game, Dallas was leading by as many as 10 points. My boyfriend was telling me over and over “See, thatʼs why we won the Western Conference Finals.”

Yeah… ok, I kept thinking.

I knew better than to get nervous.

Duncan and his team just wanted to make it a good game. They wanted to give us something to watch. And most importantly, they wanted to give me a weekʼs worth of bragging rights.

And I was right. Of coarse.

The Mavericks shot just 32.6 percent in the second half after shooting over 50 percent in the first half.

Dirk only made 3-of-10 shots in the fourth quarter. Shots just didnʼt fall for the Mavs that half.

Well, that and San Antonio played good defense, keeping Dallas players in front of them. They held the Mavs to 16 points in the fourth quarter and had only three turnovers in the second half.

The Spurs werenʼt completely perfect in the second half; they were just better than Dallas. No San Antonio player reached 20 points. Duncan only had 13, but he did have a team-high 10 rebounds.

Tony Parker scored 19 points despite his ankle sprain.

And Bruce Bowen…

He had the biggest shot of the night when he buried a 3-pointer with just 2:17 left in the game to extend the Spurʼs lead to four. He is still one of the best defensive players in the NBA; just ask Josh Howard.

He got so frustrated with Bowenʼs defensive style that he retaliated in the second quarter by shoving Bowen to the floor for a fragrant foul. Hey its ok, I would be mad too if my team was playing like that.

Ulysses Odoms and the remaining Mustangs senior class went out with a bang Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The New Orleans native hit the century mark rushing, racking up a career-high 203 yards on 17 carries, while erupting for three first half touchdowns en route to a 29-19 victory in the final home game of the regular season. The win marks the fourth time in school history that the team has hit the eight win plateau in a season.

The Mustangs (8-2 overall, 32 division) will travel to Abilene Christian (7-1 overall, 4-1 division) Saturday in a decisive match up with playoff aspirations on the line.

The winner of the game moves on into postseason play. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Odoms slashed through the Eastern New Mexico defense early and often, breaking loose for a 60-yard touchdown run up the middle followed by a 71-yard rumble into the end zone in first quarter action.

Odoms finished his scoring rampage on a 1-yard waltz in the top of the second quarter as MSU took a 22-2 lead into halftime. Odoms and his 11.9 per carry average earned him Lone Star Conference South Offensive player of the week honors for his stellar play Saturday.

MSU rolled up 455 yards of total offense on the day while converting on 3-of-3 redzone attempts. The Mustang defense limited ENMU to

237 yards rushing and shut down the aerial attack by allowing 54 yards through the air.

Cody Thompson spearheaded the defense with 10 tackles and Darron Harbert added eight. Todd Zoglmann recorded a solo sack, while Justin Foyt and Donial Arps teamed up for another.

Mustang quarterback Daniel Polk moved into second place on the alltime school rushing list, passing senior running back Ross Harrison, who did not play due to injury. Polk ran for 61 yards, giving him 1,012 on the season and 2,334 for his career Polk is now 216 yards away from the record held by Indianapolis Coltʼs running back Dominic Rhodes. Polk also added 148 yards on 13-of-19 passing.

After a 20-yard Polk touchdown run at the10:48 mark of the third quarter, ENMU duel-threat quarterback Michael Benton directed a 43yard drive to set up a 39-yard field goal from Lee Price. Trailing 29-5 in the fourth, Benton directed the next Greyhound drive 73 yards off the strength of his legs and walked into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, cutting the MSU lead to 16 at the 8:54 point.

Benton would add another 2-yard run as time in the game expired, resulting in a 29-19 final score. Benton finished with 164 yards rushing and threw for 54 more in the loss.

Brandon Haug and Jeremy Mullins paced the Greyhound defense with 9 tackles a piece.

I canʼt help to laugh at every Mavs fan that I know. The moment Dirk and his boys are winning, this is one of the most important games of the season. Yet, when the time winds down, and San Antonio emerges as the winner, they shrug the game off.

“Itʼs only the first game of the season, itʼs no big deal.”

“Oh well, last year is what matters.”

EXCUSES. EXCUSES. EXCUSES. Dallasʼ last season conference win was a fluke. It will never happen again. Yeah, I said it.

Thursdayʼs game WAS a big deal; it snapped the streak of seven straight home game wins by the Mavs. And obviously they were a little shaken up by the loss; they now have a 0-3 record, while my Spurs are 4-1.

San Antonioʼs victory over Dallas may only be one win, but it was a huge season starter. In a way, itʼs their way of starting over. No one can erase last season, but they can make sure history will not repeat itself.

So thank you Mark Cuban for trying to “seem” like a respectful guy by not “rubbing” your Western Conference Champions sign in my teamʼs faces. But donʼt you worry, they know exactly what it looks like; they do have a few of their own.

Oh, and congratulations on showing Don Nelson what heʼs missing… a losing Mavericks team.

COURTESY PHOTO Dallas Mavericks center, Erick Dampier, 25, goes for a shot over San Antonio’s Tim Duncan last Thursday night at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs won, 97-91.

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Sports

THE WICHITAN Nov. 8, 2006

7

Skyhawks swoop away Mustangsʼ season KONNIE SEWELL STAFF REPORTER

The MSU menʼs soccer teamʼs season sadly ended Sunday in a shootout against Fort Lewis College (Colo.).

The battle between No. 11 MSU and No. 2 FLC was played in Durango, Colo. and decided who would advance in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Menʼs Soccer Final.

The game between the Mustangs and the Skyhawks (just coming off a 3-0 win against Metro State) ended in a 1-1 tie, with FLC taking the penalty shootout 3-1.

This game solidified Fort Lew-

isʼ their three-year home winning streak and they now advance to the round of eight. FLC is 19-1-1. MSU ended the season 18-2-2.

MSU menʼs head coach Doug Elder told the Times Record News this game was supposed to draw the maximum crowd capacity of 2,500.

Before the game, Elder said the team was going to have to “overcome the weather, altitude, a hostile crowd and a very good team.

But weʼre ready to get it done and looking forward to it.

Weʼre going to show up and fight.”

The Mustangs took the lead during the 32nd minute with the first goal of the game. Sun Potter got a cross from Daniel Brown inside

the box and drove it past FLC goal keeper Tom Donley.

MSUʼs lead held until late into regulation game play, largely in part to MSU goal keeper Jeremy Turner – he recorded nine saves against 23 FLC shots.

There was; however, one goal allowed by Turner with just 2:57 left in regulation – a fateful goal if ever there was one. In a scramble in front of the net, FLCʼs David Barden got a head on the ball to get it past Turner.

“We didnʼt think it was a goal,” Elder told the TRN. “We thought we cleared it off the line, but I guess it wasnʼt meant to be.”

Both teams battled in overtime.

ʻEdʼ gets use to new digs LATIA BANKS STAFF REPORTER

His soft deep voice bounces off the walls of his nearly empty office.

He just moved in.

He has a classy and business-like demeanor.

Heʼs an educated man with years of experience in his field and a down-to-earth personality.

“Just call me Ed,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Ed Harris just retired as an athletic director from West Texas A&M University. After only six weeks of retirement, Harris was hired to be MSUʼs temporary athletic director.

“I guess Iʼm un-retired,” Harris said with a chuckle.

Harris said his first week was about getting to know everyone and bringing him up to speed on things.

“Iʼd say Iʼve had about four or five meetings a day,” Harris said.

Throughout the meetings, he said he has talked with the coaches and informed them of his history and inquired about the program here.

“We talked about what is special about their program and what are some weaknesses. My goal is to amplify the special. With funding and hard work we can reduce the weakness,” Harris said.

Dr. Jesse Rogers said Harris comes highly recommended. And looking at his background, one could see why.

The humble, mellow soul was born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina. He went to Ashville College which is now the University of North Carolina Ashville. Harris earned his Masterʼs degree at Western Carolina and later went back to NC Ashville as an athletic director.

Harris helped build the athletic program that started as NAIA, into becoming NCAA Division I. During his four-year stay at NC Ashville, he watched the womenʼs basketball team win the national tournament

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Harris

“It was unbelievable, Iʼll never forget the feeling,” Harris said.

In 1997 he also saw the West Texas A&M womenʼs volleyball team win the Division II national title.

Among other accomplishments he was inducted into a couple hall of fames.

In a modest tone he said he owes much of his endeavors to the people.

“Iʼve been blessed in my career to work with excellent presidents and great coaches. I like to consider myself a coachesʼ athletic director.

We work hard to make sure coaches have resources to do what they have to do,” Harris said.

Time will tell how long Harris will stay. Without a doubt, his 26 years of experience will help correct what was lacking in athletic administration.

“We want to make sure we have the right people in the right place,” Harris said.

Despite the meetings and constant press attention, Harris said he is enjoying his stay in Wichita Falls.

“So far, so good. I like this area,” Harris said.

His high school sweetheart and wife is still back home in Amarillo, but will eventually come to visit.

Of all his accomplishments, he said she is his greatest.

Harris is a family man and when he does retire for good he plans to help his sons with their pottery business.

In the mean time he hopes to build more relationships with students and athletes.

“To allow a guy in his mid 60s be involved with college students is nice. It keeps you fairly young in your thinking,” Harris said.

In his experience he has had ups and downs. One event occurred when a van of the West Texas A&M womenʼs basketball team, was hit by a trailer.

No one died, but a girl was injured so badly she was no longer able to play.

“That was a very scary experience,” Harris said shaking his head.

Wrinkles surround his jolly bright grin. His grey hair serves no justice for his young at heart spirit, but this 67-year-old keeps ticking with a winnerʼs attitude.

“I love sports. I love to win. Iʼm really looking for some folks to play tennis with,” Harris said with a smile.

Harris played a little tennis in college, but he said he wonʼt favor just one sport. He said he plans to be on the sidelines cheering for the student-athletes and the home team.

“I enjoy seeing athletes have success on the field, but also in the classroom,” Harris said.

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FLC tried five shots, MSU four.

(Brandon Swartzendruber had a breakaway shot that dinged off the post.)

In the shootout, Donley blocked Obed Becceraʼs first penalty kick after Turner blocked one from FLC. FLC scored again. MSUʼs next try (from Brown) was blocked, but rolled across the goal line to tie the shootout 1-all.

Turner missed the next shot from FLC, giving the Skyhawks a 2-1 advantage.

Up next for MSU was Swartzendruber, but FLC held onto their lead and scored another penalty kick shortly after.

Scott Leonard was MSUʼs last

try in the shootout. His right-side shot got by Donley but hit the post and was out, ending the shootout.

Fort Lewis now advances to host Seattle University in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinal next weekend.

“For us to win this many games, it shows the character and integrity of our team,” Elder told the TRN. “Itʼs been a great year. We had some great chances. The kids played so hard, and Iʼm just proud of them.”

But leading up to this devastating loss, MSU beat the University of the Incarnate Word 2-0 last Friday.

This was the third straight time MSU beat Incarnate Word in the

NCAA tournament. The game was a scoreless match until Becerra scored off a penalty kick with 33 minutes to play in the second half.

The Mustangsʼ Brown scored six minutes later off a cross pass from Leonard.

Turner saved four of the 12 shots he faced.

“I thought we might be looking forward to Fort Lewis and not concentrating on Incarnate Word,” Elder told the TRN about this win.

“And when we missed a couple scoring chances early, it looked like I was right. But we came through when we had to in the second half and beat a good team.”

8

THE WICHITAN Nov. 8, 2006

A&M swats MSU

Men’s basketball begins FOR THE WICHITAN

A giant billboard supporting Ross Harrison and Daniel Polk’s quest for the MSU career rushing record was created to keep fans updated.

The Texas A&M men’s basketball team used a 12-0 run early in the second half to break open a tight game with the Midwestern State University Mustangs, then cruised to a 79-54 victory.

MSU battled during the first half, trailing 28-25 at the break.

But foul trouble caught up with the Mustangs, as senior Eric Dawson picked up two quick fouls and left the game near the 17 minute mark in the second half. That’s when the Aggie inside game took over and built a lead MSU could not recover.

Dawson led MSU with 14 points and five rebounds, while Chad Rickett collected 11 points.

Drew Coffman dished out six assists to lead MSU in that category.

Texas A&M got a double-double from Antanas Kavaliauskas who got 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Dominque Kirk added 15 points and seven boards.

“I’m proud of the way our guys competed against a very talented Big 12 team,” said MSU coach Jeff Ray. “We got a lot out of the game.”

MSU has one more exhibition game next Thursday when it hosts Oklahoma City at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

Romo in for Boys MCCLACHY TRIBUNE STAFF REPORTER

Don Meredith helped shape the image of the Cowboys. Roger Staubach took it to greater heights.

Troy Aikman polished the image and continued the organization’s success.

And now the Cowboys’ starting quarterback is Tony Romo, who, until weeks ago had not thrown a pass in a regular-season game in his four NFL seasons.

Coach Bill Parcells announced that Romo would be his starter, replacing veteran Drew Bledsoe, whose inconsistency has played a part in the Cowboys’ horrible start.

“I just need to make an attempt to do something that alters kind of what we have been,” Parcells said.

Parcells met with Romo and Bledsoe individually.

“There’s no doubt this is an extremely disappointing situation for me,” Bledsoe said after the announcement. “This is not how I would have ever imagined things going.”

Romo was not available for comment.

Parcells told the rest of the team of the move in a meeting.

“If they had an opinion on it, they would be wise to keep it to themselves,” Parcells said.

Quarterback controversies are nothing new to the Cowboys, starting with Eddie LeBaron and Meredith in the franchise’s early years, and continuing with Craig Morton and Staubach in the 1970s, Danny White and Gary Hogeboom in the `80s and Aikman and Steve Walsh in the early `90s.

“The thing we’ve been trying to prevent is a split in the locker room over the quarterback situation,” linebacker Bradie James said. “The best thing for us is to embrace whoever it is.”

Earlier this season, Bledsoe became the 13th quarterback in NFL history to throw 250 touchdown passes in a career. His 44,611 passing yards is seventh all-time.

“Bledsoe is my guy,” said receiver Terry Glenn, who has caught 31 touchdowns from Bledsoe. “I wish things weren’t going the way they are, but obviously the coaching staff sees something. If it’s time to make a change, then I guess it is.

I’m not coaching the team. I’m just out here playing, and I want to win, whoever’s out there. Let’s play and win.”

Despite his lack of regular-season experience, Romo, who joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2003, does not lack confidence.

His teammates like his swagger and ability to get rid of the ball. Part of the reason for the switch is his ability to scramble away from pressure, something Bledsoe could not do as well.

The record is currently held

by Indianapolis Colt’s running back, Dominic Rhodes.

Harrison has been battling a foot injury but Polk only needs 208 yards to beat Rhodes’ 2,541 yard record.

ADRIAN MCCANDLESS | THE WICHITAN