Oct 25, 2017

TRICK OR TREAT Time to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve

Oct. 25, 2017 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 82 No. 9

trick or treaters would still apply to students,” Coggins said.

According to Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and alloween is different to everyone. It’s the one night housing, they have ‘Holiday Decorating Guidelines,’ listed beevery year that people can wear costumes, no matter low that students are to follow for the safety of themselves and others. what they are, knock door-to-door “Really the decorating guidelines foland get free candy. low what I like to call a relatively common “[Halloween] is celebrated and acknowlsense approach,” Schulte said. edged throughout our country,”Amanda According to Schulte residence life wants Carlson, business management sophomore, students to have a lot of fun, but at the said regarding halloween being a holiday. same time to pay attention to safety.

During Halloween residence life will be “There is certainly the celebration Halhosting different events. Traditonaly housKRISTI SCHULTE loween and there are certainly college age ing hosts the YMCA day-care to come over DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE AND students who celebrate Halloween,” Cogto Killingsworth and trick-or-treat throughHOUSING gins said. “Those, tend to be more in party out the hall. Residence Hall Associtation will have a pumpkin carving contest which they are working on or a centrally located party or event style celebrations rather than the trick or treat aspect, which of course is the biggest with Chartwells. “[Halloween’s] certainly fun for people to let their hair down, safety concern.”

Schulte believes Halloween can be a fun time for students to cut loose a little bit and get into the spirit of the holiday,” Patshow creativity. She also believes Halloween is always interestrick Coggins, chief of police, said.

According to Carlson students find Halloween to be enjoy- ing.

“We want students to have a great time with Halloween fesable because of costumes, and candy.

“It’s the most exciting ‘holiday’ for me because I get to dress tivities,” Schulte said.

Coggins said he understands students will be traversing both up, and pretend to be someone else,” Jazmin Orellana, art eduthe campus and streets at night, and wants students to be safe cation junior, said.

“My favorite part of Halloween is dressing up and eating a lot by being aware of surroundings.

“Part of living in a community means that you are aware of of candy,” Shaniece Dutch, sociology senior, said.

Coggins said the biggest concern with halloween is the not only how your choices and actions can impact yourself, trick or treat aspect. see HALLOWEEN pg. 3 “Some of the rational safety tips we normally give to JUSTIN MARQUART VISUALS EDITOR

H

Shaniece Dutch, sociology senior, poses in her Halloween costume.

Photo by Justin Marquart.

“We want students to have a great time with Halloween festivities.”

2 | Oct. 25, 2017 | STAF F E DI T O R I A L

Priority registration for academics, not athletics OUR VIEW: Priority registration should solely be based on academic standing, not athletic rosters.

A

proposal from Greg Giddings, faculty athletic representative, states athletes should receive priority scheduling like seniors and honors students and argues this will allow student athletes to minimize absences. However, this suggests athletic ability should be praised over academic achievement.

As part of the Redwine Honors Program, students are required to complete leadership courses to “encourage challenging and stimulating student interaction” and “develop an increased awareness of individual interests and abilities.” If honors students are held to such a high standard, other students should be as well.

While Giddings’ proposal is meant to alleviate any tension between class schedules and athletes scheduling, other college students have to work out scheduling conflicts. We are encouraged to have a busy schedule, and expected to figure it out.

Although Giddings means well, this proposal asks for unfair treatment to the student body for convenience. Students that achieve academically earn the right for early registration while the proposal prioritizes athletes over the rest of the student population.

e thwichitan Vol. 82 | No. 9

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd.

Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com @wichitanonline

Let’s recommit to environmentalism

T

here are many issues on campus that are worthy of concern, but there is one that remains ever-present: the environment. A few weeks back, officials sent a survey to evaluate the recycling program as well as the general environmental enthusiasm on campus. This survey, penned by the Student Government Association’s Campus Environment CommitMarkell Braxton-Johnson tee, asked: (1) What are the obstacles for environmental progress on campus, and (2) what changes could be done to make recycling easier on campus.

There was a concerning number of people who expressed that they don’t recycle, not because they didn’t see the necessity in it, but because they didn’t think that recycled material was actually being recycled.

There lies the problem.

Either students and faculty don’t know where to recycle on campus or, even more troubling, they aren’t confident that even if they do recycle, the material won’t be thrown in with non-salvageable trash. If this is the idea people have about MSU’s recycling efforts, then it is no surprise that environmental initiatives are lacking on campus.

This isn’t just an issue of our campus not being “green enough.” This is a problem that directly affects recruitment and enrollment. This year, the Princeton Review surveyed college applicants and parents to understand what their biggest challenges were and what factors they considered when choosing a university. “A majority (64 percent) of respondents said having information about colleges’ commitment to environmental issues would contribute ‘strongly,’ ‘very much,’ or ‘somewhat’” to their decision on where they would attend college. MSU has the environmentally-friendly attitude that future students care about, but we are lacking in actual projects to build on that interest.

That’s why campus events like America Recycles Day (Nov. 15) and Earth Day (April 20) are so important to our overarching culture. During America Recycles Day, the Campus Environment Committee will host group and individual competitions, lectures about recycling and information booths on environmental awareness. These events, mostly organized and run by students, are great opportunities. Let’s change this aspect of our campus culture and recommit to environmentalism.

Markell Braxton-Johnson is a sports and leisure studies junior.

Not the kind of watching over someone wants

A

fter my house was broken into, it didn’t feel like home anymore. It took a while for the creepy feeling to go away.

My family and I had come back from church Sunday afternoon to the front door being kicked in. Immediately my mouth went dry. My anxiety kicked in.

I could see the mark the person’s foot left on Daisy Reyes-Guzman our white front door.

Everyone checked their room for any missing items. I headed to my mother’s room and I immediately saw her eyes filled with sadness. They had stolen her gold jewelry.

That’s all they took.

We reported the break-in to the police, but there wasn’t much they could do about the gold pieces. I knew my mother was upset because each piece had sentimental value.

The police officer had informed my parents that many break-ins have been reported within the past week and only gold was being taken. I thought it would be the police’s job to warn neighborhoods of these type of things. Maybe then my mother would have kept her jewelry in a more secure place. Although I don’t think a person should have to worry about taking off a pair of gold earrings and leaving them on the nightstand in their own home. I lived in a good neighborhood with good people who lent each other a hand or gave a cup of sugar when needed. This incident changed the way my neighbors in-

EDITOR: Kara McIntyre VISUALS EDITOR: Justin Marquart FEATURES EDITOR: Cortney Wood OPINIONS EDITOR: Tyler Manning PHOTO EDITOR: Rachel Johnson BUSINESS MANAGER: Brendan Wynne ISSUE STAFF: Markell Braxton-Johnson, Daisy Reyes-

Guzman, Shari Smith, Devin Field, Herbert McCullough, Alyssa Mitchell, Cortney Wood, Makayla Scheck, Chloe Phillips PHOTOGRAPHERS: Marissa Daley, Francisco Martinez, Shea James, Elias Mak, Sara Keeling, Harlie David ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

teracted with one another.

Having my home broken into was a violation of my security, and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I thought it would’ve been safe, and I’m sure my mother did too.

It was a weird feeling to process. A stranger forced their way into my home, my safe place. If someone was successful in breaking into my home, then another person could do the same.

My father fixed the front and back doors to be more secure.

Security systems are expensive, and we are not able to fit them in our tight budget.

My mother claims whoever broke in had to be watching to see what time we would leave and also had to know she owned gold jewelry. Most of my neighbors aren’t home on Sundays, but my mother asked around if they had seen anything suspicious. As expected, no one was home around the time we were gone.

I had to get over suspecting my neighbors watching us, waiting for our home to be empty just so they could come in and take whatever they want. The thoughts left my mind as I had no other choice but to continue my life.

I’m grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but I do think police need to step up their game. Burglars not only steal TVs, money, or gold, but they take the inhabitant’s sense of security.

Daisy Reyes-Guzman is a mass communication freshman.

Copyright ©2017.

The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. 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.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 3 from HALLOWEEN pg. 1 but also thinking about how others in the community might be affected,” Schulte said.

“I did my graduate work in Michigan and so that’s always kind of been a fun time to be in the midwest, or the upper midwest,” Schulte said. “I have always liked the fall holidays, Halloween can be fun.”

Schulte said that she liked Halloween and fall is her favorite season.

“I personally will not dress up, others in our office are working on their costumes and we were trying them out earlier this week,” Schulte said.

Residence Life Holiday Decorating Guidlines: •

• • •

• • •

•

•

• •

•

Decorations should not cause permanent damage to walls, carpet and/or ceiling; students should refer to their Hall Director for specific guidelines about decorations hung outside of individual student rooms.

Candles are prohibited.

Live trees and greenery are prohibited.

Combustible materials are prohibited e.g., corn stalks or shucks, cotton or confetti, dry moss or leaves, hay or straw, paper streamers, saw dust or wood shavings, tree branches and leaves.

Electrical cords (primary and extension) must not pass through walls, floors, or above suspended ceilings.

Electrical cords (primary and extension) cannot be beneath carpets or across corridors or fire escapes.

Electric lights should be in good condition and have a UL listing label. The lights should be rated for indoor use and utilize “cool bulbs.” All lights should be turned off and unplugged when the area is unattended or the occupants are asleep.

Multi plug adapters are prohibited. A power strip with a fuse or integral circuit breaker must be used when extra outlets are needed.

Decorations must be kept away from exit signs, fire alarm devices and fire extinguishers; emergency and normal use lighting must not be obstructed in any way.

Decorations or furnishings must not constrict or obstruct corridors, exits or stairwells.

Extension cords are for temporary use only. The cords must be UL listed and be a minimum of 16 gauge wire. Extension cords cannot be plugged into each other.

Extension cords should not be placed in areas where as to constitute a tripping hazard.

Decorations in hallways, on walls and on doors are not allowed to cover the entire surface. Door coverings are not to exceed 30 percent of the surface or two by two feet in size.

Rachel Ross, art sophomore, poses in her Halloween costume. Photo by Justin Marquart.

Original zombie movie remains legendary Judith O’Dea in Night of the Living Dead (1968)

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY IMDB

TYLER MANNING FILM CRITIC

I

n the spirit of Halloween, I would like to talk about one of the most influential horror films ever made: George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead.”

The film is single-handedly responsible for creating modern pop culture’s biggest Tyler Manning Hollywood monster: the zombie.

Despite these hurtles, “Night of the Living Dead” has ingrained itself in pop culture for its creation of zombies.

When looking at the production of the film, there are factors that warrant concern for the film’s success. The production budget of the film was roughly $100,000, limiting what could be filmed, and this was the first full length feature the director had made. On the film’s release it faced criticism for its use of gore and its social commentary.

Overall, the film is incredibly focused and efficient.

It holds up well as a creepy political commentary about racism and xenophobia. Much of the dialogue and imagery are still iconic to this day, like the chillingly slow walk of the zombies.

The film is smart and subversive even in today’s standards, and is lead by a single intentional vision. For a film produced in 1968, it is incredibly unique that our main protagonist is a black man and is not just cannon fodder that dies before all of the white characters. It has a strong ending that warrants discussion and is great to watch during Halloween.

The film is not flawless; however, that is partially due to its limited budget. Some effects are not as great as others and the acting can be lacking, but overall it achieves a good amount of chills and scares.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY IMDB

Duane Jones and Judith O’Dea in Night of the Living Dead.

I highly recommend that everyone watches “Night of the Living Dead” this Halloween season. It is a great example of the power of indie filmmaking and the influence that film can have over pop culture. The film is concise, smart and incredibly effect highly recommend everyone seeing.

RATING: 10/10

4 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

Proposal for all athletes to get priority registration, mixed reactions from students SHARI SMITH REPORTER

T

o reduce scheduling conflicts, Greg Giddings, faculty athletics representative, proposed student athletes to get priority registration to the faculty senate on Oct. 17.

Student athletes would be able to register at the same time as seniors and honors students.

“I am obviously an advocate for the athletic program, but I am also someone who is aware of the problems the faculty has,” Giddings said. “One of the problems that we have is with student athletes because of the games or matches, they have to miss class.”

According to Giddings, priority registration would reduce those numbers because student athletes will be able to register with their schedules in mind and schedule around their future absences.

David Carlston, faculty senate chair, confirms the proposal and presented two benefits to the proposal.

“The primary reason was that athletics often produces scheduling conflicts for students, especially [when they] travel to events that would take them away from class. The idea was that early registration would help them enroll in classes that would be less conflicting with their athletic schedules,” Carlston said.

Carlston said the secondary reason that was expressed is most, if not all of the Lone Star Conference schools, give athletes priority registration and doing so would make it easier to recruit or help with recruiting.

“Many of the schools in our conference already have that policy in place,” Giddings said. “We are actually the only Texas school in the Lone Star Conference that does not have this policy.”

Giddings said, “The other schools do it, I assume it is not too difficult. If everyone else is doing it, my impression is that it is viable. Until we actually engage in the process, I don’t think we can predict exactly how difficult it is going to be.”

They proposed this idea to show the importance of athletics on campus, according to Giddings.

“At the faculty senate, I was trying to demonstrate how athletics is very important on this campus and how we can figure out a way to lessen the conflicts,” Giddings said. “The problem is this creates tension between the student athletes and faculty because of these absences, and we are just trying to get away from that.”

There are students and athletes who agree with the proposal. Former football captain Joel Onyia, finance senior, said the proposal allows athletes to leave class for games “more efficiently.”

“For football, a schedule is a big reason if we play the next season or not,” Onyia said. “Athletes’ schedules are more complex than a regular student because they don’t have to worry about the eligibility of playing the next sports season.”

Our cohorts may be able to achieve this due to their larger enrollment size: Texas A&M-Commerce

12,385

Tarleton State University

13,011

Angelo State University

10,000

West Texas A&M

9,901

Texas A&M-Kingsville

9,278

Midwestern State University

6,080

Along with football, Dequan Haggerty, basketball player for two years and mass communication senior, said athletes should have priority registration because their schedules “can get very hectic.”

However hectic the schedules might be, Mauricelle Lewis, biology senior, said priority should be given to all students based on classification, not status, such as being an athlete.

Krishawn Crockett, former women’s basketball player and sports and leisure studies senior, agreed.

“I feel they should get the same treatment as everyone else,” Crockett said.

Because student athletes “receive scholarships and many other privileges,” Akenzie Athill, economics junior, said the

Fun facts about the athletes: • More than 6 percent of undergraduates are student athletes • There is a total of 321 athletes on campus: 115 women and 206 men • There are 68 athletes in Dillard College of Business Administration • There are 27 athletes with criminal justice majors

priority registration is “unfair.”

“It seems unfair to other students that they will fill the seats in classes first,” Athill said.

According to Cavaughn Brown, honors student and computer science senior, said this proposal in unsurprising for non-athletic students, but it is important to consider their practice and game schedules.

“It honestly does not surprise me that they want to add athletes to that list,” Brown said. “However, I believe it is necessary for them because they need to be able to practice at certain times.”

Despite the negative reaction, Giddings further explains his concerns and said the proposal is meant to reduce conflict that “inevitably has occurred” for student athletes.

“Like I told the faculty senate, I am not trying to get special treatment for the student athletes,” Giddings said. “In my position of three years, one of the most frequent situations that I am asked to address is when we have a student who is upset because he or she is missing class too much, and I understand that. As a faculty member, I do not like my students missing class either, so if we give them priority registration, we think we can significantly reduce those situations.”

The discussion has been tabled because the faculty senate requested additional information.

Carlson said, “As of this moment it is tabled for additional information and as a senate we will look at it again in November.”

Giddings said one of the things that the faculty senate wanted was the student athletes by majors to see how difficult it would be for the different departments.

“I presented this to the faculty senate and they tabled the discussion because they wanted some more information. We are going to provide that information and then it will be up to them to make a recommendation to the president,” Giddings said.

Carlston said the senate asked for additional information to look at the number of athletes and the number of people of the class rank of those that it would affect.

Another concern from the faculty senate was the timeliness of the athletes’ registration.

“We were looking at when athletes are registering, such as, ‘are they registering at the earliest possible day of their registration or are they waiting?’” Carlston said. “If athletes are registering on time and this is continuing to be a problem, that would be one thing, but if they are registering a day after their registration opens or two or three days after, then maybe this is not the concern or the issue.”

Giddings believes it will be beneficial in the long term.

“I know that there is always going to be a difference in opinion and I understand that. I just know that in the long run, it is going to help our student athletes and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Giddings said.

Homecoming Rewind |

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Ilka Megee, theater education University Choir members arrive on the magic school bus Clayton Masters, mechanical engineering junior, and Kyndal Diehm, mesophomore, performs with Al- with Mrs. Frizzle tossing out goodies to the attending audi- chanical engineering sophomore, take the lead and finished first in the pha Psi Omega during the final ence for the parade. boat race on Sikes Lake.

Lip-Sync Competition.

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 5

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Carley Bronaugh, psychology freshman, and Jaydon Johnston, math junior, dance at the bonfire.

FLASH BACK

From Spirit Rally to football game, students celebrate homecoming

F

rom Beanie Babies to having your own television and your own land line (or a beeper), the ’90s symbolized youthful rebellion and preparation for a new millennia — Y2K. ThenPresident George H.W. Bush (R-Texas) gave a 1991 speech in which he proclaimed a “new world order,” in which the U.S. would lead the world in enforcing the rule of law and reining in chaos and aggression.

The World Wide Web, a graphical, point-andclick version of the Internet that allowed users to jump back and forth between interrelated content by clicking hypertext links, altered how people found information. CNN, which pioneered con-

tinuous cable TV news, was joined in 1996 by upstarts MSNBC and Fox News, which positioned itself as a politically conservative alternative.

And a new generation of MSU students was born.

Some 20 years later, 6,000 students took the opportunity to play football — beating West Texas A&M 45-3 before storms forced the game to be called — basketball, soccer and volleyball. To run from a 30-foot-tall bonfire. To make it 20 feet into the lake before the cardboard boat sank. And to celebrate Maverick’s 11th birthday.

It was a week to look back, a week to celebrate and a week to win.

6 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

| Homecoming Rewind

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Ariana Farris, undecided sophomore, and Abigail Sanchez, social work sophomore, wrap the tree in Sunwatcher Plaza with yellow wrapping paper Oct. 15. “I’m looking forward to the torchlight parade. It was really cool last year because I got to hold a torch,” Sanchez said.

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON

PHOTO BY ELIAS MAKI | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY SHEA JAMES | THE WICHITAN

Hannah King, psychology ju- Edward Collins, psychology sophomore, and Alec Roberts, Melissa Mixson, nursing sophomore won the nior, holds the maroon ribbon accounting sophomore, dance for the Caribbean Student hula hooping contest at ’90s Trivia Night in down as Jeron Amory, com- Organization at the lip-sync competition Oct. 16. the Legacy Multipurpose Room Oct. 17. puter science senior, staples it down to the tree.

450 flames circle campus in torch parade DEVIN FIELD REPORTER

C

ampus streets radiated with the warm light of 450 torches held by students, faculty and staff as they marched toward the annual bonfire on Oct. 19 as part of homecoming festivities after which members of student took part in presenting the final round of the lip-sync competition then the bonfire.

Ruby Arriaga, activities coordinator, led the parade, clapping and smiling as torches lit up behind her.

“This is the first time that I was in the front making sure everything was great instead of rushing over here with the trash cans,” Arriaga said. “It looked like a lot of students were having fun, they were cheering with the band and cheering with the cheerleaders so it went really well.”

Members of the University Programming Board had 500 torches to be handed out for the parade — 100 fewer than last year.

“I just want to be apart of all the traditions they have here,” Sierra Martinez, early childhood education freshman, said. “I’ve never heard of a torchlight parade before and never been a part of one. Just the fact that we all come together as one instead of dividing among the campus is really unique and good.”

Students were dancing through the streets, torches in hand, showing their school spirit.

“This is my fourth year in college, and my fourth year coming out to this,” Kaleb Akona, mechanical engineering, said. “It looks like 300 people are out here and their torches light up the whole place up and it’s cool. This is a week where we have more school spirit and people from all organizations come out, you get to see all new people and a lot of fire.”

PHOTO BY SARA KEELING | THE WICHITAN

Trey Honea, criminal justice sophomore, ends the parade by blowing out his torch as he and his friends make their way toward the bonfire.

Anthony Onwuegbuchu, mechanical engineering junior, walks down the street at the torch light parade.

MORE THOUGHTS FROM STUDENTS

• Jaylon Williams, economics and sociology senior | “It’s lit. It’s always lit. I love the tradition of the torchlight parade because everyone is so hyped up and ready to party.

I can’t lie, this city is dusty, but homecoming is when this campus comes to life.”

• Lia Wiley, radiology sophomore | “I love holding fire. The bonfire is amazing, but getting to march with the rest of the students is the best part.”

• Ashley Ates, global studies senior | “I’m especially excited because today is my birthday. I’m 22, and I’m happy to spend part of my night here with my fellow Mus-

tangs. Every year, the torchlight parade gets better and better. My freshman year I just participated, but every year since I’ve been able to help coordinate the event with the Residence Hall Association. It’s my last bonfire. I traded my other college T-shirt and I’m ready to watch it burn.”

• Lupe Munoz, nursing sophomore | “I have loved carrying the torch in the past and I love doing it now. I’ve kept up with the lip sync thus far, and am so excited to see the final round.”

• Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and housing | “Homecoming is always great because you get to see the students

realize that Midwestern really is a second home. These kinds of events create a campus pride. It really is funny because I actually went to college in the ’90s and things are a lot different. It’s nice.”

• Addison Kassady, management sophomore | “The bonfire is cool until it melts your face off. It gets so hot so fast, and you can feel the flames from the street. As for homecoming as a whole, so far so good.

I’ve liked the events, but I could have sworn we had more torches in the past.

We have a lot more students than we do torches.”

Additional reporting by Brendan Wynne

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 7

Homecoming Rewind |

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ AND RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Joshua Luffman, psychology sophomore, and Courtney Lawrence, dental hygiene, share a kiss during the pep rally and bonfire at Nocona Trail South Lot Oct. 19.

John Smith, psychology junior, gets a picture of the bonfire.

Bonfire: 1985 tradition blazes on today HERBERT McCULLOUGH REPORTER

E

arly in the morning, the parking lot was blocked off and wooden palettes started arriving, eventually piled about two stories high.

Then it was time to attach the T-shirts. Kansas State. The University of Arkansas. The University of North Carolina.

Temple College. They all found their way on to the stack.

Andrew Norwood, special education junior, was one of the students that donated a college shirt.

“I brought a Texas Tech shirt,” Norwood said. “I’m not a big Texas Tech fan. It was pretty cool to put the shirt in there and being able to support the bonfire and MSU.” “The shirts are burned because it symbolizes the teams that MSU sports defeat throughout the year,” Ramirez said.

The bonfire and torch parade began about 1985. They were started as a prep rally for the basketball team in the spring semester. Eventually, it moved to the fall.

The bonfire and torchlight parade were moved from the spring semester to the fall semester was because of the reemergence of the football team.

“Football was not here because of the depression,” Arriaga said. “MSU was not allowed to have a football team because they didn’t have enough money for it.”

Given that students are exposed to fire during the bonfire, Derrick Bowers, a station six firefighter, said he was concerned with the wind. However, he was confident that the bonfire would be safe.

“Right now, the wind is going to be a major issue, but other than that it seems like it will be pretty safe,” Bowers said.

“I would say this bonfire was way more fun and energetic,” Ellie Gunderson, political science junior, said. “My favorite part was being able to go on stage and see everyone yelling in the crowd.”

“It was actually a lot bigger and I believed there was more

7

Tarleton State T-shirts

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Addison Semer, mass communication senior, and Leah Lychock, exercise physiology senior, light the bonfire.

of a showing of a crowd this year,” Norwood said. “I am glad to see all the fans out and supporting MSU.” There were also many freshmen who were excited for attending their first bonfire.

“This is my first bonfire and I expect it to be lit,” Savannah Rodriguez, biology freshman, said.

Conney Vargas, marketing senior, said her first bonfire as a freshman was chaotic compared to this one.

“My first bonfire was nice I guess,” Vargas said. “But when it came to receiving the torches, it was very crowded. There was a lot of pushing and I’m a smaller person so I was pushed around a lot.”

She said this year’s bonfire was more organized than the previous bonfires she’s attended, despite having a larger attendance.

4

Texas Tech T-shirts.

“There’s a lot more people,” Vargas said. “It seems to be better organized when it came to like getting your torches and where we walked and stuff like that.”

Some students said the bonfire was their favorite event in the homecoming week.

“The bonfire is really fun,” Andrew Sober, criminal justice sophomore, said. “And the football game on Saturday will be very fun too.”

Vargas said this is the only aspect of homecoming that she really enjoys since it feels like a genuine homecoming event.

“I feel like this is the only actual homecoming event that we have,” Vargas said. “Everyone comes to it. It’s very well put together. Everyone knows about it. It’s the only homecoming event that everyone wants to do.”

Ramirez said the reason students enjoyed the bonfire because of the pep rally atmosphere and unique experience compared to other homecoming events.

“It is a very unique experience,” Ramirez said. “Students enjoy the pep rally style atmosphere.”

Despite many students claiming this year’s bonfire as larger than the previous ones, Arriaga said the bonfires are organized the same way every year.

“We have the same bonfire pallets everywhere,” Arriaga said. “We never make it bigger or smaller. It’s the same exact size.”

Arriaga said she is also interested in the possibility of expanding the bonfire; however, she has not been informed on the possibilities of expansion.

“We can always make it bigger, like the festivities. That’s something the homecoming committee can decide on.

There’s always room for improvement,” Arriaga said.

Tanner Conley, economics junior, said he is looking forward to the next bonfire and homecoming next year.

“Next year will be my senior year so I have to do it,” Conley said. “It will be an awesome way to end my college career.”

3

University of Oklahoma and Texas State T-shirts.

8 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

| Homecoming Rewind

PHOTO BY HARLIE DAVID | THE WICHITAN

Simon Ospina, undecided sophomore, hits a shot during the MSU Invitational Golf Tournament at the Wichita Falls Country Club Oct. 17. “It’s a mental game, and I have to be able to overcome difficulties during the course while staying calm.”

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY ELIAS MAKI | THE WICHITAN

Sebastion Venegas, business management sophomore, attempts to kick Pierre Bocquet, senior, tries to steal the ball. MSU the ball to make a goal during the game against St. Edward’s. won the game 1-0.

Basketball teams take spotlight at Madness ALYSSA MITCHELL REPORTER

B

asketballs bouncing, music blaring and hundreds of students in the stands cheering and anticipating Mustangs Madness to unfold on, Oct. 19 after the torchlight parade, pep rally and bonfire.

The introduction of the basketball teams starts with a performance by the drum line, followed by a stunt performance by the cheerleaders.

Even though excitement was in the air, there were mixed reviews about the event. Some students were disappointed in the lack of spirit from other students and the organization of Mustangs Madness as a whole.

Porscha Weaver, sociology junior, said, “This is my first Mustangs Madness so I expected school spirit and loud music, but I was a little disappointed in the lacking spirit and the organization of it all.”

Some of the older students agreed and said it wasn’t as exciting as in past years.

Jada Propes, political science junior, said, “I enjoyed myself for the most part, but it wasn’t as exciting as last year. The school spirit and school morale was very low this year. Today is the one month anniversary of Robert Grays death and a lot of students are reflecting on that, so a lot of people probably couldn’t get into it or as excited as they would like to be.”

Students were also upset by the lack of attention on the basketball teams.

Propes said, “I wish there would have been a bigger emphasis on the start of basketball sean. I feel as if it was like ‘oh this is our basketball team, we’re going to shoot half court shots and that’s it,’ instead of making it a bigger deal and saying I know we are finishing off football season, but let’s get excited for basketball season.”

Still, some students who enjoyed the evening of basketball.

Bracklyn Martinez, nursing freshman, said she was excited for her first Mustangs Madness as well and had high expectations.

Martinez said, “It was awesome since everyone hyped it up so much.”

Attendees got a treat when a little boy wearing a number three on his back brought out the Mustangs spirit with his dancing and playfulness when interacting with the basketball players.

Weaver said, “He was the cutest thing and the best part of the night.”

PHOTO BY SARA KEELING | THE WICHITAN

Liz Cathcart, marketing sophomore, practices her dribble and warms up for the game at Mustang Madness.

PHOTO BY ELIAS MAKI | THE WICHITAN

Charles Callier, freshman, dunking a ball during Mustang Madness, Oct. 19.

WO M E N ’ S BAS KETBALL NEXT HOME GAME: VS. HARDIN-S I M M ONS , NOV. 2 , 6 P. M .

M E N ’ S B A SK ETBALL NEXT HOME GAME: VS. TARLETON STAT E , NOV. 3 0 , 7 : 3 0 P. M .

Homecoming Rewind |

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 9

19 boats start race.

4 dissolve.

3 given top awards.

CORTNEY WOOD FEATURES EDITOR

A

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Nicole Smalls, theater sophomore, and Shae Dorsman, theater junior, freak out as they get closer to the shore and their boat begins to become submerged into Sikes Lake during the Homecoming Boat Race.

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Clayton Masters, mechanical engineer junior, and Kyndal Diehm, mechanical engineering sophomore, finished first.

PHOTO BY BRADLEY WILSON | THE WICHITAN

Racing for Sigma Nu and Sigma Kappa, Braxton Urioste, nursing freshman, Reece Crosby, sociology freshman, placed second.

fter 84.5 man hours of work, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers members Kendall Diehm, engineering sophomore, and Clayton Masters, engineering junior, won the cardboard box race Oct. 20 within 15 minutes.

American Society of Mechanical Engineering members came in first, following Sigma Nu and Sigma Kappa in second and Kappa Kappa Psi members in third.

“We were really behind in the beginning, and I was worried,” Masters said. “I’m out of shape, and I need to do cardio more often. We are taking home a great victory.”

According to Diehm, the team put a lot of effort to make sure the boat not only could “make it across,” and Masters said they “looked good doing it.”

Events like the cardboard boat race encourage students and organizations to get involved in Homecoming week, according to Catie Lovelace, dental hygiene freshman, and she was excited to participate in such a fun event.

“My favorite part was probably the very end when we finally reached the end of the race and all our friends were cheering us on — it was great,” Lovelace said. “I loved being out there on the water. Honestly, I was just thinking about finishing because my arms were so tired.”

According to Ruby Arriaga, coordinator of student activities, there were 19 boats made for the event, although not all were registered.

“If they weren’t registered we can’t let them win,” Mario Ramirez, interim director of student involvement said.

While most boats didn’t make it across Sikes Lake, Hannah Sommerhauser, psychology senior and Psi Chi, said everyone put effort into their boats and it’s fun to see everyone out there.

“We spent about 15 hours on our boat,” Sommerhauser said. “It was about three five hour sessions, but I don’t think it’s going to make it.”

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Austin Prater, mechanical engineering, gets saved by three other students as he was the last person to make his way back to shore.

PHOTO BY CORTNEY WOOD | THE WICHITAN

Julia Lucas, education junior, and her friends cheer at the boat race on Sikes Lake Oct. 20.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED • Caribbean Student Organization • Sigma Kappa and Sigma Nu • Alpha Psi Omega • Baptist Student Ministry • Alpha Phi and Tau Kappa Epsilon • The Priddy Scholars • Residence Hall Association • Geosciences • American Society of Mechanical Engineers • Engineers for a Sustainable World • Student Support Services and Organization of Hispanic Students • Black Student Union and University Programming Board • Kappa Sigma and Gamma Phi • Sharing the Profession of Athletic Training • Cheerleaders • Radiology Club • Psi Chi • Chi Omega • Sigma Alpha Kappa • Kappa Kappa Psi

10 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

| Homecoming Rewind

PHOTO BY SARA KEELING | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY SARA KEELING

PHOTO BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY SARA KEELING | THE WICHITAN

David Bellot, accounting senior, attempts to out race his friend Dalena Pham, radiology Participants in ’90s attire and glow sticks Dean Hart, leads members of Alpha Psi Omega, at the lip sync Tarrah Miller, biology senior, on the quad at the homecoming junior, hoola hoops on the dance under the neon lights at the Oct. 18 finals. The group placed second, falling behind Caribbean Stufield day competitions on Oct. 18, 2017. quad hoping to have fun and dance. About 50 people attended the dance. dent Organization. to relieve some stress.

Alumni return for catfish, conversation HERBERT McCULLOUGH REPORTER

A

lumni Association members organized the Fish Fry on Oct. 20 where alumni enjoyed fried whitefish and catfish as hamburgers and fries. The meal was $9 for alumni and guests and any student who has a meal plan could use their meal cards.

“It’s an event where students, alumni and community members can all get together and just visit and catch up with each other,” Leslee Ponder, alumni engagement liaison, said.

Ponder said the goal of Fish Fry is to connect the students with the alumni. She said she was also impressed with the high turnout among both students and alumni.

“For students and alumni, it’s a great time to make connections,” Ponder said. “It’s really our big event where our students can meet our alumni. Eight hundred to 900 people came today.”

Students also saw Fish Fry as a way for students to organize socialize with friends and enjoy good food.

“I had nothing better else to do,” Nadine Clegg, radiologic technology freshman, said.

“Plus it’s a way to have some quality time with friends since we both have such busy schedules.”

The fish made students, including Kevin Oney, geoscience freshman, feel at home since they have once gone fishing with their families.

“I’ve fished a lot back in my hometown,” Oney said. “I love how quiet it is and my favorite fish is catfish because it tastes delicious.”

Patti Perry Massey, alumni, said her favorite part of MSU was the family environment.

She was in the Panhellenic sorority Sigma Kappa, band and an education sorority.

“Midwestern was like a family,” Massey said. “I was involved in the sorority and the extra activities that come with being in a

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

People sit down to enjoy their food at the homecoming Fish Fry at Sikes Center, Oct. 20. sorority. It brought us closer together. Even though I have a degree from another university, I always come back to Midwestern.”

After leaving MSU, Massey graduated from Texas State University, which was Southwest Texas State University at the time, and became a teacher.

“I’ve also done supervising of teachers at the University of San Antonio,” Massey said.

“It’s teaching from the little ones to the big ones.”

The Fish Fry took place next to Sikes Lake, a location Matthew Jones, political science senior and Chartwell employee, said offers a peaceful environment for their friends and families.

“We’re serving seafood and we have a lake here so people could bring out their friends and family,” Jones said. “Sikes Lake is a nice area to see and a good place to have a quiet time with your friends and family.”

Jones’s favorite part of Fish Fry is the food and seeing the alumni and students gather with their friends and families.

“There’s different friends and family here,” Jones said. “It’s fun to see different college students. Homecoming week is one of my favorite weeks on campus.”

Ponder said her favorite parts of this event were the the food and seeing the alumni return to MSU. “People coming back year after year. The camaraderie and it’s just a great time,” Ponder said.

Roy Horn, alumni, shared a few stories he had from his time at MSU. One of his favorite activities on campus was western week.

“I enjoyed that I was a sheriff for a couple of weeks,” Horn said. “And the rodeo we had.

It was pretty interesting.”

Kiowa Kooks — alumni who offer scholarships — prepared the food.

“It’s a favorite event for them every year,” Ponder said. “They are an extension of our alumni group. Of course they raise their funds to go back to scholarships.”

MSU graduates said they were impressed with how the school has changed since they

have graduated.

“This morning we had our graduate comeback for their class of ’67 reunion,” Ponder said. “Some hadn’t been here in 20 to 30 years. So seeing their faces light up was my favorite experience.”

Massey said she enjoyed the rapid growth of MSU after returning as well as home presentable the campus looks.

“When I was here in the ’70s, there wasn’t a fine arts building,” Massey said. “It’s just really grown. I’ve always been impressed with the architecture of the campus.”

Many alumni students were also impressed with the larger increase in students.

“It’s not even the same place,” Allen Birdwell, alumni, said, “There were about 1,500 students when I was here. Now it’s 6,000.”

Ponder has worked at MSU since she graduated in 1986.

“I’ve never left here,” Ponder said. “I’ve always worked at the university — I graduated in ‘86 and I have different jobs here. I’ve always worked here.”

Tre’vonne Brandford, exercise physiology junior and student ambassador, said the event was successful; however, she would have preferred that they made an extra line for food.

“We had a good turnout,” Brandford said, “We had over 800 people to attend today and there’s still people showing up. Instead of one line, I would have had two. But overall it was pretty good and people were really satisfied.”

Ponder said it is important for students to connect with the alumni because of the legacy they leave behind. Employment and career opportunities for students as they graduate can come from alumni.

“Our alumni are the backbone of this university,” Ponder said. “Our alumni make us who we are. They set the traditions. The set the barometer high for us to achieve higher levels.”

Homecoming Rewind |

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 11

PHOTO BY BRENDAN WYNNE | THE WICHITAN

Tyler Lasseter plays Premiere Rhapsody by Claude Debussy at the Burns Chapel Opening Concert, Oct. 20.

Music students perform at Burns Chapel Opening As part of the Burns Chapel Opening Concert, students and faculty from the Department of Music performed for the 74 students, faculty and staff in attendance. The Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts hosted the event and used the opportunity to showcase the freshly renovated Burns Chapel on Oct. 20.

“There’s new carpet, new painting and, most importantly, you won’t hear one of the more important aspects of the renovation, which is a new air conditioner,” Martin Camacho, dean of the college of fine arts, said, receiving a laugh from the audience.

PHOTO BY SHEA JAMES | THE WICHITAN

Hasan Elahi, describes each camo style in his “Continuum” series in the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery Oct. 20.

Art exhibit discussed privacy and surveillance About 77 people walked through the dimly lit rooms of the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery at 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the opening reception for the exhibit by Hasan Elahi, conceptual artist. Each photo hung up was the product of a decade long project by Elahi, which centers around government surveillance and the importance of privacy.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Vincent Johnson, mechanical engineering junior, rushes the ball during the MSU vs West Texas A&M game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21.

FOOTBALL TAKES DOWN WEST TEXAS A&M MAKAYLA SCHECK REPORTER

D

ue to a severe weather warning for the evening of Saturday, Oct. 21 — the day of the homecoming football game against West Texas A&M — officials made a decision on Oct. 20 to move the game from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. in hopes of avoiding the bad weather.

While that decision proved to be mostly a success, the game ended with 5:07 left in the fourth quarter due to lightning, but the football team won 45-3 against rival WTAMU. The game started with a kickoff by Jaron Imbriani, kicker and sports and leisure studies sophomore. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, DJ Myers, wide receiver and psychology senior, made the first touchdown.

“Communication is going great, the coaches are getting the calls to the players very well,” said Imbriani. “Our players are communicating very well getting these plays off.”

The second quarter started with a score of 7-0 until Imbriani made an extra point at the 6:40 mark. Following the extra point, West Texas kicked a field goal in the 4:13 mark bringing the score to 10-3.

At the 0:42 mark of the second quarter, Tyrique Edwards, wide receiver and crimi-

“Teamwork is all about fighting for your brother next to you, and we don’t care about anything but fighting for him and getting that touchdown.”

ALEX MORGAN-ANDERSON GENERAL BUSINESS AND KICKER/PUNTER REDSHIRT FRESHMAN

nal justice sophomore, received a complete pass and ran for a touchdown. About 10 seconds later, MSU was up 16-0 and WTAMU started off the next play. Still at the 0:32 mark, Jaydon Cunigan, defensive back and criminal justice sophomore, covered and regained possession of the ball for MSU. With barely any time left in the second quarter, the football team managed to get the ball in the end zone. At the 0:08 mark, Xavier Land, wide receiver and criminal justice sophomore, made the touchdown and bumped the score to 22-3. With a two-point conversion, the score was 24-3 at halftime.

“The playing is amazing. We are up 31-3 and our team is playing really well,” Drew Mackay, place kicker and undecided freshman, said.

The team has a good mentality of teamwork according to Alex Morgan-Anderson, kicker/punter and general business redshirt freshman.

“Teamwork is all about fighting for your brother next to you, and we don’t care about anything but fighting for him and getting that touchdown,” Morgan-Anderson said.

The third quarter started with West Texas kickoff. A pass complete to Dorian Johnson, tight end and kinesiology and sports leisure senior, brought the team to the 51yard line. With persistence, DJ Myers, wide receiver and psychology senior, made it to the 18-yard line at the 12:00 mark. Adrian Seales, running back and criminal justice junior, kept pushing his way to make it to the 2-yard line at the 9:21 mark. He added on another touchdown, moving the score to 31-3 with the extra point.

“The overall outcome of the game is going very well, we are up by 28 points. Hopefully we can finish out the third quarter so this game can go down as a victory,” Mitchell Henton, punter and mechanical engineering senior, said.

The team remains undefeated.

NEXT HOME GAME NOV. 4 AT 2 P.M. AGAINST TARLETON STATE

12 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

| Homecoming Rewind

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN

Jaylon Williams, sociology senior, gets crowned queen during halftim

Juan Mercado, sociology senior, and Jaylon Williams, sociology senior, named homecoming king and queen.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Jaylon Williams, sociology senior, gets crowned queen during halftime of the MSU vs West Texas A&M game at Memorial Stadium, MSU won 45-3, Oct. 21.

A LOOK BACK AT HALFTIME

Crowning culminates homecoming week SENIOR KING NOMINEES Juan Mercado Austin Leveridge Maranda Rodriguez SENIOR QUEEN NOMINEES Maia Cook Jaylon Williams Dierrica Smith

CHLOE PHILLIPS REPORTER

M

ild chatter filled the stands as the crowd — and the nominees — waited for the announcer to crown the homecoming king and queen during halftime of the homecoming football game on Oct. 21.

“And homecoming king and queen are…”

Sociology seniors Jaylon Williams and Juan Mercado were announced homecoming king and queen. Both of them shared smiles on their faces as they stood at the 50-yard line, waving at the crowd and listening to the applause from the crowd and their fellow nominees.

While Williams won homecoming queen her senior year of high school, Williams said she did not expect to earn

it a second time.

“I don’t think anybody ever really expects to win,” Williams said. “It’s an honor [to win].”

Wearing his sash proudly, Mercado said he was also surprised and thankful to have won.

“I just feel grateful for having the privilege for to be nominated and the student body voted for me,” Mercado said. “I’m just very grateful.”

Hoping to have made an impact in his voters lives, Mercado wants to continue being active at the university.

“I still want to do a lot more,” Mercado said. “I still have a year left to help out MSU in anyway that I possibly can.”

Mercado’ said his favorite homecoming event is the cardboard boat race and has been participating since he was a freshman.

“It’s just great to see the whole MSU community come out and to see them build cardboard boats for their organizations and to support their organization,” Mercado said.

A trait that the nominees, king and queen share is active campus involvement.

“I am part of the Organization of Hispanic Students and the Black Student Union,” Juan Mercado said. “I also work in the Office of Student Development and Orientation.”

Being a resident assistant and secretary of Student Government Association, Williams said she was thankful for her peers and hall residents who voted for her.

“It’s so lit that I won,” Williams said.

“I just want to thank everyone for this opportunity.”

JUNIOR PRINCE / PRINCESS Jeffrey Hamon Sarah Wood SOPHOMORE DUKE / DUCHESS Imran Kurani Lauren Gardner FRESHMAN LORD / LADY Kale Hutchins Kaylee Rhine

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 13

MSU ReSpiRatoRy CaRe pRoUdly CelebRateS

Respiratory Care Week OC TOBER 22-28, 2017 respiratory therapists • working together • saving lives

#MSURCWEEK submit your application for admission to the bsrc program J anuary 1, 2018 - a pril 13, 2018 Robert D. & Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences & Human Services Department of Respiratory Care 3410 Taft Boulevard Wichita Falls Texas 76308 940.397.4939 respiratory.care@mwsu.edu mwsu.edu/respiratory

“t o

know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived .

- r alph w aldo e merson

t hat

is to have succeeded .”

14 | Oct. 25, 2017 |

Special teams players make their contributions to the game

ONE POINT AT A TIME

T

Jaron Imbriani, No. 82, kicker/punter

hey stand on the sidelines, eyes turned to the field. Out of the two hour games, most of the time is spent next to the excitement, out of the way. Uneventful almost.

Maybe practice a few kicks, a couple jumping jacks to keep the body warm and blood pumping. So between the jokes and laughter, they don’t see much action on the field.

Until they’re needed.

Only a select few are able to hone in on the pressure special team members have to preform under. For just a moment, the entire stadium zeros in on them. Memorial holds almost 15,000 seats, and every eye in that arena turns toward the special team in that moment all waiting to see the snap and watch the punt sail between the goal post.

The players on the special team

14

Bobby Joe Nielson, political science senior, and heavily decorated with awards plays as long snapper on the team. Bobby Joe is playing his fourth season for the team. He has been an honorable mention for the All-Lone Star conference for the last three years. One of his best plays came against Tarleton State when he made a tackle.

38

Jacob “Jake” Rowland, mechanical engineering fresh­man, took his place as a kicker for the team this season.

“I played soccer my whole life and I felt like that would help my chances at making a football team. That was a huge reason why I decided to try out

Mitchell Henton, No. 84, punter

Alex Morgan-Anderson, No. 45, kicker/punter

Alex Morgan-Anderson, punter and sophomore in business, cheers on the team from the sidelines.

either sink or swim, and the entire football team relies on that snap moment to finish strong.

Within 10 seconds, the players run out on the field, do their job and make their way back to the sidelines, out of the way.

Until they’re needed again.

for the kicker position in the eighth las Christian High School with a wellgrade. I figured my soccer skills would developed record, MacKay earned seceasily translate on the football field ond-team TAAPS Division II All-State and, thankfully, they did,” Rowland honors converting 75-of-77 PAT’s said. “My junior year in high school I and was three-for-four on field goal got put on the varsity team and in the attempts as a senior. Though he has third game of the season, with three only played three games this season seconds left, I kicked the game-win- MacKay said he is excited to get more ning field goal. It was a very surreal ex- playing time as his career develops. perience because the crowd got really quiet then all of a sudden everyone Alex Morgan-Anderson, started cheering loudly. I also kicked general business sophoa 48-yard field goal which turned out more, serves as a punter for the footto break the record at Legacy High ball team.

School for longest field goal made.” “When you do your job correctly

the team loves you, but if you fail at Drew MacKay, freshman your job the team hates you,” Morplacekicker, said he is ready to gan-Anderson, a graduate of Weathleave his mark. Coming in from Dal- erford High School where he recorded

45

42

| Oct. 25, 2017 | 15

Special teams are on the field during kicking plays.

KICKER (K)

Drew Mackay, No. 42, place kicker

Jacob Rowland, No. 38, kicker

Also called the “placekicker,” a kicker handles kickoffs, extra points and field goal attempts.

All three situations require the kicker to kick the ball off of the ground, either from the hands of a holder or off of a tee. Some teams will employ two kickers: one kicks extra points and field goals, and the other kicks, known as the kickoff specialist, handles kickoffs. Most however use a single kicker for both jobs, and rarely, the same player may also punt.

Bobby Joe Nielsen, No. 14, long snapper

38 Jacob Rowland 42 Drew Mackay 45 Alex Morgan-Anderson 82 Jaron Imbriani LONG SNAPPER (LS) PHOTOS BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ

Mitchell Henton, punter, practices on the sidelines at the homecoming game against West Texas A&M Oct. 21, 2017. MSU won the game, called with about 5 minutes left on the clock due to weather, 45-3. the longest punt in school history with a 63-yard boot and earned academic allstate honors, said. “I started punting for the school last year — so this will be my second season being an MSU punter. Being a part of the special teams is more mentally laboring than it is physically laboring because your form has to be correct and precise every time you step up to kick the ball. It’s not just a physical battle between one person and another, but it’s a battle between you and the ball.”

82

Jaron Imbriani, sports and leisure sophomore, said, “In total, this is my sixth year being a specialist. I played soccer my whole life before school athletics, so I figured kicking a

football would be just as easy. And it turned out it was easy. My soccer skills helped me make the transition to the football field with ease and that’s when I realized that kicking just came naturally for me.”

From San Bernardino, Calif., Imbriani said, “The best play I’ve made was an onside kick we recovered against Eastern New Mexico. We, the specialists, have a serious impact on the game. One bad kick, snap, or punt can impact our score very easily. The rest of the team seriously counts on us. Being a specialist, you have to get used to the whole team hating you, or loving you, depending on how we play.”

84

Mitchell Henton, mechanical engineering senior, is the leader on special teams. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School Dallas and has been on the team for five years and has been named All-Lone Star Conference for the last three year.

“What makes being a specialist interesting for me is when you hit a huge punt and you watch the ball turn over in a perfect spiral and listen to the crowd ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’ at your punt, and you flip the field for your team and give the other team a long field to work with,” Henton said.

“My most memorable play was probably my second year here. I pinned the ball on the 2-yard line after having my first ever punt for MSU blocked.”

A specialized center who snaps the ball directly to the holder or punter. This player is usually distinct from the regular center, as the ball often has to be snapped much farther back on kicking plays.

14 Bobby Joe Nielsen PUNTER (P) Usually lines up 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage (this distance has to be shortened to avoid being on or behind the end line). The punter, upon receiving the snap, drops the ball and kicks it from the air. This is usually done only on fourth down, and is done to relinquish possession to the defensive team as far downfield as possible.

45 Alex Morgan-Anderson 82 Jaron Imbriani 84 Mitchell Henton FIELD GOAL To score a field goal the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. A field goal is worth three points.

EXTRA POINT Also known as a point(s) after touchdown, PAT, the extra point kicked after a touchdown is worth one point.

16 | Oct. 25, 2017 | MEN’S SOCCER W14-L0-T2 PHOTOS BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ AND RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Pierre Bocquet, business senior, advances towards the ball during the MSU vs St. Edward’s Texas soccer game on Oct. 19. | Alex Mullet, finance junior, tries to kick the ball and score a goal but is stopped by St. Edward’s players during the game at Stang Park where MSU won 1-0.

N EX T G A M E | O C T. 26 AT 7 P. M. A G A IN ST NEWM AN AT W I L K I NS F IELD IN WICH ITA K A NSAS

VOLLEYBALL W12-L11

PHOTOS BY HARLIE DAVID | THE WICHITAN

Meghan Bettis, psychology senior, reaches up to set the ball for the mustangs during the volleyball game at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Oct. 20, 2017. | Erin Richburg, undecided sophomore, hits the ball back towards Newman University during the volleyball game. | Leah Lychock, exercise physiology senior, gets ready to pass the ball back over the net.

N EXT GAM E | NOV. 3 AT 6 P.M . AGAINST TARL ETON STAT E AT D . L . L IG O N CO L ISE U M