Sept. 9, 2015 by The Wichitan and Wai Kun

Sept. 9, 2015 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 80 No. 3

Hometown Glory: Bowling for Soup Wichita Falls natives, MSU alumni to headline Falls Fest KRISTINA ABEYTA REPORTER

very September for the past 29 years as the Junior League of Wichita Falls hosts its own outdoor weekend festival, Lucy Park gets flooded, not by rain, but with vendor booths, beer tents, bouncy houses filled with painted-faced children, and live music. This year, on its 30th anniversary, that legacy will end an event that in its second year running put the ‘falls’ back into Wichita Falls. On the final Saturday night, Sept. 26, the headlining performance will be Wichita Falls’ royalty and Grammy-nominated pop-punk band, Bowling for Soup. “You know, it’s bittersweet because it’s the final show on our tour and it’s the last FallsFest, but we can’t think of a better place to end it, because it’s where we started,” said Jaret Reddick, lead vocalist, guitarist and MSU alumnus. Bowling for Soup last played FallsFest in 2007. Since then, they have released four albums including their most recent compilation called “Songs People Actually Liked.” It is volume one of songs released from 1994 to 2003. And then they hit the road with the first leg of their U.S. tour, which consisted of 11 performances in June 2015. “It feels good having our second leg end in Wichita Falls with our friends and family we haven’t seen in the crowd. We’re probably going to be related to a lot of that audience. It’s gonna’ be a good time.” According to the Junior League website, “Mounting entertainment costs, manpower, and additional entertainment options have all lead to this decision. FallsFest was developed 30 years ago to promote our outdoor green spaces and offer affordable entertainment for the family.”

BOWLING FOR SOUP

Reddick graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. That same year he formed the band that would later have hits like “1985,” “Girl all the Bad Guys Want,” “Stacy’s Mom,” “Almost,” and “Ohio (Come Back to Texas).” “I loved my time at MSU,” Reddick said. “But I was working a lot, and playing in a band, so I didn’t have as much time to partake in college life. But I loved the Business Department.”

Football Opener

pg. 4-5

MSU starts the season 1-0 with a 31-3 win over Truman State on Sept. 5

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOWLING FOR SOUP

Bowling for Soup is an American pop-punk band originally formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1994. The band consists of Jaret Reddick, Erik Chandler, Chris Burney, and Gary Wiseman.

In addition, Reddick said he liked the intimacy of the courses he took. “We were pretty much forced to participate because the classes were smaller and the professors cared that you actually got something out of it,” Reddick said. “I definitely look back fondly at being a MSU Indian – but I know you guys are Mustangs now.” Reddick and his band mates - Chris Burney on guitar and vocals, and Erik Chandler on the bass guitar and vocals, have been playing as Bowling for Soup for 21 years. The only exception is percussionist Gary Wiseman, who replaced the bands’ original drummer in 1998. Since then the band produced 14 albums and received a Grammy nomination for “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” in 2003. But when they were starting out in 1994, Reddick said there wasn’t much of music scene in their hometown. “It wasn’t the easiest place to start a band,” Reddick said. “But that motivated us and we just played, and played, and played. And now there are just tons of bands around. The cool thing about Wichita Falls is that you can play in places like Denton, Dallas, and Oklahoma City. It’s centrally located and a good place to spread your wings.” And that they did when four years later the band decided to make the move to Denton. “We found an audience in Denton, and once we start-

Flash Alert

pg. 6

Social media snafu over a public indecency incident causes a stir online.

ed playing shows there, it progressed,” Reddick said. “We got signed and it just made sense for the move. Denton became home.” Reddick said their audience has evolved along with the band. “You know, we started out as a bar band in Wichita Falls, moved to Denton and then became a venue band and our audience expanded from there with the radio hits,” Reddick said. In addition, Reddick said Bowling for Soup is different because their music can tie generations together. “We have Dads that will come up to us and say that they have nothing in common with their teenage daughter except when they go to our shows together,” Reddick said. “It’s nice to hear that.” The “Bowling for Soup Turns 21 Tour” continues on Sept. 11. The band will perform in Colorado and eventually head to the west coast before they themselves come back to Texas. After FallsFest, the band will rest up for their upcoming 2016 tour in the U.K. Reddick said if he had to pick out of all the venues they have played over the years, his favorite would have to be performing on stage at Download Festival. It’s a three-day summer rock festival in the U.K. in which Bowling for soup has headlined twice – in 2011 and 2014. “It’s hard to beat that environment and see all those people sing along to the songs you wrote,” Reddick said. “And U.K audiences are very energetic because music is so much a part of their culture.” Even with all of the time they spend, from playing in the U.S. to traveling to other countries, Reddick said the band still loves playing together. “We have watched a lot of bands fall apart from being together too much but we sort of go against the grain,” Reddick said. “We have a family relationship and we know when to leave the other guy alone. It’s nice to look back and still call the people we have spent so much time with our family.” Part of that comes from the fact they are all big fans of comedy. Reddick said the band’s name hails from a joke from comedian Steve Martin. In Martin’s skit, he talks about bowling for something very different and explicit. They decided to change the last three letters of the term, coining their identity as “Bowling for Soup.”

Vocalist Search

pg. 7

Band made up of students and Wichita Falls local searches for a vocalist to complete their sound.

2 | Sept. 9, 2015 |

S TA FF E D IT O R IA L

Student organizations need a PR lesson

t Tuesday’s six-hour-long Bongo Ball event, a project that cost $2,000 to put on, only 60 students showed up. The event was put on by the University Programming Board, an organization responsible for a lot of the event programs put on for students on campus. With over 100 student organizations on campus, UPB is also one of the biggest, most funded and publicized student organiza-

tions. So why the low turnout? Publicity. Aside from posters and a few tweets, there was very little advertising for the event. We doubt the low turnout was because the event wasn’t interesting. Had students known, the turnout would’ve been impressive. This goes for so many events put on by any student organizations.

Why should students care? Well, the funding for UPB and other student organizations comes from the student fees we pay every semester. So, attend events, encourage student organizations you’re interested in to publicize their events, and when you see a poster, tweet, or other social media publicity - repost. Share. Like. Spread the word. A lot of planning went into those events and they deserve to be

enjoyed. To student organizations – if you’re not on social media, now’s the time. Just like students want to know where their money is going, student organizations should do their part to get students into their events. Aside from the typical flier, post to Twitter and Facebook and tag other organizations, Midwestern State, and The Wichitan to gain even more exposure.

Sorority recruitment an emotional rollercoaster R

ecruitment is the most exciting month of every sorority girl's life (and yes, I said month). We practice every day for almost a month straight, learning door chants, pref songs, and how to talk to a PNM (potential new memKara McIntyre ber) properly. But I'm not going to lie, I questioned my sanity too many times during that month. Thoughts of strangling my sisters came to mind a few times (I swear, I love them). Here's what the real recruitment rollercoaster looks like:

SLEEP DEPRIVATION

Four hour or more practices every night after a full day of college classes can get really old, really fast. Not to mention that none of us had time to even begin homework until after we snapped, clapped, and chanted our hearts out. I don't think any of us got more

the

than five hours of sleep most nights, and we were "so done with recruitment" a little more each day.

MISSING YOUR DISAFFILIATED SISTERS

Each sorority has to send a few of their members to be Rho Gammas, which are the girls who talk to the PNMs and help them find their home throughout the summer and Rush Week. They have to disaffiliate from the chapter -- no T-shirts, jewelry, car stickers, or anything that could label them as a member of their sorority. It has to be a complete secret, which means none of their affiliated sisters can hang out with them publicly in fear of a PNM finding out; therefore, Bid Day becomes the biggest countdown.

TEARS

If a sorority girl says she didn't cry during recruitment, she's lying. Whether it's from the pressure, the nerves, or seeing your rush crush go to another chapter, every girl has

wichitan Vo. 80 | No. 2

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 - wichitan@mwsu.edu

shed a few tears during the process. Lord knows I did. There aren't just bad tears. I cried when I saw my Chi Omega new members and our Rho Gammas running towards my sisters and I on Bid Day. These girls figured out that a home doesn't have to always be four walls and a roof — sometimes all it takes is one person (or 56 waiting sorority girls, in this case).

SORENESS

This is embarrassing, but my fingers were actually sore from snapping so much (because, you know, sorority girls don't clap). I didn't know fingers could even be sore until recruitment came around. No, I'm not joking. My feet were ridiculously sore, and for good reason. Walking around in heels will make anyone want to chop their feet off at the end of the night, too. Come look at my heels — I have blisters from my first night of recruitment shoes.

EDITOR: Brianna Sheen DESIGNER: Justin Marquart PHOTO EDITOR: Rachel Johnson PHOTOGRAPHER: Francisco Martinez, Kayla White ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

INTENSE BONDING

I have never felt closer to my sisters than during and after recruitment. They picked me up when I felt down. They invited me to dinner dates and lunch dates. They carpooled with me to practice and jammed out in the car. They reminded me that it's okay to mess up, because that means I have room to improve (and they made sure I did). They primped my hair and made sure I always had minty fresh breath when talking to a PNM. My sisters were my support system and always will be, even if we wanted to claw each other's eyes out sometimes. Looking back, all of the complaints I made seem so trivial. What I got out of recruitment matters so much more: closer bonds with my sisters and 18 wonderful new members. If I have to go through a month of sleep deprivation, missing my disaffiliated sisters, tears, and soreness for that, I'll take it. Kara McIntyre is a mass communication sophomore.

Copyright © 2015. 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 telephone number and address. The editor retains the right to edit letters.

| Sept. 9, 2015 | 3

News briefs

2014 FILE PHOTO BY LAUREN ROBERTS | THE WICHITAN

Dillon Thompson, accounting senior, cleans Sikes Lake with his Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers April 23, 2014.

Sikes Lake cleanup to be held Saturday

Portia Monson, a psychology and sociology sophomore, was at the lake last week and commented on the chairs and tires in the water. She said cleaning up the lake is important because “people use it for working out and walking. It’s close to campus, so it’s safer.” Ranell Earl, a nursing junior, was walking to the bank when she said she noticed a lot of trash around the lake. “It’s a part of campus, so it’s important that it’s kept clean,” Earl said. “It’s a representation of the MSU Mustangs.” Hensley said the event will be similar to last year’s clean up, with the same sponsors and the same people. The Rolling Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, American National Bank and Trust, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Midwestern State University sponsor the Sikes Lake Cleanup.

Oratorio Chorus to begin rehearsals next week DALE HEIDEBRECHT DIRECTOR OF CHORAL ACTIVITIES

MEKALA CONWAY REPORTER

Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday on the east side of Sikes Lake to begin part of an annual tradition — the Sikes Lake Cleanup Jim Hensley, president of the Rolling Plains Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists said the event is an “opportunity for groups to participate and help clean up on campus to get community service.” He said the event is also a good way for sororities and fraternities to earn community service hours that they will need.

The Oratorio Chorus will begin rehearsals on Sept.14 in preparation for their Dec. 6 concert. The Oratorio Chorus is under the direction of Dr. Dale Heidebrecht, director of choral activities. The first rehearsal of the season is at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room of the Fain Fine Arts Hall. Attendance is free and open to all. For more information you may contact Dr. Heidebrecht at 940-397-4268 The Wichitan welcomes press releases from student groups for news briefs. Each brief should be about 200 words and should include the name, email address and phone number of a contact person. Briefs should be submitted by the Friday before publication.

UPCOMING EVENTS Moffett Library Tour

Caribfest Launch

Volleyball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State

Suicide Prevention Week Kickball Game

Sept. 9 | 2-3 p.m. | Reference department at Moffett Library | Free

Sept. 9 | 3 p.m. | D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Free with MSU ID

Sept. 4

Criminal mischief: Misdemeanor | 2:05 p.m. | Parking lot #6 | A student reported criminal mischief to his vehicle while it was parked on MSU property.

Sept. 3

Accident: Duty on striking unattended vehicle | 4 p.m. | Parking lot #6 | A student reported her vehicle was struck while pared on MSU property. The person who struck it left the scene without leaving any information.

Sept. 3

Accident: Duty on striking unattended vehicle | 4:56 p.m. | Parking lot #6 | A student reported someone hit and damaged her parked vehicle and left the scene.

Sept. 2

Accident: Duty on striking unattended vehicle | 12:06 p.m. | Parking lot #6 | Officers was dispatched to a student parking lot due to a hit and run.

Sept. 1

Drugs: possession of drug paraphernalia | 2:45 p.m. | Mustang Village | Officers were called to an apartment in reference to drug paraphernalia. Paraphernalia was confiscated and turned in to property/evidence room at MSUPD.

Aug. 30

Theft: misdemeanor | 8:15 p.m. | Sundance Court Apartments | Police responded to a theft report.

Aug. 29

Resisting arrest | 12:07 p.m. | Fain Hall | Police responded to a call concerning two suspicious individuals.

Aug. 29

Theft: misdemeanor | 4 p.m. | Sunwatcher Village Apartments | A student reported that his bicycle was stolen from the stairwell at his apartment. SOURCE: http://www.mwsu.edu/police/crimelogs/

Sept. 14 | 4 p.m. | Free admission and T shirts

Volleyball vs. Texas Wesleyan

Sigma Lambda Alpha: Avengers Potluck and Loteria

Good Credit... Bad Credit: How Important Is It

QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Faculty and Staff

Moffett Library Tour

SBDC: Strategic Planning & Leadership Development

Sept. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Free with MSU ID

Sept. 10 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Clark Student Center Cheyenne

Sept. 10 | 2-3 p.m. | Moffett Library reference dept. | Free

Sigma Lambda Alpha: Age of Ultron Sept. 10 | 4-7 p.m. | Clark Student Center Commanche

Cross Country vs. MSU/Strohman Dental Stampede Sept. 10 | 6 p.m. | Free with MSU ID

C RIME LOG

Sept. 12 | 5 p.m. | Clark Student Center Comanche | Free

Faculty Forum Series: Dr. Todd Giles

Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Clark Student Center Shawnee | Free

Men’s Soccer vs. Southern Nazarene (Okla.)

Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | MSU soccer field | Free with MSU ID

Sikes Lake Cleanup Sept. 12 | 9 a.m. | Sikes Lake east side

Sigma Lambda Alpha: Age of Ultron Sept. 10 | 4-7 p.m. | Clark Student Center Commanche

Sept. 14 | 6-10 p.m. | Clark Student Center Wichita I and II

Sept. 15 | Noon to 1 p.m. | Dillard 189 | Free and boxed lunch included. RSVP at 940-3974618

Sept. 16 | 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Dillard 189 | $10 with lunch provided. RSVP by 8 a.m. at 940-397-4373

Caribfest Band Launch Registration Sept. 16 | 5 p.m. | Sunwatcher Plaza | Free

Suicide Prevention Week: Jordan Burnham Guest Speaker Sept. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Clark Student Center Comanche Suites | Free admission and T shirts

QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Students Sept. 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Sundance Court Apartments third floor meeting room | Free admission and T shirts

Sigma Lambda Alpha: Battle for Earth

Sept. 17 | 5-7 p.m. | Sunwatcher Plaza

| Sept. 9, 2015 | 5

4 | Sept. 9, 2015 |

Mustangs stampede into victory

Football team opens season with a 31-3 victory over Truman State

THE PREGAME Tailgaters kick off football season

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

TaMarion Davis, non-student, begins the first halftime show of the year by marching three different performances: Fight Song, The Queen’s Tribute, and Alma Mater, at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 5.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

The Golden Thunder Marching Band performs in the first halftime show of the year at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 5.

Tailgating was moved to the west end of Memorial Stadium and alcohol is now prohibited. Tailgating ends at halftime.

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Jesse Rogers, who retired as University President in August, watches the game with Charlie Carr, athletic director, in the press box at Memorial Stadium on Sept 5. Rogers said the band performed well and the student section had grown since his time as president.

31-3

Final score of the football game MSU won over Truman State

PHOTOS BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Austin Leverage, finance junior, plays a game of bean bag toss while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, watches. The game was set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. | Caleb Plyant, biology junior, plays bean bag toss in the tailgating section at Memorial Stadium.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Statron Jones, business junior, is tackled after a completion in the first game of the season at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 5. Midwestern State University beat Truman State University 31- 3.

Touchdowns completed by sophomore and quartberback Hagen Hutchinson

17-3

The score at halftime, with MSU leading

Number of tackles by criminal justice senior Marqui Christian

321

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Football team’s total offensive yardage Topher McGee, athletic training freshman, waves a Texas flag while cheering with the Mustang Maniacs at the openin the game against Truman State ing game of the season on Sept. 5.

6 | Sept. 9, 2015 | MSU Flash: Campus crime causes confusion BRI SHEEN EDITOR

Official MSU Facebook and Twitter accounts posted about a crime alert on Tuesday evening, including a dysfunctional link. Social media users voiced concern over the ambiguous tweet and post.

MSU Bigs matches students with local mentees KALLI ROOT REPORTER

SU Bigs is a student run chapter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which offers students the opportunity to connect with a “little”—a local child between the ages of six and eleven—and to serve as an older mentor and friend to the child. “MSU students make some of the best mentors. The kids think it’s really cool to get to hang out with a college kid.” said Big Brothers Big Sisters representative Vicki McCann. Bigs are matched up to a little based on shared interests and similar personalities. They can then take them out to eat, play games or sports, help with homework, or just hang out and get to know each other. The organization has been operating on campus for three years and offers local children an opportunity to blow off steam outside of school and to from a relationship with an older figure, offering a good influence from a friend rather than just a parental unit. There are currently 80 children on the waiting list to be matched with a big. “It’s a great opportunity to form a potentially lifelong friendship and to really make a difference in a child’s life,” said mass communication major and BBBS intern Shambreka Jones. There will be an MSU Bigs informational meeting September 15th at 5:30 in Bolin 100. More information can be found at wfinfo@bbbstx.org or www.bbbstx.org.

The official MSU Facebook and Twitter sent out a corrected link shortly after the original posts confirming the crime alert was in reference to a public indecency incident Monday morning at Sikes Lake, under investigation. The police department sent out the message below describing the crime alert using the my.mwsu.edu portal.

MSU Police Department - Clery Act Timely Warning Campus crime alerts and timely warnings to the community comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The Midwestern State University Police Department is investigating a case of indecent exposure that occurred at Sikes Lake at about 6 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015. A female jogger reported that she saw a white, male who was completely naked and wearing a white T-shirt wrapped around his head. The suspect never attempted to make any contact or never said anything to the reporting person. The suspect was last seen walking on the jogging track near the motel on the southwest portion of Sikes Lake. Until further information is obtained, the MSU PD is urging all students, faculty, staff and visitors to be aware of any suspicious subjects on or near the MSU campus. We all must be vigilant in taking responsibility for personal safety. All individuals are urged to practice the following: Be aware of your surroundings and do not walk or jog alone. If you see anything out of the ordinary or you believe

someone is a suspicious person notify MSU Police immediately! DO NOT WAIT! Always carry a cell phone with you. Do not walk or jog with headphones in both ears. Carry a high decibel personal battery powered alarm or download a personal protection alarm app on your cell phone. Receive training in self-defense/personal protection techniques. Should you have information about this incident or any other criminal incident, please contact the MSU Police at: EMRGENCY 911, or Non-emergency 940-397-4239 police@mwsu.edu You may also report a crime anonymously at our web site: http://police.mwsu.edu If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dan Williams, Chief of Police at the above numbers.

“It’s a great opportunity to form a potentially lifelong friendship and to really make a difference in a child’s life.” SHAMBREKA JONES MASS COMMUNICATION MAJOR AND BBBS INTERN

MUSTANGS TAKE SEASON OPENER

PHOTO BY BRIANNA SHEEN | THE WICHITAN

Midwestern State University Men’s Soccer plays Fort Lewis in the first game of the season at the MSU Soccer Field, winning 3-1. The stands were full of students, faculty, and family members.

| Sept. 9, 2015 | 7

It’s only a matter of time Band looks for missing piece: a vocalist

EMILY CARROLL REPORTER

rummer Cooper Miller and Kristian Pearson needed a guitarist. So, just as they would when looking for a new couch or job, they turned to Craigslist. Soon after, Joshua Zabica, sociology junior, responded. With his

jazz interests, he helped to add a new texture to their songs, songs they each grew to like for different reasons. Miller said growing up listening to 90s rock and grunge along with his stepdad who took him to his friend’s shows inspired him to appreciate music. “[A band] played a gig at our house for a big birthday party we had for my sister’s 13th (birthday) so I was exposed to alternative and heavier music early on,” Miller said. Zabica said he became interested in learning to play music because it challenged him to be better. As for Pearson, after he saw his brother get a bass guitar in the fourth grade, he wanted an electric guitar of his own. “I practiced every day and started covering Blink-182 songs, and then I got Rock Band the game for Christmas one year and learned drums off of that,” Pearson, a bioenvironmental engineering technician in the Air Force, said. Band members come from different backgrounds of musical inspirations but they all connect when it comes to bands from mid-2000’s post-hardcore. They are willing to hear what a new vocalist will bring to the table whether it be a strong female voice like Hayley Williams of Paramore or a male lead like Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath. Even with three musicians ready to go, they are still missing one piece

that will bring their post-hardcore, pop-punk alternative to life. “Everything instrument-wise is done. We’re ready to go,” Miller, a junior in mass communication, said. “We just need a singer.” Since most of their search is being done via the internet, they want to be sure that the vocalist will be dedicated and just as passionate about the band as they are. “We try and make sure they are credible in the world of social media,” Zabica said. “When you meet people online you want to make sure they are credible before [meetPHOTO BY EMILY CARROLL | THE WICHITAN ing in person].” The Matter of Time band equipment is set up Band members said in a storage locker for a rehearsal on Sept. 5. many vocalists they have tried out sing with the instruments but that they believe vocalists are their own instrument. “We need someone who actually knows how to bring their vocals to the table and not just follow our inKRISTIAN PEARSON strumentals,” Pearson BIOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECH said. As they are on their mission to find a vocalist, they are hoping to pick up a bassist along the way. “We’re cool with a bass player that sings too,” Cooper said. After being together almost a year, the band has recorded six full-length songs and numerous demos. They want to play shows and travel to different venues. “We don’t just want to jam. We want to put out an EP, have some merch(andise) and play shows,” Cooper said. “Having someone on board with the same mind-set would be ideal.”

PHOTO BY EMILY CARROLL | THE WICHITAN

Cooper Miller, Kristian Pearson and Joshua Zabica form the band Matter of Time.

“We need someone who actually knows how to bring their vocals to the table and not just follow our instruments.”

8 | Sept. 9, 2015 |

PHOTOS BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Theodore Hughes, mechanical engineer freshman, looks around an obstacle to shoot an opponent from the other team during a game of Bongo Ball held on the quad, Sept. 8. | Ian Thompson, special education junior, makes a quick run for safety behind an obstacle while dodging foam balls. | While Elam Lazo, nursing sophomore, reloads his air cannon, he hides behind a obstacle to avoid getting shot by the other team. | Sliding behind an inflatable obstacle to take cover, Ian Graves, mechanical engineer freshman, attempts to take cover to end up being the last player left in a game.

PHOTO BY KAYLA WHITE | THE WICHITAN

Mathew Howard, radiology science sophomore and Derek David, computer science freshmen, get in position to shoot during a game of Bongo Ball held in the quad on Sep 8.

BongoBall 60 people attend $2,000 event

RACHEL JOHNSON PHOTO EDITOR

0 students came out and played a game of Bongo Ball Sept. 8, in the quad from 1-7 p.m., hosted by the University Programming Board, who paid Cutting Edge Productions to run the event. “The event was good besides the weather, I’m sweating just from walking around a bit. I slid a little over there int he game and it hurt, but it went on,” Ian Thompson, special education junior, said. A competitive action game like paintball, in Bongo Ball two teams of five enter a arena of giant inflatable colored obstacles and the opponents shoot each other with air cannons filled with little foam balls. The rules are, “One shot, One Hit,” meaning that once you are hit you are out, no exceptions. They then play until there are only players from one team left and they are announced as the winners. “It was fun, and I’m probably about to play it again right now, but it is definitely not as fun as paintball,” Timmie Young,

computer science sophomore, said after playing his first game of Bongo Ball. David Tekeste, CEP tech, said the company over the course of two semesters, travels with Bongo Ball to some 50 different college campuses. He said they only do Bongo Ball to college campuses because with the equipment you must be 18 or older to use it. Besides Bongo Ball, the company, according to Tekeste, also hosts games of Battle Ball where people get in the bubble suits and play a game of soccer. “I’ve never done this before, but I have done paintball before. I would definitely play this game again because I enjoy that it’s outside activity and getting to shoot people,” Theodore Hughes, mechanical engineer freshman, said. Juan Mercado, sociology junior, said UPB paid $2,000 to run the event. “It would have been alot better with more people, but yeah I would do it. I plan on playing agin here in just a minute. I’m surprised that I was the last one, and honeslty I didn’t know

because I thought that there was someone else was still behind a barrier,” Ian Graves, mechanical engineer freshman, said.

“I’ve never done this before, but I have done paintball before. I would definitely play this game again because I enjoy that it’s outside activity and getting to shoot people.” THEODORE HUGHES MECHANICAL ENGINEER FRESHMAN