MUSTANGS SLAM INTO SIXTH: Mens basketball keeps record season going, climbs higher in the rankings after snatching seventh straight win npage 7
Wednesday n February 10, 2010
thewichitan
your university n your voice
Cops thwart text thief Alleged serial booknapper caught after hitting MSU cop with car Chris Collins Managing Editor
An MSU policeman was struck twice by the driver of a getaway car last week as officers attempted to arrest two members of a book-thieving ring who have been hitting college bookstores in Wichita Falls. Officers said two males and one female have been selling stolen books to the MSU Bookstore, the College Store and the Vernon College Bookstore. On Feb. 2, one suspect got caught. “One guy came in looking really suspicious,” said Patrik Weaver, a junior who has worked at the MSU Bookstore for about five years. “So when he tried to sell the books back I called the police and stalled him at the register as long as I could.”
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See THEFT on page 6
pertise x e , e m i t onates d f o r rojects p p d y e t i r i t n e a R for Hum t a t i b a to H James Ashley
For the
Wichitan
well. C.W. Ro nd a kind r o f s g hair a mornin ke many ith patchy gray mb through the li s a w y w an t to Toda o thu sturdy m ading ou t 6 a.m. t The tall, out of his bed a akfast before he bre bed and it face clim r and eat a quick e 2 years – p 1 a r p s o f . w e n e it n s io onstruct truction the cons has worked in c said. hematr of mat ow to o s s e f Rowell for charity, he o r MSU p others h een has all b -year-old retired build and teach age 6 The 76 st weekdays to LL on p E W O o R m See ics helps (top) Devin Wright and Sterling Hoover. (bottom) C.W. Rowell (Photos by Julia Raymond)
MSU sees drop in dropout rate, jump in grads Kyle Christian For the Wichitan
According to the latest statistics, MSU’s graduation and freshman retention rates are higher than they have ever been. Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Robert Clark said these accomplishments are not coincidental. Rather, they are the result of specific policy decisions made at the administrative level. Seventy-five percent of the 701 first-time, fulltime beginning freshmen admitted for the fall 2008 semester returned in 2009. This marks an improvement of four percent from 2007. It is also the highest freshman retention rate on record since 1990. Clark attributes the improvement to more rigorous admission requirements. MSU admissions standards were last raised in 2006.
See DROPOUT on page 3
Departments work ‘Side by Side’ for Sondheim show Chris Collins Managing Editor
A musical production has the MSU music and theatre departments working side by side, but time conflicts are causing them to race toward opening night at a frenzied rate. Side by Side by Sondheim, if all goes as planned, will debut this Thursday. The show is a review of the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, an American composer, said Ruth Morrow, MSU chair of music. Sondheim is famous for his work with West Side Story and Sweeney Todd, she said. “This is the early music of Stephen Sondheim,” Morrow said. “But it’s different because it’s a review – rather than having a plotline itself, it gathers music from his various shows.” Students of music and theatre can appreciate Sondheim’s work, said Morrow, who will be playing piano for the musical. The show will be opening a week earlier than planned due to scheduling conflicts, she said. And the Rain Came to Mayfield, a play put on by the theatre department last semester, advanced in the American College Theatre contest, causing time conflicts for some of the cast mem-
bers. Bad weather has also caused the troupe to miss a few practices. Regardless, she said, everything is going fairly smoothly. Morrow said she sees the cooperation between the two departments as a benefit to both programs. “I’ll take anybody who wants to work,” Morrow said. “Hopefully our music majors – especially the vocalists – have some desire to work on their stagecraft. By the same token, most actors probably want to be able to use their voices in a singing capacity.” Currently MSU does not have a musical theatre degree. Morrow said she thinks that’s great. “Honestly, do we have to pigeonhole people even more?” Morrow said. “I think it’s wonderful that we have people who are coming at it from the singing roles and also from the acting roles. They’re learning from each other during rehearsal.” The show was intended for a cast of two women and one man, Morrow said. The MSU rendition will star five women, three men and three pianists. “It gives everybody a little more to do, but it doesn’t give anyone a whole lot to do,” she said. “It gives everybody on set a chance to have a solo, but also be part of the ensemble.”
See SONDHEIM on page 3
fast facts
n MSU’S theatre and music departments are putting on the musical review Side by Side by Sondheim, a sampling of the early music of Stephen Sondheim, an American composer best known for West Side Story and Sweeney Todd. The show opens Thursday and runs through Sunday.
showtimes:
n Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 n Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 n Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 n Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2:30 Cast members from the upcoming production Side by Side by Sondheim will perform a sampling of an American composer’s musical works on the MSU stage. The music and theatre departments have collaborated on the project, which opens Thursday. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
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The Wichitan
campusvoice nour view
State: quit clinging to myth of the four-year grad Maybe while the state is scrambling for money to offset the defecit, legislators can take a break from snatching millions back from schools like MSU and reevaluate how Texas public universities are funded in the first place. Things probably get busy down in Austin, but someone really should have picked up on the fact that continuing to expect a majority of modern college students to graduate in four years is just setting things up for failure. Last summer, USA Today published the findings of a study that said, contrary to the antiquated belief system that apparently still exists in Austin, that (theoretical) four-year colleges nationwide only managed to hand diplomas to 53 percent of their students within six years. Of course, these figures, based on freshmen entering college in 2001, don’t take into accounts students who have transferred from other colleges or universities. The numbers also failed to represent freshmen who came in with college credit already, or those who began their university experience years ago,
withdrew from school, and came back to give it another go. Those attending school part-time while holding down a job so they can pay for their education also went unrepresented. So the study isn’t comprehensive, but considering the state of Texas doesn’t take into account any of these students either when it comes to determining the funds allocated to each school based on graduation rate. MSU gets more state funding if it graduates more students “on time” – in other words, in four years. Just for the record – none of the namebrand schools in the state (i.e. UT Austin, A&M and Texas Tech) boasted four-year graduation rates above 50 percent. Universities also get “incentive funding” for some pretty crazy things. Students admitted to a college or university who did badly on the SAT or ACT can pull in extra cash. Students who received a GED instead of a high school diploma give the college a little bonus, too. Are you a first-time student between the age of 20 and 60? That’s an incentive, too! If you’re majoring in engineering, nursing,
education or another state-designated “high-demand” field, that’s yet another tick in the “more money” column. Students who did badly on standardized tests, were over the age of 20, were single parents or otherwise were pigeonholed as “at-risk” and who opted to pursue, say, degrees in, say, Biology or computer science before continuing on to get master’s degrees? Cha-ching! Unfortunately, MSU has achieved the prestigious distinction of being a COPLAC school, which means we tend to turn out a lot of political science, history, English, art, mass communication and other various BA or BFA degrees. Most of these don’t fall under critical fields. That means less cash for MSU. Maybe the state legislature, while looking for ways to shave off expenditures, could just simplify and update the means by which they determine how much money to allocate to each university. At the very least, they could save on printing costs. Who knows, they might even catch up with the state of higher education today rather than sticking with how things used to be.
February 10, 2010
thewichitan 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 n Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk: (940) 397-4704 n Ads: (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 n E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu or EDITOR.WICHITAN@mwsu.edu
editorial board & staff
nEditor in Chief: Brittany Norman nManaging Editor: Chris Collins nEntertainment Editor: Lauren Wood nOp-Ed Editor: Position open nINTERIM sports Editor: Josh Hoggard nPhoto Editor: Julia Raymond nAdvertising manager: Jamie Monroe nCopy editor: Phoebe Kurmi and Amaka Oguchi nadviser: Randy Pruitt nReporters: Kyle Christian, Leah Roberts, Matt Ledesma nPhotographers: Patrick Johnston, Kassie Bruton
Copyright © 2007. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. First copy of the paper is free of charge; additional copies are $1. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address for verification purposes. The editor retains the right to edit letters.
Time to ditch Sallie Mae for loans by Uncle Sam?
Paying the price for a $4,000 towards college college education? education in return for A college education is 100 hours community one of the most sought service. after achievements in n Increase the Pell your lifetime – it is also grant to a proposed one of the most expen$5,500 sive. The cost of tuition at n Eliminate the MSU is about $7,000 for Federal Family Educaa non-Texas resident, (intion Loan Plan and the cluding room and board) subsidies paid to private and the fact is it’s on the lenders. rise. According to the proLeah Roberts Many of us know beposed plan any student For the Wichitan fore we even set foot on entering public service any campus that we will full time for 10 years need some sort of financial aid to get would have there debt forgiven. These us through college. There are those of fields include public safety, military serus that receive some sort of help from vice, social work, education and nonour parents, a college fund that was set profit sectors. up on the day we were born; there are Seems easy, doesn’t it? I have to pay others who will receive financial aid di- the money back somehow – does it rectly from the university or institution make a difference if I line the pocket of we attend (oh, the joys of filling out the Sallie Mae or the federal government? FAFSA) and then there are those who The answer is, simply, yes. If we conlook to private lenders to borrow higher tinue to borrow from private lenders amounts of money than any federal loan with high interest rates that can vary can offer. over time then we allow this country to It’s estimated that 10 million students fall back into the economic death grip in the US received student loans last year that we’ve just climbed out of. to cover the cost of college. The private Human nature tells us that we’re student loan sector is BIG business. greedy; we’re always going to want a The leading private lender, Sallie Mae, little bit more, a little bit longer to pay (a Government subsidized company), the money we want to get a little bit gave out $22 billion in loans last year quicker, and sooner or later that little alone. No wonder that this company red flag we’ve all been avoiding is going is spending millions of dollars lobby- to be waving in the wind like a tumbleing Congress in wake of Obama’s latest weed in West Texas. campaign. Some argue that this move is taking During his State of the Union address away jobs from the private sector, Sallie Mr. Obama was cheered on by Demo- Mae currently employs 35,000 people crats as he stated, “In the United States in 6 different states, and with an unemof America no one should go broke be- ployment rate at 10 percent, this may cause they chose to go to college.” not be the right time to disband their President Obama proposed a plan to company. phase out these private lenders from the I beg to differ. If this is to happen student loan business and instead use then the government will have to set hundreds of millions of dollars to boost up a whole new sector of its own. It will Pell grants allowing the government to need to be regulated and controlled and spend more on early learning programs, there will be jobs offered from accouncommunity colleges and modernization tants to clerks. of the public school system. Meanwhile the next generation is inDemocrats are arguing that this pro- spired to go to school knowing that a posal makes sense in the midst of the re- debt-free life awaits them if they choose cession; they’re claiming it will save $80 to go into public service. billion over the next decade and will alNow it’s not as easy as it sounds, it low students much more freedom in the doesn’t mean that just because tuition’s way they choose and pay back loans; in free that we’ll have a million more police fact, they would forgive debts for those officers and crime will go down. That’s students choosing a life in public ser- not what I’m saying. What I AM sayvice. ing is that maybe just this once we could President Obama’s plan sets out to: decide to walk away from the privatised n Eliminiate the FAFSA. Student’s banks and loan companies and put our tax returns would determine their stu- money in the people who are paid to dent aid. care about us, the Government. n Install the American OpporCall me a cynic, but it feels like I’m tunity Tax credit, which pays the first asking a little too late…
nJust Joshin’
This is my truth, go get your own
Darth Vader. foolish move, Anakin He is perhaps the most tries to jump up to that iconic face of the entire high ground and take Star Wars franchise, and down Obi-Wan. he started out as a young, With a swing of his up-and-coming Jedi by lightsaber, Obi-Wan cuts the name of Anakin Skyoff his limbs and leaves walker. him for dead. As we saw last week, And Anakin takes the Anakin fell in love with last step in his transforPadme, and thus began mation from Jedi to Dark his spiral from a Jedi Lord of the Sith. Knight into the shadows Think about that quote Josh Hoggard of the Dark Side of the for a second. Jedi guru Force. “Only a Sith deals in Before he was knocked absolutes.” into a volcanic sea of lava Sith are misguided on the planet Mustafar and put lifelessly people trying to use the Force for their into his famous suit in Star Wars Episode own gain rather than to help others. And 3: Revenge of the Sith, Anakin was fighting in so doing, they become evil and narcishis former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. sistic. And, apparently begin to think in Between the lightsaber clashes and absolutes. rage-filled banter, Obi-Wan tries to conDefinite truth. vince Anakin that this downward spiral And so, from the Star Wars Universe he has taken can be reversed. comes a philosophical question: Is there But the stubborn Anakin exclaims to such a thing as absolute truth? Obi-Wan that if he isn’t with him, then Science claims to be searching for obhe is his enemy. jective, absolute truths that govern our Then Obi-Wan throws out some of universe. They have several theories, sevthat famous Jedi one-line knowledge: eral laws, several formulas for several dif“Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” ferent things in the natural world. (For those of you non-Star Wars savvy And, without exception, all of them readers, the Jedi are the protectors of have an exception. Even in the field, peace in the galaxy and the Sith are their which claims to be on a quest for the sworn enemies and have been for thou- answers of the absolute, there are no absands of years. Jedi good. Sith bad.) solutes. Everything, though tested and Anakin then, full of pride, contin- verified several time over, is fallible. That ues his rage. Obi-Wan gains the high is the very essence of scientific discovery. ground, and in an arrogant and rather Absolute truth is a sham. Every rule
has an exception, every law can be bent or broken, and every formula has a weakness. There is never black and white; our world is grey. (As Cities Burn reference!) True objectivity can never be reached, since all humans are innately subjective beings. The only way objectivity can exist is if there is a truly objective being. And, even if true absolutes do exist, what’s the point? Why have absolute truth? What does absolute truth matter if it cannot be applied to an individual? Take the law of gravity for example. Though it is a scientific law and considered to be “absolute,” the only reason the law of gravity matters to anyone is the fact that it has an effect on them.
A law is only as good as its effect on us as individuals, making every “truth” completely subjective. What Obi-Wan is telling Anakin is that life doesn’t always fit in to black and white categories. You can’t compartmentalize life like that. The world is a grey area. Life isn’t about fitting into those categories, because truth isn’t the same for everyone. Stop trying to define everything by a standard. Live life free of false objectivity. Don’t take my word for it. Take ObiWan’s. And maybe, you won’t end up losing all your limbs and catching on fire and being confined to a robot suit for the rest of your life.
February 10, 2010
campus briefs
news
SONDHEIM............................................................................................................................continued from page 1 Morrow said it’s a great time to be doing a musical at MSU because, due to Tim Burton’s rendition of Sweeney Todd, more people may be familiar with Sondheim’s work. “The music is transformative,” Morrow said. “The hardest part about rehearsing it is keeping a dry eye. Some of it just gets to you, which is the point. Music is about the human parts of us that aren’t necessarily verbal. Parts that don’t respond, at least initially, just to the words.” Morrow said one of Sondheim’s mainstays is his cleverness with words. “Sondheim loves the double entendre,” Morrow said. “It’s like he can say one thing but at the same time say two or three things.” Matt Griffin, senior theatre major, is the assistant director, choreographer and lead actor in Sondheim. Griffin said he has been in close to 60 shows, six
n today:
TACT: Love - MSU style in the CSC Kiowa at 12:15 p.m. Journey of Hope grief support center in CSC Apache at 3:30 p.m. WPE prep workshop in Prothro-Yeager 101 at 6 p.m.
n tHURSDAY:
Real Women, Real Beauty group in the CSC Apache at 3:30 p.m.
“
Thinkfast trivia game in the CSC Shawnee at 7 p.m. Theatre: Side by Side by Sondheim in Akin at 7:30 p.m.
n FRIDAY:
Theatre: Side by Side by Sondheim in Akin at 7:30 p.m. Mustangs Rally
High school art competition in the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery at 11 a.m. Theatre: Side by Side by Sondheim in Akin at 7:30 p.m.
n Sunday:
Theatre: Side by Side by Sondheim in Akin at 2:30 p.m.
n Monday
file
Athletic luncheon at the Museum of Art at MSU at
noon Candidates forum: Wichita County Republican party in Akin Auditorium at 7 pm.
Classic film series: Charade at the Museum of Art at MSU at 7 p.m.
$14 million Donations made to MSU in 2009-2009.
Music i
”
Kelcie Bush in Side by Side by Sondheim. (Photo by Kassie Bruton)
Last day for May grads to
n tuesday:
of them musicals. He wasn’t originally cast for the production but was called in when they needed help. “I didn’t think I would be in it, but I’m glad I am now,” said Griffin, who is simultaneously working in two other shows. His plate has been pretty full lately, he said. “Most of the work for the production has been going in this week,” Griffin said. “We eat, breathe and drink this show. But that’s the life of a theatre major.” Griffin made the distinction between a play and a show. Sondheim will be a show, he said. “It’s about fluff, laughter, love,” he said. “It says tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight.” Griffin categorized the production as old school Broadway meets Vaudeville. “It’s like someone put Sondheim’s music through a shredder and tried to put it back together,” said Rachel Ford, a vocal performance major who will be performing in the show. Sondheim will play through Valentine’s Day.
s a bo u t the hum pa r t s o f an us that aren’t necessar i l y ve r b a l. Parts th at don’t r e s po n d at least , initially , j u s t to the w ords -R uth M o r ro w
n Saturday:
The Wichitan n 3
DROPOUT............................................................................................................................continued from page 1 “We are going to raise admission standards again in the fall of 2011,” Clark said. In November the MSU Board of Regents approved raising the minimum acceptable SAT score from 870 to 990. The minimum ACT score will take a jump from 18 to 21. Dr. Clark also emphasized the Academic Support Center as having a significant impact on the increasing retention rates. He said the ASC has programs in place acting as “safety nets” that help students be successful. Students who achieve at a higher level are more likely to stay in school. He mentioned the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, where peer leaders work with fellow students on difficult subjects outside of class, as well as the Academic Alert program. “Faculty can report to
the ASC any student who is having difficulty,” Clark said. Once a student is reported, the center attempts to work with the student to improve his or her academic performance. The ASC is also responsible for monitoring the course load of students who have been placed on academic probation. Clark admitted that the tough economy probably plays some role in the retention upswing. He said with the economy and job market as volatile as they are now, enrollment tends to increase and those already attending school tend to stay put until things stabilize or improve. About 11 percent of those students who chose to withdraw from MSU in 2007 cited academic difficulty as their primary reason for leaving. According to data from the institutional research department, only 3.7 percent of students who withdrew in 2009 did so because
of academic problems. In 2009, more than half of students withdrawing cited personal reasons, while others cited work- and health related issues. Clark stressed that when a student plans on leaving MSU, the university makes a concerted effort to point out all of the options available to that person. “People leave school for a variety of reasons,” he said. “Some we can help them with; some we can’t. When a student says ‘I’m leaving for personal reasons,’ what can we do?” Of the 845 first-time fulltime students admitted in 2005 , 11.8 percent of them graduated in four years. That was the second highest number on record since 1994, only outdone by the 1998 freshman class, which had an 11.9 percent four-year graduation rate. Clark was quick to add that he was not entirely comfortable with how the university calculated graduation rates. Part-time students, students who transferred from another college or university and those who did not begin their
positive decrease
11
3.7
= percentage of students who withdrew due to “academic difficulty” in 2007 =percentage of students who withdrew for the same reason in 2009
studies during a fall term aren’t included in the statistics. However, he said for him and MSU president Dr. Jesse Rogers, graduation is always on their minds. “The state looks at graduation rates,” Clark said. “They are talking about funding schools depending on how many they graduate.” Clark said the pressure for students to graduate within four years is immense in Texas. “Do most of them do that? No, they don’t,” he said. “I think college should be a good experience, so if it takes you five years, that’s fine.”
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The Wichitan
February 10, 2010
g Valentine’s Day: Date and Gift Ideas g Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
It’s that time of year! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and for those of you who forgot, here are a few date and gift ideas for the one you love:
Keep it simple:
a Go to a movie and dinner a Send roses and candy More of an effort:
a Order personalized M&M’s with your names on them a Make a homemade meal, ending with chocolate covered strawberries
Definitely a Keeper:
a Serenade your love at a karaoke bar with a romantic tune a Write sweet (appropriate) phrases all over their car
v
All the single ladies... Those of you flying solo this Valentine’s Day, don’t spend it buried under your covers shoving chocolate in your face. Hang out with your friends and treat yourself to a nice evening as well. Pamper yourselves to a day at the spa or get pedicures, rent a chick flick and make cookies, or just make some strawberry margaritas and see where the night takes you!
A list of what NOT to give her for Valentines Day:
o
1. A box of chocolates, clumsily rearranged in an attempt to hide the fact you ate all the caramel ones. 2. Lingerie that you think will look almost as good on her as on the Victoria’s Secret model. 3. Any clothing item with the words “push-up” or “slimdown” on the label. 4. Any food item with the words “diet”, “light”, or “high fiber” on the label. 5. Flowers from a hospital’s gift shop--or worse, a mortuary’s. 6. Poetry, no matter how heartfelt, that starts out “There was once a girl from Nantucket...” 7. Anything you ever gave another woman, including your mother. 8. Any household appliance, power tool or other item from the harder side of Sears. 9. A gift certificate. 10. Cash. 11. Anything you could have bought at the gas station mini-mart on the way over, even if you didn’t. 12. An apologetic look and the words “That was today?”
Album Reviews: Jamie Monroe Advertising Manager
Artist: Empire of the Sun
Josh Duhamel and Kristen Bell make chemistry in the romantic flick “When in Rome.” (Photo Courtesy)
Pass on a visit to ‘Rome’ Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel star in When in Rome, a romantic comedy that is definitely more comedic than romantic, but is nothing out of the ordinary. Now it is not as bad as the previews make it out to be, but I wouldn’t spend the whole $8.50 on a ticket either. It’s a silly flick with a few dopey characters and some really funny one-liners sprinkled occasionally through the dialogue, again nothing too special. Bell stars as Beth, a single and lonely workaholic who won’t put herself out there in terms of relationships, in fear of getting hurt. After an embarrassing run in with her ex-boyfriend, who tells her he is getting engaged, her sister, played by Alexis Dziena (the dumb girl from Fool’s Gold), informs her she got engaged to an Italian man only after knowing him for two weeks. So Bell, the maid of honor, jumps on a plane for the wedding, which is set in Rome, the city of romance. There she meets a very handsome Duhamel, a sports writer named Nick who survived getting struck by lightning while playing football. And happens to be the best man.
After a series of clumsy events, the two hit it off and Beth decides to take a chance. That is, until she sees a woman kissing Nick. Big misunderstanding. A drunken Beth climbs into the “Fountain of Love” and plucks five coins out of the fountain, claiming she is going to end the agony of the coin owners. And so the spell begins. When she gets back the New York, four mysterious, and creepy, men begin coming on to Jane, in a desperate and stalkerish way. They all claim to be in love with her, and insist that she love them too. Her admirers include Danny DeVito, Dax Sheppard, Jon Heder and Will Arnett. They add most of the comedic relief in the film. Anjelica Huston also plays a small role in the film, as Bell’s unhappy employer. It’s been a while since Huston has hit the big screen, and her experience definitely does her good in this chick flick. However, through all of this, Nick claims to love Jane as well. Which leads to the pending question throughout the film: is Nick under the spell as well? Beth thinks he is, but Nick insitsts what he feels is real. He assures her over and over that he
cares for her, but she refuses to let herself believe. Stupid girl, have you seen Josh Duhamel?! I would take his coin any time! Bell does a decent job as Beth. She plays clumsy pretty well, but I don’t think she is really that strong of an actress. She did about the same as in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I think chick flicks are definitely her forte, but nothing more demanding than that. Durmand held more of the movie than Bell. He pulls off the clumsy act really well, and the ‘I’m smitten for you’ role too, which made him even more attractive. The minor detail that stuck out to me the most, however, was that Durmand towers over the petite Bell. He is at least a head taller than her, and that remained pretty distracting throughout the flick. However, they did have a nice chemistry. During a dance sequence at the wedding, it is believable that these two have become smitten with each other. It is a cute film, but nothing really different from past romantic comedies. You could do a lot better than this. But you could do worse than roam out to see a matinee showing of it.
Album: Walking on a Dream Sounds like: 30 Seconds to Mars, Billy Idol, Dashboard Confessionals Recommended for: nonconformists, people who liked The Wedding Singer, Conservative Republicans Synopsis:This isn’t techincally a new album, but it’s new to me and most likely the vast majority of Americans. It released in Australia in 2007 and reached moderate success down under, less so in the worldwide music scene. However, the album’s first single, We Are the People, was featured in a catchy U.S. commercial that pimped out Vizio TVs over the holidays. I wasn’t compelled to buy a TV, however, I was compelled to search YouTube for the song. What I found can only be described as visual crack. Have you ever seen two guys wandering and dancing in the rainforest, decked out like Mayans, with feathers and waterfalls? Well, I hadn’t, and it was cool. I checked out the
Artist: Owl City
Album: Ocean Eyes Sounds like: Relient K, hellogoodbye, Metro Station Recommended for: Synopsis: Ah, Fireflies. You play constantly on the radio, and you make no sense at all. Fireflies don’t dance, fireflies don’t cry. People can’t stay awake while they’re asleep. Obviously, Ocean Eyes’ first single was inspired by a little more than “artistic license.” However, as stupid as it is, it’s catchy. Kind of trippy, if you think about it too much. And that’s generally how this album goes. If you like oversynthesized, bubble-gum pop with cuddly lyrics, you’re in for fourteen tracks of it. Literally, lyrics like, “put on your warm fuzzy sweater, ‘cause you’ll feel much better.” Most of the songs are variations on a familiar theme. Some are slower, some are more up tempo, all lack real
hot or not?
Empire of the Sun released their newest album, “Walking on a Dream.” (Photo Courtesy)
album, and it turned out to be equally cracktastic. Some of the songs have so much going on- cool lyrics, symphonics, weird vocals- that it’s hard to pay attention to any one thing. You just have to repeat it over and over. Some of the songs are straight out of 1985. Some of the songs make no sense at all. The
album as a whole has little congruity. However, it makes me want to don a headress and boogie. Verdict: If you’re open to new music, give it a try. There’s a lot of diversity in this album, and not all songs are hits, but several are. At the very least, watch the band’s videos on YouTube.
instrumentation and unmodified vocals. It’s not an unpleasant album to listen to; Ocean Eyes presents smooth melodies and generally pretty songs. It’s just not that interesting.
It’s worth keeping in your library for mood music, but probably not much else. Verdict: Awesome if you can talk to fireflies. Kind of boring if you’re a sane person.
Owl City’s album is “Ocean Eyes.” (Photo Courtesy)
a&e
February 10, 2010
The Wichitan n 5
Lambert and Bowen to perform at Kay Yeager Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
Country star Miranda Lambert will take to the stage at Kay Yeager Coliseum, Saturday, Feb. 15. Lambert released her third album, Revolution, in 2009, featuring the popular songs White Liars and Dead Flowers. In one of her most successful singles, Gunpowder and Lead, Lambert declared that some little girls are made less of sugar and spice than more combustible substances. And the title track of her 2005 platinum debut, Kerosene, established her in the country music business as a firestarting personality. But it may be no mistake that the new album’s title, Revolution, could be taken as
similarly aggressive. At the other end of the Revolution-ary spectrum is the tender but still thoroughly realistic Love Song, cowritten with Blake Shelton and two members of Lady Antebellum. The 25-year-old was recently the focus of her first cover story in Country Weekly, on the cover of First, a women’s magazine (“Miranda’s Bliss Tips!�), and Garden & Gun (which trumpeted her as “The New Loretta Lynn�). People named her one of 2009’s “100 Most Beautiful People,� just a year after Esquire named her “Terrifying Woman of the Year.� Her 2005 effort, Kerosene, put her as one of only seven artists in the history of SoundScan to come out of the
box at No. 1 on the country sales chart with a debut album. The album was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and CMT.com, among many others. She picked up key nominations for the CMAs, Grammys, CMT Awards, and other honors, beating fellow newcomers Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler to be named as the ACMs’ top new female vocalist. In 2007, her album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend also debuted at No. 1 on the country chart. Wade Bowen is expected to open for Lambert, kicking off the concert at 8 p.m. Buy your tickets now at wfmpec.com.
Nick Jonas stands on his own with his new album Cora Kuykendall For the Wichitan
On Jan. 2 a couple hundred Jonas fans (including myself ) listened with excited and nervous ears as Nick Jonas and The Administration made their debut performance at the House of Blues in Dallas. One month later, their debut album, Who I Am hit stores with nine new tracks and one redone version of the song Tonight from their A Little Bit Longer album, which released in 2008. I have been a Jonas fan for about three years now, and I can sadly say that I know that Nick Jonas wrote most of the lyrics and music for their last three albums. I can definitely say Who I Am is definitely his most mature and non-boy band sounding release yet. With lyrics such as “She’s seductive/ She does it well/ She’ll charge you by the hour/ For a straight trip down to hell� and musical backing by John Mayer’s guitarist and three member’s of Prince’s backing band, it’s altogether a completely new and different sound than what you are used to hearing from a Jonas. This might turn into something more than just something to keep Nick Jonas from getting bored due to the recent stall in Jonas Brother’s
Wade Bowen is expected to open for Lambert Saturday night The concert begins at 8 at Kay Yeager Coliseum, located in downtown Wichita Falls. (Photo Courtesy)
Miranda Lambert is scheduled to perform Saturday evening at 8. (Photo Courtesy)
‘Dear John’ dearly disappoints Lauren Wood Entertainment Editor
music production due to weddings and movies. Nick’s first solo album, Nick Jonas, released when he was just 12 years old, resulted in the phenomenon of The Jonas Brothers. So who knows, Who I Am might result in something even bigger and better for the young 17-year-old. In the words of Nick himself, I recommend listening with unbiased ears; you might surprise yourself when you buy your first Jonas album.Â
$385
The film version of Dear John receives my tear-jearker stamp of approval, but also a return to sender mark. Dear John starts off as a classic love story: guy meets girl and they fall in love. But it quickly changes into a very heartbreaking and depressive story that makes you never want to date anyone in the military and is sure to bring tears to anyone who is a sucker for Nicholas Sparks novels. Having not read the book, I entered the theater without any expectation expect for Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe, Step Up) to be hot. (No failure there, ladies.) I had heard nothing but Nick Jonas and The Adrave reviews about the book, ministration released their so I went in whole-heartedly first album, “Who I Am.� expecting a wonderful film, but (Photo Courtesy) was left confused, depressed and disappointed. Tatum stars as John, a Special Influenced By: Elvis Forces hero who has come home for some R&R. He meets Costello, John Mayer, Savannah, played by Amanda and Stevie Wonder Seyfried (Mamma Mia, Jennifer’s Sounds like: John Body), after he jumps in the ocean Mayer plus a little to save her bag. After she gushes funky/soul ‘thank you’ to him for a couple Favorite Tracks: Rose of minutes, the two head over to Garden and Vesper’s her house, where a cool and hip Goodbye party is going on, conveniently. John seems quiet and calm, but the audience can tell he has a thing for Savannah, who is this saintly dream girl that everyone loves. She is on spring break, yet spends it building a house for a needy family. John begins to think this girl is too good for him, but she assures him Tatum and Seyfried play a young couple in love that she has her faults. in “Dear John.� (Photo Courtesy)
Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried star in the newest Nicholas Sparks novel-made-movie. (Photo Courtesy)
The weeks fly by and the love begins to blossom. However, John has to go back to war, and Savannah has to go back to school. So they write letters back and forth, telling everything to each other and what is going on in their lives. While John is off overseas, he dreams of coming home and being with Savannah, once his enlistment is up in a year. However, it’s not that simple. Suddenly, Sept. 11 happens and John is pressured into reenlisting. Savannah sits home alone, pining. And their perfect relationship — well, if you know your old G.I. movies, the title kind of tells you what comes next. Dear John has a few brief bits of excitement and drama here and there, but it mainly comes from two of the supporting actors. One is Richard Jenkins,
who plays John’s father — a withdrawn coin collector with a touch of Asperger’s. Even though he doesn’t speak much, he does a fantastic job illustrating the difficulties of the condition and of the trying relationship between father and son. The other is Henry Thomas, who stars as Tim, a man with an autistic child and is close with Savannah’s family. He plays a convincing “good guy� role, who is gentle and kind to everyone – especially Savannah. Tatum and Seyfried have spectacular chemistry, and were cast perfectly; it was the plot that discouraged me. It is not a typical chick flick with its happy ending and nothing seems to go according to how you want it. I suggest reading the book first, to see if you will even like the story, then see the movie if you are hooked.
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February 10, 2010
ROWELL.......continued from page 1 build houses for Habitat for Humanity. The volunteer said he goes out to work three or four days most weeks, but sometimes he’s needed even more than that. “It’s been six days a week for the last three weeks, but I’ve got to cut back on that,” Rowell said as he rubbed his deeply creased forehead. He became involved with Habitat for Humanity when his colleague, MSU Math Professor David Tucker, invited him to help. Rowell said he tried to get to know everybody on campus when he started teaching at MSU in 1965, from professors to janitors. “I miss the fellowship,” he said. Rowell taught math at MSU for 35 years before he decided to retire in 2000. “I just felt it was time,” he said. Although he retired at age 67, Rowell said he didn’t stop teaching right away. “I was 74 when I stopped completely,” he said. “The kept asking me to come back part time. Rowell was also faculty athletic representative for 32 years. He certified all athletes for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Although his professional teaching career has finally come to a close, Rowell continues to teach in other ways. “David Tucker and I learned how to put up vinyl siding on the houses when I first started and we taught others how to do it right,” he said. “During the week there’s usually three to five of us who do a lot of prep work so we’re ready for the volunteers. Dominique Calhoun, Devin Wright and Sterling Hoover donate time and “The House that Midwestern Built,” a house near Washington-Jackson A lot of the time we just help crews stop and corwork weekly to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Several MSU orga- Elementary that a local grandfather will soon call home. rect mistakes.” nizations have put together teams to participate in the construction of (Photo by: Julia Raymond) Despite Rowell’s age, he is still capable of doing the hard labor, he said. But as he ages, he cuts HABITAT......................................................................................................................................continued from page 1 back. “There are things I do and things I don’t do,” he “They were very supportive and major, has committed herself to volHabitat for Humanity home on Feb. ing the project of a weekly basis.a said. “I don’t climb roofs or ladders anymore.” The groups registered with Do- unteer every Friday until the project working in the mud was kind of fun,” 12, 2009. Sims immediately began Rowell said that what he does for Habitat for donating his “sweat equity” toward minique Calhoun, coordinator of is completed. Wright said with a smile. Humanity is helping him stay healthy and strong. “I like helping other people and the project and has already accu- multicultural services in the Office “Health-wise it’s good for me,” he said. “I probHoover is a member of Tau Kappa mulated almost all of the 300 hours of Student Development and Ori- giving back to the community,” she ably would hardly be able to walk if I didn’t work Epsilon and has volunteered for nurequired of every Habitat partner entation. They attend informational said. there. Plus my wife really doesn’t like it when I’m Hoover, a marketing major, plans merous events supporting research meetings in mid-January. family. sitting around reading and watching TV while she Two volunteers, juniors Devin to volunteer at the project for as long for Alzheimer’s and St. Jude’s HosMSU volunteers began doing does housework.” Wright and Sterling Hoover, were a as he can. their part in late January 2010. Rowell said people – both young and old – need pital. Both volunteers agreed it was a lot Over the next several months, vol- part of the “Wellness Center” team, to get involved and commit to volunteering at Wright, however, donates her time unteers have the opportunity to work who volunteered their time Friday of work and was extremely muddy least once a month. that afternoon, but is was fun and in a different way; she donates blood with others in building this brand afternoon. “A lot of people think they can’t do it,” he said. The “Wellness Center” team has a rewarding. new two bedroom, one bath home every eight weeks. “But they would be amazed at what they’d learn “I moved large boards, handled a located in Fuller Estates, a develop- few volunteers on Wednesdays and “I love getting involved in volun- and how much they could accomplish. I think as ment near Washington-Jackson El- Fridays from 1-5pm, according to nail gun, helped secure the frame of long as a person can do something, they should.” Wright. This includes several Well- the roof, covered up the sides of the teer projects whenever I can, and doementary. Rowell said he has gotten stronger and more Students could form teams and ness Center student workers, as well house and got really muddy,” Wright nating blood is another way I can get confident from working for Habitat for Humansaid. register together, volunteering as a as a few regular patrons. involved,” Wright said. “Just like do- ity. Another group was present at the “On Friday, our team consisted group to help this worthy cause. The “I couldn’t do it when I started, but I could pretnating blood, I don’t like getting paid team registration, however, was only of Dominique Calhoun, Sterling construction site, and as the two ty much build you a house now,” he said. for doing stuff that we all should be groups worked together, they were for those who would be making a Hoover, and myself,” Wright said. doing anyways.” Wright, an exercise physiology able to accomplish many tasks. continual commitment to assist dur-
THEFT............................................................................................................................................................................................................continued from page 1 Weaver said the same man came into the store trying to resell books about a week earlier. Weaver told police he wrote down the man’s driver’s license number in case he returned. This made it easy to identify him when he came back to fence more stolen books. “He seemed nervous, like anxious,” Weaver said. “He cut everybody in line and kept telling us to hurry because he had a doctor’s appointment or something.” The suspect fled the bookstore when two MSU police officers arrived, according to a probable cause affidavit. He attempted to enter the passen-
ger side of a car parked outside the Clark Student Center, but found the door locked. The engine of the vehicle was also not running. Police said the driver, Jessica Dickson, tried to unlock the door for him, but was too late. The suspect ran and eventually evaded police. Dickson, a non-student, was not so lucky. She started the car and pulled forward, but MSU Officer Elwyn Ladd and Sgt. Michael Cross blocked the way. Instead of stopping the car, Dickson pulled forward, hitting Cross with the front of her car. When he got in her way again,
she rammed him once more. Cross was not injured. Both officers brandished their guns and took Dickson into custody. She has been charged with attempted aggravated assault of a police officer. Her bail has been set at $5,000. Dickson’s charges are still pending. “She was part of a ring,” said Police Chief Michael Hagy. “She wasn’t the one we wanted, but she was the driver.” Police found four books from Vernon College inside the vehicle. The books were valued at approximately $250. Karen McClure, an assistant
at the Vernon College Bookstore, said it could have been worse. “We were very fortunate,” she said. A computer program that tracks VC student names squashed one man’s attempt to resell stolen books to the store. McClure said she knew right off, even without the program, that he wasn’t a student. “He seemed very seedy, deceitful, not at all like a student,” she said. She said theft isn’t a big problem at the store. A security guard is usually posted at the front entrance. She said the size of the store and the small number of staff also prevents much stealing. Nothing was lifted from the MSU Bookstore, Manager Jenny Denning said. The staff uses vigilant customer service to cut down on theft, and keeps its eye on suspicious characters. “Anytime somebody walks in here that doesn’t look like a student, we’re suspicious,” she said. “They stick out like a sore thumb. We know they’re
The MSU bookstore no longer allows customers into the textbook section unattended. The store has plans to install surveillance cameras in an effort to discourage other would-be thieves. (Photo by: Julia Raymond)
not here to browse or buy a Tshirt.” The store put up a partition in front of the book section earlier this semester to keep characters like these out, Denning said.
“You never know what somebody might do, so we try to take away their opportunity,” she said. Currently the store is planning to install surveillance cameras.
February 10, 2010
On Deck This Week n
WEDNESDAY, february10
BASKETBALL
Women @ West Texas A&M* 6:00 PM Men @ West Texas A&M* 8:00 PM n
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MUSTANGS KEEP ON ROLLING!
thursday, february 11 TEnnis
Men @ Paseo Tournament Pheonix, AZ Women @ Presidents Day Tournament, Pheonix, AZ n
friday, february 12 Softball
2 pm vs. TAMU - Kingsville** 6:30 pm vs. tExas womens**
TEnnis
Men @ Paseo Tournament Pheonix, AZ Women @ Presidents Day Tournament, Pheonix, AZ n
saturday, february 13 Softball
11:45 am - texas womens** 4:15 PM - TAMU - Kingsville** 6:30 PM - Central missouri**
TEnnis
Men @ Paseo Tournament Pheonix, AZ Women @ Presidents Day Tournament, Pheonix, AZ
BASKETBALL Women vs. e. New mexico* 6:00 PM Men vs. e. new mexico* 8:00 PM n
WEDNESDAY, february17
BASKETBALL
Women @ TAMU - Kingsville* 6:00 PM Men @ TAMU - Kingsville* 8:00 PM
bold denotes home game * denotes conference game ** Denotes TWU invitational, denton, tx
HOLE IN ONE! Josh Hoggard Sports Editor
Taylor’s older brother, Travis, also a Mustang golfer, has hit two in his career. An MSU student Apparently golfer has accomholes in one run plished a feat few in the family. golfers ever do - she Surprisingly, sank a hole-in-one. a wedge, not a Freshman Taylor driver, sent this Klutts of the MSU ball into Klutts golf team hit her history. first ever hole-inEnthusiastic one on the thirassistant coach teenth hole of the Don Lancaster Wichita Falls Country Club Freshman Taylor Klutts waved a rake in celebration. on Friday, Feb- (Photo Courtesy) Congraturuary 5. lations, TayFriends Kari Goen and lor Klutts, on this incredible Kyla Whitley witnessed the achievement. event firsthand.
The 6th-Rank Mustangs rocking back and forth, building their energy and passion before taking on Tarleton State at the D.L. Ligon Colesium on Saturday. (Photo cby Patrick Johnson)
Matt Ledesma For The Wichitan This past week was very good to the No. 6 Midwestern State Men’s basketball team. The Mustangs (21-1, 6-1) swept Tarleton State in a pair of games that extended MSU’s overall win streak to seven. They also claimed sole position of the LSC South Division lead with five conference games left to play. But the way that the Mustangs took care of business couldn’t have been more different in each of the contests. Last Wednesday at Tarleton, MSU jumped out to a 33-point halftime lead against the Texans, eventually rolling to a 66-49 victory. Mustangs coach Grant Mc-
Casland described the big run as one of the best performances in a half he’d ever been a part of. The Mustangs shot almost 50 percent for the game (66.7% in the first half ), including an 8-of-12 night from behind the arc. Meanwhile, a stingy MSU defense limited Tarleton to just five field goals in the first half. MSU followed that win with a much closer 72-69 victory over the Texans at D.L Ligon Colisuem Saturday night, which featured a career performance by senior guard Craig Green. Green, who was named LSC offensive player of the week for his efforts, paced the offense with a career high 33 points, including the go-ahead bucket to give MSU a 71-69 lead. The Keller High School product scored 17
of the team’s 22 points in the game’s final 8 ½ minutes, helping MSU overcome an eightpoint deficit down the stretch. “Craig has been working so hard in practice on his shot, and it’s really nice to see that paying off during the games,” McCasland said. “He’s very deserving of all the honors.” The coach also praised the defensive efforts of junior guard Chris Hagan over the two-game stretch. Hagan is no slouch on the offensive end either, averaging close to 14 points a night. “I think we are talented enough that we can have a lot of different guys step up big for us on any given night,” McCasland said. The Mustangs will have a
chance to keep things going with a game at West Texas A&M (12-10, 3-4) tonight, and then back home versus Eastern New Mexico (8-13, 3-4) on Saturday. Each team currently sits fourth and fifth in the division, respectively. McCasland said WT is historically tough to play on the road, and will likely play a grindit-out style of ball to try and keep things close. “It will be tough, but if we play sound defensively and rebound well again, I think we’ll have a good chance,” he said. Tipoff in Canyon, Texas is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Nicki Duff, Natalie Rodriguez, Courtney Bingham and Mallory Mooney racked up two hits each to lead the stampede. Pitcher Brittney Tanner got her second win of the season after the save by Katie Peterson, her first of the season. As if the win over Eastern New Mexico wasn’t decisive enough, the Mustangs wreaked even more havoc on the Texas A&M Kingsville Lady Javelinas in the second game on Saturday. Sophomore third baseman Mallory Despite a lackluster Mooney lead the Mustangs with 8 hits performance on deand 3 RBI’s in this weekends tournament. fense with five errors (Photo by Patrick Johnson) and a not-so-dazzling game thrown by But, Angelo State pitcher pitcher Kristina Gutierrez, alDoodoo Cahcah limited the lowing ten hits and four runs, Mustangs to only two runs off of she still came away with the win, that error as the Mustangs fell to as the Mustangs managed ten the Rambelles. runs off of thirteen hits, sailing After splitting the opening to a 10-4 win over Texas A&M day of the tournament, one win Kingsville. and one loss, the Mustangs were Mallory Mooney led the hungry for wins on the second Mustangs hitting attack with day of the tournament. three hits and four RBI’s. Elena And wins, they received. Bennett also had two hits and an The Mustangs came out RBI. swinging against Eastern New The story of the first day was a Mexico in their first game of two commanding win and a slip up. on Saturday. The story of the second day With seven runs off of a was two explosive wins. whopping twelve hits, the Lady The story of the third and final Mustangs cruised by the Lady day of the tournament looked to Zias, 7-4. be an exciting tale.
And, in fact, it was. In the tournament finale in San Antonio, the Mustangs faced the St. Mary’s Rattlers. The Lady Rattlers quickly jumped ahead, scoring three runs in the second inning. And, for five innings, the Mustangs remained scoreless. Only racking up four hits in the first five innings, all hope seemed lost. Then, after a four hit, three run top of the sixth, the Mustangs rallied to tie the game heading into the seventh. Five outs into the seventh, the game looked as if it were heading into overtime. However, Christina Rodriguez of St. Mary’s drove in the gamewinning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and the Mustangs fell in a heartbreaker to the Rattlers in the tournament finale, 4-3. Mallory Mooney led the hitting attack for the Mustangs, with two hits and one RBI. The Mustangs came out of the tournament with a 3-2 record and high hopes for the rest of the season. Tuesday’s home opener against Abilene Christian at Mustang Park was cancelled due to weather. The game has been rescheduled as a double-header on March 4th. The Lady Mustangs head to Denton this weekend to the Texas Women’s Invitational to take on several conference opponents. Games begin Friday at 2 PM.
Softball season starts out swinging Josh Hoggard Sports Editor
Softball season is underway! The Mustangs and Coach Bradley Tigert were looking to build upon last year’s success and post-season appearance with a solid start to their season. They did just that. They began their season at the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II Classic in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, February 5, picking up three wins and losing two. Opening day of the tournament started with a bang and ended with a whimper for the Mustangs. The day started with a battle against conference opponent Tarleton State. Pitcher Brittney Tanner allowed just one run off of seven hits to lead the Mustangs to a 6-1 victory over the Texans. Nicki Duff, Courtney Bingham, and Alyson Reynolds lead the hitting attack for the Mustangs, each pounding in two hits. Duff also had 2 RBI’s. The Mustangs came out stomping and crushed the Texans. The second match up against the No. 19 Angelo State Rambelles, however, was an entirely different story. The Mustangs trailed 4-0 after five doubles rocked pitcher Katie Peterson in the third inning. However, at the bottom of the inning, the Mustangs took advantage of a Rabelles error and cut the lead in half.
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scores All-American Mustangs
Women’s B.Ball Midwestern Tarleton State
Mens’s B.Ball
2/3
47 70 Final
2/3
Midwestern Tarleton State
66 49 Final
Softball
2/5
Midwestern Tarleton State
6 2 Final
Softball
2/5
Midwestern Angelo State
2 5 Final
Softball
2/6
Midwestern E. New Mexico
7 4 Final
Softball
2/6
Midwestern 10 TAMU - Kingsville 4 Final
Women’s B.Ball Tarleton State Midwestern
Mens’s B.Ball
2/6 56 54 Final
2/6
Tarleton State Midwestern
69 72 Final
Softball
2/7
Midwestern St. Marys
3 4 Final
Super Bowl
2/7
New Orleans Saints 31 Indianapolis Colts 17 Final NO: Brees - 32/39, 288, 2 TD Thomas - 9 carries, 30 yd Thomas - 6 rec, 55 yd, TD IND: Manning - 31/45, 333, 1T, 1I Addai - 13 car, 77 yd, TD Garcon - 5 rec, 66 yd, TD MVP: Brees (NO)
Eskridge, Tanner, Calloway receive Hansen’s Football Gazette All-American Mention MSUMustangs.com For the Wichitan
Three Midwestern State players garnered honorable mention All-American honors Monday by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Junior quarterback Zack Eskridge, a 2009 Harlon Hill finalist and Daktronics AllSuper Region 4 Offensive Player of the Year, led NCAA Division II with a 180.2 pass efficiency rating for the Lone Star Conference tri-champion
Mustangs. Eskridge completed 71.3 percent of his passes for a school-record 3,295 yards. The junior signal caller connected for 29 touchdowns and threw six interceptions. The Rockwall High product was also the Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year and also gained D2Football.com honorable mention All-American honors. Senior wide receiver Andy Tanner, another Rockwall High product, rewrote all of MSU’s single-season receiving
records by making 75 receptions for 1,186 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior center Lance Calloway, a Wylie High product, made 44 starts over the past four seasons at guard and center for units which averaged more than 400 yards per game. Midwestern State completed its 10th-straight winning campaign with a 9-3 record and its third trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Mustangs were ranked 14th in the final AFCA Division II poll.
Quarterback Zack Eskridge, one of three Mustangs named in Hansen’s Football Gazette. (Photo Courtesy)