March 12, 2008 by The Wichitan and Wai Kun

The student voice of Midwestern State University

The Wichitan page 4 Historical flop

Epic retelling of ancient times focuses too much on romance, not enough on action.

page 5 Mustangs on fire Softball squad led by Katie Peterson takes advantage of first home stand of year

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Campus police provide students safe escort home MSU’s escort service has nothing to do with romantic companionship. Here on campus, the escorts are campus police officers and the only favor on their menu is ensuring the safety of the student body. Campus police offer vehicle and walking escorts for students going to and from destinations at MSU. “This is not a taxi cab service,” police chief Michael Hagy said. Students must voice some sense of vulnerability or apprehension if they want their call to be taken seriously, Hagy said. While the service runs 24 hours a day, most requests come after 9:30 p.m. from students who have just finished labs or late-night study sessions, Hagy said. He estimated that the department gets about one call a night. Hagy also said that bad break-ups or relationships gone awry have been motivating factors for a portion of escort requests, mostly coming from females. Publicity for the escort service was relatively low until 1999 when Hagy was hired as police chief. Resident assistants also take a proactive approach in informing students who live on campus of the escort ser-

vice. Whether it is brought up in residence hall or floor meetings or posted on bulletin boards, students living on campus should be aware of the services available to them. In a meeting last September with the Student Government Association, Hagy briefed SGA senators on the escort service. The senators then relayed the information to their respective jurisdictions of the student body. SGA has no plans to advertise the escort service in any other manner. “It’s not a student-led initiative,” SGA president Dominique Calhoun said. Calhoun believes that the escort service is “case-sensitive” to residents, and that it is primarily the responsibility of residence halls and resident assistants to inform students of the service. As the semester continues and new students get situated and gradually more comfortable in their environment, Hagy said requests for police escorts gradually decrease. Students can use one of the 13 yellow emergency call boxes located around campus, which directly connect to the police station, or call (940) 397-4239 to request a police escort. Calhoun said he would consider any request for more student emergency call boxes, but so far it has been a nonissue.

other type of account that was better suited for her. Fortunately, she was refunded $37.50, which amounted to three months of charges. Randall Mobley, a senior mass communications major, found himself in a more serious financial predicament. Mobley opened a joint bank account with a friend in March 2007. “This was the first of many mistakes,” he said. His friend later took Mobley’s social security number and applied for a credit card in his name. The credit card charges amounted to $5000 by the time Mobley was aware of it. He filed a police report in

order to close the account, but still had to repay the charges. “I dropped the identity theft charges because my friend started repaying the loan,” he said. Another mistake. Mobley’s friend stopped paying almost immediately after. Mobley is a full time student who works two jobs, totaling over 50 hours per week to repay his debt. He had perfect credit before the incident, and now he is fighting to get his credit back on track. “I’ve learned my lesson,” Mobley said. “Never let a friend have access to your personal information. Always keep it private.”

Jordan J amison F or T he W ichitan

WHAM! KAPOW! Comics connoisseurs help keep tradition alive Chris Collins Managing Editor

Dan Winslow and Ryan Samuelson are kids at heart. The two Moffett librarians have an interesting hobby: they love to read comic books. Winslow and Samuelson, self-proclaimed comic book buffs, presented a history of comics this February in Moffett Library to students, faculty and the larger community. “Comics pretty much dominated my life dur-

ing my teenage years,” said Samuelson, government publications librarian. “It was a huge part of my life from age 7 to 20.” Winslow, collection development and systems librarian, on the other hand, started reading comics seriously at age 25. Though the two are avid comics fans, they don’t pretend to be avid collectors. Both admit they currently have about 20 trade paperbacks on hand. “I had more when I was a teenager. They’re

See “Comics” page 3

Unexpected trouble with credit card fees, bank account rules lands unknowing students in sticky financial predicaments Correlle Ferlance Advertising Manager

Credit cards, online banking, ATM and automatic bill payment systems have made some people’s lives easier. But this trouble-free life comes with responsibility. ATM fees and bank charges are just a few of them. Unfortunately, some MSU students have found themselves in financial dilemmas because of these service fees. Senior Porscha Moore, a criminal justice major, found that she owed American National Bank $240 after being charged with numerous overdraft protection fees in a single day.

“I was shopping one day and made quite a few purchases with my bank card, but did not realize the money was coming from my savings account,” Moore said. Moore’s savings and checking accounts are linked. Each time Moore made a purchase, a $10 fee was charged to her account. “I understood what happened later on, but what really got me upset was the fact that the bank took all the money as soon as my direct deposit was sent to my account.” Moore contacted the bank, but their representative told her that only the first $10 fee would be forgiven. Most banks charge between

$10 and $50 for insufficient funds. A solution to being charged with insufficient funds fees is getting an overdraft protection plan. This is still not a perfect solution because the overdraft protection fees can add up. Moore said since her incident, she has been extra careful with her bank account. She said the most important thing is to be aware of your bank policies and what fees will apply in certain instances. Zanela Claxton, a sophomore psychology student, realized that she was being charged with $12.50 fees seemingly out of nowhere. “I started banking with Wells

Fargo about a year and a half ago when I opened my college checking account,” Claxton said. “Unlike some of my friends, I do not check my bank accounts regularly.” One day when she checked her statements, Claxton said she realized she had charges she had been unaware of. She contacted her bank and the representative told her that her balance fell under $5000, which was the minimum she could have in her account. “Charges for not having enough money?” she asked. “That just didn’t make much sense to me.” Claxton’s personal banker transferred her funds to an-

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The Wichitan

Staff Editorial

Cash or credit?

Fewer and fewer college students dig cash

out of their wallets when it comes time to make a purchase. Instead, the payment method of choice is plastic. Credit and debit cards are irrefutably more convenient than carrying around wads of wrinkled paper money and counting out quarters, but the true problem arises when shoppers don’t realize they don’t have as much cash in their accounts as they originally thought.

When using a debit card, avoid overage fees

by simply checking the amount of money in your

A little civility shows big character

account. Overage fees can be killer, especially if you don’t realize you’re overdrawn.

Be careful with your digits. Social security

numbers, credit card numbers and PIN numbers are all things that should be protected heavily. Identity theft if rampant, and all it takes is a little bit of accidentally divulged information to catalyze financial distaster. If spending years digging yourself out of debt doesn’t sound like fun, keep personal information private. Be extra careful when making purchases or entering your information online.

When swiping the plastic that isn’t directly

tied to money you (supposedly) already have waiting in your account, remember that nasty four-letter word that can become a crushing reality for college

Older sisters want what is best for their siblings. But I was informed of something recently, and now I don’t have the slightest worry or doubt in my youngest sibling Haley Cunningham Kelly. For The Wichitan She is the walking definition of petite. At twelve years of age, she is barely the size of a 7-year-old. I love my sister, and she’s a twerp, but she is worthy of some genuine respect. In order to tell this story, I now enter Dr. Seuss mode, partially in celebration of “Horton Hears a Who” coming to theaters this week, but mostly because I am a Seuss fan and this allusion is a fun way to tell my story. At the small school of Perrin Goes my small sister. She’s far, far away, And boy, do I miss her. One day a hap-happening Ended to be Proof that her spirit doesn’t end at 4’3”. That day, after school

students. Debt. Eventually, it is necessary to pay

sary post-graduation.

The Wichitan 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 • Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 News Desk (940) 397-4704 • Advertising Desk (940) 397-4705 Fax (940) 397-4025 • E-mail WICHITAN@mwsu.edu Web site: http://www.mwsu.edu/~wichitan Copyright © 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.

The advanced science teacher turned with a start. Why, most wouldn’t bother! She was showing great heart!

Put others first, Be kind to a stranger. (Not too strange of course, I don’t want you in danger.)

“Why, no, my young lady!” he started to say, Instead of just turning and walking away. He nodded and smiled in great admiration At the most thoughtful girl In the whole world-widely nation.

Leave that parking space open, Hold open a door, Pick up someone’s pen That fell to the floor.

“I thank you for the offer. That’s awfully neat, that someone like you would help someone like me.”

Other people have bad days, It’s not just your luck. We’d all want the same courtesy If we happened to be stuck.

Kell-Belly just smiled and went on her way. (But not before wishing him a very good day.)

I leave you with one word. Not two and not three. Remember this word, It is: chivalry.

I tell you this story to simply imply Help out one another, Just give it a try.

Reporters Richard Carter Josh Mujica Marissa Millender

Copy Editor Marissa Millender

Op-Ed Editor Position Open

Photographers Loren Eggenschwiler

Adviser Randy Pruitt

Photo Editor Patrick Johnston

Advertising Manager Correlle Ferlance

What happens to us when we are in public and something does not go exactly as planned? Where have the manners gone? When did it become okay for a grown individual to scream at the person behind the counter? I am encountering this more and more often. On a recent trip departing from Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, my plane was delayed due to unforseen circumstances beyond the ticket agent’s control: Mother Nature. Yet the man ahead of me in line, whose entire trip had now

don’t want to be even more in the red than neces-

Not often do the younger Teach to the old, But this lesson is obvious. She was awfully bold.

society to make this behavior acceptable. A temper tantrum is expected from a toddler, not a grown man. Would this same man treat his own teenage daughter the same way? Better yet, would he think it acceptable for another adult to behave in this manner toward his child? I think not. Life is full of curve balls, unforseen circumstances beyond the control of everyone. When life doesn’t happen according to plan, instead of reacting explosively, breathe. Put things into perspective and ask yourself how you would want to be treated if you were on the other side of the counter.

shoes or the season one boxed set of Grey’s Anato-

In short, be smart with your money if you

Kelly stopped with a smile And graciously said, “Would you like me to carry that bundle instead?”

Apparently, he was not satisfied with the answer he recieved to whatever question he asked, because his next action was to slam his fist down hard onto the counter they stood behind. Shocked and scared, the girls listened to the grown man’s tantrum, their eyes desperately searching for a manager. This man, old enough to be their father, continued to raise his voice until he had everyone’s attention. The last thing he did before storming out the front door was throw his circular paging device at the girls. By this time, two of the hostesses were in tears. What has happened in our

Stacy Rasmussen For The Wichitan

No favor is too little, No help is too small. See, even her offer Was from the smallest of all!

Explosive behavior the norm, even for adults

back what you borrow to purchase that new pair of

my.

A teacher much taller and older than she Was carrying books with great difficulty.

been ruined, decided that raising his voice and using profane language was the appropriate way to handle the situation. On the recieving end, a young 20-something woman with tears welling in her eyes, repeatedly apologized for the inconvenience and promised to get him accomodated on the next availible flight. Another example: one Friday evening, some friends and I were at a local restaurant. As we patiently waited for our table to become available, which we knew would not be for at least an hour, a man approached the host stand where about for teenage girls were standing.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Brittany Norman

Managing Editor Chris Collins

Entertainment Editor Courtney Foreman Sports Editor Bobby Morris

News

The Wichitan Mar. 12, 2008

Campus briefs

Photo by Patrick Johnston Professor Elizabeth Lewandowski gave a Faculty Forum presentation Tuesday evening entitled “The History of Drag.” Throughout the lecture, she gave examples of famous crossdressers such as Boy George.

• Mar. 12

“Supervisor Boot

Camp;” Hampton Inn; Wednesday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

•

Mar. 13

“Forensic radi-

ology: radiography and sports medicine;” Bridwell 108; Thursday 7 p.m.; $20 per person.

•

Mar. 18

Native American

performance; outside Turtle Comics............................................................................................................continued from p. 1 all in storage now,” Samuelson said. “I’m not a collector as much as I’m a reader.” The presentation’s first showing was in April 2007 during National Library Week. Only one person attended. “That was disheartening,” Winslow said. This year’s presentation, sponsored by TACT (Texas Association of College Teachers) saw about 30 attendees. Compared to past showings, this was a surprising success. The two credit some of the presentation’s success to Peter Fields, assistant professor of English. Fields encouraged students and others to attend the event, they said. Winslow and Samuelson had refined the slideshow presentation since April, putting it in chronological order to make the industry’s history easier to digest. Moffett Library currently has 150 comics available. It adds 30 or 40 a year, Winslow said. “I don’t get many requests for comic books from people. “There’s a debate in the library that shouldn’t be a debate, in my mind,” Winslow said. “There are people who think comics aren’t real literature. Really, they’re a great way to get kids to read.” Winslow and Samuelson are willing to give another presentation on comics, but are waiting until asked. The first comic strip, The Yellow Kid, was published in 1895 by the “New York World.” It was followed closely by Katzenjammer Kids, also published by the “New York World.” Comic books, or multi-page books of sequential art and narratives, started to take form in the 1930s. Detective Comics, now known as “DC Comics,” was established in 1937. This was the birth of the comic book as it is known today. “Comic books are a mirror to society in many ways. They reflect the times and periods they come from,” Samuelson said. “It’s like a mini history lesson,” Winslow added. Comics thrived from the appearance of popular superheroes such as Batman, Superman and The Amazing Spider-Man during the ’30s and ’40s. These comics not only appealed to the youthful audience they were directed to, but also the U.S. adult population. Some of the series’ success in this period, however, can be attributed to shock value. MAD Comics, Tales from the Crypt and Famous Crimes garnered much of their fan bases from the controversial nature of their content. “Blood and boobs, that’s what sells to young boys,” Samuelson said. “We didn’t have Grand Theft Auto then. Today you can’t shock people like that anymore.”

Comic books were a mainstay of American life until Congressional concerns over the controversial nature of some series created a Comics Code Authority. This, in combination with a paper drive in the war-time 1940s caused the permanent decline of comic sales. The industry never recovered, even though the Comics Code was rescinded in the ’70s. “The industry’s doing okay,” said Galaxy Comics owner Larry Cox. “It’s not doing as well as it was 10 or 12 years ago. I don’t sell as many comics as I did 10 years ago.” Cox said most small comic book shops in the area have closed because of competition and rising prices. Cox’s Wichita Falls business is one of the largest comics shops in North Texas. He’s owned the store since 1990. “In 10 years, the comic industry will still be around, just not as big as it is now,” Cox said. He attributes this trend to a number of factors, including inflation and the Internet. Sites like eBay and Amazon. com, Cox said, have given many fans the opportunity to shop for comics from home. Cox’s average customer, he said, is about 28 years old. This may surprise those who believe sequential art is intended only for young children and adolescents. In fact, many of his customers are military personnel stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base. “Oftentimes the people who read comic books are older than

the people they are marketed to,” said Fields. “Comics address issues adult literature does not address. Juvenile fantasy addresses issues that are questionable to mainstream culture. “On one hand,” Fields said, “comics are marketed to young people, but the topics are troubling, perverse and adult in nature.” Our imagination shapes the nature of our experiences, Fields noted. When he was very young, Fields said, his favorite superhero was Superman. Photo by Patrick Johnston “I prayed very Shelves of comic books stand in Moffett hard that God would Library. give me the gift to ics in a cool, dry place out of the fly. I jumped and sunlight. A book should be put in jumped hoping I would fly.” Jason Brezina, circulation plastic container with acid-free department manager at Moffett cardboard backing. This keeps Library, also identified strongly the comics from yellowing, Brwith Superman when he was ezina said. Resale value, the circulation young. The 36-year-old librarian manager said, is determined helped Winslow and Samuelson mainly by the quality and rarity with a comics presentation last of the piece. He said a comic’s year, but wasn’t able to contrib- relation to the birth of the “superhero” – the Golden Age of ute in February, “Comic books are what got Comics – could also determine me into reading. They sparked its worth Some collectors vacuum-seal my imagination.” Brezina has a comics collec- their collections, Brezina said, tion of 4,000 books. He advised “but who has the time for that?” other collectors store their com-

Free Pizza and Scholarship Information! Do you want to teach math, science or foreign language?

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Tuesday, April 8th - 5: 00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bolin Science Hall Room 100

Sponsored by West College of Education and Project BEGIN For more information contact: Project Director - Jane Owen 940-397-4073 jane.owen@mwsu.edu

Creek at 711 Indiana; Saturday 2 p.m.; attendance free; donations benefit Native Americans.

• “Survival MSU;” Applications at student development and orientation office (CSC 194); entries due March 27 at 5 p.m.

• “Out of the Blue” and “Monochrome: a Study of Orange” opened March 7 in the Fain Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit will be taken down April 18. “Elements + Principles” will also run from March 7 to April 18 in the foyer gallery.

Help Wanted Are you a...........

- Writer? - Photographer? - Graphic designer? - Artist?

Think you could be? We’re currently seeking the following: Reporters Columnists Graphic artists Sports writers Entertainment writers Photographers

Call us: 397-4704 or email us: wichitan@mwsu.edu

The Wichitan Mar. 12, 2008

Entertainment

10,000 B.C. equals Jurassic dissapointment If you were expecting blood and multiple intense fight scenes, you have got the wrong picture. “10,000 B.C.” is about a young hunter, Steven Strait (“The Covanent”) who is forced to lead a small group of hunters to pursue mysterious warlords on “four-legged demons” to the end of the world to save the girl he loves, Camilla Belle (“When A Stranger Calls”). It is not a bad movie, it just isn’t on the top of the list. It was way over-advertised and all the really good parts are in the previews. I thought it was going to be a really intense movie filled with fighting and wars, but it is actually mainly a love story. The storyline is simple and easy to follow, and is connected by a chain of prophecies told by different tribes’ wise people. In between telling prophecies, there are spurts of small action scenes involving wooly mammoths, an abnormally huge saber-tooth and giant ostriches. The action scenes were well done, but not nearly long enough. The dialogue is not engaging and involves mainly cliché lines, but there are some interesting names they give common things/animals. The effects are believable and convincing and the costumes are well designed and practical. And c’mon everyone has got to love the dreads. Lauren Wood For the Wichitan

Joel Virgel in 10,000 B.C

There is actually a few comedic parts where it will having you laughing and kind of break up the seriousness of the movie. However, there are parts that are still slow and

have you drifting off and wondering about why that kid next to you is farting (true story) and not paying attention to the movie. It is not like “300” at all. No nearly-naked

men (or women). No slow motion action scenes. No intense blood flying either. The only thing that is similar is that there is a narrator that begins the movie explaining what is going on, and continues with the film, adding tid-bits here and there. The film is labeled as a action/ adventure, but also has a heavy dose of romance and drama. Might as well have called it a romance because the film is practically about a hero trying to save his damsel in distress, and just a few action scenes interrupt that adventure. It also has the typical mentor, who is keeping a deep secret from his young learner, and there is the villain, a rather ugly man who is also in love with the damsel. What a coincidence. Then there is the ending. The surprise “twist” is fairly predictable, but you have to be following along with the prophecies in order to catch it. If you are not, then tears will be shed before you do the “Yay” number. Again, it is not a horrible movie, but it definitely could have been done better.

Young local band shows you can’t put age limit on talent Richard Carter For the Wichitan

The four members of Southern groove band Corithea may be old enough to find the groove but are not yet old enough to drive to shows. At this point in the game, they are still being dropped off, walking or getting rides to band practice. As vocalist Patrick Street explained with a laugh, “Touring is going to be a problem as long as we don’t drive.” The up-and-coming band performs Sunday March 16 at The Hangar at 3305 Sheppard Access Rd. The all-ages show begins at 7 p.m. and features Maylene, John Henry vs. The Machine and Eli Cash. The show is being promoted by MSU student Nicole Barron, and two members of Eli Cash attend MSU. Austin Monson, Mason Warren, Patrick Street, Dylan Willaims members of band Corithea “We were all musically inclined pretty young,” said gui- vors Miles Davis, Williams is The reason for the eclectic and are also having fun. tarist Dylan Williams, a sopho- into Bob Marley and Zeppelin, show is simple, according to “We got new stuff this weekmore at Old High. Vocals are a while Warren likes Mars Volta. Street. “John Henry has an awe- end.” Street said. “It’s going to different story, said drummer “We’re not like the typi- some show because of the mu- be crazy.” Mason Warren, a sophomore at cal teenagers who just listen sic,” he said. Rider. to hardcore,” Williams said. “We have two things: a “Vocalists are sort of born “We’re beyond that.” show and music that is not with it,” Warren said. “I’ve seen In a town of peer pressure, the quite as technical.” vocalists who don’t have that band members have learned to The members of Corithea, charisma and it’s traumatic.” When You Donate Plasma You listen to people tell them what at this point in the game, re The band’s bassist, Austin to do, nod their heads and then alize their limitations and Help Create Life Saving Therapies for: Monson, a freshman at Old do whatever they want to do. know they are not going to Newborns and their mothers High, agreed and said, “They The band’s OneSixNine per- get signed, unlike John Henry just sort of stand there.” formances are a perfect exam- who likely will. Children and adults with hemophila Indeed, anyone who has seen ple of them being themselves. “We’re going to get noticed Burn, shock, and trauma victims Corithea will attest that front On stage, the three musicians for our music and our age man Street, a Rider freshman, of Corithea develop a groove and our originality at shows,” Vaccine development • Surgical patients • Hepatitis patients does anything but stand around and jam it hard while Street lays Street said. Bone-marrow transplant adult recipients at shows. into the vocals. But, they have In other words, the young Together now for about nine the reputation for also throwing musicians are developing Immunedeficient children and adults months, Corithea played its first things like Belgian waffles and their craft, learning what they Research and development in medical testing show only after two or three potato chips at the crowd. can and can’t get away with practices. The band started Name: Kevin Lloyd when Williams and Warren 1400 Borton Lane Occupation: Student Wichita Falls, TX 76305 Hobbies: Playing music and surfing the met at a show and started internet talking about Led Zeppelin. Rev. Angus Thompson, Why I donate plasma: Donating Pastor As a group, Corithea’s mu“The Church That Reminds plasma is a worthy cause. You of Home” sical tastes run to local acts We Welcome Our Name: Lua Augustin Goliath, John Henry Vs. The Lively music and New Neighbors Occupation: ISM lead at Sears Machine and Baxter StockHobbies: Reading and dancing down home 1908 9th Street Sunday School 9:30 A.M. man. Why I donate plasma: A simple way to contribute to preaching and Morning Worship 10:45 A.M. Individually, they listen to medical advances. My mother is a nurse and I always www.dciplasma.com Bible Study Wednesday Evening 7:00 P.M. teachings. wanted to do something to help other people. different stuff. Monson fa58613

New Jerusalem Baptist Church

3114082

Sports

The Wichitan Mar. 12, 2008

Mustangs dominate at home Bobby Morris Sports Editor

The Lady Mustangs traveled to Edmond, Okla., yesterday to take on a Central Oklahoma squad which they split a doubleheader with last Saturday at Mustangs Park. Errors forced the Mustangs to a 5-3 game one loss, before rallying to take the 6-3 victory to split the doubleheader against the Bronchos, again. Sophomore hurler Katie Peterson pitched another gem, but had her school-record winning streak of thirteen-straight winning decisions snapped due to poor Mustang defense and two untimely errors. Peterson gave up only one

earned run, struck out five batters, while only walking one in the complete game loss. Third baseman Kristen Stonecipher gave the Lady Mustangs an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a RBI single up the middle to plate last week’s LSC North Division’s Hitter of the Week Maranda Bishop. The score remained 1-0 in MSU’s favor until the fourth inning, when the Bronchos capitalized on a pair of left field errors to eventually score four runs and seal the game. Bishop attempted to rally the team in the top of the fifth as the striped her school-record seventh triple of the season into the outfield and was brought home by first baseman Jessica Rodri-

guez’s second homer of the season. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Central Oklahoma’s Alley Roberts powered her second homer of the season over the outfield fence to set the final score at 5-3. Earlier in the week the Lady Mustangs greeted the Bronchos and the Texas Women’s University Pioneers to a pair of doubleheaders to conclude their eightgame home stand. Peterson took home victories in each of the first three games of the week, before senior southpaw Ashley Kuchenski, who fell to 2-3 on the season, and the Lady Mustangs dropped their only game of the eight-game home stand in the finale against

Patrick Johnston The Wichitan Sophomore pitcher Katie Peterson evades the tag at second by the Broncho’s shortstop.

Central Oklahoma 5-3. All five of the scored runs were plated in the sixth and decisive inning. MSU improved to 18-11 on

the season and 5-3 in LSC North Division play over the past week of games. They return to action this Saturday in Ada, Okla.

where they will take on East Central. First pitch of the double header is slated for 1 p.m.

squad with 4.8 assists per game during the season. Both basketball teams missed the playoffs this year, and as they

look forward into the off-season. These performances by these student athletes should help propel both squads.

fore Desre Tarr dropped the decisive match for the Lady Mustangs to UCO’s Lacy Caldwell: 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. The Lady Mustangs dropped to 7-2 on the season, while the Bronchos improved to 4-2. No. 32 Midwestern State will travel this afternoon up to Ada, Okla. to take on No. 21 East Central in a non-conference showdown. First serve of the match is slated for 3 p.m. The men’s tennis squad is also set to return to the MSU tennis courts on Thursday to take on Collin County Community College. They will be trying to improve on their present two-match winning streak.

The search for an offensive coordinator to take the place of Thomas continues.

Basketball programs recognized with All-Conference accolades Bobby Morris Sports Editor

After both the men’s and women’s basketball seasons prematurely came to an end about a week ago, there wasn’t much to hang their hat on. However, after the Lone Star Conference announced their AllConference and All-Academic squads last week, a group of students and both programs will have something to be proud of and something to look forward to as they head into the off-season. Seniors Stacy Staten, Christopher Reay, and Chris Davis were honored along with junior standouts Brandy Moore, Nolan Richardson IV, and Russell Button. Staten was named to the LSC All-Conference second team last week, following her banner year this season in her fourth year lettering for the Lady Mustangs. She led the Lady Mustangs in scoring this year in LSC South division play with 12.4 points

per game, and she finished her illustrious career eighth on the program’s all-time assists list with 263. Reay, the only senior honored for academics from either basketball program, was named to the LSC All-Academic team for the second consecutive season. Reay is a graduate student studying curriculum and instruction and was a big-time contributor for head coach Jeff Ray this season. Christopher started 25 of 26 games this season and brought energy and experience to the low post all season. Reay’s teammate, Button, was also recognized by the LSC for his academic achievements and was named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll last week. Junior forward Brandy Moore was the other Lady Mustang to be recognized last week as she was named to the LSC Honorable Mention team. Moore led the team with 13.9 points per game and a school-record 2.8 treys per game.

Even though she missed five games due to injury or personal reasons, Moore still stroked 62 three-pointers to put her at the program’s second all-time threepoint shooting mark in a single season. The men’s basketball program also featured two players in the All-Conference selections. Junior Nolan Richardson IV and senior captain Chris Davis were both honored in the LSC AllConference announcements. Richardson was awarded the second-team honor, while Davis received the honorable mention nod. Nolan led the Mustangs’ squad throughout the season, averaging over sixteen points, four assists, and three boards a game. One of the most memorable outings of the year was a Feb. 2 game against Eastern New Mexico, where he broke a program-record and tied a conference record with seventeen assists in a single outing. Davis, who was second in

scoring with 15.4 points per game, was the team’s leader in the locker room and the honorary team captain. He led the

Last Saturday, the No. 32 Lady Mustangs’ tennis team returned to the MSU Tennis Courts to take on Central Oklahoma. It was the opening set of games in Lone Star Conference competition for the Lady Mustangs. Eventually the Lady Mustangs would drop three of their last four singles’ matches to drop the match 5-4. The loss halted their fivematch winning streak and will prove to be a major test to bounce back from as the Mustangs move to take on No. 21 East Central this afternoon.

The Lady Mustangs dropped their No. 1 doubles’ game in a 9-8 tiebreaker, before rallying to take the final two doubles’ games to go up on the Central Oklahoma Bronchos 2-1 entering singles’ competition. Both Cristina Oliveira and Collean Kinser won their singles’ matches for the Lady Mustangs in straight sets, but that was all the singles’ victories that the Lady Mustangs could muster. Two of the last three singles’ matches were dropped in a decisive third set for the Bronchos. Melissa Dos Silva dropped the No. 4 singles’ match, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, to UCO’s Amy Cabato, be-

fensive line over the past two seasons. The Mustangs’ run defense was rated number one in the Lone Star Conference over the two seasons the line was under Renner, and was also rated as the twelfth-best run defense in the entire NCAA Division II, last season. Eight defensive linemen have been named to the LSC AllConference teams under the leadership of Renner. Maskill pursued and exhausted many options, but every time the decision came back to Renner. “Every time I thought about (my decision), I came back to coach Renner,” coach Maskill said. “He’s a popular coach and a good guy. He’s going to do a good job.” This move left yet another open position on the Mustangs’ coaching staff, this time as defensive line coach. Maskill knew who he’d target for this position, but he just hoped for an acceptance on his third attempt to gain the services of Richard Lage. Lage has been targeted by Maskill two times before and Lage was not going to pass up on this third, and maybe final, opportunity to join the Mus-

tangs’ staff. “I told coach Maskill, ‘You tried to hire me twice, if I say no a third time, you won’t offer again. I’m happy to be here,’” said Lage. “I’ve known coach Mas a long time and have a great relationship with opportunities in the past.” Lage carries sixteen years of coaching experience with him, most recently holding the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Chowan University in North Carolina. The opportunities and resources available here at MSU must have finally won him over, as he agreed to take over the vacancy on the defensive line left by Renner’s promotion. Then, announced late on Tuesday afternoon, Maskill met with promising young coach Nathaniel Jones about the secondary coach vacancy. Jones is a former cornerback and competed in his collegiate career at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has coached at the high school and professional levels and has been many places in between. He is originally from Louisiana, but when he was given the opportunity to see the world he took it in stride. He spent the

past year working with NFL Europe and took time to visit the sites in Italy and France. “He’s got a way with him-

self,” said coach Maskill optimistically. “I think the kids will play hard for him and be wellschooled”

Lady Mustangs’ streak snapped Bobby Morris Sports Editor

Football program reloads coaching staff before spring practices Bobby Morris Sports Editor

After a banner year for the MSU football program, the coaching staff has been picked apart by other programs looking for a piece of the Mustangs’ recent success. Initially, the Mustangs’ former offensive coordinator, Glenn Thomas, was acquired by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons franchise. Thomas was brought on to fill the offensive quality control coaching vacancy and will be a part of a mostly new coaching staff under head coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. Then, less than two weeks after the offensive coordinator departed, MSU’s former defensive coordinator, Cary Fowler, left to join the coaching staff at Lone Star Conference foe – Tarleton State. Along with Fowler, former secondary coach Allen Johnson left to fill a similar position at the Division I school, University of Texas-El Paso, earlier in the spring. This past week, head coach Bill Maskill began to piece together what was left of his highly regarded coaching staff. Maskill announced last Friday, after interviewing and pursuing different possibilities for the defensive coordinator vacancy, the football program would be promoting within their own ranks. Rich Renner, the defensive line coach for MSU the previous two seasons, has been promoted to defensive coordinator and will also move to coach the young linebacking core. Renner mentored an elite de-

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The Wichitan Mar. 12, 2008