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The world still needs superheroes, according to one student. See Opinion, page 5
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THURSDAY March 8, 2012
Eagles lose to VMI in BSC tournament last Thursday. See Sports, page 11
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Issue 21
NEWS
Pedestrian hit by car
SPORTS
Men’s basketball coach permanently benched DAVID THACKHAM thackhamd@mytjnow.com
Students, faculty and passers-by gathered on Oakland Ave. Monday morning after a student was bumped by a car. She sustained minor injuries, and the vehicle sustained no damage. Photo by Devang Joshi • joshid@mytjnow.com
See ACCIDENT page 4 for more information
Winthrop students had mixed reactions as the news trickled out that men’s basketball head coach Randy Peele had been fired early Monday morning, according to a Winthrop Athletics press release. While some were “shocked” at finding out the fifth year head coach was on the way out, others suggested the change was necessary for the health of an Eagle program suffering from inconsistency in the last two seasons. “It’s sad when people get fired,” said senior healthcare management major Daniel Gibson, “but it’s a business.” “I saw it coming because of
Randy Peele
Former men’s basketball coach
their bad record,” said Elliott Jester, a junior business management major. “It’s unfortunate for him, but the school has to do what it can to move forward.” While junior marketing major Nathan Rodriguez wondered how the players were taking the loss, others placed the blame less on Peele and
See PEELE page 10
NEWS
Police attacked, spit on by intoxicated woman JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com
A joint incident response team of Winthrop and Rock Hill police officers were on the receiving end of one woman’s violent rage last Tuesday night when they tried to arrest her after she had just finished assaulting a man, leaving
Ragen Gee-Trotter
him with a gashed eye. Ragen Gee-Trotter, 34, of McConnell’s was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery in the third degree and throwing bodily fluids after she tried to headbutt, kick and spit on both Rock Hill and Winthrop Campus Police officers following her assault on a man at the Silver Dollar Saloon
at 1037 Camden Avenue, according to an incident report. Officers arrived on the scene and found Gee-Trotter in a red Ford pickup with her friend, Nicholas Vanvierssen, 26 —also of York— who authorities placed under arrest when they found that he was drunk and unlawfully carrying a firearm, the report states.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
kreberm@mytjnow.com
Last year, Emerson College, located in Boston, Mass., created a school-wide music video. The video’s audio was a collaboration of pop singer Lady Gaga’s music, and was shot in one take. Emerson students from different clubs and organizations participated in the production of the video, which was later aired on YouTube. The video inspired junior broadcast major Kalene McDonnell to get Winthrop students to participate in such a project.
SeeVIDEO page 7
discuss Gay Politics: Orgs LBGT issues byunc@mytjnow.com
Gathering to speak of the politics behind gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered legislation, four different student organizations gathered in Plowden Auditorium for the “Gay Politics” program. The College Republicans, College
Club promotes Arab culture
McDonnell, who is president of the Video Production (VP) club, said Emerson’s music video was “very rehearsed and choreographed” and wanted to do something like that. Now, the VP club is waiting on March 23 – the date set for Winthrop’s own school-wide music video. “Ours isn’t going to be quite as upscale because Emerson is a small school, but they’re big on performances, so they’re creative and have a lot of money,” she said. “That’s kinda what we’re trying to do, but really it’s just a way for clubs and
NEWS
CLAIRE BYUN
See ARREST page 4
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
WU-Wide music video sings way to campus MONICA KREBER
When a Campus Police officer directed his flashlight on the vehicle, Gee-Trotter began cursing at him, saying “get that f***ing light out of my face,” according to the report. The officer ordered Gee-Trotter out of the vehicle, but she continued cursing and
Democrats, College Libertarians and GLoBAL discussed the fight for LGBT civil rights and the political figures advocating the cause. With two representatives each, the groups discussed political parties’ differing opinions on gay civil rights. “We wanted to participate in this event to show the Winthrop community
Questions? Contact us at editors@mytjnow.com Serving Winthrop since 1923
See RIGHTS page 3 I N D E X
Yaser Alhussayen, left, with Ibrahim Alhussain relax on Winthrop’s campus. Alhussayen has a hand in the new Saudi Student Club, which aims to teach about the Saudi culture and acts as a support system for exchange students. Photo by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.com
Active since fall, new club officially chartered this spring SARAH AUVIL
business sponsorships for students to study abroad. But with the official chartering of the Saudi Student Club this semester, all students can benefit and have the opportunity to learn more about Arab culture and Islam firsthand. The Saudi Student Club has been active since fall, but was of-
auvils@mytjnow.com
While many American students must pay their own way to college and often gripe about rising tuition costs, Saudi students get a full ride and most of their expenses taken care of, thanks to government and
CAMPUS NEWS
2-4
ficially chartered by Winthrop this spring, said Yaser Alhussayen, a Winthrop MBA student and the club’s secretary of cultural affairs. The club celebrates big events like Saudi Independence Day on Sept. 23, holds monthly dinners and plans to join in
See ARAB page 9
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
OPINION
5
CULTURE
SCIENCE & TECH
6
SPORTS
7-8 9 10-11