North Texas Daily 11/9/2017

Volleyball hosts Western Kentucky in pivotal C-USA showdown PAGE 6

VOL. 111 No. 11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

NTDAILY.COM

Susar Farms founder continues horseriding legacy despite disease

SGA conducts fall safety tour

By Sarah Sarder Senior News Writer

The UNT Student Government Association inventoried general campus and individual restrooms on their semesterly campus safety tour Wednesday, conducting the tour in partnership with Pride Alliance for the first time.

SGA leads the safety tour every semester, which is open to students and staff. The tour documents points of concern for the campus, focusing on lighting, sidewalks, ADA accessibility, crosswalk visibility, safety pole placement and more.

By Amy Roh Senior Arts & Life Writer At first glance, Susan Mayo appears frail.

She has a thin frame, wears a soft baseball hat and breathes from a nearby oxygen tank. But as soon as she speaks into the microphone, the field across from her echoes with strength and even a bit of dry humor.

“In addition to not being able to breathe, I’m also deaf, in case you didn’t know,” Mayo said after a contestant had to repeat themself.

At Susar Farms’ annual horse show, everything is orchestrated by Mayo.

Mayo, 72, is the founder of Susar Farms, a place where locals can learn to ride, train and show horses.

Mayo has over 40 years of experience with horse riding, mainly riding in shows located in Southern California. Mayo established Susar Farms in 1973 after she graduated college, but she has charted an even longer history with her love of horses.

Taylor Willis Courtesy of UNT

“I

feel the information we gather at the safety tour has a great effect for bettering students’ lives on campus.

SEE FARMS ON PAGE 4

”

“I feel the information we gather at the safety tour has a great effect for bettering students’ lives on campus,” SGA General Affairs Director Taylor Willis said.

This semester’s tour was the organization’s first time documenting restrooms, an activity they intend to use to help create a map of restrooms on campus

SEE SAFETY ON PAGE 3 Susan Mayo, owner of Susar Farms, has worked with horses throughout her life. She has aimed to educate her students on horses, helping them nuture a healthy relationship with them.

Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer

North Central Texas College to open Denton campus

Efforts towards inclusivity, service highlight changes to homecoming

By Joshua Cassidy Staff Writer

Talons members lay a pallet on the base of the bonfire. The bonfire is lit the night before the homecoming game. Rachel Walters | Staff Photographer

Monday marked the beginning of UNT’s Homecoming Week for 2017. This year’s theme, “Deep in the Heart of UNT,” will look to celebrate what UNT has contributed to Texas and also help give back to the community with a few service-based events.

Other events returning are the “yell like hell” event at the Super Pit, bonfire near Apogee Stadium and the football game on Saturday.

Homecoming at UNT is made up of the events and activities fostering school spirit in the week leading up to Saturday’s football game, which will feature North Texas against the

University of Texas at El Paso. Homecoming was first introduced to UNT in 1929, and it has been celebrated yearly on campus since 1946.

Marketing freshman Tremia Lockett said she is excited for this year’s events, adding they may help bring together those at the university.

“I am really looking forward to the bonfire,” Lockett said. “I think it will serve as a big campus kumbaya.”

Homecoming does not come up overnight, UNT Homecoming Crew Student Director Max Richardson said.

SEE PREVIEW ON PAGE 2

By Devin Rardin Staff Writer North Central Texas College (NCTC) is looking to open a new location in the old Denton Record-Chronicle building in downtown Denton. Construction for the project is planned for April 2018 and classes are expected to start fall 2019.

“This sleeping giant here at NCTC is being awakened and being recognized even more so, which is creating a great partnership with UNT and TWU,” said Roy Culberson, associate vice chancellor of operations at NCTC. “It’s giving the opportunity for our community of Denton to be more involved with their education.”

The board of regents for the NCTC district approved a notice of intent to purchase a leased property during their meeting in October. NCTC will work with the Martino Group, the property owner for the desired location, and their sister company, Links Construction.

SEE NCTC ON PAGE 2

Soccer draws Texas in first round of NCAA Tournament

By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer For the second time in three seasons and the fifth time in program history, the North Texas soccer program is in the NCAA tournament.

As they look for their first-ever win in the big dance, the Mean Green will meet the University of Texas at Austin in the first round.

The match is at 5 p.m. on Friday in Austin.

The draw and reaction Once North Texas’ name was called on Monday’s selection show, the team clapped peacefully. It wasn’t until they found out they were facing the Longhorns that the room erupted. Not one face

seemed unsure or doubtful of their first-round matchup with the region’s No. 4 seed.

The Mean Green knew what they wanted going into the selection show and were pleased with the result.

“I like it,” head coach John Hedlund said. “We’ve played them during the year, and I think it’s going to be a really good game. I think the draw was fair to be honest.”

The rematch These two teams played on Aug. 27 in Denton, and Texas pulled out a narrow 1-0 win on a goal in the 82nd minute. Although it was a narrow margin of victory for the Longhorns, Texas was in control for a majority of that contest.

The Longhorns racked up 21 shots to North Texas’ seven and had 14 corners to the Mean Green’s four. However, only six of Texas’ shots were on goal as the rest were either blocked or off target.

These teams are familiar with one another and it might be somewhat of a chess match between the coaches on Friday.

“We know them and they know us,” Hedlund said. “We know their system, style, offense, defense, but they know us, so we need to look at our old notes and game film and go from there. [Neither team] has made many changes.”

The matchup Texas is 13-3-2 overall and went 5-2-2 in the Big 12 while North Texas is 14-3-4 and went

7-1-2 in Conference USA. A few of the problems Texas presented to the Mean Green in its win in Denton were size and athleticism. While North Texas has the speed to keep up with the Longhorns, Texas is a bigger team and has the ability to control the midfield.

Despite playing in the Big 12, the Texas defense has only allowed .67 goals per match this season. North Texas has been no slouch either on the defensive end, only allowing .71 goals per game.

The offenses are vastly different, granted the different competition. North Texas puts up nearly 20 shots per match and 2.33 goals per game. The Longhorns average 16.6 shots

SEE SOCCER ON PAGE 7

IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS

ARTS & LIFE

Student enrollment sees increase but faculty does not pg 2 Many department chairs at UNT say while they have seen an increase in students, they have not been provided with new full-time faculty to meet the demand.

New UNT jazz professor brings worldwide experience to the classroom pg 5 After touring internationally, Davy Mooney has returned to his alma mater to pass on his knowledge by teaching at the UNT College of Music.

Mean Green senior defender Tori Phillips (24) chases Texas junior Nakia Graham (11) down the field.

Madison Gore | Staff Photographer

SPORTS Preview: Football aims for homecoming revenge pg 7 After an embarrassing loss to the University of Texas at El Paso last sesaon, the Mean Green have a chance to clinch the C-USA West Division with a win over the Miners Saturday.

OPINION Yes, I’m a minority. No, I’m not inherently liberal pg 8 A look at what it’s like being a minority who does not subscribe to societal expecations — both politcially and culturally.

NEWS Page 2

North Texas Daily

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Bonfire, football and service headline homecoming

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Reece Waddell @ReeceWaddell15 ReeceWaddell@my.unt.edu News Editor James Norman @JamesTNorman_WL JamesNorman@my.unt.edu Arts & Life Editor Abby Jones @abbyfjones28 AbigailJones3@my.unt.edu Sports Editor Brady Keane @BradyKeane BradyKeane@my.unt.edu Visuals Editor Colin Mitchell @CJHMitchell ColinMitchell@myunt.edu Opinion Editor Alec Spicer @Spicer_Alec AlecSpicer@my.unt.edu

Production Team Design Editor Julia Contarelli @ContarelliJ JuliaPaschoal@my.unt.edu Copy Chief Kayleigh Bywater @kayleighnic0le KayleighBywater@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Circe Marez @CirceMarez CirceMarez@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kayla Davis @kaylajeann19 KaylaDavis@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kelly Fox @kellythefox1 KellyFox2@my.unt.edu Social Media Manager Alec Spicer @Spicer_Alec AlecSpicer@my.unt.edu Illustrator Max Raign @maxothelioma MaxRaign@my.unt.edu

Business Director Adam Reese 940-565-4265 Adam.Reese@unt.edu

Faculty Adviser Gary Ghioto 940-891-6722 Gary.Ghioto@unt.edu

To pitch a story, or contact the Editor-in-Chief, please email northtexasdaily@gmail.com

NTDAILY.COM

A Talons member works on building the homecoming bonfire. Talons have been in charge of building this bonfire since 1950. Mallory Cammarata | Staff Photographer PREVIEW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We started preparing for homecoming last semester,” Richardson said. “We worked through the summer and hosted a retreat where we gave each member of the crew their position we thought they would be best at. Ever since we gave out assignments, the members of the crew have been working on their timelines and coordinating every little detail that each event has to have.”

Richardson, his fellow members of the Homecoming Crew and groups across campus are the ones working behind-the-scenes to make sure homecoming goes smoothly.

Each member covers one aspect.

They are selected by an application process and a series of interviews with Richardson. Once chosen, each member is tasked with covering a different niche to narrowly focus on, such as organizing and preparing for the parade, bonfire

and spirit day.

All of these preparations helped to make the framework for this year’s theme — “Deep in the Heart of UNT.” Richardson explained the theme seeks to highlight the history and impact made by UNT. “The theme came from this idea that we wanted to highlight the kind of mark that we have left on Texas,” Richardson said. “We have cultivated a history all of our own over the past 125 years, and we have really left our mark on Texas.

With almost 150,000 alumni in Texas alone, you can see ‘Mean Green’ spirit wherever you go. We just wanted to be able to embody all of that.”

In order to make this theme a reality, efforts towards inclusivity are at the forefront of the changes made for this year’s homecoming, Richardson said.

“We want to make sure that each student has an opportunity to be able to find something to participate in during the week,” Richardson said. “That is our main goal. We are doing this for the students, the community and the alumni, so we want to sure all of our events are as accessible as possible.”

In addition to inclusivity, Richardson said there is more of a focus on service in this year’s events, with three service

events designed to help give back to the community. These events include a donation drive with the Dallas Leadership Foundation to help collect items for those displaced by Hurricane Harvey, a food packaging event with nonprofit Rise Against Hunger and an event called “A Pollinative Prairie Workday,” which Richardson said will involve restoring the prairie at Discovery Park.

“We will be assisting with efforts there to help prepare the prairie for future use in increasing our bee population,” Richardson said.

Coordinator for Campus-Wide Events Cheltzie Miller-Bailey said activities like these help homecoming encapsulate the spirit of UNT. “I’ve only been at UNT since June, but in that short amount of time, I’ve witnessed the extreme pride and spirit that the community has for this university,” Miller-Bailey said.

“Homecoming is a week that celebrates that on a larger scale — a time for students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to show their appreciation for UNT, its values and the experiences and opportunities it provides all of them.”

@jcassidy1996

Enrollment increase not resulting in more full-time faculty

By Celeste Gracia Staff Writer

Several UNT departments have experienced an increase in student enrollment but not in full-time faculty. As a result, faculty members are stretched thin and students are being impacted, according to a university department chair.

One department impacted is the criminal justice department, which gained a higher student population after launching its fully online bachelor’s and master’s programs. Over the past five years, undergraduate enrollment in the criminal justice department has increased by 26 percent, while the graduate population increased by 59 percent over the past four years.

During this growth period, the department kept its 12 full-time faculty members and hired 20 additional adjunct professors. Eric Fritsch, department chair of criminal justice, said the best solution is to hire more faculty, or adjuncts, who are usually temporary parttime professors that teach a few classes a semester.

While Fritsch said his department has some wonderful adjunct professors, he would prefer to hire full-time faculty. Fritsch said most complaints from students have been over adjuncts.

“We haven’t been afforded the opportunity to get additional resources to have full-time faculty teach the courses,” Fritsch said. “In the meantime, the only way to service the population is to hire more adjunct [professors], which we have done.”

Fritsch said he has not received the resources his department needs in part because of the process by

which faculty lines are approved and allocated. Faculty lines are specific monies set aside used to fill professor positions.

To receive new faculty lines, department chairs make their personnel requests to the dean of their school, said Beverly Cotton Shuford, associate vice president for Budget & Analytics. The dean reviews all requests, prioritizes them into a list and shows it to the provost’s office.

The provost looks at all the appeals and makes recommendations to the president. Shuford said these recommendations are taken into consideration during the budget hearings but not all will be approved. “[Requests] have to be weighed with all other university-wide priorities,” Shuford said.

This year’s new provost, Jennifer Evans-Cowley, has implemented a new process for approving faculty lines, at least for this year. Previously, lines were approved throughout the year. Evans-Cowley will instead wait until next spring semester to approve any new lines when the budget for the next fiscal year is being made.

“I need a more comprehensive view of all the needs of the institution,” Evans-Cowley said.

As a result, departments like criminal justice will not receive any new faculty lines, or faculty members, until possibly the end of the spring semester.

The 26 faculty lines that were approved last year will still stand. Evans-Cowley said all the money for those lines has been distributed appropriately.

According to UNT’s consolidated budget for fiscal year 2018, $1.87 million was approved for 21 new

faculty lines. Shuford said this money comes from state appropriations and student tuition.

Other departments affected by similar factors as criminal justice include political science and history.

The department of political science has increased in student population while the number of full-time faculty members has stayed the same, department chair of political science Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha said. In 2012, there were 26 full-time faculty members.

That number has since fluctuated between 23 and 27 faculty members and is currently back at 26. In fall 2012, there were 196 political science majors. That number is now 382.

Eshbaugh-Soha said there is enough faculty for the classrooms, but not outside of class. Besides teaching their courses, full-time faculty are required to complete service and research requirements. Eshbaugh-Soha said his department has been able to keep up with student demand by increasing class sizes and adding more sections, but this leads to faculty juggling many tasks.

Eshbaugh-Soha said faculty could use more flexibility to focus on completing their requirements or helping increasingly engaged students with their research projects.

“Typically, each professor teaches two classes, but it can feel like a lot more,” Eshbaugh-Soha said. “If we had more faculty we could do a lot more.”

@celllyg

NCTC to open new campus in downtown Denton in 2019 NCTC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We approved a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with the developers to lease that building and for them to go ahead and move forward with predesign work and work with us to get a layout,” Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs Robbie Baugh stated in a press release.

The Denton campus will offer core classes that are transferable towards an associate degree. NCTC has a partnership with UNT and Texas Woman’s University that allows students to transfer without losing credits. The partnership also gives students the opportunity to be concurrently enrolled at all three institutions.

The Student Services Center will not be at the Denton location, but Culberson said student services representatives will be available at the new facility.

Some faculty and staff will work at several campuses, but the expansion may require new members to come on board.

Culberson thinks the new campus will allow for more growth and Michelle Cunningham, business development officer for the city of Denton, said NCTC needs new facilities for their students.

“The Flower Mound and Corinth campuses are bursting at the seams,” Cunningham said. “The community college has had a profound growth and needs to have additional facilities available.”

According to an enrollment update in September, NCTC has 10,533 students across their five campuses and online, which is a record for the community college.

The new building is expected to hold approximately 2,500 students, Culberson said. He also thinks the location will make educational opportunities at NCTC more convenient for students.

Culberson said the facility is centralized and easier for everyone to get to. The Denton campus will eliminate the drive down Interstate-35 for many students.

NCTC is also looking to build a fourstory parking garage located between East Mulberry and East Sycamore Streets in Denton. Culberson said the parking garage will hold about 360 cars, which will help the parking problems downtown.

Officials hope the location will attract more people to NCTC while Cunningham foresees the new campus

helping businesses in the area.

“It’s going to be a boom for the retail providers that are in the downtown square area,” Cunningham said. “You will have that much more foot traffic for eating and shopping.”

UNT marketing freshmen Brittany Sheridan thinks the new facility will be beneficial to Denton and its local businesses.

“I think it is going to be a lot more packed, but I think it will be good for Denton in general,” Sheridan said.

“The [NCTC campus] will bring more opportunities for other local businesses to come through and also to get more jobs here.”

UNT business marketing freshman Mackenzie Wojno said she thinks the Denton facility will increase the availability of education in the community.

“It’s cool because they are expanding their areas and making it easily available for others,” Wojno said. “It’s just giving more education to people that maybe can’t afford UNT.” The Denton Record-Chronicle moved in August to a building on Duchess Drive. The newspaper was at the location on Hickory Street since 1947. Links Construction will renovate the building

NCTC’s campus in Corinth.

Jacob Ostermann| Staff Photographer

when construction starts in April.

According to a Denton RecordChronicle article, the NCTC expansion will cost $33 million over the 25-year lease.

Cunningham said the new facility will help provide an educated and trained workforce for companies in Denton and the expansion cannot happen soon enough.

“This is just an additional, critical resource for us to have an additional NCTC campus in downtown Denton,” Cunningham said. “It’s terrific. I have nothing but positives to say about it.”

@DevinRardin

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS UNT awarded Bronze level for Bicycle Friendly University The League of American Bicyclists awarded UNT the Bronze level Bicycle Friendly University award, according to a press release from the university.

There are 182 BFUs in 45 states and Washington D.C. “The Bicycle Friendly University recognition is an awesome achievement for UNT and something to be proud of,” said Chris Phelps, the interim director of Transportation Services. “It is a testament to all the work done to make UNT a great place for bicyclists, and a milestone in our efforts to continue to improve conditions for cycling.”

UNT researcher says law passed may have expensive consequences

National Science Foundation awards UNT almost $2 million grant

New research from UNT shows the SarbanesOxley Act ­­— an act passed in the wake of the Enron corporation and similar corporate scandals — will hold expensive consequences according to a press release from the university. Lili Sun, UNT accounting associate professor and co-author of the research, found companies are paying almost double for external audits. “Companies weren’t budgeting for these fees,” Sun said. “It takes resources away from daily operations and, in the long run, strategic plans for other business-related expenses.”

Three UNT professors from the College of Science’s Department of Physics and the College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering received a nearly $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation, according to a press release from the university. The professors, Arkadii Krokhin, Tae-Youl Choi and Arup Neogi will try to answer the question, “Can engineering change the basic laws of physics?” Neogi said he was thrilled to be working with a former student of his and with colleagues from his department and engineering.

“This is truly a cross-disciplinary experience,” Neogi said.

Four UNT TAMS students named regional finalists for Siemens Competition Four UNT students in the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science are among 101 high school students in the nation named regional finalists in the 2017 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, according to a press release from the university. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 scholarship and will present their research projects before a panel of judges. The judges will then select an individual winner and a team winner to win prizes.

By Jackie Guerrero

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

UNT hosts first Green Dot bystander intervention training for students

By Sarah Sarder Senior News Writer UNT held its first Green Dot bystander intervention training for undergraduate students Friday, training seven organization leaders and members on how to help reduce power-based personal violence.

The university began the process of bringing the national Green Dot program to campus in January 2016.

Initially, 35 faculty and staff went through four days of training, which equipped participants to lead student training in the future.

“I’d love to see students who feel comfortable intervening if they see power-based personal violence,” UNT Survivor Advocate Renee McNamara said. “We want to build a culture on our campus where violence isn’t tolerated.”

McNamara and Eli Cumpton, the coordinator for the Office of Spiritual Life, led Friday’s training, which took place from 8 a.m. to noon in the Greek Life Center.

The training consists of four modules, which are presented in slides, examples and personal stories, incorporating online games and physical activities as well.

The modules focus on introducing the bystander and their power to stop violence, defining problems as red dot behaviors. They explain how reactive green dots stop violent situations and examine personal barriers to intervening, as well as identifying how proactive green dots foster a culture of not allowing violence.

The bystander intervention program envisions red dots being replaced by reactive green dots when a violent action is stopped, and empty spaces being taken by green dots when proactive green dots foster a culture of nonviolence. These empty spaces are areas that have not yet been occupied by red dots.

Specific focuses on red dot behaviors included sexual assault, stalking and dating or domestic violence.

Students were encouraged to come up with their own strategies for how to act in potential scenarios, focusing on the “3 Ds” of reactive green dot behavior: direct, delegate, distract.

The range of alternatives is meant

SAFETY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

students.

In the future, the university will host shorter one-hour talks to give students an overview of Green Dot. McNamara said she hopes to be able to host the training on a biweekly basis.

Students can email McNamara at survivoradvocate@unt.edu to learn more about participating in an upcoming training.

@sarderrr

@sarderrr

UNT students participate in the Green Dot seminar on Nov. 3 at the Greek Life Center. Green Dot is a national program that focuses on the importance of bystander intervention in potentially violent situations. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer would be beneficial for everyone to take a class on how to be a good human being.”

Texas A&M University is one Texas’ public university using the Green Dot program. A 2014 study compared a campus with Green Dot to two without and found a significant difference in rates of violence, while a 2011 study showed significantly more bystander behaviors in Green Dot-exposed

SGA partners with Pride Alliance for semester safety tour which will show students where to find the individual or gender-neutral restrooms.

The safety tour culminates in a report of campus conditions and any recommendations group leaders may have to improve safety or accessibility. This semester, SGA’s freshmen interns led the groups.

Willis said the intention of giving interns this opportunity was to help build their programming and event coordination skills.

“The safety tour is important because it helps people on campus feel safer,” SGA freshman intern and tour group leader Hanlyn Tyler said.

“The bathroom map is important not only for the transgender community but for people who need aids in bathrooms.”

Tyler led one of the five tour groups which focused on restroom inventory, checking each restroom in their assigned buildings for gender-specific signage, capacity and wheelchair accessibility.

SGA partners with the Dean of Students, UNT Police Department, Parking and Transportation, Facilities, Residence Hall Association, Risk Management and other organizations to conduct the tour. Wednesday’s safety tour had about 75 non-SGA members in attendance, more than the usual average of 50 participants. This includes members from partner organizations.

“The restroom map and access to ADA gives students a good idea of what to expect when coming here,” said Kaitlyn Poe, Residence Hall Association public relations director. “The safety tour shows all the concerns from students at UNT.” Willis and SGA President Barrett Cole are responsible for compiling a master report from the individual reports from group leaders. The final document is sent to a variety of UNT and Denton authorities.

In past reports, SGA members have recommended both repairs and new accommodations, citing specific parts of campus in relation to their suggestions. The university often does not immediately take actions based on the report but attempts to undertake nonemergent projects as funding allows.

Some of the notable requests from the fall 2016 and spring 2017 reports included recommendations for covered bus stops by Kerr Hall, more crosswalks around the Business Leadership Building and an access ramp to Mean Green cafeteria from Avenue C, all of which were pointed out in multiple reports.

During the spring 2017 safety walk leaders reported the Coliseum was not ADA-compliant.

This week, Willis and Cole will meet with some of the relevant officials to discuss how student concerns can be addressed. Students can email sga@unt.edu to request a copy of this semester’s safety report for their own viewing.

The Green Dot class participants act out different scenarios where help may be needed. Students were encouraged to think of their own strategies for intervention. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer to give students the best chance of finding an option they are comfortable with taking as the expectation of the program is “no one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something.”

Students and training leaders discussed strategies as general as confronting the person doing harm to strategies as specific as spilling one’s drink on someone as to distract or extricate them from a situation.

One of the student leaders in attendance was Student Government Association President Barrett Cole.

“This was really beneficial to me to know what I could do and to know there’s other people here who would attempt to make a red dot into a green dot,” Cole said. “This is just the beginning of education on campus.”

Other participants had specific ideas for more education at UNT, broadcast journalism senior Briana Castanon, believes the university should implement a mandatory, inperson course on personal violence for incoming students.

“I think during first flight week a lot of people don’t pay attention to the online course,” Castanon said. “It

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 3

Book co-authored by professor challenges youth to start saving up

By Sean Riedel Staff Writer UNT finance professor Dave Ragan and his business partner Ricky Grunden Sr. have coauthored a new book titled “The Wealth Builder Challenge.” The book looks to help those in their 20s and 30ss with finance and planning.

Ragan is a UNT alumnus and graduated in 2003 with a finance degree. He now serves as a shareholder and vice president of financial planning at Grunden Financial Advisory, Inc. Grunden founded and serves as the CEO of Grunden Financial Advisory, Inc. The 145-page book uses the duo’s combined 55 years of wealth management experience to advise people about how to build wealth using six core principles: Defer gratification — live beneath your means; recognize the only free lunch is investment diversification (investing in multiple assets and classes to protect a portfolio); for pennies on the dollar, protect yourself and your financial plan; do not leave money on the table; maximize employee benefits; make tax law work for you.

Combined with the strategies in the book, time and a reliable process are the most important ingredients of financial success.

“We wanted to write [the book] because we’ve heard time and time again, clients tell us, ’I wish I would have met you 20 years ago,’” Ragan said. “It’s something that continually came up over and over again. We decided to put our combined years of experience down on paper and look at some of our most successful clients have done and write a book about it.”

Grunden talked about his and Ragan’s goal to make the book as easy to read as possible, attempting to take out as much jargon as they could.

“There are so many books out there that are complicated and they have all the jargon in it,” Grunden said. “What our desire

Ricky Grunden Sr. and UNT professor Dave Ragan co-authored “The Wealth Builder Challenge.” The book’s purpose is to advise readers on how to save money and build wealth. Paige Bruneman | Staff Photographer was is that you can pick it up without having a great deal of understanding about investments or anything and follow the steps, which would then put you in the position to become more experienced.”

Ragan said the book is meant to be interesting to readers and not a burden of information.

“This is not a college textbook,” Ragan said. “While there are facts and figures in it, I think [Ricky and I] do a good job with the part that ties in emotion to money.”

“The Wealth Builder Challenge” mentions two types of people: “HENRYs” (High Earners, Not Rich Yet), a term coined by FORBES magazine in 2003 and “STANs” (Spends Today, All Now), a term coined by Ragan and Grunden.

Ragan said many people in their early 20s risk becoming “STANs” and challenge them to live beneath their means and save up money. “’Lifestyle creep’ is huge in that age bracket,” Ragan said.

Lifestyle creep, as defined

by Ragan, is spending as much money as you have, sometimes more. He used the example of someone earning a raise and having a natural reaction to spend it.

“I would challenge this 25-yearold, 20-year-old graduate or soon to be graduate to live beneath

their means,” Ragan said. “Be aware of lifestyle creep.”

Kinesiology senior Jordan Kindred said she thought the book sounded interesting and helpful.

“My finances are something I’m worried about because I’d like to further my education,” Kindred said. “I am about to graduate next semester and the money is starting to dry up. I’m literally going to have to take a break and then go back to school to continue my education.”

Grunden talked about how to get ahead of the curve when it comes to finances.

“Time is the most important thing,” Grunden said. “A little bit of money with a good plan and a lot of time puts you in a position that 95 percent of Americans never reach.”

Ragan gave his advice for 20-somethings as they begin their adult lives, saying it is a lot easier to increase your lifestyle than it is to come back down.

“I know a lot of college students who are used to being accustomed to practically nothing,” Ragan said. “So imagine if you could maintain that mentality in the first five years of your professional career, how much more money you could save by living like a college student while you’re earning like a college graduate.”

@SeanRiedel

i’ve gotta go!

940.535.5555

...because even the best of us can be a DICK

ARTS & LIFE Page 4

Beyond the coffee

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

NTDAILY.COM

West Oak Coffee Bar’s kitchen provides quality, homemade cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere

By Anna Orr Staff Writer Maggie Montler’s day begins at 6 a.m.

At the crack of dawn, the assistant kitchen manager of West Oak Coffee Bar counts inventory and calculates how many pies, quiches, cinnamon rolls and pieces of toast will sell for that day.

“It’s funny — sometimes people will order pie at 8 a.m.,” Montler said. “Everybody has their own breakfast.”

Many Dentonites are well-acquainted with West Oak Coffee Bar on the Square, famed for their delectable beverages. But there’s more to the establishment than coffee beans and draft beer — the influence of the kitchen can be seen through glassenclosed pastries at the front counter or on the smiling faces of staff serving an order of toast and eggs.

What often flies under customers’ radars at West Oak is the kitchen at the back, bustling with activity of eight staff members.

Kitchen manager Amanda Northcutt has been with West Oak since the day it opened.

Although she took a break to attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu, she returned right after and said it was truly amazing to see the growth of the coffee shop during her absence.

“My background is medical,” Northcutt said. “I made a cake one day for my daughter’s birthday, and I took that and ran with it.”

West Oak’s kitchen prides itself in making their own bread and pastries like cookies, biscotti, pie, brownies and both savory and sweet scones. Their sourdough bread and toast are both vegan, and all the coffee is roasted right in the basement.

“When we opened, we wanted to able to have food and coffee and draw a crowd,”

Northcutt said. “Everything is made from scratch, right down to the pie dough on our quiches.”

Northcutt said the most popular item on the menu is the espresso brownies, although Northcutt, ironically, is allergic to chocolate.

The West Oak kitchen also supplies treats for sale at their sister store Kimzey’s Coffee in Argyle. They will also soon supply product for Trinity Street Coffee Bar, the next coffee shop that will open in the West Oak family.

Northcutt said on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the energy of the kitchen is focused on preparing meals that will be sent to Kimzey’s.

“Our delivery days are a little more hectic,” Northcutt said. “I have to drive. It’s not terrible because it is close.”

The kitchen team at West Oak also love to embrace their culinary creativity.

An example of this creativity is when Northcutt suddenly craved French onion soup. She saw the kitchen didn’t have the supplies, so she compromised using white wine, onions and veggie base to create what would become a special on the menu.

“We might have random cravings or ideas, and we say, ‘Hey, let’s try this,’” Northcutt said. “That’s the great thing about the team.

They’re all really creative.”

Montler joined the West Oak kitchen staff with experience working at Bird Bakery in San Antonio. She checks inventory early in the morning, and she then begins preparing orders around 6:20 a.m.

West Oak opens their door around 7:30 a.m., but people will usually wait outside the doors.

“We usually get quite a bit of breakfast orders,” Montler said.

Montler said the kitchen runs food with a

Top: Baker Leah Brooks displays a sandwich she just made. West Oak Coffee Bar offers many different food items.

Right: Baker Leah Brooks trims dough to make a pie crust. West Oak Coffee Bar’s pie crusts are each made from scratch by hand. Photos

by Jacob Ostermann | Staff Photographer 10-minute ticket time or less, meaning that it’s their goal to prepare an order and run it to the customer in less than 10 minutes.

This can be difficult when the shop is bustling with people.

“When there’s events on the Square, we feel it — we get so busy,” Montler said.

But if the kitchen messes up, Montler said customers are typically still kind.

“People are forgiving, they know we are human,” Montler said.

Integrative studies junior Leah Brooks is another member of the kitchen staff at West Oak. After joining the team six months ago, she has earned her nickname the “cinnamon roll queen.”

“I’ve been working in kitchens just shy of five years,” Brooks said. “I’ve done quite

a bit, but I have found love specifically for baking breads.”

Brooks said she’s a tactile learner and loves the experience of handling bread.

“I went to college at 18, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do or be, so I took some time off,” Brooks said. “I took a break from high education.”

Brooks found her niche in a kitchen setting when she went to Montana to be a camp counselor for a children’s retreat. After

she took charge of managing the kitchen, she has loved it ever since and is now interested in pursuing culinary school.

“My favorite part about working here is the people,” Brooks said. “It sounds cheesy, but they’re such good people front and back of the house. The customers are great and the regulars are just the coolest.”

@AnnaMOrr97

Susar Farms owner uses horseriding and competition to overcome COPD FARMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “I’ve been doing it since I was about a year old,” Mayo said. “My parents put me on a horse in Griffith Park Zoo in California on a little pony ride. When they tried to take me off, I screamed bloody murder.”

Recently, Mayo was approved for a lung transplant after years of battling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term for progressive lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. However, in her usual fierce manner, Mayo refused to let it stop her from carrying on her duties at Susar Farms.

“I’m having a lung transplant,” Mayo said. “Obviously, if I croak, it will be [the last show]. But I’m not planning on croaking.”

Those in the Susar Farm community, ranging from beginners to riders of more than 30 years, have been supporting Mayo during the process.

“I’m just hoping and praying that she gets this lung transplant,” close friend Christine Bode said. “It’s amazing to me that she’s here today doing her usual thing. There’s just something about her.”

Competitors in the horse showmanship portion of Susar Farm’s High Point Show stand idly as they are judged. Susar Farms has been hosting horse shows for over 30 years. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer

Blazing the Trail Mayo and her family moved to Texas in 1960, where she sought out a community for beginner riders. At the time, Mayo said horse shows did not offer the training she knew was necessary.

“When I moved here there were no shows in Texas where people could come who were not experts,” Mayo said. “Once you go to the big shows, you have to all the facts, and you have to know everything. It’s very discouraging.”

After forming Susar Farms, Mayo established its mission as a place of community support and learning.

It’s the reason why Mayo holds open shows for beginner riders and does not attend national competitions

even though they qualify every year.

In her years of experience, she said she has seen enough of the dark side of competing.

“Competition is nice, but it’s very important that competition stays fun — that it stays happy for the horse and the rider,” Mayo said. “I see far too much stuff done to horses that should not be done to [them] in the name of competition.”

For years now, Susar Farms has worked with riders of all backgrounds and multiple generations. Mayo currently has three to four students, but she has taught nearly 30 in other years. Denton resident Rebecca Boardman, who was a rider and now owns an Arabian horse therapy center, said Mayo’s shows made a huge impact.

“It wasn’t about perfection,” Boardman said. “The only perfection that was striven for was how well you and your horse got along.”

Since then, Boardman said she continues to ride and let others enjoy the same inspiration she experienced during her time at the shows.

“Susan was part of who developed me into the horse person I’ve been my entire life,” Boardman said. “She was very empowering for young women.”

Over the years, the amount of shows at Susar Farms has shrunk from seven to five due to Mayo’s lung condition. However, riders still come from hours away to participate.

Regulars say this is because of the supportive nature that has been cultivated by Mayo.

“Everybody has a fair chance — there are no politics,” close friend and rider Cookie Feagins said. “You get comments on what you did wrong and what you did right, and it’s a fun place to be.”

Looking forward Mayo said she quit smoking 30 years ago, but that was not soon enough.

“I just damaged my lungs,” Mayo said.

Mayo was riding every day a week ago, but her lungs suddenly took a downturn. She was put on protocol at University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, where she found out she needed a lung transplant.

However, she said she has high hopes and is approaching it with the tenacity she does with everything else.

“Aside from having very bad lungs, I’m in excellent shape,” Mayo said. “The surgeon said that I would be riding again as soon as all this heals. I’m looking forward to it.”

Mayo has been carrying around an oxygen tank for four years now due to her COPD. At this point, the tank is a part of her daily life. It follows her to the farm, to the gym and even while she is riding.

“I ride with my oxygen on my back, and that’s not ultimately the greatest thing in the world, but you do what you do,” Mayo said.

Beside her damaged lungs, Mayo has been known to be a proponent of fitness. Doctors found no traces of plaque in her arteries, and she said it’s simply a matter of time now.

“I go to the gym every day and even though it takes me forever because I have to bring my oxygen levels back up and do a little bit more, I’m in good shape,” Mayo said.

“The surgeon said I would be riding again as soon as all this heals.”

Those around her are hoping for the best as they wait for the future operation.

“I hope she can continue and do great,” Feagins said. “We just all love to be out here and help any way we can.”

Mayo is ready to hit the ground running as soon as she can.

“I have a high tolerance for pain, and I will get up and run as soon as they let me,” Mayo said.

@rohmyboat

Denton Event Radar November 10, 2017

November 13, 2017

November 14, 2017 November 15, 2017

November 15, 2017

November 9, 2017 accelerateyourmba.unt.edu

Yell Like Hell Where: Coliseum When: 7 p.m.

Free

Live Jazz at the Greenhouse Where: Greenhouse Restaurant & Bar When: 10 p.m.

Free

The Crucible Where: RTFP Building When: 7:30 p.m. $10-$15

Women Empowerment ft.

Melissa Lozada Oliva Where: Jade Eagle Ballroom When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Free

Karaoke Where: Syndicate Pub When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Free

UPCinema: American Assassin Where: Lyceum When: 4 p.m.

Free

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

NTDAILY.COM

Page 5

New jazz professor brings worldwide experience to UNT

By Ashlee Winters Staff Writer Between international guitar competitions, tours in South America and a Japanese record label, Davy Mooney has had quite the worldly experience in music.

However, his career shifted from performing to teaching when he accepted an offer to teach jazz guitar at UNT. Mooney’s interest in music began at 3 years old when he began playing the piano.

After realizing he did not have much interest in the instrument, he instead switched to guitar when he was 9 years old and instantly loved it.

“At first, I was into rock ‘n’ roll and watched a lot of videos on MTV,” Mooney said. “I got into jazz when I was about 14 because my uncle played jazz piano.”

He attended a performing arts high school in New Orleans and then came to study at the UNT College of Music. After graduating, he returned to New Orleans to

perform his music and came in third place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, which helped progress his musical career.

“I was displaced after Hurricane Katrina and ended up in New York,” Mooney said. “I started playing there, and I think my performances and my experience in the competition really made things start to happen in my career.”

He soon became involved with Japanese record label LateSet Records and began

David Mooney plays guitar in his office. Mooney says he doesn’t teach — he jams with his students. Zoee Acosta | Staff Photographer

performing in Japan, which led to him participating with the Thelonious Monk Institute, a nonprofit music education organization.

“Through that program, I met a lot of people and hooked up with a lot of great musicians,” Mooney said.

He then snagged a record deal with Sunnyside Records and organized various international tours in countries such as Mexico and Brazil, which he has been doing for the past five years.

“I enjoy going to all these places and performing with the locals,” Mooney said.

“I get to see how musicians perform in different countries, and that’s a really cool experience.”

When he discovered the previous jazz guitar professor at UNT retired, Mooney decided to apply for the position. After going through the long and competitive process of interviews and applications, he eventually landed the job.

“The last professor retired at a time in my career where I had enough experience on my resume to apply,” Mooney said. “So far, the students here have been really inspiring to me. They always keep me on my toes. Every day, I have to challenge myself to be on top of things or they might leave me in their dust.”

Although Mooney has had jobs teaching at universities in the past, this is the first time in his career that teaching is his main profession.

“It’s nice to have just one job as opposed to five or six,” Mooney said. “I was always teaching at different universities, but this is the first time I’ve had a full-time teaching position at one place. It’s also nice to be at a great institution like this where all the students are at such a high level.”

Mooney’s colleagues and those in the program enjoy the atmosphere he provides for his students. Ethan Stalbaum, a jazz studies master’s degree student and one of Mooney’s teaching fellows, admires the knowledge he brings to the class.

“Davy has been a fantastic addition to the jazz program,” Stalbaum said.

“He has a very deep understanding and appreciation for the tradition of jazz. His depth of knowledge is so inspiring.”

Aside from his array of experiences and knowledge of jazz, Mooney brings his own method of teaching while also following the lessons the previous professor, Fred Hamilton, taught before him.

“What I’ve been enjoying the most about studying with Dr. Mooney is his interest on embracing Professor Hamilton’s legacy while at the same time introducing new approaches in the guitar department,” said Daniel Pinilla, another teaching fellow and jazz studies master’s degree student.

Mooney also works to ensure every student progresses in their music. Through his teaching and what he has learned from his experiences in his career, he knows ways in which he can help each student.

“Davy pushes each student to work hard and challenge themselves,” Stalbaum said.

“He always provides helpful and unique insight on every student he encounters.”

Pinilla also enjoys working with Mooney because of his lighthearted demeanor and eagerness to engage with people. Whether it is teaching students or just seeing what is going on around the school, Mooney is happily willing to get involved.

“He is an amazing player with a special ability to notice what aspects students should work on in order to advance to the next level,” Pinilla said. “He’s also very enthusiastic about everything that is happening in school and with his students.”

Mooney’s passion for both music and teaching centers around his love for playing jazz. Although he loves traveling and the unique opportunities he has had in his career, his main joy is playing his music.

“I really enjoy performing, whether it’s with students in lessons or with a band on stage,” Mooney said. “I just love jazz. I have since I started playing it, and I still do. It’s as simple as that.”

@ashwinters221

Denton Celtic Dancers Community bonds over Scottish culture

By Camila Gonzalez Staff Writer Scotland is known for its mountains, the Loch Ness monster and the fact that its national animal is the unicorn.

Aside from its quirks and natural wonders, the Scottish people also highly value their country dances. In fact, love for these dances has spread all over the world and can be found in Denton through Denton Celtic Dancers.

The leaderless group has been around for over 25 years and currently offers Celtic dance classes at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, located at 400 E. Hickory St. Classes are $1 per session or free to students and happen at 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Newer dancers start dancing at 6 p.m. but are encouraged to come the hour before to observe the more experienced dancers as they learn advanced moves.

Participants believe this kind of dancing is as much about exercise and tradition as it is about fun and socializing.

“I enjoy having to stop and think about learning a dance, and I enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of the group,” dancer Barney Cosimo said.

And you certainly don’t have to be Scottish to participate. Cosimo is 80 percent Italian and has Middle Eastern ancestry.

Even though dancer June Skinner does have Scottish in her blood, she loves that this type of country dancing can be found throughout many different cultures.

“The thing about Celtic dancing, specifically what we do in Scottish country dancing, is it is just such a fun type of dancing that is not restricted to people with Scottish heritage,” Skinner said. “People do it all over the world. You can go to Japan, and you can find a Scottish dance group.”

Although the group mainly practices Scottish dance, there are actually six countries that are considered the “Celtic nations,” including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. They may be similar to one another, but each of those countries has a certain kind of dance.

Along with being available to all cultures and countries, the Celtic dancing also has a sense of timelessness. Skinner appreciates the old-fashioned, chivalrous nature of the dance.

“Most of us women today, we work like men,” Skinner said. “But

on the dance floor, we are the ladies. The men have to ask us to dance, and they bow. It’s kind of nice.”

Newcomers should know that they do not need a partner or any sort of special costume. Just come with comfortable clothes, softsoled shoes and, most importantly, an open mind.

“I like dancing with a partner and having to work out the dances together instead of individually,” dancer Estefania Dean said, who is one of the youngest members in the group at 19 years old.

The group hopes to attract younger members because most of the current dancers are older.

Dean gets along with the other group members and believes that it is always a good experience to work with older people.

New dancers do not need any prior experience — Celtic or otherwise. They can also observe the more experienced dancers before they start learning. The group is welcoming and excited to share this culture with new people.

“Those who don’t grow up with it can be taught and we’re here to do that,” Skinner said, “It’s not for everybody, but the people who love it really love it.”

For example, Dean originally found out about the group from a

SAVE LIVES. DONATE PLASMA .

Members of the Denton Celtic Dancers Community perform traditional Celtic dances on Nov. 5 at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center. The Denton Celtic Dancers Community host weekly Celtic dance lessons that are free for students wanting to learn about Celtic dancing history. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer friend. After one lesson, she knew that she liked it enough to come back every week.

“It’s definitely worth coming out here for two hours every Sunday,” Dean said.

People who are interested should not be afraid to get out of

$300 IN FIVE DONATIONS $50 $60 $50 $60 $80 1ST

2ND

Learn more and schedule your appointment at biolifeplasma.com

3455 Quail Creek Dr. • Denton, TX 76208 940-387-7105 NEW DONORS ONLY!

Must present this coupon prior to the initial donation. Initial donation must be completed by 11.30.17 and subsequent donations within 30 days. Coupon redeemable only upon completing successful donations. May not be combined with any other offer.

Only at participating locations.

67007- 3005

3RD

4TH

5TH

their comfort zones.

The more members the group has, the more fun the dances will be. Beginners will start off with basic concepts, but eventually they are able to do jigs with the more experienced dancers.

“When everybody is on the

same page and they know the dance, you can really move with a great deal of flair,” Cosimo said, “If you were wearing a kilt, you could kick up your kilt, so to speak.”

@camila_deville

SPORTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Page 6 UPCOMING GAMES Thursday • Volleyball: vs. Western Kentucky – 6 p.m.

Friday • Women’s basketball: vs. MidAmerica Christian – 3 p.m.

• Men’s basketball: vs. Eureka College – 5 p.m.

Saturday • Volleyball: vs. MTSU – 11 a.m.

• Football: vs. UTEP – 4 p.m.

Monday • Men’s basketball: @ Nebraska – 7 p.m.

Tuesday • Women’s basketball: vs. Texas A&M International – 7 p.m.

CONFERENCE USA STANDINGS

Conference USA West Team Conf. Overall N. Texas

5-1

6-3

UAB 4-2 6-3 S. Miss

3-2

5-4

C-USA volleyball crown at stake

By Griffin Bruce Staff Writer The North Texas volleyball team is on its longest winning streak in program history after defeating Louisiana Tech University Sunday.

With the streak now at 12 consecutive wins, the Mean Green (22-2, 9-1) face what will likely be their toughest opponent to date, as Western Kentucky University comes to town in a game that will essentially decide the Conference USA regular season champion.

In the past, the Mean Green have struggled to pull out a win against WKU (27-2, 13-0). But the team’s success this season matches step for step with the Lady Hilltoppers and gives North Texas some confidence.

“We will have to play at a very high level in order to put ourselves in a position to win,” head coach Andrew Palileo said.

“Our preparation this week is the same it has been all year. But our

ability to pay attention to details for adjustments during the match will be key in giving us a chance to be successful.”

The Mean Green and Western Kentucky have been fairly similar on paper.

WKU has an edge in attack percentage (.341 to .302), but North Texas has more assists per set (13.95 to 13.17), more blocks per set (2.30 to 2.21), more digs per set (14.61 to 12.89) and more service aces per set (1.55 to 1.45).

“They are really good at running a basic offense and putting the ball down,” junior setter Karley York said. “But our tough serving gets teams in a more high-ball situation, which allows us to block and set up our defense behind it.”

The Mean Green have struggled against WKU over the last decade, dropping nine straight matches to the traditionally high-powered Lady Hilltoppers. North Texas hasn’t knocked off WKU since Oct.

UTSA 2-3 5-3 La. Tech

2-3

4-5

Rice 1-4 1-8 UTEP 0-5 0-9

Conference USA East Team Conf. Overall FAU 5-0 6-3 FIU 4-1 6-2 Marshall 3-2

6-3

WKU 3-2 5-4 MTSU 2-3 4-5 ODU 1-4 3-6 Charlotte 1-4

1-8

Freshman Barbara Teakell (7) and senior Mikali Myers (15) celebrate on the sidelines after a Mean Green killl against their opponent. Madison Gore | Staff Photographer

WHERE

FRESH & FAST MEET

™

WE DELIVER!

NTDAILY.COM

Barbara Teakell (7) spikes the ball across the net to opponent Southern Miss during a conference game on Oct. 29. Madison Gore | Staff Photographer

19, 2008.

But the Mean Green continue to show growth and are in a much better position this time around.

“I think their greatest strength against us was playing well together as a team,” senior middle blocker Amanda Chamberlain said. “They let their opponent make the mistakes. We’ve played well as a team in the past, but it’s nothing compared to this year.

With what we have on our side and the cohesiveness we have as a team, I think we will have no problem stopping them.”

North Texas has had its share of star players in the past, but this season there is an even distribution of talent that makes it hard for opponents to zero in on one player.

Chamberlain now has 987 career kills, making her No. 8 in school history. York is also now one of six players in history to reach over 2,000 assists (2,148), and senior Holly Milam is the first player in North Texas history to reach 900 kills, 600 digs and 250 total blocks.

With these leaders guiding the

way in Thursday’s match, the Mean Green should have a well-equipped team to take on WKU. “We know the level of play we have to bring, not only on Thursday, but the practices leading up to it.”

Chamberlain said. “We will just focus on what we need to do on our side, because in the end it is about us.”

The biggest threat to North Texas right now is the WKU offense.

Western Kentucky senior Alyssa Cavanaugh totals 389 kills this season and junior Rachel Anderson isn’t far behind with 309.

Even so, North Texas is attempting to approach the game as it does any other regular season matchup.

“Western is just another game,” York said. “We try not to get too excited or change too much of our game plan because what we’ve been doing has obviously been working.”

The Mean Green have upperclassmen aware of how WKU has played in the past and are motivated to add yet another win to their streak. And while this may be

the first time for the freshmen class to play against Western Kentucky, they are certainly prepared enough to win.

Freshman Henrianna Ibarra is among the strong defensive unit for North Texas, leading the team with 222 digs. Both Valerie Valerian and Barbara Teakell have more than 200 kills this season.

But seasoned leaders like Milam will need to step up even more on Thursday if the Mean Green are going to snap out of their losing skid against the Lady Hilltoppers.

It’s a game Milam had been in before and one she knows how to prepare for.

“I’m actually very superstitious, so I have a lot of pre-game routines,” Milam said. “I have certain clothes I have to wear, and [I] wear my hair a certain way. But as a team we will continue to go through our normal walk through, eat a pre-game meal and get pumped in the locker room.

We’re excited.”

@grifwith1f

North Texas on pace for best home record since 2003 season

By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer It’s been discussed throughout the North Texas football community that attendance, while not bad, has not been great.

The number of fans in the stands has led to increased promotions from the athletic department and players taking to Twitter to get people in the seats.

However, even with a crowd averaging an announced attendance near 19,000, the Mean Green football team is 4-0 at home this season. That unblemished mark starts up top with head coach Seth Littrell, whose goal before the season began was to go undefeated at home.

It’s been a point of emphasis the team has taken to heart so far this season. “[Going 6-0 at home] would be a huge milestone,” sophomore receiver Jalen Guyton said. “It’s a great goal to have because this is our house. I think that’s understood even by those who have never played sports – you’re going to protect your house. It’s a respect thing.”

That sense of pride in playing at Apogee Stadium has resonated throughout the season. In Littrell’s first season, the Mean Green went 3-3 at home with a key win over the University of Southern Mississippi that eventually allowed the team to sneak into a bowl game.

This season, their four home wins have come over Lamar

University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Old Dominion University. The margin of victory in those games has been 45, three, three and seven respectively.

“It’s pride,” Littrell said.

“Coming out here in front of your fans, your alumni, your student base, it’s important to give them fun games to watch in our house.

We need to continue to be very competitive and win at home.”

Littrell instilled this thought process as soon as he stepped into Denton. Win all of the your home games, and you have a chance to get into a bowl game regardless of what happens on the road.

The team clearly plays to win every game on the road or at home, but the players’ intensity in home games has continued to grow as they look to increase attendance and put on a show for those fans already at Apogee Stadium.

“I’ve just been taking it one week at a time, but it’s a huge goal to win at home,” sophomore quarterback Mason Fine said. “It’s important to show what your team can do and not disappoint and lose when people are here watching in the stands.”

The Mean Green’s comfort level rises at home and it shows on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they average nearly 45 points per game at Apogee, while averaging just over 25 points per game away from Denton.

While their road schedule has

VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM TO FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU Head coach Seth Litrell celebrates with his wife and fans after a win over the University of Texas at San Antonio on Oct. 14. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor

not been easy – including games against Southern Methodist University, Iowa University and Florida Atlantic University – North Texas has shown more of a spark when playing at home.

“I feel like guys are being coachable and just taking it all in,” senior safety Kishawn McClain said. “We’re winning [now at home], so everybody is liking that. It’s just being consistent in everything we do. We’re just trying to stay on top of things [here] and it flows into [our play].”

From the kick return by Evan Johnson in the final seconds of the UAB game to the “Midterm Miracle” against UTSA, the turf at Apogee has simply been a special place for the Mean Green this season.

While the players won’t admit their approach changes drastically, the FAU loss proved some variables are simply not always in the team’s favor on the road. The energy is hard to recreate when the fans are rooting against you, and North Texas has found out the hard way.

Senior running back Jeffery Wilson believes when it comes to home games, their talent comes out and is what separates the Mean Green late in games.

“It’s just the way we’re playing at this point, period,” Wilson said.

“We want to win every game. Every week is another stepping stone, and we’re going to keep stepping. That’s how we look at every opponent.”

The team’s pride will be at its apex for this weekend’s homecoming game against the University of Texas at El Paso.

With UTEP and Army still left on the home schedule, the goal of completing the season undefeated at home is now in reach.

Playing in Apogee against a surging North Texas team just hasn’t worked out well for opponents. And the Mean Green plan to keep it that way.

“Most coaches are going to stress winning at home because it’s a respect thing,” Guyton said.

“This is where we’re comfortable, and you’re not going to come take what’s ours at our place.”

@mattbrune25

NTDAILY.COM | PAGE 7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

New-look Mean Green open season Friday

By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer

On a team where only one player has at least two seasons of Division I experience, there are plenty of question marks surrounding this year’s North Texas men’s basketball team.

The Mean Green have one exhibition game under their belt where they defeated Houston Baptist University 84-81 last week.

A win against a team that has been at least .500 in back-to-back years was a step in the right direction and allowed the coaching staff to evaluate where the team stands before the season officially gets underway.

“It was hugely beneficial,” first-year head coach Grant McCasland said. “We need as much time on the court against other people. If you look at the people who played a majority of the minutes, you have three sophomores and two freshmen.”

The youth is encouraging for a new coaching staff as North Texas looks to begin the process of turning the corner on what was a miserable 2016 campaign. The exhibition game showed exactly what kind of product the McCasland’s squad is putting on the floor this year after cleaning house in the offseason.

The coaching staff has focused on improving the team’s spacing on the offensive side behind the addition of several new players who can knock down open threes with consistency. In the HBU scrimmage, the team went 8-of-19 from three, including a 4-for-7 outing from sophomore guard Roosevelt Smart.

The Mean Green shot just 32 percent from behind the 3-point line last year, proving players like Smart, freshman Umoja Gibson and junior Jorden Duffy will be welcomed additions to the lineup.

McCasland hopes this will significantly change the complexity of the offense, as sophomore point guard Ryan Woolridge should have cleaner lanes to drive.

Opposing coaches will be more reluctant to

clog the paint with shooters waiting at the ready on the perimeter.

“That’s definitely going to open up space to drive,” Woolridge said. “People will get more open shots and the bigs will be able to score the ball, so that’ll help a lot.”

As Woolridge mentioned, the Mean Green big men have looked more skilled so far in practices. Freshman Zach Simmons has a nice touch around the rim, junior Tope Arikawe is a physical rebounder and senior Shane Temara looks more comfortable than last season, especially on the 3-point line.

But with only three bigs in the regular rotation, there will be lineups where McCasland is forced to play a small-ball lineup with four guards – leaving players like sophomore star A.J. Lawson guarding opposing power forwards.

Against HBU, Lawson started as the Mean Green’s second-biggest player and grabbed nine rebounds in 33 minutes of play. Lawson showed his ability to score last season (11.4 ppg), but further proved his versatility on the boards in the exhibition.

“We can play big,” McCasland said. “We can put two of those guys on the court at the same time, especially with Shane’s ability to stretch the floor. But just with an emphasis on defensive pressure and trying to play more aggressive, we’re better doing that with [four guards]. We want to play faster.”

Playing faster as McCasland wants will be easier this season with Smart, Woolridge and Gibson as three capable ball-handling guards. McCasland has said numerous times how tough it is to consistently score against a half-court defense at the Division I level, so North Texas will look to run in transition often.

Even so, Woodridge, Lawson and the rest of the offense should be in better shape to make plays in the half court.

“In the last couple of years the assist rate hadn’t been real high,” McCasland said.

“3-point percentage hadn’t been real high.

Ryan Woolridge is as good as you can get in

getting people involved and it’s been fun to see them embrace sharing the ball.”

While there will be noticeable improvements under McCasland, rebounding could again present a challenge for the Mean Green this year. With only three post players in the full-time rotation, Lawson will be relied on heavily to make an impact on the glass.

Arikawe and Simmons, two first-year Division I players, are the two most reliable rebounders on the team.

“Rebounding is probably going to be our toughest area,” McCasland said. “I don’t think we rebound very well.”

Defensively, on-ball pressure is McCasland’s biggest emphasis within the team as they focus on keeping people in front of them. A lack of rim protectors waiting in the paint will force North Texas to be more physical on the perimeter.

The Mean Green committed 28 personal fouls against HBU, giving up 34 free throw opportunities. It’s an early problem the team will have to improve on.

“We’ve got to guard the ball well,” McCasland said. “It’s a process to keep getting better at guarding the ball and having that intensity it requires and the discipline to not foul using your hands.”

With McCasland’s first season only days away from beginning, the shift in the culture and excitement around the program continues to grow in a short period of time.

As fans, students and alumni cautiously anticipate the start of the new basketball season, the men’s team is ready to play and answer the questions many Mean Green faithful have after a difficult 2016 campaign.

North Texas opens with Eureka College at 5 p.m. Friday at the Super Pit. “We’re a work in progress [on defense], but we’re picking it up,” Woolridge said.

“I’m very excited for this season. I’m ready to start playing.”

@mattbrune25

North Texas junior forward Tope Arikawe (20) dunks in a rebounding drill. Arikawe started in an exhibition game against Houston Baptist University. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor

Soccer gets rematch against Texas in NCAA tourney SOCCER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

per match and only 1.39 goals per game.

However, Texas showed they are capable of slowing the Mean Green offense early this season.

“For us to be tied with a team for that long and get to play them in the NCAA tournament is kind of a confidence boost,” senior forward Cat Sebazco said.

“We know we can hang with this team.”

Momentum While Texas has the better resume, they have only won two of their last seven matches. They’re 2-3-2 in that span while North Texas is 10-1-1 in their last 12.

The Mean Green have won five in a row to get into the tournament.

Momentum obviously has context, but after an emotional win in the C-USA championship game,

North Texas feels like they’re on a roll right now.

Texas will need to regain their bearings quickly or else the Mean Green’s confidence could grow during the match.

“Our confidence right now is at an all-time high,” senior midfielder Tori Phillips said. “We went into the tournament and we had to push ourselves playing five games in 10 days. If we can play a game every other day, we can come out here and give all of our energy to win one game and make history.”

Keep Austin Weird Texas will be hosting the event on Friday night and the Longhorns are 9-1-1 at home this season. They have scored more than one goal only six times this season and all six of those games have been played at home.

This does not bode well for a traveling Mean Green team. But it’s Austin, a city known for its quirkiness, and a North Texas win certainly wouldn’t be the most unheard of thing to happen in the city limits this

weekend.

“This isn’t bad, this is fairly close,” Hedlund said.

“We should get a good following from our fan base.”

Never too early to look ahead The winner of this match will face the winner of Clemson vs. Alabama in the next round.

While Texas is surely a confident team after beating North Texas on the road in August, the Mean Green know they’re capable of keeping up.

They’re playing their best soccer of the season and feel they can steal a win-or-go-home game from the Longhorns in Austin.

“We’re confident, but we’re not overconfident,” Sebazco said. “We’re just really hoping to get the result we want and we know the best way to do that is to have the right mindset, have good energy and preparing the right way before Friday.”

@mattbrune25

Football aims for homecoming revenge

By Matthew Brune Senior Sports Writer With bowl eligibility clinched last week in North Texas’ 24-23 win over Louisiana Tech, the Mean Green return to Denton for a two-game homestand starting with the University of Texas at El Paso at 4 p.m.

Saturday.

A win on homecoming would clinch the Conference USA West division title for North Texas.

Put your winter break to smart use by earning college credits in just four weeks…without leaving your couch! accredited, fully transferable and fully classes, allowing you to get a jump start on your spring semester.

Registration opens Nov. 14.

Classes run Dec. 15 through Jan. 11.

Make the bright choice!

Visit tccd.edu/connect to learn more.

Hard knock life for the Miners The Miners are 0-9 with only one of those losses coming by less than 14 points. The lone close game came on its homecoming when they lost to Western Kentucky University 15-14.

UTEP allows over 226 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. North Texas’ senior running back Jeffery Wilson is coming off a bounce-back week where he gained 167 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

“Maybe they’re a very good defensive team,” head coach Seth Littrell said. “At times they may have gotten worn down a little bit, but in the back end, they’re very solid. They’re competitive, and they’re going to be very motivated, I promise you.”

Revenge Last year, UTEP entered the final game against North Texas with little to play for as they sat at 3-8.

Meanwhile, the Mean Green were looking for their vaunted sixth win and bowl eligibility.

The Miners throttled the Mean Green 52-24 and North Texas had to rely on its Academic Progress Rate to sneak into a bowl game. However, last season Fine did not play in that game, and Wilson only had seven carries coming off an injury.

This year, the team has definitely not forgotten about the loss and still has the bitter taste in their mouths.

“It’s been on our minds since last year,” Wilson said.

“Losing that one set us back and almost took us away from [a bowl game]. So to be able to get them back and clinch [the west] and win, it’ll be a good motivation for us.”

Homecoming North Texas is 3-4 in its last seven homecoming games, but that number doesn’t mean much coming into this season.

What does mean something is the fact that the Mean Green have won five of their six conference games and are 4-0 at home this season.

Littrell has made it clear he stresses home games

extensively, and on a weekend where school spirit is at a yearly high, expect North Texas to reciprocate that same energy on the field.

“Personally, I’ve felt the excitement build with each win,” sophomore quarterback Mason Fine said.

“Especially now that we have a chance to make the conference championship game, and we’re already bowl eligible. I think we’re going to feed off the energy, and you’re going to see us play well Saturday.”

UTEP’s offense The Mean Green will face another run-first offense in UTEP. The Miners only averaged 3.2 yards per carry and have over 200 fewer yards than Wilson as a team this season.

North Texas is well prepared to face the run game of UTEP after facing Iowa University, Florida Atlantic University, Old Dominion University and Louisiana Tech. The front six in the 3-3-5 defense has been more than capable of filling its gaps, and the Mean Green safeties have done a good job of crashing down in the run game.

“They’re going to run the ball,” senior cornerback Eric Jenkins said. “We have to have good eye discipline because they’re [also] going to come over the top with a pass, so we have to be disciplined and hit our gaps.”

Score predictions: Senior Staff Writer Matt Brune: North Texas 38, UTEP 20 Sports Editor Brady Keane: North Texas 42, UTEP 10

@mattbrune25

North Texas senior wide receiver Turner Smiley runs the ball in a game against Old Dominion University on Oct. 28.

North Texas defeated ODU 45-38. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer

OPINION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Page 8

NTDAILY.COM

Here’s to the young people

By Rachel Herzer Staff Writer

North Texas celebrates around senior Holly Milam after sweeping the University of Oklahoma Wednesday night. Milam became the first player in North Texas history to reach 900 kills, 600 digs and 250 blocks in a career. Rachel Walters | Staff Photographerr

Mean Green athletics are more than just football

By The Editorial Board

For the entirety of this semester, the Mean Green soccer and volleyball teams have been quietly dominating. Soccer is fresh off a Conference USA championship and with two wins this week, volleyball will claim the regular season conference title.

But there’s a problem.

A lot of people are not giving them the credit they rightfully deserve.

Every time football gets a win, public support is inescapable from Apogee to Fry Street, and virtually any social media platform. Last weekend, the North Texas Daily received 386 retweets on a post announcing football’s sixth win of the season, allowing the team to become bowl eligible. On Sunday, only 31 users retweeted a similar post announcing the soccer team not only becoming C-USA champions, but also advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.

The major fall teams at North Texas — football,

volleyball and soccer — have a record of 44-84. When you break that down, 38 of those wins belong to volleyball and soccer. They’re responsible for nearly 80 percent of the university’s wins this semester.

So why aren’t they getting the publicity the Mean Green football team is?

WFAA-TV had Seth Littrell on air discussing the improvements he’s made with the football program and their wins. That’s great. But when are we going to see the soccer and volleyball teams on television?

You can try and make the age-old argument of “this is Texas, football is king,” but that has nothing to do with the colossal success these female athletes are rounding up.

Not being a soccer or volleyball fan isn’t a good enough excuse to not express support for your school’s teams. There’s a lot of talk about “filling Apogee,” but that shouldn’t just be exclusive to football.

That should be extended to all of Mean Green

village.

According to www.MeanGreenMap.com, the Mean Green Soccer Complex has only sold out its 1,000+ capacity twice in its history. Furthermore, North Texas’ volleyball attendance falls below the C-USA national volleyball attendance average.

The Mean Green soccer team is the No. 1 ranked team in C-USA and not only has an average attendance number of just 299 fans (also below the national average), but hasn’t lost a home conference game in nine years. They are 41-0-3 in that span.

Nine years.

There’s already enough conversation surrounding the lack of female representation in sports, so please, by all means, have pride in the hard work that UNT’s athletes are putting in to truly make this #NewDenton.

Do them the courtesy of showing the same amount of support the football team receives.

@ntdaily

Yes I’m a minority – no that doesn’t make me inherently liberal

By Nina Quatrino Contributing Writer I am a minority.

My mother, who got her American citizenship in 2004, is from the Dominican Republic. I have a grandmother who is black and lives in Puerto Rico and an Italian father who fought in the Second Gulf War. My mother comes from African-American descent, and my father is 100 percent Italian – from Naples to be exact. I usually joke and say that me and my two sisters are the only “American” ones in our family. (I mean, I was born in Lexington, Kentucky and love fast food.)

I am also a woman. A 5-foot tall, brown-eyed, mixed-race woman.

And on top of all that, I’m a young, right-leaning libertarian attending a university known for its predominantly liberal demographics.

Minorities in society are defined as “a group of people who are singled out from others in society because of physical, or cultural characteristics, in which regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination,” according to sociologist Louis Wirth.

For me, being a millennial and a libertarian means having to squeeze out a fake laugh when someone makes another President Donald Trump joke.

It means nodding my head and saying “sure” when someone makes a comment about how “racist” something or someone is and politely smiling through my absolute favorite punch line, “White people, am I right?”

Because the second someone finds out that you actually support Donald Trump, and you’re not white, you become “the problem.” Turns out, there are a lot of people like me out there, who share the same ideals and identify as right.

As a libertarian, I wholeheartedly support the idea of individual freedom and all that it entails. So yes, I support LGBTQ rights, I stand by the idea of prochoice and I agree the Black Lives Matter movement is extremely important. I absolutely want back my pay from this gender wage gap, and I will always support small businesses.

But there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

And that’s where I find that I’m extremely fiscally conservative. So

excuse me for never posing for an “iron fist” selfie, but I personally don’t agree with the glamorization and recent infatuation of identity politics.

Since when did people start defining themselves specifically by their race, gender and political opinions? I’m serious. I’m not ashamed of my race or my gender by any means, but I also don’t find them to be the most fascinating thing about me as an individual.

I was always taught to acknowledge when you get a gut feeling when something doesn’t seem right, it’s because it probably isn’t.

So why is it that suddenly now in my 20s, I am told by practically everyone that because I am a minority, it will be harder for me to achieve my dreams unless I align myself with completely liberal ideals? And white people should feel a never-ending sense of guilt for their so-called privilege? I’m sorry, but what?

It wasn’t until my junior year of college at UNT that I became aware of my surroundings. I had inadvertently signed up for a race and multicultural studies course during America’s most consequential election year, and I’ll

never forget it.

On my first day, my professor made it very clear that if you were not black, then you were white, and if you were white, you were inherently racist. There was no in-between.

From a libertarian view, I’m all about freedom of speech. And to an extent, I believe race and gender are important.

But I think the minute you let it define you as who you are, you lose an insight of your inner self.

Growing up in Massachusetts, people often assumed I was Puerto Rican. In Florida, I was always mistaken for Cuban. Now in Texas, I’m either Mexican or white. I never felt offended or the need to defend my race because I’ve never let that define who I am.

Just because you’re a minority doesn’t mean you have to believe you automatically have it worse than others.

We’re all human. We all struggle, and we all have obstacles in our lives. How you choose to go about accomplishing your goals is up to you.

As for me, I’m always going to try my best. Race, gender and whatever else aside.

@ninaquatrino

“Why aren’t millennials buying diamonds?” a notoriously tone-deaf tweet by The Economist pondered. “Millennials are killing the movie business,” read the headline to one New York Post article. All too often the media accuses those born between 1982 and 2004 of bringing about the death of certain industries, societal customs and outdated products. But if for a moment, you could set aside these accusatory notions of the fall of society as we know it, you might see that young people in the U.S. are doing a lot of great things.

More than ever before, young people are speaking up about real issues in our society. They are getting more involved in social issues and politics: voicing their concerns, demanding change, and holding institutions and people accountable for their actions.

On Oct. 19, white supremacist Richard Spencer spoke at Florida State University and was met with protests, booing and chants like, “Go home, Spencer.”

Millennials routinely show out like this for protests against hateful views like white supremacy.

We’re nothing if not persistent. When the only options are complacency or fighting like hell, for young people, the choice is clear. Millennials have made it their mission to fight for those that are not being heard and to use their voices for things that matter.

Hopefully our efforts of preserving democracy make up for the fact that we killed fabric softener.

The inspiring, progressive hallmarks of the generation are often ignored for more vindictive coverage of how vain and selfish we are. Forgive us for taking a break between calling our senators and denouncing sexual assault to post a selfie on Snapchat.

Older generations have different points of view, priorities and values, a fact that no doubt contributes to the rift between us. What matters to one person might not matter to the next. If we have to take the blame for killing television, so be it. To keep it short, we have bigger fish to fry.

To the millennials: let inconsequential complaints roll off your back and focus on things that are important to you. Keep improving and fighting for them, maintaining or creating them, whatever you have to do. There will never be a downside to becoming more informed and more passionate. Just keep swimming.

We may have succeeded in defeating the evil that is Applebee’s, but we have plenty more work to do.

@coolrachdoritos

Illustration by Max Raign

WANTED

ETHICS

ESSAYISTS GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT

$1000 REWARD GO TO:

http://bit.ly/riccoethics