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125th YEAR | ISSUE 36 @REFLECTORONLINE f /REFLECTORONLINE
FEBRUARY 21, 2014
FRIDAY
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Notable freshman class larger, more prepared
Starkville-MSU SMART shuttle receives mixed reviews BY JAMES LOGAN
Jeanette Bailey, university transit manager, said the shuttles have carried 57,521 riders so far in February, which are more passengers than the entire month of January. She said MSU Parking Services is aware of some of the early problems with the new S.M.A.R.T. system, but it re-
Contributing Writer
Despite some growing pains, the Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit (S.M.A.R.T.) shuttle service seems to have been mostly successful in January and February.
lies on feedback from people who use the service to work toward improvement. “We are always open to options, but everything that we do is run through the grant, so we have to get prior approval from MDOT before we change anything,” Bailey said. The S.M.A.R.T. system
started running at the beginning of the spring semester and students’ level of enthusiasm for the service is varied Leigha Malone, junior history major, said the new system is useful but is sometimes disorganized. “Sometimes you wait for a shuttle for 30 or 40 minutes,
and sometimes they are there within 10 minutes of each other. I feel like they should have a better system,” Malone said. Malone shares a car with her sister who works in Columbus, so she said sometimes the Sportsplex Express shuttle is her only option to get to school. SEE SHUTTLE, 3
BY MAKYLA SPENCER Contributing Writer
Mississippi State University’s 2013-2014 freshman class is the largest and the most academically prepared class the school has ever had, according to MSU President Mark Keenum. Keenum said first-time freshman enrollment at the university has reached 3,156, an increase of nine percent over last year’s number of 2,894. Overall enrollment at MSU remained stable. It exceeded 20,000 and currently stands at 20,161. The university also obtained its highest average ACT score ever of 23.94 for entering freshmen. Phillip Bonfanti, executive director of enrollment, said in order to calculate the academic standing of a group, Tim Chamblee, MSU’s director of institutional research, averages the ACT scores of that group. He also counts the number of scholarship-eligible students, the group’s average GPA and its number of national merits. “Generally, when you hear a university say that a class is the most academically prepared, they’re looking at one main statistic, and that is the average ACT of that class. The average this year was a 23.9. This is the highest average Mississippi State has ever had for a freshman class,” Bonfanti said. SEE FRESHMEN, 2
MAKYLA SPENCER | THE REFLECTOR
Critics say the Starkville-Mississippi State University SMART shuttle, which began running in January 2014, has proved to be both helpful and disorganized. The shuttles have GPS tracking devices that help riders determine where they can be picked up, but not all buses have been added to the system.
Davis Wade Stadium celebrates 100 years Local restaurant promotes fresh food, sustainability BY NIA WILSON Staff Writer
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mississippi State University’s iconic Davis Wade Stadium. Built in 1914, its original name was New Athletic Field. In 1920, the field was named after Don Magruder Scott. Scott was not only an Olympic sprinter, but also an MSU football star in 191516. Later, the stadium was named after a Floyd Davis Wade Sr. due to a large financial contribution made toward the stadium’s expansion. Officially, the stadium’s name is Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. The stadium holds one of the largest high definition video boards in college football. The board measures 152 feet wide by 135 feet, six inches tall, with a main HD screen 111 feet wide by 47 feet high. SEE STADIUM, 2
BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer
READER’S GUIDE BAD DAWGS OPINION CONTACT INFO BULLETIN BOARD
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EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO
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THE REFLECTOR
MSU students fill Davis Wade Stadium to get pumped for the new football season at 2013’s Cowbell Yell. The stadium was built in 1914, and the most recent expansion began in 2012. The construction allows for 6,000 more fans to attend games.
CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS LIFE SPORTS
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POLICY
At 100 East Main St. in downtown Starkville, Restaurant Tyler does business in partnership with the “eat local” movement and uses fresh and local ingredients from around the Golden Triangle region. Daniel Doyle, executive director of the Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network, said the restaurant has become one of the culinary leaders in the state by supporting local farmers, including those using sustainable practices, by making it a priority to purchase from them as much as possible. “This is good for the economy, increases the quality of their dishes and plays a part in developing a resilient, sustainable and regenerative sys-
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FRIDAY
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tem of food production and consumption,” Doyle said. “It is wonderful to go into restaurants throughout Starkville
and around the state and begin to see plates featuring local organic produce, grass-fed beef or free-range eggs.” SEE TYLER, 3
LEON CARRUBBA | THE REFLECTOR
Matt McClellan (left) and Grant Krag (right) share a meal at Resturaunt Tyler, a locally-owned eatery that uses fresh, local ingredients. The resturaunt prides itself on its economically-beneficial business and agriculture model.
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SUNDAY
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MONDAY
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NEWS
2 | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
THE REFLECTOR
Club promotes free thinking, open conversation BY NIA WILSON Staff Writer
Mississippi State University’s Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists Organization (FAAMSU) strives to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers. At the same time, the group endeavors to educate others in the area of
science and reason. This organization was created in 2005 under the name Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers Student Organization. Between that time and 2008, the group crumbled under unsuccessful leadership transitions. In 2009, the current president, Chris Dees, reopened it for business.
CHRIS DEES | COURTESY PHOTO
Students and FAAMSU members congregate on the Drill Field. Club members seek to form a neutral space for community discussion that promotes ideas.
FAAMSU, an affiliate of the Secular Student Organization, constantly encourages those of all beliefs to exchange ideas in order to gain a wider perspective. Jonathan Edelmann, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, said one critical purpose of a university is to introduce students to the diverse beliefs and practices. He said he feels organizations like FAAMSU provide a neutral environment in which students can express their religious views and differences. “It is absolutely important to have neutral spaces to discuss religion. If we, as university educators, fail to give students the ability to discuss religion in an informed, systematic, dispassionate and respectful manner, then there is a real sense in which we have failed as educators,” he said. “More often than not, we see that situations where education about the diversity of religions is low, discrimination is high.” Ian Dettwiller, FAAMSU secretary, said the most he has gained from the group is its sense of community. Through his involvement, he said he has become more comfortable in his lack of belief, as well as more understanding of people in all walks of faith. “A smaller group setting allows for people to get to know each other beyond their ideals, which in turn, provides for a less volatile, more constructive setting for conversation,” he said. The club says it welcomes
CHRIS DEES | COURTESY PHOTO
Members of the Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists Organization meet to discuss science and reason in an open environment. The club was formed in 2005. new members. “I will point out that, although FAAMSU is open to anyone who wants to come and have a civil discussion about religion, we do not provide a platform for individuals to witness or proselytize to a non-believer. Any person who attempts to do so will be removed from the meeting. It’s rude, calloused, offensive and not something we tolerate,” Dettwiller said. Chris Dees, FAAMSU president and social media ambassador, said the group aims to foster a “secular safe haven” for those who are without faith or
questioning their faith. At the same time, he said his organization strives to create an environment that embraces skepticism on the search for truth. “Being skeptical is essential in the search for truth. That is to say, no truth claim should be protected from critique. None of us live in a vacuum, meaning our actions have effects on ourselves and others. By forming a neutral space for discussion, we are creating a forum to evaluate these ideas and beliefs, and we can then promote the ideal views that we discover,” he said. Dees said one person or one
STADIUM
small group does not represent a community as a whole. “Misunderstanding others can easily occur whenever you have someone such as a firebrand ‘angry atheist’ in the spotlight or if you have a group such as Westboro Baptist Church that gets the attention of the media which can cause people to make a sweeping generalization of their communities,” he said. “FAAMSU encourages people from all walks of faith to learn more about us and we will also learn about them as well through an exchange of ideas. ”
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It is currently the largest multiply both the unity of true high definition board the university and pride in in the SEC and the second athletics. “Football games and athlargest nationally. The expansion on the sta- letics give all supporters of dium started in 2012 and MSU a chance to identiis expected to conclude in fy with the university. For students, it is one August. By aspect of college the conclulife. MSU gives sion of the Football students expansion, games and our many learning opthe goal is athletics portunities inside to have the and outside of the stadium give all classroom. Athe n c l o s e d . supporters of MSU helps round The staa chance to identify letics out the college dium will experience and be able with the university. solidify the feeling to hold For students, it of being an MSU u p w a r d s is one aspect of of 6,000 Bulldog,” Gilbert said. “A bigger more peo- college life. MSU and nicer football ple than gives our students stadium will inb e f o r e . many learning While the opportunities inside crease the pride of the fans in the expansion university’s athletcosts range and outside the ics and the univerfrom be- classroom.” sity in general.” tween $75 -Jerry Gilbert, Scott Wetherto 80 mil- MSU provost EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR bee, senior associlion, all ate athletic direc- The MSU student section cheers after the Bulldogs score during a football game during the 2013 season. finances tor, said demand Construction on Davis Wade Stadium is expected to open 6,000 more seats for the upcoming 2014 season. were paid through a number of private has never been higher for a sources and not at tax payers’ larger stadium after 30 con- much-anticipated 2014 Da- stadium will provide more matches the surrounding the South. The more peoexpense. The stadium cur- secutive home sellouts enter- vis Wade expansion. A little opportunities for the fans to buildings and the Grid Iron. ple get involved, the better rently stands as the nation’s ing the 2014 season. over 6,000 more seats will be a part of the football ex- Very little engages people the experience for everyone. “More than $100 million be available and the capac- perience. second-oldest Division I-A like football does. It’s a great As long as the university is campus football stadium. in football projects have ity will be over 61,000,” he “Some of my favorite ad- way to get people engaged here, that stadium will be Jerry Gilbert, provost and been initiated in the last said. ditions to the stadium are and keep them engaged,” here, too. It would be hard executive vice president, said few years. Of that figure, Scott Stricklin, director of the bowl shape around the Stricklin said. “Football is to imagine a time where it the stadium’s expansion will $80 million of it is for the athletics, said the expanded end zone, the brick that a great love for people in would be any other way.”
FRESHMEN Tim Chamblee said the university awarded a record number of scholarships during the 2013-2014 school year. He said about 32 percent of newly-enrolled freshmen received a scholarship. “This year’s freshman class has been statistically very impressive. We awarded a very large number of scholarships this year. In fact, about 32 percent of entering freshmen were eligible and received scholarships,” Chamblee said. According to Bonfanti, the university has had more scholarship-eligible students and double the amount of national merits this year than last year. Bonfanti said national merit students are sought after by universities because of their academic success and diligence.
“We doubled the amount this year’s enrollment staof national mertus will reit students this flect on the year. The nauniversity This tional merit is and it will increase a recognition send out a continues that is external message to to Mississippi future stua growth State. Students dents and trend that are selected to their parbe national mer- began in 2006, ents. it semi-finalist when freshmen “We grew in a nationwide enrollment was just by 266 c o m p e t i t i o n , 1,911. This is very freshman and then some students this are selected to much a team effort year, in state be finalists. This across the board, and out of competition is with growth coming state. Not hosted by the in all eight of our only did National Merit we become C o r p o r a t i o n ,” colleges.” larger, but Bonfanti said. -Mark Keenum, also smarter. “Last year we MSU president That alone had 23, and this sends a posyear we have 46 itive mesenrolled.” sage to future parents and Bonfanti said he believes students about the type of
continued from 1 institution we are,” Bonfanti said. “It takes three major aspects to be an excellent university. Good faculty, good resources and good students.” Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum said the university’s growth is due to a team effort from all eight of MSU’s colleges. Keenum said he believes the upward path of freshman class enrollment reflects the confidence that students and parents have that MSU can prepare them for the future. “This increase continues a growth trend that began in 2006, when freshmen enrollment was just 1,911. This is very much a team effort across the board, with growth coming in all eight of our colleges. We have a network of recruiters who
spend a lot of time in the schools, talking to students, parents, administrators and guidance counselors,” Keenum said. Keenum said he enjoys traveling to different high schools to spread the word about all that MSU has to offer. “I also enjoy traveling to high schools all across the state and region to talk about what we have to offer at Mississippi State and reinforcing the message our recruiters are sharing with the best and brightest students in schools large and small. The result is that Mississippi State University continues to be the university of choice for high school seniors in our state, and we are attracting more and more top students from across our region,” Keenum said.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 | 3
NEWS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
SHUTTLE
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“It only takes four minutes to drive to campus from my house. I have to walk out of my door at least 35 minutes before class to even make it to class on time if I want to take the shuttle,” Malone said. “Usually, I leave even earlier than that just to make sure — especially between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — because you are waiting for a shuttle for an hour at least. It’s just unreliable.” The Sportsplex Express route is not the only route with issues. The shuttles are equipped with GPS tracking devices to help potential riders schedule their travel to campus. However, not all buses have been incorporated into the system yet. Anthony Lamarca, senior business major, said he has had MAKYLA SPENCER | THE REFLECTOR difficulty tracking the Old Main Express shuttle in the Cotton An MSU student walks to the Montgomery Hall shuttle stop to board a SMART District. shuttle. The Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit program was launched in January. “I’ve used it a couple times, but there have been instances the shuttle gets back to the other walking — especially in this house with constantly updating where I missed it because I was stop. weather every day,” Harmon estimated times of arrival. The at the wrong stop,” Lamarca “It’s just not a viable option said. “I’m really happy to see ev- system is expected to be fully imsaid. since you can’t track the shuttle,” erybody that gets off (the shut- plemented by mid-April. Lamarca explained the Old Lamarca said. “Everyone just be patient with tle) always thanks the men and Main Express has two stops near Some routes do not experi- always shows their gratitude at us and utilize the service,” Bailey his house. He said one stop is on ence as many issues. said. “If there are any suggestions the service they provide.” the side of the street that flows Randi Kathryn Harmon, juMSU Parking Services is aware or other stops that people want away from campus, and the oth- nior communication major, said of the issue caused by some shut- to see added or stops that they er is on the side of the street that she goes online to see when the tles not being traceable, and they don’t think are necessarily as imflows onto campus. He said the shuttle will arrive. She said it is have already received permission portant, email it, email it, email two stops are within visual dis- always correct according to her to add GPS to the shuttles that it,” Bailey said. tance of each other, but if you phone. Bailey can be contacted at do not have it yet. When the sysare at the wrong stop, it takes “I seriously thank the men tem is fully implemented, there jcm88@transportation.msstate. about 15 or 20 minutes before every day. I could not imagine will also be signs at each shuttle edu.
TYLER
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LEON CARRUBBA | THE REFLECTOR
Guests wait for their food at Restaurant Tyler. The restaurant is part of Starkville’s “Eat Local” movement.
“In a state with such a rich local farmers. As a community, agricultural history, it is shame by supporting local sustainthat we curably-run farms, rently produce we not only invest Ty does a such a small in our own health amount of the and the health of great job, food we conand I would our neighbors, sume,” Doyle but we also conrecommend that said. tribute to the Brian Kel- everyone gives it a overall wellbeing ley, Co-owner try.” of our local econof Restaurant omy,” Kelley said. -Marianne Ulmer, Tyler and a law Ty Thames and graduate from Starkville resident Brian Kelley, who the University first met as college of Mississippi roommates, own said the restaurant is committed three other restaurants includto providing sustainable foods. ing Zorba’s Greek Tavern, Bin “The overwhelming majorities of our offerings are local or regional and are provided by sustainable farmers,” Kelley said. “Our produce and the majority of our proteins are sourced from
612 and Rock Bottom as part of the “Eat Local” movement in Starkville. Doyle said citizens can support local farmers and the regrowth of the local food system by buying from them even if that means paying a bit more, going out of your way or spending more time in the kitchen preparing meals with whole foods. “Ultimately, you get what you pay for and what you put in. If you want quality, healthy, fresh food that is good for your family, your community and the
environment, we need to make that a priority and be willing to sacrifice convenience and resist the artificially low costs of industrialized food products,” Doyle said. Marianne Ulmer, Starkville resident, said she has eaten at Restaurant Tyler on multiple occasions with family and friends. “My experiences have been wonderful. Good food and a peaceful and relaxing dining atmosphere. Ty does a great job, and I would recommend that everyone gives it a try,” Ulmer said.
Saturday, Feb. 15 • 6:14 p.m. A visitor fell over the rails hitting his head at Dudy Noble Field. The subject was not transported to OCH.
Monday, Feb. 17 • 9:27 a.m. An employee reported donut marks in the parking lot of the MSU Receiving Station. • 9:29 a.m. A student reported arguing with another student over a parking spot in the Dorman Hall parking lot. • 10:13 p.m. A student reported a suspicious incident in Cresswell Hall regarding her cell phone.
Tuesday, Feb. 18 • 12:11 a.m. A student was arrested on Stone Boulevard for driving under the influence, minor in possession of alcohol and driving on the wrong side of the road. • 12:04 p.m. A student reported the smell of marijuana in his room in Hathorn Hall. • 2:48 p.m. An employee reported an incident involving prescription medication and juveniles at the Humphrey Coliseum. • 3:00 p.m. A student was arrested at Walmart for shoplifting. • 6:03 p.m. Damages were made in Griffis Hall on the boy’s side due to a leak in the water pipes. Starkville Fire Department, dynamic alarm and facilities management were called.
Citations:
• 18 citations were issued for speeding.
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OPINION
4 | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
OPINION EDITOR: ALIE DALEE | opinion@reflector.msstate.edu CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Can MSU’s parking policy be more efficient?
W
hen examining the world through an economic lens, inefficiencies are more prominent and take a sharper focus. Not only do they take a sharper focus, but they beg for the attention of an economist. Peter Boettke, a professor of economics and philosophy at George Mason University said, “Economics can tell you the consequences of your normative position.” The role of an economist is not to give the right answer or decide which route to take. The economist informs the decision-maker of the consequences of the action taken. The economist uses economic thinking to provide the direct consequences and the indirect consequences of a given action. Parking prices at Mississippi State University continue to increase yearly with what seems to be few to zero increased benefits to the driver. In 2013, the parking permit for a commuter cost $125.00. This is a $38 increase since 2008, when parking permits for commuters were $87.00. This is a 44 percent increase in price for the commuter. Two questions come to mind concerning spaces and price. First, are all commuter parking spaces of equal value? The next question is whether the value of spaces is reflected in the price of parking permits? If all commuter parking spaces cost a uniform price, are all spaces of uniform value? The answer is no assuming the average commuter travels to any building located around the Drill Field. Any commuter would agree that parking in West Zone yields a shorter walk to McCool than those who park in the Humphrey Coliseum zone. Even within each zone there is a
stark difference between parking BRIAN GRECO AND KIM PETTIT at the front of the zone than at the Brian Greco and Kim Pettit are back of the zone. The conclusion is that for any given commuter graduate students in business there exist parking spaces which administration. They can be are more preferable than others. contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. This disparity is currently not reflected in the price of the spaces. based on what spot they get. ParkHowever, there likely exists a set of ing permits carry varying value commuters who would be willing leading to dissatisfaction among to pay more for a highly valuable commuters as they receive less spot. This reflects a market ineffi- value on some days than on other days. ciency. Innumerable policies exist which A change to the status quo should be done only when a more the university could implement. But say, for inefficient alternastance, the univertive is present. In Two sity rezones and terms of economquestions charges more for ics, efficiency is a preferred parking state in which any come spots in different change cannot to mind zones and less for yield someone less preferred areas better off without concerning spaces of parking. Value making someone and prices. First, is now being comworse off. Any are all commuter municated to the change which parking spaces of consumers about makes someone the parking placbetter off without equal value? The es. The university making some- next question is is not worse off, one worse off is whether the value and commuters a move toward can now make a more efficient of the spaces is rational choices state. Economics reflected in the about which areas also emphasizes price of parking they may wish to the importance passes?” park in and rethat price plays ceive the expected in signaling value. value with more Price communicates information to the consumer reliability. However, the choice to about a good or service’s relative implement a policy is not for the economist to make. We can only value in the market. Where does this put us? Prices predict the consequences. After all, F.A. Hayek, an Ausfor commuter parking spaces do not reflect the value each individ- trian economist and Nobel prize ual consumer might be willing to winner said, “The curious task of pay. Also, the value of the parking economics is to demonstrate to spaces is not being communicat- men how little they really know ed to the market. As a result, the about what they imagine they can benefits drivers receive vary daily design.”
THE REFLECTOR
EXPRESS YOUR VOICE AT REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
LET’S PLAY THIS BY EAR
A call to action for millennials I
t is no secret members of technology, we have access to virour millennial generation are tually every piece of information often identified by the tech- that has ever been created, printed nological devices that seem to be or discussed and that we have the extensions of our physical bodies. ability to interact and exchange We are under constant scruti- ideas with different cultures and ny for our supposed detachment experience infinite differing worlfrom reality and selfishness that dviews. If I want to read legislation on has stemmed from an obsession with our phones, tablets and the foreign policy between the U.S. like. To a certain degree, our crit- and Libya, I can pull it up in four seconds. If ics are correct I want to watch with their genera lecture on how alizations about This is scientists were our behavior. the real able to split an We spend less atom, I can check time writing letstruggle out YouTube and ters and reading we should instantly be more hard cover books informed. Howthan some of address: not the ever, I could also our older coun- constant use of spend four hours terparts, and we our technology, on BuzzFeed takhate ourselves for but how we use it. ing quizzes to see it. We constantly which vegetable I urge ourselves Our focus needs would be (proband one another to be on utilizing ably squash) or other to get rid of our intimate which ‘90s pop the devices, but, star I should belet’s be honest, relationship with friend (Gwen as much as we these devices Stefani, obviousdespise ourselves to enrich, rather ly). I could start for this distract- than entertain, a discussion on ed lifestyle, these Twitter with inhabits show no ourselves.” dividuals my age signs of dissolvfrom across the ing. This brings me to my point: globe, or I could send my sister a instead of putting our energy into Snapchat of my double chin. This is the real struggle we the fruitless battle to abolish our millennial dependency to iPhones should address: not the constant and laptops, I suggest we focus use of our technology, but how on using the devices in the best we use it. Our focus needs to be ways possible. Rather than con- on utilizing our intimate relationdemning new technology for its ships with these devices to enrich, negative results (short attention rather than entertain, ourselves. spans, the conceited practice of The fault in our generation is not taking selfies, etc.), we should ad- that we have these devices at our mire the fact that because of this disposal. That, if anything, is a
SHEALY MOLPUS Shealy Molpus is a senior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
tremendous benefit to all generations, past, present and future. Our generation’s fault is squandering all that these devices have to offer. With the advances our generation has experienced first hand, there is no doubt we have the potential to be the most informed, cultured and educated generation to date. But in order to achieve this, we must embrace the amazing capacity for education provided to us through the Internet, social media and other technological entities. I am not suggesting we millennials do not need to be constantly reminded to drop the phone and engage in physical social interaction. We certainly do. However, being a college student, I know this is a message that often goes in one earbud and out the other, so instead of urging that we put down the phones, I am encouraging my peers (and myself, of course) to take full advantage of the information we have at our fingertips. Bypass the Candy Crush and Flappy Bird and opt for a news article or two.
PONDER THIS
U.S. ignores Arctic resources: Could battle be a consequence? W
hile the United States government sets its sights on the Middle East, others are concerned the Obama administration ignores the very place that could turn into a crucial ground for valuable resources. The ice in the Arctic Ocean has been melting since the 1970s. Fox News points out that many countries, like Russia and China, are already starting to make their claims on Arctic areas that are rich in resources such as oil, shipping lanes and national defense. As of now, the U.S. has not made an effort to claim any property in the Arctic region. Fox News recently interviewed Alaskan Democratic Sen. Mark Begich, who remains skeptical of the U.S. government’s decision to remain indifferent to the fast-approaching lack of resourc-
es in the Arctic Ocean. He states that, while countries like Russia are valuable allies, they could dominate the economic resources of the Arctic if the U.S. doesn’t decide of a course of action soon. Though the pressure of a possible Cold War II hangs over their heads, neither the U.S. Coast Guard or the Navy feel the need to spend the money necessary to build the icebreakers that make it possible to sail safely in the Arctic. Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard only has two icebreakers that are typically busy escorting or rescuing ships stranded in the Arctic Ocean. Both ships are almost 40 years old. To build such a ship easily costs up to $800 million, and it takes $300 million to turn an existing ship into an icebreaker. The U.S. government chooses to save that
money in order to comply with the Pentagon’s push to cut $70 billion in spending over the next two years. Fox News recently revealed Russia has 25 icebreakers currently sailing the Arctic — six of these are nuclear powered. So how does the government’s decision to remain indifferent to Arctic resources affect the rest of the U.S.? It might not have to affect the general public much at all, except the U.S. chooses to rely on the ice in the Arctic as a primary source of oil. The Arctic Ocean, though it is often reserved as a last resort, also serves as a shipping lane in trade and national defense. If other countries claim territory in the Arctic before the U.S. does, this country might not have easy access to these resources without having to answer to another country. If
the Arctic does become a battleground for resources, the U.S. will either have to settle for leftovers or fight with other countries. This rising issue could serve as proof of the one-track minded path the United States has set for itself. The government has been focusing on issues in the Middle East since 9/11. The U.S. also hasn’t moved to offer a solution to the economic distress in America until just recently. Issues like the conflict in the Middle East have stretched over such a lengthy period of time that it is almost part of American culture to discuss them on a regular basis. And arising problems, such as possible lack of Arctic resources, continue to be overshadowed by long-term problems with which the United States is used to dealing. It also
doesn’t help that money is tight in the United States. The government has made drastic cuts in the funds of the military, school systems, scientific research facilities and many more organizations. That in itself limits the United States of its own resources. Can anything be done to reverse issues such as these? The United States could choose to focus on new problems, rather than dwelling on issues that give no end result for years. Maybe America is just wasting resources in the wrong places. It is possible that bringing the troops home from the Middle East and Asia could be a stepping stone to moving on and preserving resources within the United States. America might have a chance to deal with other issues if the ones that are profitable to the economy
BROOKLYN TUCKER Brooklyn Tucker is a junior majoring in kinesiology. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
are sorted out. It might also help solve economic issues within the United States. The time to act, however, has to be soon for the United States because for other countries, the time is now, and the United States runs the risk of being forced into another war.
WHO SPEAKS FOR EARTH?
K-12 education is more than an economic stimulus
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Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.
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CORRECTIONS
EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.
The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.
E
veryone goes to school — even if you drop out of high school you went through at least 10 years of federally-mandated schooling, and if you are a student at Mississippi State University, you have probably been in school for much longer. This is obvious to us and rarely causes a second glance, but really, why do we go to school, and why for so long? Regularly we hear the topic of education fly around as political ammunition, giving candidates something to argue about, but really what are these politicians saying, and is their notion of education changing from what it used to be? The executive branch of the United States federal government makes statements about education on its website, whitehouse.gov, referring to K-12 education as a tool for economic superiority that should maximize the potential for every American. “In today’s global economy, a high-quality education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity — it is a prerequisite to success. Because economic progress and educational achievement are inextricably linked, educating every American student to graduate from high school prepared for college and for a career is a national imperative,” says the education
page of whitehouse.gov. “To create an economy built to last, we need to provide every child with a complete and competitive education that will enable them to succeed in a global economy based on knowledge and innovation.” Usually the rhetoric employed by candidates on the campaign trail also refers to education as a tool for boosting the workforce, improving quality of life or increasing the national gross domestic product. Is that really education’s purpose? Such a narrow and utilitarian view of education would most likely shock the ancient Greeks, who so heavily influenced what we would recognize as education. Yes, Aristotle’s educating Alexander the Great met with truly spectacular results, but Aristotle himself had little influence on Alexander’s military expertise. We should use education to spread knowledge and eradicate ignorance of history, culture and scientific and mathematical discoveries, but the greater purpose of education is to teach students how to think on their own and function independently in society. The kind of education provided by the ancient Greeks emphasized examining oneself and one’s goals through Socratic dialogue and learning how to evaluate one’s goals.
Joseph Trullinger, visiting assistant professor of philosophy and religion at Mississippi State University, expressed we should use education to train ourselves to evaluate our goals and make us responsible for them in a logical fashion, but that in modern times, we often concern ourselves more with simply learning how to achieve our goals. “The important role education performs is teaching people to reflect on their goals, and on what goals they should have,” Trullinger said. Consequently, rather than identifying a goal and learning how to achieve it, our goal in education should be to help us identify whether or not these goals are inherently good. Trullinger continued by saying education equips a nation for democracy where different groups can find a consensus in logic, rather than through sharing identical implanted goals and ideologies. “Democracy is predicated upon the idea that despite coming from different backgrounds, people can logically find common ground,” Trullinger said. This does not mean every single person has to learn exactly the same or everyone needs to have a common core to function in the job market or in political dialogue.
CAMERON CLARKE Cameron Clarke is a junior majoring in physics and mathematics. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
Rather, a common education, one that prepares each member of society to continue to learn and function on his or her own without the assistance and forced guidance of a teacher, allows for everyone to come to a rational consensus — one enriched by the diversity of backgrounds in the dialogue. Education should continue to train people for their chosen goals, but in the K-12 years, it may be best for democracy and personal development across the board if we try to use education as it was originally intended. We should be able to identify good life goals and defend them and then use our resulting diverse life paths to further the nation in rational, democratic dialogue that looks at issues from all perspectives and seeks true progress.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 | 5
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AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
2-21-14
BULLETIN BOARD CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost. FOR SALE
Classic rock albums for sale in Starkville. Beatles, Eagles, AC/DC, Boston and more. Over 5,000 comic books, mostly 1970s and 1980s, bagged and boarded. Over 20,000 baseball cards in 800 and 3,200 count boxes. Call 662-312-2402.
student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@reflector.msstate. edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability. WESLEY FOUNDATION
Insight Bible study and worship Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at 286 East Lee Blvd. next to Campus Book Mart. Follow on Twitter @MSStateWesley or on Facebook.
FOR RENT
Canterbury Townhouses are under new management. Two-bedroom is $550 and three-bedroom is $750. This is per person, not per apartment. Two minutes to campus. Call 662-323-9216. Country living off the the beaten path, yet so close to it all.
STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
Care about the environment? Love activism? Come join SSC on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in McCool 111 to make a difference. Follow on Twitter @MSU_SSC.
HELP WANTED
YOGA MOVES CLUB
An accounting representative needed. Should be computer literate and well organized. Interested persons should please contact danielrichie72@live.com for more information and wages. CLUB INFO
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU
School or work stressing you out? Get moving into Yoga Moves. Try our moves to get into shape and our relaxation techniques to handle the stress. Yoga Moves meets at the Sanderson Center in Studio C, Thursday evenings from 5:30-7 p.m. Like Yoga Moves Club-MSU on Facebook. SCUBA DAWGS
Solutions for 2-18-14
Ever wanted to try scuba diving? Now you can. Come out for Discover Scuba on Feb. 11 and 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanderson Center pool for just $5. All gear will be provided. Follow @MSUSCUBADawgs on Twitter or like us on Facebook. MSU RUGBY TEAM
Want to play a real sport? Join the MSU Rugby Football Club. Practices are MondayThursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Recplex fields located near the end of Stone Boulevard. For more information email josephpongetti@gmail.com. DCP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Paid internship at the happiest place on earth. Apply now through March 28 at disneycollegeprogram.com. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNIONMSU CHAPTER
The MSU chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will meet the last Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. in Bowen Hall room 250. All majors are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Lane at lane@soc.msstate.edu. SOCIOLOGICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The Sociological Student Association will meet the last Thursday of every month at 5 p.m. in Bowen Hall room 250. All majors are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Lane at lane@soc.msstate. edu.
6 | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
THE REFLECTOR
LIFE EDITOR: DANIEL HART | life@reflector.msstate.edu
LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
Movies and magnolias: Magnolia Film Festival brings independent films back to Starkville BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer
Starkville’s silver screen will change its reel from Hollywood blockbusters to independent films this weekend for the Magnolia Film Festival. Hollywood Premier Cinemas, located off of Stark Road, will host the festival, which runs from Thursday until Saturday. The festival’s origin dates back to 1997 when Chicago-native filmmaker Ron Tibbett moved to Mississippi only to discover there were no film festivals. Thus, he started Magnolia Film Festival, which has been held in Starkville every year since its inception. In 2004, Tibbett was killed in a car crash, but his influence has lasted a decade now and is felt locally and internationally. Melanie Addington, who directs the Oxford Film Festival, said Tibbett’s influence is felt even in Oxford. “Ron Tibbett led Mississippi into the state of the film industry it is today,” Addington
said. “Our festival began after someone in Oxford attended Magnolia and thought it was such a great idea that we decided to try it as well. We still honor Ron Tibbett’s memory at our festival by providing an audience award in his name.” Among the films screening at the festival is a short film, “Ceramic Tango,” directed by Canadia-native Patricia Chica. Chica said the film is a new type of horror story that subverts the genre’s traditional sensationalism. “‘Ceramic Tango’ is a film without the gore and blood of typical horror films,” she said. “Violence happens within the character. The audiences of horror film festivals say this film is new and fresh.” The film has screened at 35 film festivals, including Cannes Film Festival, and has received seven international awards as well, including Best International Short Film at the Monteria Film Festival in Monteria, Columbia. Richard Cardinal, lead actor in the film, said the film is one not to be missed. Cardi-
PATRICIA CHICA | COURTESY PHOTO
Holy Scar, shown above, is one of two lead actors in “Ceramic Tango,” which will be shown at the Magnolia Film Festival at Hollywood Premier Cinemas. The festival runs Thursday through Saturday. Chicago-born filmmaker Ron Tibbett started the festival in 1997, and the festival persists despite Tibbett’s unexpected death in 2004. nal also warns the audience to watch out, as his character in the film, covered in gray body paint, lends a menacing edge to the story. “I am coming after you,” he said.
Though “Ceramic Tango” intends to frighten its audiences, Cardinal said the film leaves its viewers with a clear meaning. “The film has a potent, powerful message at the end,” he said. “The audience will be in awe of the message. Patricia Chica has a specialty to give powerful messages in film. That is what she is known for.” In 2000, Chica traveled the film festival circuit with her first film out of school. After winning awards at the festival for her film “The Promise,” she crossed paths with Tibbett, who insisted she premier her film in Mississippi at his film festival. She took him up on the suggestion and won the Magnolia Film Festival’s highest award. Following her first showing in Starkville, Chica said she committed to bringing her films back to the city at every available opportunity. “Since my film was titled ‘The Promise,’ I made a PATRICIA CHICA | COURTESY PHOTO promise to return every year Patricia Chica, director of “Ceramic Tango,” works onset during filming. Chica said that I have a film to show at the film is a horror film that finds new ways to craft fear, without blood and gore, festivals,” Chica said. Chica’s next film was not and Richard Cardinal, a lead actor in “Ceramic Tango,” said the film, like all of ready until 2008, four years Chica’s work, leaves viewers with a clear, vivid sense of its stirring message. after Tibbett’s death, but
she contacted the festival’s administration because she wanted to fulfill her promise. That promise holds strong to this day. Chica has screened all of her films at the Magnolia Film Festival and has also served on the judging jury, but she said the people she meets in Mississippi comprise her meaningful relationship with the festival. “My favorite part of the Magnolia Film Festival is building friendships with Mississippi filmmakers and audience members,” Chica said. “In Mississippi, the community is so warm and eager to meet filmmakers, unlike in cities such as Los Angeles and New York.” Chica’s commitment is so strong that she will conduct a master class on film for free. Chica will dish all of her secrets to success in the filmmaking business. The master class, which will take place Saturday after the matinee screenings, is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to get candid, unfiltered advice from a well-respected filmmaker. This year, 22 films were selected for the festival out of
a large and growing number of entries. Angella Baker, director of the festival, said the festival’s lineup holds an array of films this year. “(The festival) offers a wide variety of films from animations, to suspense, historical documentaries, short comedies and even foreign films with subtitles,” she said. The festival is open to submissions by student filmmakers as well. This year, three student films were submitted and will screen at the festival, which Baker said has a series of awards dedicated to student films. “The United Way of North Central Mississippi is sponsoring the student award this year,” Baker said. “Student involvement is very important, and we hope to have more entries next year.” The films are grouped together for periodical screenings throughout the day. Screenings run on Thursday and Friday from 7 - 10 p.m., Saturday 1 - 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Admission to each screening costs $10. Attendees can also purchase an all-Saturday pass for $20 or an all-festival pass for $25.
History professor, Civil War historian’s influence invaluable to MSU library BY NUR-UL-HUDA MUJAHID Staff Writer
Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus John F. Marszalek is not only a mentor and an author or editor of 13 books and over 300 articles and book reviews, but also the executive director of the distinguished Ulysses S. Grant Library. Marszalek joined the Bulldog family in 1973 to teach in the history department at Mississippi State University. He taught everything from freshman survey courses to graduate level courses. In 1994, Marszalek became a W. L. Giles Distinguished Professor of History.
Marszalek retired as a Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 2002, and he was named executive director and managing editor of the Grant Papers project to replace John Y. Simon, who passed away in 2008. Because of Marszalek’s background in history, he was an ideal candidate to take over as executive director and managing editor at the Ulysses S. Grant Library when it shifted from Southern Illinois University to MSU. Marszalek’s assistant and senior library associate, Meg Henderson, said Marszalek is vital to the library. “Without Dr. Marszalek, the Ulysses S. Grant Presiden-
DAVID LEWIS | COURTESY PHOTO
Marszalek said the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library has the best, most comprehensive collection of Grant information. The library has also published the last 32 volumes of “The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant.”
tial Library would not exist. Under his direction, the Grant Presidential Papers became a Presidential Library, and it opened to the public for the purpose of research and touring,” she said. “Now,more people can enjoy our holdings than ever before.” Marszalek said the approximately 17,000 linear feet paramount collection of Grant-related material is highly convenient. “We have the best collection here. If you need any information about Grant, this is the place to get it,” he said. “It’s really a one-stop shop.” Mitchell Memorial Library completed the last of the 32 volumes of “The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant” at MSU. Marszalek said this was a feat for the university, and it has attracted scholars and researches from across the world. “We have recently opened the collection to scholars, and people have come from all over the U.S. We’ve had scholars visit from Iceland, Great Britain and Australia,” he said. “It is exciting that Mississippi State is become ‘the place’ to study Grant.” Aaron Crawford, assistant editor of the Ulysses S. Grant library, said Marszalek propelled the library to new heights. “I would say that Dr. Marszalek has been the driving force behind the Grant library. He and Dean Frances Coleman have made the li-
DAVID LEWIS | COURTESY PHOTO
John Marszalek, Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Library, took over his position in the library in 2008. Meg Henderson, Marszalek’s assistant and senior library associate, said Marszalek helped transform the Grant Presidential Papers into the library’s current incarnation. brary a major center for scholars from around the world,” he said. “Dr. Marszalek demonstrates an energy and passion for the Grant Library and MSU that inspires the staff of the project and allows him to represent the project throughout the nation.” Henderson said through collaboration with MSU administrators, the Grant library works to put on events that attract students and members of the community.
“He has worked closely with Frances Coleman, dean of libraries, and the President’s office to host events on campus that draw in students and members of the MSU community, such as the Lincoln movie symposium held on campus last fall and the annual Marszalek Lecture series,” she said. Although Marszalek had never worked on the administrative side of academia prior to his position at the Ulysses
S. Grant Library, he said he enjoys the experience. “It’s a very interesting experience for me,” he said. “This collection really is the best out there, and everyone who works here is proud and excited to be a part of the library.” An asset to the Bulldog family, Marzalek has played a huge role in putting the MSU Grant library on the map. Through his dedication and hard work, he has guided the library to new limits.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 | 7
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Memphis uses late-inning hitting to surge past error-plagued Dogs BY JOHN GALATAS Sports Editor
Behind a three-run ninth inning, the Memphis Tigers’ baseball squad left Dudy Noble Field with a 6-4 victory over Mississippi State University Wednesday night. Fielding issues plagued the Bulldogs late in the game as MSU committed a season-high three errors, which propelled the Tigers in their final at bat. The Bulldogs shined on the mound with solid pitching, but MSU head coach John Cohen said it was the defense that ultimately cost the Bulldogs a victory. “I told our club, I feel like we ran away from who we are tonight, and that’s disappointing. That’s on me, and that’s on our coaching staff,” Cohen said. “Our identity is pitching and defense. I thought we pitched it very well, but we did not defend the field well.” The Memphis rally began in the bottom of the eighth inning when Tiger head coach Daron Schoenrock was ejected from the game arguing balls and strikes. Schoenrock said although he does not get run out of games often, he felt his team needed a spark. “I don’t do that a lot. I thought we were a little stagnant at the time. We’re down, and we’re facing two of the best relievers in college baseball, and I said, ‘This is the time,’” he said. “I thought the team needed a little bit of lift at that moment. Sometimes you do things as a coach to give your team a lift.” The Tigers responded as All-American closer Jonathan Holder suffered only his second loss of his career. Holder surrendered two hits and three runs in the ninth inning. The Tigers
EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR
MSU’s Derrick Armstrong trots into third base but is stranded after the first inning during the Bulldogs’ loss to Memphis. MSU tallied 12 runners left on base in the loss. opened the final frame by reaching base on a wild-pitched third strike. The Tigers added a steal and an RBI single to tie the game at four apiece, and a Bulldog error late in the inning kept the Memphis rally alive to push the Tigers to victory. Memphis (4-0) shut down MSU’s threat in the bottom of the ninth when senior C.T. Bradford was caught stealing, and senior Demarcus Henderson struckout to end the game. Schoenrock said the team who made the most plays defensively decided the tight contest. “As a game, it could have gone either way. The difference tonight was we made the routine plays and State didn’t,” he said. “What happens when you don’t make plays is that you give up too many free bases. I would like to see us not walk as many guys. We had to pitch out of a lot of jams. Defensively, they picked us up and we made the plays tonight.”
MSU starting pitcher senior Ben Bracewell threw a career-long six innings and gave up one run on three hits and recorded a career-high seven strikeouts. The co-captain said he felt good in his debut start of the season but gave credit to the Memphis offense. “I felt like I had good command of all three pitches tonight. My arm is feeling good,” he said. “You saw we put up (four scoreless innings) to start with, but they don’t go away. Credit them for that. They didn’t fold over or give up because we were having some success on defense to start the game.” Bracewell also said the team seeks to make corrections in practice this week before heading into this weekend’s fourgame set against Holy Cross. “We have a big day at practice (Thursday). It’s going to be huge for us to try to fix some of the mistakes we made tonight. But everything (Cohen) said to us
after the game is dead on,” he said. “We kind of lost our identity tonight as a team. That’s not like us. You’re not going to see it that often from this group of guys — I can promise you that. We’re going to come out (Thursday) and make sure we get that back heading into the weekend.” The Dogs claimed a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning, but the bats were silenced, as MSU would only produce just one hit the rest of the game. Cohen said he will look to veterans on the team to help reestablish the offensive woes. “We’re taking selfish swings. It’s a team game. We’ve got to have some older guys do what we did last year, and that’s help us run this club and help us understand what our identity is. It’s the little things that can make us a good club down the stretch,” he said. “We have a long way to go. I still believe this club is going to be a very nice club. They’re just in search of their identity right now, and it’s our job as coaches to help them find that.” MSU returns to the diamond Friday against Holy Cross at 4 p.m. The Dogs will face a double-header with the Crusaders Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. before the Sunday finale at 1:30 p.m. Cohen said he is not set on a pitching rotation heading into the weekend but will give players who have not pitched yet this season an opportunity to see action on the mound. “I don’t really look at it as a rotation. I look at it as a lot of guys getting the opportunity to pitch,” Cohen said. “John Marc Shelly really hasn’t had that opportunity yet. Vance Tatum pitched the one game. We have a bunch of guys we want to give innings to. That’s what really forces it with a four-game series.”
LEON CARRUBBA | THE REFLECTOR
Bulldog freshman Caroline Seitz fires across the diamond to record an out in the MSU win over UCA. Seitz leads the team in hits (12) and doubles (four).
SOFTBALL
continued from 8
“Coach really stresses workAfter a pop-out, sophomore Loryn Nichols moved ing on your swing in practice to third with two outs, and and believing in it and buying into what the Foulks drew coaches have to a walk and Coach really say,” Seitz said. stole second stresses Assistant coach before senior Tyler Bratton also Sam Lenahworking gave credit to the an homered on your swing talented freshman to right cenfor her play to ter to close in practice and start the season. out MSU’s believing it and Bratton said descoring. buying into what her youth, Highly the coaches have to spite she rarely ever touted freshgets nervous on man Car- say.” the field. oline Seitz -Caroline Seitz, “She has veterc o n t i n u e d MSU third baseman an poise to only to play like a be a true freshseasoned upman,” he said. perclassman, with a perfect fielding per- “She handles herself very well centage as well as impressive on the field, and defensiveproduction on the offensive ly she plays well beyond her side of the ball. Seitz currently years.” Seitz and the MSU softball leads the team with 12 hits, two of them being home runs. team will take their undefeatShe also has four doubles, one ed record into the weekend for a three-game home series triple and five RBIs. Seitz said her production at against Iowa (3-6). The Friday the plate is due to extra prac- and Saturday contests are at 3 tice and help from head coach p.m. with the Sunday game Vann Stuedeman. slated for 10 a.m.
Should Michael Sam's sexuality influence his NFL draft stock? IN THE ZONE
COACH’S CORNER
Sam’s announcement sets precedent NFL organizations likely distracted by for future professional gay athletes defensive end’s gay announcement
O
Yet, even though I believe his n Feb. 9 History was made. Missouri defen- sexual orientation should not afsive end Michael Sam fect his stock, I believe it will. The announced in an interview with fact of the matter is there simply Chris Connelly for ESPN’s Out- will be teams that do not want side the Lines program that he the distraction of having the first openly gay football player in NFL was, indeed, gay. Sam had an excellent season on history on the team. There will the field this past year for the Ti- also be those teams that might gers. He recorded 11.5 sacks and fear he would be a problem in 19 tackles for loss and received co- the locker room. And then, I also SEC Defensive Player of the Year believe, though no team or general manager honors. Clearly, he would dare say plays football well, At the end so personally, and before he anof the day, there is at least nounced his sexuone owner or ality to the world, if Sam GM out there he was universal- can play football who simply is ly projected as a homophobic third-to-fourth- and help a team win, that is all that and will refuse round draft pick. to pick Sam Since his an- should matter.” for that reason nouncement, alone. many potential As far as Sam being acstorylines have emerged. Will Sam’s open homosexuality affect cepted in the locker room, I think, his draft stock? Will an open- for the most part, he will be. Most ly gay player be accepted in an of the players being asked about it NFL locker room? Will having say that having him in the lockan openly gay player be a distrac- er room will not be a problem, tion for a football team? These are especially if he plays well and the some of the questions and issues team he is on wins games. If Sam that have been discussed as a result plays well, hits opposing quarterbacks and makes noise on defense, of Sam coming out. First of all, I would just like to none of his teammates are going say I respect Sam and thought it to say, “Well, he’s playing well, but was a brave and bold move for I want him off the team because him to come out and make this he’s gay.” I mean, that does not announcement. Nothing positive even sound right. Now I do believe Sam could be could come from Sam announcing this at this time, only negative. a distraction at first, but long term I do not believe that a player being I do not think he will be a very big gay should affect their draft stock, distraction. I remember last draft however. Building a roster should people were concerned that Manti be about adding players who fit T’eo would be a distraction, and, the style of play you want to have ultimately, we did not hear anyon the field. Sam is a really good thing about the whole fake girlpass rush prospect, and pass rush- friend scandal during the season. ers are one of the most valuable I think it will be the same way for commodities in the league right Sam. I think the media will make a big deal of it when he gets draftnow.
F
FORREST BUCK Forrest Buck is a senior majoring in kinesiology. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com
ed, but once camp starts and the season gets rolling, I think it will be a non-story. We are now in the year 2014. There is no reason whatsoever why a person of any race, sexual orientation or gender should feel like he or she cannot do or participate in anything he or she wants. There is nothing wrong with gay people. They should be given the same rights and treated with the same rights as any heterosexual person both in life and in the sports world. Many people want to condemn gay people because they believe they made a choice. However, most gay people will tell you that it is not a choice. People do not just wake up one day and decide, “Oh, I think I want to be gay now.” That sounds completely ridiculous when you think about it. So why condemn people for being what they are? At the end of the day, if Sam can play football and help a team win, that is all that should matter. Not just with football, but with any sport. It should come down to whether or not the athlete can perform at a high level and nothing more.
ormer Missouri defensive In said poll, the coaches and end and co-SEC Defen- execs felt Sam’s announcement sive Player of the Year would greatly affect his draft Michael Sam recently made stock. headlines nationwide when he “I don’t think football is announced he was gay in an ready for an openly gay playESPN “Outside the Lines” in- er just yet,” said an NFL perterview. Since the NFL Draft sonnel player assistant. “In the hopeful made his announce- coming decade or two, it’s goment, the media world has ing to be acceptable, but at this been abuzz about whether or point in time it’s still a man’s not Sam’s revegame.” lation will affect One must He’d bring his stock. realize an NFL a sense of After a season team is much discomfort in which Sam more than just led the SEC with to a setting where an assortment 11.5 sacks and gay slurs are tossed of players from 19 tackles for a the nation’s loss on a Mis- as casually as a best colleges souri team that football in preand universimade its first ap- game warm ups.” ties — it is a pearance in the job, an orgaSEC Champinization and a onship, many experts have him business. pegged as a mid-round pick. At any job the last thing the ESPN Scouts Inc. rates him manager — in this instance as the 12th-best outside rushing the head coach — wants is prospect in the 2014 draft. anything to derail the workers With outstanding stats like from putting forth their best these, one would assume NFL possible efforts. teams would salivate at the opSam would bring a portunity for such a disruptive hard-working, high character force on the D-Line, especially player to whatever city and in the pass-happy league that team decides to draft him, but the NFL is becoming. he would also bring a media However, after such an an- circus to rival the likes of the nouncement many team exec- Richie Incognito scandal or utives and GMs may be scared Riley Cooper’s racial slur in all away. their infamy. There is no doubt a gay He’d bring a sense of discomplayer in the league could be fort to a setting where gay slurs a great thing for the culture of are tossed as casually as a footthe NFL, but how many teams ball in pre-game warm ups. It are going to be willing to break could potentially negatively aldown the barriers of that ho- ter the entire dynamic of whatmophobic culture? ever franchise’s locker room in A recent survey of eight anon- which Sam finds himself. ymous NFL execs and coaches In short, it would be a huge conducted by SportsIllustrated. distraction, something that any team hoping for a run at com suggests not many.
ANTHONY MCDOUGLE Anthony McDougle is a junior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com
the coveted Lombardi Trophy would desperately try to avoid. Sam has shown he would be a terrific asset to any team that decides to pick him up on draft day. There are plenty of teams that, regardless of his announcement, would be glad to make him an addition to their team while managing the attention that he carries into the franchise with him. The New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick have proved their ability to handle the extra attention with the short-lived acquisition of Tim Tebow. Their handling of Randy Moss and Chad Ochocinoco, two of football’s biggest “divas,” is also evidence they would be able to handle such a situation. The Philadelphia Eagles did a spectacular job of managing the “Riley Cooper Situation” en-route to a trip to the playoffs. Also, with a defense that ranked 29th in the league last year, the extra help of Sam should be welcomed by the front office in Philly. Whoever drafts him will most certainly have their hands full as they bear the title of the “first NFL team to draft an openly gay player.” It is this very fact that scares NFL executives away from a courageous, high-character talent and what could be a potentially great player.
8 | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN GALATAS | reflectorsports@gmail.com
SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR
STAT OF THE DAY:
MSU PITCHERS HAVE STRUCK OUT 46 BATTERS IN THE FIRST FOUR GAMES OF THE YEAR — THE MOST UNDER HEAD COACH JOHN COHEN’S TENURE.
LEON CARRUBBA | THE REFLECTOR
MSU’s Sam Lenahan connects for a home run in the Bulldog’s victory over UCA Wednesday afternoon. The three-run blast was Lenahan’s third homer of the season.
MARY LIZ HARRINGTON | THE REFLECTOR
PERFECT AT HOME
| The Mississippi State University women’s
Bulldogs cruise to 6-0 win behind timely hitting, host Hawkeyes in weekend bout
tennis team posted a pair of sweeps over Jackson State University (7-0, 6-0) Wednesday afternoon to remain a perfect 4-0 at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. Sophomore Georgiana Patrasc (top) and freshman Timea Guibe (bottom, right) return serves in their straightBY ANTHONY MCDOUGLE sets victories in the first match. Guibe and Alexandra Perper (bottom, left) celeStaff Writer brate winning a point during their doubles match victory. The Bulldogs return to After shutting out visiting the court against Alabama State at 12 p.m. and Alcorn State at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Central Arkansas 6-0 Wednes-
day afternoon, the Mississippi State University softball team is off to an 11-0 start, its second best in program history. The win also marks the fifth shutout for the Bulldogs this season. Superb pitching and hitting was once again the calling card for the team. Sophomore pitcher Jacey Punches (4-0) turned in another solid performance, allowing only one single and walking two players in five innings of work. At this point of the season, the pitching staff has allowed only six earned runs total. Punches said she credited the early success to the depth of the bullpen along with excellent effort on defense.
We have a very good pitching staff that goes very deep,” Punches said. “But you can’t have those wins without defense and hitting. The whole team has had our backs, and it’s a great start so far.” The Bulldogs retired the Bears in order in the top of the first and would take an early lead in the bottom of the frame. After senior Jessica Offutt led off the inning with a single and stole second base, senior Logan Foulks brought her home on a one-out single to left-center field. Foulks would later be caught trying to steal second, and Central Arkansas pitcher Kayla Gomness would strike out another to keep the score at 1-0. Punches and the Bulldogs encountered some trouble at the top of second with the bases loaded with two outs,
but thwarted the Bears’ scoring efforts. The Maroon and White added to its advantage in the bottom of the third with two more runs to push the score to 3-0. Central Arkansas would once again have a scoring opportunity in the fourth, but a heads-up defensive play from Punches ended their hopes. The sophomore pitcher allowed a lead-off walk to Jessie Taylor, and a sacrifice bunt advanced her to second with one out. After a fly-out, first baseman Ashley Boswell hit a line drive back to the pitcher’s mound. Punches reached out and batted the ball down, then promptly threw it to first for the inning-ending out. In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs tacked on their last runs of the day for a 6-0 final score. SEE SOFTBALL, 7
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