Dogs set to begin season
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FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 8, 2013
Q&A
SUPER WATER sympAThy VISITS STARKVILLE
LIFE | 6
Reflector The
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 125TH YEAR | ISSUE 34
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Candidates debate, prepare for election BY HILLARY LAPLATNEY Staff Writer
COURTESY PHOTO | KATHLEEN KIRKLAND
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
| Tyler Costley, back, Sarah Beth James, left, and Mary Ellen McCool, right, will per-
form in“Love Letters from Shakespeare: A Night of Music, Dance and Sonnets.” The play runs from Feb. 14-16, at 7:30 p.m. in the MSU McComas Theatre. The production will blend original music composed by MSU music majors, dance by MSU’s Terpsichore Dance Theatre Company, narration by Robert Wolverton and Nancy Hargrove and singing by Guy Hargrove accompanied by Michael Patilla with well-known sonnets to explore various topics of love. Tickets can be purchased online from the departmental website at comm.msstate.edu/dept/theatre/ or at the door.
Ten candidates for Mississippi State University’s Student Association Executive Council participated in a debate Wednesday night in preparation for elections Feb. 12. Michael Hogan and Hayden Nix are the SA presidential candidates for the 2013-2014 school year. During the debate, the two discussed governmental budget cuts on education and how those cuts have affected MSU. Hogan, junior management major, said he believes cuts from MSU’s education budget would be an injustice to the state of Mississippi. He stated his intention to make sure no such cuts would happen. “No matter what Congress may put forth in the next few years, they do not have a choice but to realize that Mississippi State is the biggest university in Mississippi,” Hogan said. “We cannot be ignored.” Nix, junior broadcast meteorology major, addressed the problem of cutting colleges’ budgets. He said he believes education should be a high priority because of the role college students will play in the future of American society. “Budget cuts are necessary, but I feel like education is just not one of those things that need to be cut,” Nix said. “We need to keep the focus on education.” Nix also discussed his platform goals. He first proposed his idea to receive student feedback on potentially adding a Mardi Gras holiday to the MSU academic calendar. He then spoke about his plan to work with Aramark Dining to provide more options for students with diabetes and gluten allergies. “I’m passionate about this university, and I make sure that everyone is aware of that,” Nix said. “I want the best for (students), and that is what I’m here for.” Hogan said he is excited about his platform, which consists of expanding the out-of-state tuition waiver to include the summer semester. SEE DEBATE, 3
Green Fund seeks continued awareness BY QUENTIN SMITH Contributing Writer
In the fall of 2011, Mississippi State University passed the petition to have the Green Fund implemented so it could join the movement toward energy efficiency and sustainability. There are approximately 25 to 30 core members in Students for a Sustainable Campus, the organization behind the Green Fund. The organization has a goal of raising $40,000 dollars. Meg Johnson, junior business economics major, said even though the members are not quite there yet, they are still
working hard to reach their goal. “We are not close to the goal, but we hope to get closer,” Johnson said. With raising the $40,000, the members of SSC are also trying to purchase Green Power from the Tennessee Valley Authority. Students who join the organization will have their money go toward this as well as help fund energy-efficient projects on campus. Grant Beatty, junior philosophy major, said buying from TVA guarantees the energy is coming from a good source. “Their money ensures that MSU stays on the forefront of a
sustainable (green) technology,” Beatty said. David Hoffman, faculty adviser to the Students for a Sustainable Campus, said the Green Fund still needs more awareness. “Considering the structure which it’s running, it’s doing well,” Hoffman said. “(We) still need improvements for awareness of what the Green Fund is and motivate students to join.” He said awareness is a key factor in getting the Green Fund promoted to a higher level, and awareness is also the main thing that is affecting the Green Fund community right now. SEE FUND, 2
KAITLIN MULLINS | THE REFLECTOR
Downtown Starkville parking will be limited to two hours in an effort to support businesses.
Downtown Starkville parking time limit enforced BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN Staff Writer
Foo more information on the MSU OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GREEN FUND,
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
READER’S GUIDE
BAD DAWGS..............................3 OPINION ...............................4 CONTACT INFO.......................4 BULLETIN BOARD...................5
CROSSWORD .................. ..... 5 CLASSIFIEDS...........................5 LIFE ..................................6 SPORTS...................................8
POLICY
Parking in downtown Starkville has changed. The Starkville Police Department will start administering tickets to drivers who violate the time limit Feb. 12. Cars will be allowed to park in front door parking spots for up to two hours. David Lindley, Starkville chief of police, said the police department is enforcing this rule at the request of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. “They felt the ability of patrons to come to stores was
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being impaired by people who park there all day who work nearby,” Lindley said. Patrolled roads are Main Street from Lafayette Street from Jefferson Street to Lampkin Street; Washington Street from the Oktibbeha County Court House to Lampkin Street; West Main Street to Jackson Street; and Jackson Street from Main Street to Lampkin Street. Numerous restaurants and businesses in the Central Business District have supported the GSDP for the enforcement of this rule. Brian Kelley, co-owner of Restaurant Tyler, said down-
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town Starkville has become more of a destination the past couple years, so more customer parking is needed. “We have already noticed a big difference in available customer parking over our lunch hour the past two days since the ordinance has been enforced,” Kelley said. “It makes it a lot easier for customers to get into the downtown restaurants and shops, so we are grateful that the mayor and Board of Alderman, along with the Starkville Police Department, noticed the issue and addressed it.” Other businesses are not seeing as much change as others. SEE PARKING, 3
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MONDAY
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NEWS
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 8 , 2013
GREEN
continued from 1
Meg Johnson said the organization is collaborating with groups around campus to help raise awareness. “We are trying to partner up with SA and different groups around campus to get Green Fund out there,” Johnson said. “If the student body knew and got behind it, it will have more potential to be a success.” The organization looks for more contribution from the administration. Beatty said The big message the organization needs a is we need more bigger push by awareness and the administration to signify contributions, how important our image to the the Green Fund university is an is. important thing for us “It should be a 50/50 push to think about.” between stuDavid Hoffman, dents and faculSSC faculty adviser ty,” Beatty said. “I hope to have a more collaborative effort between students and administration and to have an escalating interest with the students.” Currently, the members of SSC are partnering with the EcoCar Group to hold an event on Earth Day, and they are planning to have a 5K run later on in the semester. There are also tip jars set up at Barnes & Noble for people to contribute their change to go toward the Green Fund. Hoffman said he thinks more people should join because everyone should care about our global environment. “The big message is we need more awareness and contributions,” Hoffman said. “Our image to the university is an important thing for us to think about.”
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THE REFLECTOR
SA VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATES SHELBY SIMS:
Q: What has the vice president done in the past you would like to expand, continue or improve upon? A: “Something that the vice president has done in the past that I would like to expand upon would definitely be the reconstruction of senate last year. We completely revamped the way senators are elected. They are elected now just by academic college and not by residence halls, sorority row, off campus senators. I’d like to take that and really just get the senators more involved academically with the students...This year we’ve done a good job of really focusing on the elections reform, and that’s been a huge thing for us, but once we can get past that I really just want to get the senators to really dive into their academic colleges.” Q: What are some of your main goals you’d like to accomplish if elected vice president? A: “My main focus is definitely going to be on the Student Association senate. We work really hard to pass legislation that is going to make a difference that we can pass onto administrators that will affect students and be the voice and advocate for students on campus. Also, a big goal of mine is my bike safety initiative that I would like to get started on campus. We have really no bike paths on campus. We have just one that comes in from the Cotton District, and so I want to make a committee in senate who will research other campuses, how they have implemented bike safety and bike paths and things like that, work with the administrators and hopefully by the end of my term I can have a plan of action...but really
Q&A
just educating students about that and making our campus a more pedestrian-friendly, biker-friendly campus.” Q: What aspects of the job do you think need reform? A: “I would say the class council setup. In the constitution, the vice president is supposed to preside over the junior, sophomore and freshman class councils. In the past the vice presidents haven’t utilized that in their position. I don’t think they have worked closely with the councils, and that was something that Rhett Hobart, last year’s president, really wanted to implement. He wanted to get the class councils fundraising from freshman year so they can give a great gift their senior year. This year we kind of lost focus on that, and so whether me as vice president, whether I will do a better job to work with them, or whether we need to move it to another position and have them preside over the class councils.” Q: How do you hope to improve the experience of the average student? A: “A lot of people don’t realize that senate can really have a huge impact on the students. We can pass any legislation we want... A lot of people don’t realize we don’t just have to pass certain things. The faculty and the administrators, they have a lot of respect for the student senate, and when we pass something and when we send it on to them, they’re likely to take a look at it and to move on it. Really, just informing the students about the senate and about the fact that they can come to us with any problem and that we can make a difference.”
WALTON CHANEY: Q: What has the vice president done in the past you would like to expand, continue or improve upon? A: “I really want to increase our constitutional accountability, and I really want to work with the attorney general to make sure that all the policies that we implement are carried out.” Q: What are some of your main goals you’d like to accomplish if elected vice president? A: “A lot of times candidates come in on all positions talk about transparency. I really think the word transparency gets overused a lot. We have things in place to have transparency, but we just don’t have those clauses in the constitution that keep us accountable, that we’re constitutionally bound to do things, and if you don’t have anybody that’s going to enforce that policy, then there’s no real drive to get it done, so really, accountability from day one.” Q: What aspects of the job do you think need reform? A: “I really want to make sure that the senators are made readily available. Right now, our senate contact information is from two terms ago, and if people don’t know their senators, and if they don’t have a way to access their senators they’re not going to be able to push for legislation. If they don’t have a way to keep updated with what the senate is doing right now, the last senate
minutes posted on the SA website right now are from Nov. 29, 2011, nobody knows what’s going on because we don’t keep things updated. Really, just a connectivity push to get everybody on the same page because without updated contact information and without updated minutes, then nobody has a clue with what’s going on in the senate.” Q: How do you hope to improve the experience of the average student? A: “I feel like one of the big things that we have been pushing from the beginning is a platform that I believe in and that really reaches a large, large percentage of students, not just those geared directly towards the Student Association. There are a lot of people out there who are involved, but there is a much larger majority who are not. We’re really pushing for online ticket sales for football tickets. We sell about 11,000 tickets a year so that affects that large percentage of students. I have a big portion of the platform that concerns transfers students and those students who are transferring credits from another institution and making that process a lot smoother and easier. Really, not just focusing on those who might be a part of a committee, or a senator, or on cabinet, but really focusing on the entire student body as a unit, as opposed to those who are super involved.”
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
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friday , january 18 , 2013
BAD
PARKING
DAWGS
Tuesday, February 5 • 1:42 a.m. A student was having panic attacks in Cresswell Hall. The subject was transported to OCH. • 2:23 a.m. Fire extinguishers were used in McKee Hall, setting off the alarm. • 8:41 a.m. An employee reported items missing while doing inventory at the Wise Center. • 10:12 a.m. An Aramark employee reported stolen inventory from their baseball warehouse. • 12:13 p.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for no seat belt and no tag. • 2:06 p.m. A student was issued a student referral for a drug violation in Hathorn Hall. • 5:55 p.m. An employee found a rifle round in the weight room of the Sanderson Center. • 8:22 p.m. A student was transported to OCH from Barr Avenue after falling off his bike while trying to ride down an embankment. • 8:52 p.m. A student was hurt at the Farm House house while playing basketball. The subject was transported to OCH.
Wednesday, February 6 • 8:32 p.m. A student reported her purse missing from Hand Chemical Lab. • 9:02 p.m. A student reported a suspicious incident regarding another student. A student referral was issued. • 10:05 p.m. A student was arrested in Rice Hall for receiving stolen property.
Thursday, February 7 • 3:45 a.m. A student reported his vehicle was burglarized while parked at Giles Architecture. • 10:22 p.m. A student was arrested on Bully Boulevard for speeding and a suspended driver’s license.
Citations:
• 2 citations were issued for speeding.
kaitlin mullins | the reflector
Parking on Main Street will be limited to two hours until May 31, and then could become permanent if the regulation proves effective.
DEBATE
He said his desire is to be the voice for out-of-state students who hope to spend their summers in Starkville for an affordable price. “I’m running as one of your peers, and one of your peers is looking to serve you,” Hogan said. Vice presidential candidates Walton Chaney and Shelby Sims gave insight on their platforms during the debate. Chaney stated his hope is to create a system in which MSU students can purchase football tickets online. He said he believes MSU has the means to make this possible. “We are, in fact, the only school in the SEC that does not do online (ticket) purchases,” he said. Sims said she wishes to install a bike safety initiative on campus. She saidher hope is to make MSU more biker-friendly and pedestrian-friendly by installing more bicycle paths. “My main goal if I’m elected Vice
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Alesia Brown, retail manager at Aspen Bay Candle Company, said she does not think the re-implementing of the parking time limit will affect Aspen Bay positively or negatively. “We generally have parking spots in front of the store,” Brown said. “People will probably choose to park in public parking on Main Street.” Public parking lots are available in the downtown area that will not be affected by the two-hour time limit. To help with the transition, the Starkville Police Department is trying to educate as many people as possible about the enforcement of the rule. “We want people to comply, so we do not have to issue tickets,” Lindley said. Lindley said the Starkville Aldermen board voted to hire a part-time officer to monitor the downtown area until May 31. The board will then decide whether or not to continue the regulation. In the meantime, the rule will be enforced. “We are a proud member of the
GSDP and sincerely appreciate them helping boost business and traffic,” Brown said. He also said parking fines will increase starting in June because there was some concern about the parking fines being out of alignment with the fines of other jurisdictions. He also said the fines have not been recently updated. “There was some discussion at the Board of Aldermen about the fact that the fine has not been increased for well over a decade,” Lindley said. “They were the same rates we had 20 to 25 years ago.” While two hours might seem like a short time, some believe the time limit will not be a problem. “Shopping in Starkville does not take more than two hours on average,” Brown said. Lee Moseley, sophomore chemistry major, said he thinks the time limit is a good idea. “On a rare occasion, a dinner might take more than a few hours,” Moseley said. “But other than that it should not be a problem.”
continued from 1 president is to, before my term ends, have a plan of action so that we can move forward on this,” Sims said of her plan. Alex Ezelle and Andrew Sprecher are running for SA treasurer. The two spoke about their plans for the SA’s budget in the future. Ezelle said he desires to keep budget plans as transparent as possible for the MSU student body. He also said he is interested in responsible spending by planning budgets early and effectively. Sprecher said he wants to increase the budget for Bulldog Bash and The Big Event due to the large number of students involved annually. He said he desires to look at past budgets in order to learn from previous successes and failures. Candidates for SA secretary Kaeley Gemmill and Nikki Robinson were asked about making SA senate proceedings more available to the student body.
Gemmill said she wants to create a Twitter account for the MSU senate in order to keep students updated on major legislations and bills as well as provide students the opportunity to give feedback. Robinson expressed her desire to keep students aware of the senate’s progress through recording meetings, posting minutes on MSU’s website and keeping The Reflector updated on important topics. Eddie Mac Huddleston and John Williams, candidates for the position of SA attorney general, discussed changes they would like to see made to the SA Constitution. Huddleston focused on his desire to keep the SA constitution updated on a consistent basis. Williams said he wants to add a transparency clause to the constitution. Students can vote in the SA election on Tuesday via myState.
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friday , february 8, 2013
OPINION
the ReFleCtoR
the voice of MSU students
ContRibuting WRiteR | daniel FoRde
ContRibuting WRiteR | pRanaav Jadhav
Gun regulation requires informed citizens kerry faces challenges filling Clinton’s shoes
T
he talk of new gun control legislation has caused a lot of fear, anger and frustration among many gun owners. Being a gun owner myself, I too had some of these feelings. Like many people in Mississippi, firearms were part of my childhood. Whether it was hunting or shooting in the backyard as a young kid with my dad and brother, many memories were made from activities involving firearms. Most people against gun control legislation are scared of losing memories such as mine. The actual firearm isn’t important; the good times and memories some of us associate with using firearms matters. Protecting the future of memories and understanding the importance of protecting loved ones matters in this issue. However, as responsible gun owners, we owe it to the rest of society to listen and consider concerns before completely disregarding any forms of regulation. To me, just like many other political issues, a large percentage of us agree with most aspects of each side of an issue. But the things that are not agreed on are overplayed in the
Both of these depictions are media to cause conflict, which is good for news and media in completely false. There are ways to comprogeneral. Make the process of obtain- mise and create positive change ing weapons more difficult for that will benefit everyone. Effective change the mentally ill. doesn’t come Enforce more Change comes from large figextensive backfrom people in the ureheads giving ground checks. Doesn’t sound middle who think “hoorah” speeches or lobbying too bad, right? for themselves for agendas unSome argue and aspire to find known by most of gun control is a slippery slope the best possible their supporters. where if we alChange comes solution.” low one form of from people in the middle who regulation, eventually guns will completely be think for themselves and aspire taken away. to find the best possible soluThe only thing more lo- tion. gistically impossible than the Don’t get me wrong, I am a government taking every gun huge advocate of the Second away in the United States is the Amendment. Easter Bunny delivering basI just think there are ways to kets of candy to every child in help the gun violence problem one night. (I’m sorry if I ruined in our country, which is first in Easter for anyone.) the world by far (over 30,000 Both sides have many good firearm murders a year) withpoints but seem to refuse to out dishonoring the Second work together to achieve any- Amendment. thing partly because of the way If people from both sides each side is perceived by the will stay open-minded and acother. tually try to understand each Gun owners are seen as un- other’s opinions instead of educated, intolerant idiots completely disregarding them while pro-gun control activ- because of a couple slight disists are portrayed as wanting agreements, the country would to take every gun out of every not be so divided and positive household in the U.S. change will happen.
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Did you get a flu shot?
H
illary Rodham Clinton, a woman who once fiercely fought against President Barack Obama for the presidency of the United States, stepped down as his colleague and secretary of state last week, ending a career spanning 31 years in public service. Clinton’s last year as secretary of state has been vociferous. She found herself dealing with the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that led to the death of the U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens, which was followed by a personal illness and then the suicide bomber’s attack in the Turkish capital of Ankara on the last day of her secretariat. John Kerry, presidential nominee of 2004 and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee succeeded as the new secretary of state in the wake of enormous challenges to deal with as the new top diplomat of the world hegemon. The political turmoil in Egypt and the quest for building peace-process, ending the war in Afghanistan by 2014, strengthening diplomatic relationships in the Middle East and gauging the economic crises lying ahead are some of the major challenges he will be expected to excel. Kerry’s seamless transition will include spearheading the process of global peace engagement initiated effectively by his predecessor. President Obama in his final term as the president of the U.S. will be looking forward to leave a positive legacy of his admin-
istration in world politics for which Kerry will have to play a key role. Foreign policy was a hot topic in the recent presidential elections; voters from both parties agreed the threat from nations equipped with weapons of mass destruction should be firmly dealt with and U.S. ambassadors in various parts of the world need to feel safe and secure. Skepticism continues to lie over Syria; whom should the United States support in the civil war? Should the U.S. intervene? Will it be military engagement or not? What will be at stake? Are there Russian-led forces involved? These are some serious questions the Obama administration currently faces. Kerry will be expected to carry forward the positive bilateral ties with most of the southeast Asian countries and Israel. India continues to be a strong ally of the U.S. The Obama administration has been attentive to Pakistan’s priorities, as well, keeping in mind the on-going conflict in Afghanistan. In a larger picture, the U.S. will be keen to maintain its hegemony status. The defense budget of the U.S. overpowers any and is the greatest in the world but there are also other concerns. Many political analysts and experts ask, “Will the U.S. continue to be a hegemon in world politics?” An unprecedented military power, premier innovation in information technology, the
geographical placement and a strong economy will give you a positive response, but on the other side of the domestic politics grid-lock, a rising European Union and the high costs of staying a hegemon are a few points that may raise skepticism. Kerry will need to assure developing countries of the solvency resolve and commitment of international organizations intended to foster growth. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have come together to form a unique BRICS alliance to be independent from financial dependency and promote industrialized growth among them. Kerry will take charge in completely different conditions than in 2009. Challenges will include achieving world peace with the involvement of most countries on the discussion forum. The major complex issue in an international system is there is no presence of a world government because of individual sovereignty. With there being no presence of deterrence or law enforcement forces to act in an international system, a rather tedious a task for diplomats and representatives lies ahead engaging with other countries. John Kerry has his plate full of issues which will need effective execution in the days to come. The Obama administration will be rather pleased if he is proven to be an effective diplomat at present, if not a presidential nominee in the past.
letteR to the editoR | kaitlan sudduth
Newspapers still hold important merit to communication, society
A
s someone who loves to write, I believe the print media is still vital to our communication today. I am not downplaying the effectiveness of the Internet media, but I want others to understand why print media is still relevant. Many of us rely heavily on our technology outlets to keep us updated on current events and never give a second thought to reading a newspaper. Small communities still rely on the print media as their main source of information. The article “How People Get Local News and Information in Different Communities,” published by the Pew Research Center, claims people who reside in small towns and rural areas are more dependent on traditional media, such as newspapers, to obtain news. These people are also “the most likely to worry about what would happen if the local newspaper no longer existed.” This
article reminds us not everyone has the same access to information as urban areas and cities have. Getting those small town newspapers every week is something that is shared within the small towns and even branches out to rural areas close to small towns. Overall, the local newspaper is heavily grounded in small communities and is, in a way, a tradition. The print media, such as newspapers, are also more reliable sources of information than the Internet or other social media sources alone. Anyone can put information on the Internet, but the investigators for print must be sure to do accurate and in depth research, many times going to the actual scenes of the story. Some in favor of the Internet media as a main source argue it should be just as trusted as the print news. The article “Social Media is Everywhere, but is Print Still Valuable?” claims
The
Reflector Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers
Managing Editor Kaitlyn Byrne
Life Editor Zack Orsborn
Multimedia Editor Eric Evans Sports Editor Kristen Spink
Campus News Editor John Galatas
Photography Editor Kaitlin Mullins
Copy Editor Candace Barnette
News Editor Emma Crawford
Opinion Editor Mary Chase Breedlove Copy Editor Rachel Burke
CONTACT INFORMATION
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Editor in Chief/Hannah Rogers
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.
325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Kaitlyn Byrne 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Emma Crawford 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu News tips/John Galatas 325-7906 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Mary Chase Breedlove opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Kristen Spink 325-5118 sports@reflector.msstate.edu Life Editor/Zack Orsborn 325-8883 life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Kaitlin Mullins 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Julia Pendley 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu
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.
many times, the social media is rely heavily on the convenience misunderstood. Many people of technology and its sources see it as such a convenience that of information. Evidence from they tend to stereotype each me- the Pew Research Center found dia site as “one of many.” Nev- only 23 percent of citizens read ertheless, this article also makes newspapers to obtain infora couple of valid points that mation about current events support the and 46 perside of the even though social media cent obtain print media. from networks affect the print news For examthe Intermedia, we should still ple, it claims net. Many if somepeople will uphold this true way of one who is argue the communication.” writing for Internet mean online dia is more source puts a story up, it can appealing, convenient and modbe easily forgotten within a few ern. However, while this may hours. In the end, the print be true, we must be reminded media is more trustworthy than anyone can put information on and not as questionable as the the Internet, especially when we Internet and social media sites. consider other outlets such as The print media, although a Facebook and Twitter. much needed form of commuThe younger generations nication, has become progres- seem to contribute to this desively neglected over the years cline in readership of the print as a result of the increasing de- media. pendence on technology. UnIf newspapers do not reach fortunately, most of us tend to all areas of small communities,
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then only some of the citizens will remain updated on things such as politics. Consequently, the rest will probably neglect such things. This results in a less informed and less active society. Even though social media networks affect the print media, we should still uphold this true way of communication. When I say “true way of communication,” I do not mean just the actual truth behind the stories in print; when we read a newspaper article, we have to remember that someone actually took the time to investigate that story, gather the facts, and put those facts into words for us. I remember when I wrote an article for my local newspaper and the work that went along with it. The interviewing, figuring out which questions to ask and then finally piecing the story together. The true forms and ethics of journalism are diminishing
because of the ever-evolving Internet media. We should have respect for those who put themselves and their time into the print industry. As a result, we can help uphold the future of newspapers and other print media. However, despite some decline, the newspaper industry holds up well in comparison to what the majority of people may think. About one-quarter of citizens still purchase newspapers on a daily basis. My hope is others will realize the print media is much more than a black and white piece of paper and understand why we need to keep it alive. Yes, we all enjoy the convenience of our smart phones and our other technological advantages, but we need to keep in mind the importance of the roots of our communication. The print media is still an undeniable part of our communication and our history.
one little spaRk | Whitney knight
Classroom Protection Act hinders freedom
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fter expiring in the ning to explore their sexualstate House of Rep- ities is so enormous, I don’t resentatives last year, know where to begin. The idea that, further, Tennessee Senator Stacey Campfield’s “Don’t Say Gay teachers who have striven to Bill” is now back with a ven- create a safe environment for their students would be regeance. The new bill, called the quired to out them to their Classroom Protection Act, parents if they were suspected of being not only LGBTQ is “prohibRefusing to educate frankly insultits teachers from discussstudents about the ing. ing of any Schools are issues that affect sexuality exsupposed to be them does not cept heteroresources for sexuality in make said issues go students to turn to, not instigrades K-8” away.” in the state tutions which of Tennessee, but also requires leave already marginalized guidance counselors report students alone and unheard. conversations regarding stuIn support of the bill, state dents’ sexualities. Rep. John DeBerry said, “The The provision teachers be basic right as an American is required to tell a student’s my right to life, my right to parents if they believe “cir- liberty and my right to the cumstances present immedi- pursuit of happiness ... Withate and urgent safety issues in that includes being able to involving human sexuality” run my home, raise my chilshocks me. dren as I see fit and to indocLook, guys, I don’t know if trinate them as I see fit.” you remember middle school, With all due respect to but it sucks enough without DeBerry, I fail to see how adding the threat your teacher anyone’s constitutional rights include inhibiting any other might out you to the mix. The idiocy of banning any person’s, regardless of whether mention of sexualities other or not the former person gave than heterosexual at a time birth to the latter. when students are just beginAll teachers wish for in-
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volved parents who will constructively explain controversial topics to their children. Unfortunately, this is not the norm. Sit in a middle school classroom for a day, and you will hear multiple mentions of homosexuality by the students. Teachers must be able to give students resources to analyze the issues that directly confront them. Generally, I am sick and tired of people trying to tell kids what they can and cannot know about. Have we not learned our lesson from the catastrophic abstinence-only sex education programs which gave states like Mississippi the highest pregnancy rates in the country? Refusing to educate students about the issues that affect them does not make said issues go away. Instead, it sends them to other sources, often to bad information. The years between fifth and eighth grades are critical for building reasoning skills and forming well-supported opinions. Teachers must be allowed to guide students through the process that will make them
WHITNEY KNIGHT Whitney Knight is a junior majoring in English education. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. well-informed and analytical citizens. Students do not go to school to be taught to think like their parents. They go to school to be taught to think for themselves. A teacher should present as many viewpoints as possible as they really are so students can begin to form their own opinions. A teacher should create a safe and supportive classroom environment. A teacher should help students reach their full potential. Teachers should not shelter their students from controversy. Maybe if Campfield’s teachers had taught him to see multiple sides of a situation, he would be more understanding to the students and teachers who would be affected by this bill.
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 8 , 2013
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
2-8-13
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. HELP WANTED Bartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800.965.6520 ext. 213. FOR SALE 1.5-carat past, present and future engagement ring. Paid $500, will take $300, firm. Call 617.0111 and ask for Angela. FOR RENT Apartments for rent close to campus. One bedroom, one bathroom. Appliances include microwave, refridgerator, stove, washer and dryer. No pets. Call 648.9519, 323.5186 or 341.5186. MISCELLANEOUS Learn to scuba dive. Be PADY-certified by spring break. Call 418.7489 for more information. Think you might be pregnant? Free pregnancy test and confidential counseling. Call Life Choices Pregnancy Care Center at 327.0500. mslifechoices. org. CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU 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 on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation Worship Center on East Lee Boulevard next to Campus Book Mart. MSU CATHOLIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION The MSU Catholic Student Association invites you to join us for Sunday mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 607 University Drive. All are welcome to $2 Tuesday night dinner at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/msstatecsa MSU STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MICROBIOLOGY Contact msuasm@yahoo.com or like us on Facebook, “MSU ASM,” for membership information. YOGA MOVES CLUB 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 5 to 6:30. Like Yoga Moves Club-MSU on Facebook. STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS SSC meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. in McCool room 212. Come and meet really cool people who all share interests in
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saving the environment. Don’t forget to opt-in for the Green Fund. SOCIOLOGICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION The Sociological Student Association is based in the Department of Sociology. Undergraduates of all degrees are welcome. Meetings are held the last Thursday of every month in Bowen Hall room 250 at 5 p.m. MANIFESTING GLORY Manifesting Glory is currently looking for musicians on a temporary or permanent basis. All who are interested, please call 518.1456. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION CLUB Are you interested in talking about the deeper questions of life? If so, come and join us on Thursdays at 5 p.m. in Union Room 227. Email msu. philosophyandreligion.club@gmail.com. SCUBA DAWGS SCUBA Dawgs presents Discover SCUBA. Come out on Feb. 5 and 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sanderson pool to learn how to SCUBA dive. Cost is $5. Bring a towel and swimming attire. MSU PRE-VETERINARY CLUB The MSU Pre-Veterinary Club is having a general body meeting on Feb. 13 in the Wise Center room 2005. Food will be served at 6:30 p.m. All people interested in animals are invited to fellowship. MSU STUDENT DIETETIC ASSOCIATION SDA meeting Tuesday, Feb. 12. Dinner at 5:45 p.m. and meeting starts at 6. Speaker is Lydia West from the Office of Child Nutrition, Mississippi Department of Education.
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friday , february 8, 2013
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THE REFLECTOR
Life & Entertainment
kristen spink | the reflector
MSU student Amanda Byrd paints a sun in her art class.
OUTSTANDING HUMAN BEING:
Amanda Byrd
“She’s very patient because she watches so many people have to be patient with her Walking down the hall of because she is very slow often. her residence building, Aman- She is learning to be more of a da Byrd’s mom motioned to friend, including the give and her daughter to speak more take aspects.” quietly. Staying active is key for Amanda’s hearing aids had Amanda. She prefers to be in broken, and she could not a social environment rather hear herself speaking as loudly than by herself. as she was. In high school, Amanda Deflecting the gazes of was a basketball manager for those passing by, the Missis- one year and a member of the sippi State freshman, who was Interact Club, a community born with cerebral palsy and service club. She was also emwhose hearing loss was con- ployed at Ability Works where firmed when she was just 11 she packaged boxes in a group months old, entered her room setting. with her loving caretaker of When she arrived at MSU, 20 years. Amanda joined the Sigma Phi “It’s hard to communicate Lambda Christian sorority. because of my throat; I can’t She was initiated last semester speak fast,” Amanda vocalized and received the Joyful Heart with help from her assistant. Award at initiation. “I have to read lips because Amanda said she has enpeople don’t know sign lan- joyed going to chapter and guage.” pledge meetings every week, Amanda learned sign lan- as well as prayer nights and guage when she attended St. date parties. Joseph’s School for the Deaf in “My family was proud of St. Louis from the age of 5 un- me for the award, and I was til she turned proud of me, eight-and-atoo,” Amanhalf years old. da said as I want people to She learned a big smile help me because I f o r m e d how to speak orally during her need it, but I want across her time there, face. “Studyas well. to be treated like a ing the Bible When she in my covenormal person, was just a year nant group old, Amanand my too.” da got hearfriends make ing aids, and me happy.” - Amanda Byrd then when Amanda she turned 5, also stays she received her first cochlear busy by taking horseback ridimplant. She had surgery to ing lessons once a week. She get another cochlear implant said one of her favorite things when she was 12 years old. to do is ride horses, and her In addition to the hearing mom said horseback riding is loss, Amanda has a develop- very therapeutic for her. mental delay and one of her “With the hip displasia and legs is shorter than the other. one leg being shorter than the Amanda’s mom, Donna other and out of alignment, Kaye Byrd, said Amanda has when she’s on the horse somea difficult time reading lips how all that falls into place,” of people she is not used to Donna Kaye said. “After she’s being around, but she does been riding and taking her great with her family and has lessons, she walks better. Its’ even drawn the family closer a good thing not to be afraid together. or scared, and it’s great to help “At times you feel like you’re with balance.” apart because I feel like I’m the Overcoming Amanda’s disone working with her all the abilities has not been easy for time, getting her to school, her or her family. Amanda’s etc.,” Donna Kaye said. “But determination has been the you just see where it gets you. key to getting her where she is She has gotten so far, and I today and will continue to be don’t think she would have the key as she pursues a career done it if we hadn’t been dili- in either special education or gent as a family to talk to her art. and teach her and show her.” But with the help of her Now living on her own, family and friends who love Amanda has learned to use her, Amanda hopes to continskills she picked up in her ue to overcome the odds and time at home at MSU. She is prove no hardship can stop her a part of the Access Program, from living a life full of joy. which is a program for stu“I want people to help me dents with special needs in because I need it, but I want which they can take classes to be treated like a normal perand spend time with similar son, too,” Amanda said. students. Kwasny agreed and said ofThe program also assigns tentimes people to try “fix” an assistant to each student. those with disabilities instead Sophomore Victoria Kwasny, of respecting them and acceptAmanda’s assistant, knew ing them as they are. Amanda from their home “I think a lot of times with town of Jackson, and said those with disabilities, unforAmanda has learned to be tunately, we see their disabilmore flexible since arriving at ities first,” Kwasny said. “We State. see what they are going to be “Amanda is very deter- missing out on in life first, mined. She has a very struc- instead of starting from how tured personality, and she much they can actually do doesn’t like things out of and how much they can do on the ordinary,” Kwasny said. their own.” By Kristen spinK Sports Editor
courtesy photo | super water sympathy
Super Water Sympathy, composed of Billy Hargove (bass), Clyde Hargrove (lead guitar), Jason Mills (synths), Ryan Robinson (drums) and Ansley Hughes (lead singer), is set to perform at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern Friday, Feb. 8.
Super Water Sympathy set to perform at Dave’s By Coleman HumpHries Contributing Writer
Riding in on a wave of atmospheric instrumentals, powerful female vocals and an amount of creativity in the well-crafted lyrics composes the collective group of artists known as Super Water Sympathy, set to perform at Dave’s Dark Horse tonight. The musicians in the band include two brothers, Billy (bass player) and Clyde Hargrove (lead guitar), Jason Mills (synths), Ryan Robinson (drums) and Ansley Hughes (lead singer). The members of Super Water Sympathy were first introduced two and a half years ago by a mutual friend and a cousin to the Hargrove brothers and decided to begin working together as a band. Robinson gave a great amount of insight that helps the listeners understand more behind the music.
“Something we did was strategically choose people to play with that had all previously been leaders of another band,” Robinson said, recalling the beginning stages of Super Water Sympathy. When asked about the band’s choice of not performing at all for the first seven months of creating music, Ryan said the group thought finding its sound and playing together as much as possible was important before presenting it to a live audience so that listeners would be surprised to see such a great new group of musicians. So far, the group has seen only positive results from this type of band model. In the past year, the members of Super Water Sympathy decided to take on music as a lifestyle and quit the different day jobs where they had been working. “My last day of work was this hilarious movie moment. As I walked out of the building where I worked, the RV pulled up and everyone was ready to head out
West for this big adventure,” Robinson said, laughing. “I took one last look at the building, and as I got in the van, I saw my boss give me this nod of approval. It was really funny.” Since then, the band has spent five weeks in London recording with producer Cam Blackwood (Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, Morrissey). Its most recently produced album, Hydrogen Child, will be released this spring. “We are very pleased with the way the album turned out. We searched for a producer who could help us get the sound we wanted, and Cam Blackwood certainly did that,” Robinson said. Every member in the group expressed a strong love for Starkville and Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern. The kind people, ground level stage, flowing energy and great music all make coming to Starkville a special event for Super Water Sympathy.
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andrew finnegan | the reflector
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 8, 2013
Diamond Dogs set for 2013 season BY JOHN GALATAS
Campus News Editor
In one short week, the Mississippi State baseball squad will return to the diamond for its 123rd season. The 2012 SEC Tournament champions posted a 40-24 record, falling short in the Tallahassee Regional with two losses to Samford. MSU returns 23 lettermen and welcomes 14 newcomers. Fifth-year head coach John Cohen said he is excited about the offensive and defensive depth returning to the roster. “We have some experience and we have some depth. As we’ve mentioned in the past, it all starts on the mound and defensively for us, but I feel like we’re going to have a much more capable offensive club than we’ve had,” Cohen said. “I think our kids are really excited about getting started, although we have a lot of work left to do.” The Dogs are ranked as high as No. 5 in the Baseball America preseason poll and welcome back a strong defense. First baseman Wes Rea was named co-captain for the 2013 team and has the opportunity to lead the Dogs in multiple offensive categories. Rea, who battled health issues last season, said this year’s team has the potential to be a complete squad. “When you talk about baseball, you’ve got to be able to hit it, catch it, throw it and run, and we’ve got guys that excel at all of those things,” he said. “You’re looking at a complete baseball club, and I think Coach Cohen has done a great job setting it up. This year should be really special.” At second base, Cohen said he is leaving some options open for a returner or a newcomer to claim a starting spot.
MICAH GREEN | THE REFLECTOR
Sophomore co-captain Wes Rea will anchor the Bulldogs’ lineup. Ranked preseason No. 5, MSU kicks off its season next weekend when it hosts Portland in a three-game series. “At second base, Brett Pirtle is somebody that his entire game kind of puts him in the forefront right now,” he said. “Kyle Hann can play second base as well, and Matthew Britton might be our best defensive player on the entire team. The question with Matthew is the offensive side of it. Can he get on base enough?” Preseason All-American Adam Frazier will return to shortstop, but third base is still a question for the Maroon and White. Junior Daryl Norris is most likely the leading candidate, but Cohen also said Hann and Alex Detz give the Dogs options at the hot corner. MSU has a wealth of talent in the outfield with strong bats to balance the offense. C.T. Bradford returns from an injury and looks to anchor the outfield at centerfield. Demarcus Henderson is arguably one of the best athletes on
the team, and his speed will be an asset. Another starter in the outfield is utility man Hunter Renfroe. To say Renfroe had a phenomenal summer in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League is an understatement. Renfroe shattered home run, RBI and runs scored records in the summer league that stood for years, and by the end of the season, Renfroe had his number retired, the first time a player had his number retired in the CRCBL – ever. Behind the plate, Nick Ammirati and Mitch Slauter bring experience and a good offense, and Cohen said he will utilize the two throughout the year. On the mound, the Dogs have 11 returning pitchers led by co-captain Kendall Graveman and Evan Mitchell. Graveman and Mitchell will anchor the pitching rotation, but the third weekend job is still a ques-
tion for Cohen. “I think when you talk about the SEC or college baseball, for our club Saturday is going to be the issue in terms of a starter because on Fridays and Sundays we can afford to cut our starters and bullpen a little short,” Cohen said. “But the Saturday guy is going to have to go out and give us six to seven innings. There’s so much prowess attached to the Friday night guy, but every one of those games is just as important as Friday night.” Potential starters include sophomore Brandon Woodruff and junior Ben Bracewelll, both of who are coming back from injuries. The Dogs play 30 games against teams who made a regional appearance last year. MSU will begin the season with a four-game series against Portland next weekend.
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SPORTS Basketball The men’s basketball game lost its seventh consecutive SEC game Wednesday when the Dogs fell at Ole Miss 93-75. Marshall Henderson scored 31 points for the Rebels, and Murphy Holloway added 24 points and eight rebounds, Gavin Ware scored a bucket on State’s first possession, but Ole Miss then scored the next 19 points to take an early 17-point lead. The Dogs closed the gap to 10 points midway through the second half but could not claw back anymore. Craig Sword led the Dogs with 17 points (all coming in the second half ), and Jalen Steele scored 15 points on just 5-13 shooting. Head coach Rick Ray said his players did a good job fighting back in the second half but cannot win with that type of defensive effort. “I am disappointed with this being a rivalry game, that we didn’t come out with more fire in our belly,” Ray said. “We just got to have a better effort in the first half. We got destroyed in the paint in the first half.” The Dogs now travel to Gainesville to take on No. 2 Florida Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. The women’s basketball team takes on Missouri in Columbia Sunday at 1 p.m.
Softball The softball team opens its season this weekend, hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. MSU will compete with Georgia State, SIUEdwardsville, Tennessee State and Troy throughout the weekend. Transfers Alison Owen, Julia Echols and Logan Foulks will get their first taste of Bulldog softball. State plays today at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. as part of 14 games being played at the MSU softball field this weekend. Admission to the games is free, and special promotions and giveaways will be awarded to fans during the games.
Tennis The No. 10 men’s tennis team will host South Alabama and Tennessee Tech Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The women’s tennis team looks to keep its record spotless as the girls host New Orleans today at 1:30 at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
Track and field The No. 12 men’s track and field team and the women’s team will split up and travel to Birmingham, Ala. and Fayetteville, Ark. for the Samford Multi Invite and the Tyson Invitational this weekend.
Lacrosse team travels to Nashville, hosts MTSU Feb. 23 BY AUSTIN CHANCE Staff Writer
In 2008, after years of offand-on activity in the realm of intramural sports, the Mississippi State University lacrosse team was declared a club sport. Lacrosse is currently run through the Sanderson Center, and plays intercollegiate matches against teams such as Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech among the schools on this year’s schedule. Team president Ben Hester said if the team captures the conference title this year, it gets to travel to the national championship tournament. “This season we are excited to continue to get better and better. Our roster is more talented than ever, and we have a legitimate shot to win the Deep South Conference,” Hester said. “I’ve never taken a season more serious than this
one, and I just want to win.” Historically, the team has had issues getting enough players to have a full team, meaning it had no other option but to take in anyone that came to play, some of who had no prior experience in the game of lacrosse. This season, though, the roster is larger than any other team in history, holding 35 players. According to Andrew Banker, a junior midfielder from Collierville, Tenn., size of the roster is not the only thing that is bigger. “This is the most talented group of players that we have ever had,” Banker said. “Our talent level has greatly increased with the roster that we have today.” Banker is currently a member of the lacrosse club team’s executive board as vice president along with Hester, Wes Peery (secretary), Sean Offenberger (treasurer), Adam Sullivan (public relations chair), and Nathan
McBride alumni/fundraising chair). All of these athletes are willing to answer students’ questions in regards to joining the team or coming to matches to show support. The players, along with head coach Bart Moffatt and assistant coach Brian Carver, welcome experienced lacrosse players to come out and play for the team. With the expanding roster, however, Banker said future seasons will gain more restrictions on playing. “With the roster getting larger every year, we are about to start having more restrictions on who is on the team,” Banker said. “It is great that we will get to have tryouts. That just means more people want to play for us.” The season began last Saturday for the Bulldogs, resulting in a loss to NCAA D3 Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., by a score of 16-6. But the Dogs look to come back strong
after their first loss of the season in another road match against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Feb. 9, in Nashville. Aside from road games against teams in Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas, this year’s team will host three games this season against Middle Tennessee State, Belmont University and the University of Memphis. The first home game is scheduled against MTSU on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. All games this season will be played at the new intramural fields off Blackjack Road. The team’s website, laxteams. net/msstate/ provides information on the upcoming season along with merchandise anyone can purchase. The “Contact team” tab provides email addresses for any questions concerning the team. Editor’s note: Ben Hester is a staff writer for The Reflector.
COURTESY PHOTO | MSU LACROSSE TEAM
The lacrosse team’s first home game is Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.
WAS NATIONAL SIGNING DAY A SUCCESS FOR MSU? THIRD AND 57 | ALDEN THORNHILL
INTENTIONAL GROUNDING | JOHN GALATAS
W
hen the dust settled Head coach Dan Mullen said after Wednesday’s he was never worried about National Signing Jones’ decision. Day frenzy, Mississippi State “I think the media created a landed 17 signees who joined lot of drama with Chris. With four other early commits to tal- young kids, it’s their first time ly 21 recruits to the 2013 sign- in dealing with all this stuff, but, ing class. Some of the biggest like I said, all along he said ‘Hey, signees include Mississippi’s Coach, I’m coming to be a BullGatorade Player of the Year Ash- dog’ and I trusted him from day ton Shumpert and the biggest one,” Mullen said Wednesday. surprise of the day in Parade Although MSU’s signing class All-American wide receiver Fred appears promising, I can’t help Ross. Ross committed to Okla- but question how it stacks up homa State last February and against the rest of the conferkept to his initial choice until ence. As much as I hate to admit the night before NSD when he it, there is no question Ole Miss flipped his commitment to the stole the show on NSD, and to Dogs. quote Rebels coach Hugh Freeze, The biggest letter of intent “I don’t think you could go out came from Houston, Miss., and purchase the exposure we in defensive lineman Chris got today. It’s unbelievable.” Jones. Jones The Rebels is ranked as landed five 5-star Although MSU’s the best playrecruits, includsigning class er in the state ing the top two appears promising, I players in the by multiple outlets and country, and five can’t help but became the recruits to question how it stacks 4-star topic of intercomplete ESPN’s up against the rest of No. 5 signing est in the days leading up to class in the nathe conference.” Wednesday. tion. Jones supposedly took a couple MSU was given the No. 25 visits to other schools including recruiting class according to Ole Miss that created confu- ESPN, but still trailed Alabama sion and drama with the biggest (1), Florida (2), Ole Miss (5), name in the state. LSU (7), Texas A&M (8), Geor-
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O JOHN GALATAS
John Galatas is the campus news editor of The Reflector. He can be contacted at news@ reflector.msstate.edu. gia (10), Auburn (11), South Carolina (17) and Vanderbilt (22). When looking at rankings, though, this class is the best to come to Starkville since the No. 23 ranked class in 2009. The Dogs will still be a young team next year. Two of MSU’s biggest concerns for 2013 will be wide receiver and secondary defense. The Maroon and White signed six receivers and three DBs to address those needs, but how quickly those recruits can transition will by key to next season’s success. Mullen also drifted away from in-state players, only eight of the 21 being from Mississippi. Mississippi has great players, but I believe it will be the out-of-state talent that will take MSU from “our state” to compete for conference championships.
n Wednesday, many college football fans breathed a collective sigh of relief while others groaned. I came out of the recruiting period a very happy Mississippi State football fan as the Bulldogs signed a very talented group of youngsters, which was good enough for a ranking of No. 22 and No. 20 on national recruiting sites 247sports and Scout. The Bulldogs inked multiple big-time targets on offense, filling the need for receiving threats in this class. The gems of the offensive class being Fred Ross, a four-star prospect from Tyler, Texas, who decided to go with the Bulldogs at the last minute after being committed to Oklahoma State, and Donald Gray, another four-star out of Memphis. Ross, ironically, reminds me of Justin Blackmon, formerly of OSU, with his skill set and size. The youngster put up huge numbers in the Texas high school ranks accounting for 1,594 yards receiving and hauling in 21 touchdowns. Gray also had a very solid season at White Station High School racking up 1,023 yards receiving and reeling in 15 touchdowns in his senior season, but he could end up
playing safety for MSU. Not to be overshadowed, the Bulldogs also signed receiving threats in B.J. Hammond, De’Runnya Wilson and Shelby Christy. This receiving class will most certainly be making a big impact on the Bulldogs’ offense after seeing the departure of five senior wide receivers due to graduation. The most exciting moment of the signing period was when the Bulldogs signed arguably the nation’s top prospect in defensive end Chris Jones of Houston, Miss. A five-star prospect, Jones climbed the recruiting rankings after a monster senior year, recording 45 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. I’ve seen this kid play multiple times, and trust me, this kid is the truth. Jones is most likely going to continue his dominance this following season as a starter for the defense. Also helping fill in the gaps left in the secondary are newcomers Justin Cox from East Mississippi Community College and Ashton Shumpert from Tupelo. Cox, a four-star cornerback, accounted for six interceptions in JUCO play last season; Shumpert grabbed two interceptions as a senior and had 64 tackles.
ALDEN THORNHILL Alden Thornhill is a sophomore majoring in communication. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com. Unlike some classes that are filled with big names and star power, this one comes in quiet. But trust me, by the time these guys get experience, they won’t be quiet for long. If you as a fan are upset over us signing lowly publicized players, I’ll remind you the Jim Thorpe Award winner this year was a little known player out of Maben, Miss. That player also came in quietly like much of this class. Sound familiar? It should because that player is Johnthan Banks, who is now looking at a first-round selection in this year’s NFL draft. Our coaching staff and I assure you that star power isn’t everything. That’s why I think this is a good class. Because who knows, the next Johnthan Banks could be stepping on the field next fall.
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friday , february 8 , 2013
THE REFLECTOR
Stat of the day:
mSu iS one of juSt Six Sec SchoolS with recruiting claSSeS ranked in the top 20 for Scout.com each of the paSt two yearS.
Saturday hoopS: MSu at No. 2 florida 4 p.M. fSN
Bulldogs ink five-star recruit, 20 others on National signing day By Ray ButleR Staff Writer
2013 FOOTBALL
Another highly anticipated National Signing Day has come and gone in the world of college football with recruits around the nation officially deciding where they will spend the next four years of their lives. As of today, 21 prospects have signed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to attend Mississippi State University and become a part of the Bulldog football program. “It’s a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen said. “It was a pretty exciting day for us. (We had) a lot of fun here, and we’re looking forward to getting these guys.” Without question, much of the anxiety centered around National Signing Day at MSU hinged on Chris Jones, an elite 6’5, 250-pound defensive end national attention on signing from Houston, Miss., who day, several other Bulldogs signranked among the nation’s best ees could make a large impact in the upcoming season. in the class of 2013 as a whole. Ashton Shumpert, a consenA long-time MSU pledge, Jones recently took multiple sus four-star recruit from Fulton, visits to Ole Miss, putting his Miss., could see some immedicommitment in question. After ate playing time from either the dawning a maroon MSU hat running back or safety position. and officially signing to be a Listed as an athlete by most reBulldog, Jones admitted he had cruiting websites, Shumpert not officially made up his mind chose the Bulldogs over offers until just hours before announc- from Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma State and ing his intenOle Miss. tions publicly. I think the media “(Shumpert) Unarguably created a lot of has the ability to the most toutdrama with Chris play both ways ed player in MSU’s signing (Jones.) I trusted him for us,” Mullen said. “We’re goclass, Jones will from day one, and he ing to look at him likely get every opportunity to never wavered on playing tailback for us. We’re rereceive an exthat with me.” ally excited about tensive workDan Mullen, that, him being load during the the tailback of the 2013 season. head coach future for us.” Mullen said he Additional signees who could never lost confidence in Jones’s commitment to State during the see the playing field this fall are defensive end’s roller-coaster re- wide receivers Fred Ross, Jeremy Chapelle, Shelby Christy, Doncruitment. “I think the media created a ald Gray, De’Runnya Wilson lot of drama with Chris,” Mul- and B.J. Hammond. Ross, a four-star Parade len said. “I trusted him from day one, and he never wavered on All-American from Tyler, Texas, switched his commitment from that with me.” While Jones’s signature cer- Oklahoma State to MSU late tainly helped MSU garner some Tuesday night before officially
SIGNING
CLASS
“
NAME
POSITION
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
Jeremey Chapelle Shelby Christy Jamaal Clayborn Tolando Cleveland Kivon Coman Justin Cox Kent Flowers Donald Gray B.J. Hammond Dezmond Harris Chris Jones Gabe Myles Fred Ross Artimus Samuel Arti Cord Sandberg Ashton Shumpert Jake Thomas Brandon Wells Damian Williams De'runnya Wilson Jahmere Irvin-Sills
WR WR OL DB DB S OL WR WR LB DL ATH WR TE QB ATH OL ATH QB WR DB
6'2" 6'3" 6'4" 6'0" 6'1" 6'3" 6'5" 5'11" 6'4" 6'4" 6'5" 6'0" 6'2" 6'2" 6'3" 6'2" 6'5" 6'2" 6'1" 6'5" 5'9"
212 190 315 170 195 190 300 180 215 220 250 180 185 227 215 215 300 180 215 215 173
HOMETOWN Tyler, Texas Geismar, La. Jackson, Miss. Powder Springs, Ga. Sheffield, Ala. Westpoint, Miss. Hollandale, Miss. Memphis, Tenn. Gadsden, Ala. McCalla, Ala. Houston, Miss. Starkville, Miss. Tyler, Texas Columbus, Ga. Bradenton, Fla. Fulton, Miss. Columbus, Miss. Bogue Chitto, Miss. Metairie, La. Birmingham, Ala. Elkton, Md. zack orSborN | the reflector
signing with the Bulldogs on Wednesday. Chapelle, a junior college transfer, may have the best shot at seeing extensive playing time during his first year at MSU due to his winter enrollment at the school, thus giving him the opportunity to participate in spring practice. Wilson, a 6’4 receiver from Birmingham, Ala., also plans on playing basketball at MSU, which he chose over offers from Auburn, Louisville and Tennessee. With six signees at the position, MSU made replenishing its receiving corps a top priority throughout the recruitment of the class of 2013 and was able to execute on signing several quality pass catchers. “When you look at the ath-
leticism at that position and the size at that position it helps,” Mullen said of his incoming wide receivers. “With all the receivers we have leaving, those guys are going to have to step in and play right away.” Although the wide receivers of MSU’s foreseeable future are set in stone, the Bulldogs will
have to play the “wait and see” game at the quarterback position for the class of 2013. State was able to secure the commitment of Damian Williams, a Metairie, Lou., native who was a Southern Miss pledge before flipping his commitment less than two weeks before signing day. The Bulldogs were also able
to get the signature of longtime commit Cord Sandberg, a left-handed quarterback from Brandenton, Fla., who is characterized by some experts as “the next Tim Tebow.” Sandberg’s future with MSU remains cloudy, though, due to the fact Sandberg remains an attractive prospect for the 2013 MLB Draft. Taking into consideration the several factors that go along with being drafted, Sandberg is expected to officially make a decision on his future sometime during the summer. “In getting to know Cord and his family, that’s a win-win situation,” Mullen said. “With him and his recruitment, we kind of knew what was going on, he knew what was going on, we were always very open about it with everything. And, as I said, I don’t think there’s a bad ending to it either way.” Just Thursday morning the Bulldogs added three-star DB Jahmere Irvin-Sills from Elkton, Md. Irvin-Sills will help replentish the Bulldogs’ secondary, which took a hit with Johnthan Banks, Corey Broomfield and Darius Slay among others graduating. The Bulldogs start spring practice March 21.