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MARCH 23, 2012

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Starkville organization works to curb poverty rates AT A GLANCE BY LACI KYLES Staff Writer

In a population of 23,888, 35 percent of Starkville residents live below the poverty line. Lynn Phillips-Gaines, Starkville Bridges Out of Poverty founder, said via email that one of the reasons the poverty rate in Starkville appears to be so high is due to the fact that the number of apartments occupied by one or two people with less than $10,000 income. A large portion of

these persons live in apartments within close proximity to Mississippi State University, and one-third of the population may not actually be living in poverty as the numbers imply, she said. Mississippi has 21 percent of its population living below the poverty line, compared to 13.8 percent of the nation’s population, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Oktibbeha County has a 10 percent unemployment rate, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Services.

Tequilla Manning, Starkville Bridges Out of Poverty operations administrator, said poverty is misunderstood by members of all social classes. “In our community, poverty is people living paycheck to paycheck and spending more than they make,” she said. “It’s more output than input.” Manning said it is difficult to overcome poverty because in this area especially, it is generational poverty. Dallas Breen, Stennis Institute of Government senior research associate, said

via email while Starkville’s poverty rate is similar to the rates of Oxford and Hattiesburg, Oktibbeha County as a whole suffers due to the lack of diverse job opportunities. “I would say that the fact the county is a typically agrarian-based workforce without the agricultural opportunities would be a key contributor to the county’s poverty rates,” he said. “Adding to the problem is the poor performance of the county schools. Education is key in combatting poverty.”

SEE POVERTY, 3

293WINS 5 14YEARS

DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS

SEC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS

JAY JOHNSON & ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

Search begins for replacement BY HANNAH ROGERS Editor in Chief

After Rick Stansbury’s retirement was announced last Thursday, the attention has shifted to searching for a new men’s basketball coach. A search firm based out of Atlanta, Parker Executive Search has been tapped to help with the search. Several reports have surfaced over the past week naming multiple potential replacements. The winningest head men’s basketball

MONTGOMERY ST,

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BY JAY BALLARD Staff Writer

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

The three new proposed bus routes will attempt to alleviate parking concerns.

READERʼS GUIDE CAMPUS CALENDAR..................2 BAD DAWGS..............................3 OPINION...............................4 CONTACT INFO......................4

CROSSWORD.............................6 CLASSIFIEDS..........................6 LIFE.....................................7 SPORTS................................12

“In light of that decision, our plan is to build on the solid foundation Coach Stansbury leaves behind at MSU. We will chart a new course that will bring renewed energy and create opportunities for our basketball team to succeed at the highest level,” Keenum said He also said he looks forward to working with Stricklin to find a coach that is passionate, enthusiastic and will meet that challenge. Stansbury said he is thankful for MSU and the Starkville community has done — his time here has been beyond wins and losses; it has been about relationships. “Whoever (Stricklin) hires … he’ll get a good guy. He’ll get a coach better than me,” Stansbury said. Editor’s note: For more articles about Stansbury retiring and the coach search, see sports page 12.

New bus route plans on track

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POLICY

Last semester, plans for new bus routes were proposed that would connect the Mississippi State University campus to the city of Starkville. At this time, these plans are close to becoming a reality. In the meeting last semester, Mike Harris, director of parking and transportation, and Bill Broyles, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, explained the details of each proposed route and allowed the public to ask questions and voice concerns about them. Broyles stressed the ideas of how this

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would improve parking and traffic congestion on campus in an economically friendly way. He said he still focuses on those aspects now as the plans are coming together. “I think this will reduce the amount of traffic on our streets, relieve some of the parking congestion on campus and result in a cleaner environment for us all,” he said. Two of the routes will allow students to park off campus and ride a shuttle onto campus for little or no cost. These routes are being called the “park and ride” routes.

SEE BUS, 3

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- Numbers may be skewed due to students living in apartments. ZACH ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

Reveille makes return News Editor

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP

Stansbury said it was his decision to step down, and he did not make the decision on any certain day. “Do I want to coach again? Right now, I’d say no,” he said. “Right now, all I want to do is spend some time being a better father and help Scott (Stricklin) and Dr. Keenum continue to move this university forward.” Stansbury said he wants to remain a part of MSU and the community and raise his children in Starkville and over the past two years has had no regrets. “Our goal this year was to compete and win a championship. And I’m proud Mississippi State people can believe you can win a championship,” he said. In a statement, MSU President Mark Keenum said Stansbury has elevated the university’s basketball program and will be a part of the university’s history.

- This is above Mississippi’s average of 21 percent.

BY MEGAN MCKEOWN

STANSBURY STEPS DOWN coach ends his 14-year career with a record of 293-165 and said he did not want to stay on until he had warn out his welcome. “We’re at the point in our careers, our lives. I want to go out while we’re still great. I promise you, Meo and I are 100 percent at peace and again, have been blessed for 14 years at this university as head coach,” he said. Even as his career as a coach for MSU comes to an end, Stansbury will continue to have a role at the university, but the specific role has yet to be determined, MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin said. “(There is) no one better at developing individual relationships than Rick is. It’s a true gift,” he said. “I’m not real smart, but I’m smart enough to know when someone has a trait like that. We need to maximize that for our institution.”

- 35 percent of Starkville (out of 23,888) is living below poverty.

Approximately 1,112 Reveilles were ordered by the March 10 deadline to officially allow the printing of the yearbook. Rhett Hobart, Student Association president, said since the minimum number of 1,000 was reached, the deadline to order additional copies has been extended. The date has Hobart not been determined. “We will probably close off sales around the end of March,” he said. Hobart said it is not too late for interested organizations to purchase space in the yearbook. “We’ve had close to 60 organization spaces purchased already,” he said. “If an organization still would like to have space — space is limited — but we would be happy to discuss that with you further. “ Hobart said in previous years, there were advertisements in the back of the yearbook, but this year’s Reveille will not be selling commercialized ads. “That’s the reason the 1,000 number was so important in order to allow us to work out the pricing right,” he said. Hobart said he hopes students will continue to purchase The Reveille each year to memorialize their time in college. “I think it’s a great testament to our student body that they want to restore the university’s traditions,” he said.

Family, friends remember MSU studentʼs life Zack Martin dies in car accident BY CANDACE BARNETTE Staff Writer

Mississippi State University lost a treasured student with an unforgettable smile on March 3. Zachary Neal Martin, of Saltillo, was 24 years old when he lost control of his truck and hit a tree while coming home from Tennessee on Saturday night. Suzan Martin, Zack’s mother, said he was planning to spend the night with a friend, and at the last minute he decided to return home instead. “He was near Selmer, on a road he’d never been on before,” Suzan said. “He got turned around and lost control going over some railroad tracks.” SEE MARTIN, 2

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MSU S Art Exhtudent ibition Dat

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Date: M -Roll a Time: 1 rch 24 Locatio to 5 p.m. Contac n: Drill Field t: Ra 601-21 ven Young 8-4682

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MARTIN

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The wreck was a one-vehicle accident, and no one else was injured. Zack was a senior agribusiness major set to graduate in December of 2012. Walter Martin, Zack’s father, said he was doing well in his studies this year, which he attributed to his passion for the outdoors. But the outdoors was just one of Zack’s many different passions. “He loved hunting and fishing and the outdoors,” Walter said. “He was also very artistic. He loved art, art galleries and music. He also loved working out at the Sanderson Center at MSU.” This year at MSU, Zack lived in an apartment with his sister, Jessica Martin, a senior biological sciences major. Jessica said Zack and she were very close, and she could always count on him for anything she needed. “I could talk to him about everything. He took secrets about me to his grave,” Jessica said. “He was always there to help. Zack helped anyone with anything.” Zack was also close with his other sister, Elizabeth Martin, a sophomore at Itawamba Community College. Elizabeth said Zack was the best mixture of a playful and caring brother. “He kept us on our toes. You never knew what was going to happen with him,” Elizabeth said. “He would randomly come up and jump in my bed when I’m dead asleep just to scare me, or I’d be standing around, and he’d push me in the pool. He was very mischievous like that.” He also knew when to protect his sisters. “He was very protective of our feelings, and he wanted us to always tell him our problems, so he could help us cope with them,” she said. “He was also protective about our friends and boyfriends, always wanting us to associate with the right people.” Suzan said Zack was always dependable like that. “He had a heart of gold. He’d do anything for you within his reach,” she said. “He’d give you the shirt right off his back, and he always had the biggest smile on his face.” Zack was so happy to help others that he donated a lot of his time to Wood, Wheels & Water Outdoors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to taking terminally ill and physically challenged people on hunting and fishing trips. Chris Patton, the founder of WWWO and Zack’s uncle, said everyone who took part loved him. “It was the smile that kid had that really lit up other people,” he said. “He was just a joy to be around.” Patton said he remembered a veteran who came on one of their trips that Zack made feel right at home.

JESSICA MARTIN | COURTESY PHOTO

Zack Martin was a senior agribusiness major. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and art. He was also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at MSU.

“The guy was so excited just to have someone to talk to, so Zack stayed up all night talking to him,” he said. “I had to tell them to go to bed. Zack didn’t have to do that; he was just that kind of guy.” Patton said he has started a scholarship fund in Zack’s name that his brothers in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity are helping with. Zack gained lots of friendships through his membership of AGR, and Jessica said his time spent there was very important to him. “Those boys were inseparable. They were a part of our family like we were a part of theirs,” she said. “Anytime they were in trouble, he’d help them out and vice versa.” Paul Siegel, a senior wildlife science major and fellow member of AGR, said he and Zack quickly went from friends to family. “I’ve known the boy for just about five years. We grew together since freshman year in college,” he said. “There’s so many things I miss about him. I’ll miss my brother; I’ll miss my best friend.” Paul said it was Zack’s personality that would make him unforgettable to his friends. “The biggest thing I remember about him is his goofy smile,” he said. “He made an impact on all of us. If you knew Zack, that changed your life.”

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POVERTY “Students living in Starkville and registering as residents work in low-paying service industry jobs ... earn less than the poverty limit.”

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The first of these will allow students to park in the Scales parking lot or the Sportsplex parking lot near the intramural sports fields for a halfpriced parking permit. The second route will allow students to park at the rec-plex on Lynn Lane for free and catch a shuttle to campus. Two shuttles will run from the Lynn Lane bus stop. These two routes will begin this coming fall. An on-campus parking permit for next year will cost $115, so the permit allowing a student to park in the Scales lot or the Sportsplex will cost only $58. Also beginning next fall, students can purchase an ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR evening permit for $8. This permit will allow students to park in the Lynn Lane parking lot from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., the permit allows students to park on campus as long as they are off campus by 7 the next morning. These routes will begin in August and will utilize the buses already owned by MSU. Jeanette Bailey, manager of shuttle operations, said she expects these routes to have a great effect on and around campus. “I hope this will facilitate easier parking and expedite the transportation from the outside of campus to the inner core of campus,” Bailey said. “With Aiken Village shutting down and the shortage of on-campus housing, a lot of students are living near Lynn Lane, and this will provide them with an easier way to get to campus.” The other bus routes planned will connect campus to the surrounding community of Starkville. They will provide students with a means of transportation to shopping centers, banks and other desired destinations off campus. A bus system like this one has been attempted in the past, but it was put to an end because of problems in the system. In the past attempt, there were no set bus stops. Instead, passengers would tell the bus where they needed to be dropped off and would have to hail a bus when they were ready to be picked up. The new system will have set bus stops with permanent shelters as protection from weather. Each shelter will be equipped with an LED screen that will show when the next bus will arrive at that specific location. These routes will require new buses to be bought. Because of this, the committee applied for a grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation on March 1. Once the committee receives word it has received the grant, it will begin looking toward buying the buses and shelters. If the committee receives the grant, the money will be awarded in October. Therefore, these routes will not be ready to go into effect for another year. Harris said the park and ride routes, however, are set to go into effect in the fall. “We will run these routes whether we get the grant or not,” Harris said. “It’s a done deal.”

BAD

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Breen said Starkville’s poverty rate can be at- and skills of the employees do not match the tributed to a number of factors, but one of shift. the main issues is the univer“Starkville has the pleasure sity effect on the community. of having a well-respected, “A large number of inditier-one research university viduals living below the povthat is intertwined with the erty line are between the ages city,” he said. “The city should of 18 and 24,” he said. “Stuwork to retain some of the dents living in Starkville and educated and experienced registering as residents work college graduates in the area in low-paying service indus… At the county level, edutry jobs, such as restaurants or cating the county school-age bars, earn less than the poverty children with new skill sets limit set by the federal governto match opportunities and ment.” funding for those schools Breen said the argument would be the first step.” could be formed that the difManning said Starkville ference between Mississippi Bridges Out of Poverty is a university towns and whether DALLAS BREEN, community organization or not universities heighten STENNIS INSTITUTE OF committed to eradicating the problem is not as big as GOVERNMENT SENIOR poverty in Oktibbeha Counone might think. However, ty by providing a framework RESEARCH ASSOCIATE the employment shift from an for everyone to understand agricultural economy to a serits causes and work together vice-based industry leads to lower incomes for solutions. The initiative has a three-prong and higher poverty rates as the education program that works to unite middle class

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Wednesday, March 21 STARKVILLE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY | COURTESY GRAPHIC

community members with those living in poverty as a way to “bridge” the gap poverty creates. “We have community training that teaches and gives middle class a real picture of poverty and a breakdown of common stereotypes,” she said. “Then we teach a ‘Getting Ahead’ program for people in poverty that say, ‘I know I’m in poverty, I want out.’ Our Getting Ahead Masters Program allies program graduates with people from the middle or upper class who serve as allies for guidance.”

• 12:16 p.m. A nonresident/visitor was having chest pains at Longest Student Health Center. Subject was transported to OCH Regional Medical Center. • 1:52 p.m. A student was transported to OCH from Allen Hall for medical assistance. • 5:34 p.m. A student was issued a student referral for allowing a banned subject to stay in his room in Rice Hall. • 5:53 p.m. Students were issued student referrals for fighting in front of Cresswell Hall. • 6:25 p.m. A nonresident/visitor was arrested for trespassing and burglary at Rice Hall. • 11:57 p.m. A student fainted in Cresswell Hall. OCH was called; subject refused transport to OCH.

Dangerous dieting produces side effects BY LAUREN CLARK Staff Writer

As the spring semester gives way to swimsuit season, many students are looking for fast ways to lose weight and get in shape. Joyce Yates, director of Health Education and Wellness, said individuals looking to lose weight should remember it is a lifestyle change. She said it is important for students to understand that decisions now will affect them for the rest of their lives. Mandy Conrad, registered dietician for the Longest Student Health Center, said she thinks it is important for students to remember healthy weight management includes a wellbalanced diet, not a quick fix or a magic pill. Chiquita Briley, assistant professor of food science, nutrition and health promotion, said she thinks society wants fast results in all aspects of life; weight loss is no exception, but there is no immediate way to safely lose pounds. “We have to remember it takes time to gain weight, and it is going to take time to take off the weight safely and to develop health habits that will keep us at a healthy weight,” she said. Conrad said students should be careful not to severely limit calories or carbohydrates, which provide energy and keep metabolism regulated. “When dieters severely re-

strict calories or limit carbohydrates too much, side effects can include fatigue, irritability and trouble concentrating,” she said. Individuals are also encouraged to limit their portion size. Conrad said child menu items tend to be the correct portion size for the average adult. Yates said she recommends splitting a typical restaurant order in half and being sure to include fruits and vegetables such as lettuce and tomatoes. Briley said she suggests individuals take advantage of the warmer weather and add more grilled meats to their diets. Conrad said she also advises students to be aware of how many calories are consumed through drinks. It is common to consume 200 to 300 calories through beverages during a meal. “Switch to reduced calorie beverage options, such as water, unsweetened tea, low-calorie flavored waters,” she said. “Cutting out those extra calo-

ries from drinks can provide the calorie deficits needed to promote weight loss.” With any foods, but particularly with beverages, the key to healthy eating and weight loss is moderation, Conrad said. Products marked as fat-free and sugar-free can still add many calories that people do not expect. Briley, Conrad and Yates said they suggest eating more high fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains, to keep students full for longer. She said an individual must burn or create a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose one pound. Because a pound of fat contains so many calories, a healthy weight loss goal is only one or two pounds per week. Yates said she hears about many people wanting to try trending diets that boast losing 10 pounds in a week, but individuals should be wary of such extreme diets. “It might work for then, but you’re going to gain it back at

some point in time. You are compromising your health any time you only eat one type of food,” she said. Another important aspect of a healthy weight management plan is to eat consistently throughout the day. Conrad said besides giving an individual the energy he or she needs, consistent eating will reduce the risk of binge eating or overeating later in the day. Yates said to be sure to be aware of mindless eating. It is important to eat throughout the day, but be sure these snacks are intentional and healthy.

NUTRITION COUNSELING Students can receive nutrition counseling from the Longest Student Health Center. To make an appointment, students can call 325-7539.

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OPINION |

AN UGLY FACT OF LIFE | TIM MCGRATH

THE REFLECTOR

NATHAN BACKES

Tabloids, media ruin America’s body images

ver spring break, I was sitting on a couch in a Destin condo when I noticed a tabloid on the coffee table that showed the three Kardashian sisters with the title, “Struggling with their Bodies!” It was one of the really superficial tabloids, the ones that only cost a dollar and a few brain cells, the ones that know enough about celebrities’ sex lives to make Big Brother jealous. Upon picking it up, it was with disgust that I read about how the sisters think they are too fat and their bodies aren’t quite curvy enough. I hate these magazines with a passion. The article mentioned on the cover shows Kim Kardashian’s series of butt implants over the years. She went from being attractive in 2006 to legally qualifying as a flotation device in 2012. Is this what Americans value? I originally responded, “Who cares?” But I then realized that plenty of people do, and there is nothing wrong with being interested with where your favorite celebrity is or how many pickles they eat on a Big Mac. That’s absolutely fine, albeit rather creepy. This “interest,” however, has destroyed the selfimage of many teens across the country, holding their notperfectly-toned bodies in contempt. There is a point of genuine interest, and then there is the point that ruins America. Today, an estimated 8 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. That’s a very large topic change I just made (notice the juxtaposition.) However, I’m not insinuating that rising rates of eating problems are the result of superficial tabloids and skinny celebrities (correlation does not imply causation), but the correlation nonetheless exists. Statistics show anorexia has only become increasingly common over the years and — what do you know? — America seems to also have become more concerned with aesthetical beauty. The media is to blame; viewers love to see beautiful people go about their perfect days without a worry in the world. So when Kim Kardashian claims, “I am not skinny enough,” people listen, especially young women. How does Kim’s state-

Tim McGrath is a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. ment feel to a 14-year-old girl who has been teased at school for not looking perfect in a bathing suit? It naturally demolishes her self-esteem. That girl then lives her life wondering what others think of her, perhaps never opening up and creating deep emotional bonds with others. This problem is, of course, not isolated to the female gender; I simply use this example to illustrate a point. Aestheticism is not inherently a bad thing — it drives humans to create beautiful artwork. But there is a point where one can be so concerned with aesthetics that he or she truly loses the value of what he or she is judging. Most people suffering from a poor body image would tell you that they couldn’t care less how celebrities look — that their selfimage is completely personal and selfcreated. But where do they get the ideas of what is beautiful and what is not? Does society not implant these ideals by portraying what the collective whole considers beautiful through the media? Many of my best friends struggle with eating disorders and low self-esteem. And there are many other men and women around this campus who struggle as well. You know who you are. If you are reading this, know that you are beautiful. Don’t let Kim Kardashian’s floatation device tell you otherwise. My aforementioned friends have impacted my life in so many positive ways, just as the others who feel worthless impact the lives of so many people around them. The media that distorts the self-image of its viewers is a media not worth watching. Likewise, a person who does the same is a person not worth engaging. So put down the belittling magazine and smile; you deserve it.

“When Kim Kardashian claims ʻI am not skinny enough,ʼ people listen, especially young women.”

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Multimedia Editor Eric Evans

News Editor Micah Green News Editor Megan McKeown

Sports Editor James Carskadon

Life Editor Kaitlin Mullins

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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

n you case you haven’t figured it out by now, I love to talk about sex. I don’t only like to talk about sex on these pages, though. Nay, I like to talk about sex everywhere and with everyone. One of my favorite things to do is discuss sex with my close girl friends. Girls, if you aren’t doing this, get to it. I feel so much closer with my friends after we spend an evening with several bottles of wine and the type of discussion that would surely make Rick Santorum blush. A lot of men don’t know this and a lot of women won’t admit it, but the thing is women are just as sexual, if not even more, than men. I’ve heard girls discuss everything from blow job techniques to watching hardcore pornography. If you don’t believe me, I understand why. It’s hard for some people to believe women can be this way because traditionally women have gotten the short end of the sexual stick. (Please don’t take that as a pun.) When women get sexual, we get called words like “sluts” and “whores,” which are gendered slurs meant to belittle and demean a woman’s sense of self worth. In reality, the words mean little to nothing. Every woman I know has been called a slut at some point, even women who are virgins. The word has come to describe women who are too comfortable with themselves for men to feel okay with. And then there’s all the double standards. Women get screwed every day, and not in the enjoyable way. Women are told we need to wear form-fitting and revealing clothing to attract men, but

if we happen to be harassed, or even assaulted, we were obviously “asking for it.” Women’s bodies are exploited to bring companies billions of dollars, while society simultaneously shames women for expressing their sexuality. The film “Blue Valentine” received an initial rating of NC-17 because of its “explicit” sexuality, namely a scene in which Michelle Williams receives consensual oral sex. This year, the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” received a mere R rating, despite a graphic rape scene. Are we to believe that a woman receiving pleasure is somehow more offensive than a woman being forced to have sex? And the “American Pie” films all received R ratings, despite scenes depicting men committing sexual acts with some very famous pastries. That was just for laughs though, so it’s okay? So, all of this is kind of obvious and if you really want to hear me talk about it some more, find me on any given day. But the question here is, how do all these double standards affect actual sex and relationships? T h e shame

attached to women’s bodies hinders the educational process needed to achieve good, quality sex. Sex education blatantly ignores the actual process of having sex, focusing instead on its dangers. No one teaches anyone

Rachel Perkins is a senior majoring in English. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu. how to use their bodies. Now I don’t mean to belittle the male anatomy (trust me, I’m a fan!), but penises are pretty simple to figure out. They’re so simple in fact that most men have figured out how to use theirs by elementary school. Vaginas, on the other hand, are more complicated. With complications, though, come rewards. Vaginas have WAY more nerve endings than penises, and women have the ability for multiple orgasms, as well as different types of orgasms. Vaginas are amazing. Often when talking to my girl friends, I discover many of us

simply don’t know exactly how our vaginas work, and, therefore, we’re not enjoying sex as much as we could. The fact is, we’re trying to have sex like they do in the movies and that simply just doesn’t work. The majority of

women can’t receive an orgasm from penetration alone. Also, women are much less likely to have an orgasm during sex than men. This doesn’t mean women don’t deserve orgasms though! This just means both parties need to be willing to work a little harder. It saddens me to think about all the women missing out because they feel some sort of inherent shame attached to their sexuality. When two people choose to be intimate together, both parties should be equal opportunity lenders. Gentlemen, take your time down there. If you really care about a woman, you have to really care about her vagina, as well. And ladies, educate yourselves! Get down with yourself, figure out what you like and what you don’t, and don’t be afraid to talk about it. Enjoying sex, being sexual and talking about sex do not make a slut. (Mostly because there’s no such thing as a slut, duh.) One of my main goals with this column has been to get people talking about sex, and I think it’s working. Talk about sex with your friends and with your partner, and be as open as you can. You’ll learn a lot of valuable lessons. You deserve to be happy, successful and satisfied (in bed). Only you know what you want, so go get it. Experiment, try new things, never feel ashamed and never shame anyone else. If you have any questions, or you need someone to talk about sex with, as always, feel free to contact me. Until then, play it safe and play often.

Citizens feel love, hate toward home state

Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers Chief Designer Zack Orsborn

Sexual double standards target women

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM | PATRICK YOUNG

The

Managing Editor Julia Pendley

GETTING OFF THE RECORD | RACHEL PERKINS

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.

reat philosophers Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti once said, “I’d like to run away from you, but if I were to leave you I would die... I hate you, then I love you, then I love you, then I hate you, then I love you, I love you more.” What exactly was this Canadianborn goddess with a geriatric for a husband and this beefy Italian opera singer howling about? I am guessing a moose or pasta, but these poignant lyrics explain my feelings for one thing in particular: Mississippi. I know, I know. Just as with our mamas, no one can talk bad about “our state,” but as with any dysfunctional parental relationship, sometimes I want to get emancipated — which I think you can become by eating lots of cheese. Anyway, I have spent six years in this state and I must say that I have come to a point where Mississippi is home. In some odd way, this Illinois-born, über eccentric and rather adorable guy has become quite comfortable going south. But there are times when I really want to clean house. Last week, the state took center

Patrick Young is a graduate student in public policy and administration. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. stage in the Republican presidential primary. Even though Rick Santorum topped Mitt Romney (he also won), it was actually Mississippi that took the biggest walk of shame from the spotlight. A day before the primary, a new poll was released showing over half of Mississippi Republicans believe President Obama is Muslim, with another 32 percent of respondents not sure what Obama’s spiritual leanings would be classified as. Add to this, over half of the 656 Mississippi participants had a favorable opinion of Rush Limbaugh (mind you, this was after slut-gate) and two-thirds did not believe in evolution. Rounding out this public rela-

tions nightmare, almost 30 percent of those who took the survey felt interracial marriage should be illegal. I watched one journalist report these results on television and in the background you could hear the gasps from the show’s hosts. Mississippi was again becoming a punch line. I hate being the butt of a bad joke, and, for a brief moment, I detested the fact I live here. It’s too hot already. Pollen is everywhere. And what is the deal with those damn Chacos that everyone wears even with nice outfits? Mississippi, I am not Gavin DeGraw; I am over you. Okay, maybe I’m not. This state has some abhorrent misgivings, ones that needed to be reversed 60 years ago, much less today. Yet, I have chosen to stick around. There’s something about this place that is hard to find, and, no, I am not talking about a mall. It’s that feeling of family you can develop so easily with your friends and colleagues that make you forget one or two of your cohorts may have antiquated opinions.

I truly think a majority of the people on this campus would not agree to such questions and I hope they can go forth and multiply their intelligence. Let’s hope a Darwin-like survival of the smartest can win out and this state can start playing an intellectual game of catch-up. We can no longer get by on believing things that are simply untrue or outdated. We are so much better than that. But why are there many in this state that bypass the theory of evolution, one that is supported by almost all in the scientific community, but believe so strongly in a myth about the U.S. president? Because regardless of whether you’re in Mississippi or Massachusetts, we are all one big contradiction. The only difference being that we are hypocritical with a smile and still ask about your family. If I had to choose between being a mean hypocrite or a polite one, I would totally take the Mississippi version. I sure love you, Mississippi, but you can make it harder than herdin’ a bunch of cats to do so. Bless your heart.

DO YOU THINK THE MEDIA NEGATIVELY -Yes. -No. AFFECTS PEOPLE’S BODY IMAGES? -I don’t care.

Vote online at reflector-online.com ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

OPINION

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

FRIDAY , MARCH 23, 2012

THE VENT | SARAH ULMER

Specialized dating websites offer easy selection D

ating: this is the topic of many conversations and holidays. How do you date? Do you pick up chicks at your local bar, scope out those attending religious functions or maybe you accidentally drop your pencil in class? Regardless of your method, it is on everyone’s minds at one point or another. You may have considered some extremely outrageous ways to get that special someone’s attention or just anyone at all. At times, you may think there is no hope. You then remember the vast resources we have with technology and — bam — you’re in the world of online dating. Having never considered the option for myself I wanted to know a little bit more about what makes this form of connection so appealing. For starters, you can be whoever you want to be. Now, most sites discourage you from lying about

yourself, but, honestly, even if we all tried to be honest about our personalities, we would probably fudge it a little bit. No one could be that awesome S e c o n d l y, there is this idea of screening the, let’s call them “candidates,” before you actually make a move. When you see a girl or boy randomly in the hallway and are attracted to the point of wanting to know more, you probably don’t know many things about them yet. Online dating gives you the opportunity to read up on some of their

likes and dislikes before actually putting the first foot forward and going on a date. When asked “what is the most important thing you look for in a guy/ girl?” most people would say personality. That’s a lie. Initial attraction is pretty much a must for most, if not all, romantic relationships. So, going online gives you a chance to stare for hours at a person’s picture and decide if you could live with that face forever or not. That face might have very little to do with their

“Initial attraction is pretty much a must for most, if not all, romantic relationships. So, going online gives you a chance to stare for hours at a personʼs picture and decide if you could live with that face forever or not.”

personality, but, if we are honest with ourselves, we want to like our partner’s appearance. The process of dating is a game to most. There is the constant back and forth between whom texts whom first. The question of what does “this” mean to each person. Honestly, this can either be the most fun or the most dreadful part of a courtship. Some of us love the game, others grit their teeth and bear through the garbage until the real stuff begins. In online dating the intentions are made clear on the users’ profiles. An article for top 10 best dating sites gave a list of the most used sites to date. Most, such as eHarmony, Match.com and Zoosk, are geared toward those looking to establish meaningful long-term relationships. I was amused to see a site called Be Naughty on the list as well. This is completely based on

Sarah Ulmer is a junior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. people who want a fun, no strings attached dating atmosphere. It somewhat sounds like looking at Craigslist for a rental car, but that’s just me. There are not just sites that are geared toward types of relationships, but ones for specific types of people. Nowadays we have Christianmingle.com for Christians, Jdate for Jewish singles, Catholic Match for Catholics and even a new site called Farmersonly for that small town country person looking for love. There are end-

less amounts of ways to meet someone online; chat rooms have become a thing of the past. Lastly, online dating also can pick your matches for you. Personally, that sounds awesome. I would love if someone else would tell me who would be perfect for me and would set us up all for a small monthly rate. This sounds way less time consuming than doing it myself. To me, this would be the biggest perk of it all. So whether you’re into doing it yourself and letting serendipity pick your partner or you would rather give your information to some experts and see what they come up with, there is an option for everyone. Love is out there, and, it being springtime, it is definitely in the air. Be bold, be daring, be safe and be sure to look your best. Because, remember, personality is the second thing the world sees.

EDITOR POSITIONS From now until Tuesday, we are holding interviews for positions in the newsroom. If interested, stop by the Henry F. Meyer Student Media Center to sign up for an interview time, which is posted on the editor in chief ’s door. Contact us for more information at editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

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THE REFLECTOR

BULLETIN BOARD

AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...

Across 1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fiddlerâ&#x20AC;? painter Chagall 5 Brooch part 10 Scraped (out) 14 Miami River locale 15 Postal scale unit 16 Ristorante bottle 17 Capital of 62-Across 19 Victorious cry 20 Refines, in a way 21 List-ending abbr. 22 Coffee bar stack 23 Biol. branch 25 Too pooped to pop 27 First ones to spot the kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ghost, in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hamletâ&#x20AC;? 31 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stop bugging me!â&#x20AC;? 34 Eight, in Essen 35 Bellyache 37 Yo-Yoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strings 38 Pronoun on the briny 39 Mark Twain, e.g. 41 Overly permissive 42 Insanely cold 44 Icelandic work that influenced Tolkien 45 Swelter 46 In any way 48 Closed, as a sleeping bag 50 Sealing aids 52 Greenish-blue 53 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Reputationâ&#x20AC;? singer 55 â&#x20AC;&#x153;__ only money!â&#x20AC;? 57 Mental grasp 61 Clueless 62 Where â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lord of the Ringsâ&#x20AC;? movies were filmed 64 Actress Teri 65 Bridge call 66 Activist Brockovich 67 Dope (out) 68 Bother a lot 69 Stiff hair Down 1 Levels the playing field? 2 Cutting-in word 3 Grate 4 Amass 5 Simple soup 6 Tote with difficulty 7 Starting money of a sort

3-23-12 8 Dilbert creator Adams 9 One may be seen behind an ear 10 Sinister stare 11 Capital of 62-Across 12 Sooner State city 13 Puts on 18 Strong urge 24 Italian director Sergio 26 TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Amazing __â&#x20AC;? 27 Scary nestful 28 Allergic reaction 29 With 30-Down, capitals of 62-Across? 30 See 29-Down 32 Oddball 33 Deceived 36 1976 Olympics headlines name 39 Coach 40 Reference site for travelers 43 Images used by Wii players 45 With â&#x20AC;&#x153;the,â&#x20AC;? band

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with the 2006 remix album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Loveâ&#x20AC;? 47 Keep under control 49 Metamorphosis stage 51 Instructions opener 53 Crying spells 54 Old Testament twin

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56 Party loot 58 Flower in Bern? 59 Make a wool cap, say 60 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mother Irelandâ&#x20AC;? writer Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien 63 When repeated, a Gabor

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CLASSIFIEDS POLICY The deadline for Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, prepaid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost. for sale Ziggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buy & Sell. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw it away! Get cash for your used furniture and other items. We sell everything from furniture to antiques to music. 434 Miss. Highway 12 West, look for the orange sign with Ziggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture, or call 312-8895. Faculty investment opportunity. Enjoy benefits of retirement now, as you teach. Live in your five-plex on Oktibbeha County Lake, and let rentals pay your mortgage. 340â&#x20AC;&#x2122; waterfront, five-plex, dock, ski-boat. $342,000 firm. 418-2790. for rent Canterbury Townhouses. 990 Old Mayhew Road. 2012 lease special (12th month free with 12-month lease). One, two and three bedroom newly-remodeled townhouses. Call 323-9216 for details. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lodge at the Lake.â&#x20AC;? Great one bedroom, waterfront, dock, appliances, washer/dryer, free cable and fast-access Internet. See now. Available May 1 for 15 months. $525/ month. Pet friendly. 418-2790. AVALON Large two and three bedroom apartments from $729 per month. Reserve your apartment today for fall. live atavalonapts.com. Rates include cable Internet and all appliances; unfurnished. One bed, one bath apartment for sublease at Parkside Apartments. $400 per month. Spacious bedroom, walk-in closet, energy efficient. Some furniture, appliances included. Available now. 648-8595, call or text. One bedroom mobile home for rent. One mile from campus. Hunting and fishing privileges. Pet friendly for additional fee. $350 per month. Lease and deposit required. Call 418-8555. Pasture boarding also available. HelP WanteD Bartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800-965-6520 ext. 213. Attention students: $15 starting pay. Flexible hours around class. Customer sales and service. No experience required. Call 268-5097.

Collegeincome.com. Serious art student for joint venture wanted. Must be able to draw graphics and liberal. Call 646-1315 for more information. miscellaneous Do you have textbooks that you need to sell? Get the most money for your textbooks. Leave a message at 5461067 or send an email with ISBN numbers to moneyfortextbooks1@ gmail.com Apple iPod lost on MSU campus (likely at Barnes & Noble) a few weeks ago. Contains Latin and classical music. Reward $25. 3120253. CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;CLUB INFO,â&#x20AC;? 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. BaPtist stuDent union The BSU at Mississippi State invites all students to our weekly worship service, PRIORITY, on Tuesday nights at 6:15. You are also invited to a $5 home-cooked meal, called NOONDAY, on Wednesdays at noon. The BSU Center is located directly across the street from Campus Book Mart. All students are welcome. Visit msubsu.com for more information. camPus BiBle stuDents Intensive Bible study Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. in room 324 of the Union. All are welcome. Email tns54@pss. msstate.edu for more information. catHolic stuDent association The CSA invites you to join us each week at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church. Student mass is on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Good food and fun fellowship can be had at $2 dinners on Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by weekly/Bible study at 7 p.m. Come to one of these events and learn more ways to get involved! For more information, simply â&#x20AC;&#x153;likeâ&#x20AC;? our Facebook page: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mississippi State Catholic Student Association.â&#x20AC;?

faamsu Come join us for lively discussions. Believers welcome! Every Thursday, starting Sept. 8, in the Union room 226 from 6 to 9 p.m. Twitter: @ SAUCEFORALL. We are the Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists of MSU. female GraDuate stuDents New group for female graduate students in science, engineering and mathematics: Please email msu. gwise@gmail.com liGHt Bearers Yeah! We Bear The Light! Come join us for fellowship, dynamic worship and inspirational devotions every Thursday at 7 p.m. Union 3rd floor, room 329. msu canterBurY ePiscoPal felloWsHiP â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spiritual but not religious?â&#x20AC;? Spirituality and home-cooking at the Episcopal Church (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canterburyâ&#x20AC;?). Free dinner, activities each Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Canterbury Lodge, 105 N. Montgomery St., Starkville. For more information, contact Chaplain Carol Mead at 694-1178. Sponsored by Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship. PHilosoPHY cluB Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in Union 226. ruf Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a campus ministry that has been on Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus since 1976. Our large group Bible study meets Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in Dorman Auditorium. For further information and for upcoming events, visit msstate.ruf.org. All are welcome to come. stuDents for a sustainaBle camPus Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. Union room 227. triatHlon cluB Learn more about MSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Triathlon Club by visiting MSUTC.com or on Facebook @ Mississippi State Triathlon! WesleY founDation Insight! Weekly worship, Bible study, and fellowship. Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation located next to Campus Bookmart. For more information, visit statewesley.org YoGa moVes Stressed out? Try hatha yoga to soothe the body and the mind. Yoga Moves meets every Tuesday from 5 to 6:10 p.m. in Studio C at the Sanderson Center.

3-23-12

OCTOPuzzLE Directions: Place the numbers 1 to 8 in each of the octagons such that the numbers are not repeated in any octagon, row, column, or diagonal. The sums of the minor diagonals (diagonals that contain either four or six numbers) are provided at the beginning and end of each minor diagonal. The sum of the four numbers that border a diamond are provided in that diamond. The numbers that border diamonds do not have to be unique.

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FRIDAY , MARCH 23, 2012

The Hunger Games Based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, "The Hunger Games" movie has become one of the most anticipated of this year. In the past few days, the response from critics about the film has been overwhelmingly positive â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even earning a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was noted that while the movie strays from the book in a few small ways, superfans will be pleased with the translation from book to screen. Details from the novels, including Katniss's braid, Cinna's eyeliner and Effie's colored wigs, are present throughout. Film critic Christy Lemire of the Associated Press praises the film: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Hunger Gamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; runs nearly two and a half hours in length but is the rare film that never drags and doesn't overstay its welcome. It could keep running as long as Katniss does, and we'd want to be right there every heart-pounding step of the way.â&#x20AC;? Set in a crumbled North America in the not-too-distant future, the harshly ruling Capitol frightens and warns the 12 districts of Panem by forcing them to participate in the Hunger Games. By lottery, the Capitol chooses one girl and boy from each district to fight in the game of survival, which ends when only one "tribute" is left. In the country plagued by famine, drought, fire and war, the games serve as a reminder that the Capitol can and will destroy any district that rises against the strict, selfish government. When Katniss Everdeen's younger sister Prim is called as tribute, Katniss volunteers to take her place. A fierce, self-sufficient hard-working 16-year-old girl, Katniss hunts to keep her family alive. Her determination to keep her family safe fuels her to be a serious competitor in the games with her partner tribute, Peeta Mellark. As they defend their lives and take out the competition, their strategies change and evolve into something neither of them imagined and the Capitol most fears. By Kaitlin Mullins Life Editor

On Twitter Caity Grace Maddox | @caitymaddox: @LifeReflector I'm crazy excited! But also a little apprehensive, as can be expected with any book to movie project.

Bonnie Blue Dulaney | @BonnieBlue_ @LifeReflector @reflectoronline I read all three books twice. Excited is an understatement. #teamgale

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Kallye Baggett | @kal_e @LifeReflector Cannot wait! I'm excited to see all the fashion of the Capitol too! #teampeeta

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LIFE

THE REFLECTOR

Student debuts La Nueva in Starkville By Casey smith Contributing Writer

Holly Buckels, 22-year-old international business major at Mississippi State University, works at the University Television Center and in her spare time sells tequila. Magnolia Distributors is a Mississippi-based alcohol distributing company Buckels had the opportunity to start after interning last spring with her father. Mike Buckels owns a chemical company based in Madison called Madison Polymer Additives. “My dad’s company is a chemical distribution company and occasionally other companies represent his company and sell his products,” she said. “The owner of one of these companies, Luis Cruz of LCG International, was the person who asked us to represent Luna Nueva in Mississippi.” Cruz was born and raised in Mexico and owns LCG International, LLC with his wife. He said he founded this company by complete chance many years ago. While in Chicago, he was discussing the poor quality and inconsistency of “good” tequila with the owner of an upscale Mexican restaurant when the idea came to him. “I offered to get him the best tequila he ever had,” Cruz said. “He was not very convinced but agreed to try it anyway.” Three months later the owner tried the tequila and loved it, and from this chance encounter sprang forth Luna Nueva Tequila. He had to then get the permits from both Mexico and the United States to be able to import and sell the tequila, which took almost a year to complete. Buckels is the solicitor and representative for Luna Neuva in Mississippi. It is her responsibility to promote the tequila and solicit orders from authorized package stores, restaurants, bars, casinos and hotels. She has

plans to hold tasting events and hopes to sponsor events in the future. According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue website, all wine and spirit sales in the state of Mississippi must be sold through the Alcohol Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue. All solicitors must go through a tedious process of filling out and filing forms. After visiting the ABC several times and being background checked by the FBI, Buckels was able to submit her application last March and received her permit mid-June of last year. Buckels said she has found one of the hardest obstacles she has faced is getting people to take a 22-year-old college student seriously. “I have often gone into liquor stores and had owners question if I am really a solicitor because of my age. I look like most of their customers,” she said. Despite this, she said the owner of Bulldog Package store was interested in her product and Luna Nueva will soon be available for purchase at the store located on Highway 12. The quality and taste of the tequila is what Cruz and Buckels could not stop talking about. “Compared to Luna Nueva’s competitors, it is reasonably priced and is also a better quality than some of the more expensive competitors,” Buckels said. The tequila comes in three different types named Silver, Reposado and Anejo, which relate to the amount of time the tequila has been aged. Each flavor has hints of several different Student Holly Buckels is the solicitor and representative for Luna flavors that range from citrus in the Silver, raisins, dates and harvest the plants are cooked in does make sense is the quality of walnuts in the Reposado, and brick ovens and stone milled to the tequila. It is made from 100 cinnamon, spices and vanilla in extract flavors then double dis- percent agave in the traditional the Anejo. tilled in copper pot stills and process, which gives the tequila Luna Nueva Tequila is not aged in oak barrels. more taste without having to average tequila. It is made from All this might not make much add agave flavors. handpicked seven-to-eight- sense to someone who just likes Luna Nueva even has an year-old agave pinas from a pri- to order a margarita at the local award under its belt for its exvately owned agave farm. After Mexican restaurant, but what cellence. It recently won a “Best

this business has brought them plenty of excitement. “This is a very exciting job. You get to know very interesting people. As an example, we spent a couple of hours with 50 Cent at his home in LA to discuss Tequila,” Cruz said. Buckels said 50 Cent will be promoting the tequila nationally once it is available in more states. Cruz said the United States and Mexico represent about 85 percent of the tequila market. The name Luna Nueva was chosen because it means “new moon” in Spanish. This is meant to indicate that it is the founder of a new tequila era. Luna Nueva Tequila is currently the only company Buckels and Magnolia Distributors represents, but she said she hopes to expand the growing company. “Currently we are only representing Luna Nueva Tequila, but I would like to bring other great products to Mississippi,” she said. “I also want to expand Magnolia Distributors to other states, and — who knows — maybe one day, other countries.” Luna Nueva is currently sold in Mississippi, Tennessee, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information visit tequilanueva.com or follow them on twitter at @LunaNuevaMS.

courtesy photos | holly buckels

Nueva tequila in Mississippi.

of the Best” award from Tequila.net for its Anejo Tequila. The Anejo Tequila has been aged for at least one year and is the highest grade of tequila. Like whiskey and other alcohols, the longer the tequila has been aged, the better it is. Both Buckels and Cruz agreed

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FRIDAY , MARCH 23, 2012

Autistic student starts club Get motivated to exercise, dedicated to help, inform visit the gym regularly GUEST COLUMNIST | JOHN HOUSTON

BY EMMA HAWES

Contributing Writer

Alexander Orsak, sophomore communication major, started Jigsaw MSU, a club at Mississippi State University, to help raise autism awareness after realizing how Asberger’s Syndrome affected him during his first year in college. Orsak did not enjoy his first year in college, during which he spent his spare time in his dorm and rarely socialized with people. Over the summer he attended Kamp Kaleidoscope to help him meet other people with autism. “Attending camp was an eyeopener for me," Orsack said. "I realized that my form of autism was high-functioning compared to other forms of autism. Not many people understand how autism can affect someone, so I wanted to spread awareness." Autism is difficult to diagnose because not everyone shows the same symptoms. Some of the symptoms for autism include limited or no eye contact, twitching and limited social interaction. Orsak shared his interest in starting a club for autism at MSU with the president of Kamp Kalidascope, Mark Yeager. Yeager introduced him to Sandy Devlin, sponsor and faculty adviser of Jigsaw, to help Orsak begin the club. Orsak

HUNGER GAMES

and Devlin spent the 2011 fall semester creating the charter for the club and talking with the administration. The first meeting was a kickoff party for Jigsaw at Devlin’s house. Jigsaw’s secretary Megan Peebles, junior special education major, decided to attend the party. Peebles knew very little about the club, but she decided to give Jigsaw a chance after being around a student with autism. “Everyone is going to have to deal with someone who is affected by autism no matter what field of work they are in. I feel as though everyone needs to learn how to recognize autism," Peebles said. "Being autistic does not make someone different." The officers recently decided to host two meetings each month: one will be for those who are affected by autism. They will learn social skills and self determination skills at each meeting. The other meeting will be held for those without autism to learn about those who are autistic. There will be a meeting for both groups once a month to participate in an activity together. Students who are interested in joining Jigsaw can email Peebles at mlp282@msstate.edu. Jigsaw MSU does not charge membership fees and relies solely on fundraising events. On Feb. 15, Jigsaw MSU held

a bake sale on the Drill field. Jigsaw MSU plans on writing letters to the American Psychiatric Association to advocate against the revision of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ guidelines for diagnosing autism. The new spectrum of autism will be rearranged to where certain cases of autism will not be recognized. “We understand that there needs to be revisions of any disorder, but the revision of the autism spectrum is too far because fewer people will be diagnosed with autism. I would not qualify for Asberger’s Syndrome with the new revisions of the DSMMD,” Orsak said. On April 17, Jigsaw MSU is hosting Autism Talk Night for Autism Awareness Month. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. in Swalm 001. Students and parents of students who are affected by autism will speak about autism. As Jigsaw grows, Orsak said he hopes it can branch out to the city of Starkville so high school students would be included in Jigsaw’s activities. “We are lucky to have Sandy’s help and all of the officers have been great. The support for Jigsaw has been amazing,” he said. “Every day we are looking forward to seeing what is to come with Jigsaw.”

CAROLYN HAILEY

e all have this problem: some days you just don't want to go to the gym. Hey, I get it, I mean Mass Effect 3 just came out, spring break came and went and you probably have a lot of essays, tests and work to catch up on. Here are a few ways to stick to going to the gym: 1. Ask yourself why it is that you want to go to the gym, or run or exercise. I like to look at it this way: you need to have a short-term reason and a longterm reason to exercise and stay fit. a. Short-term: this is usually a superficial reason to stay in the gym, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. You want to look good in the mirror, have a good beach body, fit into skinny jeans — it can be anything. Don't let people tell you that isn't motivation, or that you are superficial because the truth is looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing results will motivate you. For example: I first started working out because when I was in the 10th grade I would always get pushed around by the seniors when I was playing soccer. That made me mad, so I went to the gym. That didn't keep me in the gym, but it motivated me in the short run. b. Long-term: this is the deep reason, the one you might not have discovered. What do you hope to ultimately accomplish? Better health, a stronger body? You need to ask yourself these questions and then say: "Is all the sacrifice I make to go to the gym worth it?" It sure better be because if your answer is no, you probably aren't motivated. My long-term reason to go to the gym is that when I have a family I want my sons to look up to me; I want to be an example. I don't

So I'll tell you my new goal. I want to be able to bench twice my body-weight. That means weigh 150 and bench 300. That's a lofty goal, but it will make me work hard for it. Strive for perfection even though it is unattainable. John Houston is a sophomore international business major. His fitness blog is at houstonjohn. blogspot.com. He can be contacted at kmullins@reflector.msstate. edu. want to be the fat, out of shape dad that gets winded from a game of catch. What is your long-term reason? Do you have one? 2. Set quantifiable goals. A lot of people's New Year's resolutions are "I want to lose weight." While that's great, it isn't enough. Set a goal you can measure. For example: I want to lose 25.5 pounds; I want to run a 5K in under 20 minutes; I want to bench-press 205 pounds. Those are goals you can measure, and you are more likely to stick to them.

4. Work out with other people that have similar goals. This will motivate you even more. Guys are competitive by nature and we always want to beat our friends. Nothing wrong with that. 5. Take some time and create playlists. Don't just set your iPod on shuffle when you hit the gym or go for a run. Make a custom playlist. I know music is all about taste, but, in my opinion, I would much rather workout to Disturbed and Five Finger Death Punch than Taylor Swift. A little extreme, but you know what I mean. Uptempo music just motivates you more, so take some time to put those m o t i va t i o n a l tracks all in one place.

“A lot of people's new year's resolutions are 'I want to lose weight.' While that's great it isn't enough. Set a goal you can measure.”

3. Don't just set realistic goals. For example, you might say "I want to lose 10 pounds." That's a realistic goal, but will it make you work hard for it? Will you be excited when you get there? I can bench 250 pounds. So say I set a goal of benching 260. Where is the challenge in that? Sure, it's good in the short run, but what about the long run? Dream big!

6. Plan ahead! I cannot stress how important this is. Don't decide to go or not go to the gym based on how you feel on a given day. Plan your workouts for the whole week on Sunday. That way you already know that rain or shine, good day or bad day, you are going! All the best and hit the gym today!

SPORTS

F R I DAY , MARCH 23, 2012

THE REFLECTOR

COLLEGE BASEBALL POLLS After dramatic win, softball welcomes No. 11 UT USA TODAY/ ESPN POLL 1. Florida 2. Stanford 3. Arkansas 4. Florida State 5. North Carolina 6. Kentucky 7. Rice 8. South Carolina 9. Miami (Fla.) 10. Texas A&M 11. Arizona 12. UCLA 13. LSU 14 14. Georgia Tech 15. Cal State-Fullerton 16. Oregon State 17. Georgia 18. Oregon 19. Mississippi 20. North Carolina State 21. Central Florida 21 22. Louisville 23. TCU 24. Purdue 25. Texas

BY KRISTEN SPINK

BASEBALL AMERICA POLL

Staff Writer

1. Florida 2. Stanford 3. Arkansas 4. North Carolina 5. Arizona 6. Florida State 7. UCLA 8. South Carolina 9. Rice 10. Texas A&M 11. Louisiana State 12. Miami 13. Cal State Fullerton 14. Arizona State 14 15. Georgia Tech 16. Kentucky 17. Mississippi 18. Georgia 19. Oregon State 20. North Carolina State 21. Central Florida 21 22. Texas 23. Texas State 24. Oregon 25. Purdue

After a five-game road trip in which the Missisippi State softball team defeated South Carolina but was swept by LSU, the Dogs defeated UAB on a walkoff double from junior Erin Nesbit on Tuesday. The win set the stage for a weekend showdown with No. 11 Tennessee. The Blazers took a quick lead on a first-inning run, but MSU took advantage of a few errors and tied it up again with a run of its own. Junior pitcher Stephanie Becker regained control in the second and held UAB scoreless for the next four innings until she was replaced by junior Kylie Vry. While the bats were rather quiet for the Dogs, they did take the lead in the third with another run off a Blazer error. Vry found herself in some trouble in the top of the sixth, giving up two runs as UAB retook the lead. Becker re-entered the game and finished out the inning with two strikeouts. Becker said she was ready to go back in the game when the time came. “When you get taken out, you’re always supposed to stay focused and stay in the game because you never know what will happen and you may get put back in,” Becker said. “So you have to keep a positive mindset and get ready for anything.” When the seventh inning rolled around, the game was knotted up at three. Becker made

quick work of the Blazers in the top of the inning and left it up to the Bulldogs’ offense to pull out the game. Junior Jessica Cooley led off the inning with a walk and was bunted over to second by junior Chrissie Rovtar. Next up to the plate was Nesbit, who was 0-3 so far in the game. However, Nesbit’s first career game wearing maroon and white was against UAB, and she went 3-3 with a home run and triple. In a key moment for the Dogs, Nesbit’s productive play against the Blazers continued. She roped a double, scoring Cooley and securing the walk-off win for MSU. Nesbit said the team had been focusing on one pitch at a time, and that is simply what she did. “I was having some good at bats, but she was getting me at the end, and I needed to get up there and be more aggressive,” Nesbit said. “I wasn’t going to let her get me a fourth time, so I got up there, used my two-strike approach and got the hit.” This win came at a crucial time for the Dogs, who moved to 1812 on the season. With tough SEC opponents surrounding them, midweek non-conference games can be a time to gain confidence and increase the hype. The Lady Vols are coming into this weekend’s series with a 21-7 record. They most recently split a Wednesday double-header with No. 1 Alabama, losing the first game 3-2 and winning the sec-

STEPHANIE GODFREY | THE REFLECTOR

Junior Erin Nesbit hit a walk-off double to give Mississippi State a win over UAB on Tuesday, helping the Bulldogs bounce back from getting swept by LSU.

ond game 5-2. The series has the potential to be a pitching duel as Lady Vol starting pitcher Ellen Renfroe has an ERA of 1.05 with a 15-1 record, while Becker has a 1.98 ERA and 10-5 record for the Dogs. However, there is power at the plate, as well. Cooley is currently tied for the SEC lead with nine home runs, and Lauren Gibson of Tennessee is close behind with eight. State head coach Vann Stuedeman said Tennessee is a very wellcoached team with a deep pitching staff and talented offense. “They will be a strong opponent, but that’s why you come to

the SEC and to Mississippi State is to play great college softball week in and week out. I know that’s what I crave and our players crave, as well,” Stuedeman said. “I look forward to a great series here in Starkville and hope all our fans come out and support us and cheer us on to the victory.” Tennessee will be the third of four top 25-ranked teams to visit Starkville in the month of March as No. 1 Alabama waits on deck for next weekend. The series opens up tonight at 5:30 and continues with 1 p.m. games both Saturday and Sunday.

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

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WASHED OUT

| MSU’s baseball game against Alabama A&M was rained out on Wednesday and a make-up date has

yet to be announced. The Diamond Dawgs will return to Dudy Noble field this weekend in a tough matchup with No. 3 Arkansas. The Bulldogs have seen many key players in their lineup miss signifcant time this season due to injury.

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SPORTS

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friday , march 23, 2012

outkicking the coverage | ray butler

League punishment for Saints too harsh

fter Wednesday morning, it almost felt like the NFL was ready to bomb the Super Dome. The NFL suspended New Orleans Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; head coach Sean Payton for an entire season without pay, general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games and assistant coach Joe Vitt six games for their roles in a bounty program that existed within the Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; franchise for at least three years. Along with the suspensions of Payton, Loomis and Vitt, the Saints were also fined $500,000 and must forfeit their secondround draft picks in 2012 and 2013. Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator and suspected creator of the bounty program within the Saints from 2009-2011, was suspended indefinitely from his current position with the St. Louis Rams, a penalty that may cost Williams the remainder of his coaching career in the NFL. Before I continue, it is important to note that I am in no way a New Orleans Saints fan and am not associated with the franchise in any way. The only invested interest I will ever have in the team consists of welcoming players like Drew Brees and Marques Colston to my yearly fantasy football teams. That being said, the penalties levied on the Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coaches and administration earlier in the week by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell crossed the quicklyfading line of integrity that is the disciplinary action seemingly being shelled out on a daily basis by league administration. In addition to Payton being suspended for an entire season, the coach will also lose the $7 million he was slated to receive during the 2012-2013 season. Additionally, the league is expected to soon drop the hammer on several current and former Saints players who were involved in the bounty program, with expected punishments extending from six-digit fines to multi-game suspensions. Call me crazy, but I just cannot comprehend why the Saints have been made out to be so hellish in this situation. I know I am most likely in the minority, but I truly do not see the big deal in compensating players outside of their contract for making impactful plays during the course of a game. The spectrum of the issue I have with â&#x20AC;&#x153;illegalâ&#x20AC;? hits extends much wider than the Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; issues, though. On a weekly basis during the NFL season, various players around the league are suspended an average manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yearly salary for plays deemed malicious by league administration. James Harrison, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a main target of league discipline for violent play, was fined a total of $125,000 during the 20102011 season and was suspended for one game a year later for plays that just years before would have been praised on TV shows like ESPNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jacked Up.â&#x20AC;? Now, defensive players can hardly form-tackle an offensive player without being reprimanded by NFL league offices that have lost sight of the intended nature of professional football.

Ray Butler is a freshman majoring in kinesiology. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com It was not always like this, though. The NFL that I fell in love with growing up was known by all as a tough, hardnosed league that promoted physicality instead of condemning it. However, as time has progressed, mainly since 2006 when Goodell was named league commissioner, the league has done everything in its power to stray away from the same violent nature that helped popularize the sport during its developmental stages. While the league publicly campaigns the notion of maintaining efficient long-term mental and physical health of its players, I cannot help but wonder if the pledge against violence is a sideshow to the league protecting its most prized possessions, such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, who all make the league millions of dollars every time they fasten their chin straps. Showing public concern for the health of players is honorable, yes, but it would be hard to assume the league would not do everything in its power to increase violence if it meant an increase in revenue and cash flow. I get that Sean Payton and other Saints administration lied to investigators. I understand that they misled the league officials who were trying to uncover the facts of the bounty program, and I am not saying the league should sweep this issue under the rug and pretend it never happened. If you dodge the correct answers amidst an investigation into your organization, you deserve to be punished, but a one-year suspension and a $7 million loss of salary? Paytonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s punishment seems overly-harsh at best and completely illogical at worst. Furthermore, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not lose sight of the big picture, and the fact that the hammer of authority was dropped on current and former Saints personnel for paying players to make plays that epitomized every quality the sport of football has historically represented: relentless, physical and incautious. I am not as heartless as I seem. I am all for the league making state-of-the-art equipment modifications and other changes to increase safety around the league. However, excessively fining and suspending NFL players and extensively punishing teams in essence for playing the game the way they were taught is reckless and quickly changing the fabric of the most popular sport in the entire country. If this trend continues and the league continues taking away the physicality of the game, I fear that one day, my kids will turn on the television every Sunday and watch professional athletes play two-hand touch or flag football.

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chris roland | the reflector

Head coach Dan Mullen is hoping to use LaDarius Perkins to replace some of the production lost by leading rusher Vick Ballardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation.

Questions abound as spring football begins excited about the teaching opportunities presented in spring practice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In spring, you have the ability As is always the case in college football, hope is everywhere in the to really take time to teach the offense, defense and special teams. spring. Fans of all ages will spend We will try to practice a day and countless hours on Internet mes- then meet the next day, so you sage boards and around the pro- cannot just practice it but also reverbial water cooler debating view it the next day and take your whether this will be the year their time to teach, and it gives the guys favorite team will break through the opportunity to let things sink and deliver the historic season in over a little bit longer period of they have dreamed about since time, whereas in the fall you are going to teach it, practice it and childhood. For Mississippi State fans long- move on,â&#x20AC;? Mullen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In an educational inaccustomed stitution, it is a to struggling much better way against their to educate.â&#x20AC;? brethren in the While the vaunted Southcoaches may be eastern Conexcited about ference, MSU the opportunity head football to install the coach Dan playbook and Mullenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last teach players the two years on dan MuLLen, proper fundathe job, which Head coacH mentals, it is poboth ended in sitional battles bowl victories, and the progress have served to of signees who ensure there will be plenty of excitement when enrolled early or freshmen who the Bulldogs start spring practice redshirted their first year in the program who usually make for this week. Mullen, like most coaches, is the most interesting storylines. By Matt tyler Staff Writer

â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is where we lost the most production in my mind, the tailback position.â&#x20AC;?

Many an eye will be watching the progress of heralded defensive signees such as defensive end Denico Autry, defensive tackle Quay Evans and offensive linemen Charles Siddoway and Dylan Holley, all of whom are enrolled this semester and expected to make a significant impact this coming season. Mullen expects them to be given plenty of opportunities to earn playing time in the spring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will see them working pretty regularly, rotating in with the second and third groups to start off and working their way up,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For any player, coming in the spring is an enormous advantage. You get to actually learn the proper way to learn. These guys coming in the spring puts them in a great position to play next fall for us.â&#x20AC;? Along with the expected impact of the early enrollees, coaches and fans alike are ready to see who will step up and replace departed players such as quarterback Chris Relf, running back Vick Ballard, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and safeties Wade Bonner and Charles Mitchell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the defensive side of the ball, safety is probably the big one. I guess mic linebacker and the

safeties are where we really want to see guys step up and to see who is ready to get into the rotation on the defensive line,â&#x20AC;? Mullen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Offensively, we are really excited about the talent we have at running back, but we have to make sure it translates into game production. That is where we lost the most production in my mind, at the tailback position.â&#x20AC;? As far as the question of who replaces Chris Relf at quarterback is concerned, Mullen said both quarterbacks will be given an equal chance of winning the job. With junior Tyler Russell still healing from a knee injury suffered during bowl practices and with only two quarterbacks on the spring roster, Russell and redshirt freshman Dak Prescott will be given ample reps in practice. Mullen even hinted at something many MSU fans have longed to see: Tyler Russell being given the reigns to an offense that actually relies more on the passing game. Between the intriguing position battles and development of promising young talent, it is sure to be an interesting spring for the Bulldogs as Mullen continues to try and lead the Bulldogs to the promised land: Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.

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SPORTS

FRIDAY , MARCH 23, 2012

THE REFLECTOR

STAT OF THE DAY:

SUNDAY SPECIAL: ARKANSAS VS.

RECORD WHEN LEADING AFTER SEVEN INNINGS THIS SEASON

MISSISSIPPI STATE

12-0 - THE MSU BASEBALL TEAM’S

JUST A BIT OUTSIDE | JAMES CARSKADON

Stansbury retirement signals the end of an MSU era

here was a hashtag in the endzone of Davis Wade Stadium the last time the Bulldogs played there. A state-ofthe-art practice facility has been erected in front of Humphrey Coliseum. Plans are moving along to expand Davis Wade. Things aren’t exactly standing still on the athletics side of Mississippi State University, and with Rick Stansbury retiring as of last week, the faces of MSU are changing as well. Most of the current State students grew up with only vague memories of watching anybody other than Stansbury coach the MSU men’s basketball team. The Stansbury brand of basketball was what we grew up watching. The same could be said of recentlyretired women’s coach Sharon Fanning-Otis, who stepped down after her 17th season at the head of the program and has moved into a fundraising role with the Bulldog Club. Instead of letting his voice boom through radio speakers, Jack Cristil now spends his days in Tupelo undergoing kidney dialysis. His appearance at the MSU men’s basketball game vs. Arkansas where a banner was hung in his honor might be one of his last hoorahs on campus. Hank Flick, one of the most entertaining and memorable public address announcers MSU has ever had, hasn’t been behind a microphone at the Hump in over three years, though he’s still going strong in the classroom. There are kids who only know Jackie Sherrill as the guy who does commercials for The Veranada (how else would we know where the flavor is?). Nevermind that no

12 P.M. SPORTSOUTH

BRIEF

SPORTS Reports: Murray Stateʼs coach drawing interest from MSU

James Carskadon is the sports editor of The Reflector. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com football coach at MSU has come close to the consistent success he had in the 1990s. The Mississippi State era my generation grew up watching and being a part of reached its final stage during last Thursday’s emotional press conference to announce Stansbury’s retirement. Even during his final few years as head coach at MSU, Stansbury did not quite fit the mold of the image the rest of the athletic department had. Everything from the hire of Dan Mullen to the aggressive marketing campaigns to having the youngest athletic director in the league (until Ross Bjork takes over for Pete Boone at Ole Miss in April) portrayed an image of excitement and a department not afraid to try new things. But Stansbury was still the same guy we had been watching for over a decade. His hair may be a little grayer, his kids are gradually getting older, but the on-court product for Stansbury’s basketball teams reached the point where it was just the status quo. His more talented teams would win the SEC West, maybe make a run in the SEC Tournament. The less talented would hover above .500 and miss out on the NCAA Tournament. Players

IAN PRESTER | THE REFLECTOR

Rick Stansbury shakes hands with Ole Miss players after beating the Rebels in Starkville earlier this year, his final matchup against Ole Miss.

would transfer from the program regularly (and more so in his final years). This season looked to be the year that the status quo would finally be changed. A team with top-15 talent made it through non-conference play with only two losses and appeared ready to lift MSU up over the hurdle of making the Sweet 16, which has not been done since 1998. Instead, a late-season collapse highlighted by losses to SEC bottom-feeders left MSU back in the NIT, where it lost in the first round to the University of Massachusetts. Coming in below the status quo this season was not an acceptable outcome in the eyes of MSU fans, and that caused Stansbury’s seat to get awfully hot. Fortunately, an agreement for Stansbury to retire was reached, saving athletic direc-

tor Scott Stricklin from a difficult decision. Although Stansbury did not rule out a return to coaching, he will now have more time to spend with his family, something he stressed last week. The attention now turns to who Stricklin will hire as MSU’s next basketball coach, the third head coaching hire during his tenure as athletic director. Reports have surfaced that Murray State coach Steve Prohm has been contacted on behalf of MSU. Parker Executive Search, a firm based out of Atlanta, has been brought on to assist with finding the new coach. However, that coach will not be Stansbury. The last pieces of that era have moved on. Now it’s time for the basketball program to join the rest of the athletic department in moving forward.

Reports surfaced this week from cbssports.com that Mississippi State has reached out to Murray State head coach Steve Prohm about the school’s vacant head basketball coach position. Prohm’s racers only lost two games during the regular season but were bounced from the NCAA Tournament by Marquette in the second round. According to Murray State athletic director Sam Ward, MSU Parker Executive Search, the search firm hired by MSU, reached out to Prohm before Murray State’s season was over. Ward was quoted by a local TV station as saying “There’s a right way to do things,” regarding the coaching search. However, it is common for schools to contact a coach before his season is over. Another name that has surfaced in the search to replace Rick Stansbury is former Mississippi Mr. Basketball Kenny Payne, who is currently an assistant at Kentucky. John Calipari, Kentucky head coach, told the Louisville-Courier Journal Payne would be a good hire for MSU but also said he has not spoken to State about Payne. Payne played his high school ball at Northeast Jones High before playing at Louisville in college.

MSU hosts second annual SEC/Big Ten Challenge

For the second year in a row, Mississippi State will host the SEC/Big Ten Challenge, showcasing the talent of the two premier conferences in track & field. The event will take place all day Friday at the Carl Maddox Track Facility. Representing the SEC will be MSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The Big Ten will be represented by Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisonsin. Points will be given based on where athletes finish in each event, and at the end of the day the points will be tallied and a men’s and women’s winner will be determined between the conferences. MSU is ranked No. 14 in the outdoor preseason USTFCCCA poll which was released on Thursday. Four other teams MSU will be competiting against Friday are also ranked.