December 8-11, 2016 by OU Daily

W E E K E N D E D I T I O N | D E C E M B E R 8 -11, 2 0 16 | T W I C E W E E K LY I N P R I N T | O U D A I LY. C O M

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OU’S TWO HEISMAN FINALISTS • 6

Mixon video must be released Oklahoma Supreme Court rules surveillance tape as public record STAFF REPORTS

A surveillance video showing Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punching a female student in the face is a public record, according to a ruling handed down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters sued for public access to the video after District Judge Thad Balkman said it was not a public record in February.

FOX 25 was the first to report this story. The incident involving Mixon and Amelia Molitor happened outside of Pickleman’s i n No r ma n i n July 2014. Media members were JOE MIXON p e r m i t t e d t o view the video, but copies were not made and the video was not released publicly. According to the office of Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman, the opinion

issued by the state supreme court will not go into effect until a mandate is issued. Balkman’s office says that will not happen until after a 20-day period in which the City of Norman can appeal the state supreme court’s ruling. With that timing, it is unlikely the video will be released before Oklahoma takes on Auburn in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017. Mixon has already been punished for striking Molitor, but the release of the video could have consequences for OU’s leadership. University President David Boren, Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and head coach Bob

Stoops all viewed the tape before allowing Mixon to remain on the football team following a one-year suspension from the program. Mixon entered an Alford plea in 2014, maintaining his innocence. He served 100 hours of community service and received a one-year suspension from the OU football program. In a statement to The Oklahoman on Nov. 22, Mixon apologized for the incident first time. “I apologize to Amelia Molitor and the friends who were with her that night,” he said in the statement. “I apologize to

Political science senior Rico Smith works on a presentation for a political science class in the Monnet Hall reading room Dec. 6.

my teammates, coaches, the University of Oklahoma, and its fans. I apologize to my family and friends. I realize I let a lot of people down. I apologize to all those I disappointed or hurt.” Mixon and Molitor are still involved in an active civil suit. In 24 games with the Sooners, Mixon has totaled 1,936 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. His 1,950 all-purpose yards in 2016 put him in fifth place in school history for a single season. Staff Reports

dailynews@ou.edu

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GRADE EXPECTATIONS OU students find grade appeal process murky, lengthy

hen Rico Smith learned he did not pass his spring 2016 capstone class, he was confused. He thought he earned a B, but now his grade would prevent the class from counting toward his graduation requirements. He spent the summer mulling it over, trying to decide what to do. Smith felt the professor, Cindy Rosenthal, graded his assignments by standards different than those outlined in the syllabus and applied penalties not previously stated. Smith is a political science senior scheduled to graduate this semester, and he needed to pass the capstone course. So after speaking with friends and political science department chair Keith Gaddie, he made the decision to appeal the grade. He re-enrolled in the class this fall with a different professor, in case the grade appeal board did not rule in his favor, but figured he would know the outcome by the drop deadline so that if he came out on top, he could withdraw from the current class. On Dec. 6, 14 weeks since filing the appeal and less than two weeks before Smith’s graduation, he finally got an answer. His appeal would not be moving on to a hearing because the appeal board could not find evidence of bias in Rosenthal’s grading. Smith is upset with the verdict and feels he would have had a

DAISY CREAGER • @DAISYCREAGER better chance to explain the verdict in front of the board. He said he feels the process has been “long, somewhat unfair and nontransparent,” and is now planning to appeal the board’s decision. “I wish that there was a more fair process somehow,” Smith said. “I don’t know what that process is, (but it) would allow students to quickly adjudicate those issues with their professors. And sometimes it does seem to be a very negative and hostile process, in a sense.” The appeal process is set by the Oklahoma Board of Regents but handled by the individual colleges where they are filed. Students must first try to work the problem out with the professor, then meet with the department chair. From there, they must submit paperwork, including a letter describing the situation. The professor is then given a chance to respond, which is sent, along with the documents submitted by the student, to a board made up of two faculty members and two students. If the board decides to hear the grade appeal, the professor and student must each present their cases in person. Students must be able to prove the professor was prejudiced against them, capriciously evaluated their work in the class or could not speak English well enough to teach the class effectively. OU associate provost Chris Walker said if a grade appeal board

rules in favor of the student, how the student is accommodated for the grade depends on the case. He also said professors are not reprimanded when a student wins an appeal. Smith submitted the paperwork for his appeal Aug. 26. Along with being frustrated about the length of the appeal, Smith said he felt in the dark on much of the process with what was going on and how much longer it would take.

“I wish that there was a more fair process somehow. I don’t know what that process is, but it would allow students to quickly ajudicate those issues with their professors. And sometimes it does seem to be a negative and hostile process, in a sense.” RICO SMITH, POLITICAL SCIENCE SENIOR

He said he feels the process is stacked against students, especially since the board has several faculty members who know and will continue to work with the professor whose grade is being appealed, while the students on the board do not know the student appealing.

“If it was something that was university-wide or the professors came from a different college, I would feel that the process would be a little more fair in that sense. I just really encourage all students to volunteer for these types of committees so we can ensure the same people are not being chosen,” Smith said. Rhonda Kyncl, the associate dean for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is the college handling Smith’s appeal, said appeals don’t happen often; she’s only seen four or five since she’s held her position. However, she said it is rare for an appeal to make it to the board hearing, and uncommon for students to win, as well, because professors “are fair to everyone and that they treat everyone the same.” “It is just very, extremely rare to see that, because in most cases, that doesn’t happen. Faculty evaluate everyone the same. They just simply are not prejudiced or capricious in their evaluation,” Kyncl said. Kyncl said if the appeal does make it to the board, the members of the appeal board do their best to consider both sides. “I do think both the faculty and the students on the committee are looking for that, and they are examining the issue to see if that has happened. I don’t think they favor one side or the other,” Kyncl said. In cases like Smith’s where the student is graduating, academic

advisers try to work with the student so they can still graduate on time, she said. She added that the process does not normally take long, but she can see how it would take a full semester in the fall, because some staff leave during the summer and are not available to work on the appeal until the fall semester begins. “It’s just a lot of paperwork, it’s a lot of documentation, you want to make sure every step is done in a way that’s fair and just. So I can see it,” she said. “I mean, time just flies, and we all get very busy. So we try to keep it moving as quickly as we can and as efficiently as we can, but yes, I can see there being delays in it.” Mechanical engineering senior Trevor Wilkinson had a similar situation in the spring of 2016 when he appealed a grade through the Gallogly College of Engineering for a class he took in the fall of 2015. He submitted his paperwork by the Feb. 15, 2016 deadline and did not find out the results until July 2016. Several students, including Wilkinson, simultaneously appealed associate professor Peter Attar for his class, Numerical Methods for Engineering Computation — which is required for many in the college to graduate — because they felt see GRADES page 2

• December 8-11, 2016

NEWS

Andrew Clark, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily

Library offers quiet area Reflection room provides prayer space for students ANNA BAUMAN @annabauman2

Maeen Alqohaif used to pray between the narrow bookshelves in a corner of the Bizzell Memorial Library, where stray students wandering by posed a constant distraction. Until, that is, the mechanical engineering junior discovered a better location for the five-times daily prayer required of Muslims: the reflection room — a classroom-sized, lamp-lit, quiet space designated solely for prayer. Located on the second floor of the library, the non-denominational quiet space was implemented about 10 years ago at the request of the Muslim Student Association, said MSA personal relations director Sana Sandhu. “Prayer is very important to me. It’s my priority to pray on time every day,” Alqohaif said. “This room is very convenient because I come (to the library) to study, and at the same time I don’t have to go all the way home and pray. I can just pray here.” Charles Kimball, director of the religious studies program and scholar of Islam, said prayer is one of five pillars of Islam, meaning it is a vital part of the religion. This prayer involves a series of steps including standing, bowing and prostrating toward Mecca while reciting Quran verses and praying to God for guidance, forgiveness, success and anything that comes to mind, Alqohaif said. “Prayer is designed five times a day so that whatever else is going on, whatever football game is happening or other things are happening, that you stop what you’re doing, remember who God is and keep your priorities in line,” Kimball said. “It’s a discipline that Muslims are expected to practice in order to keep focused on what’s

GRADES: Continued from Page One

Attar made the class excessively hard, Wilkinson said. While more students wanted to appeal, Wilkinson said Attar claimed some of the students did not fulfill all of the requirements by the appeal deadline, so they were unable to go through the process. Wilkinson said he had a hearing with the appeals board April 28 and called every week until he received the board’s decision almost three months later. While he and several other students won their appeals, received refunds for the money they

OU staff member recognized for involvement in LGBTQ community

An OU staff member has received an award for impactful work in the LGBTQ community. Kasey Catlett, associate director of OU Gender + Equality Center, received the 2016 Promising New Professional award from the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals in recognition of his work for the LGBTQ community. Catlett said his initial reaction was one of shock and excitement. “I felt incredibly honored and grateful, and at the same time appreciate those who have helped me get to where I am and who continue to make this university better so that I can be a part of that,” Catlett said. The Promising New Professional award recognizes an individual with five years or less of experience working in the field who has exemplified enthusiastic, groundbreaking and passionate work that directly impacts LGBTQ people on campus, according to the group’s website. Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals is an organization whose mission is to achieve an equitable and respectful environment for LGBTQ students, faculty and administrators in institutions of higher education, according to the website. Catlett said he is most enthusiastic about student development and working with a diverse student body. “It’s really interesting to see students as first year students coming into the university and then over the years AMANDA KUTNOCK/THE DAILY watching them grow and develop into strong, confident Mechanical engineering junior Maeen Alqohaif prays in the reflection room Nov. 30. The advocates and allies and human beings,” Catlett said. reflection room is on the second floor of the Bizzell Memorial Library. “It’s exciting to see that evolution over the years.” Anna Bauman, @annabauman2

ultimately important.” Sandhu said Muslims view prayer as similar to a Gatorade break during a football game. “We pray five times a day. So during that football game, you have five Gatorade breaks to pretty much catch up, replenish yourself and then go back into your day, so that’s basically what we view prayer as,” Sandhu said.

Kimball said he recognized the importance of the reflection room for Muslim students in particular. “It’s important to have a place that’s private — that’s quiet — where you can focus on worship rather than outside distractions,” Kimball

said. “I think it’s a nice kind of accommodation, and the idea is the university should be providing a place for people of all traditions, and it’s just a way of affirming diversity — of being respectful of that. Already a lot in our society is structured around the presumption of a Christian calendar, so to have some kind of accommodation like that is particularly appropriate.” Sandhu said the university responded to MSA’s request for a prayer room to meet the needs of Muslim students. “During the day, I mean, we’re all students, we all go to class, and even though there is a mosque on campus, it’s about a mile away, so we needed an option for people to go ahead and pray on campus when they couldn’t make it to the mosque,” Sandhu said. “Besides, it’s really awkward praying in the stairwell or in a classroom, so we needed a room to pray in.” While the room was originally intended for Muslim students, Sandhu said it is open to anyone, as long as it is being used for prayer or quiet reflection. The space is decorated

with a large-area rug, several lamps, a few chairs, copies of the Quran, pamphlets about Islam and a bookshelf. “It’s fairly simple,” Sandhu said. “I mean, it’s used for one thing, so we like to keep it as minimal as possible so people don’t get distracted in there, because if you’re distracted in prayer, the purpose of the room is basically invalidated.” Sandhu said the Muslim Student Association is grateful to have the room available for prayer. “We feel very welcomed, personally, that the university is so accepting of our religion that they’re going to give you a designated room to pray,” Sandhu said. “I mean, they accept you, you’re welcome here, and you can follow your religion as you please, and they will accommodate you for that. They didn’t have to do it, but they did, which we really do appreciate. We do use it. And we do need it here on campus, so we’re grateful that we have it.”

spent on the class and had the grades taken off their transcripts, he said the length of the process put students graduating in May in a tough position. “I thought it was a little ironic that (the college) was so strict on its deadlines. ... Several people could not continue their appeals because they hadn’t met certain deadlines, and (then the final decision) stretched out for five months, and that was OK,” Wilkinson said. However, despite the time the process took, Wilkinson said he felt like the process was fair overall, and that the people handling the case were responsive and helpful. “I was satisfied with the process. I think they gave

us a very fair result and they helped us throughout. I didn’t feel like it was stacked against me. My main impression was that it was long,” Wilkinson said. Attar said he has had more than one class appealed and several appeals in Numerical Methods, and he believes grade appealing is an important process that doesn’t affect the professor as much as the student. “For the most part, I think it’s fairly fair to the student, and to the professors ... (they) don’t really have too much skin in the game. So if they rule for the student, they change their grade. That’s fine, it doesn’t really affect (us) too much,” Attar said.

Walker said a full semester is not representative of the time a normal grade appeal takes, but longer ones typically address harassment or discrimination, which is handled by the OU Equal Opportunity Office. “Generally speaking, it is a fairly efficient process. Are there times where it takes longer? Well yeah, it depends on the nature of the appeal,” Walker said. Rosenthal, the professor whose grade Smith appealed, declined to comment, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

“This room is very convenient because I come to the library to study, and at the same time I don’t have to go all the way home and pray. I can just pray here.” MAEEN ALQOHAIF, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING JUNIOR

Anna Bauman

anna.m.bauman-1@ou.edu

Daisy Creager

Daisy.C.Creager-1@ou.edu

OUHSC professor and researcher recieves grant for 20th year in a row An OU Health Sciences Center researcher and professor was awarded a prestigious federal grant for the 20th year in a row to help fund his research into toxins and bacteria. Rodney Tweten, Ph.D., a bacteriology professor and researcher at the OUHSC, received the National Institutes of Health MERIT Award for $5.3 million. He was one of about 15 researchers to receive this grant, according to a press release from OUHSC. Tweten said this is not the ﬁrst time the center has received this grant. The MERIT award is renewed based on a points system of productivity in terms of publications of papers and relevancy of research, he said. The purpose of Tweten’s research is studying “the mechanism of bacterial toxins, how they work and how they function. Basically, we re-engineer the structure of the proteins to understand how they function,” he said. Tweten and his team of researchers at the OUHSC research pore-forming toxins. Pore-forming toxins attack the membranes of cells and punch holes in them, “not unlike a cookie cutter cutting into dough,” he said. With this fourth renewal of federal funding, Tweten hopes to “push the frontiers of understanding how toxins function and reviewing maybe an entirely new family of toxins that have never been seen before,” he said. Regan Stephenson, @regan_leanne

OU receives grant from NASA to monitor plant health in the Americas NASA has awarded OU a $166 million grant to “advance understanding of Earth’s natural exchanges of carbon between the land, atmosphere and ocean,” according to a release from the university. The release says the primary goals of the Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory, a mission that will be launched on a satellite over the next ﬁve years, are to monitor plant health and vegetation stress throughout the Americas and to further study different aspects of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane. “To say this is an extraordinary achievement by Dr. Berrien Moore and our research team is an understatement,” OU President David Boren said in the release. “The grant is one of the most exceptional in the history of the University and is testimony to the outstanding national stature of our research team. I cannot think of a more exciting way to observe the holiday season than with the announcement of this remarkable grant.” The release says the mission will launch on a satellite to make observations over the Americas from an orbit of approximately 22,000 miles above the equator. The OU-led geoCARB team will also “build an advanced payload employing otherwise unused launch and spacecraft capacity to advance science and provide societal beneﬁt,” the release says. Staff Reports

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NEWS

December 8-11, 2016 •

SGA to offer free legal services

Pro-bono program will start to provide counsel this spring KAYLA BRANCH @kayla_branch

The OU Student Government Association will introduce a new program offering students legal counsel at the start of the spring semester. Student Legal Services will have one part-time attorney who will be available to answer student questions, provide counsel and give referrals, said Austin Coffey, letters, economics and entrepreneurship sophomore and an outgoing member of the current SGA cabinet. “Student Legal Services is a student fee-funded, pro-bono service for students at the OU campus,” Coffey said. “Essentially, what that means is we all pay less than a dollar a year to hire an attorney and have them sit in the office for 24 hours a week, and then every student on OU’s campus can

SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

Former OU Student Government Association Vice President Michael Lutter sits in his office. SGA is introducing a program that will offer students pro-bono legal counsel.

go to them with whatever problems they have within the realm of the law.” Coffey said these problems can include landlord-tenant issues all the way to DUI charges, but cases such as criminal, student v. student and student v. university, as well as the need to actually be represented in court, will have to be referred to a different attorney. “One of the best things

about this program is the referral network,” Coffey said. “If you need representation in court, that’s just not something we can provide because there are so many students and one attorney. But we can refer you out to an another attorney who has experience in that area and who is friendly with our attorney.” The other attorneys in the referral network will offer lower rates for OU students,

Coffey said. Michael Lutter, economics senior and the outgoing SGA vice president, said the funds for the program were drawn from the student activity fee reserve fund and in no way will the program place extra fees on students. “We are trying to focus on helping students in any way that we can because we, through SGA, cannot directly lower tuition, but what we

Tips for evading freshman 15 Workout schedule, balanced diet can combat weight gain ROBYN CRAIG @RobynCraig21

Between late night runs to Raising Cane’s and getting Taco Mayo for the third night in a row, the “freshman 15” can go from being a possibility to a reality quickly. The freshman 15 — the nickname for the average number of pounds college students gain during their first year of school — can be hard to avoid at OU. With multiple fast food options on campus, students can buy fried chicken and french fries at almost any time with just a meal exchange swipe. “For a lot of freshmen, it’s their first venture away from having dinner with family, so they are able to eat on their own,” said Michael Bemben, the chair of the OU department of health and exercise science . Bemben also said many freshmen gain weight because they now have a busier schedule compared to high school, which leads many to get food that is quick and accessible. “When your schedule is scattered, it is so much easier to grab something on the run when you are going in between classes — so you are not really eating nutritious food,” Bemben said. Fast food is also cheaper than other meals and provides small bursts of energy. “It’s usually low-cost compared to high-quality food, and typically what happens when you don’t have much money and you still want to feel full, you buy higher-fat

ERIN TABBERER/THE DAILY

Mechanical engineering freshman Xavier Burrell eats lunch in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Wednesday Nov 30. Some students have difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle during their freshman year.

content foods so it makes you feel full, unlike quality protein or carbohydrates like vegetables or fruits,” Bemben said. Xavier Burrell, mechanical engineering freshman, said he worried about gaining weight in college and found he did not have much time to eat during the day. “Eating one meal a day really hurt me, energy level-wise ... I could not focus on my work. I started eating later in the night, like midnight,” he said. “I found myself always at Crossroads.” Unlike Burrell, Sarah Mabardy, business freshman, said the freshman 15 never crossed her mind before she began her freshman year of college. “I wasn’t worried about it, but now that I’m here, I’m worried about it,” she said. She added that she found it hard to resist the fast food options available all over campus. However, Mabardy decided to balance her love of fast food with frequent trips to the gym. “I go to the Huff like four times a week now,” she said. However, Bemben warns

that a consistent workout schedule and diet primarily filled with fast food doesn’t mean you’re living a healthy lifestyle. “(Students) definitely need to maintain exercise. But thinking that if they eat unhealthy and then they do some exercise it will balance it out, they are probably still going to gain extra weight,” Bemben said. Bemben said current freshmen dealing with weight gain should take advantage of healthier dining options on campus, such as salads at the Oklahoma Memorial Union Market, O’Henry’s in Cate Restaurants, or the Laughing Tomato in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Food Court. However, he said students should not eliminate fast food from their diet entirely, but limit themselves. “If someone tells you you can’t go to Chick-fil-A anymore, you are going to crave Chick-fil-A. There’s nothing wrong with going to Chickfil-A, but maybe every second or third weekend,” Bemben said. He also said he

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recommends that when it comes to students trying to lose weight, it is better to put in the work and do it in a healthy manner, versus looking for something that would work fast. “You’ll see things advertised to lose 10 pounds in the first week, and you can do all of these things, but none of those fast, quick fixes are going to last that long,” Bemben said. “We always recommend that if people try to lose weight by diet alone, they lose fat, but they also lose muscle mass. It’s not the best way to lose weight.” As a basic exercise plan, Bemben said he recommends to not make the gym your new home, but alter your everyday lifestyle by adding a few new physical activities. “Maybe you walk around the (South) Oval between classes. Something else that will help you burn calories,” Bemben said. Robyn Craig

Robyn.craig04@gmail.com

can do is try to alleviate some of the extra financial burdens that students are facing,” Lutter said. “Legal consultations run a pretty standard rate of about $150 to $200 dollars an hour. So the purpose of this program is to not only educate students on their rights and to have presentations for them, but to provide free consultations when they have issues arise.” Lutter said the details are

being finalized, but the program will be up and running at the start of the spring 2017 semester and will have two years of funding from the student activity fee reserve fund. Finance and economics senior Eihab Khan, who has served on the current SGA cabinet to work on Student Legal Services, said OU is the only school in the Big 12 currently without a program like this for students and believes students will find the counsel very useful. “We saw that this was something that was lacking on the OU campus and something we could do better,” Khan said. “At the very beginning, I said that this is something I see being very beneficial to students, and that’s really why we fought so hard for it — because we really believe we will see not only demand for it, but that it will have an impact in students lives.” Kayla Branch

kaylabranch@ou.edu

Pride plays ‘Boomer Sooner’ 924 times during 2016 football season The Pride of Oklahoma played “Boomer Sooner” a whopping 924 times this OU football season. Jennifer Salvo, environmental engineering senior, kept count all semester until Dec. 3 after OU’s 38-20 Bedlam victory. She said it is a tradition for her mellophone section. “Last year, my band director put it on his Facebook page, and it got, like, Reddit famous. So this year, I put it on my Twitter, and it blew up,” Salvo said. Salvo said she expects the band to play the song 1,000 times by the end of the Sugar Bowl against Auburn. Last season, the band played it a total of 948 times. “We’ll probably play it about 10 to 15 times for practice, and then I would expect at least 60 times during the game. That will run us up to 1,000. Even if we’re close, I’m pretty sure our drum major would purposely play it more to get to 1,000,” she said laughing. The band has not played “Boomer Sooner” 1,000 times since she has been in it, she said. “I think it’s at a high number this year, honestly. Because last year, it got such a high number,” Salvo said. The band has been trying to play the song more times than usual, she said. “It doesn’t feel like that many times,” she said. “I could definitely do more.” Bryce McElhaney, news reporter

J.D. Baker, Cameron Burleson sworn in as SGA president, vice president

The new OU Student Government Association president and vice president were sworn in Dec. 7 at the Beaird Lounge in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. J.D. Baker and Cameron Burleson replaced incumbents Daniel Pae and Michael Lutter following their election Nov. 14. Baker, who ran his campaign on “bridging the gap” between faculty and marginalized segments of the student body, said he plans to make good on those promises going forward. “As they navigate this university, every student should feel valued and empowered — this is our administration’s mission,” Baker said. “I think President Boren said it best: ‘Diversity is a source of our strength for our university community.” Burleson echoed Baker’s sentiment. “We hope that we can be a beacon of confidence for the students — for the students who feel as if they’ve been overlooked ... like they’ve been marginalized,” Burleson said. Burleson said he and Baker hope to put together a strong cabinet before the start of the spring semester. “We really want to get a diverse and wide-ranging cabinet ... a lot of people who are from different areas and have a lot of different backgrounds that can really give us the wisdom that we need to make really wise decisions,” Burleson said. Mitchell Willetts, news reporter

â&#x20AC;˘ December 8-11, 2016

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Chloe Moores, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu â&#x20AC;˘ phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/a_and_e â&#x20AC;˘ Twitter: @OUDailyArts

PROVIDED BY TARYN MCNAMARA

Biology freshman Ricarda Urso works on an assignment for one of her labs. Urso is one of 220 recipients of the Taco Bell Live MĂĄs Scholarship.

Live MĂĄs scholarship funds dream Taco Bell assists OU student with cerebral palsy CHANDLER KIDD @chanannkidd

Ricarda Urso, an OU biology freshman, dreams of becoming a pediatric doctor one day. The road to Ursoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream is paved with a 40-hour work week and 15hour class load. She is able to remain positive and finds time to manage her schedule because of the Taco Bell Live MĂĄs Scholarship, which pays for her tuition this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Live MĂĄs Scholarship has shown me I can do anything and that it may be overwhelming at times, but you can reach your goal,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. As a Noble, Oklahoma, native, Ursoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiration to work in pediatrics is personal. She was born with cerebral palsy, and it affects the entire right side of her body. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder â&#x20AC;&#x153;caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while

the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brain is under development. Cerebral palsy primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination,â&#x20AC;? according to an informational website about cerebral palsy. The doctors who helped U r s o a t t h e S h r i n e r â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, influenced her to pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric doctor, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really have been able to see how cerebral palsy doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t define who I am and have been able to find strength and have an optimistic view on life,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wake up some days and I feel weak, and other days I have body aches. It is painful but doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold me back.â&#x20AC;? The Taco Bell Foundation team was amazed by Ursoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genuine personality. Urso is an individual who will make a difference in the world, Jennifer Walker, senior manager of the Live MĂĄs Foundation, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is so unique and genuine. She has a rocket ship strapped to her back, and we are the fuse who lights her way,â&#x20AC;? Walker said.

The Taco Bell Foundation Live MĂĄs Scholarship was created to help students who are dreamers, innovators and creators have the funds to make a difference in this world. The Live MĂĄs Scholarship began in 2016 with a charter class of 220 recipients. The Live MĂĄs scholarships range from $2,500â&#x20AC;&#x201C;$25,000 each toward any accredited post-secondary program. The Live MĂĄs Scholarship has helped the next generation of innovators achieve their dreams, Walker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We target those who are talented and will make a difference in this world. We ask applicants to submit a two-minute video about their passion and what they want to achieve,â&#x20AC;? Walker said. This year more than 6,000 applicants applied for the Live MĂĄs Scholarship. Walker said this number was overwhelming for a first-year scholarship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The numbers were shocking to us. We only thought a couple hundred would apply,â&#x20AC;? Walker said. Urso spends her week working 20 hours at a video

resource center on-campus, taking classes and, on the weekends, Urso can be found working at the Taco Bell on Classen Boulevard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I also make time for babysitting at least 10 hours a week. Kids have so much joy, and I love that about them,â&#x20AC;? she said. Robert Hoehn, general manager of the Taco Bell Urso works at, said Urso is very determined at everything she does.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has a rocket ship strapped to her back, and we are the fuse who lights her way.â&#x20AC;? RICARDA URSO BIOLOGY FRESHMAN

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is nothing that she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think she canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there is no quit in her,â&#x20AC;? Hoehn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know she is tired and busy, but she always has a positive attitude and inspires other employees to have one as well.â&#x20AC;? The Live MĂĄs Scholarship has helped Urso achieve

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Previous Solution

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

A personal project that will encourage better fitness, an updated appearance and a happier home life should be initiated. Getting together with people from your past will help you realize how much you have to offer and remind you of some of the goals you want to pursue. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -You are dedicated and ready to pursue whatever it takes to make your life better. Applying for a better position or setting up a workstation at home will lead to greater income. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -Emotions will flare up. DonĘźt let the actions of others upset you. Back away if you donĘźt want to take part in something. Trust your judgment. Be a leader, not a follower. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -Share your feelings with someone you want to spend more time with. Joining forces with someone searching for similar results will lead to a victory. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Look past discord and opposition, and remain intent on reaching your goal regardless of othersĘź actions. Your victory will come from intelligence, strength and commitment.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Gather information and discuss your ideas with someone who may put a damper on your plans if you try to move forward without approval. Resolve a personal or health issue privately. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -An unexpected proposal can turn into a fiasco if you overspend. Get the costs involved before committing to something that has the potential to turn into a money pit. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Get your work out of the way before someone criticizes you. Taking on too much will be unproductive and leave you in an awkward position. Keep your emotions under control. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -A short trip or friendly meeting with someone who shares your beliefs and strategies will lead to an intriguing proposal. Take more interest in children or elders. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Network with people who can help you flesh out an idea that will secure your position. DonĘźt give in to anyone putting demands on your time or asking for money.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -ItĘźs an opportune day to make arrangeARIES (March 21-April 19) -ments to do something unique with Emotions will be difficult to control. a loved one. Letting your life become Consider all the angles before you jump too mundane or routine will cause disinto something that may not be right satisfaction. An adventure will inspire for you. Romance is on the rise and you to excel. should be a priority. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -DonĘźt let your emotions cloud your vision. You have to look at the facts and be willing to take some of the blame when disagreements come into play.

obstacles and get one step closer to achieving her goal she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(The scholarship) has shown me that there are so many people out there rooting for you to reach your goals. It really has given me a new perspective. They help me out financially and allow me to work and go to college,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. When Urso isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t working, babysitting or going to class, she will sometimes have time to go hiking, a hobby of hers that allows an escape from the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Oklahoma there are few trails, and I am able to hike and forget about everything else going on,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. The Taco Bell Foundation team has encouraged Urso and other applicants to share their stories and passions. Urso says the Live MĂĄs Scholarship has helped her in many ways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a team rooting for you to accomplish your passions, and it has shown me how hard work pays off and it is possible,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. The Live MĂĄs Scholarship team serves as a support system for Urso and its

other recipients. Not only does the scholarship help recipients financially, but it also connects them to other individuals in the Taco Bell family, such as the CEO, who can help them in the future, Walker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Taco Bell we really believe in them and champion them. We are really lucky to be working with the next generation who is going to make a difference,â&#x20AC;? Walker said. Urso plans to graduate OU in 2020 and continue her education at the OU College of Medicine to become a doctor specializing in pediatrics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to be known by making a difference in my field and to make a difference in others,â&#x20AC;? Urso said. Ursoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story is available to watch on YouTube and is titled Born With Cerebral Palsy, This Young Woman Wants To Help Other Kids Get The Medical Help. The Live MĂĄs Scholarship will open again to anyone ages 16 to 24 in early 2017. Chandler Kidd

chandlerkidd@ou.edu

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker December 8, 2016 ACROSS 1 Indication of hard manual labor 6 Storm drain cover 11 Drivel 14 Really cheap liquor 15 Gadget used on potatoes 16 Chicken-king link 17 Newlywed, right after the reception 19 Bit of advice 20 Totally in love 21 Food sticker 22 Delicious letters on a menu 25 Suffix for extremists 26 Boring performance 28 Relative of yours and mine? 30 Pajama halves 33 Lots, to a semi truck driver? 34 Festive, playful fun 36 Things checked in grocery stores 38 Producer of sweet stuff 43 Exalting hymn of praise 44 Fit for plowing 45 Observed the national anthem 48 Unskilled farm laborer 50 Fixes beforehand, as the outcome 51 Like many roads 12/8

53 President William McKinleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife 55 Was on the bench 56 Woosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bane 57 Seeing things through a factual lens 61 School org. founded in 1897 62 Feature of a pancake ad, often 66 Word before â&#x20AC;&#x153;up,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;outâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;inâ&#x20AC;? 67 Last place finisher, obviously 68 Eliminate from a chalkboard 69 Older than old-school â&#x20AC;&#x153;beforeâ&#x20AC;? 70 Removes wrapping 71 Get narrower toward the end DOWN 1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be quiet!â&#x20AC;? 2 Take out on romantic dates 3 Longest division of geological time 4 Pair split in Vegas 5 Minty herb 6 Small cave 7 Violent mob rampage 8 Teenagerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin condition 9 Extremely small 10 Miscalculate

11 Green copper finish 12 Arranged to be parallel (Var.) 13 What researchers write 18 Make a donkey instead of a monkey, e.g. 21 Like a major general 22 Cranberriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homes 23 Hilo feast 24 Certain math subject, informally 27 Where many unions are formed 29 Baltimore is one 31 Leveling tool 32 Moral failure 35 Bit of baseball news 37 Double on the set 39 Thing created when sitting

40 Bird that gets a leg up? 41 Gymnastics legend Korbut 42 Place for fresh eggs 45 Fastener that looks like U? 46 Having less slack 47 Overly decorative 49 Old Houston football team 52 Emulate a basset houndâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ears 54 Valuable holding 58 â&#x20AC;&#x153;... or ___!â&#x20AC;? (threat) 59 Mideastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gulf of ___ 60 Vidalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breckenridge 62 Day-___ (fluorescent paint) 63 50 Centâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genre 64 Function 65 For each one

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December 8-11, 2016 •

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Dana Branham Editor in Chief Andrew Clark News Managing Editor Supriya Sridhar Engagement Managing Editor Spenser Davis Sports Editor Chloe Moores A&E Editor Audra Brulc Opinion Editor Siandhara Bonnet Visual Editor Mia Chism Copy Manager Mandy Boccio Print Editor

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The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum, the University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice and an entirely student-run publication. Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 250 words, typed and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for accuracy, space and style. Students must list their major and classification. To submit letters, email dailyopinion@ou.edu. Our View is the voice of the Editorial Board, which consists of nine student editors. The board meets at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Copeland Hall, Room 160. Board meetings are open to the public. Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the views or opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board. To advertise in The Oklahoma Daily, contact advertising manager Brianica Steenbock by calling 405-325-2521 or emailing dailyads@ ou.edu. One free copy of The Daily is available to members of the OU community. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents by contacting The Daily business office at 405Corrections: The Daily is 325-2522. Corrections: The Daily is committed committed to to accuracy accuracy in in its its publications. publications. If If you fi nd an error you find an error in in a a story, email email dailynews@ dailynews@ story, ou.edu ou.edu or or visit visit oudaily. oudaily. com/site/corrections .html to submit a correction form.

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VOL. 102, NO. 30

Chloe Moores, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/a_and_e • Twitter: @OUDailyArts

Challenge sparks creativity bounce their ideas off each other. Administrators of the Moore/Norman Facebook page, called Municipal Liaisons, organized more formal events for the NaNoWriMo participants, but students who could not drive had no way of getting to the organized events. One of the writers who came to a meeting Kline organized at Second Wind had a unique story idea that Kline could not help but laugh about.

Students aim to write 50,000 words in 30 days for novel CALLIE SPENCER @real_cal_pal

During her first week of writing for National Novel Wr iting Month, Jessica Hastings’ laptop broke, forcing her to find different computer labs when inspiration struck. When she could not make it to a lab in time, she would jot her ideas down on paper. Hastings, letters sophomore, participated in National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, for the first time this year. She had the month of November to write a 50,000-word novel. Hastings decided to participate in NaNoWriMo after she met someone on campus last year who told her about it. She thought it would be a good way to finish one of her hundreds of unfinished stories, she said. “Two years ago I got the idea for my novel,” Hastings said. “I had this image in my head of a guy holding a flashlight on a deserted battlefield.” Hastings’ sci-fi novel is about a war between mortals and immortals. She said

SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

Letters sophomore Jessica Hastings participated in National Novel Writing Month, for the first time this year. The national event takes place in November and challenges participants to write a 50,000-word novel.

the war hinges on two main friendships. Hastings’ favorite place to write is under the willow trees by the Duck Pond, which became a setting in her novel, she said. Wr iters like Hastings have the opportunity every year to write a novel in a month. While participants are hard-pressed to write 50,000 words in 30 days, NaNoWriMo’s website has a variety of tools: inspirational support, activities, forums and even reward badges when writers reach milestones. Another OU student who participated in NaNoWriMo

this year is Timmi Kline, history and letters sophomore. Kline’s novel is about magic, with some horror stirred in. She was not able to reach the 50,000-word goal because she realized she needed to focus on school. Kline has been doing NaNoWriMo since 2011 and has reached the goal in the past, she said. Kline organized weekly meetings at Second Wind Coffee House on Campus Corner for NaNoWriMo writers at OU. Kline wanted there to be a place for students without cars to go in order to work on their novels and

Student-directed show tackles weighty topics Five actors address evangelism in play set in Hobby Lobby CHANDLER KIDD @chanannkidd

Suzy Weller, acting senior, is directing Samuel D. Hunter’s “A Bright New Boise,” a play that views the dark side of American morality through the eyes and experiences of a devoted evangelical Christian. The play engages its audience in a journey of excite d evang elicals who feed off the depressed and anxious “souls” within the United States. The play takes place in the somber break room of an Idaho Hobby Lobby, craft store chain that has publicly associated itself with religious values. A mini fridge, a television that switches to grotesque medical videos and two break tables are the only sources of entertainment engaging the Hobby Lobby employees. One of these employees is lead character Will, played by Reagan Sudduth, acting sophomore. Will fled his hometown in northern Idaho after an incident at his nondenominational Christian church. In a dull and tired introduction, he expresses his friendship with Alex, played by Cory Morse, acting freshman. T h e c h a r a c t e r s i n “A Bright New Boise” all carefully contain an awkwardness inside them that they have suppressed and hidden away from the world, themselves and their fellow employees. The show gives way to the idea that people don’t have to keep their struggles and anxieties to themselves as the characters realize that sharing experiences can be beautiful. Weller captures the dark themes — such as death and abandonment — that Hunter brings to life in his script. While also showcasing Will’s journey to find answers and a new beginning, Alex yearns to engage in something real and worthwhile. Sudduth beautifully expresses the persona of Will.

CHANDLER KIDD/THE DAILY

The five-person cast of “A Bright New Boise” at their dress rehearsal Dec. 6. “A Bright New Boise” opens at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Gilson Studio Theater. Tickets are $5 at the door.

He said he prepared for this role by watching videos of pastors. “After watching videos of evangelical pastors, that helped me make that final step. I am pretty religious myself, so I was able to pull that emotion out because I am close to God like Will is in the show,” Sudduth said. Establishing the stage relationship between Will and Alex allowed Morse to explore emotions of the past. This even led to him recreating a panic attack on stage, he said. “Alex is Alex. He is this off-beat kid with no friends and is just driven by anxiety. I relate to him in this aspect because I have dealt with anxiety myself and I can tap into it,” Morse said. Directing “A Bright New Boise” has shown Weller a new side to contemporary theater, she said. “ This piece just really got me in my gut. There is something about contemporary theater that explores ugliness and average life. Hunter just did this in a beautiful way by showing this in a poetic way,” Weller said. This play can relate to the lives of OU students because the play’s environment has a similar culture to Oklahoma, Weller said. “‘A Bright New Boise’ explores the gray area of faith and religion and how that conducts our morality, choices and political beliefs,” Weller said. “A Br ight New Boise” opened Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Gi l s o n Stu d i o Th e at re,

located in the lower level of the Beatrice Carr Wallace Old Science Hall. Consecutive performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets for the show are $5 at the door. For more information, visit the OU Helmerich School of Drama’s website. Chandler Kidd

chandlerkidd@ou.edu

“A BRIGHT NEW BOISE” • Opened Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. • Location: The Gilson Studio Theatre, located in the lower level of the Beatrice Carr Wallace Old Science Hall. • Performances: Consecutive performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. • Tickets: $5 at the door. • For more information: Visit the OU Helmerich School of Drama’s website.

“Never give up,” McGowen said. “Even if you only write 100 words, that’s more than you started with. The only thing that makes you fail is stopping completely.” JESSICA HASTINGS, LETTERS SOPHOMORE

“There was this one girl who was writing about a love triangle between Jesus, the devil and an architecture student,” Kline said. “I met a lot of different kinds of writers.” Municipal Liaisons for the

Moore/Norman district of NaNoWriMo are in charge of helping writers throughout the month. They are required to host a Kick-off party, a Thank God It’s Over party, and meetings once a week. Erin McGowen is one of the Municipal Liaisons for the district and has been for four years. McGowen has participated in NaNoWriMo for ten years, and she has reached the word count goal four times, she said. “We have quite a few OU students who participate,” McGowen said. “The students have a hard time attending because of classes and finals that happen close to the end of the month.” To try to make it easier for OU students, McGowen said she plans on hanging up flyers next year and maybe hosting a pre-NaNoWriMo meeting to answer questions. She has some advice for college students who want to take part in NaNoWriMo. “Never give up,” McGowen said. “Even if you only write 100 words, that’s more than you started with. The only thing that makes you fail is stopping completely.” Callie Spencer

ecjoysp98@ou.edu

Annual Teddy Bear Tea celebrates 30 years with Children’s Hospital, continues to accept toy donations

The OU community will celebrate 30 years of donating toys to the Children’s Hospital at the OU Medical Center during this Thursday’s annual Teddy Bear Tea. The Teddy Bear Tea will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 350 of Sarkeys Energy Center. The event is come-and-go. OU Housing and Food Services will provide cider, cocoa, coffee, tea and treats to those who come and donate a toy to the toy drive, according to an OU mass email. Other than teddy bears, some toy donation recommendations include Legos, board games and crafts. The Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering hosts the Teddy Bear Tea each year, and it will bring exciting OU guests to the event. Dalton Brasington, office coordinator of the School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, said some of the guests include OU women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale and OU men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger. Brasington hopes the 30th anniversary will warm the hearts of the OU community and the children in the hospital, he said. “This year is different because it is the 30th anniversary. Hopefully it will be the biggest,” Brasington said. One reason Brasington said students and other OU community members should donate toys is to brighten up a child’s day. “Hospitals are a scary place. Just think about if you were in that situation getting a toy would make it so much better,” Brasington said. Chandler Kidd, arts & entertainment reporter

• December 8-11, 2016

SPORTS

Spenser Davis, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports

OU 2 deep in Heisman race Westbrook, Mayfield to share New York experience Saturday

HEISMAN TROPHY FINALISTS

KELLI STACY @AstacyKelli

Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook were named Heisman finalists on Monday night, but what they’re most excited about is going through the process together. Both Heisman finalists expressed their excitement over getting to share the experience. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Westbrook said. “There’s going to be a lot of jujuing on the beat, a lot of dancing, a lot of smiles.” When asked if experiencing the Heisman process with Westbrook was what most excited him, Mayfield said, “Absolutely. Just getting to enjoy what we’ve done together and like I said, it’s back to work after that. I’m going to enjoy my last game with him for sure.” Despite being a favorite last season, Mayfield wasn’t invited to New York. He ended up finishing fourth in Heisman voting. This year, he’ll be at the ceremony with his teammate, and wouldn’t have it any other way. “This year it’s just more enjoyable because I have a teammate going. It’s been a long ride so I wouldn’t draw

Lamar Jackson, Louisville Jabrill Peppers, Michigan Baker Mayﬁeld, Oklahoma Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma Source: soonersports.com

HEISMAN PRESENTATION Channel: ESPN Time: 7 p.m. CT Date: Saturday Place: New York City Source: soonersports.com

SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

Senior wide receiver Dede Westbrook runs the ball in for a touchdown after a pass from junior quarterback Baker Mayfield (not pictured) Dec. 3.

Junior quarterback Baker Mayfield searches the field for an open receiver during the game against Kansas Oct. 29.

it up any differently. It’s been pretty special.” Westbrook and Mayfield will head to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Home Depot College Football Awards, where Westbrook is favored to win the Biletnikoff Award, before

and then right after that get back to work because we’ve got one more, and right now that’s the most important thing.” Mayfield and Westbrook had incredible seasons, breaking school records

heading to New York. “I get to spend the award show tour with Dede and some coaches and some family,” Mayfield said. “I get to, not relax a little bit, but just enjoy the work that we’ve put in in the season

and setting FBS records. Westbrook holds the school record with 16 receiving touchdowns in a season, and is tied for third in the FBS. Mayfield holds the top spot in the FBS in passing efficiency at 197.8. He’s third

in passing yards per completion in the FBS (15.61) and fourth in passing touchdowns (38). The Heisman Trophy will be awarded Dec. 10 in New York and will be broadcast on ESPN. Kelli Stacy

kelliastacy@ou.edu

Former OU quarterback reflects on Heisman win Jason White, Adrian Peterson also posed dual threat in ‘04 JESSE POUND @jesserpound

If either Baker Mayfield or Dede Westbrook can bring home the hardware from New York City this weekend, he will be the sixth Heisman Trophy winner in Oklahoma history. It’s a distinction that, according to 2003 winner Jason White, never goes away. “I was laughing about it last night. I was with (fellow winners) Billy Sims and Steve Owens last night,” White said. “Steve Owens is the ‘69 Heisman Trophy winner, and there was an elderly gentleman who came up to him and said, ‘Holy cow, it’s Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens.’” White, who is now the vice president of sales for A i r C o m f o r t S o l u t i o n s, has special insight into Mayfield and Westbrook’s situation — not only because he won the award,

SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

Junior quarterback Baker Mayfield and senior wide receiver Dede Westbrook pose for a photo after being named Heisman Trophy finalists Dec. 5 in the Everest Training Center.

but because he was invited back the next year with teammate Adrian Peterson. Mayfield and Westbrook are the first pair of teammates to be finalists for the award since 2005 when USC sent two players. “I would have preferred if a teammate went the very first time, because it’s a whole new experience, you’re being around all

these incredible athletes from the past, and you’re just nervous to be around that,” White said. “It would have been great to have a teammate with me at that time to experience that and someone to kind of lean on.” Mayfield and Westbrook, neither of whom have ever been to New York City, will now experience all the

pomp and circumstance together. “I get to spend the award show tour with Dede and some coaches and some family,” Mayfield said. “I get to, not relax a little bit, but just enjoy the work that we’ve put in in the season and then right after that get back to work because we’ve got one more, and right now that’s the most important thing.” Mayfield and Westbrook have spent the last several weeks campaigning for one another — Westbrook c a l l e d M a y f i e l d “o u r Lebron James” — wanting the voters to know that it is their teammate that is deserving of college football’s most prestigious award. It’s a similar sentiment that White had in 2004, when he was rooting for Peterson instead of his own repeat victory. “Adrian had a great year, and there had never been a f re s h ma n to w i n t hat award in the history of it, so that would have been very unique for Adrian,” White said. “But I really felt like Adrian, the things he did his freshman year were

above and beyond anything that I did that year … so I really felt Adrian was deserving of the award that year.” Mayfield said he and Westbrook were worried about splitting votes, which White acknowledged would be a hurdle. But White, who is not allowed to disclose his ballot, thinks the race will be tight because five players were invited. W h e n W h i t e w at c h e s Westbrook, he sees one of his favorite targets from his playing days — Mark Clayton — with a little extra burst. “I think Mark was more of a short route runner,” White said. “Dede, I think, does both, I feel he does both really well because he runs the deep routes really well — and so did Mark, but not to the extent of Dede.” In Mayfield, he sees a player that is cut from a different cloth than other quarterbacks early in the Bob Stoops era. “Baker has the vocal leadership that maybe I lacked or other quarterbacks lacked,” White said. Many former Heisman winners will be at the

c e re m o n y o n S a t u rd a y night, but White will stay at home — he has some future Sooners to train. “My son has a basketball tournament, and I’m actually the coach, so I’m going to sit this one out,” White said. “It’s hard not to go, especially when you’ve got two Sooners in the mix because you want to be there to support them, but at the end of the day my number one job is being a dad. So I’ll sit here and watch it on TV and root them on all the way from Oklahoma.” Jesse Pound

jesserpound@gmail.com

NEXT GAME: SUGAR BOWL Opponent: Auburn Channel: ESPN Time: 7:30 p.m. CT Date: Jan. 2, 2017 Place: New Orleans Source: soonersports.com