J U LY 2 7- A U G . 2 , 2 0 16 | W E E K LY I N P R I N T | O U D A I LY. C O M | 2 0 15 O PA S E Q U O YA H W I N N E R
PURSUIT OF
POKÉMON
OU DAILY
FORMER STUDENT LOCKED IN STADIUM WHILE CATCHING ‘EM ALL
VOL. 101, NO. 100 © 2016 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢
SPORTS JOE MIXON SUED
4
NEWS
CLINTON WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
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7
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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
• July 27-Aug. 2, 2016
Pokémon chase leads to trapping “I’ll do a lot of things for a Squirtle — a lot of things I’m not proud of.”
OU alumnus trapped during ‘Pokémon Go’ hunt MITCHELL WILLETTS @MitchBWilletts
When the sun dives below the horizon, most people head back to the comfort of their homes or meet up with friends, sure of what the night has in store. Steven Zoeller is not most people. It was roughly 11 p.m. on a Monday night when S t e v e n Z o e l l e r ’s s t o r y began, but the clock didn’t bind Zoeller; he is a hunter, and all he surveys is his for the taking. He began his moonlit search where so many Pokémon trainers have — at Heisman Park. There, he saw a blip on his “Pokémon Go” radar, emanating from within the hallowed walls o f t h e Gay l o rd Fa m i l y Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Next came the rumors: people whispered of a prized quarry, one of which was most especially precious to Zoeller. “I’ll do a lot of things for a Squirtle — a lot of things I’m not proud of,” Zoeller said. “Someone said that they spotted it inside the stadium, specifically inside of the stadium bathroom.” The stranger’s promise of a spotted Pokémon in a poorly lit bathroom was enough to convince Zoeller to venture forth. “So I followed two folks into the stadium — into the bathroom — and it was pitch black, so we all had our flashlights out wandering around this bathroom
STEVEN ZOELLER, OU STUDENT ALUMUS
STEVEN ZOELLER
A man frees OU alumnus Steven Zoeller from the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium after a game of “Pokémon Go” ran after hours on July 18, 2016.
... and we are just waving our phones around trying to get this Squirtle — which never appears, by the way,” Zoeller said. Zoeller was disappointed, but like many great men before him, he remained resolute, absolutely determined
to salvage the situation to the best of his ability. “We decide while we’re in the stadium to just walk a rou n d s i n c e w e’ re i n side,” Zoeller said. “A lot of Pokémon spawn inside of the stadium, but very often it’s locked while people are
playing ‘Pokémon Go,’ so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.” The trio conducted a thorough search of t h e p re m i s e s, catch i ng a Jigglypuff and a Staryu for their efforts, but they pushed their luck too hard
for too long. “After we felt we had explored all we could of the stadium, w e w ent back to where we had entered, and we found the gates had been locked behind us,” Zoeller said. “We were trapped.”
They wandered for awhile, tried the elevators, pushed at the gates, and pressed against locked doors, but in the end it was a nameless hero who liberated them. “We saw a car with its lights on just outside the gates, so we approached it, and it turned out to be a custodian who had not yet left,” Zoeller said. “He was literally about to pull out ... then he saw us, turned off the car and got out, approached us, opened one of the gates, and we were freed.” Despite his temporary incarceration, Zoeller maintains a positive outlook on the experience. “I’m pretty satisfied with a Staryu and a Jigglypuff, and I made friends with the two people who were trapped with me,” Zoeller said. “It wasn’t too psychologically scarring for me to say it wasn’t worth it.” Editors note: Steven Zoeller worked for The Daily as a reporter in 2014. Mitchell Willetts
mitchell.b.willetts-1@ou.edu
SPORTS
July 27- Aug. 2, 2016 •
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Striker out, positions to be filled
Linebacker Jordan Evans comments on leadership roles DEREK PETERSON @DrPetey15
Jordan Evans thinks one thing is already different now that Eric Striker has moved on to the NFL. “It’s a lot quieter,” he joked at Big 12 Media Days last week in Dallas. He then turned serious: “It’s a little different. He is missed; I always tell people you can’t replace him,” he said. Unfortunately, replacing him is exactly what
Evans and the rest of the defense will be tasked with this upcoming season. Striker wasn’t just one of the team’s biggest producers on defense — he was one of the team’s biggest voices. Replacing him will be difficult, but impossible? Evans doesn’t buy that. “I think we look fine; there’s a lot of concern from the outside world about filling in new spots,” Evans said. “We did lose a lot of guys, a lot of guys that did great things for us, but at the same time I have a lot of confidence in these young guys because they were recruited here for a reason, they were offered here for a reason, and I think they can play.”
Evans acknowledged that there are some gaps in the defense right now — not in the A-gap, but rather holes where leaders stood last season. With the 6-foot-2-inch, 235-pound linebacker entering his final season, Evans is looking at becoming one of those leaders, but he said he isn’t going to have to do it all on his own. “I think we have guys that are going to fill in those roles, and the d-line has some guys that are good pass rushers,” he said. “It’s not going to be all on my shoulders; I have six other guys that will be able to handle that.” Evans isn’t putting too much on his plate; he is more than ready to lean on some
Linebacker Jordan Evans lunges at a running back during the Oct. 10 Red River showdown.
of the other veteran players on defense. He talked about Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Matthew Romar on the defensive line as well as Ahmad Thomas in the secondary as players who are key voices on the team. He said that even though he expects to be a leader for the linebackers, he doesn’t have to do it all for the entire defense. “As a whole defense, probably not as much (responsibility) because I have guys like Ahmad (Thomas) and Steven Parker and some guys on the d-line that are taking leadership roles and making my job a lot easier,” he said. When it comes to the linebacker corps of the Sooners,
though, Evans is the oldest of the bunch, and he knows that some leadership responsibilities will fall on his shoulders. “In the linebacker room, it’s all on me,” he said. “Just because I have to get these young guys right.” Evans talked about wanting to help the younger players like Tay Evans and Curtis Bolton in the locker room and on the field, saying their “own personal confidence” would be one of the biggest hurdles they would face; it’s one he struggled with early on. “They have to believe they can play and have confidence that they’re just as good as anybody else out
there, and if they start doing that, it’ll all work out for them,” he said. Perhaps it’s the way he’s taken the rest of the linebackers under his wing, but despite what Evans says, his teammates already view him as one of the team’s leaders. Third-year running back Samaje Perine called Evans one of the team’s — not just the defense’s — leaders, and Thomas dubbed Evans the “dad” of the team. It might not be too difficult to find Striker’s replacement after all. Derek Peterson
Derek.R.Peterson-1@ou.edu
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY
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• July 27-Aug. 2, 2016
SPORTS
July 27 - Aug. 2, 2016 •
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OU running back Joe Mixon sued for ‘unascertained’ damages SPENSER DAVIS @Davis_Spenser
Ok la homa r u n n i ng back Joe Mi xon is t he subject of a civ i l suit filed Friday in Northern California, where Mixon is from.
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman running back Joe Mixon adjusts his gloves for practice before the Iowa State game Nov. 7. Mixon had 88 yards rushing.
OU student Amelia Molitor filed the suit, alleging personal injury for an incident that took place on July 25, 2014 at Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe on Campus Corner. Molitor is claiming negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, intentional infliction of emotional distress and punitive damages. The six-page lawsuit did not specify an amount for the damages. “As a result of Mixon’s conduct, Molitor has sustained economic losses including but not exclusively medical expenses, in amounts presently unascertained, but within the jurisdictional limits of this court; Molitor hereby reserves the right to allege such damages as they are incurred or ascertained,” the lawsuit states. “As a result of Mixon’s conduct, Molitor has suffered severe anxiety, embarrassment, depression, humiliation, and emotional distress and has sustained non-economic losses in amounts as yet unascertained, but within the jurisdictional limits of this court.” The lawsuit comes on the day the statute of limitations was set to expire. The suit also notes the disparity in Mixon’s size. “Mixon, who was and is a University of Oklahoma NCAA Division 1 football player with great physical stature and strength,
forcefully struck Molitor in her face with a closed fist causing her to sustain fractured bones in her face and other serious and lasting physical injuries,” the lawsuit states. Mixon entered an Alford plea, which allowed him to maintain his innocence, in October of 2014. He was charged with a misdemeanor and served 100 hours o f c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e. His record has since been expunged. Molitor also filed a $75,000 suit against Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe this week, saying their lack of security was “reckless.” The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters is currently suing for public access to a surveillance video of the assault. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in May that the video was a public record, overturning a previous ruling from Cleveland County judge Thad Balkman. The state supreme court said the previous ruling was “outside the law.” Balkman argued that the video isn’t public record because neither side entered it into evidence. Mixon was suspended for the entire 2014 season but returned to the Sooners as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He rushed for 753 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has only been available to the media one time in his Sooners career — an Orange Bowl-mandated appearance before OU’s semifinal clash vs Clemson. He refused to talk about the incident. Spenser Davis
davis.spenser@ou.edu
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman running back Joe Mixon tosses the ball to one of his teammates before the game against Iowa State Nov. 7. Amelia Molitor filed a lawsuit against Mixon for an incident in 2014.
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CLASSIFIEDS
• July 27-Aug. 2, 2016
Spenser Davis
OU
Editor in Chief
DAILY
160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019 phone: 405-325-3666 email: dailynews@ou.edu
Tanner Osborne News/A&E Editor
Rachael Maker Copy Chief
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker July 27, 2016
ACROSS 1 Get the opinions of others 5 Act the mother hen 9 Briquets, postbarbecue 14 Tenor’s standout performance 15 South Seas land? 16 Reside 17 Cousin of Sven? 18 Close by 19 O’Gill in a Disney movie title 20 Light-haired one 23 Prepare a gift for presentation 24 Cartridge contents 25 Pago Pago denizen 28 “The Lord of the Rings� creatures 30 Blubber 33 Like pieces in need of assembly 34 Chinese nanny 35 Plumlike gin flavoring 36 Popular apple 39 Fine follower 40 Absolutely first-rate 41 What spin doctors spin 42 D and C, in D.C. 7/27
43 Sound from an angry cat 44 Conjures up 45 Ending to some Web addresses 46 Three monkeys’ subject 47 Bling component, sometimes 54 Showstopping place? 55 Too dry for growth 56 Pledge of Allegiance, e.g. 57 “Peter, Peter, pumpkin ___� 58 Event ending “Chariots of Fire� 59 Number dialed before 1-1 60 Disgusting 61 Old “Heck!� 62 Interpret a barcode DOWN 1 Insect’s sense organ 2 One type of college exam 3 Old Milan money 4 “Famous� sentences 5 ___ haddie (smoked haddock) 6 Deplete 7 Four-RBI hit 8 Particular Slav
9 Accessories 10 Ritzy 11 Elephant group 12 Dresden’s waterway 13 Covert 21 Not at all happy 22 Chinese fruit (var.) 25 Long, heroic tales 26 Toward the left, when floating 27 Ice cream shop orders 28 Harbingers 29 Breathing abnormality 30 Dagger’s go-with 31 Cheek reddener 32 Affirmative responses 34 Commotions 35 Dollars, in old slang
37 Easy to deceive 38 Word with “pride� or “duty� 43 Levitates 44 Gave the slip 45 Pastes 46 “All My Children� character 47 Char, as a steak 48 “___ the wild blue yonder� 49 Order to a chef, sometimes 50 Speak arrogantly 51 Worldly rather than spiritual 52 Peak in Sicily 53 Not now 54 Act the couch potato (with “out�)
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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.
NEWS
July 27- Aug. 2, 2016 •
7
Clinton makes election history Convention affirms Democratic nomination ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Taking her place in history, Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night will become the first woman to lead a major party toward the White House, a triumphant moment for Democrats to relish before plunging into a bruising general election against Republican Donald Trump. After the roll call of states formalizing Clinton’s nomination, former President Bill Clinton will take the stage for a history-making appearance of his own at the Democratic Convention. Former presidents often vouch for their potential successors, but never before has that candidate also been a spouse. Clinton’s campaign hopes the night of achievement, personal stories and praise can chip away at the deep distrust many voters, including some Democrats, have of the former secretary of state, senator and first lady. Much of the convention’s second night will be devoted to introducing voters to Clinton anew, including three hours of speakers who will highlight issues she has championed for years such as health care and advocacy for children and families. “Tonight we will make history, about 100 years in the making,” said Karen Finney, a senior adviser for Clinton’s campaign. “What we’re really going to focus on tonight is telling that
story, and telling her story, talking about the fights of her life.” The stories will be told by a long list of lawmakers, celebrities and advocates. Among those pledging support for Clinton will be the “mothers of the movement” — several black women whose children were victims of gun violence. Clinton has met privately with the mothers and held events with them, and they’ve become an emotional force for her campaign. By night’s end, the Clinton campaign hopes to have moved past the dissent that somewhat tarnished the convention’s opening day. Supporters of Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s primary
rival, repeatedly interrupted the proceedings with boos and chants of “Bernie.” Sanders has implored his supporters to not protest during the convention, but he’s struggled to control his energized backers. Several hundred people gathered at Philadelphia’s City Hall under a blazing sun on Tuesday chanting “Bernie or bust.” The morning after his rousing endorsement of Clinton at the convention, Sanders himself was booed as he arrived for a breakfast with California delegates. “It is easy to boo,” Sanders said in response. “But it is harder to look your kids in the face who would be living under a Donald Trump
presidency.” Trump cheered the disruptions from the campaign trail. In North Carolina on Tuesday, he told a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that “our politicians have totally failed you.” When Trump mentioned Clinton’s name, the group answered with shouts of “lock her up” — an echo of the chants at last week’s Republican convention. Trump has been a frequent target at the D e m o c ra t i c g a t h e r i n g , where several videos featured his comments about women and the disabled, and tried to discredit the real estate mogul’s business record. But unlike the GOP
convention in Cleveland, Democratic speakers made a concerted effort to mix the criticism with upbeat remarks about the nation and their party. First lady Michelle Obama was a star of opening night, making an impassioned case for Clinton as the only candidate in the presidential race worthy of being a role model for the nation’s children. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will speak onWednesday, along with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton’s new running mate. Bill Clinton has the spotlight on Tuesday night. The former president has campaigned frequently for his wife during the White House
AP PHOTO/PAUL SANCYA
Clinton and Sanders campaign signs are held during the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
race, but mostly in smaller cities and towns — part of an effort by the campaign to keep him in a more behindthe-scenes role. During Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 2008, her husband angered some Democrats with dismissive comments about Obama. He’s had flashes of frustration this year, particularly when his own record on trade and law enforcement was challenged by the party he once led, but has largely stuck to the campaign’s messages. Allies say the former president understands his mission — to promote his wife’s experience and personal qualities, not relive his own presidency. The stakes for Bill Clinton are particularly high following his much-criticized decision to meet privately with Attorney General Loretta Lynch in the middle of the FBI’s investigation into his wife’s email use at the State Department. The roll call this year, when each state announces its delegate totals from the primary season, will affirm a nomination Clinton locked up weeks ago. Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the longest-ser ving woman in Congress, will submit Clinton’s name to kick off the ritual. It was unclear whether Sanders would interrupt the process to ask that Clinton’s nomination be approved by acclamation. That’s what she did on Obama’s behalf in 2008 to indicate their rivalry was truly over. Sanders suggested on Tuesday he wouldn’t rush to make that gesture early, mindful that cutting off his restive voters could cause an outcry.
8
NEWS
• July 27- Aug. 2, 2016
Cruisers designed for Sooners
OU-themed skateboards now available CHANDLER KIDD @ChanAnnKidd
A California-based business has teamed up with colleges across the country — including OU — to bring skateboards to alumni of their former universities. O U f a n s, a l u m n i a n d students can now cruise around campus while supporting the Sooners, thanks to Aluminati Skateboards.
The idea for the OU Aluminati Skateboard came to mind when the company joined forces with the NCAA for unique, one-of-akind designs. “Aluminati Skateboards teamed up with the NCAA to license over 60 colleges nationwide, and Oklahoma was at the top of our list. We chose the universities with the best fans that love to represent their schools. We specialize each design with the school colors and mascot in mind,” Emily Blood, A l u m i nat i Skateb oa rd s marketing manager, said.
All Aluminati Skateboards are made of 100 percent recyclable aluminum, which both creates a deck that flexes like a cruiser or longboard and allows each costumer to have a board designed any way he or she wishes. “Aluminati cruisers are made of recyclable aluminum, which makes them both durable and eco-friendly. The designs are unique and perfect for any Sooner fan,” said Blood. People ride bikes, longboards and even Razor scooters across the OU
c a m p u s. St u d e n t s w h o enjoy cruising to class instead of walking may consider Aluminati cruisers as another eco-friendly and stylish method of transportation. “Aluminati cruisers are an easy way to get to class and around campus. You can pick one up at the OU bookstore, so don’t miss your chance to grab one before classes start!” said Blood. Each skateboard is built with clear guard tape so the rider can see what he or she is riding. The graphics are scratch-resistant,
which allows the board to be rough while maintaining its designs. The OU Aluminati Skateboard can be produced online here or at the University Bookstore. The product weighs a total of 6 pounds and is 24 inches long. The price is approximately $130 at the bookstore and $120 online without shipping.
Turks, whether or not those individuals consider themselves Kurds, Arabs or Alevi. Turkey has been in conflict with the Kurds since the Kurdistan Workers Party — categorized as a terrorist organization — began its separatist insurgency in 1984. In 2013, Ankara — the capital of the Republic of Turkey — and the Kurdistan Workers Party agreed to a ceasefire, but in 2015 hostilities resumed. Tu r k e y i s a f r a i d t h a t the civil war in Syria and against ISIS — a fight in which Kurdish forces have played a major role — will bolster a Kurdish bid for independence. “There was no big cataclysmic event that triggered it, but things were going downhill in Turkey,” said Landis, mentioning that before Boren’s decision in May, there had been several bombings in Istanbul and Ankara by ISIS and by Kurdish groups — the
Kurdistan Workers Party and its offshoot, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons. Ac c o rd i ng t o L a n d i s, President Boren wanted to internationalize the College in regions of national security importance that have been overlooked by other American universities as well as to encourage students to branch out by going to places that are understudied and a little more dangerous. “He saw Turkey as very important ... and obviously he didn’t want to close the program down because of some political turbulence, because that only makes it more important and vital. But there’s only so much you can do if you’re president of a university in terms of ignoring the State Department and lawyers,” said Landis. According to Dean Grillot’s statement, students in previous OU study abroad programs in the Middle East have been removed from
Chandler Kidd
chandlerkidd@ou.edu
PHOTO PROVIDED
Aluminati Skateboards has introduced a new Sooner skateboard.
Turkey study abroad suspended Study abroad suspended following warning KATHRYN LYNN
@KathrynLAmonett
President David Boren decided to suspend all of the University of Oklahoma’s study abroad programs in the Republic of Turkey indefinitely after the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning for the country given growing concerns about its safety and security, according to a statement given by Suzette Grillot, Ph. D., dean of the College of International Studies. The decision came just as 16 OU students were preparing to leave for their “Journey to Turkey” — the OU in Izmir trip, which was worth six credit hours. Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies, was going to be an instructor for the program.
“It’s an exceptional trip through Turkey — three weeks of beautiful hotels along the Aegean coast. It ’s beautiful. We go to Cappadocia, we go to the Black Sea, and that’s been running for now ... I guess 2013 was the first year we did it. We were supposed to do it again. It’s gone every summer. And it was cancelled a week before we set to depart,” said Landis. He also said that disappointed students were allowed to keep any scholarship money and were encouraged to travel elsewhere. But OU in Izmir was cancelled mid-May — before the recent coup attempt on July 15 and even before the Istanbul airport bombing June 28. On March 29, the U.S. Department of State ordere d the depar ture of family members of U.S. Government civilians in Izmir province, which was then updated on July 26.
PHOTO PROVIDED
The U.S. Department of State has since warned all U.S. citizens of increased threats from violence from terrorist groups throughout Turkey; citizens abroad are especially encouraged to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey, according to the U.S. Department of State website update on July 18. Southeastern Turkey, which borders both Syria and Iraq, is the Kurdishmajority region. Kurds are an ethnic minority that have significant populations in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Turkey disallows the classification of minority identities and considers all people within its borders to be
their program early after heightened security concerns arose. Programs are reinstated once it is safe to reestablish student travel to that particular destination. Whether or not OU resumes programs in Turkey d e p e n d s o n t h e U. S. Department of State pronouncements and what happ ens in the re gion. “Turkey looks like it’s headed in the wrong direction,” said Landis, siting political instability, growing authoritarianism, the two-fronted war with ISIS and the Kurds.
Combine that with a sweeping consolidation of power following the failed coup, and it is all the more uncertain when OU students will be able to study in Turkey once more. Kathryn Lynn
Kathryn.m.lynn-1@ou.edu