April 4, 2013
W W W. V S U S P E C TAT O R . C O M
Inside This Issue
VOLUME 84 ISSUE 24
Soccer’s leading scorer transfers
- OPINIONS: “everyone deserves right to marriage” - FEATURES: “MtV star found dead in vehicle”
See pg. 5 for the details. - SPORTS: “VSU looks to sweep UWf friday”
Today at VSU Performing Arts showcAse - whitehead Auditorium, 8 p.m. a collaborative event featuring groups of talented students and faculty from various performing arts across VSU. this event is free and open to the public. hosted by Dr. John gaston, Dean of the college of the Arts.
cleArly your crystAls student union organization lounge, 2:30 - 8:30 p.m. attendees will get a 3d image of their faces etched into a crystal cube with laser imaging equipment. this event is free of charge. hosted by cAB.
wiccAn reBirth event odum library room 3609, 6:30-8 p.m. attendees will learn about the Wiccan wheel of the year and the passionate journey of the lord and lady. a brief documentary will be shown and a ceremony about moving forward from the past with perfect love and trust will take place. this event is open to all. hosted by the wiccan and Pagan society.
BoArD gAme night odum library room 1480, 8 p.m. this event is free. Snacks will be provided. hosted by natural high. summer/fAll eArly registrAtion continuesfreshmen are eligible to register starting at 7 a.m. today.
summer registration ends at midnight on April 19. fall registration ends at midnight on April 26.
Weather Today
Friday
Rain/ Thunder 71 H 55 L PM Showers 67 H 46 L
Saturday Partly Cloudy 78 H 50 L
Today in History April 4, 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated dr. King was shot in Memphis, tenn. at the lorraine Motel. Source: history.com
On the Web Check out Neil Frawley’s article on the making of Blazefest! w w w. v s u s p e c ta t o r. c o m
VSU celebrates inauguration Faculty
Senate: No more fall break
Amber Smith editor-in-Chief amsmith@valdosta.edu
Celebration will continue on campus as the University gears up for the investiture of VSU’s ninth president, dr. William McKinney. events have been planned to fill the week leading up to dr. McKinney’s investiture on friday, as well as the following Saturday. events, including symposia, have focused on engaged innovation in higher education. the biggest events of the week will take place on friday. dr. McKinney’s investiture ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. and an inaugural ball to benefit student scholarships will be held at 6 p.m. today’s events will include a symposium in the Student Union theatre at noon, during which dr. George Mehaffy will focus on “the role of innovation in higher education,” according to the event description on the official schedule. light refreshments will be provided during this event, which is free and open to students, faculty and staff. at 6 p.m., dr. McKinney and his wife, dr. dacia Charlesworth, will host “Mixing it Up with the President and first lady,” during which the two will teach attendees how to mix special cocktails developed for the inauguration. Pre-registration is required for this event. later this evening, the VSU Performing arts Showcase will take place in Whitehead auditorium. this event, beginning at 8 p.m., is open to the public. the performance will feature student and faculty artists from various genres. a reception will follow shortly after. Saturday’s events will be “Zumba® with the first lady” on the front lawn at 9:30 a.m. and “employee
Joe Adgie SoCial Media editor jmadgie@valdosta.edu
Brian hickey / The SpecTATor Students and alumni partake in the “Student & Alumni Barbeque” Wednesday. The Barbeque was moved to the P.E. Complex due to inclement weather.
BBQ” at noon. attendance is restricted to employees only for the barbeque, but Zumba® is open to the public. earlier events this week included a symposium, “highlighting innovation in our Community,” Battle of the Bands, day of Service, a blood drive and the “Student and alumni Barbeque” on Wednesday. the Undergraduate research Symposium took place on Monday and tuesday. other events on tuesday included an symposium, “highlighting innovation in our Classrooms,” and a preshow discussion of Pippin before the performance, presented by the VSU theatre department. on Monday, dr. david Williams presented research about the Civil War during the symposium, “highlighting innovation in our Scholarship,” and student artists explained their works in the Student art Competition.
Will Lewis / The SpecTATor The Southeastern Community Blood Center co-hosted a blood drive with other VSU organizations as part of Wednesday’s inauguration events.
Check out the Web Spectator for coverage of inauguration events!
Odum much more than just library Quasha Ross S ta f f W r i t e r qlross@valdosta.edu
odum library now offers more than just books. Most recently, odum library participated in international tabletop day on March 30. this was a day for people to come together and play tabletop board games as part of the library’s attempt to bring the community together, according to Jeff Gallant, reference librarian. on March 18, the Knotwork designs exhibit opened for students and faculty to enjoy. the exhibit allowed 62year-old elantu Baiat Veovode to display her Knotwork designs which are on display in the hub Gallery on the second floor of odum library. Many of the librarians are excited to turn odum from a place of research and studying to a must see attraction. dr. alan Bernstein ex-
plained that although the library suggests an academic atmosphere, there is still a need for a more modern academic library. “We’ve always tried to encourage the library to be more than just that place you go to study, but [to be] a meeting place, a hangout and a place of comfort,” dr. Bernstein said. “We accept the idea of active learning as a part of the more modern academic library.” in december 2012, odum library hosted the Club odum Pajama Party for finals week at VSU. the event included s’mores, board games and many other fun activities that allowed students to unwind after a long week of exams. the library aims to work with other departments and staff such as ra’s and residence halls to implement a more enjoyable learning space. in mid-april, reference librarian Michael holt will host “read fest,” an annual
Amber Smith / The SpecTATor (From left) Nodella Valenti, 7; Avery Mooney, 4; Trinity Mooney, 6; and Morganna Donathan, 5 play “Trouble” as Meghan Donathan, Library Assistant for Interlibrary Loan, supervises during International Tabletop Day at Odum Library on March 30.
event that marks national library Week which is sponsored by the american library association and celebrates the contributions of the nation’s libraries and librarians. odum also attempts to reach out to the youth to make education enjoyable. each year, the library invites pre-K students from area
schools to come enjoy reading in a fun and educational way. dr. Bernstein believes that although new ideas and activities are being implemented, it will not be at the expense of the library. “odum is still, very much, always a learning place,” he said.
fall Break is no more, thanksgiving Break is now one week long and Winter Break is now one week longer. those were the recommendations given out by the faculty Senate on thursday afternoon, after arguments were heard from both sides of the issue of the date changes. these recommendations will be sent to President William McKinney, who will either approve or deny the changes. “last semester, we had fall Break on Monday and tuesday, right?” asked José Vélez-Marulanda, assistant professor of mathematics. “So many of my class didn't come on Wednesday.” Vélez-Marulanda went on to explain that while the idea of a fall break was good in theory, it was not good in practice, as students would wind up missing valuable class time. another professor had problems with how late the schedule was being adjusted. “What is the process of making this decision?” Catherine Schaeffer, associate professor of dance, said. “[... t]he people in theatre and dance and art and symphony have a deadline for securing rights for plays and making an extensive schedule for who gets to do what and when. “that's already been done based on thinking that this decision had been made. Who's making the final calendar? We need to know, and we need to purchase rights for plays, and once you've set your schedule, you can't change it, because there are thousands of people involved.” Jimmy Bickerstaff, assistant professor of theatre, echoed those sentiments. “With so many activities scheduled and so many different facilities involving thousands of people, to have us still talking about the schedule at this point is way late for us,” Bickerstaff said. “it needs to be done at least a year in advance.” Maren Clegg-hyer, associate professor of english, explained that the scheduling normally was done in advance, and another organization – one that was not named – had planned things out a long time in advance, and these sort of changes should not continue. “once we set the dates, we need to think about more of these things so we don't have this problem again in the future,” she said. the vote for replacing fall Break with a week-long thanksgiving Break was 35 in favor, seven against, and two abstaining. the vote for pushing spring semester back a week was unanimous.
News
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SGA OKs funding for weeklong celebration Joe Adgie Social Media editor jmadgie@valdosta.edu
the SGa gave $5,000 to themselves on Monday for their upcoming SGa week-the largest donation they have given an organization this year. the money will be used to plan an entire week of events to take place april 8 through 12, according to SGa election chair desiray Ward. “the $5,000 was to cover the cookout, refreshments at the town hall meeting and the debate, and to pay for various items like pens, water bottles and sunglasses that SGa plans to give away during SGa week,” Ward wrote in an email on Wednesday night. “We do not plan on using all $5,000, but whatever is not used can go back into our SGa account.” Ward stated that the difference between this donation and donations to other organizations is that in most cases, funds do not go back into the SGa account. Ward had originally requested $4,500, but the amount was increased at the suggestion of SGa comptroller Hassanat oshodi. “Why not five?” oshodi asked. discussion from the debate centered on spending the money for refreshments. “You should make sure that you should get more cokes than you did last year,” Senator Jacqui robinson, said. “i was one of the people who did the sodas last year, and you had an unruly crowd last year because you had run out of Sprite and cokes, and all you had left were diet cokes. i’m doing the sodas again this year, but i’m not going to get run over by some kid that’s mad because all that’s left is diet coke.” the request for the money passed unanimously. the SGa week is intended to bring attention to their upcoming senatorial and executive elections. around 30 hopefuls turned in their letters of intent for the senatorial elections, after the deadline was extended to Monday. there are seven hopefuls for executive seats. ryan Baerwalde is running for reelection in the Presidential race against William Jimerson. Hassanat oshodi is running unopposed in the Vice Presidential race and Kara Fountain is running unopposed in the race for Secretary. there are three candidates running for comptroller: William Mast, Micah Howell, and erica adams.
APRIL 4, 2013
Upcoming Events April 5 Nevins gated lot and admissions parking lot will be closed for the Presidential investiture ceremony. timed parking spaces near Brown, lowndes and Patterson halls may be blocked to accomodate guests. Available Parking Spaces Faculty and Staff parking: Ga avenue lots, old alumni house, Uc, Martin Hall, Fine arts, oak deck and lot. Student parking: designated parking areas still open. April 5, 8:22 p.m. Sigma Gamma rho Sorority, inc., Neophyte Presentation Bailey Science Center Auditorium, Room 1011
April 6, 7:30 p.m. Sima trio performing at VSU as part of their Georgia tour. Performance is free and open to the public. Whitehead Auditorium For more information email M. Brent Williams at mbwilliams@valdosta.edu. April 8, 6 p.m. Peace corps information Session sponsored by career Services. call 333-5942 by april 5 to register. April 11, 4 p.m. Swim-a-Poolooza Campus Rec Pool First 30 participants to sign up will receive a free t-Shirt. Sign up at the campus rec front desk. For more information contact eddie St-Vil at estvil@valdosta.edu.
Correction: Users of the new mobile app tapingo must place their orders through their smartphones or by visiting the website http://www.tapingo.com. currently, tapingo cannot be used at the chick-Fil-a in the Student Union, Starbucks and chef’s table along with the places mentioned in the article. an article titled “tapingo creates ease in ordering, paying for dining” in the March 28 edition of the Spectator stated otherwise.
April 11 Upscale: the collegiate Men of VSU formal event. Hilton Garden Inn tickets are now on sale for $5 (women) and $7 (men). Food and music available. contact any executive member to purchase your ticket: Paul rosemond (president) lprosemond@valdosta.edu. April 15, 5:30 p.m. attention student organizations! applications for office space in the Student Union are due by the date posted to the Student life office on the third floor of the Student Union. they are available on the Student life website and campus connect.
HAPPY ‘TATOR DAY!
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SGA Notes: Next week’s Spectator will feature interviews from all of the executive candidates.
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For Sale
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USED BOOK SALE: Thousands of quality used hardcover and paperback books. Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. John Parish Center, 800 Gornto Road. Proceeds benefit Birthright of Valdosta.
to main campus – Only 2 blocks behind University Center, electric stove, refrigerator & dishwasher. Save 5% off with a Student ID! Call 229-2924400 TODAY
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AVAILABLE NOW!$100.00 DEPOSIT @ TREELOFT. 3BR/2BA $725-775, 1BR/1BA $450-475, 3 blocks from VSU, cathedral ceiling, pool & laundry facilities, water & garbage included. 229-561-0776
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OpiniOns
aprIL 4, 2013
vsuspectator.com | page 3
Our point of view...
Everyone deserves right to marriage Allow us to paint a picture for you: two consenting adults love each other. They’ve loved each other for years, they’re faithful to each other and they decide that they want to get married. There’s nothing wrong with that. But what if the two adults are of the same gender? For some, this is an unacceptable act. Some people claim that this marriage will undermine the institution of marriage – that the sanctity of marriage will be damaged by these two adults who have loved and been faithful to each other for years. Give us a break. If you sit down and think about it – and we mean really think about it – you’ll find that these two adults getting married won’t do anything to hurt the sanctity of marriage. These are two people that have decided that they want
to spend the rest of their lives together. How does that threaten marriage? How does it cheapen it? Others contend that these two adults getting married will undermine the traditional family. Is this really likely? These two loving men or women being together will threaten the family unit more than the father spending his days late at work doing God knows what with his secretary and leaving his wife after 20 years of marriage? These two loving men or women being together will threaten the family unit more than some scumbag sleeping around and having a dozen kids with a dozen women? Frankly, if you really think two men or women getting married threatens your own marriage,
MCT
maybe you should take a look in the mirror and see what’s wrong with your own relationship and not attack someone else’s life. Having thought about it for a bit, we here at the Spectator do not really think our relationships will be threatened by this. If anything, it would be our own personal shortcomings that would threaten our relationships. It would be someone cheating on someone else. It would be someone turning out to be incompatible with someone else. It would be someone changing for the worse. These are all factors found within any relationship. The constitutionality of The Defense of Marriage Act, as you know, is currently being discussed by the Supreme Court. DOMA prohibits same-sex
couples from receiving the benefits that a heterosexual couple would normally get (see, for example, the benefits that were denied Tam O’Shaughnessy, the partner of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, after Ride died in 2012), and this is hardly equal protection under the law. It sounds a lot like the “Separate but Equal” language that saw segregation in many public services, such as schools. We learned then, as now, that separate but equal is a misnomer. The same exists for same-sex couples, who deserve the same rights that a heterosexual couple has. It’s not going to hurt your relationship. It’s not going to undermine your marriage. If it does, that’s your problem, not everyone else’s.
This editorial was written by Joe Adgie (jmadgie@valdosta.edu) and it expresses the general opinion of the editorial staff.
Affirmative action faces debate James Washington S TA F F W R I T E R jawashington@valdosta.edu
Affirmative action started during the Civil Rights Movement, and was created to initiate and encourage equality in the both the workplace and school systems for all minorities. Recently, affirmative action has gotten the University of Texas and the University of Michigan into trouble. In each case, the university used race as an incentive to fill freshman positions with minorities (which was obvious on the application.) This is both unequal and discriminatory. After all, aren't colleges supposed to look at academic earnings and qualifications instead of race? Grutter vs. Bollinger, a Supreme Court decision in 2003 that urged colleges and universities to have a diverse student body, is the reason why university systems are under fire for discrimination
to majority applicants. Affirmative action tries to solve racism by allowing minority students into their institutions, creating a diverse student body, but overlooking academic accomplishments achieved by all races- not just minorities. Changes need to take place, and the Supreme Court should re-think its decision. The university systems should be based on the achievements of students on a scholarly basis instead of race--just as the workforce employment should employ people based on their qualifications. If anything, the box to choose your race should not be on college applications. Instead, if accepted into the university, students should then have the opportunity to take a survey on their racial status. This way, universities can receive statistical data
showing diversity in an honest way. With affirmative action in place, racism, both as a minority and majority situation, will continue to exist. By diminishing affirmative action,
it will get states' attention on the educational system in neighborhoods that need to reach standards that would allow all students to reach higher education.
any preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, genS TA F F W R I T E R der or religion, became law vmdominicis@valdosta.edu in Michigan in 2006. Many argue that this proOn March 25, 2013, the posal is a repeal of the Civil United States Supreme Court Rights Act of 1964, and an indirect means of ending what is known as affirmative action. I think that affirmative action should remain just like it is. Though the majority of society may refuse to admit it, the world is full of racism and discrimination. A person does not have to look anywhere beyond Valdosta to see this. Race and gender have always influenced decisions at colleges and businesses in our country. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have a MCT need for affirmative action in the first place. agreed to a future hearing This poses a question: How concerning the Michigan does one institute “alternaCivil Rights Initiative, also tives” to affirmative action? known as Proposal 2. If other methods are impleThe proposal, which bans mented for the same purpose,
Veronica Dominicis
then why not just keep the method that is already enacted? I agree that it is wrong to accept someone who is not as qualified for a position just to show sympathy because of their skin color, gender, or religion. Let’s keep in mind, however, that this is not the basis of affirmative action. Affirmative action is not an excuse to select someone of lesser ability simply because of their race. What it does is ensures that, no matter where you come from, you have a chance. If you do the same work, you should reap the same reward. A person’s race, gender or religious beliefs have absolutely nothing to do with their ability to learn or perform. They are, however, barriers that have been used to prevent certain people from being able to show these talents to the world. Affirmative action gets your foot in the door. What you do once you arrive is up to you.
Drivers should respect cyclists Sarah Turner S TA F F W R I T E R seturner@valdosta.edu
Drivers should thank cyclists for saving gas and keeping the air clean, but in many cases cyclists are the targets of violent accidents. “It seems like a lot of drivers are uninformed about cyclists on the road which causes danger,” Edward Rollins, president of Blazer Cycling Club, said. Rollins has been cycling since 2008, but on Feb. 11 of last year he was forced to put down his beloved bicycle. Rollins and his seven teammates were cruising at about 30 mph, when a driver in a car decided to pull out in front of them. Two of the
seven were injured, including Rollins, who was thrown off his bike. In most states bicycles must abide by the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. The only exception to this is interstate highways, which
are prohibited to cyclists. Drivers are usually infuriated when they see a cyclist on the street when there is a side walk right next to them, but this anger is misplaced. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, it is illegal for anyone over the age of 12 to ride their bike on the sidewalk as it causes danger to
pedestrians. According to the law, if a cyclist rides their bike on the sidewalk, that is just as illegal as if a driver decided to drive their car on the sidewalk. A vehicle is a vehicle. Although sometimes cyclists are to blame in roadway accidents, it is always up to a driver to take responsibility in being cautious around someone with less protection than themselves. According to Brent A. Buice, executive director of Georgia Bikes, motorists should always yield to cyclists. Buice advises motorists to give at least three feet to pass a cyclist and always make turns carefully. Cyclists do not ride their
bikes just to anger car drivers, although many angry drivers assume so. “I'm only trying to get to where I need to go safely and efficiently,” Kate Powlison, marketing manager of People for Bikes, said. “I don't mean to slow them down or get in their way. I'm a driver too.” Research shows that when people ride bikes, the roads get safer for everyone, and road congestion and healthcare costs drop. As far as congestion goes, just imagine a
Sports Editor: Eric Jackson Photo Editor: Cody Hicks Multimedia Editor: Von Kennedy Web Designer: Rebecka McAleer Copy Editor: Shambree Wartel Cartoonist: Garrison Muelhausen Social Media Editor: Joe Adgie Faculty Advisers: Dr. Pat Miller, Dr. Ted Geltner, Keith Warburg
ing the world for you,” Powlison said. For those people out there who hate cyclists, stop shaking your fists and start being respectful. Drivers need to accept that there will always be bikes on the road and the bikes have just as much as a right to be there as drivers do.
People Poll Should anyone determine who can get married? Contacting Us
Spectator Staff Editor-in-Chief: Amber Smith Managing Editor: Jennifer Gleason Business Manager: Brandon Mainer Advertising Manager: Aimee Napier Circulation Manager: Sarah Turner Opinions Editor: Stephen Cavallaro Features Editor: Amanda Usher
busy city street with cars parked along the street on both sides. Now imagine that same street where 50 percent of those cars are bikes—not as much car exhaust in the atmosphere, and a lot more breaths of fresh air. “Even if you don’t ride a bike, you should support bicycling because it’s improv-
Reporters/Photographers: Derrick Davis, Veronica Dominicis, Allison Ericson, Ace Espenshied, Neil Frawley, Brian Hickey Jr., Ivey Ingalls-Rubin, Jessica Ingram, Chris Kessler, Will Lewis, Olivia McLean, Ritsuki Miyazaki, Ray Pack Jr. Anthony Pope, John Preer, Quasha Ross, Isaiah Smart, Taylor Stone, Shane Thomas Alex Tostado, Jamal Tull Sarah Turner, James Washington, Steven Setser
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Online at www.vsuspectator.com Opinions expressed in the Spectator other than editorials are the opinions of the writers of signed columns and not necessarily those of the Spectator and its staff. All rights reserved. Reprints by permission of the editors. Views in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the Valdosta State University administration, faculty and staff.
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features
VSU’s hype man boosts crowd morale I
f you have been to any Blazer sporting event, there is one person you are sure to have seen. Usually running around hyping the crowd or greeting all the fans is Marc Kaiser. Kaiser, graduate assistant for marketing in the athletic office, attended VSU for both his undergraduate and now for his graduate degree. During his career as a VSU cross country athlete, he spent his free time attending other sporting events and supporting the Blazers. His relationship with the athletic department all began at a softball game when he wanted to be the one to throw the first pitch. After getting odd looks from the ticketing director
when he asked if he could, Kaiser struck up a deal. He proposed that he would be allowed to throw the first pitch if he could break the attendance record for a VSU softball game. He did just that. Soon after his first pitch that landed right in the strike zone, Kaiser began working closely with social media for Blazer Athletics. He came up with the idea to create a persona named Blazer Spark, and created a Facebook page for him. Blazer Spark quickly gained many followers and was known as the voice for athletics as he sported a red and black body suit all over campus. Kaiser continued to intern for the athletic department until graduation, where he was offered his graduate as-
Campus-wide art show continues
Von Kennedy/THE SPECTATOR Over 100 works of art created by all students were showcased at the Student Competition in the Fine Arts Gallery at the reception Monday at 7 p.m. The showcase featured all types of art, including sculptures, photos, drawings and more. It will be opened to the general public until Friday.
Dowling Payne
sistant position. “I want to make fans have as much fun as possible,” he said. “I want to make sure they will come back to another game.” During football season, Kaiser can be found running around with signs to get the crowd involved, checking on all the inner workings from the concession stand to the police on duty, and being an all around crowd pleaser. “I have to be a part of the atmosphere, I have to be that energy people are looking for when they come to a game,” he said.
MTV star found dead in vehicle In sad TV news, 21-yearold, Shain Gandee, one of the stars of the MTV reality show “Buckwild,” was found dead in his vehicle along with two others Monday morning. Thought of as the comedic relief of the show that centered on a group of young people in West Virginia doing random dangerous things, Gandee’s death came as a shock to everyone. MTV immediately released a statement regarding the death. “We are shocked and sad dened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and
If you were to ask Kaiser who his favorite sports team is, he would quickly tell you the Blazers. He doesn’t follow any major league or college team, but focuses on the men and women right here in Titletown. Kaiser is an enthusiast for the Blazers and genuinely cares about the players and all the hard work they put in for game day. On game day, he and a team of interns are working to make sure everything runs smoothly, from in-game entertainment to promotion of upcoming events. Junior Cierra Moore is one of those interns who work closely with Kaiser. “He’s very dedicated,” Moore said. “He loves to keep everyone in the stands
motivated and gets the crowd going at the games.” When Kaiser isn’t at a game, he is preparing for the next one. All of his hard work has made him an important asset in the athletic department. One of Kaiser’s friends and former VSU football player, Cam Short, has gotten to know him well during his time in the department. “He has a trade no one else has; you can just enjoy listening to him on that microphone,” Short said. “He’s singlehandedly making the athletic program better.” In the future, Kaiser hopes to work for a professional sports team in promotions and continue to be a part of a sports family.
Photo By Jerome Horne Marc Kaiser, athletic graduate assistant, thrives on keeping the crowd hyped during one of VSU’s football games.
Did You Know...?
Pop Addict Anthony Pope
those involved in this tragic incident.” Since the shenanigans performed on the show were often alcohol related, many were quick to suggest that foul play might be involved. A coroner’s initial report determined that the reality star died of carbon monoxide poisoning. MTV has also announced that production on the second season of “Buckwild” has been temporarily terminated. To read more of this week’s Pop Addict, catch it on the Web Spectator at vsuspectator.com. Visit to see which “Glee” star checked himself into rehab earlier this week.
According to the Child Welfare website, April became National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983. In 1989, the Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse was created to raise awareness. To learn more about this month, you can visit childwelfare.gov.
SportS
APRIL 4, 2013
Cross Country head coach search begins Chris Kessler S p o rt S W r i t e r ckessler@valdosta.edu
the search for the next Valdosta State cross country head coach has unofficially begun. todd Smoot announced last month that he’ll be stepping down at end of the academic year after accepting the director of Fitness position at the YMCA in Lake park. VSU Athletic director Herb reinhard has begun to field some inquiries. “We have not posted the position at this point, but word is out that Coach Smoot is going to retire at the end of this academic year, some individuals that follow the program are aware that the position is open,” reinhard said. Smoot's successor will be in charge of both men's and women's teams as he was. in his four-year tenure, Smoot orchestrated his teams to success in both competition and in the classroom. His athletes have been named All-Gulf South Conference six times and has had five athletes earn national All-Academic honors a total of 13 times. VSU’s next head coach is expected to continue building the program off Smoot's allaround success. Smoot will continue his duties as owner of A Course Line, LLC, which is a company that hosts local area runs. the cross country's head coach opening is only a part-
VSU Archives Todd Smoot steps down after four seasons.
time position, unlike most VSU coaches. With the summer just around the corner, the athletic department plans to have the position filled rather soon. “We've had some individuals indicate an interest in the position. it is a part-time coaching position, so it's a little bit unique, in the factors and consideration that we have to take into account for that position, and we hope to have somebody named in the next couple weeks,” reinhard said.
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Lady Blazer soccer update Ace Espenshied A S S t. S p o rt S e d i t o r acepenshied@valdosta.edu
Upcoming scrimmage against men’s club soccer: VSU women’s soccer is getting into the thick of spring training. For the third time, the Lady Blazers face off against the men’s soccer club team in the annual scrimmage on Sunday. this spring the ladies have already played a couple matches resulting in a tie against North Florida and a loss to Jacksonville University. “the spring is neat because kids get a chance to step up when they didn’t get as many chances in the fall,” Head Coach Melissa Heinz said. “especially, our freshman right now erin Hill, Kim Caitlin (Alderman), Shelby Jennings, and reanne Harris have stepped up this spring.” during the upcoming season, VSU will be relying on incoming freshman and transfers on both sides of the ball. Heinz says VSU expects to sign two puerto ricans and one German player soon. that adds to at least eight ladies that have already committed to VSU to play soccer this fall.
there will be plenty of competition for minutes next season and scrimmages can make a difference for one player over another. “We need to work on cleaning up every aspect of the field in the back, middle, and the front,” Heinz said. “But we’re playing very well. i’m excited about how our maturity has grown and just looking for our game to be even stronger. the scrimmage against the men's club team starts at 4 p.m.Sunday. Rebecca Miller transfers:
VSU women soccer's leading scorer last season, sophomore rebecca Miller, is leaving the Lady Blazers to join a new red and black. the oppourtunity to continue her success playing for VSU made her decision to transfer to the University of Georgia much harder. “Since i was younger, going to a big state school was always a dream of mine,” Miller said. “that [soccer] was one of the hardest things about this decision.” Miller is not transferring to play soccer competitively at UGA. “With soccer i’m going to miss the competitiveness and
the drive that our coaches give us. And also the little things like scoring goals, sliding, and tackling,” Miller said. despite getting ready for a new chapter of life, she has no regrets coming to play soccer for the Lady Blazers. “i gained the privilege to play college soccer for two years, not many people have the opportunity to do that,” Miller said. “i’m really thankful for Coach Heinz to give me the opportunity and the team to play with me for two years.” Last season Miller scored six goals, tied for the team leader in assists (4), and had 27 shots on-goal which is more than double of any of her teammates total shots. A year after a berth into the NCAA tournament, the Lady
Blazers will look for others to step up on the offensive side with the loss. “We’re playing spring games right now and trying to find people to step up and fill that role,” Heinz said. “We’ve had a few [girls step up], mainly it’s erin (Hill) our freshman and Blakely (McClellan), and even some players attacking out of the back more.” regardless, the Lady Blazers have no doubt they'll still be offensively sound next season, but they will definitely miss No. 8. “[the teams going to miss] her high energy, great personality, and her care for her teammates and this program,” Heinz said. “She’s always going to be one of our players that put her footprints into the program
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Blazer baseball takes two of three in weekend series vs. West Georgia
APRIL 4, 2013
Ritsuki Miyazaki/ THE SPECTATOR Lefty Pete Whittingslow threw a complete game, only allowing two hits in a 5-1 win over West Georgia Saturday (left). First baseman Jake Montgomery earns a base-hit during the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 1 (right).
VSU looks to sweep UWF Saturday D.J. Davis S p o rt S W r i t e r ddavis@valdosta.edu
&
Eric Jackson S p o rt S e d i to r epjackson@valdosta.edu
No.3 Valdosta State (26-8) softball aims to complete a regular-season sweep against foe West Florida (13-17) Saturday afternoon. the two squads meet again after the Blazers defeated the Argonauts (5-4, 11-5) a month ago in pensacola, Fla., and look for their eighth straight victory over UWF. “We’ve been blessed,” coach thomas Macera said. “We’ve played well against them; the last games we played at West Florida were very close. they hit three balls against us there that would have left our park because they have a very big park, so it would have been a lot different game this year.
We just gotta play a lot harder this weekend to keep that streak going.” the Argos last beat the Blazers on March 6, 2011. Both UWF and VSU come into the matchup after playing Gulf South Conference standings leader Union last weekend. the Blazers managed to take Game 1 (4-1), but the second game was rained out and the day before the Argos split a doubleheader (6-0, 02) against the Bulldogs. the Blazers are back for their final home stand after being on the road the last couple weeks. “We’re glad to be home,” Macera said. “these road trips are long; everybody we play is eight, 10, 12 hours away. For them to sleep in their own bed now and to be able to recover a little bit better these next few games definitely helps.”
Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos Catcher Ashley Steinhilber earned three runs and homered once in the last meeting against UWF. The senior will try to help extend the winning streak against the Argos to eight Saturday.
Macera is making sure the Blazers take it one game at a time as the Gulf South Conference tournament quickly approaches then the NCAA division ii tournament follows. “We gotta get there first,”
Macera said. “We gotta keep winning games now and just keep preparing for the next day.” the defending national champs have a chance to pick up some steam heading into the postseason with three
doubleheaders against conference teams at home the next three weekends. VSU has four more doubleheaders against conference teams before the GSC tournament on May 3rd. the Blazers play Game 1
at 4 p.m. and Game 2 follows Saturday at Steel’s diamond at Blazer park. Follow eric @epjackson and d.J. @dmac21bucs on twitter.