Tuesday, February 23

Feb.

23 2016

The Appalachian

TAKING THE PLUNGE Page 6-7

INSIDE ‘FIREWATCH’ REVIEW Page 4

POST CAMELLIA BOWL Page 8-9

FBI VS. APPLE Page 11

www.skisugar.com / 800-Sugar-MT

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C E T E R A

THE TEAM Malik Rahili @malikrahili EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS

Charlotte Wray @_charlottewray MANAGING EDITOR Aleah Warner @aleahwarner CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Ignacio Martinez-Alvarez @theappalachian BUSINESS MANAGER

Carl Blankenship @carl_r_blank NEWS EDITOR Katie Murawski @murawskikm A&E EDITOR

Stephanie Sansoucy @stephsans DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Allison Bennett Dyche @allisonbdyche ADVISER

Chris Warner @chriswarner2293 SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Griffin @theappalachian OPINION EDITOR

CRIME LOG CAMPUS FEB. 20

FEB. 15

12:40 a.m. | Drug Violation Bowie Trail A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

6:02 p.m. | Trespassing Belk Library Complex A man was arrested for trespassing.

FEB. 19

FEB. 13

8:38 p.m. | Drug Violation East Hall A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

4:49 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Gardner Hall A student was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

FEB. 19 6:01 p.m. | Larceny Holmes Convocation Center Under investigation.

FEB. 17 1:23 p.m.| Resist, Obstruct and Delay College Street Circle A man was arrested for obstructing justice.

FEB. 16 9:17 a.m. | Trespassing Hoey Hall A man was arrested for trespassing.

FEB. 12 10:57 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Cone Hall A student was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

FEB. 12 4:26 p.m. | Resisting a Public Officer College Street Parking Deck A man was arrested for resisting an officer.

Justin Perry @justincperry PHOTO EDITOR Carson Fletcher @theappalachian VIDEO EDITOR Dylan Dow @zen_dow WEB MANAGER

BURNING BRIGHT: DESPITE ISSUES, ‘FIREWATCH’ IS A WONDERFUL ADVENUTRE

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t is almost sunset. You sit finishing up your sandwich on the far end of a canyon. As time passes, the sun drifts down between the large rocky walls on your sides. The whole place lights up around you.

Boulders transform into a magnificent purple and the small river at the bottom of the canyon glistens with such brilliance it almost looks as if it were on fire.

Scenes like this don’t just exist in “Firewatch,” they are commonplace.

Released on PC and PlayStation 4 earlier this month, “Firewatch” is a first person adventure game set in the Wyoming wilderness of 1989. Players assume the role of Henry, a middle-aged man who works as a wildfire lookout during the summer.

Henry’s wife, Julia, is suffering from an early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease. Looking to get away and focus on himself, Henry accepts the job as wildfire lookout and hopes to get through the emotional rollercoaster of losing someone he loves. When he arrives in his watchtower, Henry is greeted by Delilah, his boss, over a walkie-talkie. Energetic and happy, Delilah is a good counter to Henry’s cool and patient attitude, which shines through their conversations together.

These conversations will make up the vast majority of the dialogue and plot progression in “Firewatch.”

Delilah is the only source of new missions for the players to complete and is in constant communication via the walkie-talkie to help. This leads to long periods of dialogue between the two, punctuated only by the actions Henry must complete to progress the story.

Developer Campo Santo manages to keep these periods fresh throughout the brisk five-hour story of “Firewatch” by having unmatched voice actors for the two leads. The sarcasm, lightning fast quips and sharp intelligence shared between these two characters keep players engaged the whole game.

With strong dialogue to work with, “Firewatch” is free to create a world that is not graphically intensive.

Cartoonish and stylized, the world is far from realistic, but it is still one of the most jaw-dropping games of this 4

MIKE HEBERT A&E REPORTER generation.

Picturesque landscapes and postcard-worthy vistas make up the open world of “Firewatch.” The player is free to explore and uncover the secrets of the open world at their leisure.

Supply caches, which are places where someone hides something containing secret items and rewards, and safe boxes filled with pieces of old advertisements or newspaper articles give the player a deeper sense of the world they exist in.

There are also traces of other watchtower attendants, with one safe box filled with their signatures. These are just a few of the many mysteries the Shoshone National Forest has to offer.

The downside of stylized visuals is that they look out of place when graphical glitches occur. Because they aren’t like the real world to begin with, any alterations to it take the player out of immersion completely.

Thankfully, and almost shockingly, this never happens in “Firewatch.” With many games releasing with bugs and graphical problems at launch these days, it is refreshing to see a game with that problem solved.

By all accounts, “Firewatch” should be a model of perfection, but there are issues with the game that are too big to gloss over.

For example, the game’s large play area is used against itself. In the main storyline, players are tasked with navigating the world using only a map and compass. These are quirky at best but frustrating at worst. The tools work fine when traveling long distances, but make a pain of finding the right path to a specific area.

This is unfortunately a perfect storm for “Firewatch.”

Many times players can accurately get in the general area of their objective, but need to spend unnecessary amounts of time staring at the small print on the map to figure out exactly where they need to be.

These issues are compounded by the game’s firstperson perspective. The map feels clunky and difficult to use in motion because of this perspective.

Additionally, this limited view works against the player when walking in overly-detailed areas leading to

awkward movements through bushes and trees.

However, the player almost always has access to Delilah who will offer limited advice and calming words if you’re stuck. Again, it’s these little interactions with Delilah and Henry that make “Firewatch” shine, but the same can’t be said about the overarching plot of the game.

The focus of the plot is to uncover the secret behind mysterious events happening in the area. Beginning with someone shining a flashlight from a distance at Henry and running away, the mystery of the game gives players a sense of unease throughout the story. This effect of tension and limited fear is well executed, but not welcomed in “Firewatch.”

It seems almost counterintuitive to have a huge, empty yet beautiful world to explore, but create fear by doing so. The tight geometry of areas are examples of great game design, but lead to some of the most uneasy moments in the game, thus ending the player’s immersion into the world.

Although these immersion-breaking moments are rough, they are few and far between to the game’s benefit. Hardly ever do games get criticized for executing something too well, but this is one of those unfortunate cases.

Even though most players will take time to explore the world and its wonders adding to the total play time, some will play the game straight through. This produces a rushed story that culminates in a forced reveal that aware players will see coming from a mile away.

An argument can be made that the story is not the focal point of the game, but with a dialogue-heavy adventure, players deserve a better end to the story.

Minor setbacks and a lackluster ending hold “Firewatch” back from being truly perfect. But sharp dialogue and a gorgeous open world make it a game to remember and one that players will find new unexplored secrets in each hour of play.

SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu.

Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

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WHAT TO DO CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Nominations are being accepted for the W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion through Feb. 26 by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development.

The W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion, named in honor of Dr. William H. Plemmons who served as the second president of the University from 1955 to 1969, was established by an action of the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees in 1996.The award was created to recognize the time, energy, skills, and commitment of students, faculty, student development educators and staff who exceed their peers in providing leadership that enriches the quality of student life and advances the education of students.

Students and university employees are invited to nominate a student or university employee for this award. Nominations may be made in the following categories: 1. A student leader who has provided distinguished leadership above that of other student leaders.

2. A Student Development Educator within the Division of Student Development for meritorious leadership in his or her work to enrich the quality of student life and learning.

3. A member of the faculty who has provided meritorious leadership through his or her work with student clubs or organizations, or work that enriches the quality of student life and learning outside the classroom.

4. An employee of Appalachian State University who has provided meritorious leadership that has significantly enriched the quality of student life and learning outside of the classroom.

For information, contact Dino DiBernardi,

Chair of the W. H. Plemmons Medallion Committee, at 262-2060, or Rita Wells at wellsrk@ appstate.edu. Visit www.plemmonsmedallion. appstate.edu.

BLACKS IN WAX MUSEUM In honor of Black History Month, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated present “Blacks In Wax,” an educational program about influential individuals and celebration of a diverse history of powerful leaders, educators, and inspirational role models.

The event will begin at 6:13 p.m. Feb. 23 in room 421, Belk Library.

THE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS The Counseling Center presents “The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood!”

Space is limited. Reservations should be made at campbellha@appstate.edu. Extra credit slips will be made available. Visit counseling. appstate.edu or call 828-262-3180.

• Re-shaping your Body Image, 5-6 p.m. Feb. 24, Beacon Heights, PSU • Mental Health: What Stops Us from Talking about It and What You Can Do To Take Care of YOURS, 6-7 p.m. March 23, Price Lake, PSU • What Shape is Your Personality: Learn more about Yourself and How to Relate to Others, 4-5 p.m. April 6, Linn Cove, PSU • Let’s Get Out! Explore the Connection Between Positive Mental Health and Being Outdoors, 5-7 p.m., April 14, workshop will take place outside, email to register

“PHILOSOPHERS, PSYCOPATHS

AND NEUROETHICS” Philosophy & Religion Spring Lecture Series: “Philosophers, Psychopaths and Neuroethics” presented by Matt Rublebwill be held at 5:30 p.m. March 1, Three Top (room 169), PSU. The specific mental illness that the psychopath suffers from is alleged to render him constitutively incapable of acting morally. Moreover, significant neuro-empirical evidence appears to strongly support this conclusion. Case closed, right? Not for moral philosophers.

Sponsored by the Philosophy & Religion Department. Free and open to the public.

VISITING WRITERS SERIES The Hughlene Bostian Frank Spring Visiting Writers Series Events will take place with craft talks and readings in Plemmons Student Union.

Book sales and signings will follow each event.

• March 3: Poet Ed Madden, 2-3:15 p.m.

Craft Talk: Public Voice, Public Work; 7:308:30 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • March 31 (The Juanita Tobin Memorial Reading): Poet and former Charlotte Observer books editor Dannye Romaine Powell, 3:304:45 p.m. Craft Talk: The Art and Craftiness of the Literary Interview; 7:30-8:30 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 7: Travel and Adventure Writing with Peter Fish and Leigh Ann Henion, 2-3:15 p.m.

Craft Talk: Travel Writing; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading; Table Rock, PSU • April 28 (with the Diversity Speakers Series): Poet, Memoirist, and Social Justice Activist Luis Rodriguez, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Craft Talk in Table Rock, PSU; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading in Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK The awareness week is scheduled for April 11-16. All are welcome to attend. Those interested in planning an event should fill out a project proposal as soon as possible. For information, email cavallaroe@appstate.edu.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE The Student Legal Clinic, in suite 324 in Plemmons Student Union, offers confidential advice, information, and referrals provided by a licensed attorney.

The attorney can meet with any currently enrolled Appalachian State student and can advise students on any issue that is not directly adverse to the university.

Make an appointment by calling 828-2628284. Information at legalclinic.appstate.edu.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE The group will explore healthy lifestyle choices and the impact of alcohol and other drug use in college. Students are invited to the Wellness and Prevention Services office to join a mindfulness-based group focused on the impact of alcohol and other drug use while in college, incorporating resilience building, high risk substance use prevention and harm reduction strategies by way of stress reduction, healthy decision-making and group support to assist in personal growth and success as a college student.

The group will meet 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, room 306, Reich College of Education.

Email asmabt@appstate.edu.

TUESDAY, FEB. 23

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24

THURSDAY, FEB. 25

FRIDAY, FEB. 26

Rodney Reynerson Faculty Piano Recital

“Father of the Bride” Film Screening

“Creed” Film Screening

“Creed” Film Screening

7 p.m.

Greenbriar, PSU $1

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

Re-Shaping Your Body Image

Turchin Center Lecture Series: Special Faculty Presentation Evening

Appalachian Symphony Orchestra

8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

Blacks in Wax Museum 6:13-8 p.m.

Room 421, Belk Library

5 p.m.

Beacon Heights, PSU Free

BSA Blood Drive

Grad Fair for Graduating Seniors

7 p.m.

Turchin Center Free

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bookstore

Mary Robert McGrath Student Voice Recital

Early Music Masterclass: Vivaldi Project

Student Composers Recital

8 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

8 p.m.

Schaefer Center Free

Contra Dance ft. Skillet Gap 7:30 p.m.

Legends $3-$5

Celebration of Research by New Humanities Faculty

9:30 a.m.

Rosen Concert Hall

8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

SATURDAY, FEB. 27

SUNDAY, FEB. 28

MONDAY, FEB. 29

TUESDAY, MARCH 1

The Dance Marathon

Piano Trios Student Recital

Women Composers Recital

Hosted by ACT Begins 10 a.m., runs till 1 a.m.

Legends Advance registration required

8 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

“Philosophers, Psycopaths and Neuroethics” Lecture

“Creed” Film Screening 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

Hayes Young Artist Competition Recital 1 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

Beth Wiese & Drew Leslie Faculty Tuba & Trombone Recital 4 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

Kara Caldwell Student Piano Recital 6 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

1 p.m.

Room 421, Belk Library

5:30 p.m.

Three Top, PSU Free

Joby Bell Faculty Organ Recital 8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

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Students mill around Duck Pond while waiting for thier turn to jump into the 39 degree water during this year’s Polar Plunge.

POLAR PLUNGE MAKES A SPLASH 18TH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE RAISES MORE THAN $8,000 TOMMY CULKIN SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

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ne hundred and fifty-six Appalachian State University students braved the frigid Duck Pond water in the 18th annual Polar Plunge on Thursday, raising $8,773 to support the Special Olympics.

Since the event’s inception, over $125,000 has been raised.

Students who participate in the event pay $25 to jump into Duck Pond. Keron Poteat, the Watauga County Special Olympics coordinator, said the money will go towards transportation and other necessities.

“The money raised here today will go directly towards transportation costs, whether that means to get them to Hilton Head if they’re playing in a tennis tournament there or to a state-level event, or if we’re putting on a local event,” Poteat said. “It also goes to uniforms, food, social events, medals and other stuff like that.”

The event raised more money than last year’s Polar Plunge, which raised approximately $7,200, according to Poteat.

Daniel Statum, a senior communications major, said the Polar Plunge on his list of things to do before he graduated.

“The water was freaking cold, but it was definitely worth it,” Statum said. “I’m a senior and I’m graduating this year, and doing the

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Plunge was a senior bucket list kind of thing.”

Caitlin Bryant, a freshman biology major, said she intends on participating in the Polar Plunge for all four years of college.

“I’m definitely going to try and do this all four years,” Bryant said. “It’s a ton of fun and it’s for a great cause. So why wouldn’t you want to do it?”

There is a second component to the Polar Plunge: the costume contest. Each year, some participants wear costumes to the event. Some people take their costumes off before jumping in and others decide to jump into the water wearing their outfits.

Each year, they award the male and female participants with the most creative costume.

This year’s female winner was Danielle Davis, a freshman chemistry major, who dressed up as the character Tigger from the children’s series “Winnie the Pooh.”

“I had the Tigger costume leftover from Halloween, and since the fundraiser was for children, I felt it was appropriate to dress up as one of my childhood favorites,” Davis said.

“The water was painfully cold, but after I got used to it, it was awesome. Jumping with my friends was super fun, not to mention the funny looks I got as I walked back to Cannon Hall dripping wet in a soggy Tigger costume.”

The male costume contest winner was Ian

Carl Blankenship

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Black, a freshman communication stud- Sheriff's Department, they decided to ies major. Black went dressed as “Mr. break off from the LETR label 18 years Princess." ago so that all the proceeds could stay The idea for his costume came from local. some friends who lived on his dorm “Our law enforcement wanted 100 floor, Black said. percent of the earnings to benefit our “They thought it’d be funny if they local athletes, and we’ve seen our numdressed me up like a girl and I dressed bers increase drastically since then,” them up as guys," Black said. "I was Poteat said. surprised when I found out I won. I The Special Olympics, which was was just there to support the Special founded in 1968, holds winter and Olympics, a cause that’s near and dear summer games every four years, but to my heart. Winning they also hold events all the contest was just a year long. cherry on top.”

“We are doing Each year, the Apsomething almost every palachian State ROTC single month,” Poteat kicks off the event by said. “There are 99 having a number of programs from across their members swim the the state of North Carlength of the pond, and olina that have Special then many more jump Olympics in them, and in before the event all of those counties are begins and the rest of active throughout the the participants take the year. Right now we’re plunge. basketball and Daniel Statum doing In addition, the aquatics, and as soon ROTC is one of the as those end we pick up biggest supporters of the Polar Plunge. with volleyball, cycling, track and field This year, they donated $1,520 to the and bowling. As soon as those end, we event. pick up with tennis, badminton, soccer, “The Polar Plunge would definitely and some others.” not be what it is without the ROTC,” North Carolina has approximately Poteat said.

40,000 Special Olympics athletes and The Polar Plunge originated through Watauga County has approximately 150 another charity event called the Law athletes.

Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Statum said he admires what the Special Olympics. The LETR is a state- Special Olympics stands for, and said run event, so 85 percent of the money that’s why he participated in the event. raised went to the state.

“The Special Olympics allows Although the event is still run by the everyone to do what they strive to do, local law enforcement agencies, such as no matter if they’re disabled or not,” the Boone Police Department, AppalaStatum said. “Everyone should be able chian State Police Department and the to pursue their dreams.”

"The water was freaking cold, but it was definitely worth it."

Brandon Peterson

(Left to right) Danielle Davis and Moriah Voorhis pose with their Polar Plunge towels after diving into Duck Pond. Danielle won the contest for best female costume.

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S P O R T S

MAKING HISTORY

APP STATE FOOTBALL LOOKS TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN 2016-17 SEASON

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COLIN TATE SPORTS REPORTER

s the ball soared through the uprights on the final play of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, the Mountaineer sideline rushed onto the field. They jumped with joyous expressions on their faces as they stormed to the midfield logo, where senior kicker Zach Matics had run after throwing off his helmet, signaling for the crowd to be quiet.

It was a big win. One of the biggest wins in Appalachian State’s football history, and that’s saying a lot given their backto-back-to-back championship runs in the mid-2000s. The team celebrated during the men's basketball team's 78-74 victory over Troy on Saturday, roughly two months after they hoisted the trophy for the first time. Winter weather postponed the original celebration, which was set for Jan. 23.

The players were excited not only because of that one victory, but because they knew it capped off a season that established the Mountaineers as a top contender in the Sun Belt and beyond for the coming years.

Seniors on the team had undergone the tough transition from a Division II team to a Division I team throughout their collegiate careers.

“Being able to end it on that game and win, it pretty much told the whole story of our whole class,” former defensive back Doug Middleton said.

Going into the season, the Mountaineers had heard talk of making history, but they knew that would be the case whether or not they won the contest. They didn’t want to be known as the team that lost the school’s first ever bowl-bid.

“You've got to make awesome history and win,” junior quarterback Taylor Lamb said.

Senior running back Marcus Cox said that the team had some

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extra motivation all year.

“Our first [time] to be able to play for something,” Cox said.

“It meant a lot to us. The whole bowl experience.”

Cox had an incredible season for the Mountaineers, leading the team with 1,423 rushing yards and adding nine rushing touchdowns. He also bumped his career total up to 22 100-yard games.

But Cox didn’t do this alone. Then-sophomore running back Terrence Upshaw and then-freshman running back Jalin Moore each contributed to the running game all season long.

“They took a lot of the load off of me this year,” Cox said.

“No matter who’s in the game, we have a back that is capable of doing big things.”

Moore had one of the best games in App State history against Idaho. The freshman ran for 244 yards in the team’s victory, breaking the record for rushing yards in a game, previously held

by Cox. “To be able to watch it in person, and to have somebody that I’ve helped along the way break my record feels better than if I didn’t know the guy that did,” Cox said. “That means a lot to me, knowing that I’m helping him grow as a running back and as a person here at App State.”

Cox and Moore weren’t the only players chasing and setting records this season. Lamb threw 31 touchdown passes this season, topping the previous record of 30 held by Mountaineer-great Armani Edwards.

Even though Lamb bested a record set by one of Appalachian State’s greatest players in only his second season on the team, he isn’t too concerned with individual achievements.

“11-2 stands out to me,” Lamb said. “First bowl win stands out to me. I’m more of a team guy. It’s cool to have your name

Chris Deverell

up there, but it doesn’t equal the 11-2 record. I could throw nine touchdowns and 20 picks, and, if somehow we’re 11-2 after that, I’ll be happy.”

Lamb may have trouble living up to the standard he set this year as top targets Malachi Jones, Simms McElfresh and Bobo Beathard were all seniors and graduating. They amounted to 12 of Lamb’s 31 touchdowns.

Lamb had a strong connection with those senior wide outs.

“We had our times where we were on the money, and I knew where they were gonna be and what they wanted to do,” Lamb said.

Lamb knows it will take a while to establish the connection he had with the senior receivers, but also said that what the upcoming players lack in experience, they make up for in speed.

“We got a lot of guys that can take the top off the coverage,” Lamb said.

The Mountaineers fared well defensively this year too. The defense was ranked in the top 10 in the nation for a good portion of the season, and a lot of that had to do with the leadership of players like now-senior linebacker John Law. “This defense was special to me because it’s the first defense I can say I was a major part of,” Law said. “I had leadership responsibility. We faced a lot of adversity. There are gonna be some times where it’s tough, but you gotta keep going. The mental toughness that it takes to be champions.”

Former defensive lineman Ronald Blair attributed some of the success to the willingness of younger players to take advice.

“It felt great with young guys coming up to ask for help and seeing them try to work on what needed to be worked on,” Blair said. “It was a combination of everybody growing together.”

For all of its success, the unit is losing some top performers, including Blair and Middleton, who have both graduated and are looking forward to possible careers in the NFL. Middleton, who totaled 53 tackles on the season, played along with Matics and offensive lineman Davante Harris in the NFLPA Bowl after the season ended. Those weren’t the only Mountaineers invited to All-Star games, as Beathard played in the Tropic Bowl and Blair was invited to the East-West Shrine Game but declined because of a possible leg injury.

Along with that, the players are training in different spots around the country to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine, their pro day and the draft.

“I got a lot of exposure out there,” Middleton said. “There were scouts from every team. I learned things I can take and continue to improve on for my pro day. I know what I got to work on, and I know I got time to do it.”

Blair said he also feels confident about his draft day chances.

“I expect to do well at the combine,” Blair said. “I’m training trying to make sure I’m at peak performance. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.”

The team as a whole knows that they are going to have to step up to fill the shoes of the players that have moved on.

“We’re losing great guys,” Law said. “Not even great football players but great guys. They taught me so much. The preparation and the way that they attack things is a mentality we’re gonna try to carry on.”

Those that are leaving believe that the future could be even brighter for Appalachian State football.

“They’ve got some young leaders that have proven themselves,” Blair said.

“They’ll have no problem taking the reins and making the team better.”

Chris Deverell

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S P O R T S

Marcus Cox runs the ball during a game last season. Athlon Sports ranked Cox the nation’s No. 25 running back heading into the 2016-17 season.

THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF THE MOUNTAINEER BACKFIELD T JASON HUBER SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

he 2015 Camellia Bowl champs reported to spring practice on Feb. 7 and the Mountaineers have eight more of the 15 practices allowed by the NCAA to get prepared for the fall.

Much of the success during App State’s bowl win season relied heavily on the intriguing run game led by thenjunior running back Marcus Cox, who rushed for 1,423 yards (third in the Sun Belt) and nine touchdowns in 12 games.

Cox, who currently has 4,088 career rushing yards heading into his senior year, is on pace to break the Mountaineers’ all time rushing yard record of 4,804 yards held by Kevin Richardson.

Led by first-year running back coach Stu Holt, the Mountaineers finished second in rushing yards in the Sun Belt Conference and saw Cox's freshman single game rushing record broken by Jalin Moore with 244 rushing yards during an away game against Idaho on Nov. 14.

Moore finished the season strong and has fans hoping he could be the next feature back for a Mountaineer team known for its running the last couple of years.

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“Jalin has a bright future," Cox said.

"Last year when I was out, he stepped in and did great. We have two different running styles that work together and both of us can change the pace.”

The rushing game not only includes Cox and Moore, but also saw action from sophomore Terrence Upshaw and freshman Josh Boyd who made the most of their carries for the Mountaineers.

“The luxury we have is that we have some very talented guys," Holt said.

"We are getting everyone comfortable with the offense.”

Athlon Sports, a sports magazine, ranked Cox the nation's No. 25 running back heading into the 2016-17 season.

“Its motivation to be considered one of the best backs in the nation,” Cox said. “However, I do not want to settle for 25, I want to work hard to finish better than where people are ranking me.”

Vocal leadership was a huge key to success for an App State team that finished 11-2 overall. Heading into his senior year and being seen as one of the team's most accomplished and decorated players, Holt sees the need for Cox to step up and take on the leadership role.

“We have had the conversation with Marcus about becoming a leader on the team,” Holt said. “He has always been a leader on the field, and now we are hoping he can become a little more vocal to help encourage these guys and get them motivated to contribute.”

Moore has seen Cox excel as a leader, helping him adjust to the college level as a true freshman last season.

“He has always been a strong leader teaching me steps and going over plays," Moore said. "He has been a big part in my success.”

Cox knows that there is a void to be filled by the senior defensive leaders who graduated.

“We lost our vocal leaders in Blair and Middelton, who graduated, so as a senior we are going to need me and some other guys to step up and continue where we ended last year,” Cox said.

Like any sport, every season is different, and even after flashes of Moore’s potential and Cox’s accomplished resume, the competition is wide open during spring practice.

“The key to spring football is competition and that every year is a new year,” Holt said. “We certainly will look at what the guys did in the past but they

are working hard here now.”

Experience, though, should definitely play a factor in who is receiving carries next season, and Moore has seemingly jumped over the freshman hurdle and is moving on to the next.

“I feel I am smarter and faster because I don't have to think as much as last season,” Moore said. “When I had reps last year, I had to figure out the mindset being a freshman, but I feel now with the experience, I will just be on the field without thinking as much.”

Spring practice is just the first step to being prepared for the fall season and Cox is already stepping into his new leadership role.

“I feel we’ve come out with high intensity and worked on the little things,” Cox said. “For me personally, I am trying to work on my own development of getting faster, changing direction and helping the younger guys.”

One of the most important positions in football is the running game, and Mountaineer fans should feel confident heading into next season with a potential NFL player in Cox and a confident sophomore who has shown flashes of greatness in Moore.

Malik Rahili

APPLE CASE REVEALS OUR POWERLESSNESS

W

hen news broke that Apple would fight FBI efforts to force the company to design software to help the FBI crack the San Bernardino attacker’s phone, I initially thought this was a bold, positive stand for the privacy rights of tech users.

Unfortunately, a deeper look at the stakes in this particular case reveal a potentially much darker picture. As much as Apple may want to protect privacy rights, the possibility of a privacy rights victory is not assured.

One of the most disconcerting realities of life in the post-Edward Snowden era is the feeling of powerlessness many of us have over our digital privacy rights.

If it weren’t for the Snowden revelations, many of us would not have that much knowledge about the extent of data collection. Even now that we know, there does not seem to be much we can do.

So much of our lives are bound up in these devices, yet they also serve as a means for often unchecked surveillance.

This conflict between Apple and the FBI is a perverse example of how that loss of power is playing out. With little support for changing the surveillance regimen in the political establishment, we are now looking to a private corporation to protect those rights that should be protected by government.

Of course, this case is different from NSA surveillance in a number of ways.

This process is playing out in the open and the government has obtained valid warrants for the case.

In addition, there is some dispute over what the real issue in this case is.

Simply put, the FBI is asking Apple to create a code that will disable certain

safety features on the iPhone in question so that the authorities can have a better chance of guessing the password.

In a highly publicized letter to customers, Apple CEO Tim Cook contends that it is not possible for the company to do this in a way that wouldn’t put all iPhone users at potential future privacy and security risk.

However, other experts have said that it would be possible for Apple to comply with the request without creating a large backdoor.

Dan Guido, a cyber security analyst and blogger, has suggested that there are ways for Apple to do what the FBI wants without creating a larger privacy and security problem.

The facts of the current situation have lead a number of media outlets to see this as a bad move by Apple. In the end, we might get an outcome in which the government will have greater ability to compel tech companies to participate in

searches like this.

The thought is that by using this case, which has as a backdrop as one of the most frightening terrorism attacks in recent memory, the government will be able to marshal both public opinion and the law to expand its legal ability to act.

And the public does not seem to be on Apple’s side. A Pew Research poll shows 51 percent of Americans supporting the government, while only 38 percent support Apple.

Basically, the point is that this isn’t so much about this particular case as it is about establishing a precedent for increased government encroachment into technology.

This brings us back to the issue of power. Despite the differences between this case and NSA survelliance, in both cases we see the issue of technological

survelliance playing out outside the realm of public ability to have input.

Indeed, the only power we seem to have in this case is as consumers.

One of the reasons Apple is so central in this case is because it is a prominent consumer company. People identify with Apple, and see it as representing something more than just a large international corporation.

The company’s public perception is likely one of the reasons it is adopting this stance. By positiniong itself as a defender of privacy, the company enhances its brand, a necessity since its economic success is so closely linked to its image.

All of this is incredibly perverse.

When it comes to the limits of government surveillance, Americans should be able to exercise their power as voting citizens, rather than having to count on their indirect power as consumers to present a bulwark against potential invasions of privacy.

This is far from over, and it isn’t clear what the result will be. At the least, I hope the high profile nature of this incident awakens Americans to the continued relevance of these security and privacy concerns.

Even though Americans seem to support the government at this point, it is important that these issues become more visible and that we have a more open, less fearful debate about the boundaries between privacy and security.

If nothing else comes of this case, I hope we can start to have this discussion this more openly, and exercise our power by making this an issue that our elected leaders must answer for publicly.

Kevin Griffin, a senior journalism major from Madison, is the Opinion Editor.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MELISSA CLICK

W

hen conducting a protest, it is key to remember that all eyes are on you.

Anything you say and do can and will be used to represent your cause.

This is especially true when your movement is highly controversial and is a receiving a fairly large amount of media attention.

This was the case with the protests that occurred in the University of Missouri in November.

The protests, which focused primarily on the tense race relations of the campus, received a large amount of media attention.

One incident from these protests that the media focused on was the actions of Melissa Click, a communications professor at the university.

In a video taken by a student journalist, Click is seen grabbing the student’s cellphone and telling him that he is not allowed to be in the protest area. After he says otherwise, she is seen saying that she “needs some muscle” in order to remove the student from the area.

This was by no means the first time that Click had been aggressive at a protest. The Columbia Police Department released video of Click verbally assaulting a police officer during a protest.

The entire situation has been unfortunate for Click.

Photo Courtesy of Apple

In light of her suspension from the university, she has enlisted the aid of a public relations firm to clear her image, according to The New York Times.

The video with the police officer has made that task even more difficult for her, as it makes it harder to believe this was just one unfortunate mistake.

For all her faults, however, Click’s story exposes the broader issue of media coverage of protests.

Click is an example of the media taking one extreme event or individual and centering the narrative around that one point.

The same was done with the Ferguson protests, which have unfortunately been labelled the “Ferguson riots” by many media organizations.

The actions of opportunistic looters, who had no real connection to the overall protest at hand, were taken to be the focus of media attention.

This is a shame, as the actual protesters were trying to impart an important message to the world about race relations and racism by the police.

The same can be said for the Missouri protests, which should have been centered around the righteous anger of the protesters over race. However it became the story of one woman making a fool of herself.

A protest should never be able to be about one single person, it should be about one united group,

fighting for an issue.

Due to the sensationalist nature of the media, however, this is almost never the case.

Especially in the age of social media when anything can be recorded. Almost anyone can come to be the mouthpiece of a movement, even those who don’t particularly represent it.

Click, as a professor specializing in mass media of all things, should have known that and acted accordingly.

But she did not, and even three months later Click is still the focus of news organizations instead of the protests.

So learn a lesson from Click. When it comes to protesting, or representing an organization of movement of any kind, you always have watch yourself to make sure you act in a way that truly advances the cause in an effective way.

In a better world, the media would do a better job of placing events in context. Since that is not the world we live in at this point, it is important for protesters to understand the ways media will pick up on their behavior to undermine their cause.

Quentin Russell, a freshman journalism major from Charlotte, is an opinion writer.

11

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