Thursday, March 20, 2014

Love’s Labor’s Lost

Football

Health & Nutrition

All-student cast performs modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labor’s Lost” this week.

Eight former Appalachian State football players showcased their skills in front of 14 NFL scouts during Monday’s Pro Day.

Find out how you can live a better, healthier lifestyle with The Appalachian’s Health & Nutrition blog

see PAGE 10

see PAGE 6

TheAppalachianOnline.com

The Appalachian 03.20.14

Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934

NEW CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCED Sheri Noren Everts will assume duties as next chancellor July 1 Vol. 88, No. 39

by Laney Ruckstuhl

Assistant News Editor

T

he University of North Carolina’s Board of Governors appointed Sheri Noren Everts as Appalachian State University’s first female chancellor Wednesday in Chapel Hill.

Since July 2008, Noren Everts, 55, has served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs to Illinois State University.

Noren Everts also served as Photo by Marie Freeman | the chief acaUniversity Communications demic officer at Illinois State and was named one of Illinois’ Most Powerful and Influential Women in 2010 by the National Diversity Council.

UNC system President Tom Ross said he believes the chancellor search committee has been successful in their mission.

“We go through the process trying to find someone who has an inherent awareness and inner strength and ability not just as a leader, but as a person of confidence,” Ross said.

The chancellor search was an ongoing process that began following Kenneth Peacock’s announcement of his resignation in April 2013.

Michael Steinback, head of the chancellor search committee, said he thinks Noren Everts will be fully capable of maintaining Appalachian’s standard and tradition, while also making necessary improvements to make up for challenges such as budgetary concerns.

“There are some difficult and challenging decisions going forward,” said Steinback. “She’s the right person for this job.”

Noren Everts said she plans on upholding Peacock’s legacy to the best of her abilities, while also building on it in her own way.

“It’s about acknowledging and understanding and appreciating where we are because no one wants to lose that,” Noren Everts said.

Peacock said he feels at peace upon exiting his term as chancellor.

“I feel it’s the right thing to do,” Pea-

Marie Freeman | University Communications

Chancellor-elect Sheri Noren Everts takes selfies with students moments after being announced as Appalachian’s next Chancellor.

cock said. “It’s the right time for Appalachian, it’s the right time for me personally and the search committee has found the right person.”

Peacock said he is unsure of where the future will lead him personally, but he hopes to continue to work with collegeaged students. He also said he hopes to

SGA tickets talk safety, town relations at debate

by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter

The Student Government Association hosted a debate between the three tickets running for SGA president and vice president for the 2014-15 academic year Tuesday in Linville Falls of Plemmons Student Union.

The three tickets include Adam Ezell and Patrick Sullivan, Matthew Norman and Nicholas Smith and Carson Rich and Daniel Tassitino. Approximately 100 students attended the debate that was moderated by Dino DiBernardi, an associate vice chancellor of student development.

Tickets addressed what they saw as Appalachian State University’s weaknesses and what they would recommend to the new chancellor.

“One of the first things that comes to mind is the student relationship with the town of Boone, especially with voting being taken off campus,” said Tassitino, a sophomore international business major running as Rich’s vice presidential candidate. “There is definitely a lot of opportunity for growth.”

Rich, also a sophomore and an advertising major said he wants the new chancellor to really realize that this is a university and a community, not a business.

“We are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, we are people with personalities,” he said.

Sullivan, a sophomore public relations major running as Ezell’s vice president said he would prefer to not refer to things that can be improved upon as weaknesses.

“I don’t want to consider them weaknesses, but safety is definitely one thing,” Sullivan said.

“There is no excuse for any sexual misconduct or sexual abuse to occur on this campus.”

Sullivan and Ezell strongly believe in incorporating Red Flag Campaign training on campus more prominently to help combat the issue of campus safety, Sullivan said.

Ezell said he wants to be sure a strong student voice is maintained with the era of a new chancellor and that the relationship between the town and university can be improved.

Norman, a junior accounting major who is running for president, said that two things

SEE DEBATE PAGE 3

2014-15 CANDIDATES PLATFORM • Bring increased nutritional options to campus • Bring light to "Silence the Stigma" campaign, which encourages students to get over their fears of going to the counseling center • Set up a system that allows clubs and organizations to stay connected to each other so they may support each other's events

Matt Norman > Senator for

Interfraternity Council and President of Interfraternity Council, member of Kappa Sigma

Nicholas Smith > Senator for Lovill Hall, President of Appalachian Honors Association

"Involvement, Infrastructure, and Innovation"

Adam Ezell > Current Chief of Staff, previous SGA Director of Governmental Operations

Patrick Sullivan > Senator for

off-campus students, desk shift volunteer at the LGBT Center, chairperson for the Special Events Council in APPS

“Grow You a Better Appalachian”

Carson Rich > Director of sustainability for SGA, on ASU’s sustainability council, leader with CRU

Daniel Tassitino > SOUL, manager at Crossroads Cafe, member of Alpha Tau Omega "Protecting Tradition, Pursuing Tomorrow"

PLATFORM • More gender neutral bathrooms on campus • Red flag training for all incoming freshmen each year • Shuttle to and from sports events for athletes and fans • Longer dining hall and market hours

PLATFORM • Diversity training for faculty and staff • Ensure Appalachian students continue to receive pell grants • More extensive SGA cabinet training • Bring a Center for Social Justice to campus

• For a winner to be announced, they have to receive 50 percent of the votes, plus one vote.

• A runoff would happen if none of the tickets receive the 50 percent plus one.

• A runoff would be between the two tickets that received the highest amount of votes.

Infographic by Ashley Spencer | The Appalachian

There are three pairs running for SGA president and vice president for the 2014-15 academic year. Each of the tickets’ slogans, platforms and qualifications are listed.

For a winner to be announced, a ticket must receive a majority vote, not a plurality, meaning a ticket must garner more than 50 percent of the votes cast after voting closes Wednesday. If no ticket earns this majority, a runoff election will be held between the candidates with the two highest totals to determine a winner.

see the university continue to grow.

“The greatest tribute to me would be for her to be successful and I know that we can do that,” Peacock said.

Students will be able to meet with Noren Everts for the first time on campus at Rivers Street Cafe in Central Dining Hall beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Late-night Central hours, Chick-fil-A breakfast possible

by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter

The Student Government Association and Appalachian Food Services are currently discussing the possibility of latenight dining being instated in Central Dining Hall and the chance of Chick-filA breakfast being an option for students.

“SGA is trying to meet student requests for both,” Alyssa Frizzelle, SGA director of Student Affairs, said. “We’ve heard a lot of students mention these in the past few years and so we really wanted to take a step to try and address their concerns.”

SGA President Dylan Russell said SGA is interested in late-night dining hours to coincide with the new 24/5 library hours.

Other motivations to make these changes include keeping university dining services competitive with other UNC system schools and peer institutions, Frizzelle said.

The operating hours for late-night dining have not been defined yet, Frizzelle said.

“Because we are still so early in researching the late-night dining option, we can’t say for sure [what hours may be],” she said. “From the surveys completed we have seen an interest in hours lasting until 1 or 2 a.m., on weekends particularly.”

Art Kessler, the director of Food Services, said late-night dining brings up multiple problems such as security issues, waste and cost.

“It is very expensive, late-night dining would have to be done at the students’ expense because that’s where the funds come from to run dining services,” he said. “We would have to raise the cost of meal plans.”

It is unknown at this time how much the cost of meal plans would have to increase to cover late-night dining and Chick-fil-A breakfast, Kessler said.

The university used to operate the dining halls until 2 a.m., but did away with it after students underutilized the service.

“It has been at least 10 years since we’ve stayed open that late,” Kessler said.

“The students said it was something they wanted, but we didn’t have the [student] support to keep it that way.”

Ram’s Head Dining Hall at UNC Chapel Hill stays open until 11:59 p.m. The latest operating time is for the campus’ Wendy’s and Alpine Bagel restaurants, which are open until midnight, according to dining.unc.edu. Western Carolina University’s dining hall is open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.

SEE DINING PAGE 5

PUNCH BROTHERS 2

Thursday, March 20, 2014

IN PHOTOS: PUNCH BROTHERS

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

The New York City quintet Punch Brothers performed at Appalachian State University on Wednesday night in the Schaefer Center, attracting a large turnout. The band has been noted for their sophisticated yet folky sound, and played several songs off their most recent 2012 album, “Who’s Feeling Young Now?” Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Aoife O’ Donovan opened for the group.

NEWS

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

DEBATE

FROM PAGE 1 he thought of were increased nutritional food options on campus and emphasis placed on a campaign called “Silence the Stigma,” which will help students get over their anxieties or fears of going to the counseling center.

“Another thing is that we need to be sure that students have representation, that their voice is heard, whether it is through clubs, organizations or the SGA senator that represents them,” said Nicholas Smith, Norman’s running mate and junior political science major.

Closing statements provided by the candidates demonstrated the hopes of each running ticket if elected.

“Daniel and I are both sophomores, but we want to run now because we are

going to be here to see change play out and we are going to be able to experience it,” Rich said. “We can go through this process with the students.”

Norman said the SGA president and vice president have the ability to make many changes occur.

“We are only two people, but if we can get the voices of the students heard then we can make something great and we can build something we can all be proud of,” he said.

Ezell said that with the experience and diversity of the Ezell-Sullivan ticket, if elected, he is sure that the voice of the student body will be represented and heard.

“We have a full understanding of what needs to be done,” he said.

Voting is open now through Wednesday on Appalnet.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

3

First Equality in Action conference focuses on LGBT issues on campus

by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter

A conference centered around LGBT issues titled Equality in Action will be held for the first time in Plemmons Student Union on March 28 to 30.

The conference will be centered around LGBT issues, but is open to all college students, not just students that identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

“The goals of the conference are to create connections and community, discuss and work toward resolving LGBT student issues, give students the tools to become leaders on their campuses, and help them strengthen their student groups,” said Maddie Majerus, co-founder and co-director of the event and a senior political science major.

Majerus, alongside fellow LGBT Center volunteer and senior management major Matthew Coons, had the initial idea for the conference.

“We will be focusing on on-campus LGBT student life, with an emphasis on creating a stronger sense of community for people who may not feel as though they are a part of the Appalachian LGBT community, whether it be from lack of connections, or from feeling as though they cannot be a part of the group because they are a straight ally,” Majerus said.

The two wanted to bring a larger number of LGBT events to campus, as the LGBT community here at Appalachian State University has been growing larger and more open, Majerus said.

Attendees of the conference will participate in a game night and in multiple workshops, as well as hear from speaker

Robyn Ochs, an LGBT rights activist and author of “Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World.”

Participants will also engage in workshops that include topics such as LGBT focused Red Flag training and a panel discussion titled LGBT and Religion, which will discuss how faith plays a role in identifying as LGBT. A board of eight undergraduate students that make up the Equality in Action Conference Board have been planning the event since last May. The board is made of students that are actively involved with the LGBT Center.

Students from other schools, including UNC Greensboro and Winston-Salem State University, have registered to attend.

Sponsors of the event include the Office of Multicultural Student Development, the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, Student Government Association, the LGBT Center, the Women’s Center and the APPS CASE Council.

Sponsors have raised enough so that there is no cost to students to participate in the conference. Students must register

by March 21.

Lauren Fine, the SGA director of cultural affairs, said SGA is helping sponsor the event to help pay registration fees so it is easier and cheaper for students to participate.

“The event is serving as a professional development opportunity for our SGA senators,” Fine said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for our senators to learn to be more inclusive leaders, more informed allies and increase awareness about issues facing our school’s gender and sexual minorities.”

Photos by Kim Reynolds | The Appalachian

Candidates for the 2014-15 SGA president and vice president elections participated in a debate March 18 in Plemmons Student Union. Approximately 100 students attended the debate.

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

NEWS

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

#appchancellor

We asked our Twitter followers to use the hashtag #appchancellor while tweeting about Wednesday’s chancellor announcement. Here are some of the tweets we saw:

CRIMELOG March 8 5:20 a.m. | DWI Stadium Drive A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

March 10 1:25 a.m. | Unauthorized entry into a building Winkler Hall The case has been closed after a student referral.

March 11 10 p.m. | Vandalism Smith Wright Hall Grounds The case has been closed due to exhausted leads.

March 13 11:19 p.m. | DWI Rivers Street A woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

March 15 1:47 a.m. | DWI Rivers Street A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

March 17 11:31 p.m. | DWI Rivers Street A woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

March 15 11:01 p.m. | Drug Violation Rivers Street A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

March 18 12:42 a.m. | DWI Rivers Street A student was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

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The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

NEWS

Campus police close to arrest in larcenies case

by Carl Blankenship Intern News Reporter

Appalachian State University campus police say they are close to making an arrest in the investigation of several larcenies from the Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center locker rooms that occurred within the last two weeks.

The crimes are still under investigation, but Capt. Todd Corley said University Police are nearing an arrest and there is a high probability that it is the same suspect for all the thefts.

Corley said that a commonality between all the crimes at Mt. Mitchell and the majority of larceny cases on campus is that the stolen items are left unsecured and doors are left unlocked.

“We don’t have anyone going in and cutting and picking locks,” Corley said.

“Every case we’ve had has been the result of an unsecured locker.”

Corley said that solving these sort of crimes is difficult when they occur because of unsecure belongings. He said

that there is about a 50 percent chance of solving a larceny that was the result of lack of precaution.

“When people go in a locker room and see someone going through a locker, you can’t tell if that’s their locker or not and that makes them very difficult to solve,” Corley said. “If people would be more responsible in securing their dorm rooms and locker rooms then most of these thefts wouldn’t happen.”

Corley said that when solving these cases, the police send out crime alerts to try and get tips as well as search for commonalities between multiple crimes.

University Police extended several safety tips for students when using university facilities as well as securing dorm rooms.

University Police also advise students and faculty not to leave belongings unsecured and unattended at any time because most thefts occur due to unlocked doors and lockers, Corley said.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

5

SGA sponsors TED-inspired talks

by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter

The Student Government Association is sponsoring a TED Talks-inspired conference for exchanging student perspectives March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Crossroads Cafe.

The event, titled Panorama, encourages students to come together and discuss their opinions and passions in an open environment.

The event is sponsored by SGA, but the event was planned by Shady Kimzey, a senior public relations major, and Natalie Gaviria, a junior social work major.

“The topics will range from education, masculinity and gender roles, motivation, and much more,” Kimzey said. “The talks are inspiring, funny, entertaining and very informative.”

Kimzey and Gaviria said they believe it is important for students to have a place to let their voices be heard by an open-minded audience.

“We hope people will walk away from the event being inspired by fel-

low student’s passions and experiences and gaining a perspective that they might not have received otherwise,” Gaviria said. “We had seen TED Talks in classes and through social media, and were inspired by the short and powerful messages that they gave.”

Kimzey and Gaviria said they hope students will come out to the event and support their peers.

SGA was approached by Kimzey and Gaviria about the event.

“Shady and Natalie had the idea to host this event and approached SGA for support,” said Zach Yllanes, SGA director of campus outreach. “SGA hopes to continue this event in the years to come while providing students with the opportunity to share and discuss their passions with one another.”

Kimzey said it is important to have this type of event on campus.

“We felt like often times students have had amazing passions that they never get to share on a peer-to-peer level,” Kimzey said. “We wanted to create that positive environment for students at Appalachian.”

DINING

FROM PAGE 1 Currently, Central Dining Hall closes at 10:30 p.m. every day.

As for Chick-fil-A breakfast, Kessler does not believe the benefit outweighs the cost.

“We have spoken to other campuses that offer Chick-fil-A breakfast, such as UNC Chapel Hill, and they had to do away with it because of the massive [food] waste,” he said. “Students did not support it, there was not an increase in breakfast sales.”

For these dining hall possibilities to become a reality there must be support from the student body that shows they would take advantage of these options, Kessler said.

A survey currently being administered by SGA asks students how they would feel about these options becoming available to them.

“For both late-night dining and Chick-fil-A breakfasts to become a reality we really need a large base of student interest via our surveys,” Frizzelle said. “More than anything, we need to prove that students will use these services and that the revenues added from them will exceed the costs so as to continue the services without forcing Food Services to operate at a loss.”

Kessler said the odds of these changes happening in the dining hall look pretty slim unless support is shown.

“Dining Services along with SGA will be making the final decision on this, but we need proof from SGA because we want money spent well,” he said. “We have the lowest price standard meal plan in the UNC system and that’s something we are very proud of.”

Rachel Krauza | The Appalachian

Junior psychology major Kaity Pechanek picks up dinner from the Chik-fil-A, located in Central Dining Hall. SGA is currently working with Food Services to create late-night dining on campus along with offering Chik-fil-A breakfast.

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A&E

Thursday, March 20, 2014

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Senior creates Room 153 to encourage student collaborations

by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter

S

enior technical photography major Peter Grill will graduate in May with a full portfolio featuring the modeling and styling of other Appalachian State University students from his collaborative fashion photography organization Room 153.

Named after the studio in Katherine Harper where photography students can produce their work, Room 153 is a collective of students founded

by Grill looking to collaborate on fashion photography projects. A Facebook group for the student artists currently holds 40 members.

Grill got the idea for the group after taking a fashion photography class, which hosts its own class-wide call for photography models each semester to ultimately compile a list of willing volunteers for the entire class to use. “[Room 153 is] just a way for me to communicate with people trying to model or help me with shoots, or help with wardrobe, styling or makeup,” Grill said.

Room 153’s namesake, the Katherine Harper photography studio, is not available 24/7 like other art studios on campus. With about 30 photography seniors using the room, time in the space is hard to come by.

“My most consistent time is midnight to 3 a.m. every Tuesday, so obviously finding models at that time is hard,” Grill said. “The bigger of a group I have to pull from, the more likely I am to find someone crazy enough to come in until 3 a.m.”

While the primary objective of the Room 153 collective was to build his own portfolio, Grill soon realized the possibilities for collaboration. After posting fliers around campus, Grill assembled his own squad of student volunteers that were interested in work-

Photo Courtesy | Peter Grill

Senior technical photography majors Peter Grill (left) and Corey Adams (right) are regular participants in the collaborative photography group Room 153. The group, created by Grill, invites all photography majors to collaborate on photography projects and assist each other during photoshoots in order to build their portfolios.

ing specifically with him in building their portfolio or just getting pictures of themselves in a high-fashion style.

Additionally, Grill said photography minors and those just starting in the program are able to volunteer as photo assistants, giving them the opportunity to work with better gear and more complicated lighting in a bigger studio than would otherwise be available to them.

Corey Adams, senior technical commercial photography major, met Grill through classes, during which they both realized they had an interest in high fashion. They

now collaborate on shoots regularly.

“Peter and I assist each other, we help on set and we also bounce ideas and new techniques off of each other,” Adams said. “Without working together, both the brainstorm phase and the physical shoot are three times harder.”

A professional photography production team may consist of first and second assistants, a digital technician and possibly a producer, while the photoshoot itself may also require working with professional talent, hair and makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, food stylists, home economists, child

wranglers and more, adjunct commercial photography instructor David Crosby said.

“All of these various entities bring their own special expertise and creativity to the shoot, but it is ultimately up to the photographer to work with and direct this energy toward the desired end,” Crosby said.

Communication and collaboration in the way that Grill has orchestrated are crucial for success, Crosby said.

Grill said that after graduation, commercial photographers either start their own businesses or work as an assistant at a larger firm. Grill

said he hopes his portfolio will land him in a bigger city with a high fashion demand where he can work his way up on larger productions.

Chip Williams, assistant professor of commercial photography, has had Grill in several photo and video production classes.

“Peter’s strength lies is in his intuitive creativity and his native sense of the narrative,” Williams said. “Assuming he pursues a career in some form of media-production and develops his focus and artistic voice, I expect to see great things from him during his career.”

No-fear Shakespeare: ‘Love’s Labor’s Lost’

by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter

Appalachian State University students will perform a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s early comedy “Love’s Labor’s Lost” this week as the start of the High Country Theatre League’s celebration of Shakespeare’s 450th birthday.

The play features an all-student cast as well as original student musical compositions.

The show follows a king who decides that he and his friends are going to bring fame to their kingdom. They take an oath to dedicate themselves to their studies for three years, and during that time they will only eat one meal a day, and most importantly not make any contact with women. Hilarity ensues when they all end up falling for the visiting princess of France and her friends, and find ways around the oath.

While the story is set in a fictional province of Spain and was originally written to be performed at a wedding, director Derek Gagnier said he took his own points of influence from the original text, setting the action of the play in a roaring-’20s style with characters in modern dress.

Gagnier, an associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been studying all aspects of producing, performing and interpreting Shakespeare throughout his career.

With some help from the American Shakespeare Center, he has been working on this specific adaptation for the past two years.

“What I hope it does is open people’s eyes and show them that Shakespeare isn’t this boring thing – it’s exciting and it’s fun and entertaining, especially these early comedies,” Gagnier said.

The setting also allows for a more modern interpretation of the original jokes, and Gagnier hopes that this will make for a version of Shakespeare that

is within reach of modern audiences.

“If people don’t get what the words are, the body language will tell that part of the story for them,” Gagnier said. “The pressure’s off. Nobody dies on stage, but a lot of people laugh.”

Senior theatre arts major Carmen Lawrence plays Maria, one of the princess’ friends, and said the age of the characters is convenient.

“There are usually shows that are picked [by the university] that unavoidably have characters that are all either 50 years old or 10 years old, so to have almost our entire cast our age is pretty convenient,” she said.

Lawrence also said she welcomes the chance to take on a less serious role.

Another key aspect unique to this production is the addition of original music written by junior music composition major Daniel Bukin.

Bukin said that while the original script included mention of some musical numbers, it does not make any mention of the actual tunes, and only some of the songs include lyrics. This gap in the original left more room for further artistic adaptation.

As a composer, Bukin strives for the ability to write in a variety of styles and for a variety of ensembles, and as a theater lover, he jumped at the opportunity to write music for the stage, he said.

“Once I learned that this particular production was to be set in a roaring-’20s style, but modern day setting, it was clear what genre of music was appropriate for the play: big band jazz,” Bukin said.

Lawrence said the show offers audiences the culture of Shakespeare via the accessibility of what she called “the plot of every chick flick ever made.”

Love’s Labor’s Lost takes place in the Valborg Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee show Sunday.

Tickets are $8 for students, $13 for faculty and staff and $15 for adults.

Photo Courtesy | Wyatt Nyman

Senior theatre arts major Jacob Dailey (left) , playing the character Berowne, and junior English major Katelyn Sabet (right), playing the character Rosaline, embrace onstage as part of a rehearsal for Appalachian State University’s production of Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labor’s Lost.” The show takes place in the Valborg Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee show Sunday.

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

A&E

Thursday, March 20, 2014

‘Desolation’ succeeds as Jackson’s bombastic, irresistible vision Nary an Internet chatroom was spared the collective, exasperated groans of the Tolkien faithful when it was announced that the fiercely anticipated upcoming “Hobbit” film series would be split into not two, but three chapters.

Suffice it to say, the wailing fanbase did have a point. Look what happened with “The Godfather III”, “Return of the Jedi”, “The Matrix Revolutions”, “Spiderman 3”, “XMen: The Last Stand” and countless others – though for the sake of argument I’ll put “Return of the King” out of mind for a moment.

More often than not, third movies end up as the dumping ground for ideas that never made it into the first two installments of the trilogy in question.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is only the second in the “Hobbit” series, but it follows the pattern of material being concentrated in the first two chapters, which is concerning for Tolkien fans when the source material is so slim.

One change – which, admittedly, most consider an improvement – is that where 2012’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” seemed to be stretched too thin, “Desolation of Smaug” is stuffed to the gills.

The abundant action sequences are better choreographed and more exciting than – dare I say it – even anything in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth thrives in detail, thanks again to splendid, digitally enhanced New Zealand. The plot skips along so nicely that even the most casual fan might not mind the near three hour runtime.

The biggest issue with “Smaug” isn’t the concentration of the material, but the quality thereof.

Too many subplots focus on characters that were an afterthought at best, if not wholly nonexistent in Tolkien’s beloved classic. Legolas, reprised by a less-spry Orlando Bloom, appears only to serve as jealous lover of Tauriel, another artificially-injected, sex-appeal token played by Evangeline Lilly. Kili, a handsome dwarf, steals both our hearts and screen

time as the wounded hero and final element in the film’s highly unnecessary love triangle.

All this goes to say that there’s a lot of fluff, so much that even the iconic scenes derived cleanly from the source novel – for example the run-in with

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

the shapeshifting Beorn – come off as breaks in the primary action: the retrieval of one mysterious and inexplicably important “Arkenstone.”

That said, Smaug the Stupendous is entirely captivating. Rising superstar actor Benedict Cumberbatch breathes fire into the eponymous serpentine villain with all the fiery charisma one could hope for.

Every great fantasy film needs an iconic villain, and Cumberbatch’s Smaug makes for a refreshing change over the duller Azog who sent our stout travelers scattering throughout “An Unexpected Journey.” Though this middle slice of the journey is as delightfully rough-and-tumble as the first, an injection of invigorating motivation makes the difference here.

Though “Desolation,” like “Unexpected Journey” before it, more or less fails as a direct adaptation, the irresistible draw of Middle Earth is inescapable. I’ll whine with the best of them about Jackson’s liberty taking, but by the time the credits roll, I’m still in love with this marvelous film world.

- Sam Lineberger, A&E Reporter

The Graduate School is hosting a "drop in" Open House at the Student Union (contact tables directly across from Cascades) Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27 from 11-2.

In addition to graduate school staff, program faculty and current graduate students will be available to talk about what graduate student life at Appalachian is really like. Open House is a great way for prospective students to meet faculty, current graduate students, and learn more about available programs, financial aid for graduate school, fellowships and scholarships, admissions.

7

Opinion 8

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Staff Opinion

Staff Opinion

Westboro founder near-death is no cause for celebration Dewey Mullis Opinion Writer

Fred Phelps, founder of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church, is nearing his death, according to CNN. The infamous patriarch and his Kansas congregation have been the epicenter of antigay, -military, -Jewish and -Muslim protests.

While we can remain divided on gay rights and other issues, displeasure for Phelps and his community are more concrete.

On Facebook, “Fred Phelps Death Watch” is dedicated to living Phelps’ legacy through various memes. Tweets, pe-

titions, protests and watch groups are remembering the man – who is still living – by organizing protests and commentary mirroring the very hateful speech they fought.

While I have always stood in fervent opposition to the message and tactics of Phelps and his followers, I am sincerely saddened by the sheer hypocrisy that is shattering the value found in true peace and equality.

Upon one’s death, we traditionally and naturally express mourning while celebrating the positive attributes of the deceased’s life in an intimate, hopeful and reverent manner.

Regardless of when Phelps passes away, his death should retain the same level of humanity as if he were any other person. He should be remembered as an outspoken man,

driven by a passion greater than many can imagine.

Stripped of his signage, harsh message and controversy, Phelps is a man born into this world by the same processes as anyone else. It is by our own doing that we made this man an infamous symbol of hate.

He has also brought out the best in millions of people.

How fervently would we protest equality if it were not for the equally fervent opposition?

In the greatest spectacles of competition and debate, we strive to fight harder than our adversary. Like it or not, Phelps is making the progression of equality a reality in this country. Isn’t that what this whole fight is about?

Never is the celebration of another’s death an accept-

able form of human behavior.

If we are truly equals, let us demonstrate that we are not hypocrites and grudge-holders, but instead actors and doers of the more central and meaningful message.

Surely, when the day comes that Phelps passes, there will be those who taint ideologies of religion, politics and morality by repaying the favor to one of America’s most outspokenly intolerant men. But let it not escape us that vengeance toward a dead man is as fruitless and lifeless as the very body itself.

Intolerance of intolerance is not tolerance just as vengeance is not justice. It is a mockery of equality.

Mullis, a junior criminal justice major from Wallburg, is an opinion writer.

Editorial Cartoon

Andrew Cox | Editorial Cartoonist

Staff Opinion

Obama uses executive orders, draws ire of Republicans Kevin Patel Intern News Reporter

During President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech earlier this year, he intimated that he would not refrain from using executive orders or authority to help American families.

The intention Obama voiced during his speech has drawn a great deal of acrimony from Republican members of Congress, such as Sen. Mike Lee. During a meeting of the Senate Judiciary committee Jan. 29, Lee condemned the president’s use of executive orders.

“When you look at the quality, not just the quantity but the quality, the nature of the exec-

utive orders that he has issued, he has usurped an extraordinary amount of authority within the executive branch,” Lee said, according to the Washington Examiner.

Lee, along with many other critics of the president, claim that he has over-utilized executive orders.

He has not.

I don’t buy the premise because it is ignorant to what executive orders actually are.

Executive orders are not law but they have the force of law - they are formal directions of the bureaucracy, according to the Congressional Research Service. I would argue that the use of executive orders is not his privilege, but his duty.

Obama’s usage of executive orders is actually comparatively low. His average number of executive orders issued per day is roughly one every 10 days

The Appalachian The Editorial Board

MICHAEL BRAGG Editor-in-Chief

JOSHUA FARMER Managing Editor

COLIN MOORE A&E Editor

CORY SPIERS Sports Editor

LANEY RUCKSTUHL Assistant News Editor

CHELSEY FISHER

- President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued eight every 10 days, according to NY Magazine.

Furthermore, the argument that many Republicans make, which is that the frequency of executive orders must coincide with an executive power grab, has little to no basis in reality.

FDR, again, had a filibusterproof Senate for roughly his entire presidency and 300 seats in the House, according to the Clerk of the House of Representatives. He had a sympathetic Supreme Court, too, according to the University of Houston’s Department of History.

According to the National Archives, there has been no formal executive order issued

by Obama pertaining to the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. Instead, he has invoked executive authority to simply not enforce the mandate.

Contact Information EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (828) 262-6149 BUSINESS OFFICE (828) 262-2157

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The Appalachian reserves the right to decline publication of any letter and to edit letters for the purpose of clarity and space.

The employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act states that any employer of more than 50 employees must provide them health care prior to the end of 2013, according to healthcare. gov. After consultation with business leaders, which I will concede is a rather dubious prospect, the mandate was delayed.

What infuriated many Republicans was that he used executive authority to do it.

Obama has interpreted his duty to execute the law, and to direct the bureaucracy, in line with his authority to delay the mandate.

Clearly, his Republican counterparts do not share that interpretation.

Patel, a sophomore political science and economics major from Cary, is an intern news reporter.

Our Mission The Appalachian, a student-run publication at Appalachian State University, strives to provide fair and accurate news for the campus community; to inform, entertain and create a forum for ideas; to provide an outlet for readers’ opinions; to be a champion for student, faculty, staff and community interests; and to remain independent, exercise and ensure its First Amendment rights.

SAT change better for students Kevin Griffin

Opinion Writer

Few tests engender frustration in students, teachers and parents the way the SAT does.

High school students are frequently reminded of the importance of this test to their life prospects. The problem with this emphasis on the SAT is that the test has shown to be flawed in numerous ways.

Hoping to improve the test, the College Board has decided to make several changes to the SAT that will take effect in 2016. The now mandatory essay section will become optional, the math sections will focus on a narrower set of skills and vocabulary on the exam will be altered to reflect practical understanding of terms one will see in college, according to the College Board.

These changes will not solve the multiple problems with the SAT or standardized testing, but they are a modest improvement over the status quo.

For a long time, the test has been criticized for cultural bias, a claim corroborated by a 2010 Harvard Educational Review study. Additionally, the test is not a good predictor of college performance, with those who submit test scores performing essentially the same in college as those who do not submit, according to a February 2014 study of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.

Les Perelman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology director of undergraduate writing, found in 2005 that longer essays written on test scored higher than shorter ones, regardless of quality, according to the New York Times.

A test that has been given so much influence over student’s future should at least reflect the skills and reasoning ability that one will have to use in college, as well as later in life.

With these changes, the College Board is making a move in that direction.

The changes to the essay and vocabulary content of the test illustrate some of the ways the new test is improving for the better. Though it will be optional, the new essay requires students to respond to a passage by analyzing the arguments made in the selection.

This is a better exercise in engaging students’ critical faculties than the current essay setup.

By no means are all the problems with the SAT solved, and I would prefer that the College Board continue to make even more changes.

Still, the proposed changes do make some headway in making the test more useful to the students for whom it has become so important.

Griffin, a sophomore journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

Letters to the Editor The Appalachian welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and include the author’s name, ASU Box, phone number, classification and campus affiliation, if any. Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to send us their comments.

Letters should be submitted electronically via our Web site or e-mail. Letters may also be mailed to “Letter to the Editor,” The Appalachian, ASU Box 9025, Boone, N.C. 28608. Letters may also be brought to the newsroom, located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.

NEWS BRIEFS

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

App Submit announcements Email dycheab@appstate. edu at least two weeks in advance.

Entries can’t exceed 100 words and need to include the event title, date/time, location and cost, other pertinent information and a contact(s) (email, phone and/or URL).

Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows.

Creative writing award Rising juniors and seniors majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing are invited to enter work into the Truman Capote Literary Trust Award in Creative Writing 2014-2015 Poetry Competition. Students are asked to submit an envelope with three collated sets of five poems, with their name, ASU email and phone number on the first page of each entry. Entries are due by 1 p.m. March 21, and the winner will be announced May 2. Entries should be delivered to the English office on the second floor of Sanford Hall. The competition features a $3,300 scholarship award.

For more information, email weinbergsc@appstate.edu.

CEO lecture Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock will present “Seizing Life’s Opportunities” as part of the 53rd Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture at 10 a.m. March 21 at the Holmes Convocation Center. The lecture is free and open to the public. Shuttles will run continuously between Raley Circle, the Rivers Street Parking Deck and the Holmes Convocation Center (NW Concourse Entrance) beginning at 9 a.m.

Soccer tournament The 8th Annual People of the Planet Soccer Tournament will be held April 13 as part of the 13th Annual Diversity Celebration events in collaboration with Watauga High School on their turf fields. Admission is free. For details/registration, go to www.cs.appstate.edu/ soccer/. The deadline to register is March 28.

Adult teams will be com-

prised of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, and youth teams in several age groups will have an opportunity to play.

Poetry Sharing Circle The event for transfer and non-traditional student creative writers will be held 5-6:30 p.m. March 31, 3rd floor faculty lounge, Sanford Hall. Bring a favorite poem or a short prose excerpt to share.

Sponsored by the English Department, Creative Writing Concentration. Email weinbergsc@appstate.edu for more information.

Call for sustainability grants The Appalachian State University Sustainability Council is calling for submissions for the 4th Annual Sustainable Arts Grants Awards. The primary goals of these grants will be to educate and raise awareness of sustainability in its many facets on campus.

Students, staff, faculty and administrators are eligible to apply for these grants. Student applications must include a faculty adviser willing to support the project.

All forms of art are acceptable, including 2-dimensional, digital, 3-dimensional and/or performance projects, not limited to the visual arts. Proposals are due March 31. Direct questions and send proposals to sustainability@appstate. edu or call 828-262-2659.

Criteria for the proposals include: conveys the idea that all aspects of life are inter-dependent; inspires the audience to place greater value on health, justice and friendship; encourages the audience to be conscientious of sustainability on environmental, social justice or economic issues; was produced by a system with continuous effort to reduce waste and pollution; can motivate people and raise money for reinvestment in the production of further “sustainable” works; and raises awareness and provides sustainability education to the ASU campus.

Call for proposals for

9

Thursday, March 20, 2014

News Diversity Celebration Multicultural Student Development is asking for proposals for exhibitors, dancers, singers, musicians, artisans, storytellers and talents of all kinds for the 13th Annual Diversity Celebration at Appalachian State University. The event will be held 3-9 p.m.

April 8 in Plemmons Student Union. To submit a proposal, go to http://multicultural.appstate.edu/resources/forms/ diversity-celebration-proposal-form. For more information, call 262-6158.

Environmental Humanities Symposium The all-day event begins at 9 a.m. April 4 in Table Rock, Plemmons Student Union.

The event features three keynote speakers, an interdisciplinary faculty panel, a closing roundtable discussion and a reception. The keynote speakers are Dale Jamieson, professor of philosophy and environmental studies and affiliate professor of law at New York University; Phaedra Pezzullo, associate professor of rhetoric and public culture at Indiana University; and Mel Y. Chen, associate professor of gender and women’s studies at University of California Berkley.

The symposium is free and open to the public, but participants are asked to register for the event. To register, go to http://humanitiescouncil. appstate.edu/digital-humanities-symposium-registration.

For more information, go to http://humanitiescouncil.appstate.edu or email hallki@appstate.edu.

Wellness workshops The Counseling Center presents “Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood!” wellness workshop series. Extra credit slips will be made available.

For more information, call 262-3180 or go to counseling. appstate.edu.

• Getting Out of the Happiness Trap: How to Accept Disappointment in the Pursuit of Your Happy, 3-4 p.m. April 9, New River Room, Plemmons Student Union • Screening of Lifetime’s

“Call Me Crazy” Film with Brittany Snow & Love is Louder, 6-8:30 p.m. April 28, Beacon Heights Room, Plemmons Student Union Sustainability Film Series Presented by the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Geology, and sponsored by Appalachian Popular Programming Society, Belk Library, Department of Geology and sustain Appalachian, the series aims to raise awareness of current environmental, social and economic issues.

Most films begin at 7 p.m. in I.G. Greer Auditorium and each will be followed by a brief panel discussion with experts from the sustainability field represented in each film.

• A Place at the Table, April 29: Tells the story of three Americans who maintain their dignity even as they struggle just to eat.

Tax assistance Students, staff and faculty may use myfreetaxes.com/ appstate to prepare and e-file federal and state income tax returns.

In addition, App is providing IRS-sponsored Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA), in which trained volunteers will be available to guide users through the process and answer questions. In-person assistance will be available 5-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, through April 15 (closed during spring break) in room 21014 of Raley Hall. No appointment is necessary.

For questions about this service, call 262-6228 or email hofmannma@appstate.edu.

Additional community-wide free tax assistance with the VITA program is available (by appointment only) at the following locations: Watauga County Public Library, 3-6 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays; Watauga County Senior Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays; and Western Watauga Community Center on Mondays.

Move-in day Volunteers are needed Aug.

15 to assist with move-in day for the class of 2018. Students will arrive from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and volunteers are needed to assist students in moving their belongings into their residence hall rooms. Volunteers are also needed for upperclassmen move-in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 16.

Appalachian will provide all volunteers with a T-shirt. As a special incentive to organizations and groups, the committee is offering organizations with 15 or more volunteers to have their organization/group name or logo printed on the T-shirt. The deadline for volunteer registration is June 13 to have the organization name printed on the T-shirt.

Sign up to volunteer on our website: http://housing.appstate.edu/volunteer. For more information, email jordansn@ appstate.edu.

Free legal advice Do you have questions about your lease or the conditions in your apartment? Are you uncertain how to handle a speeding ticket or minor criminal charge? The Student Legal Clinic may be able to help. An attorney is available to provide free, confidential advice and information to Appalachian students about a variety of legal issues. The Student Legal Clinic is located in Suite 324, Plemmons Student Union.

Call 262-8284, or visit the office to schedule an appointment, or go to legalclinic.appstate.edu.

Podcast about drug and alcohol arrests On Jan. 31, BusinessInsider.com published a story about colleges with the most on-campus drug and alcohol arrests. Appalachian State University was on the list, and App State Chief of Police Gunther Doerr and Wellness Promotion Coordinator Kendal McDevitt recorded a podcast about the rankings and what they mean to App State.

Listen to the full discussion at https://soundcloud.com/appstate/behind-the-numbers-1, or find it on http://appcares. appstate.edu.

March 2014

sunday

monday 16

tuesday 17

wednesday 19

18

friday

thursday 20 Meet & greet with Chancellorelect Sheri Noren Everts, 10 a.m., Rivers Street Cafe in Central Dining Hall, free “Due Process Matters: A Defense Attorney’s Perspective” with Robert T. Speed, 5 p.m. March 20, room 011 Anne Belk Hall

saturday 21

Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture featuring Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock, 10 a.m., Holmes Convocation Center, free and open to the public

22nd Annual Pancake Dinner, presented by the sisters of Kappa Delta, 5 p.m., Central Dining Hall, tickets: From Bears concert, $5 advance; $7 at 9 p.m., Legends, door admission: $4-$6 Pool Tournament, 7 p.m., PSU, free

23

24

26

25

Appalachian Philharmonia Orchestra, 2 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free

Global Film Series: New Muslim Cool, 5 p.m., room 114, Belk Library, free

Drawing and Painting the Human Figure, 2 p.m., Turchin Center, $5 App students, $15 per session

Global Film Series: “Girl Rising,” 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, free

Aaron Ames & Jonathan Asbell Faculty Piano Recital, 6 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, $1

Joby Bell/Faculty Organ Concert, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert NOUN perforHall, free mance, 8 p.m., Legends, $3

27

28

Joe Murphy Documentary Film Festival: “Doc and Merle” and selected shorts, Visiting Writers Series: Bruce Weigl, 6:30 p.m., room 124, College of 2 p.m. craft talk, Education Building, 7:30 p.m. reading, free Table Rock Room, PSU, free “Frozen” screening, 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, $1 Stefan Czermak guest violin concert, 8 p.m., Rosen Con- “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” cert Hall, free screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, $1 “Frozen” screening, 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, $1

Equality in Action Conference, March 28-30, PSU, $20

22 Healing Arts Yoga, 10:30 a.m., Turchin Center, $10/session, $5/ students Family Day, 1 p.m., Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, free

29 The Joe Murphy Documentary Film Festival: “Auto Bond,” “Shoes Required,” and selected shorts, 2:30 p.m.; “Slow Food: Fast Times” and selected shorts, 7:30 p.m.; room 124, College of Education Building, free “Frozen” screening, 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, $1

Sports 10

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Football

Mountaineers showcase talent, skills at Pro Day workout

by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

E

ight former Appalachian State football players had a chance to impress NFL scouts during the school’s annual Pro Day on Monday at Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility and the Appalachian Athletics Center.

Linebacker Michael Frazier, quarterback Jamal LondryJackson, place kicker Drew Stewart, cornerback Rodger Walker and wide receivers Andrew Peacock and Tony Washington all played last fall for App State and worked out in front of 14 NFL scouts.

Linebacker Brandon Grier, who concluded his college football career with App State in 2012, participated as well.

Seven other players from Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville State, Lenoir-Rhyne and Mars Hill also worked out.

Kareem Young, director of strength and conditioning for the Mountaineers, said he was especially impressed with Londry-Jackson, Peacock and Washington.

Londry-Jackson weighed in at 206 pounds after dropping below 200 pounds last season while working to recover from a knee injury.

Londry-Jackson was the only quarterback who worked out Monday, and Young said he looked confident throwing in front of the scouts.

“Londry-Jackson looked very clean with his passes,” Young said. “He came in looking good. He’s been working.”

Peacock and Washington boasted good showings in the weight room. Washington bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times while Peacock bench pressed the same weight 17 times.

Washington had a 38.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot5-inch broad jump. Peacock followed closely, notching a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-

2-inch broad jump.

Young said the marks for Peacock and Washington were above the average among this year’s draft-eligible receivers.

Washington’s bench press numbers would have tied him for second among wide receivers at the 2014 NFL Combine, Young said. The most reps that any receiver at the combine could muster was 23 from Indiana’s Cody Latimer.

Young also said Washington’s vertical jump would have tied him for sixth among receivers at the combine. The highest jump by any receiver was 41 inches recorded by Tevin Reese from Baylor. “[The scouts] were very impressed by Washington, and a close second was Peacock,” Young said.

“Washington stretched the field, and Peacock was just as explosive as he could be. They had a very good workout.”

Peacock said he prepared extensively since last season ended, and it paid off.

“I was very happy with my overall times and lifts.

It was pretty much what we expected,” Peacock said.

“We’ve been training very hard throughout these past two and a half months. This is what we do. You’re a professional now.”

Young said the next step for the players is to wait and see if any NFL teams invite them in for a visit to further evaluate them as a player and a person before the 2014 Draft.

Washington said he is not worried about what will happen on draft day.

“As far as what’s going to happen, I don’t know,” Washington said. “For right now, I’m just focusing on being the best player, so wherever I wind up, I’m coming into camp focused.”

The NFL Draft is set to take place May 8-10 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Buckwell |Appalachian State Athletics

Former Appalachian State quarterback Jamal Londry-Jackson leaps through the air in the broad jump drill during Monday’s Pro Day at the Appalachian Athletics Center.

These measurements show how Tony Washington and Andrew Peacock would stack up when compared to other perspective NFL players who participated in the NFL Combine.

HIGH JUMP Tevin Reese (Baylor) Damian Copeland (Louisville) Davante Adams (Fresno St.) Bruce Ellington (South Carolina) Donte Moncrief (Mississippi) Martavis Bryant (Clemson) Mike Campanaro (Wake Forest) Allen Robinson (Penn St.) Tony Washington (Appalachian) Andrew Peacock (Appalachian)

BENCH PRESS 41.0 in 40.0 in 39.5 in 39.5 in 39.5 in 39.0 in 39.0 in 39.0 in 38.5 in 38 in

Cody Latimer (Indiana) Tony Washington (Appalachian) Brandon Coleman (Rutgers) Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt) Mike Campanaro (Wake Forest) JeffJ anis (Saginaw Valley St.) Marcus Lucas (Missouri) Quincy Enunwa (Nebraska) Robert Herron (Wyoming) Andrew Peacock (Appalachian)

23 reps 21 reps 21 reps 21 reps 20 reps 20 reps 20 reps 19 reps 18 reps 17 reps

Source: NFL.com Infographic by Ryan Freeze | The Appalachian

Baseball

Injuries don’t hold Tyler Zupcic back

The Appalachian | Cory Spiers

Senior utility player Tyler Zupcic tries to ignite his team on his way back to the dugout during a game against N.C. State in February.

by Katherine Glassman Intern Sports Reporter

Tyler Zupcic hadn’t played baseball in 21 months prior to the beginning of this season.

The fifth-year senior Mountaineer returned this season from an injury suffered against Oklahoma in the 2012 NCAA Baseball Regional.

Zupic collided with Sooners catcher Tanner Toal at the plate, tearing his PCL, ACL and fracturing his fibula.

The Mountaineers lost a consistent, versatile player in Zupcic who led the team with a .350 batting average in 2011 while playing several positions.

Zupcic was named all-Southern Conference by coaches and media during the 2012 regular season.

Since his injury, Zupcic has worked to get back on the field and contribute for the Mountaineers.

Zupcic said he consistently

attended morning workouts, which included pool workouts and underwater treadmill workouts to strengthen his hamstring and quadricep.

Zupcic said the new goal this season has been maintaining the strength in his leg.

As Zupcic has worked to return from the injury, the team has found his hard work inspiring.

“It’s been incredible,” junior pitcher Jamie Nunn said. “It’s been a pretty big inspiration because it puts it into perspective to see what he has done to be back this year and playing.”

But after rehab work, Zupcic is back and gives head coach Billy Jones’ team an extra skilled player who can play infield and outfield positions. Jones said.

“He can play,” Jones said. “The thing that is going to be tough for him is that I am asking him

to do a lot of different things.”

This season, Zupcic is one of three players to start all 19 of App State’s games, notching 6 RBI and batting .254.

Jones believes that Zupcic will improve his average as he gets more comfortable.

“I told him I was going to hit him down in the [batting] order to take the pressure off him,” Jones said. “He’s been through it and he knows what it takes. We’ve moved him up now and we love hitting him in that spot.”

Zupcic has 162 career runs, which ranks him seventh in App State history and is ninth in school history with 229 career hits. But beyond accolades, Zupcic said he is pleased to just be able to play the game.

“I am really excited to be back out there,” Zupcic said.

“It has been a long time since I have been able to play.”

Jones said the message to Zupcic is to enjoy his time on the field, without worrying about any expectations that are placed upon him this season.

“When I first got here [in 2013] and I heard of [Zupcic’s] injury, I thought ‘Well, how’s he going to play ever?’” Jones said. “My hat’s off to him for what he’s had to do.”

The Mountaineers take to the field again Friday as they travel to face off against Georgia Southern. The game will begin at 6 p.m.

Basketball

Coach search begins following Capel’s exit

by Nick Joyner Senior Sports Reporter

Athletic director Charlie Cobb said the search for the next men’s basketball coach at Appalachian State University will begin immediately.

After four seasons as head coach of the Appalachian State men’s basketball team, Jason Capel will not be returning next season, Cobb announced March 10.

Cobb said the search for a new coach will involve multiple people.

“We’re going to have a committee and probably look to have six to eight people involved in the process,” Cobb said.

“We’re going to go on a national search and let the head coach decide who is going to be on the staff.”

During his tenure, Capel held a 53-70 overall record, including a 32-38 conference mark. Cobb said the program needed a change.

“Looking at and evaluating the program over the last four years, we haven’t met expectations,” Cobb said. “Coach knows it, I think our kids knew it and certainly I think the Appalachian community knows it. Wins and losses are a big part of that expectation piece.”

This season, Capel, who

was entering the last year of his contract, led the program to an overall record of 9-21 and a firstround exit in the quarterfinal round of the SoCon tournament.

“I don’t know if there is that one thing that really needs to be changed,” sophomore guard Frank Eaves said. “I feel like there were a lot of games this year where we were right there, and we just didn’t finish.”

Eaves said he hopes the next coach is passionate about helping the team.

“I would definitely like to see someone who is enthusiastic to work with us, and who’s ready to take this program to another level,” Eaves said. “I’m definitely excited for the next person, whoever is hired.”

Capel, hired in 2010, was a rookie coach that Cobb said he picked with his instincts. This time around, experience will be a factor in the hire.

“We are going to try to focus on someone who has been a successful college head coach,” Cobb said. “I think it’s also important that we’ve got to find somebody that’s going to engage what I refer to as the AppNation.

Certainly our fans and our students are a big part of the atmosphere within the Holmes Center.”

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

Basketball

SPORTS

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

11

Baskin embraces final season with Appalachian State basketball

by Ben Cogsdale Intern Sports Reporter

Throughout the highs and lows that come with being a Division I basketball player, Appalachian State senior forward Tevin Baskin has continued to keep a positive outlook on his career that’s helped him relish his Mountaineer experience as a person, as well as a basketball player.

“It’s been a unique situation that I’ve enjoyed for the most part,” Baskin said.

“It’s had its ups and downs like anything, but overall my thought process was to enjoy my senior year because you can’t get it back at the end of the day.”

Stepping onto the Holmes Convocation Center floor for the final time Feb. 20 against rival Western Carolina, Baskin notched 11 points and six rebounds in a losing effort against the Catamounts.

That game was his second-consecutive double-digit scoring output of the season.

Baskin was recognized prior to the

start of the Senior Night game.

“To hear the reaction from the fan base when I was announced was pretty cool, because for the most part I can say I’ve tried to make a positive impact on everyone’s lives I’ve come across here at App State,” Baskin said.

The 6-foot-6-inch forward has been a steady contributor since his arrival in Boone last season. The Chipola College transfer embraced his role as the sixth man last year playing in all 31 games, averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game coming off the bench.

This year, despite minor injuries that saw him fall out of the starting lineup, Baskin emerged as a team-first leader willing to accept any role in order to ensure the squad’s success.

“I suffered a minor bump and fell out of the starting lineup and from there, guys started playing well,” Baskin said.

“When guys are playing well [without me on the court] it’s usually easy to complain and find every negative aspect of it, but

I think my role this year whether on the court or bench was to continue to stay positive and keep guys going no matter what happens.”

Despite a disappointing end to the season, Baskin said he cherishes his experience as a Mountaineer and said his family was a major part of helping him thrive on and off the court.

“My parents, along with my whole family, have just been a great support system overall,” Baskin said.

The Mountaineers were eliminated from the SoCon tournament in its first game March 7 against Samford, marking the final time Baskin would play as a Mountaineer.

Baskin will graduate at the end of the year in the same venue he has played basketball for the past two seasons.

“Walking across that stage in convocation is a double positive for me,” Baskin said. “Even though people say [Senior Night] is my final time being in here, it’s really not. It’s just the icing on the cake.”

Justin Perry | The Appalachian

Senior forward Tevin Baskin, who is graduating in May, played his last regular season game Feb. 20 against the WCU Catamounts.

he Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

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Thursday, March 20, 2014