02.18.11

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SPECIAL SECTION Baseball and Softball preview inside today’s paper

Friday, February 18, 2011

Serving the University of Alabama since 1894

Vol. 117, Issue 87

Auburn Pink meet making an impact vandal not affiliated with UA Alabama students plan fundraiser to restore Toomer’s Corner By Amanda Sams Senior Staff Reporter alsams1@crimson.ua.edu

Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., 62, of Dadeville, has been arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief for poisoning the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner, Auburn University Police Chief Tommy Dawson said in a news conference Thursday. “The University of Alabama is glad that the individual responsible for damaging the trees will be held accountable,” said Deborah Lane, assistant vice president for University Relations. “The individual who was arrested has never attended The University of Alabama, and has never been a season ticket holder. He is not affiliated with the University in any way.” Even though Updyke is not a University student or alumnus, some Alabama students still want to show CW | Drew Hoover Ricki Lebegern, who graduated last year, performs during a Pink Meet. A new wave of young Alabama gymnasts will experience the significance of the power of the pink meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. By Jason Galloway Sports Editor crimsonwhitesports@gmail.com

annual Pink Meet to talk to the current Crimson Tide gymnasts about what she had recently been through. In the middle of her dialogue, Not long after former Alabama gymnast Ann Wilhide Dziadon she pulled a wig off her head to was diagnosed with breast reveal the baldness that comes cancer in 2008, she came to from the agony of chemotherapy Tuscaloosa before the team’s and other treatments of breast

cancer. “We were really shocked, in a good way,” said Alyssa Chapman, who is now a senior on the team. “It was amazing to see what a big deal this meet is. She was such an inspiration to us, and it made us realize exactly why we’re a part of this program.”

See TOOMER’S, page 3

Dziadon said, “I was trying to relay to the team – it’s more than just a gymnastics competition. Everything seems really important, but something like that really puts things into perspective.”

See PINK, page 2

Football attendance leads in SEC By Britton Lynn Senior Sports Reporter bmlynn@crimson.ua.edu The first year after its new stadium expansion changed BryantDenny Stadium from seating 92,138 screaming fans to 101,821, Alabama became the No. 1 school in football attendance in the SEC. The Crimson Tide was also ranked No. 4 in the nation in football attendance. “It’s great,” said junior linebacker Courtney Upshaw. “We thrive off the fans and how loud they are. We try and get the win not only

for us, but for the Alabama fans because we know what good fans they are.” Alabama sold out all seven home 6. Tennessee – 99,781 1. Michigan – 111,825 games during the 2010 season 2. Ohio State – 105,278 7. Georgia – 92,746 while playing the following opponents at Bryant-Denny Stadium: 3. Penn State – 104,234 8. LSU – 92,718 San Jose State, Penn State, Florida, Mississippi, Mississippi 9. Florida – 90,511 4. Alabama -101,821 State, Auburn and Georgia State. “It’s wonderful,” said junior 10.Auburn – 86,087 5. Texas – 100,654 defensive lineman Marcell Dareus. “I don’t think there are many fans like Alabama fans. They have our going to cheer for us 100 percent.” going to an Alabama football game back when we’re winning, losAnd while the Tide football in Bryant-Denny Stadium is unlike ing, it doesn’t matter. They’re still team appreciates its fans’ supgoing to be there and they’re still port, the fans strongly believe that See STADIUM, page 3

SUNDAY SALES

Religious groups voice opposition to Sunday alcohol By Taylor Holland Senior Staff Reporter tlholland1@crimson.ua.edu

the upcoming vote. Bars along The Strip have posted signs on their doors and walls urging UA students After both the state and bar patrons to vote yes in House and Senate approved Tuesday’s vote, but what many Tuscaloosa’s Sunday alcohol may not have encountered is sales bill last session, much controversy started surrounding See ALCOHOL, page 3 le this

By Jennie Kushner Senior Staff Reporter Jfkushner@bama.ua.edu Six percent of the student population has taken advantage of the University’s free Motor Assistant Program, said Chris D’Esposito, assistant director of transportation services. D’Esposito said annually about 1,800 out of 30,000 students use MAP, a program that was initiated about 13 years ago. “MAP is a service that helps out faculty, staff and visitors on campus who need minor automotive assistance,”

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D’Esposito said. “We service seven days a week from 7 a.m. until midnight.” One to two drivers are available assist those who run out of gas, need a battery jump, or need air in a tire, D’Esposito said. “We are primarily on campus; if we go to far off campus, we are not able to service those on campus,” he said. D’Esposito said MAP costs the University thousands of dollars a year. “I don’t know the exact number; we dedicate two vehicles, we have two employee salaries and all the equipment like battery jump

FAST FACTS • The Motor Assistant Program began in 1998 • Drivers offer assistance to callers who run out of gas, need a battery jumped or need air in their tires • Annually about 1,800 of 30,000 students use MAP boxes,” he said. “It costs in for students. Taylor Hess, a sophomore the thousands.” D’Esposito said any person majoring in mechanical on campus is allowed to use the service; it is not strictly See MAP, page 3

INSIDE today’s paper

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AP Crews work to remove toilet paper from one of two poisoned oak trees before spraying the leaves with a coating at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn Thursday.

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TOP 10 MOST ATTENDED STADIUMS

P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-8036 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifieds: 348-7355 Letters, op-eds: letters@cw.ua.edu Press releases, announcements: news@cw.ua.edu

Briefs ........................2

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ON THE GO Page 2• Friday, February 18, 2011

EDITORIAL

ON THE MENU LAKESIDE Lunch Chicken Fried Pork Chop with Onion Gravy Macaroni and Cheese Linguine with Roasted Red Peppers Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry Broccoli Quiche (vegetarian) Dinner Italian Marinated Chicken Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup Roasted Red Potatoes Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry Mozzarella Garden Burger (vegetarian)

BURKE

• Brittany Key, Zone 8, 348-8054 • Nikki Amthour, Zone 44, 3486153 • Will DeShazo, Zone 55, 3488041 • Kelly Sturwold, Creative Services Manager, 348-8042 The Crimson White is the community newspaper of The University of Alabama. The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students. The University of Alabama cannot influence editorial decisions and editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and do not represent the official opinions of the University. Advertising offices of The Crimson White are on the first floor, Student Publications Building, 923 University Blvd. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. The Crimson White (USPS 138020) is published four times weekly when classes are in session during Fall and Spring Semester except for the Monday after Spring Break and the Monday after Thanksgiving, and once a week when school is in session for the summer. Marked calendar provided. The Crimson White is provided for free up to three issues. Any other papers are $1.00. The subscription rate for The Crimson White is $125 per year. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama and sent to: The Crimson White Subscription Department, P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 354032389. The Crimson White is entered as periodical postage at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Crimson White, P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2010 by The Crimson White and protected under the “Work Made for Hire” and “Periodical Publication” categories of the U.S. copyright laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of The Crimson White.

What: Dance Alabama! Spring Concert Where: Morgan Auditorium When: 5:30 - 8 p.m.

What: Research Forum on Teaching in the Disciplines Where: Charmichael 221 When: Noon - 1:30 p.m.

SATURDAY What: Celebrating Black History Month - Black Americana Collection from the A. S. Williams III Americana Collection Where: Gorgas Library Pearce Foyer and Williams Room When: 9 a.m.

What: Wheelchair BasketWhere: Student Rec Center When: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

What: Balfour Official Ring Week

Where: Ferguson Center

BRYANT

Lobby

Chicken and Broccoli with Mushrooms Mexican Beef Fajitas Flatbread Tomato Pesto Beef Pot Roast Four Tomato Basil Penne (vegetarian)

SUNDAY What: Flora the Red Menace

Where: Allen Bales Theatre

When: 2 - 5 p.m. What: Student Recital featuring Chris Brown, tuba Where: Moody Music Building When: 2 p.m.

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

What: Experiencing the Sublime

Where: Ferguson Center

What: Miro String Quartet presented by the String Quartet Society of Tuscaloosa Where: Moody Music Building When: 4 p.m.

Art Gallery When: Untimed event

FRESH FOOD

Submit your events to calendar@cw.ua.edu

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Turkey Noodle Soup Squash Medley Herb Roasted Red Potatoes Stewed Tomatoes and Okra (vegetarian)

ON CAMPUS

Johnson named head of department of management and marketing

istration at the University of College Theatre Festival. Meester judged student work Massachusetts at Amherst and her master’s and doctorate from for the festival while serving as vice chair of design and design Cornell University. chair for the region. Meester has also served as a guest lecturer for festival events. UA professor wins The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Kennedy Center Festival is a national program award that involves more than 18,000 Donna Meester, associate students from colleges and uniprofessor in the department of versities nationwide. The festitheatre and dance, was award- val includes more than 600 coled the Kennedy Center Golden leges and universities across the Medallion for her service to country. Meester received her bachthe Kennedy Center American

PINK

ize there are a lot of people who don’t have that kind of care. “I tried to think of how I could use 10,000 fans and my position here at the University to somehow do something that would help make a difference.” Making the idea a reality was as easy as Patterson could have hoped. Everybody she asked began donating or helping out with putting a “Pink Meet” together, something she attributes to the fact that breast cancer has affected so many people. One example of this is David DeSantis, the co-owner of Tuscaloosa Toyota, whose mother died from breast cancer when he was 13. “It was like, ‘Wow, here’s an opportunity, a godsend, to try to help with something that was near and dear to my heart,’” DeSantis said. Tuscaloosa

of Pink meet will be held in Coleman Coliseum at 7:30 • Dana Andrzejewski, Advertising tonight, continuing a tradition that has already made such a Manager, 348-8995, cwadmagreat impact in its short exisnager@gmail.com tence. • Drew Gunn, Advertising The idea came from head Coordinator, 348-8044 coach Sarah Patterson’s own • Hallett Ogburn, Territory scare with breast cancer. She Manager, 348-2598 was having difficulty passing • Emily Frost, National Advertising/ her annual mammogram, and Classifieds, 348-8042 although nothing was wrong • Jessica West, Zone 3, 348-8735 with Patterson, she realized how lucky she was. • Courtney Ginzig, Zone 4, 3488054 “I would go back and forth • Robert Clark, Zone 5, 348-2670 between a surgeon and my own doctor, and I kind of had the best • Emily Richards, Zone 6, 348of care,” Patterson said. “When 6876 you’re in that situation, you real• Amy Ramsey, Zone 7, 348-8742

TODAY

ball Tournament

BBQ Smoked Turkey Legs Pasta Lovers Trio Cornbread Dressing Spinach Vegetarian Fajita (vegetarian)

• Victor Luckerson, editor-in-chief, editor@cw.ua.edu Diane Johnson, associate pro• Jonathan Reed, managing fessor of management, has been editor, jonathanreedcw@gmail.com named head of the department • Brandee Easter, print production of management and marketing editor in the Culverhouse College of • Daniel Roth, multimedia Commerce. Johnson had been editor serving as the department’s • Will Tucker, news editor, interim head for six months. newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Johnson earned her bach• Kelsey Stein, lifestyles editor elor’s degree in business admin• Jason Galloway, sports editor • Tray Smith, opinions editor • Adam Greene, chief copy editor • Emily Johnson, design editor • Brian Pohuski, graphics editor Continued from page 1 • Drew Hoover, photo editor • Brian Connell, web editor The Alabama gymnastics • Marion Steinberg, community team’s seventh annual Power manager, outreach@cw.edu

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ON THE CALENDAR

Toyota is now sponsoring a pink event at every women’s athletic event on campus. The community’s enthusiasm allowed Patterson to get the first Power of Pink meet together just months after formulating the idea. “Nobody said no to me,” Patterson said. “We got leotard companies to donate leotards. We got other teams to buy in. After we hosted the first one, the hospital took on the initiative and donated all the proceeds [from its golf tournament] to the breast cancer fund that the gymnastics team had established.” In the Tide’s first Pink Meet in 2005 against Auburn, 13,229 fans came to support the meet, the biggest crowd Alabama gymnastics had seen since 1999. Every Pink Meet since then has sold out. In 2006, Alabama even had

The University of Alabama

Media Planning Board invites applications for these positions for the 20011-12 academic year

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 23, 2011 Editor & Managing Editor

Black Warrior Review Editor & Assistant Editor

Southern Historian DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 25, 2011 Editor and Ad Manager

The Crimson White Editor & Managing Editor

Marr’s Field Journal DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2011 Station Manager

WVUA 90.7 FM

Editor

Corolla

Applications are available online at osm.ua.edu. Call 348-8034 for more information.

elor’s degree in apparel technol- Tuscaloosa at the Ferguson ogy from Purdue University and Center, Room 309 at 6:30 p.m.. her master’s in stage design from The event is free. Truth Wins Out is a non-profit Southern Methodist University. organization that fights anti-gay religious extremism. TWO monitors anti-LGBT Equality Alabama, organizations, documents their Truth Wins Out to lies and exposes their leaders sponsor ʻPray Away as charlatans. TWO specializes in turning information into the Gayʼ action by organizing, advocating On Friday, Feb. 18, Equality and fighting for LGBT equality, Alabama and Truth Wins Out and its goal is to create a world are sponsoring Wayne Besen where LGBT individuals can as part of his “Pray Away the live openly, honestly and true to Gay” winter tour. He will be in themselves. a crowd that went beyond capacity, which was the largest collegiate gymnastics crowd since 1993 at 15,162 people. A combined total of $865,000 has been donated during the five meets the DCH Breast Cancer Fund has been in existence. DeSantis said raising awareness for the disease in the month of February is also an important aspect of the Power of Pink, since it is at the opposite end of the calendar as breast cancer awareness month. “Cancer doesn’t know what month it is, so we try to get the awareness out there 12 months a year,” DeSantis said. “National breast cancer month is October. Having this meet in February is good to rejuvenate everybody in the awareness part.” The pink initiative that started with the Alabama gymnastics

program now extends to professional sports. Major League Baseball players use pink bats, NFL players wear pink gloves and NBA players even don pink headbands to raise awareness for breast cancer. Before tonight’s Pink Meet in Coleman Coliseum against Kentucky, 17 breast cancer survivors affiliated with the gymnastics program, including Dziadon, will be recognized on the floor. It is also alumni night. “Both as an alumna and a survivor, it’s very special,” Dziadon said. “[This meet] means so much to anyone who has been through breast cancer. It gives people hope. “It helps me recognize not only what I’ve accomplished individually, but how a community can accomplish so many things.”

The Crimson White

ALCOHOL Continued from page 1

the steep opposition from certain parties. Billy Gray, the Tuscaloosa County Baptist Association’s associate director of missions and education, said he and the organization strongly oppose Sunday alcohol sales in Tuscaloosa. “Sundays are for church and family,� Gray said. “Besides that, the big thing with me is that alcohol is a dangerous drug and any way to curtail its availability is important in our society. “Currently, you can possess and even drink alcohol legally on Sundays, you just can’t purchase it. That law is there for a reason.� Gray said since the bill cleared the legislature, he has been conducting research about the topic to better understand it. “I found that many other places in the U.S. don’t allow sales of alcohol at all,� he said. “Usually, you have the pro-alcohol folks telling us we’re behind the times, but the truth is dry counties exist all over.� Gray said he and other members of the Tuscaloosa County Baptist Association have been traveling and speaking out against the legislation. “The spokesman for our

STADIUM Continued from page 1

the gameday in any other college stadium. “There aren’t really any words to describe the experience of watching a game in Bryant-Denny,� said Sam Solomon, a senior majoring in business management. “It feels like you’re about to go into battle with 101,821 people just expressing more excitement, confidence and trust that our team will be victorious on and off the field.� But after hearing about Alabama’s new record-breaking football attendance, some fans not only expressed their pride in the program and new stadium, but also were confident that if the school were to add more seats they would be filled just as quickly. “[The ranking] is a pretty impressive statistic,� said John Hails, a senior majoring in political science. “It really says an enormous amount about our fan base. It makes me feel as if we could add another 50,000 seats and still sell out every home game.� And that’s just how crazy the Tide’s fan base is about its football team. Just being a part of the team brings the fans a sense of pride. “At Bryant-Denny, all the fans, regardless of age or price of the seat, cheers just as loud as the person next to them,� Solomon said. “Everyone in the stadium partaking in the countless traditions the Capstone encapsulates is what makes Bryant-Denny the unique [stadium] it is today.� And while the fans’ volume and enthusiasm for the game adds to Bryant-Denny Stadium’s atmosphere, it may make opposing teams nervous, affecting the outcome of the game. After the stadium expansion, players said they were shocked at how much the fans can influence what goes on on the field. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a game where Bryant-Denny has ever been that loud,� sophomore linebacker Dont’a Hightower said after this year’s Iron Bowl. “They helped us out a lot on third and short yardage. Every time we were out on the field I feel like the fans helped us out.�

NEWS Christian Life Committee has gone out and been interviewed by a lot of voters,� he said. “I went out with one of our state leaders [Tuesday] to speak to journalism classes about the upcoming vote as well.� In March 2010, Gil McKee, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa, said although he abstains from alcohol altogether, he prefers that alcohol not be sold on Sunday. “I see Sunday as a special day the Lord says to set aside for his worship,� McKee said. “Surely we could get by with six days of sales, but I do understand where those in favor of the legislation are coming from.� Regardless of stance, it is reported that more than 1,000 voters signed up to weigh in on the issue within a week’s time. Currently, six of Alabama’s 67 counties don’t allow the sale of alcohol anywhere within their county lines. Gray said he recognizes that alcohol can lead to problems, and he will continue to seek ways to curtail its availability. “We see the destruction it brings in individuals and families all the time,� he said. “We are not in favor of this vote.� Registered voters who seek to vote on whether to allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays between noon and 9:30 p.m. can do so on Tuesday at various polling locations across Tuscaloosa.

TOOMERĘźS Continued from page 1

their support to Auburn in the loss of the oaks. Kelsie van Wyck, a sophomore majoring in human development family studies, and Kayleigh Moring, a sophomore majoring in healthcare management, said they hope to coordinate a fundraiser to help in the restoration of Toomer’s Corner. “Our first reaction to hearing the news was disgust,� van Wyck said. “We know how important traditions are to a university, and we could not imagine one of our time honored traditions being destroyed like the trees on Toomer’s Corner. We also felt that this action gave the entire university a bad name and portrays us as classless, which we are not.� Van Wyck said they are still at the beginning of the process of deciding how to raise the funds, but they will be meeting with administrators Friday

Friday, February 18, 2011

MAP

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Continued from page 1

engineering, has used the MAP program several times this year. “They helped me save money on a tow truck and they were very friendly,� Hess said. “They helped in any way they could.� Hess said he discovered the MAP program through a booklet he received at orientation in 2009. Until about a year ago, MAP could assist drivers who locked their keys in the car. That service is no longer offered, D’Esposito said. “That is because of two reasons,� he said. “First, it was a liability issue. As vehicles become more technically advanced, you can’t unlock the door without having the alarm go off. The systems are too advanced. We would also have to break windows sometimes to get the keys.� D’Esposito said MAP does not offer towing. “We can put you in contact with a tow company and locksmith that we have a special rate with here in Tuscaloosa,� he said. Calls to the MAP program remain constant despite the heavy flow of visitors during football season. to discuss further plans. “After talking to a forester, we were informed that a single mature live oak of appropriate size can cost up to $30,000,� van Wyck said. “We don’t take responsibility for [Updyke’s] actions or comments, but we saw this as an opportunity to bring together state rivals during a time when competition is so heated. We were disgusted at this alleged fan for giving the University of Alabama such a bad name. No true fan of the Crimson Tide would represent our university so poorly.� SGA President James Fowler said does not demonstrate the values of UA students. “I’ve spoken with Auburn SGA President Kurt Sasser and expressed my condolences,� Student Government Association President James Fowler said. “This sort of assault on an age-old tradition is unacceptable and only cheapens the long and respectful rivalry that our schools

Walker Donaldson and David Simpson work together to jump start a car. “It is pretty consistent,� he said. “We get as many calls during a football week as we do during the summer time.� D’Esposito said those who call in need to be patient. “Sometimes the calls will get backed up so there may be a delay,� he said. “If people can remain patient, we are trying to get to them as fast as possible.� Sarah Smith, a sophomore

majoring in telecommunication and film, said she thinks the idea of the MAP program is positive, but due to little advertisement, is a waste of money. “I have never even heard of the MAP program before,� she said. “Now that I know about it, I will use it if the time comes.� Smith said it is somewhat pointless for the University to spend thousands on the program without alerting students

John Michael Simpson

that it is available. “Since the University has not taken the time to alert students of the program, I think it is pointless to spend so much money on it,� Smith said. “I think it’s great we have that, but nobody knows about it to use it.� Those looking to use the MAP program can call 348-0121. After 4:30 p.m. or on weekends call 348-9494.

“Our ďŹ rst reaction to hearing the news was disgust. We know how important traditions are to a university, and we could not imagine one of our time honored traditions being destroyed like the trees on Toomer’s Corner.“ —Kelsie van Wyck Lee County Circuit Court, Col. Melvin Owens, executive director of Security and Public Safety at Auburn University, said a professor of turfgrass management got a suspicious telephone voice message from a caller claiming to have knowledge of the poisoning of the trees at Toomer’s Corner Feb. 7, according to al.com. The voice on the message was consistent with the voice that had called a radio talk show Jan. 28, according to the affidavit. Soil tests confirmed that the trees had been poisoned with the powerful herbicide Spike DF, and as a result they are dying. When asked at the news conference if there was any way the trees would survive, Auburn professor of horticulture Stephen Enloe

share. In no way, shape or form do the actions of one person— a person who, to my knowledge, has never been connected to or associated with The University of Alabama in any official capacity — reflect the values of our student body.� If proven guilty, Updyke could face one to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines, according to Alabama law. Dawson said Updyke may be facing more charges in the future, but he did not wish to elaborate. “This is a person who obviously has problems to do something like this,� he said. “So we want to use caution and let the justice system take its course.� In an affidavit filed Wednesday morning in the

choked up and said it was an emotional question. “I almost want to hold out hope,� he said. Stephen Baugh, an Auburn senior majoring in history, said he thinks the fundraiser idea that van Wyck and Moring are proposing is great, because it shows that even though the schools are rivals, they can come together and represent the state of Alabama in a good light. “Everybody here thinks it’s a tragedy,� Baugh said. “I just think it’s someone who wants to entice the Auburn family and the Auburn tradition. It’s a little premature to assume the suspect is even an Alabama fan, although most of the campus thinks it has to do with the Alabama rivalry. We can always replace the trees.�

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OPINIONS

America is pretty awesome

Thursday, February, 18 2011 Editor • Tray Smith letters@cw.ua.edu Page 4

{ YOUR VIEW } “The group which represents UA needs to be more diverse. I know two kids who were turned down- neither was blonde and blue eyed. One was an African-American male, the other was a girl from the Northeast. The girl from the Northeast was asked incredibly offensive questions. Both students were Presidential Scholars.” — Anonymous, in response to “Student organization releases member for tattoo”

“As an Auburn student, Iʼd just like to say that I hope the student bodies and Alumni of both schools can work together to stop these ridiculous hate acts (from both sides). I love our rivalry, and it can be very intense sometimes, but these types of things have gone too far, we can all agree to that.” — Ben Price, in response to “Toomer’s Corner trees poisoned at Auburn

EDITORIAL BOARD Victor Luckerson Editor Jonathan Reed Managing Editor Tray Smith Opinions Editor Adam Greene Chief Copy Editor

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Letters to the editor must be less than 300 words and guest columns less than 800. Send submissions to letters@ cw.ua.edu. Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published. Students should also include their year in school and major. For more information, call 348-6144. The CW reserves the right to edit all submissions.

By Marina Roberts

MCT Campus

Campus should be forum for religious discussion, deliberation By Ben Friedman In our current postmodern and secular age, sharing one’s religious beliefs is often labeled, at the blink of an eye, as intolerance. The “Coexist” bumper sticker is prevalent, and so much as making the slightest assertion that you believe your religious faith is correct (with any hint of conviction) will earn you the image of a stubborn conservative who is unwilling to participate in the reality of today’s multi-religious world. This stereotype is ridiculous and, for the most part, undeserved. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Regardless of whether or not we accept the religious beliefs others might share with us, the refusal to share one’s religious beliefs is the pinnacle of selfishness. If one legitimately believes the Christian view that life without the grace of Jesus Christ merits eternal suffering, I cannot imagine the disgusting level of selfishness one must possess not to tell everybody they know about what they believe. If one legitimately believes the Buddhist views on liberation, why would that person possibly withhold from me access to their views of truth? If one legitimately believes the Hindu view that life is a vicious cycle of death and rebirth that cannot be escaped until one achieves moksha, why would they not tell me? How many vicious cycles could they picture me going through until I somehow figured it out on my own? People who are vocally open about their religious beliefs are characterized as belonging to a “radical sect” of their religion, when such people are merely following the doctrine (another word with an undeserved negative connotation) of their religion or possessing a shred of human decency. When one shares his or her religious beliefs, they must, of course, be incredibly careful of the tone

they use. There is nothing evil about speaking with conviction, but when this conviction spills over into a tone that is condemning, people are left feeling annoyed and belittled. Brother Micah (the insult-slinging Florida preacher) is annoying to both Christians and non-Christians alike on this campus for his extreme lack of tact. When one speaks without tact, they not only turn off their audience, but hurt their own cause as well.

Regardless of whether or not we accept the religious beliefs others might share with us, the refusal to share one’s religious beliefs is the pinnacle of selfishness. — Ben Friedman

unavoidable fact that by sharing with someone the basics of one’s worldview without sounding disengaged or personally unmoved by it, one inherently admits that he or she believes the opposite party’s worldview is incorrect. Though using tact can minimize the effects of this dilemma, it simply cannot be completely avoided. The dilemma, however, is the lesser of two evils. I don’t know of a single worldview that claims the eternal or divine implications of not following it are somehow lesser than the temporary offense of having one’s worldview alluded to as false. People will often argue that they would have no qualms about others sharing their faith if unselfishness was truly their motive. This is a valid point, given the numerous religious beliefs that offer personal rewards (think enlightenment or good karma) for sharing one’s faith. Though these people would be correct in realizing that many people’s motives in sharing their faith might not always be selfless, this realization makes the refusal to share one’s faith no less selfish. If I were to inherit one billion dollars and give much of it away, I may not be entirely selfless. In fact, my primary motive may be to earn people’s praise or to better my image for a political campaign. If I didn’t share a penny of it, however, I could be correctly labeled as selfish. The possibility of tainted sharing does not negate the reality of selfish hoarding. So, the next time somebody tactfully approaches you about his or her religious beliefs, feel free to disagree. I only ask that you thank them before you walk away.

I was walking outside of B.B. Comer last year when a graduate student handed me a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu religious text, along with a DVD to accompany it. Though I didn’t exactly ask for more information, he spent 10 minutes explaining to me how the book had changed his life for the better and how he strongly believed I too would benefit from reading it. I didn’t share his worldview at the time and I still don’t now, but I respect him for what he did. He didn’t have to act as if he was personally disconnected and emotionally unattached to his subject matter, as one must in a religious studies classroom setting, nor did he posit that my worldview was somehow equally as correct as his. Yet, I wasn’t offended. Even if we assume that the act of sharing of one’s faith can be done tactfully and with conviction, how- Ben Friedman is a sophomore ever, many people will still face a majoring in social entrepreneurdilemma. The dilemma lies in the ship. His column runs on Fridays.

Poisoned trees not part of rivalry By Caitlyn Cofer The whole nation is now in uproar about the Toomer Trees. And trust me, we understand. If someone knocked over our Chimes or painted Bear’s bronze hat some outrageous color – like, orange? – this town would be mad too; perhaps mimicking the franticness of ants when their homes are kicked over, or angry farmers with pitchforks out for vengeance. But I don’t think this school’s reputation, or its psychologically stable, respectable fans should be to blame. The hunt is on for some sad sack who goes by the name of “Al” – whose real name is probably Charlie or Jethro or Lewis – living in Dadeville. I don’t even know where or what that is. But I’m almost certain “Al” has never gone to this university, or any university, in his life. He simply wants to fit in, play the part, do our dirty work. At the University of Alabama we don’t have sacred trees, but we do have sacred spaces: the handprints of Joe Namath, Denny Chimes, a big bronze Bear Bryant. This isn’t a one-sided battle of the psychotic fans, because Auburn has them in plenty as

well. For example, the Cam Newton jersey someone put on the Bear Bryant monument was no act of respect. Nor was the huge 30-foot grass replica of the score from the 2010 Iron Bowl that some Auburn fan from, perhaps, Cottondale planted on our Walk of Champions. Obviously these acts are easily recovered with only minor damage. But you know what they say about waking up a sleeping giant ... he’ll poison your trees. When rivals win back-to-back National Championships and sport backto-back Heisman Trophy winners, there is going to be some friction – so much friction that this state will soon burst at the seams. And that’s exactly what is happening. To Auburn fans (because so many of you read The Crimson White) and even disappointed SEC fans: know this wasn’t a schoolplanned function. There was no town meeting; we didn’t hire a tree hit man from Dadeville, nor do we support one. In fact, collectively, the students, faculty and alumni at this school are nothing but classy people, who empathize in your loss and anger. We are a group of people who revel in rivalry, but who also respect that rivalry. Of course at a game ending in our favor, we’ll yell about how we “beat

the hell out of you.” But that’s tradition. And like you (Auburn fans) will hear our Rammer Jammer, we (Alabama fans) will watch you vandalize your sacred trees with toilet paper – even if we don’t understand it. If anyone knows about tradition and respects tradition, it is THIS school. We have a moving montage on game days to confirm it. As far as this ugly rivalry goes, I’ll proudly speak for my school and say that we cannot control what people like “Al” from Dadeville do. But we can control how hard we support the image of this university, academically and athletically. We’ll show up in the classroom, and then we’ll meet you on the field. Our 13 flags will be flying, our crimson will be overwhelming and our Roll Tides will be deafening. At this school we believe we are the best and the brightest. We come from a long line of champions and are primed to succeed. And we don’t need to kill your trees to prove it. Caitlyn Cofer is a junior majoring in English. Editor’s note: this letter was recieved before Harvey Updyke was arrested and charged in the poisoning of the trees.

When Ben Friedman’s article, “America still the greatest,” ran last Friday, it was met with a pretty poor reception. If you’ve picked up the paper since then, you’ve no doubt picked up on his historical inaccuracies and perhaps oversimplified view of America’s standing in the world. To me, the interesting aspect of this CW spectacle isn’t that so many people responded negatively to his article – the last week or so has seen the opinions section blossom with debate and criticism and, most significantly, dialogue. The fact that The Crimson White serves as a forum for such valuable discourse is a testament to how essential it is for this campus, and for me is one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a reader. The interesting thing about the responses I’ve seen, or maybe the thing that bothered me, is that while everyone corrected Friedman’s historical fallacies, nobody agreed with him that America is, in fact, great. I’m not talking about our heroism in WWII – as Neil Adams and Ross Owens outlined in their responses, America’s self-interest was a much more significant motive for our participation in that conflict than was altruism. I’m also not talking about our involvement in the Middle East, because quite frankly I don’t think either of those examples are adequate representations of America’s greatness. When we go to war, we (should) do it out of necessity – the loss of any human lives, American or otherwise, is not something to rejoice over, and is certainly not something to take pride in. Combating terrorism is a noble cause, and one that I, like most Americans, support. But I also question the ways we have chosen to go about doing that. I know better than to believe our involvement in countries like Iraq have clear, purely benevolent motives – and many Americans would agree with me there as well. So why were all of the responses to Friedman’s article so lacking in patriotism? Has it really become awkward to say, “America’s pretty cool,” instead of participating in the further discrediting of our country? In Wednesday’s paper, one comment by David DeMedicis on the opinions page was very telling: “Nobody likes the d-bag (American) that brags about how awesome he is all the time. I mean, would you like that guy if you weren’t him?” In Friedman’s America, this comment is both accurate and fair. In my America, it isn’t. To keep from being too biased, I will admit that DeMedicis makes an interesting point in encouraging us to re-examine how we carry ourselves as Americans. There are a considerable number of people with whom we share this planet who do hate us. Why doesn’t this bother us? I posit that it is not because we’re d-bags, but because the people who hate us are automatically written off as terrorists, and not as common people with valid human claims. This is a problem, and with Americans combating this ignorance, it will eventually be addressed. The resistance of those who can’t stand to be corrected is the only obstacle to this progress. This illustrates an aspect of how American freedom functions that I believe to be redeemable – that we do have unethical corporations, that we do have condemnable foreign policy at times, that we do have severe social inequality, but all of these problems are dealt with, usually by ordinary American citizens who have the passion to devote themselves to an injustice that they have witnessed and cannot ignore. So, to humor DeMedicis’s mental exercise, if we were not American, what would we find likable about America? What is great about this country? This country is great because people like Autherine Lucy were able to take courage and ultimately defeat the evils of segregation. This country is great because people like Noam Chomsky write books criticizing our treatment of other countries in order to make us take another look at ourselves. This country is great because people like Frederick Douglass edit newspapers, people like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong go to the moon and people like Dorothy Parker write poetry. We cure diseases, we open restaurants, we innovate, we make music, we do research. Common people do these things and a host of others in the U.S. Our opportunities, our achievements, our creativity, our people – these are American triumphs, and they are worthy of respect and esteem. Our problem is that we leave patriotism to people who evidently don’t understand what there is to be patriotic about. When Sarah Palin and Christina Aguilera are the only ones stepping up to the plate, it’s no wonder America looks so goofy. As an American, as someone who is proud to be here and would not choose to be anywhere else (even though I know that people do not, in fact, starve universally in other countries), I encourage the lot of you reading this to figure out why you’re here instead of someplace else, and what you have to give. Our greatness doesn’t lie in our overseas exploits – it lies solely in what you are willing to contribute to this country, as a common person, as an individual. That is where our nation’s victories have and always will come from, and that is what causes me to take pride in being American. Marina Roberts is a freshman majoring in anthropology.

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@ WVUAFM Today’s Birthday (02/18/11). This could be a very romantic year. You have great opportunities to find balance between work, play, love, exercise, community service and school. It seems like you may not even have time to be bored. Therefore, when boredom shows up, you’ll appreciate it. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -- The full moon looks especially romantic today. Don’t forget to take some time off from your busy life to enjoy the night sky. Drink in all the abundance. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Notice little pleasures, and let them soak in. You’re especially creative today. Don’t let preconceptions block new ideas from arising. Things may not be as they seem. Gemini (May 21-June 21) -- Today is a 6 -- The next four weeks are full of possibilities. Today is time to stay at home and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Share something delicious together. Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is a 6 -- As you encounter walls along your way, you may want to throw your hat over them. You may lose your hat. Nevertheless, the pursuit is worth the risk. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Possibilities for investment come your way. Be careful to distinguish between real opportunities and those that would lean on you more than necessary. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- You feel revitalized, in the mood

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LIFESTYLES

Kami-Con hits Tuscaloosa this weekend

• Heathens & Belles: CopperTop • Bad Stick: The Dixie • Brass Bed, The Howlies & Baak Gwai: Egan’s • Jonathan Stephens & The Stoplights: The Filling Station

• When: Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 10 a.m. 6 p.m.

• Cost: Free anime and stuff like that, especially down in the South, … don’t have outlets to express their fandom,” Lenzner said. “This is like their Super Bowl. They come out here and they have a lot of fun, they meet a lot of people who like the same things they do, [and] it’s a big deal to them.” He said a major factor in the event’s success so far is that there are not many conventions in close proximity to Alabama, and only one is free. The staff also said they think they keep attendance high each year by bringing in high profile guests. Last year, Vic Mignogna, an award-winning anime voiceover actor, came to Kami-Con, and this year’s guest

CW | Katherine Overton Kelli Arthur (dressed as Sebastian from Black Butler), Rebecca Arthur (as Yoshi from Super Mario Brothers) and Jon Wyers (as Tanooki Mario) sell stickers and badges at Kami-Con. became famous on a well-known TV show before breaking into anime. “I’m excited about all the guests that we have this year,” said Tiffany Scarborough, a senior majoring in marketing. “One of my favorite voice actors, Johnny Yong Bosch, will be here. Not only was he the black power ranger, but he did the voice for Vash in Trigon.” Bosch will appear as a speaking guest and as a musical guest with his band Eyeshine. Aside from being known for the guests they’ve recruited,

Kami-Con is also known for being able to get attendees involved with the convention. “The story every year is what sets us apart from a lot of other conventions,” Lenzner said. “Basically we get the con-goers involved in a major plot for the convention.” The plot is kept secret until the first day of the convention when attendees pick their side, and throughout the convention they help their team by earning points in different contests. Kami-Con’s staff said there is something for everyone at their

convention. They have cosplay contests, dodgeball tournaments, video game tournaments and they also promised random battles throughout both days. “You don’t have to be a selfproclaimed nerd to come,” Smith said. “Even if you think you’re too much of a jock, but you like to play Madden, we have that.” The convention will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone interested in attending can preregister at kamicon.net or just show up Saturday morning.

Chinchillionaires to play Gallettes, Booth By Alexandra Ellsworth Contributing Writer Though local band The Chinchillionaires has been playing together since high school, they didn’t begin playing shows in Tuscaloosa until about a year ago. The band is comprised of three members – Richard Shepard on drums and vocals, Joey Runnels on guitar and vocals and Will George on bass guitar. They are all originally from Huntsville. “We started playing backyard parties in Huntsville for beer and tips,” Shepard said. Shepard’s father owns a music store in Huntsville and therefore contributed both funding and gear for the band when they were first

IF YOU GO ... • What: The Chinchillionaires

• Where: Gallettes Friday and The Booth Saturday • When: Friday at 11 p.m., Saturday at 10:30 p.m. • Cost: $5 starting out. The band got its unique name from Runnels’ friend, Matt Miller. “He’s a really off-the-wall person and a fantastic artist,” Runnels said. “He was just sort of sitting on [The Chinchillionaires] and didn’t

know what to do with it, so it eventually became our band name.” After graduating from high school, the band moved to Tuscaloosa and began playing shows while Shepard and George took classes at the University. Shepard graduated in December and George is a junior majoring in history and political science. “We began playing together more and going to a lot of concerts and just getting closer to each other,” Shepard said. “About a year ago, we began playing clubs and getting gigs.” The Chinchillionaires said they love playing in Tuscaloosa because of the great music scene. “There’s a lot of people with the same musical interest,”

Runnels said. The band also loves the familylike atmosphere of playing in Tuscaloosa. “Everyone knows each other, and we get to know all the bar owners,” Shepard said. “Everybody is just so easygoing, and there is always a story to tell at the end of the night.” The band plays a little of everything, from funk and blues to classic rock. They cover a number of bands, including Phish, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Dire Straits and others. “Although we mostly cover other bands, we have a few original jams that are just instrumental,” George said. “We improvise a lot and we always try to bring our own originality to the music,”

Shepard said. The next step the band may take is to transition into writing and performing original music instead of strictly playing cover songs. “We are definitely talking about trying to write some originals,” Shepard said. “We just haven’t had the time to write much collectively as a band yet.” The Chinchillionaires encourage people to check out the music at local bars and to support local bands. “People should try to get out and see bands in Tuscaloosa cause it’s a really good scene,” Shepard said. The Chinchillionaires will be playing at Gallettes tonight and at The Booth on Saturday night.

On Tuesday, Feb. 22

Vote YES for 7-day Sales!

Seven-day sales will improve the quality of life for UA students and all of Tuscaloosa! “A better economy in Tuscaloosa means a better environment for the University of Alabama, its students, and all the residents in this community. Seven-day sales will generate additional sales tax revenues for our city’s budget and local schools. It will also help keep out-of-town visitors in Tuscaloosa during football season, resulting in an additional day of hotel, restaurant DQG UHWDLO VDOHV $QG LW ZLOO ÀQDOO\ DOORZ residents to spend money at home, in Tuscaloosa stores and restaurants on Sundays, instead of being forced to take the long, inconvenient drive to another city.” –JAMES FOWLER University of Alabama, SGA President

“As Tuscaloosa’s District 4 City Councilman, I have the distinct pleasure of representing thousands of UA students on your city government. Seven-day VDOHV ZLOO SXW 7XVFDORRVD RQ D OHYHO SOD\LQJ ÀHOG when it comes to conventions, tourism, recruiting new restaurants, touring concerts, and many other opportunities. Tuscaloosa is the largest city in the state without seven-day sales and it truly is holding back our potential. Even Auburn has seven-day sales, enough said.” –LEE GARRISON, Tuscaloosa City Council

e District 4 Calvary Baptist Church 1121 Paul W. Bryant Dr.

+

Colonial Dr

• The Cancers: Bo’s Bar

Center

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Paul W. Bryant Dr

Evergreen Cemetery

Ave

FRIDAY

• Where: Ferguson

10th

this weekend

• What: 3rd annual Kami-Con

Wallace Wade Ave

LIFESTYLES

Thousands of anime fans will flood the Ferguson Center this weekend for the third annual Kami-Con. “The University caters to a lot of different people of different cultural backgrounds,” said Colby Smith, a senior majoring in international studies. “This is just another aspect of interest and hobbies, so I think it’s really good for diversity.” Raymond Lenzner, a senior majoring in English, started Kami-Con at the University three years ago. He wanted it to be not only a fun experience but also a learning experience. “Overall this captures the culture of Japan and Akihabara, which is a subculture in Tokyo,” he said. “We want this to be a culture experience despite this being a fun, geek-filled [convention].” The staff said they’ve been very pleased with how quickly Kami-Con has grown. In the first year, they expected 200 guests but got about 400, and this year they have more people preregistered than attended last year. “A lot of kids that are into

IF YOU GO ...

12th Ave

Page 6 • Friday, February 18, 2011 Editor • Kelsey Stein kmstein@crimson.ua.edu

By Ashley Chaffin Staff Reporter acchaffin@crimson.ua.edu

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paid for by Jobs for Tuscaloosa PAC, P.O. Box 1699, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403

Friday, February 18, 2011

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SPECIAL SECTION

Infield Influx Having lost its entire starting inďŹ eld to the draft, the Tide has holes to ďŹ ll around the diamond Manning the hot corner for the Tide will be sophomore Brett Booth. While splitting time between catcher and left field, Booth batted .255 and hit two home runs last year for the Tide.

1B

3B

The Tide will turn to junior college transfer Jared Reaves to take over at shortstop in replace of Josh Rutledge. In his sophomore year at Southern Union CC, Reaves batted .400 while hitting five home runs.

SS

2B

?

The Tide has yet to name a starting first baseman this season. The list of possible suitors includes Freshmen Patrick McGavin and Austen Smith, junior college transfer Josh Rosecrans and junior Jon Kelton.

Josh Sanders will take over for fan favorite Ross Wilson at second base. The senior did not appear in any games last season due to NCAA transfer rules after leaving Jacksonville State University.

Tide Infield Changes Position

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look deeper at how each player contributed last season.

After coming within a swing of the bat from reaching the College World Series last season, the Alabama baseball team will try to build on last year’s successful campaign. The Crimson Tide is forced to replace its entire infield this season after losing the likes of Ross Wilson, Josh Rutledge, Jake Smith and Clay Jones – all Major League Baseball draft picks. The departures not only hurt the Tide on the field but at the plate as well, as the group provided for the heart of the lineup. “It is not easy to replace,� head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “I don’t think you’re going to show up at the ball park on opening day and see the same caliber that you ended with in Clemson.� To truly appreciate what the Tide is losing, it is important to

Ross Wilson, 2B The Tide second baseman finished last year with a .277 batting average with nine home runs and 47 runs batted in. More importantly, though, Wilson got on base at a .396 clip and was one of the better defensive infielders in the Southeastern Conference. Wilson was drafted in the 10th round by the Chicago White Sox, and was awarded firstteam All-SEC in 2009.

Josh Rutledge, SS

range in the field. Rutledge was taken in the third round of the draft – 107th overall – and is considered to have the most Major League potential of the bunch.

Clay Jones, 1B The leader in home runs and slugging percentage, Jones’ power will be missed greatly for the Tide. Although Alabama did not rely heavily on power last season, having Jones in the middle of the lineup helped balance the lineup. The first baseman did not rely solely on power, however; Jones batted a solid .313 for the season. He was selected in the 32nd round by the Detroit Tigers.

While playing what scouts described as elite defense, Rutledge also batted .360 and Jake Smith, 3B had 69 RBIs from the second spot in the order. The Tide will Arguably the heart and soul miss Rutledge’s speed and base of the team, Smith had a down running ability, as well as his year in 2010 at the plate, bat-

ting .260. Though not having the year many expected him to have, Smith still finished second on the team in homeruns with 15. Smith was also one of the SEC’s better defensive infielders. After getting off to a slow start at the plate, Smith got hot late in the season and was a key factor to the Tide’s postseason run. Smith also pitched for the Tide in relief, where he posted a .89 earned run average over 20.1 innings. Smith was selected in the 15th round by the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite the departures, there are plenty of reasons for Tide fans to be optimistic. Though the Tide might be young, Gaspard said he sees improvement each day from the new group. “Those guys that we have in there are slowly starting to mesh together,� Gaspard said. “With each day and with each teaching session that we have, we are seeing the improvement

that we want.� One player the Tide will look to lean on is catcher/infielder Brett Booth. After appearing in 39 games last season and batting .255, Booth will have the honor of replacing Smith at third base this season. Booth said he benefited from learning from one of the best third basemen he’s ever seen in Smith and is eager to try to continue the success for the Tide. “I grew up watching Alabama, so I’ve seen [Smith] play since I was a sophomore in high school,� Booth said. “He came out here one day this fall. I just got a chance to work with him and he helped me out a lot. I just try to take a lot from him and learn as much as I can.� Though the Tide has lost a lot of power from its infield, a new NCAA rule regulating the wall of the bats might help balance the playing field, as the rule is thought to limit the amount of power upon contact. To put it into perspective, the bats pre-

viously used in NCAA had an exit speed of about 100 miles per hour, while the new bats will only have an exit speed of around 92 mph. “With the bats now, I don’t think you are going to see anyone who is going to be a power-laden lineup anymore,� Gaspard said. “I think there is going to be more running and hit-and-run plays.� Despite all the changes, the Tide, ranked 28th by the National Colligate Baseball Writers Association, look poised to go far in 2011. Though the team might be young, Gaspard sees promise in the team and is confident Alabama will succeed. “It’s going to take time and I think we are going to have some growing pains,� he said, “but I think as we play more games and gain more experience, you’ll see this team and this infield become a really quality group of guys that are going to be very productive.�

WHAT’S INSIDE Softball team motivated after last season’s disappointing end

Dunne and Braud named to National Player of the Year list

page 2

page 5 Gaspard more comfortable after successful first year page 6

2

Friday, Febraury 18, 2011

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SPECIAL SECTION

The Crimson White

SOFTBALL

Tide motivated for new season By Zac Al-Khateeb Sports Reporter zialkhateeb@crimson.ua.edu Last season, the No. 1 Alabama softball team finished its season in disappointing fashion with a Super Regional loss to the University of Hawaii; it was a loss many thought shouldn’t have happened. However, for this team, that loss simply translates into motivation for this season. Even after last season’s loss to Hawaii, the Crimson Tide remains focused on this year. For Cassie Reilly-Boccia, a junior on the team, last year’s loss in the Super Regionals served as motivation during the summer. “Of course it’s going to hurt,” Reilly-Boccia said. “The fact that we didn’t win a national championship was motivation enough. We came out here to win.” That motivation resulted with the Tide accomplishing something no other team has accomplished in the program’s 15-year history. When the team arrived last fall in preparation for this season, all 17 players on the team were able to run in a fitness test and pass after only one try. For head coach Patrick Murphy, the fact that the players were self-motivated the entire summer translates into one thing for this season: success. “It was the first time ever that all kids ran the fitness test and that all 17 passed it on the first try,” Murphy said. “We were four weeks into the program when we showed up the first day. “That a couple of them know how hard it was, and there was a lot of texting and phone calling in July, and they passed, all 17, which I think to me is a huge sign to me that they were motivated. We really have very little contact with them in the summer, and when they show up and they do that test on the very first day, it’s kind of like do or die.” The accomplishment didn’t go unnoticed on the softball team either. For Reilly-Boccia, the team had already achieved one of its biggest milestones on the first day of practice. “I think it was really special,” Reilly-Boccia said. “I think everybody was kind of excited. We kind of treated it like we had just won a game. It felt so good to celebrate with

LEFT: Head

that team. We’re on our way to something special.” The Tide carried its motivation into the preseason. ReillyBoccia said that remaining motivated to compete at a high level was not a problem at all during the preseason. “Only one team can win a championship, and that’s abnormal,” Reilly-Boccia said. “It requires abnormal behavior. Like, it’s not normal to practice in the rain, but we’re going to have to play in it. So let’s go.” For Murphy, the message to his team during the preseason was simple. “Just take care of the little things,” Murphy said. “All these little things add up to big things in the end. We were really trying to do the little things right. Most of the time, that’s what comes back to kill you.” So far this season, the team hasn’t had to worry about doing the little things. In its opening weekend, the team competed in the inaugural Hibbett/ Easton All-Alabama Classic in Vestavia. Of Alabama’s nine Division-I softball programs, Alabama competed against five. Over the course of three days, the Tide beat Samford, Alabama A&M, Jacksonville State, South Alabama and Troy en route to winning the AllAlabama Classic. The Tide outscored all five of its opponents 47-1 throughout the entire weekend. For Alabama, however, this dominating performance wasn’t so much a result of last year’s loss in the Super Regionals; rather, it reflected a desire to play against someone who wasn’t wearing crimson and white. “We put last year behind us,” Reilly-Boccia said. “Right now we’re real excited about this team, the 2011 softball team. We were so ready to hit off another pitcher. It was a lot of fun.” Murphy also attributed his team’s focus to the leadership of Kelsi Dunne, a senior on the team. “She’s had her share of great victories, but she’s had some tough, tough losses,” Murphy said. “One of the first practices she said, ‘Look, we have Jackie Traina coming in, one of the best pitchers in the country, a freshman, and if she beats me out, that means we’re never going to lose a second game in the SEC series, because I’m

coach Patrick Murphy high fives senior Whitney Larson in last yearʼs loss to Hawaii. The Tide lost on a walk-off home run hit by a Warrior, eliminating the team from the post season.

BELOW: The Hawaii team celebrates last summer as a home run in the final game of the Super Regionals against Alabama advanced the Warriors to the College World Series. The Tide fans in the background were disappointed with the loss. UA ATHLETICS

For Reilly-Boccia, the fact going to be pitching it.’ And that’s a heck of a way to look at that freshmen can come in and immediately compete is a it. And she’s right.”

City of Tuscaloosa

Sunday Alcohol Sales Special Election Tuesday, February 22 Tuscaloosa voters will decide whether to allow restaurants, bars, and stores to sell alcohol between noon and 9pm on Sundays. Polling places are the same as the municipal elections. The city has sent postcards to residents indicating where to vote.

good thing. She said there was no need to try and motivate the younger players because they were already motivated to come in and be great. “Well, I think we really do have something special,” Reilly-Boccia said. “We trust the coaches. Of course [freshmen] are going to have the ability to play here. They think right away that this is a championship program. It’s all about

the team.” For this year’s softball team, the ultimate goal, the only goal even, is to win the national championship. “We definitely know what we’re capable of,” Reilly-Boccia said. “This team will be so much fun to watch. There’s going to be some ups and some downs. We’ll just hope our best will take us where we want to be.”

Follow home NOW OPEN! games this season on Twitter 6WXGHQW 6SHFLDO @cwsports 8QLYHUVLW\ %OYG

The Crimson White

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, February 18, 2011

COLUMN | BASEBALL

3

BASEBALL

Morgan pitching for success Tide ready to open against Alcorn State

Junior pitcher Adam Morgan delivers a pitch during the 2010 season. Morgan will take the mound tonight at 6:05 as the Tide opens its season against Alcorn State.

By Brett Hudson Contributing Writer Alabama baseball will be opening its season against Alcorn State in a three-game series Feb. 18-20 at SewellThomas Stadium. The Crimson Tide will not be as experienced as it has been in the past. The Tide lost all but four of its starters from the eventual elimination game in last year’s Super Regional against Clemson, including every infield position but pitcher. The heavy losses are the main reason coaches predicted the Tide to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference Western Division this season. “With what we lost, I can see why we were put there,� head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “But no one has seen us practice or play. [The preseason ranking] is not what we’re concerned with right now.� What Alabama has been concerned with is development, as a team and for every individual. That was the mentality throughout the off-season, and it will remain that way for the first few weeks of the season, according to Gaspard. “At this point, there aren’t a lot of scouting reports,�

UA Athletics

They say pitching wins championships. The Alabama baseball team better hope “they� are right. After losing much of its heralded lineup, the Crimson Tide will rely on a pitching staff that looks to be deeper and more experienced than last year. Though the Tide lost talented pitcher Jimmy Nelson to the draft, they enter the year with a staff that appears to be deep enough to carry them through Southeastern Conference competition. “Jimmy is a great guy, but he did what he needed to do,� starting pitcher Nathan Kilcrease said. “It would definitely help to have him back, but I think the guys we have coming back will be perfectly fine.� The Tide has two returning starting pitchers back for this season in Adam Morgan and Kilcrease. The duo combined for a combined 15 wins last season with Kilcrease catching fire towards the end of the season, finishing with an 8-3 record and a 2.85 ERA. “I just want to pick up were I left off last year,� Kilcrease said. “With Adam Morgan and everybody else on the staff coming back, I’m competing with them and just trying to get better.� Last year, pitching was anything but consistent for the Tide. It was not until the end of the season when the Tide went on its torrid stretch of victories that the pitching started to click. During that stretch, the Tide not only saw the success of both Nelson and Kilcrease, but also was encouraged by the performance of Morgan, who had previously struggled in the season. If Morgan can duplicate his success from the SEC tournament and postseason, the Tide looks to have two aces heading into next season. “We are going to have to lean on the core guys we got early in the season,� head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “On the mound, having Morgan and Kilcrease, that is a really good one-two punch there.� The Tide will also bring back pitchers Tucker Hawley,

Brett Whitaker and Taylor Wolfe, among others, which should provide the Tide with a solid back of the rotation as well as a deep bullpen. A good rotation should prove more consistent results for the Tide, which seemed streaky last season. Along with talent, the Tide staff has also brought back a working chemistry among players, something that might go a long way throughout the season. “We returned a lot, so we had a solid group that really got a feel for each other,� Kilcrease said. “When the new guys came along, they fit right in with us so it is like one big happy family. Everybody on the team loves each other.� Nothing might advantage the Tide more than a new NCAA rule, which thickens the walls of the aluminum bats, thus lessening the

amount of power generated by contact. The new bats, which lack the same pop as the old bats, are changing the strategy among teams. Instead of relying on power from their lineup, more teams are moving towards pitching and timely hitting. Alabama will look to capitalize on the rule change, as they already seem to fit to play a more small-ball approach. With the rule changes, Alabama appears to have an ideal club going into what is sure to be a different year in baseball. If the Tide can live up to its potential on the mound, fans could be watching Alabama baseball from Omaha, the sight of the College World Series, this season. “I like our chances,� Kilcrease said. “We are hungry and very excited for the season to start.�

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ing to the older teammates as well. “As soon as the stands start filling up and the lights come on, it can go one of two ways,� Morgan said. “They can either elevate their game or not do as well. We just have to see what happens.� For the team as a whole, Gaspard said he has a plan for the first few weeks of the season. “I’ve always tried to play as many players as I can in the beginning of the season,� Gaspard said. “We’re looking forward to getting a lot of different guys out of the bullpen. We want to get position guys out there and get them some at-bats, too.� Now that all the development work in the off-season is coming to a close and the plan for the early part of the season is set, the Opening Day jitters are starting to set in. “We’re obviously excited about playing,� Gaspard said. “Opening Day always has a lot of energy.� Look for Governor Robert Bentley to throw the first pitch on Friday to start off Alabama’s season against Alcorn State at 6 p.m. The Tide will play the Braves again Saturday at 2, then finish the series Sunday at 1.

We’ve got the

Off Off

Greensboro Ave.

By Tony Tsoukalas Senior Sports Reporter ajtsoukalas@crimson.ua.edu

junior infielder / outfielder Jon Kelton said. “It’s just about our preparation. At this point in the season, it’s about focusing on ourselves.� Junior pitcher Adam Morgan echoed those thoughts. “I don’t know too much about Alcorn State,� Morgan said. “But we know what we need to do. We need to get some consistency in our pitching staff, execute on defense and hit the baseball.� This intense focus on personal development has turned into some very interesting starting position battles. The right-field battle between sophomore Brandt Hendricks and freshman Jeremiah Tullidge stands out, but the first base battle between freshmen Austen Smith and Patrick McGavin has turned heads as well. “Any time you can create competition within the team, it’s a good thing,� Gaspard said. “It’s what you strive for.� As the Tide gets closer and closer to finally making its season debut, there is curiosity among the coaching staff. “We’re curious to see how some of [the] younger players play when the lights cut on for opening day,� Gaspard said. That curiosity is spread-

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Friday, February 18, 2011

BASEBALL AND SOFTALL SPECIAL SECTION

The Crimson White

2010-2011 schedules BASEBALL

SOFTBALL

DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

TIME

DATE

02/18/11

vs. Alcorn State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

02/19/11

vs. Alcorn State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2:05 p.m. CT

02/11/11

vs. Samford

02/20/11

vs. Alcorn State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

02/12/11

vs. Alabama A&M Vestavia Hills, Ala.

W, 18-0 (5)

02/22/11

vs. Alabama State Tuscaloosa, Ala.

3:05 p.m. CT

vs. JSU

Vestavia Hills, Ala.

W, 6-0

vs. South Alabama Vestavia Hills, Ala.

W, 6-0

vs. Troy

W, 9-1 (6)

SOUTH ALABAMA TOURNAMENT vs. Southeastern La.

Mobile, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

02/26/11

vs. South Alabama

Mobile, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

02/27/11

vs. UCF

Mobile, Ala.

11:00 a.m. CT

vs. Southern Miss

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/04/11

vs. Northwestern State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/05/11

vs. Northwestern State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2:05 p.m. CT

03/06/11

vs. Northwestern State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

03/08/11

vs. Troy

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/09/11

at Georgia

Lawrenceville, Ga. 6 p.m. CT

03/11/11

vs. Eastern Illinois

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/12/11

vs. Eastern Illinois

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2:05 p.m. CT

03/13/11

vs. Eastern Illinois

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

03/15/11

vs. Auburn

Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m. CT

03/18/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

6:30 p.m. CT

03/19/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

1:30 p.m. CT

03/20/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

1:30 p.m. CT

03/22/11

vs. UAB

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/23/11

vs. Jacksonville State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/25/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

03/26/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2:05 p.m. CT

03/27/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

03/29/11

at UAB

Hoover, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/30/11

vs. South Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

04/01/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

04/02/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2:05 p.m. CT

04/03/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

04/05/11

vs. Samford

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

04/08/11

at Vanderbilt *

Nashville, Tenn.

6 p.m. CT

04/09/11

at Vanderbilt *

Nashville, Tenn.

2 p.m. CT

04/10/11

at Vanderbilt *

Nashville, Tenn.

04/12/11

vs. Miss. Valley State

04/13/11

TIME/RESULT

Vestavia Hills, Ala.

Vestavia Hills, Ala.

W, 8-0 (5)

BAMA BASH! 02/18/11

vs. Louisville

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 p.m. CT

vs. UTSA

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

vs. Syracuse

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

vs. Louisville

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 p.m. CT

02/20/11

vs. Syracuse

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

02/22/11

at UAB

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

02/19/11 03/02/11

LOCATION

HIBBETT/EASTON ALL-ALABAMA SOFTBALL CLASSIC

02/13/11

02/25/11

OPPONENT

USF FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES TAMPA TOURNAMENT 02/25/11 02/26/11 02/27/11

vs. Illinois State

Tampa, Fla.

11:30 a.m. CT

vs. Central Conn.

Tampa, Fla.

3:30 p.m. CT

vs. W. Michigan

Tampa, Fla.

9:30 a.m. CT

vs. Missouri

Tampa, Fla.

11:30 a.m. CT

at USF

Tampa, Fla.

11:30 a.m. CT

ESPN RISE TOURNAMENT 03/04/11

vs. Fordham

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

10 a.m. CT

vs. La.-Lafayette

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

12:30 p.m. CT

vs. Notre Dame

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

10 a.m. CT

vs. Oregon

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

3 p.m. CT

03/06/11

vs. Virginia

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

8 a.m. CT

03/09/11

at Georgia Tech

Atlanta, Ga.

6 p.m. CT

03/05/11

EASTON SEC/ACC CHALLENGE 03/11/11

vs. North Carolina Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

03/12/11

vs. Florida State

1:30 p.m. CT

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

vs. North Carolina Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 p.m. CT

03/13/11

vs. Florida State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

03/16/11

vs. Auburn *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

3 p.m. CT

vs. Auburn *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:30 p.m. CT

03/18/11

vs. Georgia *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:30 p.m. CT

1 p.m. CT

03/19/11

vs. Georgia *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7 p.m. CT

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:05 p.m. CT

03/20/11

vs. Georgia *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

vs. Miss. Valley State

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

3:05 p.m. CT

03/22/11

at Tennessee *

Knoxville, Tenn.

3 p.m. CT

04/14/11

vs. Tennessee *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

at Tennessee *

Knoxville, Tenn.

5:30 p.m. CT

04/15/11

vs. Tennessee *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

03/25/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:30 p.m. CT

03/26/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

04/16/11

vs. Tennessee *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:05 p.m. CT

03/27/11

vs. Arkansas *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

04/19/11

at Samford

Birmingham, Ala. 6 p.m. CT

03/31/11

at College of Char. Charleston, S.C.

5 p.m. CT

04/22/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

6 p.m. CT

04/01/11

at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C.

5 p.m. CT

04/23/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

5 p.m. CT

04/02/11

at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C.

1 p.m. CT

04/24/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

1 p.m. CT

04/03/11

at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C.

11 a.m. CT

04/08/11

at LSU *

Baton Rouge, La.

6 p.m. CT

04/26/11

at Southern Miss

Hattiesburg, Miss. 6 p.m. CT

04/09/11

at LSU *

Baton Rouge, La.

6 p.m. CT

04/30/11

at Mississippi State *

Starkville, Miss.

2 p.m. CT

04/10/11

at LSU *

Baton Rouge, La.

1 p.m. CT

at Mississippi State

Starkville, Miss.

6 p.m. CT

04/12/11

at Troy

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

05/01/11

at Mississippi State *

Starkville, Miss.

1:30 p.m. CT

04/15/11

vs. Miss. St. *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:30 p.m. CT

05/06/11

vs. LSU *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

04/16/11

vs. Miss. St. *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 p.m. CT

05/07/11

vs. LSU *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

04/17/11

vs. Miss. St. *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

04/22/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

4 p.m. CT

05/08/11

vs. LSU *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

04/23/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

3 p.m. CT

05/13/11

at Auburn *

Auburn, Ala.

6 p.m. CT

04/24/11

at Florida

Gainesville, Fla.

12 p.m. CT

05/14/11

at Auburn *

Auburn, Ala.

3 p.m. CT

04/29/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:30 p.m. CT

05/15/11

at Auburn *

Auburn, Ala.

1 p.m. CT

04/30/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

05/19/11

vs. South Carolina *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

05/01/11

vs. Kentucky *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m. CT

05/06/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

5 p.m. CT

05/20/11

vs. South Carolina *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:35 p.m. CT

05/07/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

1 p.m. CT

05/21/11

vs. South Carolina *

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:05 p.m. CT

05/08/11

at Mississippi *

Oxford, Miss.

1 p.m. CT

*Conference game

The Crimson White

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, February 18, 2011

5

SOFTBALL

Dunne, Braud start Tide prepares for Bama season on national Bash! Season opener award watch list

The softball team celebrates a home run last season against Hawaii in late May. This weekend the Tide will play its first games at home since its loss last year to the Warriors. . UA Athletics

By Britton Lynn Senior Sports Reporter bmlynn@crimson.ua.edu Two Alabama softball standouts were recently selected to the Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. Senior pitcher Kelsi Dunne was named to the list for the third year in a row, while sophomore outfielder Kayla Braud was also added to the list of 50. “It’s real exciting,” Braud said. “It’s an honor that all the hard work that you put in the season before and you put in the fall and the summer, it all pays off when you get to be recognized a little bit before the season even starts. It’s just an opportunity for our team to be good if we have players on the watch list.” The Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year is the most prestigious honor in Division I women’s softball, recognizing outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players all over the country. This year’s preseason watch list had 36 schools and 15 NCAA Division I conferences. Twenty-three seniors, 12 juniors and 15 sophomores have been named to the Watch List. “It’s definitely an honor,” Dunne said. “Kind of shocking. There are so many great players on the list. I feel privileged to be one of those players on the list. As awesome as that is, its kind of irrelevant to what our team is focusing on. There’s just a bigger picture that we are concerned about now. We’re just ready to get out there and achieving our team goals, and that’s what I’m really looking forward to.” On April 13, the Amateur Softball Association will narrow that list of 50 athletes down to 25. Although a player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered a top-25 finalist, the winner will come from the top-25 list. “We’re really happy that USA softball sponsors this award and to have two kids on our team on it out of the entire country is pretty awesome,” said head coach Patrick Murphy. “Any how as the season goes on, we’ll get a couple more on there and the ones that are on there will stay on it. It’s kind of an incentive for other kids to work hard and get on that list.” Although both Dunne and Braud mentioned that individual awards come second to team success, they did recognize that individuals are the most important component of the team. “The stronger each individual is, the stronger our team is,” Dunne said. “That’s what we work on everyday to push our team to get better.” Last season, Dunne set a school record with 355 strikeouts. In the process, she earned NFCA and Easton All-American honors, AllSEC First team, SEC AllTournament team and NFCA All-South Region First Team.

By Jordan Bannister Sports Reporter jmbannister@crimson.ua.edu The ESPN No. 3 ranked Crimson Tide softball team brought home five wins from the Hibbett/Easton AllAlabama Classic on Feb. 11-13. Alabama bested Samford 8-0, Alabama A&M 18-0, Jacksonville State 6-0, South Alabama 6-0 and Troy 9-1, giving up only one run throughout the tournament. The undefeated Tide is preparing for this weekend’s Bama Bash! season opener in Tuscaloosa on Feb. 18-20. The team is pulling out all of the stops for the first home games of the year, including the first ever use of their newly reconstructed front entrance and ticket booth. “There’s just something about playing on your field,” head coach Patrick Murphy said. “You know the bounce, you know the backdrop, you know the lights, you know the sound system, you know the bullpen, and the girls get to sleep in their own beds. That’s the most important part of it. When you’re on the road

there’s always a team bonding that happens but at home, their comfort is key.” Despite the comfort level of the Tide this weekend, no one can deny Louisville’s status coming in as Alabama’s first real competition of the year. In their first tournament, the Cardinals picked up three wins at the 2011 Texas Classic but then fell to Texas in both games. “They’re [Louisville] in a good conference,” Murphy said. “They usually place top three in the Big East. They’ve been to regionals probably seven years running. They’re just a very good team, a very good program overall. They will have good athletes and it will definitely be a good challenge for us.” Another challenge for Alabama might prove to be the undefeated Syracuse. They took home the Georgia State Tournament title last weekend by beating Georgia State 13-1; Morehead State 9-0, 9-1 and Tennessee Tech 2-1. The Orange keeps consistent recognition in the Big East as well. The Tide has been hard at

work all week, sharpening its techniques for the faceoff ahead. Holding daily practices within Rhoads Stadium under clear skies has given the whole team a chance to get excited about playing at home for the first time this year. “We always say our greatest competition is ourselves in the game so we’re just going to do our best and play our game,” sophomore Jackey Branham said. “We love playing in front of our fans, we’ve really been working hard, and it’s going to be a great weekend.” Branham also said that the team works hard each day to become 1 percent better in practice than the day before and that the Tide has high expectations for this upcoming event. Louisville (3-2), UTSA (2-3) and Syracuse (4-0) each get their chance to defeat the dynamic Tide (5-0) over the course of the weekend. The first pitch goes out at 2 p.m. when Louisville plays Syracuse at Rhoads Stadium on Friday Feb. 18. “You can never count anyone out,” Murphy said. “There’s no such thing as an easy win.”

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UA Athletics Sophomore Kayla Braud and senior Kelsi Dunne have both been placed on the Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, which is the most prestigious honor in Division I softball. “Kelsi last year had her best strikeout year she was very consistent,” Murphy said. “She pitched us to the SEC Championship and to the SEC tournament championship game we won all three games. It was the first time in our history that we had one kid pitch all three games, and she won all three games. She has a chance to be a four time AllAmerican. She would be the fourth in our program’s history to be a four time All-American, which is pretty remarkable as a pitcher.” Last season, Braud also made a huge impact on the

Crimson Tide’s softball team hitting over .500. Braud won every honor that Dunne won and was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team. “Braud she had such a great freshman year,” Murphy said. “She was one of the best offensive threats in the conference by far. Two thirds of the way through the season she was hitting about .450, and I thought that was no way she could hit .500 because she would have to hit 3-for-4 every game. And she did. It was just remarkable to see. It couldn’t happen to a finer young lady, a 4.0 student and a great kid overall.”

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Friday, February 18, 2011

BASEBALL AND SOFTALL SPECIAL SECTION

The Crimson White

BASEBALL

Gaspard looks for even better season

Junior outfielder Taylor Dugas rounds third base during the 2010 season. Dugas batted .395 last season en route to being named a first-team All American.

Head coach Mitch Gaspard talks with his team during the 2010 season. After a successful 42- 25 season, Gaspard appears more comfortable as the Tide’s manager.

UA Athletics

UA Athletics By Marquavius Burnett Sports Reporter msburnett1@crimson.ua.edu Alabama baseball coach Mitch Gaspard led the Crimson Tide to a 42-25 record and an NCAA Super Regional finish in his first season at the Capstone. Gaspard tied the school record for most wins by a first-year coach, while becoming the first Alabama coach to lead his team to an NCAA Regional Championship in his first season. He will look to continue that success in his second year as the Tide’s head coach. “I think anytime you get a year under your belt there is a little more comfort level going into year two,” Gaspard said. “Even though I had been here, there is a little more anxiety in that first year, but after going through it, the game starts to slow down. “The game slows down for a coach just like it does for a player,” he said. You start to identify some of the weaknesses you had as a coach from the previous year and you hone in on the positives and try to be

a little better in year two than you were in year one.” Under Gaspard, the Tide began last season 16-1, matching the best 17-game start in school history. He also led the team to 14 wins over top-25 ranked teams, and finished the season winning 13 of the team’s final 17 games. Despite all of his success, Gaspard stays humble and points to recruiting as the key to a successful program. “Recruiting for me has not changed a whole lot, and I’m very active in our recruiting,” Gaspard said. “I will always stay involved with recruiting because that is the lifeline of our program. My personality is set to be a player’s coach, and I’m very active with our players. We want to build relationships, and it’s important to myself and all of my coaches that we get to know each player and connect with them.” Players, such as junior pitcher Adam Morgan, said they are excited about playing for Gaspard this year. “This year I feel like he is a lot more prepared and a lot more focused on the plan and

the task at hand,” Morgan said. “He’s a player’s coach, and he makes you feel comfortable. He’s there for you on and off the field.” Junior outfielder/infielder John Kelton said Gaspard is more than just a coach on the field. “Everything seems to be flowing this year and everyone knows what he expects,” Kelton said. “We play very hard and there aren’t any prima donnas or individuals. It’s very team-oriented. We execute and do all the things we need to do to win. When you play well, it’s very fun to play for Coach Gaspard.” With Gaspard running the show, the Tide looks to have another promising year. There are concerns surrounding the team due to losing multiple players and some recruits to the Major League Baseball draft and graduation, but other players will be asked to fill the voids left. The Tide is projected to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division this year but is ranked 28th in the country to start the season.

All-American keeps Tide focused on Omaha By Jasmine Cannon Contributing Writer This year’s baseball team features one of the top 10 outfielders in college baseball, junior Taylor Dugas. The two-time All-American and All-SEC performer returns to the Tide after leading the team with a .395 batting average and .530 on-base percentage. “Taylor has made a big impact from the day he stepped on campus,” head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “Obviously, he was a freshman All-American, and he was an All-American again last year. He’s been a fixture in the top of our lineup and has impacted our team in a lot of different ways. “I think he’s a guy that brings great energy every day to the ballpark, whether we’re in practice or game settings,” he said. Now, here he is in his junior year, and he’s really stepped up as one of the leaders of our team. He’s a guy that’s a really good player and a guy that means a lot to our program, and he’s been a very consistent player for us over a three year period.” Dugas is currently ranked in the top 100 of college baseball prospects by collegebaseballdaily.com and is ranked No. 7 among outfielders by college baseball 360. Though Dugas brings in accolade after accolade every year, he said it’s all about the team.

“Personally, it’s good to get all those accolades,” he said. “You would hope to get those, but it’s all about the team. I could really care less about those goals; I’d rather just get to Omaha.” The Crimson Tide finished 42-25 overall last season. Dugas finished the regular season with 96 hits, 70 runs and 19 out of 24 stolen bases. He said one of his main focuses during the offseason has been working on his

So, what can Alabama fans expect from Dugas and the Tide this year? “You can expect to see a team that plays really hard and gets dirty every day,” Dugas said. “We have a lot of energy out here and you know we’re going to have fun every day. That’s what you can expect to see.” Gaspard said, “Hopefully [fans will see] a lot of what they’ve seen the first two years

“Personally, it’s good to get all those accolades. You would hope to get those, but it’s all about the team. I could really care less about those goals; I’d rather just get to Omaha.” — Taylor Dugas speed to be able to steal more bases. Gaspard said Dugas has worked on every asset of his game and has especially improved with his throwing. This year, Dugas will be put into more of a leadership role on a team that has 20 newcomers, including freshmen, transfers and redshirts. But this should be no problem for him as he has his eyes set on one goal — Omaha. “Coming into this season, we have a lot of new guys on the team,” Dugas said. “Being that I’ve been here for the past two years, I have some experience, and I’ve been around a lot of the older guys trying to do what they did and try and take the next step and get to Omaha.”

and that’s a guy that’s going to play hard every night. They’re going to see a very scrappy player, a guy that’s going to hit for a high average and make things happen on the bases and a good defensive player,” Gaspard said. “He knows the type of player that he is and he understands that and he really doesn’t get out of that. He stays right in that course of thinking every night and that’s what makes him good night in and night out, so I think fans will see the same player that they’ve seen for the last two years, but a guy with a little more experience and a few more at bats under his belt. Hopefully production will go up from where it’s been.”

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