03.09.15

MONDAY, MARCH MA AR RC CH 9, 9 2015 VOLUME 121 | IISSUE SSUE 101

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SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SINCE 1894 Visual Achievement

3 Selma

4 SGA Columns

Tuscaloosa middle and high school students will have their art on display at the Bama Theatre as part of Alabama State Council on the Arts’ Visual Achievement Awards.

UA students are encouraged to attend the exhibition.

President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of about 40,000 people, including about 100 members of Congress, Saturday in Selma on the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday march.

Candidates for president, vice president of student affairs and executive vice president lay out their platforms in today’s opinions sections. SGA elections will be held Tuesday.

NEWS | SGA REFORM

UA group advocates for parties UAP founded to reform SGA election processes

By Heather Buchanan | Assistant News Editor

In order to address their concerns with the current Student Government Association executive branch, including lack of diversity, low participation and corruption, a group of students came together to propose a solution.

The United Alabama Project, described by members as “the campus version of a NGO, nong ove r n m e n t a l organization,” has drafted and submitted a proposal titled “A Step in the If voters don’t Democratic have a choice, Direction: The Partisan Reform why should they Initiative.” The care? document suggests the implementation of — Kelsey Keny — political parties as a solution to some of the problems UAP sees in the SGA. Andrew Parks, a senior majoring in political science and the UAP director of political advocacy, said they addressed the proposal to the SGA Elections Board because the current elections manual isn’t conducive to the formation of political parties.

“We want to write a new portion of the code that treats political parties as their own entity and gives them a

Second to None Littlejohn sets record with 2nd perfect game

By Kelly Ward | Sports Editor

At first, Rhoads Stadium was eerily quiet. A 10-0 lead in the top of the fifth rarely elicits any interest other than the shuffling of bags and belongings that usually accompanies a mercy-rule win.

A 10-0 lead doesn’t elicit silence, but on Sunday it did.

No one dared jinx sophomore righthander Sydney Littlejohn as she worked through 14 batters, six with strikeouts and eight with the help of her defense.

But with two outs in the top of the fifth, Rhoads erupted. Fans stood on their feet to see something Alabama had never done at home before: throw a perfect game.

SEE SOFTBALL PAGE 16

Sydney Littlejohn threw for her second perfect game in only seven starts this season for the Crimson Tide on Sunday. CW / Shelby Akin SEE UNITED ALABAMA PAGE 12

INSIDE briefs 2 news 3 opinions 4 culture 10 sports 13

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MONDAY March 9, 2015

SCENE ON CAMPUS Madalynn Young, a junior majoring in advertising and music from Flower Mound, Texas, paints her car in support of SGA presidential candidate Elliot Spillers. CW / Shelby Akin

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UA student released from sorority for use of racial slur

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Compiled by Katie Shepherd

Jon Benstead, associate professor of biological sciences, and Keller Suberkropp, professor emeritus in the department of biological sciences, co-authored a study reporting that nutrient pollution causes a loss of forest-derived carbon from streams, impacting their ability to

support life. The study was published in the journal Science and was led by Amy D. Rosemond, associate professor in the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology.

Compiled by Katie Shepherd

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disappointed when any student uses language that is disrespectful or offensive to any segment of the UA community,” Lane said Wednesday in an emailed statement. “Behavior, actions and choices that disparage other students are particularly reprehensible and do not represent the values or meet the expectations of our University community.”

UA professors co-author study on nutrient pollution of streams

culture editor Francie Johnson sports editor Kelly Ward

A member of UA sorority Chi Omega was released from her organization Wednesday evening after allegedly sending a Snapchat containing a racial slur. This follows a similar incident within Chi Omega last August. Deborah Lane, associate vice president for university relations, said the sorority notified Chi Omega headquarters and the University of the incident immediately.

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Alabama soccer coach resigns for job at George Mason Alabama soccer head coach Todd Bramble resigned and will take over as George Mason’s women’s soccer head coach, Alabama Athletics announced Friday.

“This brings back memories of Mal Moore and the gratitude I have for being afforded the opportunity to coach at Alabama,” Bramble stated in the release. “I am thankful for the players I have been able to work with and the assistant coaches who have worked alongside me. I would also like to thank all the fans and students who came out to support the

program since I have been here. Hopefully, they can appreciate how hard our teams played and enjoyed the style with which our teams played. Alabama has a special athletic department full of talented teams and coaches and being a part of that is something I will always appreciate. Roll tide!”

Assistant coach Jerrod Roh has been named the interim head coach while the search for Bramble’s replacement is ongoing.

Compiled by Kelly Ward

Alabama baseball takes series over Lipscomb Alabama allowed three hits in the 3-0 shutout win on Sunday. The Crimson Tide used three pitchers. Right-hander Geoffrey Bramblett had a no-hitter in 5.2 innings pitched before allowing a single. He pitched six innings in the win and struck out five. Jake Hubbard came in for relief in the seventh. He pitched two innings. He allowed one hit and struck out one batter. Thomas Burrows came in to close the game in the ninth. He

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allowed a hit that was erased by a game-ending double play in his second save of the season.

The Crimson Tide scored two runs in the second inning and added its final run in the fourth. Sunday’s win clinched the series against Lipscomb and moved Alabama to 9-6 on the season.

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Editor | Rachel Brown Newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Monday, March 9, 2015

Obama visits Alabama for civil rights anniversary

By Katie Shepherd, Alana Norris and Alessandra Delrose | CW Staff

President Barack Obama visited Alabama on Saturday for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. The president spoke at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the violent civil rights march of March 7, 1965.

Obama spoke before an estimated 40,000 people, including more than 100 members of Congress. He was introduced by Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a civil rights leader from Alabama who helped organize the voting rights protests in Selma.

“On that day, 600 people marched into history, walking two-by-two down the sidewalk,” Lewis said.

Lewis said he is inspired by the progress made since Bloody Sunday, but there is still room for the country to grow.

“There’s still work left to be done,” he said. “Get out there and push and pull until we redeem the soul of America.”

President Obama echoed Lewis, comparing last year’s events in Ferguson, Missouri, to the 1965 march on Selma and the violence that ensued as a result. The speech came just days after the Justice Department released its 102-page report

President Barack Obama spoke in front of Edmund Pettus Bridge for the 50th anniversary of the march at Selma.

CW / Katie Shepherd

detailing a system of racial discrimination within the Ferguson Police Department.

“We just need to open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to know that this nation’s racial history still casts its long shadow upon us,” he said. “We know the march is not over yet, we know the race is not yet won. We know reaching that blessed destination where we are judged by the content of our character requires admitting as much.”

However, he said, America has made significant steps in the right direction in the last 50 years. He said though there is work to be done, it is necessary to recognize the progress that has been made.

“We do a disservice to the cause of justice by intimating that bias and discrimination are immutable or that racial division is inherent to America,” he said. “If you think nothing’s changed in the past 50 years, ask somebody who lived through the Selma or Chicago or L.A. of the ’50s. Ask the female CEO who once might have been assigned to the secretarial pool if nothing’s changed.

Ask your gay friend if it’s easier to be out and proud in America now than it was 30 years ago. To deny this progress – our progress – would be to rob us of our own agency; our responsibility to do what we can to make America better.”

Also in attendance was Elisabeth

Omilami, daughter of civil rights activist Hosea Williams, who was the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. She said she hopes her father’s legacy can carry on today in order to fight prejudice in this country.

“America is a young country,” she said.

“She is like a teenager. She has so much to learn and I hope that she can listen to the people.”

Like many others, Brenda M. Martin, a Buffalo, New York, native now living in Huntsville, said she brought her daughter and grandchildren to Selma for the president’s speech in order to reflect on an important historical era.

“The main thing we wanted to do was get the opportunity to walk across the bridge,” she said. “That is going to speak volumes for us in our own family history.”

Nigel McWilliams, a senior majoring in media production from Selma, said though the president’s visit to Alabama was historic and moving, he believes there is much more that needs to be done in order to make a tangible difference.

“Yes, this is a cool celebration,” he said.

“But what are we going to do? We can come out and celebrate here all day, but what are we going to do as a people? Not just black people, but all people.”

Spillers banner taken off Alpha Tau Omega porch

By Rachel Brown | News Editor

Early Thursday morning, two unidentified men took a sign down from the front of the Alpha Tau Omega house. The sign was put up in support of Elliot Spillers, a candidate for president in the upcoming Student Government elections.

Spillers and his campaign team learned of the event Thursday morning.

“This is something that is not reflective of the entire Greek community,” he said. “Just a small percentage.”

Stephen Keller, the opposing candidate for the office of president, condemned the act in a statement made to The Crimson White and posted to his campaign Facebook page.

“Our campaign is based on transparency and fairness,” he said. “We do not condone any action to harm my opponent or his campaign. I believe it is crucial in the spirit of civil discourse to remain cordial and friendly with my opponent so we may continue [a] good working relationship regardless of the results.”

Spillers thanked Keller for openly speaking out against the event and said, “it showed brightly on their part.”

Mark Hammontree, Spillers’s campaign manager, said he believes this incident is similar to incidents that have occurred during previous SGA campaign seasons.

“What Elliot and Tate Thomas are trying to do is change the culture of [The University] to where we are not divided over Greek and non-Greek anywhere,” Hammontree said. “But where the value every student brings to

the University is honored.”

Cathy Andreen, director of media relations for The University of Alabama said the elections board has been notified of the event, and they are following normal investigation procedures.

Alpha Tau Omega has since put up a new banner in front of their house supporting both Spillers and Thomas.

“We’re not going to let this get in the way and we don’t want people to harp on this issue, “ Hammontree said. “We’re just ready to move past it.”

Two unidentified men were caught on video taking down a sign supporting SGA president candidate Elliot Spillers from the Alpha Tau Omega house. Photo Courtesy of Alpha Tau Omega

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Editor | Patrick Crowley Letters@cw.ua.edu Monday, March 9. 2015

SGA Election: Student Affairs, Executive Vice President and President

By Patrick Crowley | Opinions Editor

Today, in a rather packed edition of SGA election coverage, the candidates for Vice President for Student Affairs, Executive Vice President and President will be presenting their platforms.

The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for all matters concerning student life. The Executive Vice President is the second in command of the SGA and is responsible for all duties of the SGA when the President is unable to perform them or is removed from office.

The SGA President needs no verbose introduction for we all know the importance of SGA President. Both Elliot Spillers and Stephen Keller present different platforms on how the SGA will impact campus for next year. It is up to you, the reader, to ultimately pick the candidate you believe better.

There is truly no right nor wrong decision when it comes to voting – there is only an informed decision.

Patrick Crowley is the Opinions Editor of The Crimson White. He is a senior majoring in math, economics and finance.

SGA ELECTIONS | PRESIDENT

SGA ELECTIONS | PRESIDENT

Together we can create tangible change

Moving forward together

By Elliot Spillers | Guest Columnist

platform has a simple name, the Healthy Campus Initiative, because the health of For the last decade, The University of every student will be my chief objective Alabama has undergone major grow- if elected. ing pains. Each year, student enrollment Sexual assault at The University of increases, and with it tuition, construc- Alabama and across our nation is too big tion and class sizes increase also. Parking of a problem to get caught up in how we’re is more of a problem than ever. And the going to address half-measures that take divide between the administration and attention away from the real problem. I students only grows wider and wider. want to take steps to tangibly address the In the face of such changes, students issue by working with the Women and need a strong voice that ensures their Gender Resource Center and student needs are respected. Thankfully, the groups to create a sexual assault peerStudent Government Association is sup- to-peer advocacy program like those at posed to be just that voice, representing Ohio University and other colleges. We the students in the Board have to raise the discusof Trustees meetings sion of sexual assault on and in the University this campus. president’s office.

Similarly, mental Unfortunately, however, health continues to carry in recent years the SGA an unacceptable stigma has failed to fulfill that at colleges nationwide. role, and students’ voices The SGA should be a have gone unheard. strong advocate for erasI am running for SGA ing those stereotypes President to ensure that and creating a campus students are seen as culture where every Elliot Spillers more than just tuition student feels safe and CW / Pete Pajor payments or GPAs at this knows where to seek University, but rather as counseling services. I individuals with innovative initiatives will work with the National Alliance on and plans to launch our University for- Mental Illness and the Counseling Center ward. There are real issues facing stu- to produce informative campaigns dents on this campus, and the SGA has that highlight the services offered at the resources to make a difference. this University.

During my time at the University, There are issues that have been I’ve learned that achieving positive ignored for too long at this University, change requires real collaboration and whether by the administration or the vision. Whether as a Student Director SGA, yet I know that there are students at the Center for Sustainable Service and faculty already working on solutions. and Volunteerism, guiding peers as I want the SGA to be the space where a Sustained Dialogue facilitator, a these ideas are nurtured and bolstered. peer leader in the office of First Year For over three years I have learned and Experience, or working with partners in worked alongside campus organizations the SGA, I have seen firsthand that prog- to address the problems they wanted ress is the result of many people working to solve. As President, I will continue to together towards a common goal. serve any student who wants to share As SGA President, I will work every their concerns or ideas. day to ensure that the problems facI will make sure every student, Greek ing students are being addressed and non-Greek, black and white, underwith real, tangible solutions that graduate and graduate, has the opporresult from collaborative initiatives tunity to make their voice heard. So, on involving organizations and leaders Tuesday, I urge you to stand with me across campus. and vote Spillers for SGA President.

Too often, SGA campaigns become an Together, I believe that we will move our image contest based on who has the cut- University forward. est sounding names for their proposed platforms. I believe change is more about Elliot Spillers is a candidate running vision than fancy names. That’s why my for the position of SGA President.

By Stephen Keller | Guest Columnist

president’s office with a vision, a plan and the experience it takes to make change.

I am the most qualified person for As an out-of-state student, I never really thought I’d come to The University of this position.

I have been an active member of SGA Alabama. It wasn’t until a spontaneous tour that I decided this university is where for three years. My positions have required I needed to be, and I’ve joined 15,682 out-of- me to be active on a daily basis. During my state undergraduates who have also decided freshman year I served as a member of the to join me. This campus, this city and this First Year Council, then as a senator my state have become my home, and I’m proud sophomore year and now as your sitting to call myself a student of The University Vice President for Student Affairs.

But even with these qualifications, I canof Alabama. not pretend to have all the answers. I cannot But we have a lot of work to do.

In recent years our SGA has not pretend to understand the challenges facing approached challenges in a proactive man- our student body, but I can learn. I can talk to ner; rather, we’ve become complacent. students and find out what individuals see as challenges to their time here on this campus.

We’ve put things off until And that is what this SGA tomorrow; a metaphorimust do. cal tomorrow that I do not After discussing these believe exists. issues with various orgaUnder my administration, nizations and students, I Tomorrow Begins Today. believe the feeling of safety My administration will tackmust be a priority for this le challenges from day one. administration. My platform We will listen to students specifically addresses the and aggressively pursue issue of safety for undertangible solutions. represented groups on camThis approach is necespus. I encourage you to visit sary for the sustainability of Stephen Keller my Facebook page to learn our SGA. Now is the time to CW / Pete Pajor more about these programs act. Now we must prove that our SGA is effective, necessary and repre- among others.

As your SGA President, I promise each sentative of a diverse body of students.

We must have a change in culture so that student that I will continue to work daily challenges are addressed quickly and effec- to make this campus more inclusive and tively. But this change will not be easy. This efficient. I will address main points and sort of change will take time and effort. It propose tangible solutions for a multitude requires not only a vision, but also the expe- of student issues including unifying our rience of understanding the system and rec- campus, fixing academic hardships, revamping athletic procedures and increasing ognizing how it should be fixed.

A change of the culture within the SGA student involvement.

I promise these things because I intend can and will come from a leader who has the experience and relationships to keep them. I intend to create a lasting within the organization, student body impression that I can take with me wherever I go. I want to be able to tell employers and administration.

Imagine if someone new came into your that under my administration we created student organization with the intent of lead- change. That’s why I want to be your next ing it in a new direction. It would take time president. We have a lot of work to do, but for them to understand that organization I’m prepared. I’ve got the vision. I’ve got and its challenges before they could make the experience. I’m ready to go. So let’s do sustainable change. It is much easier to this, together. change an organization from the inside out than the outside in.

This also applies to the SGA. We need Stephen Keller is a candidate running a leader who can easily move into the for the position of SGA President.

EDITORIAL BOARD

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS

Andy McWhorter editor-in-chief Sloane Arogeti visuals editor Tara Massouleh managing editor Beth Lindly online editor Sean Landry production editor Peyton Shepard chief copy editor Patrick Crowley opinions editor

Letters to the editor must contain fewer than 300 words and guest columns fewer than 500. 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.

The Crimson White reserves the right to edit all guest columns and letters to the editor.

Last Week’s Poll: Which SGA presidential candidate do you plan to vote for?

(Stephen Keller: 40%) (Elliot Spillers: 55%) (Other: 5%) This Week’s Poll: Should Anthony Grant be fired? cw.ua.edu

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OPINIONS Monday, March 9, 2015 COLUMN | SGA ELECTIONS

A question for the sororities: Why do you vote for the Machine?

By Caroline Bechtel and Andrew Parks

SGA elections are a pivotal time for our campus each year. They determine which students among us will serve as the collective face of our student body for the ensuing term.

It goes without saying that those elected to these positions must accurately and holistically represent our student body – indeed, such is the very purpose of a democratic election. That said, there are certain peculiarities which exist in the campus political sphere that boggle the minds of those of us who fully believe in the democratic ethos.

The most confusing, in our opinion, is the underrepresentation of women in SGA executive offices. Women constitute 55 percent of the student body at Alabama. Yet in the last three election cycles, women have won exactly five out of 21 total executive races – less than a quarter.

We would be remiss to discuss elections without recognizing the Machine’s influence. The Machine has only supported a female candidate for SGA President five times in its century-long history, the last being Virginia Boyd more than a decade ago. In this election cycle, the highlyqualified Polly Ricketts has secured the Machine nomination for the second highest office in SGA leadership, Executive

Vice President. However, she is the first woman to do so since 2006. It should also be noted that Ricketts gained her experience as Executive Secretary, the position the Machine traditionally relegates to women alone. While we wish to take nothing from the very qualified Katrina Swarthout, we nonetheless feel obligated to point out that this election cycle marks at least the fourth in a row where the Machine chose to nominate a female candidate for the position.

It’s common knowledge that our sorority women support Machine candidates more fervently than do their fraternity counterparts. Sororities consistently post higher voter turnout numbers than fraternities, yet the Machine typically chooses to reward them with leftovers. In our view, such treatment is inherently unfair.

Unfortunately, however unfair it may be, history suggests we should expect it. This pattern of Machine behavior has been its mode of operation since its inception. In the March 22, 1961, edition of The Crimson White, it was reported that Machine members often “laughingly discussed” various women’s initiatives on campus as “‘trivial thing[s]’ to keep the girls happy,” and that the Machine frequently used “various ‘pressures’” to force the sororities to toe its line – a reference which appears repeatedly in many Crimson White

articles over the decades since. presidential candidate. After Thomas’s Putting pressure on the sororities? victory by a wide margin, the Machine Not giving them a say in major deci- chose to temporarily relent with its norsions? Unfair treatment? To be frank, that mal tactics of intimidation and gave the sounds more like a bad boyfriend than it sororities their due by bringing female does a political organization with the best representatives into the basement for interests of its constituents at heart. the first time. Indeed, the Feb. 10, 1976, In the interest of fairness, we will point edition of The Crimson White reported out that male political dominance does that “sororities had gained new political not begin and end downstairs. There are confidence” following the election. Kappa currently no non-Machine women run- Kappa Gamma shows us the power of ning for an executive office. female voices on this campus And, on the bright side, this to enact change. election cycle marks the first Perhaps this campus in several years where the needs a little bit of that courMachine has chosen to nomi- Sororities consistently age again. Perhaps the best nate more than two women way to right the statistical post higher voter for executive office. However, wrongs we have outlined this, too, suggests a prob- turnout numbers than is for our sorority women lem: we’ve created a culture fraternities, yet the to show the complacent wherein the only way for Machine and other camMachine typically women to find worth is to let pus political players that the Machine give it to them. votes are no longer chooses to reward their The most unfortunate to be taken for granted, them with leftovers. and to bring back some of aspect of this sad state of affairs, though, is that this that political confidence. is not simply the Machine’s Perhaps it’s time this camdoing. It’s that our sororpus learns to value and ity women have allowed the Machine to respect its female leadership. do it to them.

Perhaps it’s time for another revolt.

In 1976, Kappa Kappa Gamma bravely led a revolt that eventually encom- Andrew Parks is a senior majoring in politpassed several sororities by publicly ical science. Caroline Bechtel is a senior backing Cleo Thomas, the non-Machine majoring in operations management.

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OPINIONS Monday, March 9, 2015

SGA ELECTIONS | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

SGA will involve every single student

By Polly Ricketts | Guest Columnist

student body.

A primary initiative on which I will Hello, my name is Polly Ricketts, focus as Executive Vice President is and I am very honored to have the “Ask SGA.” Many of you may have opportunity to run seen the link to this for Executive Vice program on myBama in President. As Executive the past and even used Vice President, I it to connect with SGA will work diligently members. This year, I to make continual worked with the SGA improvements to The Webmaster, Leighton University of Alabama Wilson, on revitalizing and to represent all this program to make it students while in the more interactive with Student Government students. “Ask SGA” is Association. If elected, an easy and direct way my goal will continue for students to send any Polly Ricketts to be to institute and comments or suggesPhoto Courtesy of Polly Ricketts encourage sustainable tions they have to SGA programs and strategic initiatives members and UA administrators. that universally benefit students at A student will simply submit their the Capstone. name and email, choose the departI have previously served in the SGA ment where their submission will as Secretary of First Year Council, go and then submit their comment Associate Executive Vice President or suggestion. It is important to note and Executive Secretary. As that these submissions will not be Executive Secretary, I have worked to directed to a “blank” email address increase collaboration between the but rather to actual administrators students and SGA, through “Say and SGA members. Furthermore, Hey, SGA,” a program designed to students will be guaranteed a connect SGA members with students response within 24 hours. This revito hear the challenges facing the talized program will give students

an easy, streamlined way to make with a spring Week of Welcome for their concerns and interests heard students when they return from winand to ensure a prompt response to ter break. As Associate Executive their submissions.

Vice President, I collaborated with In addition to the revitaliza- other SGA members to bring the tion of “Ask SGA,” I will strive to “RAGE” concert to fruition, and I engage more students through a realize what needs to be capitalized spring Week of Welcome and spring on to make this event even more of concert. Both the a success. The work Week of Welcome has already begun on and concert will this initiative, and I be proactive steps believe collaboration in connecting stuwith other campus dents with the organizations to creSGA and, more ate the largest pool ... it is the SGA’s importantly, help of resources possible responsibility to reach the SGA remain a will make this event a st u d e n t - c e n t e r e d huge success. out to everyone organization.

I ask for and on campus ...

Whether it is with appreciate your supevents or involveport; the SGA is ment opportunities and should be about within organizainvolving every sintions, it is the SGA’s gle student on camresponsibility to pus. I would very reach out to everymuch like to continone on campus to ensure that their ue my service to reach experience at the University is the that goal. best it can be. In this instance, I would like to reinvigorate the SGA Polly Ricketts is running for the posi“RAGE” concert to benefit the Need- tion of Executive Vice President. She is Based Scholarship Fund and pair it running unopposed.

SGA ELECTIONS | VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Practical solutions to prevalent problems

By Tate Thomas | Guest Columnist

responsibilities. This multifaceted position has allowed me the opporMy name is Tate Thomas, and I tunity to work with a number of am thrilled to be running for Vice executives and receive a glimpse President for Student Affairs. I am into aspects of each of the execua junior from Anniston, Alabama, tive cabinets. As a result, I now and am pursuing a major in civil have a firm grasp on the numerous engineering with a minor in Spanish. functions of Student Government. I I have committed two years of believe this is what sets hard work to the me apart and makes Student Government me capable to handle Association and am the various roles of the excited to have the VPSA position. opportunity for a third The CIO team has year of service. worked on a number of As a sophomore, I successful projects this had the privilege to year. The average readrepresent the College er might have noticed of Engineering as a senthe presence of shakator, serving on both ers available to the stuthe Ethics Committee dent section at every Tate Thomas and Ne e d - B a s e d home football game.

Photo Courtesy of Tate Thomas Scholarship Committee.

This was a result of my As an engineer, I always strive to collaboration with Crimson Tide ascertain an understanding of the Marketing, a portion of the Athletics inner workings of processes, or, sim- Department. Another project that ply put, how things work. This senate one might have heard about this term provided me with a knowledge year is the new Athletics Proposal of the “gears” of the SGA, the legisla- dealing with the allotment of awaytive procedure, a knowledge that has game football tickets. This new been instrumental to my work this proposal would reward students year on the Executive Council. who are dedicated not only in the My current title in the SGA is classroom but also in attending nonChief Implementation Officer, or football sporting events. I was able CIO. My job is to implement projects to work alongside Kevin Paul, Chief that fall under a broad umbrella of Administrative Officer, to draft the

algorithm that determines a student’s eligibility based on credit hours, GPA and sporting attendance, a far superior system to the current one, which is based solely upon credit hours.

Of the many projects I’ve worked on this year, my Student NonAcademic Misconduct forgiveness proposal will be, in my opinion, the most impactful to the everyday lives of a considerable portion of our student body. Currently, when a student receives a SNAM citation, it remains on his or her academic record for seven years. However, with a SNAM forgiveness program in place, more minor offenses of the Student Code of Conduct (including but not limited to: Minor-in-Possession, Open Container and Possession of a Fake ID) may be expunged from a student’s record after a period of good behavior. This proposal is currently being reviewed by the Dean of Students, and it is my firm belief that, if elected, I will see to its implementation during my time in office. I believe this project is the best example of my dedication to working for the direct benefit of our student body.

I believe in positive change, in moving forward when others seem content standing still. I truly feel blessed to attend this university, and I consider it an honor to give back to

I believe in positive change, in moving forward when others seem content standing still.

a student body that has given me so much. In my opinion, my experiences here at the Capstone have shaped the man I am today, and when I someday leave this university, I want to be able to look back at my time here and know that I made a difference. I am not the flashy candidate, the verbose politico that you are all so very used to by now. My track record is one of practical solutions to prevalent problems, and I can assure you that will continue to be my approach if you as a student body choose to elect me Vice President of Student Affairs.

Tate Thomas is a candidate running for the position of Vice President of Student Affairs.

7

OPINIONS Monday, March 9, 2015 SGA ELECTIONS | VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

SGA ELECTIONS | VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

SGA Needs New Direction and Improve student well-being and New Energy create sustainable change

By Ryan Campbell | Guest Columnist

quicker, more agile and more environmentally friendly than 348-RIDE. My name is Ryan Campbell and I We also need to focus on making am running to become your next Vice the SGA fun so that people want to President of Student Affairs. Over get involved. If elected Vice President the last year I have had the privilege of Student Affairs I want to impleof serving on the Judicial Board and ment fun SGA initiatives so people getting a firsthand account of what understand what the SGA can do for our SGA does right them. If elected I will and what our SGA work to start a SGA does wrong. I also Dog Park somewhere cofounded an after on campus so that we -school program at can come together Central High School and enjoy our favorite and served as an pets. I will also work ambassador for the to start a school-wide College of Human March Madness brackEnvironmental et so that people can Sciences. Through all have a fun experience these different orgawhile watching colRyan Campbell nizations and experilege basketball’s most Photo Courtesy of Ryan Campbell ences I have encounexciting time. tered many people who Lastly, the SGA are frustrated with the direction of needs to focus on the future. If elected the SGA. SGA Vice President I want to develop I seek to be your next Vice a Student Non-Academic Misconduct President of Student Affairs because forgiveness program for young stuour SGA needs new direction and dents who make mistakes. This will new energy. I will work to implement allow people to learn their lesson and programs that will bring about a cam- also put more emphasis on personal pus that is safe, fun and focused on development. The SGA also needs the future. It’s also very important to focus on programs and initiatives that I give people specifics on the pro- that make it clear that our university grams I want to implement. In terms of is committed to ensuring women and creating a safer campus, I believe we minorities succeed. As Vice President need to improve how students are of Student Affairs I will call for $20,000 transported after the sun goes down. to be directed towards women and As I have gone around this campus minority organizations. and talked to students from all backThrough these different initiatives grounds, this is clear: people do not we can bring about a safe, fun and feel comfortable walking around more inclusive campus but we must after dark whether it’s to the library, make the right choice on Election Day. the Ferguson Center or the Student We must as a campus decide that we Recreation Center. As a result stu- deserve better leadership. Don’t sit on dent academics, health and social the sideline this election. Get involved, relationships suffer. If I am elected I will get informed and on Tuesday, March 10 work to implement an auxiliary trans- vote Ryan Campbell as your next Vice port system. The idea behind this is set- President of Student Affairs. ting up a shuttle system for people who are on campus but want to get some- Ryan Campbell is a candidate running where else quickly and safely after for the position of Vice President of dark. This system would be cheaper, Student Affairs.

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By Branden Greenberg | Guest Columnist

Education Reform. This reform encompasses a big business partnership with Amazon My name is Branden Greenberg, and I that will result in millions of dollars in stuam a junior at The University of Alabama dent need-based scholarships as well as a majoring in political science with a minor one-day delivery system for students. This in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative. I will result in an estimated 30 percent savings am from Montgomery, Alabama, and I am when you buy textbooks on Amazon. seeking your support for Vice President of The next phase of the Crimson Change Student Affairs.

Education Reform is to estabI have served for the lish open-education resources past two years as an Arts on campus such as free online and Sciences Senator. This textbooks written by accredpast year as Speaker of the ited professors. The ultimate Senate, I gained the proper goal is to ease the financial knowledge of serving on burden of a college education the executive council. I have and to allow students to focus written and passed multiple on what is most important – pieces of legislation through their education. our SGA Senate to better Along with the Crimson this campus, most notably Change Education Reform, I Branden Greenberg the Honor Flight Funding Photo Courtesy of Branden Greenberg plan to continue Honor Flight Initiative, in which we raised – a national network program approximately $9,000 for our that sends World War II vetlocal Tuscaloosa Honor Flight Branch. I have erans to see the memorials in Washington, collaborated with multiple senators to yield D.C. I plan to have a “NFL Play 60” program new pieces of legislation regarding a new on Central High School’s campus. This is a SGA Senate town hall meeting to increase program that allows children throughout transparency, as well as legislation in regard the community to experience 60 minutes to free education materials to ease the finan- of activity with NFL players. I also plan to cial burden of an education to students. create a tax awareness program similar to The position of Vice President of Student the UA Honors College program to educate Affairs encompasses a lot of working parts. working students of the eligibilities in regard The umbrella of this position embodies prac- to taxes. tically anything and everything in relation to In 1913, beloved UA President George H. student service as well as student well-being. Denny eloquently referred to our University Student Affairs stretches across fields such as the “capstone of the public school system as transportation, new student orientation of the state.” He couldn’t have been more and even housing. accurate; however, I believe this sentiment That being said, my platform for the 2015- should not just end in regard to our state.

2016 year is to improve student well-being VPSA at the end of the day is about the stuas well as create sustainable change on our dents, and I plan to serve you all with integcampus. My platform is extensive and multi- rity and an intense passion for achievement. step but very goal-oriented and always in There is a reason we are the Capstone. At motion. Throughout my past projects I have The University of Alabama we are known for been given the opportunity to build strong excellence; I plan on carrying on that tradirelationships and connections with the tion as we continue to be “the high point” of University’s administration and officials, student learning and student well-being. and I believe these relationships will allow me to establish my projects rapidly and see them through.

Branden Greenberg is a candidate running If elected Vice President of Student for the position of Vice President of Student Affairs, I plan to enact the Crimson Change Affairs.

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NEWS

Monday, March 9, 2015

SGA presidential candidates to debate Monday night

By Nick Privitera | Contributing Writer

Elliot Spillers and Stephen Keller will face one another at Monday’s debate. CW / Pete Pajor

PLAN TO GO

SGA presidential candidates will face off Monday night in a debate hosted by the United Alabama Project.

Students are welcome to attend and see Elliot Spillers and Stephen Keller present their views for the SGA and the University.

Elections are the following day, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.

Neither Spillers nor Keller will be aware of the questions beforehand. Joseph Smith, a professor of political science, will moderate the debate.

WHAT: SGA Presidential Debate WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: The Zone, Bryant-Denny Stadium Despite the questions not being released beforehand, it is likely that Spillers and Keller will discuss the issue of sexual assault on campus. Both mentioned plans for safety during Students for Open Doors

and Ethical Leadership’s forum. “The fact that [the University] is so far behind in addressing these issues of sexual assault and mental illness, I think we focus so much on diversity and trying to solve that problem that we forget about these other issues that all students are dealing with,� Spillers said.

Both Spillers and Keller said they believe in themselves to get the job done. “We have worked hard to build a car and point it in the right direction – now we just need someone to step into the driver’s seat,� Keller said last week.

Student-run lecture series Tide Talks celebrates 2-year birthday

By Ben Jackson | Contributing Writer

Members of The University of Alabama community gathered together for the 2-year birthday bash for Tide Talks on Friday. The lecture team celebrated the occasion with piĂąatas, cake and a wide host of speakers and entertainers. “Tide Talks X represents where we’ve been and where we’re going,â€? said Joey Weed, incoming Tide Talks president who helped organize the event.

The organization’s 10th event kicked off with a yo-yo performance by Jason Speare and opening speaker Brandon Chicotsky.

Chicotsky discussed equity branding theory and how it can be used to make everyone famous in their own way. “The fact is, we all have a brand,� said Chicotsky, who, in a 2008 marketing stunt, made a viral campaign to sell advertising space on his bald head.

Riptide, The University of Alabama’s hiphop dance team, performed next, prepping the stage for biology major Monica Brint, who discussed designing a science tutoring program called Discovery Buddies.

Brint, who is pursuing a career in medicine, said reaching out into communities to help affect real change is the best way to

connect passions to people.

This was followed by Kellen Schroeter, a senior passionate about space exploration and the profitability of asteroid mining.

The lecture series was closed by Carly Jackson, a student who shared a friend’s personal story about sexual assault and brought attention to an issue that affects one in six American women.

Weed concluded the event, dismissing the attendees to birthday cake in the lobby. “Remember that we need students like you to nominate speakers to help highlight diverse thoughts and revolutionary ideas,� he said.

Tide Talks celebrated its second birthday with piùatas, cake and a wide host of talented speakers and entertainers. CW / Ben Jackson

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NEWS Monday, March 9, 2015

New marketing analytics degree offered online

By Mackenzie Ross | Staff Reporter

This spring the Manderson Graduate School of Business began offering a new online master’s degree in marketing with a specialization in marketing analytics. The program is one of several online degrees offered and follows similar curricula as to the on-campus analytics graduate programs.

Arthur Allaway, professor of marketing and coordinator of the Masters of Science in Marketing program, said students will take a general marketing class for about half of the 30-hour program.

Online students watch lectures from on-campus professors and are tested on the same material as on-campus students. The program’s flexible coursework primarily targets full-time workers who want to earn a specialization in the growing field of analytics.

“We just launched, but we’ve already had probably 15 people that said they want to do this,” he said. “Because marketing big data is relatively new and these positions are being created like crazy, and a lot of times it’s a mid-manager or a rising young person in a company who says, ‘I’d rather do that, and if I can get that set of skills, then I will double my salary.’”

The marketing analytics specialization of the new online graduate degree includes programming and data mining

courses focused on Statistical Analysis System software, which is used by most Fortune 500 companies. Several programs within the graduate school, such as applied statistics and operations management, also use the SAS software.

“We give students hands-on experience with what we call real world data,” said Cali Davis, a statistics clinical instructor and coordinator for the master’s applied statistics program.

“The data is not clean. It’s not nice and neat. It’s not like what you would see in a textbook. It’s more like what you would get on the first project you get from a company.”

By working with big data, Davis said students have the opportunity to explore and modify the information, and then they can present it to the company to help make business decisions. She said most students upon graduation receive jobs slightly above entry-level at places like Chase Bank, Protective Life, Disney, dunnhumby, Medicaid, Procter & Gamble Co. and more.

The new online program, like others, has the potential to attract both full-time workers and current on-campus students who need to complete their degree online because of a new job offer.

John Mittenthal, associate professor of operations management and coordinator of the master’s operations management program, said the online operations

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The Manderson Graduate School of Business, located in Bidgood Hall, began offering a new online master’s degree in marketing with a specialization in marketing analytics this spring. CW File

We just launched, but we’ve already had probably 15 people that said they want to do this.

— Arthur Allaway — management program has 44 students, which is far more than the eight students in the on-campus program.

“A lot of people in online programs are concerned about what does it say on the diploma,” he said. “Well here, it is a degree in marketing, or it’s a degree in

operations management. We have made a very concerted effort to make sure that the online and the on campus experience is as close to identical as we can make it.”

In the future, Allaway said he hopes they can offer a University Scholars option for students interested in the master’s in marketing program. But for now, he applauds the faculty for making the program the best.

“Most of these schools, the people that teach statistics are dry,” he said. “They are very busy with other things. If you ask about [our teachers], they have time, are always there, get back to you, have office hours and are warm. That’s why this thing works.”

10

Editor | Francie Johnson Culture@cw.ua.edu Monday, March 9, 2015

COLUMN | THEATER

Actors avoid curses associated with superstitions

By Luke Haynes

If you have a friend in the theater, then you’re probably guilty of it – you hear they’re performing tonight and, whether or not you’re able to attend, you want them to know you support them so you utter those two fateful words: good luck.

While the intent behind such an utterance is almost always pure, this is actually one of the worst things you can do to a superstitious actor before they enter the stage as it actually guarantees them bad luck in their performance. If one actually wanted to wish good fortune to an actor or musician, the correct turn of phrase is the ironic “break a leg.”

While this particular superstition could be enough to label the entirety of theatrical society as superstitious, it’s merely one in a long line of superstitions that thespians hold to religiously.

Another of the most famous superstitious rule of the theater is the Scottish curse. It is well circulated amongst the theatrical community that speaking the title of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” while within a theater will summon the three witches from the play to cause all sorts of misfortune. Theater folk avoid this terrible fate by referring to classic work as “the Scottish play” and the leading characters as “the Scottish King/Lord” and “the Scottish Lady.” For anyone unfortunate enough to invoke the Scottish curse on their theater, there are cleansing rituals that include spinning, spitting

The annual Visual Achievement Awards gives local students a chance to be recognized for their artistic talent.

CW / Layton Dudley

Between broken legs, Scottish plays and ghostly lamps, the theater is full of superstition that is not to be trifled with. CW / Amellia Armstrong

By Bailey Shoenberger | Contributing Writer

and speaking some of Shakespeare’s sacred sonnets.

Witches aren’t the only specters that theaters must be wary of, for ghosts also seem to choose theaters as frequent haunts. In fact, the University’s own Marian Gallaway Theatre is said to be haunted by Marian Gallaway herself, and our theater department’s history is filled with stories of her mostly harmless, though always mischievous, hijinks.

Between broken legs, Scottish plays

and ghostly lamps, the theater is full of superstition that is not to be trifled with.

In addition to these general “rules” of the theater, every theater has its own ghosts to be appeased and rituals to be performed. And while they may not appeal to some of the more modernminded thespians, the entire theatrical community rallies around these little superstitions because they’re more than that. They’re rooted in tradition and storytelling, which is truly what theater is all about – Marian told me so herself.

Week celebrates first-generation students

By Bailey Shoenberger | Contributing Writer

Nick and Terry Saban; Mark Nelson, dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences; and roughly 20 percent of the UA student population have one thing in common: They are all the first generation of their family to acquire a college degree.

This week marks the third-annual First Generation College Students week, featuring a series of events highlighting the struggles and strengths of being a first-generation college student.

“These students have unique challenges,” said Erika Mason-Imbody, the coordinator of the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars Program. “They don’t have a go-to parent to ask questions and they don’t have the networking and connections that a parent with college experience may have given them.”

Ashlyn Cook, a junior majoring in business and a Coca-Cola Scholar, is one of many UA students attempting to become the first member of his or her family to earn a college degree.

“It’s a pretty powerful thing to set the stage for your family’s future generations,” she said. “My parents have worked so hard and showed me that without a college education, success is

Contest reconizes local children’s art

Kirk Walter is the assistant director of the Office of Student Involvement. CW / Amellia Armstrong

possible but definitely not easy.”

The kick-off event is “Sharing Our Stories,” where five students will share their stories about what being a firstgeneration student is like.

“Hearing the experiences that some of my students have gone through – no one could know how much intense family pressure they may be under,” Mason-Imbody said. “They are here and they are totally on their own.”

The week’s events also include a fashion show, a presentation from the library and a walking tour of the campus.

“When we do our programming, one

of the amazing things is the strength of character and resourcefulness that got these students to be the first to graduate from college and that same strength of character does not evaporate once they graduate,” said Kirk Walter, assistant director of the Office of Student Involvement. “That same tenacity that got them here will continue to propel them for the rest of their lives.”

Cook said the biggest negative of being a first-generation scholar has been not having anyone on a personal level to ask for help.

“Luckily for me, that is where my wonderful advisers Mrs. Imbody and Mrs. Teague have been such a huge impact on my life,” she said. “Mrs. Dianne Teague is forever encouraging and refuses to allow her students to accept any less than success.”

Walking through campus each day, students may not realizes the obstacles that their peers face in trying to pursue a college education.

“For non-first-generation students, it’s about awareness and having the idea that we may make assumptions about what the student body of Alabama is like,” Mason-Imbody said.

“Events like this are important for all students to understand the different backgrounds and experiences that students have.”

Artistic genius knows no age. To pay testament to that fact, the annual Visual Achievement Awards, presented by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, gives local middle school and high school students a chance to be recognized for their artistic talent.

“Students have the opportunity to have their talents recognized within their community, not just in their home or school,” said Sharron Rudowski, education director for the Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County.

Art teachers from local high schools and middle schools have selected their top students’ most promising works and submitted them to several different categories to be eligible for prizes and recognition.

“My favorite part is walking through the exhibit after it is up,” Rudowski said.

“I also enjoy seeing the students’ interaction with their families and friends at the reception. They are excited to showcase their work.”

The winners of the various competitions will have their pieces featured in Montgomery at a state-level competition and be eligible for subsequent prizes. The exhibition also gives high school seniors the chance to compete for scholarship opportunities at participating universities.

“Nothing inspires a kid more or makes them feel better about themselves then seeing their artwork displayed or win,” said Natalie Roig, an art teacher at Paul W. Bryant High School.

Roig said college students and Tuscaloosa community members have much to gain from attending this exhibit.

College art students may find inspiration from any one of the traditional or multimedia categories that will be featured at this exhibition, she said.

“Getting involved will not just help the local students but can help the college students to produce artwork and make a difference in younger students’ lives just through talking to them,” she said.

The exhibition runs through March 15 at the Bama Theatre. For more information, visit tuscarts.org.

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MONDAY March 9, 2015

Proposal would model UA system after Florida, others UNITED ALABAMA FROM PAGE 1

special set of rules separate from what you have for an independent candidate’s campaign, because those are two different animals,� Parks said.

The United Alabama Project formed in November 2013 as a group of students wanted to address the UA atmosphere. “At that time we had a group of about five or six students who had come together after the segregation issue presented itself in sororities who were deeply concerned about the state of affairs on campus, both in a social sense and in a political sense,�

Parks said.

The proposal lists lack of diversity, absence of recurring participation from both voters and candidates and corruption among the issues affecting the current SGA elections process.

UAP examined the last six election cycles. One display shows SGA voter turnout for the last six years has hovered around one-third of eligible voters. “That average is roughly half of the overall voter turnout in national elections, and that’s a serious concern to us because there are a number of different studies that have come out that talk about the sort of lack of faith that younger generations have in the democratic system,� Parks said.

The other side of the participation problem is the number of candidates who run for executive positions. The SGA executive

elections frequently see a low number of contested elections; this spring, only two of the seven elections are contested. “We have a campus of 36,000 people now, and in those 36,000 we can’t find 14 people to run for seven different executive positions?� Parks said.

UAP compared UA SGA elections to those at universities with functioning political party systems, including University of California, Berkeley; the University of Florida; and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Kelsey Keny, a senior majoring in journalism and electronic media at UTK and current student body president, said she contributed information about UTK’s student government to UAP. Keny said this election year the UTK student government has three executive office positions open with a total of eight candidates and no uncontested elections. “[An uncontested election] doesn’t challenge anyone to come up with better ideas, it doesn’t hold anyone accountable for serving the best that they can, it doesn’t give voters a choice,� she said. “If voters don’t have a choice, why should they care?�

At UTK, Keny said there are no set political parties in place; instead, candidates have the option to file party affiliation with their candidacy qualifying statement.

One benefit she noted was the ability to broadcast their shared message to a wider group of constituents.

Parks said having established political parties would also create a bank of knowledge that could be passed down through party leaders. This tradition could prevent

United Alabama Project Four problems addressed in the proposal:

lack of diversity in SGA offices

low voter turnout

low level of competition, resulting in frequent uncontested elections

corruption and the Machine

8$3¡V SURSRVHG VROXWLRQ reform the system to implement a political party system UAP claims their reform initiative will accomplish 4 main goals:

1.increase accountability 2. legitimize political parties 3. make offices represent student body 4. increase competition and increase voter turnout

CW / Claire Whorton

violations of the elections manual that stem from simply not understanding rules. “If you create a partisan system, if you create organizations that are around specifically to run for office, you’re going to create a professional class of campaigners,� he said. “And if you create that professional class, they’re going to know the rules.�

Parks said established parties can also provide accountability for candidates through increasing the penalties for violations to affect the entire party as opposed to an individual candidate.

One form of a political party has taken shape this election season: the Capstone Coalition. The group of 13 senatorial candidates is planning to apply to become an organization on campus.

“We hope to foster a spirit of cooperation within different groups and colleges on campus, offer a diversity of voices within student government, and create a sense of unity in building an Alabama that is even better than the already great university we have today,� Sam Ostrow, a freshman majoring in history and political science and a party chair for Capstone Coalition, said in a press release.

The only concern UAP had for a political party system was the potential to exclude some members of the student body. “It may alienate some people in the sense that they don’t want to vote for one person because the parties don’t entirely encompass what they believe,� said UAP Director of Community Engagement Madelyn Schorr, a junior majoring in anthropology and art.

She said the SGA Elections Board has asked that the Senate approve the proposal before they look to change anything. A resolution for approval was to be addressed at the Senate meeting last week, but the Senate didn’t meet due to weather.

Parks said he thinks a partisan system could fix apathy on campus. “When we have this underground organization, this one-party rule that’s content to rule but not actually do anything, when they’re complacent like they are, that’s never going to happen,� he said. “That’s why I believe so strongly in the partisan system – if we can get a couple partisan organizations running on real issues again, and get not even all but just some of them elected and SGA starts to do something, then it’s going to start to matter.�

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SPORTS Monday, March 9, 2015

No. 9 women’s tennis sweeps SEC weekend

By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter

It was a big weekend for the Alabama women’s tennis team.

The Crimson Tide defeated the University of Georgia on Friday 5-2. Georgia was ranked No. 6 and did not give Alabama the win easily. It was a long, intense match that Alabama ended up being able to pull through and conquer.

“That was a very, very good match played both ways,” coach Jenny Mainz said. “We had to take it from them. They didn’t give it to us, they didn’t relent and they didn’t start making errors. We had

to step up and physically take it from them.”

Playing as a doubles pair on court three, sophomore Danielle Spielmann and senior Luicelena Perez won their match together 8-5 after Georgia claimed the first doubles win on court two. The Crimson Tide ended clinching the doubles point in overtime on court one.

Spielmann’s match was the only singles match that did not go into a third set.

“It was so intense,” Perez said.

“I think I had like 11 match points, credit to the other girl [Kennedy

Shaffer]. It was hard, and hard to close, but I’m glad I could do it.”

Along with Georgia already being an intense match, it was also alumni weekend. The women had many more fans than usual and people were standing and cheering, Spielmann said. The atmosphere was indescribable.

“That gave us so much energy,” she said. “I had that feeling that we were just not able to lose that day. Not in a cocky [way] but just because we had so much support.”

Then the Crimson Tide overcame the University of Tennessee on Sunday, 4-0.

“[Sunday] we knew we had to go to work,” Spielmann said. “The win from Friday is behind us, no matter how awesome it was – today is a new day. I think we did a really good job with that.”

Also with Tennessee, the Crimson Tide claimed its 11th doubles point this season. Although the team has that working for it, Mainz still said the doubles combinations are not locked in. The fundamentals need to be executed better, she said, serve and return mainly.

Alabama is now 11-2 overall, 3-1 conference.

The Crimson Tide women’s tennis team defeated No. 6 UGA on Friday 5-2. CW / Layton Dudley

Men’s golf to compete in Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters

By Caroline Gazzara | Staff Reporter

The Alabama men’s golf team will travel to Las Vegas for the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters on Monday. UA Athletics

Returning to action after competing in back-to-back tournaments may seem tiring, but the No. 16 Crimson Tide knows better than to let exhaustion faze it.

It’s been just over a week since the team competed in its last tournament, but the Alabama men’s golf team will travel to Las Vegas for its third tournament, the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters on Monday.

“I think [the back-to-back tournaments] helped them because

it gives them a chance to play and practice this time of year,” Alabama Coach Jay Seawell said. “Any time you get a chance to play golf is good. These guys are way too young to be worried about rest.”

Alabama competed in both the Puerto Rico Classic and the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational in February.

“Our top three players Robby Shelton, Tom Lovelady and [Dru] Love played some really good golf,” he said. “Dru won in Puerto Rico and all three finished in

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the top 15, top 20 in both tournaments. Those guys did a really good job. We just knew the spring was going to be about someone stepping up and being that fore score for us. That’s probably what we need to learn and we haven’t found that yet.”

Shelton, Lovelady and Love have been consistent front-runners all season. Each also has previous experience from last year’s NCAA championship team.

Sophomores William Sellers and Robby Prater finish out the lineup. Sellers and Prater

also competed in the first two tournaments.

Both Sellers and Prater have limited experience when it comes to competing in tournaments, but Seawell said he was optimistic about them.

“This is going to be a very difficult week but we’ll see if we have the right mindsets,” Seawell said. “I just look forward to seeing how they [the guys] respond to the things they’ve learned and the competition they’re going to be against because it’s going to be the best in the country.”

14

SPORTS

Monday, March 9, 2015

Streak continues with 112th win

By Kayla Montgomery | Assistant Sports Editor

After an uncharacteristic performance in the floor exercise, the No. 6 Alabama gymnastics team extended its 35-year win streak over the No. 9 Auburn Tigers to 112 meets after topping the Tigers 197.2-197.025 in the Birmingham Jefferson Conference Center on Sunday.

Entering the final rotation in their second meeting of the season, this time in Birmingham rather than Coleman Coliseum, the Crimson Tide and Tigers were tied at a score of 148.000. On the floor exercise, Alabama’s topranked apparatus, three athletes stepped out of bounds, resulting in the team’s lowest score of the season. But a 9.925 from Mackenzie Brannan, a 9.95 from Lauren Beers and a 9.9 for Carley Sims balanced the step outs and clinched the meet for Alabama.

“The girls never gave up,” head coach Dana Duckworth said.

“They decided they were going to be exceptional till the end, and they just kept fighting and kept pushing. You couldn’t ask for a more exciting meet, going into the last rotation completely tied.”

The meet was Alabama’s first

on podium this season, changing the feel from a regular-season meet where the apparatus are set up directly on the floor. While the podium setup added pressure and bounce on the floor exercise, the podium fit well for the Crimson Tide on the uneven bars. The team posted a 49.525 on the apparatus, its highest bar score this season.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Lauren, Mack and Carley, delivering floor routines under extreme pressure, basically having to clinch the meet with that,” Duckworth said. “I feel like it was awesome on bars that we had our season high and we’re just building on the success of that, and it just has to do with stuck landings.”

Alabama opened the meet with a 49.250 on vault and trailed the Tigers after the first rotation before taking the lead in the second rotation with its top uneven bar score and posting a 49.225 on the balance beam in its third rotation. Despite watching her teammates struggle on the final and deciding apparatus, Beers said she remained calm and trusted in the team’s ability.

“We just know we have each

others’ backs, so we weren’t even worried about it,” she said. “I knew when I was going up there I was going to do it for my team, and I just knew that I was going to do what I know how to do in practice and it was all going to be just fine.”

Not only did the meet help to prepare the team for the SEC Championship meet in two weeks where it will again compete on podium, Duckworth said, but it also provided valuable experience for how to respond in meets that come down to the wire.

“We’ve been in both situations at the national championship– we have gone into beam and won the national championship last event on beam, and we’ve been on floor and won the national championship on floor,” she said. “Both teams grew tonight because of the experience we just had.”

Sunday’s victory was Alabama’s second victory of the weekend after it beat Missouri in Columbia on Friday 197.350195.275. It will return to action Friday, hosting No. 1 Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa in its final meet of the regular season.

Men’s tennis upsets No. 9 Ole Miss

By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter

The Alabama men’s tennis team had an intense weekend, both home and away.

On Thursday, the Crimson Tide was away at Arkansas. It trailed 3-0 until the men fought back to tie it 3-3. In the end, the Razorbacks won the final point leaving Alabama with a 4-3 loss.

Saturday’s doubleheader was a different story for the team though. Alabama defeated No. 9 Ole Miss 4-2 then later beat out Alabama State in two matches 4-1 and 5-0. Although there were moments where nerves took over, the men fought through it and had many moments of greatness, coach George Husack said. “[Saturday] was a great display of courage, of trust,” he said. “We’ve been so close, and just not really fearing the unknown and going for it.”

Ole Miss didn’t start out smoothly, though – Alabama did not win the doubles point.

“Doubles, we didn’t have as much energy and came up flat,” freshman Korey Lovett said. “We went into the locker room and talked, then everyone got really fired up.

When we went back out there, everyone was screaming and gave it all we had.”

During his singles match against the Rebels, Lovett faced three-time AllAmerican and 2014 SEC Player of the Year Nik Scholtz. Lovett said Scholtz gave him a few points in the beginning to make him believe, but Lovett took advantage of these points and ended up with the win.

Then it was junior Becker O’Shaughnessey who made the ace serve

The Alabama men’s tennis team defeated No. 9 Ole Miss 4-2 on Saturday. UA Athletics

that clinched the win for Alabama.

“I just tossed it up and in the middle of the toss, I changed where I was going to serve it last second to where I hadn’t really served it there much all match,” O’Shaughnessey said. “It came up clutch, and then I was just pumped after that – so excited.”

The reaction of the team was immediate. Teammates swarmed him as soon as the point was made official. Husack at the time of the serve had his back to O’Shaughnessey’s court because he was helping freshman Sam Edwards who had rolled his ankle but will be fine.

“All I heard was a big pop and then the crowd erupted,” Husack said. “I said to Sam, ‘We won,’ then I really just broke out into tears. I laid flat on my back and just started crying because I wanted it so badly for these guys.”

The Alabama gymnastics team rode a season-high bars performance to its 112th straight victory over Auburn. CW / Pete Pajor

MONDAY March 9, 2015

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15

16

SPORTS

Monday, March 9, 2015

Alabama shuts out Ole Miss three times in SEC sweep SOFTBALL FROM PAGE 1

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Ole Miss’s Bri Payne hit a line drive right into third baseman Kallie Case’s glove.

The perfect game was complete.

Littlejohn ran over to Case and hugged her, lifting her into the air. Their teammates surrounded them quickly, each one wanting to congratulate Littlejohn on her

second perfect game of her career and of the season.

Just like in the first perfect game, her ball had movement on it.

“When they swing and miss, you know that it’s doing something,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “And they tried.

They made adjustments. I mean, they moved back. They moved up. They were on the chalk. Give them credit. They tried.

And she just, you know, put it where they couldn’t hit it.”

When Ole Miss did manage to make contact with the ball, Alabama’s defense

was ready to make a play.

The final out – the line drive to Case at third – had a familiar ring to it.

“We were kind of laughing because the whole year last year, I played left field, and every time Sydney was in a really tight game, I would always get the last out in left field so we were kind of laughing and looking at each other like, ‘OK, the ball’s coming to me,’ so I was really prepared for it to come to me, but I was just trying to do it for Syd,” Case said.

The final nine outs were putouts.

Littlejohn started the game with six

straight strikeouts. She caught one batter looking.

“I mean, everybody catches on after a while,” she said. “They’re going to start hitting it, but [I] just got to make them hit it where our players are.”

Littlejohn (8-0) threw her first perfect game of the season Feb. 6 against Eastern Kentucky, another five-inning mercy-rule game.

She is the first player in program history to throw two perfect games in her career.

She is also the first Alabama pitcher to throw a perfect game at Rhoads.

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