THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015 VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 119
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SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SINCE 1894
Music Fest
8 LGBT Graduation
9 Disney Band
Yellowhammer Festival, a new venture by Creative Campus, will combine local bands, art and sustainability into one environmentally friendly music festival. The event will be held Sunday at from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunda the UA Arboretum.
Lavender Graduation, a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of LGBT students, will return to The University of Alabama on Monday. The event has been held every year since 2011.
Two UA music students will spend the summer at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Madelyn Cook and Ben Carrasquillo were chosen to play in the Disneyland Resort AllAmerican College Band.
AAlabama lab returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium ffor or AA-Day spring scrimmage. SEE GAMEDAY.
CW / Pete Pajor, Photo Illustration by Sloane Arogeti
INSIDE briefs 2 news 3 opinions 4 culture 9 sports 16
CONTACT email editor@cw.ua.edu website cw.ua.edu twitter @TheCrimsonWhite
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THURSDAY April 16, 2015
SCENE ON CAMPUS Freshmen Alex Neilson (left), Addison Matter, Hadley Griffin and Davis Collman collect signatures on a big beach ball on the Quad to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. CW / Danielle Parker
P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-8036 Advertising: 348-7845
EDITORIAL editor-in-chief Andy McWhorter editor@cw.ua.edu
managing editor Tara Massouleh production editor Sean Landry
TODAY’S EVENTS
CAMPUS BRIEFS
Civil War exhibit
3 student teams win business plan competition
WHAT: North and South: The Gorgas Family, the University of Alabama and the Divisions of the Civil War WHEN: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. WHERE: Gorgas House Museum
Three University of Alabama student teams won The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration’s 2015 Edward K. Aldag Jr. Business Plan Competition for their innovative business ideas. The winning ideas were Dash Cam 360, a 360-degree dashboard camera for police officers; Soap N Go, a portable soap cloth and InstaSplint, a medical splint. For
visuals editor Sloane Arogeti online editor Beth Lindly opinions editor Patrick Crowley chief copy editor Peyton Shepard news editor Rachel Brown
MFA thesis exhibition WHAT: VERSO | RECTO: Astri Snodgrass WHEN: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. WHERE: 103 Garland Hall
photo editor Pete Pajor video editor Patrick Maddox lead designer Ashley Atkinson community manager Alessia Grijalva
Alabama Athletics will team up with the UA Center for Sustainable Service and Volunteerism, the National Consortium for Academics and Sports, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the USOC Athletes Advisory Council to host “Shut Out Trafficking,” a week-long human trafficking awareness event. The week will kick off Sunday night with a dual keynote address featuring Richard Lapchick, president and founder
BFA exhibition WHAT: Degeneration: Ali Jackson WHEN: Noon-5 p.m. WHERE: Dinah Washington Cultural Art Center
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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 in room 1014, Student Media Building, 414 Campus Drive East. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. 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 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The Crimson White is entered as periodical postage at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Crimson White, P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2014 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.
of the NCAS and contributor to espn.com and the Sports Business Journal and Malea Otranto, U.S. Fund for UNICEF End Trafficking Program fellow. The event will take place Sunday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. Compiled by Katie Shepherd
SGA now accepting applications for over 80 positions
ADVERTISING advertising manager Keenan Madden
Compiled by Katie Shepherd
Alabama Athletics to host human trafficking awareness week
culture editor Francie Johnson sports editor Kelly Ward
winning this competition, students will receive one year of co-working space at The Edge Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, an hour of consulting with Rosen Harwood attorneys at law, consulting with JamisonMoneyFarmer and mentoring by UA faculty and staff.
The Student Government Association is now accepting applications for director and standing committee positions. Over 80 positions are open for applications, which are available on the SGA website and close Thursday. Applicants will be able to sign up
Software workshop WHAT: ArcGIS Story Maps workshop WHEN: 2-3 p.m. WHERE: Rodgers Library Scholars Station
for director position interviews Friday to Sunday outside of the SGA office and interviews will take place Monday to Friday A list of positions is available online. Compiled by Katie Shepherd
University Libraries hosts software workshop Learning workshop
Rodgers Library is hosting a software workshop for ArcGIS at the library’s Scholars Station on Thursday at 2 p.m. Seating will be limited, so students and faculty planning to attend are asked to register in advance online. The ArcGIS software allows users to create, share, manage and analyze maps and is available in both Gorgas and Rodgers Libraries. The workshop will show attendees the story maps feature, which is a system of maps created with a cloud-based
WHAT: Best Practices of Experiential Learning WHEN: 2-3 p.m. WHERE: A232 Gordon Palmer
CORRECTION In the article “Nomination voted down for 2nd time” published Wednesday, The Crimson White incorrectly reported the vote count to reject the nomination of Douglas Logan as SGA chief of staff. The Crimson White failed to reflect the vote of Senator Caroline Miller, who voted in favor of Logan’s confirmation. The Crimson White regrets this error and is happy to set the record straight.
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mapping and GIS system called ArcGIS Online. There will be tutorials on creating and publishing maps online and attendees will learn how to use text, photos, audio and video in their online posts. University Libraries and the department of geography will host the tutorial. Steven Ericson, an instructor in the geography department, will lead the workshop. Compiled by Heather Buchanan
Impacting Poverty Team hosts Sleep Out Event University of Alabama students will have the chance to participate in an event to raise awareness for poverty issues April 22 at 6 p.m. until April 23 at 6 a.m. Students who have ACTion cards can participate and earn up to 10 SLPro community service hours. The purpose of the event is for students to spend a night with the bare minimum of equipment as a way
@TheCrimsonWhite
to imitate homelessness. The University of Alabama Center for Sustainable Service and Volunteerism’s Impacting Poverty Team is hosting the event on the soccer fields next to the Student Recreation Center.
The Crimson White
Compiled by Heather Buchanan
thecrimsonwhite
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Editor | Rachel Brown Newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Thursday, April 16, 2015
Eastern Washington University
2,255 mil es
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa residents will come together Saturday at Central High School for the 10th annual Autism Walk, which will raise donations for the Autism Society of Alabama. Photo Courtesy of Melanie Jones
Autism Society to host 2K walk CW / Belle Newby By Alaina Upman | Contributing Writer
Tuscaloosa residents will have the opportunity to help the Autism Society of Alabama reach its $10,000 fundraising goal Saturday at its 10th annual Autism Walk at Central High School. There will be numerous activities for individuals and families to get involved with, aside from the 2K walk. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., while the walk and other activities will last from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Attendees may register online prior to the event for $30 or register on-site for $35. Each walker will receive a T-shirt, and all proceeds will go to the Autism Society of Alabama. Melanie Jones, executive director of the Autism Society of Alabama, said many families affected by autism participate in the event by making teams and sometimes have their own T-shirts made for their team. Jones said the Autism Society of Alabama is located in Birmingham, but has a volunteer base that spans the state. “We have the networking, support groups and walk leaders in various cities throughout the state,” Jones said. “Everyone will pitch in and make this happen because it is so important.” Patty McKnight, co-coordinator with Jennifer Yaw in Tuscaloosa, said students may benefit from participating in the event by increasing the awareness and acceptance of autism as well as supporting the Autism Society of Alabama, which provides outreach, education and family support statewide. The Autism Society of Alabama’s statewide goal is to raise $100,000, and each
city will contribute to that, Jones said. Tuscaloosa typically contributes $10,000 to $15,000 to the overall goal. “Personally, I would love to see $10,000 raised in Tuscaloosa,” McKnight said. “I think it is very doable. Autism is affecting so many more families, and the awareness has become much more pronounced, so it’s not unreasonable to think that every person knows someone affected by autism. Raising $10,000 seems like a realistic goal.” The mission of the Autism Society of Alabama is to improve services for individuals and their families through education and advocacy, Jones said. “All of the proceeds from events help provide for conferences and seminars and co-sponsor the statewide conference that is held in Tuscaloosa with the University,” she said. “Often times a family will call the society first thing after they get a diagnosis, and we help them navigate the service delivery system.” Local service agencies will have exhibits set up at the event with drawings for door prizes at each booth, McKnight said. There will be complimentary biscuits and bottled water donated from McDonald’s and Buffalo Rock. “For children’s activities, we will have 18- and 20-foot slides, face painting, a bubble station and special appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Elmo,” McKnight said. “It will be a great outing for the kids.” McKnight said it is a great event for everyone to go walk, get their parking spot and then head to the stadium for the A-Day game, as well as a great way to get involved with the community.
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Students present research By Alessandra Delrose | Contributing Writer
majoring in English and communication studies and a member of the Emerging Six students from The University Scholars program, is one of the six stuof Alabama were invited to take part dents presenting at this year’s NCUR in this year’s National Conference for conference. She will be doing a preUndergraduate Research at Eastern sentation on “Oral Histories: Research Washington University. through Storytelling.” According the conference website, “Half of my presentation comes from the mission of the NCUR is “to promote my work with Dr. Amy Dayton in the undergraduate research scholarship English department,” Sheeran said. “I and creative activity done in partner- was paired with Dr. Dayton through ship with faculty or other mentors as a the Emerging Scholars program and vital component of higher education.” assisted her with a project she was People in attendance for this confer- working on called ‘Digital Literacies in ence include students from universi- Rural Women’s Lives.’ The other half of ties across the country and around my presentation comes from my experithe world. ences in Art to Life, an Honors College Five of the six students represent- seminar taught by Dr. Daniel Potts. I ing the University are members of the combined these projects for my preEmerging Scholars Program, a program sentation and will speak about the oral that helps a select group of incom- history research method as a whole and ing UA freshmen get what it means for the involved in research on future of research.” campus early in their Sheeran has been college career. working on this research Mary Katherine Alsip My research experience since last spring and said Shreves, recent direcoverall research prohas helped me network on the tor of the Emerging cess has been a wonderScholars program, will the UA campus and open ful learning experience. attend the conference “I didn’t think I would innumerable doors ... with these students, and like doing research as an said she has no doubt English major, but workthat all of the students ing with oral histories — Taylor Sheeran — are prepared to present has made the process their research at NCUR. really exciting and per“NCUR is a competisonal,” she said. “My tive conference and not research experience has all submissions are accepted, so it is a helped me network on the UA campus demonstration of our students’ excel- and open innumerable doors to me and I lence in research that six students have become more confident now in my were invited to present at NCUR,” research abilities.” Shreves said. Erin Hein, a junior majoring in Shreves said the Emerging Scholars chemistry and art history, will also students received excellent support and present. Hein’s research is on the guidance from their faculty mentors function of frataxin in iron sulfur and has prepared them for presenting cluster biosynthesis. their research. Hein said her overall experience was With the conference coming up on fufilling yet difficult. April 16, Shreves said she is excited to “My mentor for this research was see the UA students shine. Dr. Laura S. Busenlehner who unfor“I am looking forward to spend- tunately passed away last November,” ing time with students who have been Hein said. “She really pressed women actively engaged in the program and in in science and motivated me throughout research since their freshman year,” she my research.” said. “I enjoy seeing all of the research Hein said she is looking forward to the our students are involved in and I am conference and the ability to see not only looking forward to seeing all of our students from across the world’s research students present at the conference.” but University of Alabama students Taylor Sheeran, a sophomore as well.
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Editor | Patrick Crowley Letters@cw.ua.edu Thursday, April 16, 2015
CW / Kevin Pabst
SENIOR COLUMN | COMPLACENCY
SENIOR COLUMN | UNIVERSITY PROGRESS
Never stop learning
Push Against the Status Quo
By Chris Willis | Guest Columnist
a million times, but like any other muscle, we need to At the beginning of this exercise our brains. Again, academic year, Mackenzie a little lame, but it’s true. Brown, the SGA’s for- Sometimes, I am afraid, we mer Director of Media lose sight of this. Relations, asked the SGA I know that I have certainexecutive members for a ly had several days where piece of advice that each of I’ve just “turned off ” my us would give to the incom- brain and binge-watched ing freshman class. He took Netflix, but I often find each of our quotes and that by the end of the day, tweeted it from the SGA’s I’m bored and restless. My Twitter account. I would brain is saying that it needs like to share the advice that real excitement, some new I offered with each of you experience, some problem as well, as I solved. We think that it shouldn’t be is applicable wasting our to everyone. days on the It is important couch, watchto surround ing TV. There yourself with is too much intelligent to see and people. If learn about you ever find – foreign culthat you are tures, a new the smartbook, nature, est person in etc. Whatever Chris Willis a room, find topic most Photo Courtesy of Chris Willis a new room. interests you, It’s kind of I guarantee pithy, but give yo u don’t me a break – I only know everything about it. had 140 characters to If it interests you, go learn work with. about it. The point that I was getThe fulfillment that you ting at in my quote was will get from learning and that we should never stop experiencing something learning and never be com- interesting will far outstrip placent with being just as the emptiness from realsmart as we are now. The izing that you just finished human brain’s capacity the last season of House to learn and take in vast of Cards and the next seaamounts of information son doesn’t come out for is astounding. Our brains another year. long for new information, This advice also applies to something new to learn. the graduating class. I think I’m sure you have heard it that one of the single most
important factors for one’s success in the business world is the ability to learn – new financial modeling techniques, new engineering designs, new critiques on Shakespeare’s works, etc. Learning new skills makes you a more valuable employee. Most employers aren’t hiring you only for what you know and can do right now. They are hiring you because of your potential, your ability to expand what you already know and add value to their company. If you want to be an entrepreneur, go work for a company that is in the field that you want to be in, and learn everything that you can. I think that one of the best and easiest ways to be constantly learning is by surrounding yourself with people that are smarter than you are. This is my suggestion and challenge for you. It can be hard to admit that we aren’t all the smartest people in the world, but we can’t all be the smartest people in the world. Find those people who are more intelligent than you are, maybe in a particular field, or maybe just in general, and spend time with them. It is amazing how much your brain can pick up just by being around other people and listening. Chris Willis is a senior majoring in economics and finance. He was the 20142015 SGA Executive Vice 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
By Matthew Bailey | Staff Columnist
thing on an interpersonal and community level about it. The education I got from the I’ve been at The University of Alabama since August 2008, and University actually pushed me to the amount of changes that the go into the SGA Senate the last University and city have under- year I was here. Throughout the six years that I was here in law gone is staggering to consider. The University has gone from school and undergrad before, having a Machine candidate I was an SGA senator. I was elected under suspicious circum- pretty convinced the SGA was stances my freshman year to an a pretty much useless organizaindependent candidate being tion on campus for getting any elected as I leave. The city has real progress done. After having undergone significant changes served, I’m not really dissuaded that were, in part, forced by the from that belief. Despite that, tornado but greatly increased it does have a huge impact on the options for the students and money given to organizations residents. The most important and now has ultimate discretion thing The University of Alabama regarding block seating. Students should especialprovides students is the abilly continue to ity to understand push against the and push against Machine, which is the status quo and run by an almost students should perfect example take advantage of institutionalof that. ized racism and The University of sexism, and take Alabama has given advantage of the me such a great ability to chalopportunity to help lenge others that understand some exist within our of the issues that society. Without affect society. The Matthew Bailey that, students are classes that I had CW File accepting the terfrom my Blount rible parts of camUndergraduate Initiative professors, Utz pus and our society as a whole. McKnight, Paul Horwitz and The University gives students law professors such as Richard the tools to understand and move Delgado and Jean Stefancic beyond the cynical acceptance of helped me understand society the status quo. This is the best and the University community. time for people to become politiThey also pushed me to not cally active and they should take accept everything how it exists the opportunities available to now. Students have such a great start a push for change. opportunity while here to understand the problems that we are Matthew Bailey is a third year dealing with, but also give them law student. He was a staff colthe initiative to go do some- umnist for The Crimson White.
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: Do you feel secure in your dorm or apartment? (Yes: 80%) (No: 20%) This Week’s Poll: Has your car ever been towed? cw.ua.edu
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OPINIONS Thursday, April 16, 2015 SENIOR COLUMN | LYING
What have you lied about recently? By Caroline Bechtel | Guest Columnist
the problem. As I reflect on my experience at The Perhaps you lied to your professor University of Alabama and my interfor why you skipped class, or your actions with others, I am ashamed friend for which side of a political that I wasn’t courageous enough to issue you support, or yourself when tell the truth. Every mistake points you said you wanted to have sex back to a silent whisper or shouted with him. sentiment where I took the cowardly Maybe you told your boyfriend you path. Far too many times, the act of changed and want a second chance. lying became so natural I no longer Perhaps you said “it isn’t a big deal.” could tell when I was doing it. All of us lie everyday. In the privileged In the big lies and the UA political bubble of little fibs, we recreate bickering for control, reality in our quest for social change strategies perfection. We spend resemble a never-endprecious time and enering feud – one in which gy managing percepboth sides try to cripple tion and creating carethe other. Each time fully edited versions of they are vanquished ourselves to show to the by their foes, they aim world. Social expectafor vengeance and rettions tell us that imperribution against their fection is synonymous Caroline Bechtel enemies. Any victory is with inadequacy, so we Photo Courtesy of Caroline Bechtel temporary. In the end, fight back with the lies everyone is weakened. to hide our shame. When people engage in adversarial, As we focus on ourselves and our antagonistic battles, they are doing perfectly manufactured world, we little to solve our problems. box out reality and misconceive You see, real change isn’t about the truth. We are incapable of changing political noise that clutters our mind. things around us because we fight Real change comes from people against the notion that we may be focusing on being powerful forces of
good despite the political landscape of the moment. The only way to get there is to be honest. Somewhere along my time on this campus, I decided I was going to try to be painfully honest with every situation. I would no longer hide my struggles and protect myself from shame, judgment, criticism and blame by seeking safety in pretending and perfection. Every time I had the urge to lie about something, I asked myself why. Why was I acting like I had anything to do with integrating campus? I wanted my risk to be worth it and I wanted to feel special. White guilt is real and in continuing the cycle of unearned accolades to the privileged class, I only continued to oppress people I wanted so desperately to support. Shame is universal and it is a waste of emotional capacity. Do not let shame dominate your life choices. One day you will wake up and realize you are living someone else’s life. Quite frankly, our community depends on you waking up now. Shadowed by our past, it is now the will and work of the people of Alabama that propels our community forward. There are people all
WHAT I THINK • Real change comes from people focusing on being powerful forces of good despite the political landscape of the moment. The only way to get there is to be honest. • Shame is universal and it is a waste of emotional capacity. • Our community depends on you waking up now.
around us capitalizing on the need for human connectivity and working to create authentic communities that will be the catalysts for progress and ignite the flame of reform. These people can only do that because they are not consumed with hiding their shame and living in lies. They are being honest with themselves, the people around them and the circumstances in which we all live. Be too brave to lie. Caroline Bechtel founded Students for Open Doors and Ethical Leadership.
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NEWS
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Bennet to speak on misogynoir By Amanda Sare | Contributing Writer
Amanda Bennett, an Atlanta native, is a junior majoring in English and African American studies at The University of Alabama. She will give her first ever Tide Talk on Friday, April 17, in Russel Hall Room 159 at 7 p.m. What will you be speaking on?
Misogynoir, which is a specific form of anti-black misogyny directed at African-American women. It acknowledges the dual oppressions of racism and sexism. Why do you think this issue is especially important for collegeage students? A lot of misogynoir dialogues take place on social media such as Twitter and Instagram, but a lot of times we are unaware of the historical background of misogynoir that exists in imperialism and slavery – both of which contributed to devaluing of the black female.
opportunity about a topic that receives very little attention in the black community and even less attention in either white or American society. What impact do you hope to have through your speech?
I hope to make people aware of the nuances and complexities of the black female experience, as well as to give women of color the opportunity and agency to take control of their own social, cultural and political narratives. What are your future plans?
How did you become interested in speaking at the next Tide Talks? I had a friend named Spencer Cornelius who nominated me. I also thought it would be a great
I hope to go to graduate school and become a professor of African-American literature at either Spelman or Harvard.
Are you moving to
Birmingham?
Amanda Bennett CW / Amy Sullivan
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NEWS Thursday, April 16, 2015
New museum director takes over By Amanda Sare | Contributing Writer
New York native John Friel recently joined The University of Alabama as director of the Alabama Museum of Natural History. CW / Layton Dudley
South America to study fish. “I’m interested in going places Ask any Northerner living where I can conduct research in Alabama what their favorite and not know what we are going part about Southern life is and to find in the water,” he said. some may tell you the weather. Friel said he enjoys At least, that was New York learning about a museum native John Friel’s answer. item’s background. Friel recently joined The “I love museums, but I don’t University of Alabama as direc- just love the objects that are tor of the Alabama Museum of inside of them but also the stoNatural History. He came to ries that are behind them,” Tuscaloosa after he said. spending the When he first last 17 years at came to visit With the hiring of Cornell University, The University where his posiof Alabama and John Friel I look tion was half the museum, he administrative and forward to alll the new said he fell in love half research. its building, interesting exhibits he with Friel said he Smith Hall. considers himself “There’s a will create. a professional sense of history i c h t hyo l o g i st , inside the build— Miranda Hardy — or an individual ing, I love the old who studies fish. pine floors and the His main focus is way they creak,” fresh water fish, and Alabama is Friel said. known for having a high diversiStudents are looking forward ty of fresh water fish and turtles. to seeing new exhibits at the Friel said he has studied fish museum under Friel’s direction. since graduate school at The “I love having such a unique University of South Florida. He museum right here on our own traveled to parts of the Amazon, campus,” said Miranda Hardy, Africa and many locations in a sophomore majoring in math.
“With the hiring of John Friel I look forward to all the new interesting [exhibits] he will create.” Cornell did not have public exhibits, and being able to interact with the general public was a new feeling Friel said he was looking for when he originally applied for the job at The University of Alabama. “My plan is to show more current research that is being done on exhibit,” Friel said. “My goal is to keep the historical strengths but also update things, make our museum more engaging.” Bill Bomar, executive director of the museum, said the addition of Friel adds to the museum’s history of working with local scientists. “Some outstanding Alabama scientists in geology, biology and anthropology have led the museum over the years and I am excited to have a scholar with Dr. Friel’s credentials in biology to lead our natural history museum staff in reaching its potential in the 21st century as we strive to collect, research and educate the public about Alabama’s rich biodiversity over the ages,” he said.
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NEWS
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Meredith Bagley, Rose Gladney, Judy Bonner and Josh Burford at the 2011 Lavender Graduation event. Photo Courtesy of Kirk Walter
Event to honor LGBT students By Rhaude Dahlinghaus | Contributing Writer
The University of Alabama Student Alliance will host a Lavender Graduation ceremony Monday celebrating the educational achievements of students within the LGBT community at the University “This is a ceremony for people to come as they are and be celebrated for who they are,” said Kirk Walter, president-elect of the Student Alliance and coordinator of Lavender Graduation. The Lavender Graduation was founded at The University of Michigan and brought to Alabama in 2011 by Meredith Bagley and her wife Alexandrea Davenport. “Even with improvements in cultural acceptance and legal protections, LGBT students still face huge obstacles and daily concerns when it comes to completing their educational goals,” Bagley said. “Thus, an event like Lavender Graduation helps celebrate this accomplishment.”
Lavender Graduation hosts a set of events in addition to those traditional to graduation ceremonies. The keynote speaker will be Representative Patricia Todd, the first and only openly gay elected official in Alabama. “She is amazing,” Walter said. “I feel that she will give the perfect balance of recognizing and celebrating students, but also encouraging them to stand up and lead.” Walter explained how important Lavender Graduation can be for those within the LGBT community to be recognized properly. “For some of our trans-identified students, it may be the only opportunity they have to attend a graduation ceremony at UA that recognizes their gender identity, preferred names and preferred pronouns,” he said. Lavender Graduation will be held Monday at 7 p.m. in Shelby Hall Room 1093. The event is open to the public.
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Editor | Francie Johnson Culture@cw.ua.edu Thursday, April 16, 2015
UA musicians selected for Disneyland resort band By Becca Murdoch | Staff Reporter
It’s a small world after all. Two students at The University of Alabama have been selected to perform in the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band, a tradition since 1971 that offers collegiate musicians the chance to learn and perform with celebrated artists at “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Associate Professor Christopher Kozak is the director of the jazz studies program at the University and said he is well acquainted with the director of the Disney All-American College Band program, Ron McCurdy. Kozak informs students of the opportunity and sends them along to McCurdy in hopes that a few more UA musicians will join the band. “[Disney All-American College Band] really introduces students to the professional world and the entertainment industry,” Kozak said. “It teaches students life skills as professional musicians and entertainers.” Ben Carrasquillo, a senior majoring in jazz studies, and Madelyn Cook, a first-year graduate student, will be playing in this year’s band. Carrasquillo is one out of the four trombones and Cook is one of the two French horn players. The 21-piece band will be performing for 11 weeks at the Disneyland Resort and will get
Madelyn Cook CW / Danielle Parker
Ben Carrasquillo Photo Courtesy of Ben Carrasquillo
the opportunity to clinic with professionals in their field and explore the surrounding Hollywood area. Carrasquillo began playing the trombone 10 years ago, while Cook started her French horn career at age 10. Both musicians said they were drawn to The University of Alabama’s music department because of its professors. Carrasquillo spent the last four years at the University perfecting his classical and jazz playing so he can make himself competitive for grad school auditions and opportunities such as the Disney AllAmerican College Band. Carrasquillo’s sister, Briana, was a member of the band in 2011 as a saxophone player, and was supportive of her brother’s efforts. After not making the
cut for the previous year, Carrasquillo said he focused a lot more heavily on his jazz playing and used the things McCurdy told him to work on for the next year’s audition. “I think [McCurdy] saw a growth from where I was last year to where I am this year, both in my playing and how I carry myself as a professional musician,” Carrasquillo said, concerning his success for this year’s audition. “I think he likes to see someone who is willing to work and has the potential for growth.” Cook wanted to audition for the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band since sophomore year of her undergraduate studies, but the stars did not align until this past summer. After seeing videos of band performances, Cook said she was ready to audition and submitted a video for the first round. “I thought, ‘Well, I have this summer open and anyone would be stupid not to do it,’” she said. After Carrasquillo and Cook moved past the first round of video auditions, they were called back for live auditions with McCurdy and other previous band members. Both performed the pieces they sent in and answered questions McCurdy had for them. Cook was asked to dance during her audition and Carrasquillo had to sing for the judges because he put that he had vocal
experience on his résumé. Carrasquillo and Cook both agreed that performing in the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band is going to be an opportunity that they are sure to treasure forever. “I think it’s the kind of experience that you look back on 20 years from now and say, ‘Wow, that was one of the best summers of my whole life,’” Cook said. With thousands upon thousands of tourists entering the Disneyland Resort theme parks, Carrasquillo, Cook and the rest of the band will have massive exposure doing what they love. “Literally millions of people will see this group perform and hopefully bring joy to the people over the course of the summer,” Carrasquillo said. Along with having fun in the parks and learning from the best in their musical fields, Carrasquillo and Cook will be able to network and form bonds that will help them throughout their musical careers, Kozak said. “It’s no coincidence that people who were in [Disneyland Resort AllAmerican College Band] are doing well,” Carrasquillo said. “People that are in it do well no matter what the situation is.” Cook had one last positive note on the challenging rehearsal process and summer of performing in the parks. “It’s going to be great cardio,” she said.
COLUMN | GAMING
Music games to make return By Matthew Wilson
“Something touched me deep inside the day the music died,” wrote musician Don McLean in the song “American Pie,” but those words easily describe the state of the music game genre. Like the musicians they were trying to emulate, franchises “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” were flying high on popular sales in 2008. Pressing an assortment of color-coded buttons, people could play music or at least pretend to play popular music. Everyone wanted to pretend to be a rockstar. It was a bonding agent bringing together both family and friends. Pushing sales to nearly $2 billion, there didn’t seem to be an end in sight to the music gaming mayhem, but as the case with all fads, the glamor faded and people soon lost interest in music gaming. The franchises fell from the spotlight as washed-up has-beens that soon vanished from the public view. For the past five years, people’s plastic guitars and drums have been gathering dust in attics and garages. Former pretend rockstars shouldered on toward fast-paced first-person shooters and role-playing games, but developers Harmonix and Activision are hoping to change that. The first “Guitar Hero” game and its sequel, actually developed by Harmonix before they moved on to create “Rock Band,” was an innovative game that offered people a fresh experience. The original “Guitar Hero” was a party game where everyone could and did have fun. It was a test of skill but easy enough that it
Guitar Hero and its rival, Rock Band, both announced their returns recently. Amazon.com
appealed to hardcore and casual gamers. Over time, both companies lost sight of that fun factor and the magic that made the first game so special. Both franchises oversaturated the market with plastic guitars, drums and microphones. Several were released with each game, and sequels were quickly pushed to outdo each other. The music game genre became a Cold War between two rival companies. If “Rock Band” had drums and a microphone, “Guitar Hero” had to have drums and a microphone. If “Guitar Hero” was releasing a sequel, “Rock Band” was also going to release a sequel. Will history repeat itself? Both franchises have a second chance to capture gamers’ attentions, but will the genre devolve into another convoluted rivalry? The fact that both franchises announced their return around the same time suggests as much, but only time will truly tell.
10 Temple to host festival featuring Jewish food CULTURE
Thursday, April 16, 2015
By Ellen Johnson | Contributing Writer
Matzah, challah, kugel, blintzes and falafel aren’t exactly what the typical college student eats for lunch, but this weekend UA students and the Tuscaloosa community will have the chance to try these and other foods at the second annual Tuscaloosa Jewish Food Festival. The festival, hosted this Sunday by the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood, will serve up a wide variety of Jewish cuisine, inspired by delis and Jewish food culture from around the world. Both boxed lunches and sampler bar tickets will be available for sale. “You can have a meal, or you can buy tasting tickets, so you can have a bit of matzah or challah or kugel,” said Lisa Besnoy, program director at Bloom Hillel Jewish Student Center. “Hopefully you can taste things you will never forget.” Bloom Hillel, located across the street from Temple Emanu-El, will offer a dining area for all those who purchase food at the festival. While Bloom Hillel students will also be volunteering at the event, Besnoy encourages others to come out and experience the variety of food. “It’s really a great opportunity to try some food that you might not have had the opportunity to try before,” Besnoy said. Meals available for purchase in the
The Tuscaloosa Jewish Food Festival, hosted by the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood, will serve foods like matzah, challah, kugel, blintzes and falafel. Photo Courtesy of Amy Ahmed
PLAN TO GO WHAT: Jewish Food Festival WHEN: Sunday, noon-2 p.m. WHERE: Temple Emanu-El lunch box form include a brisket platter featuring vinegar-based slaw and a traditional potato kugel, a deli sandwich box featuring corned beef on rye bread, and a Mediterranean sandwich box featuring fresh falafel with pita, hummus and tabbouleh. Amy Ahmed, co-president of the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood, described
the wide array of food at the festival, which may be atypical to traditional Southern cuisine. “We have the two aspects – you can get the lunch box meal, but we have this other area which is like a big sampler where you buy tickets for items, but instead of getting the whole plate, you can go and pick out what you want,” Ahmed said. The sampler bar, an anticipated aspect of the festival, will feature a myriad of other Jewish favorites, including stuffed grape leaves, bagels and lox, matzo ball soup and desserts such as macaroons and baklava. “This is a once a year opportunity to
try something that isn’t your typical Southern barbecue,” Ahmed said. “It’s different and a sort of cultural boost, and it’s fun and lively, so I think students will enjoy getting that something different.” Annie Yonge, a freshman majoring in theatre, said she enjoys having Jewish food at home with her family and can appreciate this taste of home. “Jewish food is great,” Yonge said. “My mom makes a dank challah bread.” The festival is this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Temple Emanu-El, located on Fourth Avenue between University Boulevard and Ninth Street. Boxed lunches vary from $10 to $12, and six sampler tickets cost $5.
A Great Spring is at Hand.
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OPINIONS Thursday, April 16, 2015
Yellowhammer Music Festival focused on sustainability By Samantha Auer | Contributing Writer
Music and environmental sustainability will join forces this weekend at Yellowhammer Festival, an event featuring local bands, art-making and different booths from local and campus organizations. Creative Campus will host a music festival “A group of [Creative Campus] this weekend. Photo Courtesy of Jordan Clark interns pitched the idea because
we wanted to bring the festival experience to Tuscaloosa like a lot of other college towns have,” said Moira Quinn, a sophomore majoring in marketing and Creative Campus intern. Creative Campus will host the festival Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the UA Arboretum. Quinn said Yellowhammer’s eco-friendly aspects and the deep
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focus on creative sustainability sets it apart from other festivals. “We have Greekfest, which is a great event, but we wanted to bring a daytime festival type event to UA,” she said. Ben Tomlin, a senior majoring in public relations and project leader for the festival, said the event is the largest Creative Campus has hosted this year.
“The partners we invited to join, including Eco, RecycleBama, Sassafras and more, are all eco-friendly,” he said. The UA Arboretum is located at 4800 Arboretum Way. Admission is free and the festival will feature performances by local bands Actual People, Lake Lyon, Agent Honeydew and The Doctors and the Lawyers.
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CULTURE
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Music store prepares for nationwide Record Store Day By Drew Pendleton | Contributing Writer
Record collectors and music enthusiasts alike can glimpse artists both new and old this weekend during Record Store Day. This Saturday, April 18, music stores across the country will participate in
the annual event, which sees a wide range of artists release exclusive albums and singles on vinyl or LP records. Tuscaloosa’s own Oz Music is participating in this year’s event and shift leader Kevin Burton pointed out several albums that are highly anticipated. “I’d get here early, because of the amount of people that want to
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The Wu-Tang Clan’s debut single from 1993, “Protect Ya Neck,” will be re-released on special black-andyellow vinyl. Burton said the re-issued single is one of many re-issues that feature specially colored vinyl.
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Wu-Tang Clan “Protect Ya Neck”
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Recorded live at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham in November 2014, “Live from the Alabama Theatre” sees this Birmingham-based group cover Sly and the Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song” and “Moonage Daydreams” by David Bowie. For Burton, this release – shaped like the state of Alabama and on clear-printed vinyl – is one of the most anticipated releases. “I like the idea of an Alabama-shaped record,” Burton said. “I’m from here, so it’s cool that they were able to make a weirdshaped record that still plays music.”
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St. Paul and the Broken Bones “Live from the Alabama Theatre”
get in the door and the scarcity,” Burton said. “This is the only day you can get some of these albums.” Oz Music will be open normal business hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, for Record Store Day. A cookout will begin at noon and concerts from local bands will be performed from noon to 7 p.m.
Elvis Presley “My Happiness/That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin” Elvis Presley’s first recording – a 1953 performance of “My Happiness” – has been a rare find for over 60 years. However, Nashville’s Third Man Records (owned by Jack White of The White Stripes) plans to re-release the single on a record which Burton said is one of the most anticipated release of this year’s Record Store Day. “We have a few copies of that here,” he said. “I imagine there will be a lot of people look for that one.”
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SPORTS Thursday, April 16, 2015
No. 7 softball beats North Carolina State 2-0 By Kelly Ward | Sports Editor
Alabama had six hits in Wednesday’s win. CW / Layton Dudley
Not every midweek game can be a mercy-rule win for No. 7 Alabama softball, but a 2-0 win over North Carolina State is good enough for the Crimson Tide. “Obviously any time you can throw a shutout against an ACC Division I type team that’s going to be in a regional, you’ll take it all day long,” Alabama
coach Patrick Murphy said. Senior right-hander Leslie Jury (7-3) earned the win in the complete-game outing. She allowed seven hits and walked three. She struck out six. “I just really felt really good about all my pitches,” Jury said. “I felt like I was hitting my spots and really making it move when I wanted to, so all in all I felt like it was a great game.”
Alabama had six hits. Sophomore Marisa Runyon hit an RBI double in the bottom of the third to break the scoreless tie. She has had at least one RBI in 12 of the last 13 games she’s played. “She’s seeing the ball really well and that’s what we need,” junior Haylie McCleney said. “We need people to peak at the right time towards the end of the season when the games
start to matter a little bit more, and she’s come up clutch.” McCleney went 1-for-1 with a double in the first inning. She was walked three times. As a team, Alabama drew seven walks. The Crimson Tide left 11 on base, including leaving the bases loaded twice. Alabama (33-9, 10-5 SEC) heads to No. 6 Auburn (40-6, 12-3 SEC) for a three-game series.
Men’s golf ready to compete at SEC Championships By Caroline Gazzara | Staff Reporter
For months, men’s golf coach Jay Seawell preached to his team to find its own identity – to step out of the shadow of the two previous NCAA championship teams and come into its own. It took five tournaments for the Crimson Tide to find itself, but after this week’s practice Seawell said he is confident the team is where it needs to be. Timing is everything, especially in golf. With the team peaking now, Alabama is in an ideal position going into the
Southeastern Conference Championships this weekend in Georgia. “I think we are far enough away and done that we’re out of the scrutiny of the media talking about who we are and what we’re going to do,” Seawell said. “We’ve fallen out of that, which has probably been a good thing for the team, and we’ve basically been able to worry about ourselves. I think they’ve become their own. I like where we are. I like how we are trending into the positive direction as we get closer to the tournament.”
Alabama won the SEC Championship the past three years, two of which the team then won the NCAA championship. Alabama has been on the upswing since the last tournament. At the Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate, Alabama was set to be the underdog. Instead the team tied for second at the tournament. That score was the highest score for Alabama all season. Confidence is high among the team. Junior Tom Lovelady said he’s seen his teammates walk with a ‘pep in their step’ and they have been playing better. He also
said this is the first time all season that Alabama is confident about the future. “I think that we are ready for [this],” Lovelady said. “I think that at [the Mason Rudolph Intercollegiate] it was our first time to be in contention all spring. And to be neck and neck with the fifth- or sixth-ranked team on their home course says a lot about how far we’ve come and what our potential can be.” Alabama’s starting lineup will be Lovelady, Robby Shelton, Dru Love, Jonathan Hardee and Robby Prater.
Golfer Robby Shelton will start during the SEC Championships this weekend. UA Athletics
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SPORTS
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Tide men’s tennis starts SECs against Vols By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter
The Alabama men’s tennis team has seen its fair share of ups and downs, wins and losses this season. With the regular season now in its rearview mirror, its next stop is College Station, Texas, for the Southeastern Conference Tournament. With an almost split overall record, the Crimson Tide is going into the tournament 17-16. “Looking back, we had some great wins and tough losses,” senior Stuart Kenyon said. “We could have done
better but no worries, we’re going to make up for it in the tournament this weekend.” Alabama’s first match is Thursday at 11 a.m. against Tennessee. During the regular season, Alabama lost to Tennessee on the road, 4-0. “Everyone needs to take care of their own business in that first match,” freshman Sam Edwards said. “Hopefully we can get the W and then, move forward from there.” Alabama is the No. 9 seed and Tennessee is ranked one spot above it going into the tournament.
Previous wins and losses are in the past th for the Crimson Tide as it plans to go in with a clean slate, just as every other team should be. “Everyone’s record in this tournament is now 0-0,” coach George Husack said. “Right now this is a new season for us.” If the team plays its hardest, Kenyon said he believes Alabama could end up being an upset team. Everyone has improved since the beginning of the regular season and they are on a completely different page now, he said. “Expect the unexpected,” Husack said.
The Alabama men’s tennis team will compete in the SEC tournament this weekend. CW / Layton Dudley
Baseball to compete against Missouri Tigers in weekend series By Nolan Imsande | Staff Reporter
After almost a month of playing some of the best teams in the SEC, the Alabama baseball team is starting to hit its stride. The Crimson Tide played four consecutive weekend series against top-25 teams and won four of its last five games. It looks to continue that success this weekend against the Missouri Tigers. Alabama (19-16) is coming off a series with the Georgia Bulldogs in which the Crimson Tide took two of three games and a 5-1 win Tuesday over in-state rival UAB. “I think when you look, not only last
weekend, but going back, for us it always starts on the mound,” Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. “I think when you look at Sunday’s game [Geoffrey] Bramblett, really attacked the strike zone and threw a lot of strikes. That does a lot of for us as a group. The last two games we have really commanded the strike zone and played good defense.” Despite the team’s success the past week, Alabama will make a change to its pitching rotation. Freshman right-hander Jake Walters will start Saturday against the Tigers instead of Alabama’s normal Saturday starter, Will Carter. Walters
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The baseball team has played four consecutive series against top-25 teams. UA Athletics
pitched in nine games (four midweek starts) for Alabama and has a 1.75 ERA. He will replace Will Carter (1-5, 5.40 ERA). “Obviously, as a freshman, it will be his first start in the SEC,” Gaspard said.
“He has pitched really well on Tuesdays. He came into a big spot last Sunday and pitched well. We feel like that is a spot where he can give us some energy.” In the last week, Alabama was helped offensively by the emergence of freshman first baseman Cody Henry. The Cantonment, Florida, native was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday after going 10-for-14 last week. He contributed five RBIs while scoring four runs. “I got used to seeing balls low in the zone and them throwing it high, trying to get you to chase,” he said. “I’ve got used to kind of seeing the ball better, that is about it.”
HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (04/16/15). Share your passion this year. A new love grows. Your career (and income) flourish through communicative arts. Write, record and perform. Prepare to launch an educational journey after 6/14. New professional opportunities arise after 10/13. Harvest personal growth and development after 10/27. Apply what you learn for meaningful collaborations. Dare to lead from your heart. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -You’re taking control, with both Sun and Moon in your sign. You’re getting more sensitive. Begin a self-confident phase. Heart and mind are in sync today and tomorrow. You’re more assertive. Ask for what you really want. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -Make more time for contemplation today and tomorrow. Take things slow and easy. Consider all options before taking action. Plan your moves. Research for bargains. Go treasure hunting. Retreat from the world to rest and recharge. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Friends have what you need. Schedule meetings for today and tomorrow. Align on shared priorities. Delegate tasks. Make sure what you build is solid. Make required changes. Circumstances dictate your actions. Support comes from unexpected directions. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -Career matters emerge for your consideration over the next two days. Make a power play. Expect trouble with scheduling. A change in plans opens previously-unavailable options. Prepare to make your move. Angels guide your actions. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Plan your itinerary. Travel conditions look excellent today and tomorrow. The news affects your choices. Begin an intense expansion phase. A conference, class or business trip offers enticing opportunities. Study and prepare. All systems go!
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -Follow the money over the next two days. Don’t let a windfall slip through your fingers. Changes necessitate budget revisions. Negotiate favorable terms. Collaborate for shared profit and track expenses, or deal with a mess later. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -Your partner requires some loving attention. Be willing to share responsibilities more than usual over the next few days. Do some heavy lifting. You’re scoring points. Do more than your share of the work. It’s worth it. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 9 -Dig into a big job and work out the details. It’s getting extra busy. It could get intense. Don’t skimp on providing great service. Delegate tasks. Use an outside provider if necessary. De-stress with exercise and friends. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Begin a lucky and cuddly phase. Prioritize love for the next two days. You have lots of emotional support. Don’t wait another minute to make a romantic proposal. Get creative. Add artistry to a passionate declaration. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Work from home and spend more time with family. Domestic bliss provides a seductive temptation. Plan a luxurious evening. Beautify your space, and then invite loved ones over. Share a home-cooked meal with family. Flowers are a lovely touch. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- You learn voraciously over the next few days. You’re sharp as a tack, and see business opportunities that others miss. Write promotional copy. Talk about what you’re discovering. Share useful tools and information with your networks. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -Your morale (and your wallet) get a boost over the next two days. It could get quite profitable. Rake in an abundant harvest from the seeds you planted earlier. Keep track of income and expense. Send invoices.
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Editor | Kelly Ward Sports@cw.ua.edu Thursday, April 16, 2015
Dana Duckworth continues championship legacy By Kayla Montgomery | Assistant Sports Editor
Alabama gymnastics coach Dana Duckworth doesn’t like to lose. After falling off the balance beam in the 1991 NCAA Championships, Duckworth learned her lesson. “She didn’t win the balance beam,” said former Alabama coach Sarah Patterson, who coached the Crimson Tide gymnastics team for 36 years and coached Duckworth during her collegiate days. “She did a perfect routine, and in that perfect routine, right at the end of it, she knew it was perfect and she got ahead of herself and missed her dismount. Well, Dana never let that happen again. She went on to win two national championships on balance beam.” When describing the personality of the first-year head coach, the word energetic has always been a staple. “Dana is probably one of the most personable and energetic people that I have ever met,” Patterson said. “I think as she became more confident and comfortable as she grew as a
person during her time here at the University, I think those attributes and great qualities flourished [even] more.” When she was named the head coach of the program after Patterson’s retirement in July, Duckworth was no stranger to the program. She spent four years with the Crimson Tide as a gymnast, 10 years as a volunteer coach and six years as associate head coach. Originally from Michigan, talent drew Patterson to the young athlete, but her family values and desire to be part of a close-knit program also made her the perfect fit for the Alabama program. “I think Dana was a tremendous athlete, but what we looked for was, she was someone who wanted to be a part of a family program,” Patterson said. Duckworth returned to Alabama to pursue an MBA with NCAA post-graduate scholarship and began to volunteer with the program. After 10 years, she became involved with the program on a new level. Travel became increasingly difficult for former associate head coach, David Patterson, and the
Patterson couple decided it would be best for the team if Duckworth took the role of associate. “I can think of no better person who has won championship, won individual championships and helped build our program to be around our student athletes as both an example and mentor to them,” Patterson said. “When people think, ‘Well, this is her first year as head coach,’ yes, it is, but the amount of time that she has spent with the program, she has been part of our championship legacy for many years.” In her first year as head coach, Duckworth continued to build upon the legacy of her predecessors. She led the team to its second consecutive SEC Championship, its ninth as a program. In the process, Duckworth became the first head coach to win a conference title in their inaugural season. She followed that conference title with a regional one, the program’s 30th. This weekend, Duckworth and her team will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete for a national title. When a change in leadership was announced, senior Kaitlyn Clark said she had no doubt
The Alabama gymnastics team will compete in the NCAA Championships Semifinals Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas. CW / Pete Pajor
Duckworth would excel in her new position. Throughout the transition, Clark said, Duckworth was an open communicator and transparent. “A lot of people thought that when you change a head coach, the team wasn’t going to do very well,” Clark said. “Because we had that really good communication and that feedback from each other, this team hasn’t skipped a beat this year.” Elite competition is no stranger for Duckworth, and she strives to
create those same expectations within her athletes. “My expectations of excellence are engrained in who I am and who I’ve been as an athlete, as a coach, being under Sarah and David, and who we are as a team,” Duckworth said. “The idea of going to a national championship and being regional champs, and having a chance to be SEC champs and compete to be NCAA champions, I believe in it. I believe in the team. I believe that we can do it.”
COMEBACK
SEASON
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APRIL 16, 2015 QUARTERBACK QUESTION
DRAKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RETURN
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INJURY REPORT
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editor-in-chief Andy McWhorter editor@cw.ua.edu
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QUARTERBACK
question By Nolan Imsande | Staff Reporter In the world of college football, spring indicates a couple of things. It means the start of spring practice, the first time many early enrollees from the year’s signing class take the field and the beginning of position battles. While Alabama has many positions open for playing time, none may be as big as the battle for the starting quarterback position. The Crimson Tide currently has five quarterbacks on its roster and only two, senior Jake Coker and junior Alec Morris, have in-game experience.
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CW / Pete Pajor
“They have all shown at some point in time that they have some ability to do it,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Nobody has really, yet, stood out to the point where you can say, ‘That’s the guy.’ If we had that resolved, it would be easier for us to establish an identity on offense.” Alabama faced the same problem entering last season, but the battle was between Coker, a Florida State transfer, and senior Blake Sims, who played three different positions for Alabama in his three years, but had only attempted 39 passes in his two years as backup quarterback. Sims ended up winning the job and leading the team to the College Football Playoff Semifinals while throwing for 3,847 yards and 28 touchdowns. Coker played in limited action but did register 403 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. The Mobile native is the most experienced of the group, having backed up Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston in 2013 and attempting 36 passes that season. Besides Coker, the only other quarterback to receive playing time is Morris. The Texas native has played in five games since arriving in 2012, but has yet to attempt a pass. The three other quarterbacks on the roster are sophomore Cooper Bateman, redshirt freshman David Cornwell and true freshman Blake Barnett. Bateman, the team’s holder for field goals and extra points last season, has been spending parts of spring practice lining up as a wide receiver. “I just thought that maybe we could create a role that might be beneficial
for our team and beneficial for him,” Saban said. “If we just rated the top 50 athletes on our team, he’d probably be one of them. So now is the time to find out if he could contribute at another position.” Cornwell, a native of Norman, Oklahoma, redshirted last year after suffering a knee injury that kept him out for part of his senior year at Norman North High School. He was a four-star prospect who picked Alabama over Auburn, Arkansas, Miami and Oklahoma State. After Saturday’s second spring scrimmage, Saban mentioned the progress Cornwell has made. “He has done, as good a job as anybody this spring, in terms of he is very bright,” Saban said. “He has a great understanding of the offense. He does a great job from the leadership standpoint of helping other players play better when he is in there.” The most intriguing of all the quarterback candidates might be the newest to the team, the Corona, California, native Barnett. Barnett is a 2015 signee who enrolled in the spring semester and was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 pocket passer by ESPN.com. The gunslinger threw for 3,404 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Santiago High School. He ran for 479 yards and seven touchdowns. “If he is the best player, why would we not play him?” Saban said on National Signing Day about the possibility of Barnett starting this year. “If a guy is the best player, we are going to play him.”
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GAMEDAY 2015
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DRAKE’S
RETURN
By Elliott Propes | Staff Reporter
CW / Pete Pajor
One of the highlights that comes to mind for many Alabama football fans during the 2014 season was the 87-yard catch and sprint touchdown for Kenyan Drake against Florida. Just the next week, another play unfolded that Crimson Tide fans would not forget as well, only this time they wish they could. Early in the second quarter, Drake caught a half back screen and fought for a first down. An Ole Miss safety hit him awkwardly, and when Drake appeared from the dog pile, all of national television could see his left leg fractured. Drake missed the remainder of the season after surgery, but he made his way back to the field this spring. “I feel like we have the best athletic support staff in the country. You know they are going to do their job to get me back to where I can be 100 percent,” Drake said. “I’m not there yet, but I appreciate everything they have done for me up to this point, and I am just happy to be back out on the field with my teammates.” Drake has looked fresh and agile during practices and seems to have regained all of his speed. With T.J. Yeldon declaring for the draft, Drake moved up the depth chart as the primary second running back behind Derrick Henry. “Obviously, I’m not 100 percent yet. That won’t come until later on in the fall, but everything until this point has been great. My leg has responded well,” Drake said. “I can run in a straight line pretty well. The cutting still brings a little difficulties, but like I said at the end of the day I feel pretty normal. Once I get out there it’s just working through the soreness which is pretty typical.” Drake has been seen running through many wide receiver drills this spring. During most media viewing periods, he splits the time half and half between both the running backs and receivers. He lined up at receiver several times last season before his injury. Drake was lined up as a receiver during the 87-yard pass against Florida. Overall, he had 159 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in his five games. “Well Kenyan Drake is a guy that we want to get on the field. Derrick Henry and him both are probably pretty dynamic players for us. They are really good playmakers. We are going to explore every way possible that we can get those guys the ball,” coach Nick Saban said. “We may have some personnel groups where we play those two guys together. I think those are the scenarios and reasons that you are seeing what you’re seeing.” After Drake and Henry, the running back depth has fallen off recently. Altee Tenpenny announced he would transfer in January. Then at the end
of March, Tyren Jones was dismissed from the program after he was arrested for marijuana possession. Just a few days following Jones’ dismissal, Bo Scarbrough tore his ACL for the third time and will miss all of the 2015 season. “That’s football. It is going to happen. That’s the nature of the game. Others guys have to stay ready. We just have to keep working and keep competing,” Henry said. “Like I said injuries are going to happen, but you can’t let it affect you because you got to keep working and getting better.” With the position being thin, redshirt freshman Ronnie Clark has seen most of the third team reps. Clark was spending more time at the defensive back position, but because of the recent mishaps he moved to running back. The lack of depth could mean that Drake and Henry will have to carry a little more of the load than was expected before the spring began. At any rate, it will be a pivotal year for Drake, who said he is just happy to be back on the field.
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GAMEDAY 2015
A-DAY INACCURATE By Kelly Ward | Sports Editor
CW / Pete Pajor
I don’t like A-Day. Honestly. It is a cheap substitute for a fall Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Every other inseason Alabama sport is out of town this weekend, whether because how the schedule worked out or by design, for a scrimmage. The last time Alabama played in Bryant-Denny Stadium, it was a highdrama slugfest in the highest scoring Iron Bowl ever. Saturday won’t be that exciting. Exciting is too strong of a word. Saturday is a practice. It’s a chance to see Alabama “play” in the nine-month college football drought between seasons. Admission is free Saturday. For free, you can watch Alabama football practice in April. You can watch the quarterback battle as it gets underway. Don’t put too much stock in it. Blake Sims went 13-for-30 with two interceptions in last year’s A-Day. He threw for 178 yards, but no one thought he would start. Jake Coker transferred and everyone thought he was the heir apparent to AJ McCarron. Alec Morris punted during A-Day. Chris Black had more yards receiving than Amari Cooper. Things are weird on A-Day. Looking back, you’d never guess Cooper wasn’t the leading receiver. In the spring game, he didn’t even score, but in December, he was in New York as a Heisman finalist. The spring game wasn’t a real indicator of his talent, let alone the explosive year he ended up having. It is a scrimmage. Coaches are trying things out. The team you see on Saturday will change. A poor showing doesn’t mean Alabama won’t have a good team in the fall. A good showing doesn’t mean Alabama will win it all. It’s the spring. There’s still summer workouts and fall camp. Not to mention, the team still has the actual season to play. Anything can happen between Saturday and Sept. 5 when Alabama
opens the season in Dallas against Wisconsin. Most of this year’s signees aren’t on campus yet. Until the season starts up in September, A-Day is the closest to a fall Saturday in Tuscaloosa. It’s a preview. Most of the people on the field will be there for the home opener. A few injured players will make their way back in time for the first game. It’s the chance to see players in pads and jerseys, to catch a glimpse of fall. Saturday is a rough draft. The team people see in the fall will not be there Saturday afternoon. There’s a long way to go to the home opener, but A-Day is a start.
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INJURY REPORT
GAMEDAY 2015
WR Cam Sims Sims tore his ACL during a practice late in March. The wide receiver will be out for all of spring practice. Before his injury he was expected to help fill the void left by the departure of Cooper, Jones and White, the team’s three leading receivers in the 2014 season.
By Nolan Imsande and Kayla Montgomery | CW Staff
Injuries have plagued the Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough football team throughout the spring. Take a look at the injured players and their prognosis for the season. OL Grant Hill
Scarbrough tore his ACL in the first spring scrimmage and underwent surgery shortly after. On April 8, coach Nick Saban said he is hopeful the Tuscaloosa native will return for the fall season and that he had progressed well throughout spring practice. Scarbrough was a member of the 2014 recruiting class and enrolled at the University in January. His injury further thins the running back position as Tyren Jones was dismissed from the team earlier this season.
Hill has been absent from spring practice with an undisclosed medical issue. In the 2014 season, he saw playing times in seven games.
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CW / Pete Pajor
CW / Pete Pajor
DL A’Shawn Robinson Robinson sprained his knee and ankle and missed practices last week as well as the team’s Saturday scrimmage. He returned to practice Tuesday in no-contact black jersey and participated in light drills.
CW / Pete Pajor
LB Denzel Devall
CB Cyrus Jones Jones underwent successful surgery on a torn labrum Jan. 12. He played the entire 2014 season with the injury. Jones, who is expected to be healthy by the time the season starts, spent Tuesday’s practice riding the bike under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran.
Devall underwent surgery on his foot for an injury that occurred last season against Ole Miss. He missed part of last season with the same injury. Currently, he spends practice on the exercise bike, but like Jones, he is expected to be healthy by the time the season starts.
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GAMEDAY 2015
Shifting Secondary By Nolan Imsande | Staff Reporter After a season in which Alabama’s secondary struggled mightily, coach Nick Saban made a big change to the coaching staff to address the issue. Saban hired Mel Tucker to be the new secondary coach. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who previously coached the secondary, will now coach the inside linebackers in addition to his duties as coordinator. Tucker served as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator for the last two seasons but was replaced in January. He got his start as a
graduate assistant under Saban at Michigan State and later coached the defensive backs for Saban at LSU in 2000. “[Mel] knows the system. He knows a lot of the adjustments,” Saban said of Tucker in March. “I think he’s done a really, really good job with the players and I think the players have responded very well to him.” Alabama will have to replace two mainstays in the secondary, safeties Nick Perry and Landon Collins. Perry registered two interceptions in the team’s final three regular season games, while Collins was an All-American and one of the best
defensive players in college football. One possibility the Crimson Tide experimented with recently to shore up the safety position was moving junior Eddie Jackson from cornerback to safety. Jackson played in nine games last year at corner but struggled at times, including in the Iron Bowl when he was beat on multiple long balls and eventually replaced by Tony Brown and Bradley Sylve. “I think, in the long run, we want to get our best players on the field in the secondary,” Saban said. “What happens with Eddie, is not just about Eddie, it is how do the other corners develop. The experiment was to see
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GAMEDAY 2015 how he would adapt to playing safety and he has done that well.” Saban went on to say it gives the team the option to play Jackson at corner or safety in the future, but a decision to move him permanently to safety would not yet be made. If Jackson stays at safety, he will have to vie for playing time with junior Maurice Smith and senior Geno Smith, among others. Geno Smith transitioned from corner to safety in 2013 and was a co-starter at safety last year but was suspended temporarily this spring after his second DUI arrest. “We test him every day., so if he continues to do the right things, he can continue to perform,” Saban said. “Geno has not been a problem on the field in terms of his performance, so we’re encouraged to have him back and hopefully he’ll improve and make good choices and decisions about what he does.” One newcomer who could contribute to the secondary this year is freshman Ronnie Harrison. He is a four-star safety who also played quarterback in high school. “Ronnie [Harrison] is a very bright guy,” Saban said. “For a guy that is a new freshman in the system, he has done extremely well. He does have a lot of athletic ability and great size and speed. He really has done a nice job.” Brown and Sylve will likely receive playing time at the cornerback spot opposite of starter Cyrus Jones. Jones will likely miss all of spring practice with a hip injury, but should regain the starting job once he returns. He tied the team high with three interceptions last season. Marlon Humphrey and Anthony Averett are other players who could see time at corner this season.
CW / Pete Pajor
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GAMEDAY 2015
A
LOOK
AHEAD: Alabama’s 2015 schedule By Kayla Montgomery and Kelly Ward | CW Staff
After ending last season in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be forging a new identity this season. While A-Day will provide a glimpse into the future of the team that lost several big playmakers, the true test will come when Alabama takes to the field in September.
GAME 1: Sept. 5 WHO: Alabama vs. Wisconsin WHERE: Dallas, Texas The Badgers ended the 2014 season with a 34-31 win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl. After a change in coaching, the team is now led by first-year head coach Paul Chryst. The neutral-field matchup will provide Alabama with its first chance to answer many questions surrounding the future of the team, especially its offense as a new quarterback will debut in place of 2014 starter Blake Sims.
GAME 3: Sept. 9 WHERE: Alabama vs. Ole Miss WHERE: Tuscaloosa In the third game of the season, Alabama will get its change for revenge against conference foe Ole Miss that defeated the Crimson Tide in Oxford last year. The loss was Alabama’s first of the season and star player Kenyan Drake suffered a season-ending injury in the process. After defeating Alabama, the Rebels went on to defeat Texas A&M and Tennessee before falling to LSU and Auburn in its first two losses of the season. Ole Miss finished with a 9-4 record.
GAME 2: Sept. 12 WHO: Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee State WHERE: Tuscaloosa Alabama’s first home game of the season will feature Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders finished the 2014 season with a 6-6 record and finished the 2014 season with a 24-21 loss to UTEP in a Conference USA matchup. The Blue Raiders topped Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss, both of which appeared on Alabama’s schedule as well.
GAME 4: Sept. 26 WHO: Alabama vs. Louisiana Monroe WHERE: Tuscaloosa The Crimson Tide will get a conference break when it welcomes the ULM Warhawks to Bryant-Denny. Alabama lost to ULM 21-14 in 2007 during coach Nick Saban’s first year at the helm of the program. The Warhawks finished last season with a 4-8 overall record, finishing 3-5 in the Sunbelt conference.
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GAMEDAY 2015
GAME 5: Oct. 3 WHERE: Alabama vs. Georgia WHERE: Athens, Georgia
GAME 6: Oct. 10 WHERE: Alabama vs. Arkansass WHERE: Tuscaloosa
The Crimson Tide will get its first conference road test of the season when it travels to Athens to take on The University of Georgia. The Bulldogs finished last season with a 10-3 overall record and a 6-2 conference slate. The Bulldogs’ 2015 recruiting class finished at the seventh spot in the Rivals.com poll, netting two five-star recruits and 10 four-star athletes.
The Crimson Tide will welcome the Arkansas Razorbacks for homecoming. Alabama holds an 8-0 homecoming record under Nick Saban and is currently on a 13-0 homecoming streak. The Razorbacks finished last season with a 7-6 overall record and a 2-6 record in the SEC, but its two conference wins were over Ole Miss and LSU in November games. This will be Arkansas’ third year under coach Bret Bielema.
GAME 7: Oct. 17 WHO: Alabama vs. Texas A&M WHERE: College Station, Texas
GAME 8: Oct. 24 WHO: Alabama vs.Tennessee WHERE: Tuscaloosa
After struggling with quarterback competition throughout the season, the Aggies finished 2014 with an 8-5 record and a 3-5 conference slate. This season, the team’s coaching staff will feature a new addition at defensive coordinator, John Chavis. Chavis joins the program after coaching at LSU since 2009. The Aggies finished at No. 10 in the Rivals.com 2015 recruiting class rankings.
The Crimson Tide will welcome the Volunteers for the annual cross-conference matchup. It will be Tennessee’s third year under coach Butch Jones, who recruited Rivals.com’s fifth ranked class of 2015. The class included four five-star recruits and 13 four-star recruits. The team finished the 2014 season with a 7-6 record and went 3-5 in the SEC.
GAME 9: Nov. 7 WHERE: Alabama vs. LSU WHERE: Tuscaloosa
GAME 10: Nov. 14 WHO: Alabama vs. Mississippi State WHERE: Starkville, Mississippi
LSU finished its 2014 season 8-5. The Tigers lost twice at home at night, including against Alabama. The Crimson Tide came back in the final minute to force overtime and eventually win 20-13 to keep its playoff hopes alive.
GAME 11: Nov. 21 WHERE: Alabama vs. Charleston Southern WHERE: Tuscaloosa Charleston Southern finished the 2014 season 8-4. The Buccaneers played two SEC teams: Vanderbilt and Georgia. They nearly beat Vanderbilt in October but lost 21-20. The Bulldogs cruised to a 55-9 win over the Buccaneers.
Mississippi State finished the season 10-3. The Bulldogs came into Bryant-Denny Stadium Nov. 15 with an undefeated record and the No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff and left with their first loss of the year. They return with quarterback Dak Prescott.
GAME 12: Nov. 28 WHERE: Alabama vs. Auburn WHERE: Auburn Auburn finished the 2014 season 8-5 following back-toback losses to Alabama in the Iron Bowl and Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. The 2014 Iron Bowl was the highest scoring Iron Bowl ever. The Tigers are currently in a quarterback battle of their own determining Nick Marshall’s replacement.
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