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Update on the Holt tornado recovery

Laura Lee Smith makes an impact

NEWS

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

SPORTS

Serving the University of Alabama since 1894

Vol. 118, Issue 21

Student killed at apartment complex Around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, a student was shot on the grounds of Sterling Crimson Apartments.

By Amanda Sams News Editor newsdesk@cw.crimson.edu UA graduate student James Harry Johnson III (Trey), was shot around 2 a.m. Sunday at the Sterling Crimson apartment complex on 17th Street, and was pronounced dead at Druid City Hospital shortly after, according to a Tuscaloosa News article. Johnson, 25, may have been struck by a stray bullet from

CW | Drew Hoover

gunfire at the nearby gas station Powell Petroleum, the article stated. Johnson was reportedly visiting a friend who lives on the south side of the complex, which is located across from Central High School. Investigators are still looking into the events that transpired prior to Johnson’s death. “We came in Saturday night about 2:30 a.m., and cops, ambulances and fire trucks were

everywhere,” said Lauren Killen, a junior who lives at Sterling Crimson. “None of the police would tell us what was going on, and they just kept trying to get everyone to go inside.” The next morning, Killen, who lives in building No. 3, said the only information residents received about the shooting was a note taped to their doors by Sterling Crimson. “Tuscaloosa Police and our Courtesy Officers have been

made fully aware of the situation and are diligently working to determine who was involved and where this incident took place,” the note read. The note included other instructions about resident safety, such as locking doors and windows and not walking alone at night. It also reminded residents of the complex’s rules regulating firearms and weap-

See STERLING, page 2

Southern belle charmed on reality television Tennessee native was featured on Country Music Television’s show, “Sweet Home Alabama” By Katrina Sharpe Contributing Writer Most people don’t go through 19 breakups in six years, but one UA student went through that many in only six weeks. D e v i n Grissom, a junior from Cordova, Tenn., came from a true southern family. Her parents have been married for 34 years, an example she would like to follow. Grissom intended on spending her summer relaxing and enrolling in summer classes until she received a Facebook message from a casting agency in Los Angeles asking her if she would be interested in being on a bachelorette-type show called “Sweet Home

Alabama” airing on CMT. “I thought it was a spam message,” Grissom said. After sending Grissom a second message, she agreed. She flew out to Los Angeles for an interview and began filming. The filming started in early May and ended in early July. Grissom went into filming with an open mind. “I realized how once-in-alifetime the opportunity was, and I’d never get another chance,” Grissom said. She was thrown into a new reality and forced to adjust quickly to very little outside communication and a completely new environment. For people curious to know how real the reality show was, Grissom said there was no preparation. They were not told the day before what was going to happen, and she was not able to talk with

See CMT, page 6

Deadline for free debris removal assitance nears By Jasmine Cannon Senior Staff Reporter The deadline for Tuscaloosa residents to apply for free property damage clean-up is Thursday, Sept. 15. The voluntary demolition program is a part of the city’s “Final Push” to remove debris at no cost or insured cost for landowners. “For the city, we want everything to be cleaned up,” said Robin Edgeworth, Tuscaloosa legal affairs administrator. “It’s about helping people to get their houses torn down if there are houses that need to be. We want people to view this as an option. We want to give them an option to move forward.” In order to apply, property owners must fill out an application and have a copy of a photo ID, proof of ownership le this

• Mail application to: City of Tuscaloosa ATTN: Incident Command P.O. Box 2089 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

and insurance policy. Proof of ownership can be a deed, tax record, mortgage payment book, etc. Applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the courtyard lobby of Tuscaloosa City Hall or found at www. t u s c a l o o s a f o r wa r d . c o m .

See CLEAN, page 3

Phobias like isolation, failure common issues for UA students By Elisabeth Garcia Contributing Writer If you avoid campus streets and dread crosswalks for fear of being struck by a bus, take heed. You might be experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and you might not be alone According to a survey he administered to 501 college students last year, Martin Sellbom, UA professor of psychology, found that the most common fears among college students tend to be social in nature. Sellbom asked students to rate their fear from a level of one (no fear) to five (very much fear) in the survey. Failure was at the top of the six biggest

about daily events, said Matthew Jarrett, a psychology professor at the University of Alabama. For example, a student’s worries may lead them to avoid missing a class for fear of failing the course. “Although all people worry, people with GAD often have a tendency for ‘catastrophic thinking’,” he said. Jarrett said GAD is among the most common anxiety disorders along with Social Phobia (SOP), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. While these fears do not directly arise from attending college, Jarrett said he

See FEARS, page 3

Three-year starting center serves as bedrock of Tide’s developing offensive line William Vlachos reads the Auburn defense in the 2009 Iron Bowl. Vlachos is a three- year starter for the Tide.

By Zac Al-Khateeb Sports Reporter In recent years, Alabama has been known as a team that will simply overpower opposing defenses on the offensive line, paving the way for a potent running attack and acting as an impassable wall to protect quarterbacks. This year, however, the offensive line for the Crimson Tide has seemed a little out of sorts, allowing tons of quarterback pressure and penetration against the run. For the first time in a long time, the offensive line seems human.

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social fears with 22.2 percent of students marking they feared this “very much”. Speaking in public followed, along with rejection, looking foolish, feeling disapproved of and making mistakes, according to the data. Dead people, witnessing surgery and enclosed spaces topped the list of “other fears” Sellbom found in his study. The fear of various natural disasters would probably have been higher on the list had the survey been administered after the April 27 tornado, he said. Other UA professors, too, have researched fears and disorders students may deal with in college. People who suffer from GAD exhibit excessive worry

Vlachos provides experience, leadership

INSIDE today’s paper

er •

Plea s

yc rec

• Deadline: Sept. 15

Face-to-face with your fears

FAST FACTS

CW | Drew Hoover Ethan Coate sits in Lakeside Dining Hall, where many undergraduate students use meal plans. According to a UA psychology professor, most fears among students are social in nature — like the fear of sitting alone in a crowded area.

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

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

Sports .......................8

Opinions ...................4

Puzzles......................7

Lifestyles....................6

Classifieds .................7

Perhaps it’s only growing pains, as head coach Nick Saban keeps experimenting with shifting players around on the line of scrimmage. Still, one aspect of the O-line which has remained constant is senior center William Vlachos. Vlachos, a three-year starter for the Tide, provides leadership and experience on an offensive line that is still struggling for continuity. For Saban, this proves invaluable for his offense. “William Vlachos and Barrett Jones have both done a really

See VLACHOS, page 8

WEATHER today Clear

Wednesday 85º/63º

92º/65º Clear

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ONLINE

ON THE CALENDAR TODAY

ON THE

ONLINE EXCUSIVES:

Page 2• Tuesday, September 13, 2011

EDITORIAL Victor Luckerson editor-in-chief editor@cw.ua.edu

Women’s Golf Feature

The Tide hopes to improve on last year’s success.

Football practice recap Saban discusses turnovers, Darius Hanks and quarterback competition

Follow these Crimson White Twitter accounts: @TheCrimsonWhite @CW_Live @CW_TheScene @CWSports

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

WHAT: Fall 2011 Study Abroad Fair

WHAT: TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling

WHAT: Homegrown Alabama Farmers’ Market

WHERE: Second Floor Lobby, Ferguson Student Center

WHERE: G54 Rose Adminstration

WHERE: Canterbury Episcopal Chapel

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHEN: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

WHAT: On-Campus Employment Workshop

WHAT: Computer Science Research Colloiquium Series

WHAT: Graduate School Preview Day

WHERE: Sylvester Jones Resource Center, Ferguson Student Center

WHERE: 3437 Science and Engineering Complex

WHERE: Ferguson Center Theater

WHEN: 11 a.m. to noon

WHEN: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHAT: Managing Your Time in College

WHAT: Dinner for Scholarships – fundraiser for FATE and SAA

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. WHAT: Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Class WHERE: G54 Rose Administration WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noon

Jonathan Reed managing editor jonathanreedcw@gmail.com Will Tucker assistant managing editor wjtucker1@gmail.com Amanda Sams news editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Malcolm Cammeron community manager outreach@cw.ua.edu

WHERE: Osband Hall WHEN: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Submit your events to calendar@cw.ua.edu

WHERE: Northport McAlister’s WHEN: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

ON THE MENU LAKESIDE LUNCH

DINNER

BURKE

BRYANT

FRESH FOOD

LUNCH

Marinara Rigatoni Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Hummus with Pita Chips Fresh Steamed Broccoli Garden Burger and Fries

Asian Pepper Chicken Pot Roast Braised Cabbage Greek Gyro Sandwich Caramelized Mushroom Pizza

Turkey Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes with Red Scallions Spicy Chicken Lo Mein Apple Fritters Ziti Casserole (Vegetarian)

Chicken Breast Parmesan Beef and Broccoli with Rice Grilled Cheese Cheddar Cheese Soup Glazed Carrots

Burgers & Fries Pulled Pork Sandwiches Milk Shakes & Banana Splits Chili Dogs BLT Sandwiches Grilled Vegetable Pizza (Vegetarian)

STERLING

note attached to residents’ doors, Killen said the apartment complex did nothing else to reassure residents of their safety. “None of the staff came by or anything to check and see if we were OK,” she said. “This really traumatizing event happened, I mean someone was murdered, and the apartment complex just let it go.” Killen said the shooting shocked her, because Sterling Crimson is only a block away from campus, and the apart-

ment complex promised residents heightened security features. “Our rent at Sterling Crimson is on the higher side, and they said that was because we supposedly have a really good security system, but the gate is so low anyone can climb over, and basically anyone can just walk in,” she said. “It’s weird and unsettling because you wouldn’t think anything like that would happen in the community where you live. It makes you feel less safe, you know?”

Other UA stu d e n t s expressed frustration and fear with the security at the apartment complex. “I want to get out of my lease because the security here is terrible,” said Nicole Allums, a sophomore majoring in accounting. “That was the number one thing Sterling promoted when I signed my lease. They are not making residents secure at all. If this has already happened in one month I can’t imagine what is in store for later this year. I’m terrified.”

Rebecca Howe, a junior majoring in human development and family studies, said her parents are requesting lights and security cameras be added to the complex. “I’m asking a lawyer to review my lease agreement to see if I can get out of the lease agreement,” she said. “If I can get out of the lease, sayonara.”

Stephanie Brumfield lifestyles editor Tony Tsoukalas sports editor Tray Smith opinions editor Adam Greene chief copy editor Kyle Carey design editor Evan Szczepanski graphics editor Drew Hoover photo editor Brian Connell web editor Daniel Roth multimedia editor

Continued from page 1

weapons, threatening eviction upon any such violation of the lease agreement. “Unfortunately, crime appears to be a fact of life,” the note later read. “Please understand that we at Sterling Crimson take crime very seriously and will try to do all we can to aid in preventing crime; however, we cannot prevent crime from happening.” Besides the aforementioned

ADVERTISING Emily Richards 348-8995 Advertising Manager cwadmanager@gmail.com Brittany Key 348-2598 Territory Manager Amy Ramsey 348-7355 National Representative Classifieds Coordinator Lauren Aylworth 348-8042 Creative Services Manager

ON THE RADAR Obama jobs plan would raise taxes on rich From MCTcampus

ing $467 billion in taxes on the wealthy over 10 years, the WASHINGTON - President White House said Monday. Obama included the proBarack Obama would pay for his jobs bill primarily by rais- posed tax increases in the

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Denny Chimes Memorial Tribute

Will DeShazo 348-8041

for a member of the UA Family

Jessica West 348-8054

Anna Elizabeth Gordon

Ben Gordon 348-8042 Lauren Gallas 348-8042 Coleman Richards Special Projects Account Rep The Crimson White is the community newspaper of The University of Alabama. The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students. The University of Alabama cannot influence editorial decisions and editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and do not represent the official opinions of the University. Advertising offices of The Crimson White are on the first floor, Student Publications Building, 923 University Blvd. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389. The Crimson White (USPS 138020) is published four times weekly when classes are in session during Fall and Spring Semester except for the Monday after Spring Break and the Monday after Thanksgiving, and once a week when school is in session for the summer. Marked calendar provided. The Crimson White is provided for free up to three issues. Any other papers are $1.00. The subscription rate for The Crimson White is $125 per year. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama and sent to: The Crimson White Subscription Department, P.O. Box 2389, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2389.

September 13, 2011 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*Friends and members of the University community are invited to gather near the chimes

*In the event of rain, the location will change to the steps of the Rose Administration Building

detailed legislation he sent to Congress Monday, along with a demand that the entire package be passed immediately. “This is the bill that Congress needs to pass,” he said in the White House Rose Garden, waving a copy of the proposed American Jobs Act. “No games. No politics. No delays. I’m sending this bill to Congress today, and they ought to pass it immediately.” His request amounted to a legislative and political impossibility. First, Republicans argue that the first big Obama jobs “stimulus” bill in 2009 was a waste of money, and now they control the House of Representatives. Second, House Republicans say the Congressional Budget Office must analyze the new bill

to see how much it would cost and how much economic impact it could have. Third, Obama couldn’t get many of the same tax increases he’s proposing again through Congress when his Democratic Party controlled both houses. Republicans now have power, and they flatly oppose tax increases on the wealthy. “I do not think that the president’s all-or-nothing approach is something that is constructive,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. “To say ‘pass my bill’ 17 times is not, I think, the tone, nor is it the way forward.” The proposed $447 billion bill, which Obama outlined Thursday night in a speech to Congress, would include extended tax cuts for workers and jobless benefits for the unemployed, a new tem-

porary tax reduction for business and new federal spending to repair infrastructure. He said then that he’d pay for the one-year package; the White House said Monday that it would all come from tax increases. They would include: -Limiting itemized deductions for individuals who make more than $200,000 annually and families that earn more than $250,000. Total over 10 years: $400 billion. -Closing loopholes for oil and gas companies. Total: $40 billion over 10 years. -Raising taxes on investment fund managers. Total: $18 billion. -Raising taxes on corporate jets. Total: $3 billion. With some other technical changes, the taxes would add up to $467 billion, White House aides said.

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Taylor Holland, Katherine Martin and Drew Hoover contributed to this report.

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NEWS

FEARS

Continued from page 1 believes the stress of the college transition lends itself to such irrational or even “magical fears.” OCD is one disorder that causes these magical fears, he said. It is characterized by repetitive thoughts or images that someone cannot get out of their mind along with compulsions that act to regulate the obsessions. One of the more common fears tied to OCD is a fear of contamination, leading to obsessive hand washing. This fear might even cause one to believe that touching a doorknob will contaminate a person to the point of death, Jarrett said. OCD students might also avoid knives based on the fear

of losing control and stabbing oneself. Showing up 20 minutes early to class may mean you have SOP. The disorder is characterized by a chronic fear of evaluation by others, causing students to avoid social situation that evoke this anxiety, Jarrett said. “I once worked with a student who was fearful about showing up late for class and being judged by others for being late,” he said. “[He] experienced so much anxiety that he was unable to open the door to the class even though he was only a minute late.” Others avoid eating alone for fear of judgment, but students don’t realize that other students experience the same fear, said Rosanna Guadagno, professor of psychology. She said students should take a chance on meeting new peo-

ple to combat these feelings. If you fear a return to places where a thought sent you into great distress, you might have Panic Disorder. It’s characterized by unexpected episodes of extreme fear accompanied by intense physical symptoms, Jarrett said. Alexa Chilcutt, a public speaking professor, knows much about glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. She said rehearsal, particularly in the venue where a speech is due, allows students to become more comfortable with these challenges. Jarrett said common fears become severe based on frequency, intensity and duration and may require treatment. Guadagno said people experiencing unusual fears should seek help at the campus Counseling Center or Psychology clinic.

CLEAN

Continued from page 1 On the website, there is a link to the application under the recovery information and voluntary demolition tabs. Applications can be mailed to the City of Tuscaloosa with attention to incident command at P.O. Box 2089, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Mailed applications have to be notarized. After applications are received, they are reviewed by the city, FEMA and the state for eligibility. If residents receive insurance proceeds for demolition or debris removal, they will have to pay that to the city to assist with cost. Researched criteria include the area being considered a health or safety hazard, a public nuisance, and the damage being solely from the April 27 storms. “I would encourage people, if they are hesitant to call because they have questions about the program, to call if they have questions,” said Nicole Counsell, Thompson consulting services representative. “We can guide them in the right direction whether it’s demolition or making a recommendation to the steps they can take to move

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

NAACP warns against racial hatred By Ashanka Kumari Contributing Writer At times, students at the University may need to “check themselves” to ensure they are not unknowingly contributing to racial bigotry or hatred on campus. That’s the idea, at least, behind the first “Check Yourself” forum co-hosted by the University of Alabama Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People along with the Student Government Association. The forum will be held Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in room 10 of Alston Hall. Over 36 student organizations have confirmed their attendance, according to an event flyer. “The forum is centered around providing students with the chance to ask questions and address all minority issues on campus,” said

SGA Executive Director of Student Engagement Randy Bowden. The forum will be the first time all minority organizations will have the opportunity to be in the room together and connect on all issues, Bowden said. “We encourage students to look at themselves in a different perspective, and step outside of their comfort zone in a controlled environment in order to engage in a more diverse campus and community,” Bowden said. “The set up of the forum is a discussion centered around true/false questions allowing students to voice their opinions in a controlled environment,” said Dabrielle Goodwin, SGA director of campus relations and NAACP president. “Students will be given the chance to text questions to an unidentified number. The ques-

tions will be displayed on a screen in front of the room and selected questions will be presented to the general body.” “The event is open to any registered student organization, not just minority groups,” Goodwin said. In preparation for the event, all minority organization presidents were asked to meet in August, Goodwin said. The presidents focused on current minority issues on campus and potential discussion topics. “The forum is designed so that students will be given a chance to check themselves and recognize how they may have unknowingly contributed to an racism and hatred in regards to certain minority groups on campus,” Goodwin said. “The forum plans to address all issues that may seem controversial in efforts to find a solution.”

CW | Megan Smith Volunteers of Hands on Tuscaloosa worked Friday at a damaged house in Alberta. forward.” Counsell said the main thing people need to make sure of is that they have all the proper documentation. Debris removal is a big part of the Tuscaloosa’s move toward reconstructing after the tornado. Edgeworth said cleanup is the next necessary step in the city’s plans to “move forward.” “Tuscaloosa cannot move forward as long as there are obstacles in front of us such as debris and houses that need to demolished,” she said. Counsell said if homes that need to be demolished are

left standing, it could provide safety hazards for the community at large. There have been around 350 homes declared a nuisance. The application deadline has the possibility of being extended if there is an influx of people expressing interest. The process for removal can begin after Tuesday’s City Council meeting. There will be a vote to approve the clean-up for 31 properties. For more information or for assistance on the Voluntary Demolition Plan call 311 or Incident Command at 205-2485040.

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OPINIONS

Leashing two dogs with the same chain By Greg Houser

Walk-on deserves scholarship

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Editor • Tray Smith letters@cw.ua.edu Page 4

{ YOUR VIEW } WEB COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO, “COME ON… DON’T HAZE ME BRO”

By Jake Gray @JAGray55 Over the course of the past few football seasons, the Tide faithful have become familiar with an undersized safety known as Will Lowery. The junior from Hoover has flourished as the dime-back in one of the most dominant defenses in the country for the past two years. While dime-back is technically not a “starting” position, Lowery is a pivotal part of the Tide defense. Mark Barron and Robert Lester are the starters in the base defense; Lowery is on the field every series occupying the back of the defense as a “center-field”-type player. He has also been a mainstay on virtually every special teams formation for the past two seasons. What he lacks in size, he compensates with quickness and knowledge of the defense. In 2010, Lowery amassed 33 tackles and two interceptions as a dime-back, while also starting at free-safety in the Capital One Bowl. Lowery has already accumulated six tackles in the first two games of 2011. The important thing to note

is that Will Lowery has established himself as a presence in the Alabama secondary, and he has done it all while not being a scholarship player. As opposed to approximately 90 percent of the contributors on offense, defense, and special teams, Lowery is a walk-on. He did not receive any visits from the Alabama coaching staff during high school. He did not hold a grandiose press conference to announce his college destination. Will Lowery is on the team because he loves the game, and he loves the University of Alabama. Meanwhile, he has received nothing from the University for his contributions to the team. After a quick analysis of the roster, it can be determined that Lowery contributes more than 50 scholarship players. The current second-string punter is on scholarship, while Lowery pays his own way. This wouldn’t be near as bad if the starting punter, who is also a walk-on, was not averaging a dismal and embarrassingly low 38.9 yards a punt. Obviously, working the scholarship numbers is an exact art that takes time and precision. I do not

“The lawsuit with PKA will likely be dropped. And do you know anything about public relations? Of course you donʼt comment on a lawsuit that you arenʼt directly involved with. Your criticisms seem to be more of a rant or soapbox than any constructive dialogue. Why donʼt LETTERS TO THE EDITOR you write something of substance and get off U.S. violence fuels hatred this ʻthe administration than one to be welcomed. By Edward Mostoller is the devilʼ tangent that Although the lives lost that day you continue to write A decade after 9/11, the intense cannot in any way be trivialized, the about.” pain and suffering the attacks most lasting damage done was not — studentvoice53

“One of the more prominent things anyone in PR learns is to create a dialogue with the public/consumer/etcetera, which is exactly what the administration refuses to do. Imagine if the CEO of Dominos had said “No Comment” after that video came out a while back of an employee being grossly unsanitary in the kitchen of the restaurants. Even if they were addressing the problem behind closed doors, it would still have been a huge slap in the face to consumers.” — Robert Foster

EDITORIAL BOARD Victor Luckerson Editor Jonathan Reed Managing Editor Tray Smith Opinions Editor Adam Greene Chief Copy Editor Will Tucker Assistant Managing Editor Drew Hoover Photo Editor

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

caused are still abundantly obvious as images of grief stream in via coverage of the anniversary’s various memorial events. Despite bin Laden’s assassination, and the increasingly marginal relevance of al Qaeda, it seems that the wound those attacks opened up are still bleeding substantially. Our forceful, violent reactions to 9/11, both at home and around the world, have only helped to prove what is a core principle of most antiWestern terrorist groups: that we, the United States, and especially those in power steering the ship of state, are a force to be feared rather

know why some players have scholarships and some do not, as that information is not given to the public. I also do not know if the Lowery family volunteered to pay their son’s tuition out of the spirit and love for the Crimson Tide. If they did, then all power to them and my hat is off to their sacrifice and selflessness. The point still stands that their son deserves a scholarship. A twoyear starter for a top-five defense deserves recognition and reward for his accomplishments. Hopefully, after another year occupying the back of the Tide secondary, Will Lowery will turn a few more heads. Maybe, after two full years of solid contributions, Lowery will be lumped into the elite category of the 85 most valuable players on the team. Until then, expect to see one of the best walk-ons in the country continue to make a name for himself week in and week out, while not asking for anything in return. Jake Gray is a senior majoring in economics and journalism. His column runs on Tuesdays.

determination, which is in reality a Global Dream) with a tangible reality: investments in education, ensuring decent levels of economic prosperity, protecting the civil and human rights of all, and fighting against bigotry and fear mongering. An infinite number of bombs could never rid the Earth of all those scared enough to resort to violence against their perceived enemies. To persevere, the promise of individual rights enshrined in our Constitution must never be made frivolous. Without the fulfillment of the individual, a society cannot progress.

caused by any hijacked planes, but was self-inflicted. Lashing out around the world with troop deployments, assassination campaigns, and continued support for cruel dictatorships, in addition to all the inevitable innocent civilian deaths and misery these policies cause, obviously creates resentment. How can one be surprised by antiU.S. sentiments and the reactionary cycle of violence that ensues? To truly defeat al Qaeda and its kin, we must make every attempt to match the ideal of the “American Edward Mostoller is a senior majorDream” (dignity, respect and self- ing in political science.

Having a bi-weekly column can truly be a burden in the whippet-quick news cycle of Tuscaloosa and UA. This realization came down on me this week as hard as an avalanche of dogs - dogs much larger than the aforementioned whippet. You see, the illustrious rag you are currently reading published two columns since my last column that had me frothing at the bit like one of Pavlov’s dogs. The columns, Katherine McClellan’s “The Internet Dimishes Deep Thought,” and Will Edwards’ “Guitars Killed Christian Music, No Resurrection in Sight,” dangled in front of me like a meaty steak in front of a slobbering junkyard dog. But I was faced with a conundrum: how could I possibly respond to both articles when their subject matter seem to be as broad as the back of a St. Bernard? Then I had an “aha” moment. I remembered that a colleague of mine, a brilliant thinker by the name of Abbas Abidi, had recently written an essay entitled “Leon Lett and the Poetics of Chaos” that could possibly help me buttress the tenuous connections I’d been trying to make between these two columns. Abidi, a poet by trade, secured undergraduate degrees in history, philosophy, and English at LSU before enrolling in the University’s Master of Fine Arts in creative writing program. He is an eccentric and dynamic thinker who often smells of lilac and can be found on the steps of Morgan Hall reciting metaphysical poetry to the cicadas. I asked Abbas how the concepts laid forth in his essay could help with my problem. “Often we think that order results from chaos or that order and chaos are binary opposites by necessity,” he said, shoveling Doritos into his mouth. “I’d argue that order and disorder actually don’t exist at all.” I asked Abidi how these notions related to my problem in particular. “Modern society has made us experts at measuring only our own perceptions,” he said, draining Dorito detritus from the bag into his cavernous mouth. “To quote footballer Joey Barton, who paraphrased Einstein when he said, ‘Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.’ Obviously Barton, and by extension Einstein, are being as coy as Andrew Marvell.” Abidi went on to talk about a scooter he’d been designing for some years before I could direct him back to the issue at hand: how does a columnist tackle two issues that seem like a Chihuahua and Doberman when stacked side by side. “Personism,” he said. I asked him to clarify. “I have this idea that I stole from the ‘Scientific American’ about how at the atomic level, what we’re dealing with are mirages. Even [Werner] Heisenberg said that at the atomic level we are dealing with things closer to platonic forms, rather than concrete objects. It’s important in the post-human world to be able to make abstractions with ease since life is mostly meaningless and boring.” I reminded Abidi that I was looking for a way to relate Facebook to Christian Nu-metal and was confused as to how his high minded language could help with my problem. He snapped me on the nose with a rolled up Crimson White and said, “That which is being split apart in a centrifuge doesn’t ask the centrifuge the methods of its own destruction.” That brought the issue into a keen focus. I felt like a bloodhound on the trail of an escaped convict. We were getting at something and I knew I was a within striking distance of the heart of the matter. Abidi said he had one last thing to tell me that would surely solve my problem. “As Michael Martone says, quoting James Maynard who is paraphrasing Stephen Sondheim, ‘Art is an attempt to bring order out of chaos. As for me, all art is exorcism.’”

Greg Houser is a graduate student in creative writing. His column runs biweekly on Tuesdays.

Christian music spans all genres By Tiffany Towns When I turn on a country music radio station, I expect to hear a male voice accompanied by a catchy guitar riff crooning about drinking a cold one with his toes buried in a sandy beach. If I change the station to pop, I expect to hear bass-thumping tunes about dancing the night away in some pulsating club. Classical, rap, and oldies stations are just the same. They are based on genres that encompass certain musical sounds and fairly

standard themes in terms of lyrics. But when I turn on the Christian music station, I have a different expectation — I expect even more. I not only expect the lyrics to be based upon a common theme, but I want them also to be lyrics I can sing to myself throughout the day to inspire, encourage, and motivate me. Likewise, I do not expect a single style of music; rather, I expect many different styles, each of them catchy in their own way. While Christian music used

to be based on hymns sung in church, the times have called for a more contemporary sound. The overall style of Christian music has changed throughout the years in order to remain current and popular just as other music genres have gone through changes. For example, there are the classic country artists that span generations such as Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, yet contemporary country bands are emerging with more of a “pop” sound. Some country artists are even

adding in snippets of — gasp — rap. Does this mean that the country music genre has become watered down or “unoriginal”? Perhaps. Or perhaps it means music changes as contemporary taste changes. This is true of all music, and Christian music is no exception. Christian music artists have diversified their style in order to gain a broader audience base, but it is the message that ties these various styles together. Not everyone is clamoring for sacred oratorios nor

are they all hoping for heavy metal hymns. While all of these styles may or may not be used in the context of a Sunday morning service, they each have their place in the genre and on the Christian radio station. Each of these styles pleases the ear of many different listeners, but it is the message centered around the man more popular than the Beatles that matters.

gate with the ‘old’ Alabama fans that we are, and made us feel that much more welcome. Those kids sure have been raised right! This year, Penn State won the class award between the two classiest schools in the country. And no, Penn State is not in the same class, they are one step higher this year! I can only assume that other schools coming to Tuscaloosa would enjoy the same treat-

ment. Ok, Bama fans (and any other fans, too, by the way), let’s step it up and follow the example set by some great fans up north. Not only did they welcome us with open arms, but they went over and beyond by caring about our game day experience. We are thankful for the class shown from Penn State. Roll tide.

Tiffany Towns is a graduate student in theater and dance.

Penn State fans beat Bama’s in terms of class By Ray Little Flying home after the Penn State vs. Alabama game, I noticed a newspaper article in the Pittsburgh News. The article was titled “Not in the Same Class,” and that statement could not be any more true. Penn State’s sportsmanship, friendliness and class up the ante for Alabama fans in the future. Yes, Alabama won the game, but Penn State had the

class. They had northern hospitality that far surpassed any other place I’ve ever been to. We were treated like rock stars. Walking down College Street students would greet us with “Roll Tide, Go Bama!” We were stopped several times per block and asked if we were having a good time. While eating breakfast at the Waffle Shop, several fans came over, introduced themselves and

talked to us. The most common topic of the day was how well Alabama treated them last year in Tuscaloosa. After this weekend, I think they should be commended on their efforts to welcome the Bama fans. Our tailgating hosts, Jeff, Terry, Bill, David and Steve, went overboard by treating us to a true Penn State tailgate. At least twenty students joined their parents to tail-

Ray Little is a member of Tide Pride.

The Crimson White

NEWS

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Study Abroad Fair to be held in Ferguson Center By Olivia Hodge Contributing Writer

The annual Study Abroad Fair will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Center’s second floor main lobby. The event, sponsored by the Capstone International Program, is open to any students who wish to learn more about study abroad opportunities. Representatives from affiliate providers, the exchange program and the 2012 facultyled programs will have booths set up to answer questions and provide information to students who are interested in studying abroad. “The Study Abroad Fair is a great way for students to get information directly by talking to affiliate providers who are experts on their

IF YOU GO ... • What: Study Abroad Fair

• Where: Ferguson Center

• When: Today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

programs, and to see in one place all the programs you can choose from,” said Study Abroad Coordinator Brittnay McMillain. The University offers a wide variety of study abroad opportunities, and students are not required to know a foreign language to participate. Some destinations include: England, New Zealand, Egypt, China,

Greece, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Destinations vary based on major and the region students wish to travel to. The Study Abroad Fair gives students a chance to ask questions and learn more about studying abroad. Capstone International Agent Melissa Smith said visiting a past Study Abroad Fair helped her to narrow down her choices when she was deciding where to study abroad. Tara Northington, a junior currently living in Spain while she studies Spanish for her minor, said that her experience has been wonderful so far. “I’m staying for four months with a host family, and I picked a UA affiliated program called ISA, which has gone above and beyond my expectations already,” Northington said.

Holt continues rebuilding from tornado By Hailey Grace Allen Staff Reporter The tornado that swept through Tuscaloosa in late April left behind a wake of disaster and despair, but the Holt community, one of the hardest hit areas, has held onto one thing that keeps them going in the midst of tragedy: hope. Holt Baptist Church Pastor, Rick Mitchell, said he’s been to a lot of disaster sites in his lifetime and he has never seen a community rebound from tragedy so quickly. Mitchell’s church, Holt Baptist, hosted the Holt Disaster Relief Shelter for almost five weeks after the tornado. Now, the church’s primary mission is to house teams of people committed to certain projects of the rebuilding effort. “We’ve had groups of people from all over the United States stay at the church,” Mitchell said.

But Mitchell’s church isn’t the only organization involved in the recovery effort. Riz Shakir, president of Project Team Up, is also organizing community members to help restore the Holt community. Project Team Up brings together different businesses and non-profits in the area to rebuild the Holt and Alberta communities. “We partner with the community to focus on rebuilding efforts. We partner with individuals to determine their specific needs and then we partner them with organizations that can provide for those needs,” Shakir said. While the clean up phase of the effort is almost completed, Shakir said even more help will be needed for the rebuilding phase. In a meeting held by Holt Forging Ahead, an organization committed to rebuilding the Holt community, FEMA representative and leader of

the Long Term Community Recovery Committee, Andy Schiffrin, presented a list of projects that he hopes the community will undertake. The organization’s biggest, and most pressing, project is repainting Crescent Ridge Road. Where the road currently consists of four lanes, the county is hoping to reduce it to only three and add two side lanes for bikers and pedestrians. Other projects include a multi-use park that would be located behind Tuscaloosa’s Alternative School and a community center for recreational activities such as basketball and swimming. Bill Holly, pastor of Holten Heights Church of the Nazarene, offered words of encouragement to the nearly 40 community members at the meeting on Monday night. “In the midst of this disaster, all the labels, the titles and the characterizations have been laid aside,” Holly said.

Deadlines to Apply for Study Abroad Programs Term

Year

Application Deadline

Spring

2012

11/01/2011

Summer I

2012

03/01/2012

Summer II

2012

03/01/2012

Interim (May Term) 2012

03/01/2012

Year

04/01/2012

2012-2013

“The directors and staff have helped us with anything we need and are taking us on multiple excursions around Spain while we’re here. We are even getting to go to Morocco for five days.” Holly Buckner, the director of CIAP, encourages students to study abroad on the Capstone International academic study programs web-

site. “Study-abroad is an opportunity for students to shift their perspective and view the world through an entirely different lens,” Buckner said. “When you travel, you learn more about yourself and your culture as you interact with citizens of another. And you undoubtedly come home with a respect and appreciation

for your host country rivaled only by that for your homeland.” For more information throughout the year, students can join the Study Abroad Connections club or contact Capstone International Agents, a group of interns at the Capstone International Program who have studied abroad within the past year. Academic advisors are available year round in 135 B.B. Comer Hall to meet with students and help them plan their study abroad trips. “I would recommend that students study abroad, because, as Mark Twain says, ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness’,” said Francine James, professor of an International Honors seminar that prepares students to maximize their study abroad experiences.

LIFESTYLES

Author inspired by the number ‘4’ Creative writing professor celebrates launch of new book, “Four for a Quarter”

Page 6 • Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Editor • Stephanie Brumfield lifestyles@cw.ua.edu

By Jared Downing Contributing Writer

Creative Writing director Michael Martone’s new book is brought to you by the number four. Martone began “Four for a Quarter” when he was 44 years old. It’s a collection of 44 short stores that relate somehow to the number four - the four seasons, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Fantastic 4, etc. It’s divided into four parts, each containing four chapters. Each story is written in four sections. And that’s it. No deep statement about the human condition. No emergent meta-arc. Just 2x2. √16. Your regular ol’, no-frills, everyday IV. “It just squares nicely,” Martone said. Seem trivial? That’s the point. “It becomes like a conversation,” he said. “If you have four dots, can you create a picture? An emotion?” The booth is on the book’s front cover and inspired both its title and first story. It’s the kind you find at carnivals in the space between the ticket counter and the cotton-candy stand. Drop in a quarter, and you get four snapshots. They’re the size of postage stamps, and they’re not even in color. But as soon as you step into that little box, close the curtain, and insert your coin,

FAST FACTS • Creative writing director Michael Mortone has a new book

• It’s all about the number four • The stories are actually dark

something magical happens. “…flash flash flash, and it’s like everything is transformed,” Martone said. “When you come out, you see the world in a whole new way.” The place where the trivial meets the profound is the idea at the very heart of “Four.” On the surface, the stories are about ordinary trinkets of our day-to-day lives, things like postcards, cows, Xerox copies or that spot in the Midwest where four states touch. But underneath, they’re often sober, sometimes dark. One, titled “Diagnostic Drift,” tells of a woman’s recurring miscarriages. A line reads, “There is no blood. There’s nothing to be done. There is your heartbeat but the other one is gone.” He calls this conflict “the Trickster.”

“By having a Trickster in our culture, something to cross the lines, we actually find out where the lines are… Trivia is ordinariness. That’s where the trickster resides.” By searching for meaning in trifles, Martone aims for the kind of absurdity which, he claims, is the driving force for art. But the Trickster acts in the structure of “Four” along with the content, making the book a kind of character in itself and eroding the barrier between fiction and reality. Martone calls it “self-conscious fiction,” or “meta-fiction,” but this is nothing new for him. He wrote one book titled “Michael Martone,” as a series of biographical contributor’s notes for a fictional author named, well, Michael Martone. “Most of us focus on the content and want the structure to disappear,” he said. “I’m interested in structure, and exploring what it can mean.” The book’s first story describes four different booths in Martone’s past. One was on a boardwalk near the beach, and he emerged to find two Amish couples feeding the seagulls among the crowds of near-nude. In another, instead of posing for a camera, he made a confession to a priest. When Martone collects his pictures, he doesn’t see four stamp-sized snapshots, but four little narratives, four

CMT Continued from page 1

the cast once the cameras stopped rolling. She kept everything that happened on the show a secret. Her roommate Megan Dempsey, also a junior and Phi Mu at the University of Alabama, discovered her best friend was going to be on “Sweet Home Alabama” via television. “I was watching the CMA awards with my dad and her commercial popped up,” Dempsey said. “I just started losing my mind, I went crazy.” Not only was Dempsey very excited for her friend, but she was also worried the media would portray her in a negative light. “It was surreal…I couldn’t grasp that others were watching it too…I didn’t know how they were going to portray me,” Grissom said. She said she wanted to stick to her morals throughout the

CW | goodreads. com Michael Mortone’s new book is completely inspired by the number four.

fictions, four tiny universes. He said, “You’ve always taken the number four for granted. If the book works, you’ll never look at the world the same way.” Martone wants his readers to step into the box, close the curtain and come out into a world with just a little more magic.

“It was surreal… I couldn’t grasp that others were watching it too… I didn’t know how they were going to portray me.” — Devin Grissom show and be a role model. Overall, both she and Dempsey believed CMT did a good job at depicting her. “It’s not always the same Devin I see, but they did a really good job,” Dempsey said. Grissom picked Adam Moyer, a 26-year-old from Tennessee, and the two are still dating. Between the time the show finished filming and the time it aired on CMT, Grissom and Moyer went on a few dates in secret. Since the show aired, she has not seen him. Their first couple of dates fell through, but they have more planned for the near future. She said the long distance relationship is hard, but they are happy together and trying not to let the distance hinder their

“You’ve always taken the number four for granted. If the book works, you’ll never look at the world the same way.” — Michael Mortone

relationship. Dempsey has not met any of the guys from the show but hopes to spend some time with Moyer in person soon. Grissom said the show helped her become more social. “I’ve always been a good communicator, but being on this show taught me to open up to people more quickly [and] to communicate my feelings better,” she said. “I feel like I matured 10 years.” The hardest part for Grissom was breaking up with the 19 less lucky bachelors face-toface. Season two of “Sweet Home Alabama” is expected to air in October and will feature the runner-up from this season, Tribble Reese. When asked if she would watch it, she said she wasn’t sure. Back at the University, Grissom is adjusting back to her original life. She is excited to pursue her relationship with Adam and to apply all she’s learned through the experience.

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Today’s Birthday (09/13/11). The year promises financial growth and stability. Consider an investment in your own education, and review investments in general. Shuffle your cards and see if you can play them a new way for greater benefit. Spend time tonight with someone special. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 7 -- With the moon in your sign, you’ve got the confidence to face any challenge. Consider seemingly crazy solutions that just might work. Take it slow, and finish up. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re inspired and you know what actions to take, so dive in. Work privately, and focus on completing previous commitments first. Unexpected brilliance results. Gemini (May 21-June 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Schedule meetings today, and enjoy friends ... group activities bring rewards. Encourage someone else’s creativity. New opportunities unfold. Guard against jealousies, and share gratitude. Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Don’t be put off by first appearances ... things aren’t always what they seem. Keep your house clean to avoid upset. Travel later. Hang with friends when you can. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Romantic persuasion works for you now. Your community brings out the best in you. An argument is tantalizing, if you keep your sense of humor. Take notes for future reference.

=HPGMBF>

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Thursday, February 18, 2011

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- It’s OK to question your purpose at this point in time. Don’t go against your core values. Encourage others to make bizarre suggestions. You’ll know when Mn^l]Zr it’s right. L^im^f[^k *,ma Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Clean up any misunderstandings with your partner to create shared goals anew. Think outside the box when conMh ieZ\^ rhnk Z]3 fronted with any challenges. Get expert assistance. ,-1&0,.. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is \p\eZllf`k an 8 -- Jump into action. You can be especially creative in your work now. 9`fZbe'\hf Be open for a pleasant surprise. You’ve got everything you need, so keep your money in your pocket. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is ppp'\p'nZ'^]n a 7 -- Confer with your family. You’re attracting love and romance. A surprising Lmn]^gm kZm^3 development spurs you to new ideas. Choose for yourself. ',.(i^k phk]( Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is i^k ]Zr a 6 -- Solve a mystery by cleaning up messes and tying loose ends. Don’t !Fbg' */ phk]l% - kngl" get off the train until it has completely stopped. If you do, expect consequences. Better to stay home. *The Crimson Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 White places -- Practice and study flourish now. Don’t these ads in be afraid to make mistakes. It’s part of good faith. learning. Communication allows romanWe are not tic conflict to end before it starts. responsible for Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a fraudulent 9 -- Push forward to complete projects, advertising.* especially those that have resisted completion before. Your head’s full of ways to make money. Finish up old stuff to make way for new.

Visit:

www.cw.ua.edu Student Graphic Artist - 0805999. Assistant needed to provide copyediting, graphic layout and design support for Administrative Services. Applicants must have working knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, CS4, and other Macintosh desktop publishing software. Must have basic layout, design and copyediting skills. Job close date: 9/16/2011. SLIS IT Support Student Assistant – 0806010. Assistant needed for IT support for the School of Library and Information Studies. Applicants must have experience with various content management systems and be proficient with modern web languages (Dreamweaver, PHP, CSS, etc) and computer hardware/software installation, configuration and troubleshooting. Job close date: 9/23/2011. eTech Web Development Student Assistant - 0806017. Assistant needed for development and production of Web applications for Office of eTech. Applicants must be proficient with PHP and MySQL web platforms, and fluent in modern web languages, including HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc. Applicants must have 2.25 cumulative GPA or higher to be considered. Job close date: 9/ 23/2011. For more details and to apply to these and other student assistant job opportunities, go to http://jobs. ua.edu/, then click ‘Student Assistant’.

SPORTS

True freshman forward making a veteran impact

Mississippi native Laura Lee Smith’s ‘never-say-die mentality’ will take her far

Page 8 • Tuesday, September 13, 2011 Editor • Tony Tsoukalas crimsonwhitesports@ gmail.com

By Aldo Amato Contributing Writer

Coming out of high school as one of the most coveted women’s soccer players in the country can cause pressure when transitioning to the next level. However, one Crimson Tide freshman has not missed a beat since arriving on campus. Laura Lee Smith, a freshman forward from Jackson, Miss., is currently leading the Crimson Tide Women’s Soccer team in goals scored and has become a key contributor early in her collegiate career. Before making a name for herself at the University, Smith was already setting multiple records back at Jackson Prepatory School in Jackson. Smith scored a total of 33 goals and recorded 25 assists in her senior campaign and was named Mississippi Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2010. Smith, how-

ever, credits her numerous high school accolades to teamwork and hard dedication. “Yeah it’s nice to be recognized like that,” Smith said. “But it’s really a team effort, every time I step on to the field.” Smith’s coaches, both past and present, echo that. “It’s not all about Laura Lee,” Smith’s high school coach Jon Marcus Duncan said. “That’s how she looks at it. She never puts herself before the team.” Being such a successful athlete in high school in both soccer and track, Smith was highly recruited by numerous schools across the country. But Smith said being close to home was one of the overall factors that contributed to her decision when it came to picking a school. She had narrowed her two schools to Alabama and Vanderbilt. After attending a recruiting visit to the University of Alabama, Smith was sold. “I fell in love with Alabama,”

Smith said. “It was just an awesome visit and everyone was so welcoming and the athletic facilities were outstanding. It really doesn’t get much better.” Smith has already connected with her new Crimson Tide teammates for big plays whether it has been providing crisp passes or breaking away from defenders to put it in the back of the net herself. In the recent upset against No. 22 San Diego State, Smith provided a key assist to Kendall Khanna who scored the Tide’s only goal to upend the favored Aztecs. Smith’s passing is just one of many of her skills on the pitch. Smith’s former coach said her versatility makes her one of the most skillful players he has ever coached in his 12 years at Jackson Prep. “I could pretty much play Laura Lee anywhere on the pitch,” Duncan said. “Whether it be midfield, forward, wing. She excelled pretty much anywhere I put her.” Smith’s hard work and determination have not gone unnoticed. After scoring two

VLACHOS Continued from page 1

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good job from a leadership standpoint, on the offensive line,” Saban said. “They have a lot of knowledge and experience, and they’re smart. And they’ve got great personalities to help the other guys.” Vlachos’ value reaches even beyond being a leader for the offensive line. He also competes fiercely against the Tide’s defensive line during practice, allowing them to see playing time against one of the most technically sound offensive linemen in the nation. “I’ve been going against William Vlachos for many years, from high school up,” senior defensive tackle Josh Chapman said. “He’s a great center…. I mean, it helps you day in and day out.” There has been a definite improvement on the offensive line from the first week to the

Jeri A. Gulsby Freshman forward Laura Lee Smith is making a big impact in her ﬁrst year with the Tide. goals against Kennesaw State in August, Smith was named SEC Freshman of the Week, a first for Crimson Tide Women’s Soccer. Smith has also kept active in and out of the classroom. Smith is studying pre-med and is active in her sorority, Chi Omega. She said she would like to maintain

“I’ve been going against William Vlachos for many years, from high school up. He’s a great center... I mean, it helps you day in and day out.” — Josh Chapman second week of the season. Alabama didn’t allow any sacks against the Nittany Lions on Saturday, as opposed to two sacks allowed against Kent State. And even though the Tide didn’t have as much offensive output against Penn State as it did Kent State, one got the feeling that the offensive linemen seemed more comfortable together as the game went along, and definitely started enforcing their will on Penn State. The Tide paved the way for junior running back Trent Richardson to rush for 111 yards, as opposed to a meager 37 yards against the Golden Flashes, and

a 4.0 throughout her time at Alabama and hopefully become an Academic All-American. As far as his former player goes, Duncan said the sky is the limit for Laura Lee Smith at Alabama. “She’s got that never-say-die mentality,” Duncan said. “She’s going to go far.”

kept quarterback A.J. McCarron virtually untouched. And at the center of it all was Vlachos. For Saturday’s game against Penn State, Vlachos was named as one of the Tide’s offensive players of the week, receiving the top grade on the offensive line and helping the Tide roll to 196 yards rushing. He also didn’t get called for any penalties. Still, Saban said that despite the overall improvement on the line of scrimmage and the leadership of players like Vlachos, there is still a lot of room for improvement on the offensive line. “I do think, as the game wore on at Penn State, we started to win the line of scrimmage, and started to assert our will a little bit as an offensive line,” Saban said. “Now we need to continue to do the other things as well, and we’ll continue to work to try to improve that, but those two guys [Vlachos and Jones] have done a really good job from a leadership standpoint.”