TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 29 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894
CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT
GAMING By Courtney Stinson | Staff Reporter
UA gamers find community in student groups, outlets
uscaloosa is abuzz with growing interest and competitive play within one of Alabama’s newest gaming communities as the video gaming center, Hive Bang Gaming, opens its doors to the community and a University of Alabama gaming club, ABXY, continues its active presence on campus. Hive Bang owner John Hamilton, a UA library and information sciences graduate student, said his favorite thing about gaming culture is the passion that gamers have. “Whatever [gamers are] involved with, they’re all the way,” Hamilton said. “There’s no dipping a toe in and just testing it out. They hit the ground running and go a hundred miles an hour.” Hamilton said gaming centers like Hive Bang, which offers rows of consoles, TV and PCs, are somewhat rare in the United States. There are over 600 venues in the U.S., many of which SEE GAMING PAGE 7
CW | Belle Newby
NEWS | STUDY ABROAD
WHAT: Honors Weekly Coffee Hour WHEN: 7-8 p.m. WHERE: Ridgecrest South Lobby
Global philanthropy WHAT: Invisible Children Film Screening & Guest Speaker WHEN: 7-9 p.m. WHERE: 38 Lloyd Hall
Out on the town WHAT: Sonic Frontiers Presents: Them Natives & Tuscaloosa Monorail TV Filming WHEN: 8 p.m. WHERE: Green Bar
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Sports Puzzles Classifieds
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our counterparts in Cuba. They are interested in working with us and are as excited as we are to explore educational areas of mutual interest and benefit,” he said. “In my opinion, no other U.S. institution of higher education is as well regarded by educators in Havana as The University of Alabama. In fact, in 2012 the President of the University of Havana awarded The University of Alabama its highest honor, the 280th Anniversary Medallion from the University of Havana, for our 10 years of joint educational programs.” While studying abroad did not mean
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athletic events. UA-Cuba relations include a collaborative photography book, an OffBroadway play and a UA-Cuba baseball game. “The more contact, the more personal communication, the more face-to-face contact we have the better. I think it does help [with overall Cuba relations],” he said. “You can learn from books a certain amount of things about Cuba. …[but] we need to understand what other people are about.” Dean Robert Olin, who founded the program, said in an emailed statement that UA-Cuba relations are, in fact, exceptional. “We have been warmly welcomed by
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Photo Courtesy of Michael Schnepf Students have to chance to study abroad in Cuba through an exchange The University of Alabama has with the University of Havana.
CONTACT
Honors College
Ple a
WHAT: FATE Bama Bash WHEN: 5-7 p.m. WHERE: Paul W. Bryant Museum
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Museum celebration
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WHAT: BYOD (iOS) Apps 101 WHEN: 3-4 p.m. WHERE: 305 Graves Hall
It was her fourth time on a plane and her first time leaving the country. After a whirlwind first semester, Caitlyn McMahan – now a sophomore majoring in religious studies and Spanish – was preparing to spend her second semester of college in Cuba as part of a long-standing study abroad program between The University of Alabama and the University of Havana. Just a few months earlier, when she first found out about the program, McMahan did exactly what any college student does when confronted with something new: She looked up Cuba on Wikipedia. Though McMahan was able to glean basic information about Cuba through minimal research, she said a true representation of Cuba was not readily available online. “I went in completely blind,” she said. “I saw Cuba as just an adventure.” There were, of course, some immediately visible differences. Cuba has a socialist government and is a third-world country. It is currently under the rule of a dictator and is on the receiving end of what has been called modern history’s most enduring trade embargo. McMahan is now, in fact, part of a relatively select group of people who have been on a trip that landed even musical royalty Jay-Z and Beyoncé in hot water. When the Carters went abroad to Cuba in April this year, pundits and commentators were surprised, confused and occasionally outraged. When McMahan and her study abroad peers went, they were simply part of a trans-Atlantic educational partnership in its 12th year. Michael Schnepf, the program’s director, said the University’s program involves not just the academic exchanges involving students and professors, but also cultural partnerships and
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By Samuel Yang | Staff Reporter
WEATHER
WHAT: Mock Interview with Culverhouse Connections WHEN: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: 330 Ferguson Center
Cuba exchange offers rare opportunity
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TODAYON CAMPUS
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CAMPUSBRIEFS
Tuesday September 24, 2013
Fraternities rank sixth in risk
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By Destyne Brown | Contributing Writer In 1986, national male fraternities were ranked sixth on the list of the worst risks in the insurance industry. Number seven was hazardous waste disposal companies. On Dec. 3, 1987, greek letter organizations decided to create “FIPG Risk Management Manual.” This manual is for fraternities and sororities to establish leadership roles to maintain and enhance the reputation of all greek letter organizations through risk management. However, in 1995, the group’s purpose and function changed and was renamed FIPG (Fraternal Information and Programming Group), Inc. According to FIPG’s manual, the new mission is: “To promote sound risk management policies and practices and to be the leading resource of risk management education, programming and information to the broad based constituency involved in all aspects of greek life.” This fifty-page manual gives the complete lowdown on the different roles, summaries, policies, key points, myths and common questions greek organizations must know and handle. Emphasis is put on elements such as alcohol and drugs, hazing, sexual abuse and harassment. To implement the manual, each chapter must appoint an officer or committee within the chapter to cover all risk management activities and to ensure all new members and pledges are well educated.
SCENEON CAMPUS
CW | Austin Bigoney Senior Hannah Parcell enjoys some leisurely studying atop the steps of Reese-Phifer Hall Monday afternoon.
UA center produces new shows The University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio will be producing two new television shows that will air on the Alabama Public Television channel across the state. The two shows each focus on aspects of the state from the economy to culture. “Alabama Inc.” will be a half-hour program focusing on business and finance stories happening in the state. Gigi Douban, a correspondent for NPR and Bloomberg, will host the program, which will feature one-on-one profiles of some of the state’s most successful business professionals and analysis. “Alabama Life” is a new program that will feature the people, places and cuisine of Alabama. Each episode will showcase three things or places to visit and experience in the state. “Alabama Inc.” will air Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. beginning Oct. 2. “Alabama Life” will air Sunday afternoons at 12:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 6.
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TODAY WHAT: Mock Interview w/ Culverhouse Connections WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: 330 Ferguson Center
WHAT: Share Free Sno-Cones with Friends international Women’s Friendship Month Event WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Kappa Delta Lawn
WHAT: Culverhouse Connections Dining Etiquette Workshop WHEN: 5 p.m. WHERE: 4th Floor Alston Parlor
WHAT: Salvador Allende (Spanish Movie Night) WHEN: 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 203 B.B. Comer Hall
WHAT: Lore (German Movie Night) WHEN: 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 257 B.B. Comer
WHAT: Invisible Children Film Screening & Guest Speaker WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: 38 Lloyd Hall
WHAT: Cody Canada and The Departed WHEN: 9 p.m. WHERE: Jupiter Bar
WHAT: Open Mic Night WHEN: 9 p.m. WHERE: Jupiter Bar
WHAT: Trivia WHEN: 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Innisfree Irish Pub
WHAT: Progressive Potluck WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Palmer Hall WHAT: Alabama Wind Ensemble WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Moody Music Building
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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 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 © 2013 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.
LUNCH
Fried Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Sautéed Cabbage Black Eyed Peas Tomato Soup (Vegetarian)
FRESH FOOD
DINNER
LUNCH
Steak Fresh Broccoli Corn on the Cob Baked Potato Bar Grilled Vegetable Panini (Vegetarian)
BBQ Pork Ribs Corn on the Cob Coleslaw Baked Beans Garden Burger (Vegetarian)
IN THENEWS BlackBerry lands privatization offer from shareholder From MCT Campus BlackBerry Ltd. said Monday that it has signed a letter of intent with a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. to take the smartphone maker private in a deal worth $9 per share. The deal with Fairfax would total about $4.7 billion in value, as the consortium would acquire all the BlackBerry shares that Fairfax does not own for $9 per share. Fairfax currently owns about 10 percent of the company’s shares. In a statement, BlackBerry said the consortium has six weeks to conduct due
diligence, during which BlackBerry can continue to shop for other deals. The consortium is seeking financing for the deal from Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and BMO Capital Markets. Fairfax Financial is BlackBerry’s largest shareholder and is led by Prem Watsa, who served on the company’s board of directors before stepping down in August, citing “potential conflicts” from BlackBerry’s efforts to shop itself around. Watsa has also been referred to as the “Canadian Warren Buffett” for his investing acumen. He said in a statement on Monday that the deal he is spearheading “will open an exciting new
private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees.” “We can deliver immediate value to shareholders, while we continue the execution of a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world,” he said. Before the announcement, BlackBerry shares had sold off more than 20 percent since Friday, when the company announced a huge revenue shortfall for its second fiscal quarter, stemming from slumping sales of its newest smartphones.
After church bombing, Pakistan gives up on Taliban peace talks Pakistani Taliban, were a key part of Sharif’s platform in the campaign ahead Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of May’s parliamentary elections, which has called off plans for unconditional his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party peace talks with militant insurgents after won. The Taliban seemed to favor his a series of deadly terrorist attacks that proposal, excluding from their preculminated in Sunday’s suicide bombing election terror campaign candidates from Sharif’s party and another party that had of a church, which killed 83 people. “We had proposed peace talks with the favored peace talks, the Movement for Taliban in good faith but. … because of Justice Party. But since Sharif won approval for the this attack, the government is unable to move forward with what it planned and talks in September from leaders of the envisaged,” Sharif said late Sunday on a country’s political parties, the Taliban flight to New York to attend the United have stepped up attacks, apparently seeing the idea of talks as a sign of Nations General Assembly. Peace talks with militants from Tehrik-i- weakness within Sharif’s government Taliban Pakistan, the formal name for the and of division with Pakistan’s powerful From MCT Campus
military, which opposed negotiations from the beginning. Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud ordered the intensification of the militants’ campaign of attacks and on Sept. 14 issued two conditions for talks: The release of 50 jailed militant commanders and the withdrawal from the Taliban-infested northwest tribal areas of 150,000 Pakistani troops deployed there. Mehsud then incensed the military by assassinating a two-star army general the following day in the northern Dir district, where Pakistani troops have been fighting Pakistani Taliban factions that fled there after military campaigns in 2009.
p.3 Mark Hammontree and Sarah Elizabeth Tooker | Assistant Editors newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
UA professor receives $1M for protein synthesis research
LEUCINE SYNTHESIS
se E ha M ynt ZY te s EN mala l py pro iso
E AT TR e BS ucin SU le
WHAT TO KNOW THE RESEARCH: • Patrick Frantom studies structure-funtion relationships in enzymes, as well as how changes to amino acids affect the function of enzymes. • Specifically, he discovered the vast differences in the enzyme subgroups that synthesize leucine – an essential amino acid only found in plants and fungus. • After noting enzymes’ reactions to an excess of leucine, he found that the communication between the site of synthesis and the enzyme pocket is dependent on several different methods of regulation, one which does not use leucine to regulate synthesis and has a dramatically different chemical makeup. • This prompted Frantom to examine how the structure of amino acids can change their function and what effects changing that structure would have on an organism.
CW | Belle Newby
By Ellen Coogan | Staff Reporter One way to win $1 million is to answer trivia questions on a TV show; another is to answer some of the most difficult questions of protein synthesis. Patrick Frantom, assistant professor of biochemistry, recently received the National Science Foundation Career Award, a $1 million grant available to distinguished faculty in their first four to five years of their careers. “It’s something about understanding structure-function relationships in enzymes, and understanding how changes at the amino acid level change the function of the enzyme,” Frantom said of his research. Enzymes are special proteins that work as catalysts for chemical reactions, and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. “The order of those
Cuban professors give new perspectives CUBA FROM PAGE 1
wading into international conflict, McMahan said many facets of her experience were still influenced by current political tensions between the US and Cuba. One of her professors in Havana championed the Castro regime, while another professor was open to dialogue about the issue. “That definitely played a role in my understanding of US-Cuban relations,” she said. “When I would talk to Cubans, they would say they loved Americans but hated our government.” Although McMahan was able to step through the political hoops that had previously kept visitors out of Cuba, she found that politics within the country had grown to influence all corners of Cuban life. “I think the repercussions of the political situation are visible in all parts of the country,” she said. “[But] it has taken where it is and grown into being its own being.” Since the nature of the study abroad program is to educate and not to advocate, McMahan said the experience provided to students could still rise above the political. “We don’t have to make any concessions in order to do the other things. Also, sports and art are such an intercultural thing by nature,” she said. “Learning about the country doesn’t have to be political.” Olin pointed out that Cuba’s proximity to the US made it especially imperative that educators take steps towards Cuban relations. “It is 90 miles from our coastline. Cuba’s history, natural history, climate and culture are intertwined with our own, historically and by proximity. We have much to learn from Cuba, culturally and scientifically. Why would we not want to know about this island, it’s people and society?” he said. “But since the late 1950s, because of political reasons, we haven’t had opportunities to study and learn and interact with Cuba and its people. When the doors to this educational opportunity were opened, we felt compelled as researchers and
amino acids is critical for the function of the protein,” Frantom said. One portion of isopropylmalate synthase, the molecule Frantom studies, catalyzes the biosynthesis of leucine, an essential amino acid synthesized in fungus and plants but not mammals. Because the enzyme used to synthesize leucine is not found in mammals, it is useful when creating antibacterial or anti-fungal drugs. When leucine is in excess, however, a leucine molecule will bind to a pocket in another portion of the enzyme, which acts as a regulator. When the leucine molecule binds to the enzyme, it shuts down the part of the enzyme where the reaction to start the synthesis of leucine occurs. After leucine levels return to normal, the leucine molecule bound to the pocket falls off the enzyme, switching back on the catalyst
portion and signaling the synthesis of leucine. “Somehow there is communication between these two sites. We don’t really have a good idea of how that works at all, at the atomic level, for very many proteins. So one of the things we’d like to do is to understand something about the general principles involved with how you do long-range communication in an enzyme,” Frantom said. Through his research, Frantom has discovered five different sub-groups of the enzyme that contain both the reactive part and the regulator, and that each of the five different sub-groups use very different methods of regulation, he said. One of the sub-groups is especially different in that it does not use leucine as a regulator, and it has a dramatically different chemical structure,
educators to step through them.” Though being a student shaped the way McMahan processed the trip, she found herself surprised by the drastic ways 50-year old US policies have shaped present-day Cuba. “I think that we’re missing out on an opportunity to see the other side of things. Cuba has been stopped, mainly as a result of US actions,” she said. “If you’re an ambassador, you’re trying to fix things. If you’re a student, you’re just learning about their side of the story.” And for the time being, students, professors, artists and baseball players – as well as the occasional celebrity power couple – will be among the only people who will even be making the trip. Travel to Cuba is currently restricted by an embargo, and diplomatic recognition – and therefore an ambassador – has been withdrawn for more than four decades. In the big picture, this can be somewhat surprising, given that the United States and Cuba have not always been at odds. Stephen Schwab, who traveled to Cuba to work on his dissertation, said interest in Cuba has existed since “the early days of the republic.” Through the years, he said, the U.S. has had a military occupation of, a protectorate over, an embargo on and a presence in Cuba. In the meantime, Schwab acknowledged that the political and cultural sometimes intertwine to the detriment of Cuba, citing the stateside migration of baseball players to more prosperous careers as an example. “Basically, as a result of the problematic relationship we have with that country, Cuba has lost many of its best players,” he said. “That’s kind of a way of looking at the relationship in terms of what I think is a sad outcome, but totally understandable.” Baseball, along with music and clothing, is in fact one of the tangible reminders of the way Cuba is still very much interacting with the US on a cultural level. “There’s still a lot of influences that have been perpetuated from the time when we and Cuba were quite close and people went there all the time,” he said. “I don’t think in that sense there’s any real hostility.”
being only a monomer as opposed to the other polymers, Frantom said. “For us, finding that one that was a monomer—that was just last week—so we were very excited to see that because what that says is that there is something that’s different there,” Frantom said. “Thinking about an enzyme as scaffolding, and then you can take a scaffold and have various functions built upon that same scaffold by using slightly different amino acid sequences, and so trying to understand something about how the changes in those sequences affect a change in function,” he said. On that scaffold, there are clusters of similar amino acid structures which have similar functions, but are different in structure and function from other clusters. Another part of Frantom’s research involves determining how the small
changes in the structure at the amino-acid level affect those changes in function. “And so that has something to do with understanding how the protein functions at a atomic level, but it also has an evolutionary aspect because the code for building this polymer and what amino acids are supposed to go where is all encoded in the DNA. So anytime you have mutations in the DNA or evolution of a gene, you get a different sequence, and then natural selection can choose whether that new sequence and that new function is good, bad or better, different, all those kind of things,” Frantom said. Frantom also helped sponsor Jordyn Johnson, a third year graduate student in biochemistry, in her application for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, which she won this spring. “I was very shocked and
completely amazed. I couldn’t believe I had actually gotten chosen,” Johnson said. Though Johnson’s project is still in the preliminary stages, over the next three years she will be exploring an offshoot of Frantom’s larger project. “Both of the grants are very exciting for the department. I think the Career Award that Dr. Frantom received, that’s sort of the highest award that a young professor can receive from the NSF, so that’s a real mark that someone is off to a good start in establishing themselves as a researcher in the field.” Kevin Shaughnessy, chemistry department chair, said, “In the case of the fellowship award Jordyn received, that’s another very, very prestigious award. It’s a real testament to Jordyn, and it’s very nice for the department to have students that are the quality that can win those kinds of awards.”
Student interest in fantasy sports grows By Alexandra Ellsworth | Staff Reporter “Yes,” University of Alabama graduate Matt Reid said as the Chicago Bears intercepted the ball in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I get six points for a pick six.” Meanwhile, Reid’s girlfriend, Andrea Muñoz, a senior majoring in biology, said she doesn’t care how the Bears defense does, but she wants their offense to return to the field and run the ball. “I need Matt Forte to get just three more yards,” Muñoz said. Both Reid and Muñoz are in a fantasy football league with their friends. The couple continues to discuss the potential outcome of their games this week. Muñoz needs 12 more points to beat her opponent this week. Reid has already won against his. “See now, she wants to watch the game tomorrow night, because if Wes Walker gets a touch down and at least 50 yards, she wins,” Reid said. Reid and Muñoz are two of about 35 million other Americans who play fantasy sports each year. According to Andrew Billings, Ph.D., a sport researcher and UA professor, fantasy sports are changing the way Americans watch games. “Fantasy sports tip the scales for media consumption,” Billings said. “At the most fundamental level, why do people watch sports? They watch to see who wins. In fantasy sports, that’s not the case. You’re rooting for individual players and may not even care at all about which team wins. That changes the most basic equation of sports media research.” Billings has been studying sports media for 20 years. He began working with the University of Cincinnati’s Brody J. Ruihley, Ph.D., when he began to realize that fantasy sports were changing his consumption of sports media. Together, Billings and Ruihley co-wrote “The Fantasy Sport Industry: Games Within Games,” which they believe to be the first true survey of fantasy sport leagues in the U.S. According to Billings and Ruihley’s research, 41 percent of people would rather have their fantasy team win over their favorite NFL team. ESPN reported that fantasy sports increase the average sports fan’s consumption of ESPN sports coverage by three times the amount. Muñoz said she began watching more football because she has a fantasy team.
CW | Austin Bigoney Andrew Billings displays his book “The Fantasy Sports Industry: Games Within Games.” She also tracks her team through an app on her iPhone. “I like watching any kind of football, but I am much more invested this year,” she said. Although Reid has always watched a lot of football, he agrees he is more invested since he has been playing fantasy. “NFL games are fun to watch anytime, but when you have a player on the team it makes you more anxious,” Reid said. “You actually have something to lose so it’s way more intense.” Reid also keeps up with how his team is doing through his phone. “I am on my phone pretty much all day Sunday,” Reid said. Reid and Muñoz are not the only students playing fantasy sports on campus. Many students are involved in leagues with their friends. David Metz, a sophomore majoring in public relations, is playing in a couple fantasy football leagues as well. He said he could definitely see how playing has changed the way he watches games. “I watch football a lot more objectively now because I am rooting for players instead of teams,” Metz said. “I really like the strategy of it and the managerial aspect of playing players at the right time and exploiting advantages.” Metz won $1000 last year playing in a fantasy football league with his cousin. This year he hopes to win up to $700 in the same league. He is in another league with a group of friends with a
grand prize of $50. Though football is the number one fantasy sport, it is not the only one. Fantasy basketball, fantasy baseball, fantasy soccer and many others also exist. Billings said that when defining fantasy sports as a “game within a game,” some people even include making March Madness brackets as a fantasy sport. There are even sports like fantasy congress, fantasy court, fantasy Hollywood stock exchange and fantasy tabloid, where participants draft their favorite celebrities and win points for guessing which celebrity will end up on the cover of certain magazines. Billings said fantasy football is the most popular in the U.S. due to the fact that it is more of a weekly sporting event. “Many people don’t want to have to keep up with a game every single night of the week like they would have to in baseball, so football is a more manageable,” Billings said. Metz has tried playing other fantasy sports in the past, but prefers fantasy football to the others. “I played other fantasy sports last year, but the other[s] were much harder to keep up with,” Metz said. “Football is pretty much just weekly.” According to Billings and Ruihley’s research, most people playing fantasy sports now do not plan on quitting anytime soon. A high percentage of players plan to play until they die. “Sadly, yes, I will probably continue playing as long as possible,” Metz said. Even though it is her first time playing a fantasy sport, Muñoz plans to continue playing as well. “As long as there are people to play with, I’ll keep playing,” she said. Muñoz said she is pretty happy with how her team is doing so far, especially considering it is her first time to play in a fantasy sport league. Currently she is 2-0. “I am competitive and I am playing in a league with all guys so it’s fun to be doing well,” she said. Though it is a fairly new trend, Billings said he sees the fantasy sport movement as a largely positive one. “Most people are actually enjoying sports more and interacting about it more,” he said. “It used to be that watching a sport was much more of a solitary activity–just sitting in the living room watching the TV. Now, people are, in a way, participating in the games and it’s causing more conversations.”
p.4 Tuesday, September 24, 2013
John Brinkerhoff | Editor letters@cw.ua.edu
COLUMN | UA STANDS
Majorities, minorities must work together By Will Gonzalez | Staff Columnist
MCT Campus
COLUMN | STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Students need to be proactive, engaged By Kyle Jones | Staff Columnist In high school government, students always learn the basics about politics and the functions of the different levels of government in our country. The sad truth of the matter is, however, that the average student looks at civic engagement and the information they learned about government as simply words on a page. Citizens have allowed civics to become the game of hopeless idealists, the political elite who already hold office or the ruthlessly ambitious who want public office so badly that they can practically taste it. As a result, our country has fallen into a proverbial hegemonic rut. Why get involved? Why run for public office? Why volunteer in the community? Why vote? Nothing one person does can make a difference, right? As college students, we must learn the power our
Kyle Jones words possess and the political clout we actually represent if we would only take action. Earlier this month, The Crimson White published an article detailing segregation within the greek system. In under a week the story had already made it on CNN. This prompted a massive protest in which students and faculty from all walks of life stood together in the doors of Rose Administration Building, and it has even prompted President Judy Bonner to reopen the bid process for the fraternities and sororities on campus.
In another instance, the president of the Alabama College Republican Federation criticized party leadership’s rhetoric following the Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA and stated that the party needs to engage the youth vote if it is to have success in future endeavors. In response to this measure, the party leadership in Alabama attempted to pass an amendment that would expel any member of the state steering committee who disagreed with the national platform. The story was picked up by Buzzfeed and a number of other news sources, and there was a national outcry on behalf of the College Republican chairwomen. The amendment, once put to a vote, was resoundingly defeated, and now the stage is set for a new era of conservative leadership to rise to the forefront. When I think of civic activism in the United Sates, I
am reminded at the risk of being cliché of a line from the Declaration of Independence, which states that when a people are subjected to despotism and a usurpation of rights, it’s the right and duty of the people to change that government. Our nation, our republic, was created by those who saw the status quo as damnable and who desired to see a better world and establish a new order. We think of these founders as stoic old men when the truth is that many were barely over 30 years old at the beginning of our revolution. We hold the power to change this world. We can be the change we want to see in this world, but this will only happen if the youth of America take action and shake off the malaise of apathy. Kyle Jones is a sophomore majoring in political science and Spanish. His column runs biweekly on Tuesdays.
My name is William Tomas Gonzalez, and I am a member of the 3% of students that comprise the Hispanic-American community here at The University of Alabama. However, as I am constantly reminded, I look “white” enough to pass off. So I exist in the limbo of pseudo-minority statues because my name looks Hispanic on paper, but my complexion – and the conclusions society draws from it – essentially makes me white. It is this social prospective that affords me a unique view of the racerelated issues currently revolving around campus. It is this perspective that has me so furious about some of the criticism currently being leveled against UA Stands. I am not going to pretend that the movement is perfect, and there certainly are numerous aspects of it that deserve more criticism and higher scrutiny; our culture of apathy is why we must learn on the fly. However, numerous people have spoken to me or even written to The Crimson White, voicing concerns that a movement that has a large white membership cannot combat racism because they benefit from the current system and, therefore, cannot protest themselves. It is defeatism logic like this that encourages good people to do nothing and progress to stall. Last week Ms. Wang wrote a guest column for The Crimson White, voicing her discontent with the composition of the movement, the means in which we choose to address the issue and, finally, the leadership of UA Stands. Ms. Wang argued that white students can only stand in solidarity with minority students because they have benefited from a system of institutionalized racism prevalent in the South and at UA. However, this view is contradictory to not just reason, but also history. By following this train of
Will Gonzalez logic, Lyndon B. Johnson should have never signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because he as a white man benefited from the systemic racism of the time. Abraham Lincoln should never have emancipated the slaves because of his position of privilege due to him being white. The argument against action by white students is inherently flawed because, in its attempt at greater morality, it allows for the continuation for evils in the real world. Ms. Wang, and those that believe like her, would have preferred everyone to have stayed home on Wednesday because the movement didn’t live up to their standards. As a white-Hispanic, I was touched by the massive ground swell of support from white students on campus. Ms. Wang was right about one thing: In a racist society, the race in power inherently benefits from the system. However, this speaks even more to the fact that my white friends are so willing to recognize the inherent wrong that their privilege stems from and are working to try and remedy the problem (despite that potential loss of privilege). My experiences at Alabama have definitely been paradoxical at best; it is the only place where a person can be both too Hispanic and not Hispanic enough at the same time. The long existing culture of defeatism and cynicism that is pervasive throughout campus has created an environment where UA can stand and sit all at the same time as well. Will Gonzalez is a sophomore majoring in secondary education. His column runs biweekly on Tuesdays.
COLUMN | STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Campus should support team by staying whole game Allison Ingram | Guest Columnist I’m a firm believer in the essence of a Tuscaloosa football Saturday. The town comes alive, opening up to “outsiders” roaming the streets before many students have gotten out of bed. The campus teems with activity, vendors dish out t-shirts and shakers, echoes of “Roll Tide!” reverberate through the air, and students line Colonial Drive, anxiously awaiting the flood gates to open and the show to start. At Alabama, a football game is more than just a date on the schedule. It’s a carnival atmosphere; it’s pomp and circumstance; it’s an emotional high. After a 10-month hiatus,
H students become so Have accustomed to domination that the routine successes fail to excite us?
Saturday came with anticipation and long-awaited thrill, especially after the redemption last week in College Station, Texas. While Colorado State was a lackluster opponent, a football game is a football game, and we all know that the best ones are at Bryant-Denny. The energy is unquenchable; seas of shakers couple with the crowd’s
roar. However, as halftime dawned over the student section, the stupor noticeably dulled. Despite a hold on block seating for the week and even a letter for support from Saban, the student section began to disperse. The Crimson Tide commanded the lead in familiar fashion, but the hype plummeted as students filed out, leaving only a patchy north end zone. For all we proclaim our devotion to the Tide, other circumstances – decisive result, our boredom, or any other excuse – overpower the thrill. We cease to be entertained and back out of our commitment to the program that other schools can only envy. Is this the ugly side of
The Process? Have students become so accustomed to domination that the routine successes fail to excite us? I’ll admit to yielding to the “leave after halftime” mentality more times than I’m proud of, but what exactly are we forfeiting in our retreat? We abandon a team that’s done nothing but win championships and restore a tradition of pride that gives heartbeat to this campus. We take the atmosphere for granted, forgetting how a bottom spot of a Tide Pride wait list accompanies our diplomas. An early exit entails missing the program’s future front-runners, the freshmen and sophomores, make their debuts at the very end. Our student tickets, even though
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they yielded an increase from years past, pale in comparison to regular seating costs. Our departure isn’t just disrespect to the program; it’s a blow to the entire stadium. SGA addressed the dilemma this year through its “Play for Four, Stay for Four” initiative, promoting the student section’s endurance by selecting a Fan of the Week each game and enforcing new block seating punishments for the consistently bare sections. They backed Tide Pride’s new implementations like the fresh point system, donation protocol and a cost increase to deter the uncommitted. Block seating remains, but freshmen file up to the upper deck, led in cheers and energy by First
Year Experience’s inaugural Yell Crew. Alabama’s home opening act revealed the road still left to travel. Granted, the opponent wasn’t necessarily on the radar, and the victory resembles a routine process. But will the SGA’s incentives be enough to renew the energy for 2013? The measures are a kick-start, but it’s the student section’s responsibility to carry them through. We can passionately proclaim our allegiance all we want, but ultimately the loudest support is sticking with the team from coin toss to coach’s handshake. Allison Ingram is the Student Government Association’s The Crimson White liaison.
Last Week’s Poll: Do you think the University should take an active role in making the greek system more inclusive? (Yes: 65%) (No: 35%) This Week’s Poll: How do you feel about Alabama football right now? cw.ua.edu/poll
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Students teach foreign languages in local schools By Christina Toxey | Contributing Writer
Photo Illustration by Austin BIgoney
S tu d e n t s in the Tuscaloosa Initiative for Language Education will start the school year off by teaching students foreign languages in an afterschool extracurricular class at two schools this week. TILE is a student-led program that offers tutoring in foreign languages to middle schools around the county one to two times a week. “We usually offer German, Italian, Portuguese and whatever other language people want,” Matthew Issa, a senior majoring in international studies and Spanish and director of TILE, said. The program is in its fifth year, Issa said, and is operated through the International Relations Club. “It’s a project of the International Relations Club, so more globally it tries to fit in our mission of educating the area about
global issues. That was the purpose, or why it got started,” Issa said. Another reason the program was started to promote foreign language interest on a local level, Issa said. “We wanted to do something that would better service the community that was quite local, so we thought this was the best way that we could involve students,” Issa said. In addition to teaching foreign languages, the TILE program is also designed to introduce students to global affairs and different cultures at a young age and prepare them to become the globally-minded scholars, Katherine Kelley, president of the International Relations Club, said. Douglas Lightfoot, a UA German language professor, said the TILE program is significant because it helps expose young learners to the real world. “It is critical that kids in
It is critical that kids in local schools become aware that most of the world does not function in English. — Douglas Lightfoot local schools become aware that most of the world does not function in English,” Lightfoot said. “A positive TILE experience may lead some kids to learn more foreign languages, and this can help them on the job market, can help them know how to communicate better, and can amp up their general brain power.” “[TILE] is a great way for UA students to practice language education and a great way to get middle school students excited to learn new things,” Alexis Unger, the TILE treasurer and a sophomore majoring in economics and math, said. The program balances structure and fun, Issa said. “For example, half the
class you would do vocab and grammar, the other half of the class we would do play practice, for the play I taught them in Spanish,” Issa said. The program tries to have classes at two schools per term. Issa said Duncanville Middle School and Rock Quarry Middle School are the schools currently holding these classes. The program itself trains members in how to engage students and teach a class. In order to be a tutor, volunteers must have a 300-level proficiency in the language. Applications for the program are closed for this semester, but the program reopens the application process in January.
Indie film premieres at Ferguson Center Theater By Jason Frost | Contributing Writer When the lights dropped at the Ferguson Center Theater Monday night for the screening of a 2013 Sundance Film Festival hit, independent film director James Ponsoldt saw his creation come to life. Based on a book of the same name, “The Spectacular Now” premiered in Tuscaloosa with much fanfare, as the Student Producers Association, Creative Campus and telecommunication and film department facilitated a red carpet atmosphere. “Tom, one of our producers, had a connection here, so I heard about the screening through that. I grew up in Athens, Georgia – hope
Alabama fans don’t hate me for that – and when I heard there was a screening, I got excited. I love talking to college students, particularly film and communication students, talking about movies and things,” Ponsoldt said. The film follows the adventures of two high school students as they endure a difficult romance. Critics widely praise it as being “heartwarming” but not cliché, and the film garnered a 91 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “I forced myself not to watch it all,” Creative Campus intern Katie Howard said. “I waited until now to watch it all the way through so I could be shocked with the rest of the audience.” Greg Wagner, director of
alumni and organizational relationship and development for the Honors College, invited Ponsoldt to host a Q&A with students and faculty immediately following the film. Wagner planned the event in collaboration with numerous student organizations. “We’ve been planning for about a month. A group of interns got together and put together all the logistics. We wanted a ‘Crimson Carpet’ event, where students could take a photo op with the director, and we upload them to the Creative Campus Facebook page,” Creative Campus intern Danny Ryan said. Dr. Rachel Raimist, an awardwinning filmmaker and TCF professor, said she was glad to
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see students gain the opportunity to meet with a director in person. Dr. Kristen Warner, a TCF professor who teaches a film history class, offered extra credit to students who attended the event. “It’s a movie for young people, and who better an audience than college students? I hope they can connect with the characters. That book really portrayed what I thought was one of the most accurate depictions of adolescence out there, and I really hope people that age can connect,” Ponsoldt said. “The Spectacular Now” is still playing in select theaters across the country, but has Submitted not yet come to Alabama. Visit “The Spectacular Now” premiered in Tuscaloosa with much spectacularnowmovie.com for fanfare, as the Student Producers Association, Creative Campus and TCF department facilitated a red carpet atmosphere. more information.
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Professor, husband to perform By Megan Miller | Staff Reporter Stacy Alley, assistant professor of musical theatre and dance, and husband Rob Alley will be performing for the first time collaboratively in the upcoming Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre fall showcase. The piece, titled “Tap Trumpet: A Conversation,” is an interactive performance using two jazz standards as the driving force for the piece. “The purpose of this research is to expand the boundaries of uncommon territory between live jazz trumpet and tap dance by exploring improvisation as a driving force in creative exchange, and how this relationship between the two informs both artist’s interpretation of the music,” Stacy Alley, choreographer and dancer in the piece, said. “From my perspective, the most compelling aspect of this piece is improvisatory nature where the tap dancing provides the rhythmic foundation similar to a drummer in a small jazz band.” Rob Alley, trumpeter for the piece, said this project was conceptually different for the two of them than anything they have done in the past. “It’s just the two of us, for eight minutes,” he said. “Maintaining development, tension and release and just general interest Submitted with only two voices, one solely rhythmic Stacy Alley is an assistant professor of theatre and dance. and the other purely melodic and rhythmic,
with only implied harmonic capability, has been a real challenge.” The piece was originally performed in New York City this summer as a part of “The Darkroom” series, a series of shows produced by New Light Theatre Project in support of emerging artists and companies. The event is produced bi-monthly by New Light Theater Project, and four to five companies and/or artists are invited to present material currently in progress. Sarah Norris, UA theatre department alumna, extended the invitation to the Alleys to make the trip to New York over the summer for the performance. “I thought of Stacy and Rob because their piece is something I have never seen done in the improvisational sense, not between a trumpet and a tapper,” Norris said. “Every person I spoke to about the piece admired the uniqueness of the collaboration.” Stacy Alley said it was an opportunity for artists to share their latest work, connecting “artists from all disciplines and serving as a force for unlikely theatrical collaborations.” “It was the perfect opportunity to perform in a national venue and to receive feedback from our peers and colleagues,” she said. “The performance was well received and sold out both nights.” Following the production’s debut at UA in ARDT, the Alleys will take the
production to The International Choreographer’s Showcase in Chile. The performance was one of five pieces selected for performance. “It offers a thrilling chance to benefit from global exposure, to perform for my peers, to see what other artists are creating and to be part of a cultural event that takes me beyond our campus,” Stacy Alley said. Stacy Alley said the preparation for the performance in New York was much more difficult than it will be for ARDT because the piece had to be created from the ground up, which required a lot of trial and error. “It was frustrating, but also extremely rewarding when we found those gems that worked,” she said. “This type of piece requires that you constantly rehearse, however, and the preparation for ARDT has just been to keep working and throwing out ideas.” Rob Alley said because ARDT is a dance concert and the NYC New Light Theatre is more of a theatrical production overall, the audiences for the two shows are completely different. “The pressure’s much greater at ARDT, performing in a concert with other great dancers and for a dance-savvy audience,” Rob Alley said. The ARDT fall concert will run Oct. 1-4. Tickets can be purchased at Rowand-Johnson Hall or at www.ua.tix.com.
COLUMN | HEALTH
Health risk, side effects outweigh the low calories of diet soda By Heather Combs | Contributing Writer Which is better – diet or regular soda? That is the big question. Diet soda versus regular soda has been an ongoing debate for as long as I can remember. I have always been on the fence about the notion that diet soda is “healthier” because it has fewer calories. Turns out I was right all along. Many people fall victim to the idea that just because diet soda may have less calories, or even no calories, it is better than regular soda. The best beverage option will always be water, but I am not naïve. I know soda will be around for a very long time. However, if you are going to drink soda, you should only drink it in moderation and you should know the facts. Did you know
that soda is the leading source of calories in Americans? On average, we consume about two cans of soda a day and most of us are under the impression that because diet soda is low in sugar and calories, it is the healthier option. That is wrong. Research studies have proven diet soda is in fact just as harmful as regular soda, if not more. Studies show having as little as one diet coke a day can cause weight gain and increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease. There have also been multiple cases of people suffering from serious conditions such as strokes, heart problems and low potassium levels. With each case, simply ceasing the consumption of diet soda relieved the symptoms almost immediately.
One of the main problems with diet soda, such as diet Coke, is the artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweetener tricks your body into believing it is the real thing, which basically means your body no longer knows how to process real sugar. A popular artificial sweetener used in diet soda is aspartame. Continuous ingestion of aspartame can have toxic effects on your body. Some health conditions associated with aspartame are headaches, weight gain, increased blood sugar, degeneration of brain cells and cancer. Manufacturers and supporters of aspartame continue to claim the amount of aspartame used in diet soda will not cause harm to the consumer, but it is interesting that studies have shown the opposite.
MCT Campus While regular soda may have more calories than diet alternatives, it is more healthy in some ways.
CULTUREIN BRIEF The University of Alabama’s New College and Creative Campus present the third season of Sonic Frontiers, to be kicked off with Them Natives at Greenbar on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. Them Natives is a Birmingham -based band known to offer experimental music that mixes blues and folk along with other exotic sounds. In addition, local television station Tuscaloosa Monorail will be filming their performance live. Sonic Frontiers captures local music as its artistic director and founder, Andrew Dewar, assistant professor of interdisciplinary arts in New College and assistant director of Creative Campus, tries to further develop people’s awareness of the diversity in music. “Sonic Frontiers presents music coming from many genres and traditions by artists approaching the art of music from a unique, creative, cutting-edge perspective,” Dewar
said. Them Natives has played together for seven years. Jaspar Lee, singer and guitarist for the band, described how the band has evolved over time, giving them a unique continuing sound. “We continue to modify our sound and explore new musical territory so it’s an everchanging experiment for us,” Lee said. The group focuses on introducing new elements of music to their audiences as they mix it with familiar sounds. Lee said the band’s performances are a form of catharsis for them, experiencing a connection with listeners. “I can communicate with people on a more spiritual and mythological level,” Lee said. Lee said the band is honored to be playing for Sonic Frontiers and is excited to come back to Tuscaloosa. Compiled by Elayne Smith
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Hive Bang offers gamer environment GAMING FROM PAGE 1
are outside metropolitan cities, including a multimilliondollar facility in Indianapolis, Ind. However, aside from Hive Bang, there are not many outlets of this nature for gaming in West Alabama. Hive Bang offers gamers a more dynamic environment than simply playing at home. The venue gives customers the opportunity to interact face-to-face as well as offers incentives like tournaments, which appeal to many in the gaming community. Hamilton said the gaming community is highly competitive and enjoys discussing strategy. AXBY president Kelsey
White, a junior majoring in art, said the opportunity to play together and compete unifies the gaming community. “Tournaments are a great way to encourage people to play against and with one another,” she said. “I think it’s definitely strengthening the culture.” ABXY also gives gamers an outlet to connect. The club invites gamers of all interest levels, from casual to hardcore, to interact on a weekly basis. The group meets every Wednesday for tabletop gaming and every other Friday for console gaming. White said she has met many of her friends in ABXY and connecting with other gamers has expanded her own interest in gaming. “To me [ABXY] is like a
You enjoy the same things, you want to play the same things. — Kelsey White
family,” she said. “You find people who are passionate about the same things you love. You enjoy the same things, you want to play the same things.” “It’s an experience you can share with other people,” White said. “It’s not like a book where really only one person can read it at a time; multiple people can join you in it.” Much like White, Jimmy
Johnson, a senior majoring in music, met several of his closest friends through gaming. A shared interest in gaming has connected Johnson with people he already knew and helped him build friendships online with people he had never met before. “The friends that I’ve made are my favorite part of gaming. [Gaming] is almost a bonding exercise to the point where they are still, to this day, four of the best lifelong friends that I have,” Johnson said. Hive Bang is giving gamers a new way to meet. Hamilton said some customers have been unexpectedly meeting players with whom they had already played online. “[Gaming] is definitely a good way to meet friends because it’s like meeting friends at the library or
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mechanics of the game it’s going to be the same thing over and over,” Johnson said. For the gaming community, interaction is key in keeping community alive for an activity that could otherwise be done alone. Hamilton said the passion gamers share not only for gaming, but also for competing is important to Hive Bang. He said he hopes that having a venue for gaming will help grow the community and, so far, gamers have been excited about getting involved. “They’re really passionate about this place,” Hamilton said. “I guess their passion about games and the stuff they have in their own lives is spilling over onto us because I have several customers that don’t leave here without asking me [about business].”
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (09/24/13). It’s easier to work as a team this year. Home, romance and career remain the focus, and travel especially tempts. Study and explore a new passion. Take a class or two. Go there, maybe. Manage your wealth with persistence and discipline, to grow. Keep love as the overarching context. 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 a 6 -- Don’t stick your neck out for the moment... it’s not necessary. It’ll be easier to learn for the next two days, and you’re extra brilliant. Associates become entranced. Don’t overextend. Keep a low profile. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- It’s getting easier to make household changes. Add candles, new textiles, or a pretty detail. Make more money than you spend today and tomorrow. Extra income is possible. Practicality vies with idealism, and wins. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re hot today and tomorrow. Don’t take anything for granted. Conditions are changing in your favor, though. Don’t start anything new yet. Handle your priorities and adjust as needed. A distant relative appears on the scene. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Finish your work in private today and tomorrow, and postpone a financial discussion, expense or trip. Finish up old projects instead. Make plans, a budget, and copy the itinerary. Keep it quiet for now. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Fantasies may need to be delayed. Don’t fall for a sob story. Talk it out with friends today and tomorrow and handle a misunderstanding. Discuss your next move with your partner. Resting at home may be best. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 5 -- Don’t encourage the peanut gallery, when you all should be quiet and respectful. Keep them fo-
“When other jewelers say no, cused and occupied. There may be Tom says yes” a test. Career matters demand your attention today and tomorrow. Give thanks, and double-check the data. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Create a plan for the longrange future with short-term actions, and schedule them. The next two days are good for travel. Don’t try to impress anyone. Aim for colorful freedom and fun, preferably with someone delightful. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 5 -- Do financial planning today and tomorrow. Discuss shared finances. Discover you’re worth more than you thought. Re-consider a change at home, and reward 2300 McFarland Blvd East yourself after with romance and (205) 758-2213 compassion. Treat yourself nicely. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -Today is a 6 -- Negotiations resume. It’s all in the game. Compromise is required for the next two days. A misconception gets uncovered. Recall a friend’s wise advice. Watch what you say. Refine the plan. Keep Limousine the faith. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Power on for the next two days. There’s plenty of work coming. Something you want is prohibitively expensive. Don’t waste your money or worry about it. Find 205-758-3875 a viable substitute, or share it with a group. facebook.com/ Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -crownlimousine Today is a 6 -- Take more time for twitter.com/ crownlimou play today and tomorrow. Maintain a modicum of decorum. You’re www.crown-limo.com lucky in love. Devote yourself to your own passions and pursuits. Re-draw and revise your pictures. Indulge your creativity. Include a fun partner. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 5 -- Associates provide answers today and tomorrow. Revise vague statements. Reconsider beliefs, dogma or an outdated view. Don’t gossip about work. Household matters need attention, and travel conditions aren’t great. Find a pool and enjoy the water.
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VOLLEYBALL
Alabama looks to continue streak By Kelly Ward | Staff Reporter Behind another stellar performance by Krystal Rivers, the University of Alabama volleyball team won its third tournament of the year. Rivers posted a .398 hitting percentage and 51 kills over the weekend, earning her third straight MVP. She was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week Monday following her performance at the Clemson Classic. Rivers leads the team in kills (171) and kills per set (3.56). “She’s leading us in kills per set, hitting percentage, and I think is maybe even the top ten in the nation in hitting percentage,” head coach Ed Allen said. “I think if she continues to evolve and we’re able to make her more available in more difficult situations where we may not have the ball control, we’re going to clearly climb as a team as well. But she’s been progressing very well. We’re excited about where she’s at now but more importantly I think excited about where we think she can be in December.” It hasn’t just been Rivers leading the team. Sophomore Sierra Wilson and senior Andrea McQuaid also made the All-Tournament Team. Wilson put up 178 assists over the tournament, including a career-high 73 in the win over Clemson. McQuaid had 27 kills from all three matches. Their performances in the tournament have helped develop the younger players, Allen said. “I think just becoming more familiar with one another,” he said. “We have three kids that are playing significant time that – actually, four kids – didn’t play for us last year so just blending their talents and abilities together with the kids that we have back, we’re a young team, and I think every match is important to us because we gain experience.” Alabama has won its past nine matches and is looking to extend its streak. The team has one more match before starting SEC play against a No. 19-ranked University of Kentucky team. But the team isn’t focusing on Kentucky just yet. It has areas it needs to improve on before conference play starts, according to Allen. The upcoming match against Alabama State will be a litmus test to determine at what level the team is playing.
PLAN TO GO WHAT: Alabama vs. Alabama State WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Foster Auditorium RECORDS: Alabama 11-2, Alabama State 5-11
Marc Torrence | Editor sports@cw.ua.edu
SPORTS INBRIEF Players’ performances recognized Alabama’s coaching staff recognized seven players for their performances against Colorado State. Wide receivers Christion Jones and DeAndrew White were selected on offense. Linebackers C.J. Mosley and Trey DePriest were selected on defense. Safety Landon Collins and running backs Kenyan Drake and Altee Tenpenny were selected on special teams.
SEC announces Georgia St. game The Southeastern Conference announced Alabama’s third home game on Oct. 5 against Georgia State will begin at 11:21 a.m. CT. The game will be televised on SEC TV. Compiled by Charlie Potter
CW File The UA volleyball team won its third tournament for the year. “We’re not really thinking about SEC play right now till we get through the Alabama State [match],” Allen said. “But I’m hoping that we’ll continue to show progress defensively against them and pressure at the service line which are two areas that we’ve really been focusing on the last couple weeks and then turn our attention to a very good Kentucky team that’s going to be in here on Sunday.”
TIDEIN THE NFL Julio Jones
Trent Richardson Running back for the Indianapolis Colts 13 carries, 35 yards Touchdown on first career carry as a Colt
Wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons 9 catches, 115 yards 1 carry, 7 yards
Mark Barron
Robert Lester
Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11 tackles, 8 solo 1 interception
Safety for the Carolina Panthers 5 tackles, 3 solo 1 interception First career start for the Panthers UA Athletics
Compiled by Charlie Potter