10.15.10

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GAMEDAY Tide hopes to bounce back vs. Ole Miss

Friday, October 15, 2010

Homecoming special section inside

Serving the University of Alabama since 1894

Vol. 117, Issue 44

UA encourages safe biking habits By Jennie Kushner Senior Staff Reporter jfkushner@bama.ua.edu With student enrollment topping 30,000, the University is trying to make campus more biker-friendly, said Dan Wolfe, university planner and designer. Wolfe said bike lanes didn’t exist when he began working for the University in 2004. With the elevated number of students on campus, Wolfe said biking is a reasonable form of transportation.

“If everyone tried to drive to class at the same time, it would be gridlock and then there is no parking when you get there,” he said. The University is working to move parking areas to the perimeter of campus to make biking and walking a central form of transportation, he said. Bike lanes are now on both sides of Campus Drive and University Boulevard from The Strip to 6th Avenue. Chris Gaskill, assistant professor in the department of

communicative disorders, said there are plans to add bike lanes all the way to the new nursing school. He said he has recently become concerned about biker safety after witnessing multiple instances of students biking on campus without following any traffic or biking safety rules. “I came close to hitting someone in front of the Ferguson Center who sped through a four-way stop where cars were stopped waiting for their turn,” Gaskill

Grad student Dara Ewund rides her bike outside Gorgas library.

said. “He didn’t even look or attempt to slow down in the intersection.” Gaskill said drivers are unaccustomed to sharing the road with bikers, which creates even more of a hazard. “Campus is not really any more or less biker-friendly than Tuscaloosa as a whole,” he said. “There are places that are conducive to biking more easily with less concern for automobile traffic, but nowhere in Tuscaloosa or on campus are

CW| Sara Beth Colburn

See BIKING, page 2

Class rings and wedding rings UA brings in out-of-state donations Select few choose to tie the knot in college By Amanda Sams Senior Staff Reporter Alsams1@crimson.ua.edu

Emily and Hunter had been dating for six years before the day she had always dreamed of became reality. “Basically we recently got a puppy, and he called me and asked me to take a walk by the river with him,” Emily McDowell said. “We were talking about our futures, and he stopped me on a bridge. That’s when he proposed.” McDowell is currently a senior at the University majoring in accounting, and Hunter Knight is a fifth-year senior majoring in engineering. Both knew that it was best for them to wait until the end of their college careers to become engaged. They plan on waiting until McDowell completes graduate school to get married in 2012. “We wanted me to have my time in college and for him to have his before we started our lives together,” McDowell said. “It is a big deal for me to wait until I finish grad school to marry him.” Not every couple feels the same way. With some couples getting engaged and married early during their college careers or while in graduate school, striking a balance between coursework and family is a challenge that hits many women especially hard. In a poll of 25 male and 25 female undergraduate students, all 25 women said they would not consider being married while still in college. Only one man said that he would be married while still going

See MARRIED, page 3

By William Evans Senior Staff Reporter wjevans@crimson.ua.edu To keep up with the unprecedented growth in enrollment, the University has expanded its efforts to garner funding from private sources, said Charlie Adair, director of development for the Culverhouse College of Commerce. Non-state funding for the University encompasses donations from corporations, alumni and private individuals, scholarships established by private sources of funding and tuition dollars.

Three students are competing to have their design as the official tartan of the University of Alabama. Historically, a tartan was a fabric design worn to distinguish different clans or families, said Shirley Foster, interim department head of the College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Grant better prepared for second season

CW | Sara Beth Colburn Some UA students must balance marriage and schoolwork, while others choose to wait until after college to get married.

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See TARTAN, page 3

UA TARTAN PROJECT ENTRIES

Tartan 1 - crimson and white clan

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Tartan 2 - family tides Tartan 3 - “we are crimson”

By Marquavius Burnett Sports Reporter msburnett1@crimson.ua.edu Alabama men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant addressed the media Thursday for the first time since last season and spoke on a wide variety of topics. Grant said he feels mental preparation will be the key to success for the Tide in the 2010-2011 season. “During the offseason, I try to think about where we can get our team better and where

INSIDE today’s paper

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Milla Boschung, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, said she is proud of the three finalists. “Michael George, UA Registrar, came to us to ask us if we would be interested in assisting in the development of a UA tartan,” Boschung said. “Marcy Koontz, associate professor of apparel design,

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See FUNDING, page 3

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Finalists selected for tartan design By Anna Kate Delavan Contributing Writer

Non-state funding has been a mainstay for the University since the early 20th century when President John Abercrombie launched the Greater University Campaign in 1906 in hopes of developing the physical appearance of the campus. “In 1906, he launched the Greater University building program that resulted in the first construction on campus in nearly two decades,” writes Suzanne Wolfe in her book “The University of Alabama: A Pictorial History.”

P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-4116 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifieds: 348-7355 Letters, op-eds: letters@cw.ua.edu Press releases, announcements: news@cw.ua.edu

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

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

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

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

Lifestyles....................5

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

my staff and I can improve,” Grant said. “The game is so mental. There have been a lot of things that we have done from a mental standpoint to make sure our guys and the staff is prepared. It’s still a work in progress.” Junior forward JaMychal Green said he thinks the team and Grant will work well together after having a year of experience with each other. “This year he is more

See GRANT, page 2

WEATHER today Clear

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ON THE GO Page 2• Friday, October 15, 2010

EDITORIAL • Victor Luckerson, editor-in-chief, editor@cw.ua.edu • Jonathan Reed, managing editor, jonathanreedcw@gmail.com • Brandee Easter, print production editor • Marcus Tortorici, multimedia editor • Will Tucker, news editor, newsdesk@cw.ua.edu • Kelsey Stein, lifestyles editor • Jason Galloway, sports editor • Tray Smith, opinions editor • Adam Greene, chief copy editor • Emily Johnson, design editor • Brian Pohuski, graphics editor • Jerrod Seaton, photo editor • Brian Connell, web editor • Marion Steinberg, community manager

ADVERTISING • Dana Andrzejewski, Advertising Manager, 348-8995, cwadmanager@gmail.com • Drew Gunn, Advertising Coordinator, 348-8044 • Hallett Ogburn, Territory Manager, 348-2598

ON THE MENU LAKESIDE

• Brittany Key, Zone 4, 348-8054 • Robert Clark, Zone 5, 348-2670 • Emily Richards, Zone 6, 3486876 • Amy Ramsey, Zone 7, 348-8742

Mucho Nacho Roast Beef Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Vegetable Quiche

What: Bluegrass Band Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out Continues UA’s Celebrity Series – for tickets call 205348-7111

Dinner Rueben Sandwich Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Sauteed Squash Vegetarian Burger

Where: Moody Concert Hall When: 7:30 p.m. What: CALL+RESPONSE film

BURKE

screening

Where: Ferguson Theater When: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Lunch Catfish Nuggets Steak Fries Cauliflower Vegan Broccoli Teriyaki Herbed Chips

What: Graduation Celebration - place orders for class rings, graduation announcements, regalia, and diploma frames. A representative from Stacy Jones Photography will be on hand to take cap and gown graduation portraits and will offer various packages for purchase. Free pizza and door prizes.

BRYANT Fish & Chips Buffalo Hot Wings Hush Puppies Potato Wedges Mixed Vegetables Vegetables Szechuan Stir-Fy

FRESH FOOD Shrimp Etouffee Blackened Fish Fillet Corn on the Cob Dirty Rice Baked Macaroni & Cheese and Tomato

Parade

Where: Downtown Tusca-

SUNDAY What: Student Recital featuring Stacy Morris, string bass

loosa to UA Campus

Where: Moody Music

When: noon

Building

What: ‘Side by Side’ Unites Cuban, American Photographers in UA Show

Where: Grand Gallery of Smith Hall

When: 10 a.m. – 4:30

When: 2 p.m. What: Introduction to the Waltz — UA students: $5; Faculty/Staff and DCH Employee: $10; Community $15

Where: Ferguson Center Heritage Room

What: Kentuck Festival of the Arts – tickets are $10 per day or $15 for a twoday pass

Where: Historic Downtown

When: 4 – 6 p.m. What: Student Recital featuring Justin White, saxophone

Northport

Where: Moody Music

When: 9 a.m. (all-day

Building

event)

Where: Ferguson Student

When: 6 p.m. Submit your events to calendar@cw.ua.edu

Center

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ON CAMPUS

different “national” houses of Student Affairs Hall worship in the nation’s capital. Unlike other countries, which of Fame inducts new have state religions, many members different faiths have national David Bains, a professor of houses of worship, such as The Student Affairs Hall religion at Samford University the National Cathedral, in of Fame inaugural induction in Birmingham, will present a Washington. ceremony was held recently lecture on religious buildings at the University of Alabama in Washington D.C. Monday with three distinguished indiat 7:30 p.m. in Gorgas Library viduals recognized for their Saturday football Room 205. commitment to the University. Bains’ lecture, “National game to start at Inducted into the UA Student Cathedral to National Affairs Warner O. Moore Gurdwara: Erecting American 8:10 p.m. Hall of Fame were John L. Religions in Washington, Blackburn, a key player in the Saturday’s bout between desgregation of the univesrity, D.C.,” is part of a series titled “Religion in Culture,” present- the Crimson Tide and the Sarah Healy Fenton, former ed by the UA department of Ole Miss Rebels will kick off dean of women and Melford at 8:10 p.m. in Bryant-Denny E. Espey Jr., former director religious studies. The lecture focuses on the Stadium. of the Ferguson Center. The

Samford professor to speak on religion Monday

Student Affairs Hall of Fame was created in 1992 in memory of Dr. Warner O. “Lanny” Moore, former history professor and director of Honors Day.

Anderson Society is a senior leadership honorary that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the university.

Anderson Society Homecoming T-shirts are $10, payable by cash or check. T-shirts are available at a table in the Ferguson Center from Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. T-shirts can be purchased directly from Anderson Society members. The sale ends Oct. 20. The

The University of Alabama Homecoming Parade will kick off at noon Saturday. Former Crimson Tide star Tyrone Prothro will lead the parade as grand marshal. The parade will begin at the intersection of University Boulevard and 22nd Avenue and will end at University and Fifth Avenue.

UA announces Homecoming T-shirts Homecoming Parade for sale times

CAMPUS CRIME:

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

PROPERTY DAMAGE

CRIMINAL TAMPERING II

Date: Oct. 8 Date: Oct. 9 Time: 3:44 a.m. Time: 5:24 a.m. Location: 900 Block of 6th Location: 400 Block of Avenue University Boulevard

Date: Oct. 11 Time: 11:12 a.m. Location: 300 Block of Stadium Drive

Date: Oct. 12 Time: 3:26 a.m. Location: 900 Block of 2nd Street

Compiled by Jennie Kushner Senior Staff Reporter jfkush@gmail.com

CRIMINAL TRESPASS III

RECOVERED PROPERTY

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

Date: Oct. 8 Time: 4:01 a.m. Location: 1100 Block of Campus Drive

Date: Oct. 9 Time: 4:23 a.m. Location: 1100 Block of University Boulevard

Date: Oct. 11 Time: 11:12 p.m. Location: 300 Block of Stadium Drive

POSSESSION/USE OF CREDIT/DEBIT CARD

RECOVERED PROPERTY

HARASSING COMMUNICATION

UNLAWFUL B&E OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

(Friday, Oct. 8, to Wednesday, Oct. 13)

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA II Date: Oct. 8

Location: 100 Block of Hackberry Lane

Date: Oct. 8 Time: 8:25 a.m. Location: 400 Stadium Drive

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

BURGLARY III

Date: Oct. 8 Time: 3:02 p.m. Location: 1100 Campus Drive

Block

of

GRANT Continued from page 1

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

What: Homecoming

p.m.

Block

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

Date: Oct. 9 of Time: 6:53 p.m. Location: 1100 Block of 14th Avenue

comfortable,” Green said. “He has a better feel for the team and we have a better feel for him. We’re gelling more this year.” Last season, the Tide finished the year with a 17-15 overall record and 6-10 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tide will be returning four starters, including last year’s leading rebounder and second leading scorer, JaMychal Green. The team

BIKING Continued from page 1

the roads well-equipped to handle bicycle traffic.” He said he would like to see more people biking and feeling safe enough to do so.

Date: Oct. 12 Time: 5:26 p.m. Location: 400 Block of 15th Street

THEFT OF PROPERTY III

Date: Oct. 11 Time: 9:02 p.m. Location: 800 Block of Hackberry Lane

Date: Oct. 12 Time: 11:03 p.m. Location: 700 Block of Capstone Drive

Date: Oct. 8 Time: 10:39 p.m. Location: 600 Block of 5th Avenue

THEFT OF PROPERTY II

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

CRIMINAL TAMPERING II

Date: Oct. 10 Time: 9:24 p.m. Location: 700 Block of Capstone Drive

Date: Oct. 11 Time: 10:09 p.m. Location: 200 Block of McCorvey Drive

Date: Oct. 13 Time: 4:31 a.m. Location: 100 Block of Hackberry Lane

will also feature five newcomers, including 7-foot-1 center Carl Engstrom, who has only played two years of organized basketball.

longer with their teams,” Grant said. “There are a lot of teams on our side that could be in a position to elevate their status this year. The SEC is always going to be competitive.” Players said they feel the division is wide open. “We feel like we can compete with anybody,” Green said. “We feel like we have a chance to win the SEC Championship. I don’t think anybody could go out there and just outplay us.” The Tide will open up SEC play on Jan. 8, 2011, on the

road against Mississippi “We have the talent and the State. Other notable confer- team to make it to the NCAA ence games include Kentucky, tournament,” Green said. “We Tennessee and Florida. just have to go out there and finish games.” In 2006, the Tide, lead by then All-American guard Tide eyeing NCAA Ronald Steele, made it to the tournament berth second round of the NCAA tournament, where they were The men’s basketball team eliminated by UCLA. The Tide kicks off its seahas not made an appearance in the NCAA tournament since son in an exhibition against 2006. This year’s team will be the University of Alabama at looking to end that streak. Huntsville on Nov. 8. Notable Hopes and dreams of making out of conference games for the tournament have turned the Tide include Seton Hall, into expectations for the Tide. Purdue and Oklahoma State.

enforced just as they would be for motorists,” Gaskill said. “Motorists need to be alert and aware of bikers on the road and show them courtesy. It would be great if campus safety or police could sponsor some type of event to encourage biking on campus, but in a safe way.” Lance Haynie, program coordinator for the UA Outdoor Recreation Office, said in 2008, BamaBikes, a bicycle renter program that launched in 2006, logged 232 checkouts to registered users. So far in 2010, the program has logged 767 checkouts. Haynie said statistics and anecdotal evidence show BamaBikes’ success. “BamaBikes serves a very unique population of students, faculty and staff,” he said. “A

majority of our users do not have other means of transportation and highly depend on BamaBikes for an economical solution to that problem.” Haynie said he thinks campus transportation is becoming more bike-friendly. “I feel that the University is sending this message by moving more parking areas to the perimeter of campus and discouraging vehicular traffic within the core of the campus,” he said. Most students know some of the basic rules of biking, Haynie said, but there are many rules that students are unaware of. “For example, most do not realize that they can receive a citation for talking on their mobile phone while riding a bike,” he said.

• Elizabeth Howell, Zone 8, 3486153 • Caleb Hall, Creative Services Manager, 348-8042

SATURDAY

TODAY

Lunch

• Emily Frost, National Advertising/ Time: 12:14 a.m. Classifieds, 348-8042 • Jessica West, Zone 3, 348-8735

ON THE CALENDAR

Bama ready to compete in SEC There are a lot of questions across the board with every team in the SEC West. Last season, the Tide finished fourth in the division. “A lot of guys that led our league last year are no “The bikers and motorists both have to cooperate for this to happen,” he said. Bikers in town and on campus need to be educated on rules that govern biking and sharing the roads with car traffic, he said. “These rules need to be

Jimmy Smith, a senior majoring in urban planning, said he thinks bikers present another element to the already congested streets. “Bicycling is an efficient way to travel across campus and should be encouraged; however, cyclists should have to follow a set of laws governed by the University to set forth a ‘rules of the road,’ to protect themselves, pedestrians and people driving,” he said. “If you can get a ticket for running a stop light in a car or jaywalking in a major city then bikers should be held to a standard that keeps them from riding into flowing traffic,” Smith said. “A set of rules would make them more aware of their surroundings just as traffic laws do for automobile drivers.”

The Crimson White

MARRIED Continued from page 1

to school. Eleven men said they would be engaged in school, and 19 women agreed that they would want to be engaged. “I did want to get engaged in college, particularly my senior year, because I wanted to share the experience with my sorority sisters with a candlelight,” McDowell said. She said the future seems a lot more realistic with their relationship now that they are engaged instead of just dating. Lauren Shell, a junior majoring in marketing, does not want to be engaged or married until she is finished with her undergraduate degree. “I don’t agree with it because you have so many

TARTAN Continued from page 1

took the lead by researching the official tartan society, the meaning of tartans, and other universities that have official tartans. “Our apparel design program is one of the best, and we are so pleased that Koontz took the lead with the project that has provided an excellent opportunity for our students,” Boschang said. According to Boschung, Facebook pages, e-mails and posters around campus publicize the competition. By public vote, the nine contestants were narrowed down to three finalists: Brittany Long, a junior majoring in apparel and textile design; Candace Lucas, a senior majoring in apparel

FUNDING Continued from page 1

“The ensuing fund-raising drive achieved remarkable success. These funds, plus additional legislative appropriations, made possible the first construction on campus since 1889.” Non-state funding continues to be a viable economic resource for the Capstone. Adair said fundraising efforts such as the Capital Campaign in 2009, which led to more than $84 million in gifts to the College of Commerce, have been critical factor in the growth of the University. “What it does is it brings in immediate dollars,” he said. “Some of the gifts [though] are structured over five years.” A pledge of $100,000, for instance, may be apportioned throughout the course of five years, which becomes $20,000 donated per year, instead of bestowed to the University immediately, he said.

NEWS other responsibilities,” Shell said. “Education comes first.” She acknowledges that being engaged and married while going to school is doable though, because her own mom did it. “I think you just have to have a lot of will power to balance everything,” Shell said. It’s all in the balancing act, said Cori Perdue, an English Ph.D. student who has now been married for 11 years and has two children. “It’s challenging, but in some ways I think school and my family balance each other out,” Perdue said. “On one hand, I can’t get too stressed out over grad school. On the other hand, it’s another set of responsibilities.” Her typical day consists of getting the kids dressed and ready for school, studying in

the library for several hours, and then going home to spend some quality time with her family before and after dinner. “I try to get as much schoolwork as I can finished by about 3:30 so I can go home and be with my family,” Perdue said. “There is this common conception now that you have to finish both or all of your degrees before you get married or have kids. I think it’s almost like putting your life on hold.” Perdue said it can be done as long as you understand that you are taking on two very large challenges. “You have to be able to go home, switch gears, and become Mom,” she said. “My best advice for someone thinking about having kids while also being in school is to have a great support system

in place. I have a lot of friends and family who can help out in emergencies, and I couldn’t be a successful student, wife, and parent without all of their help.” This may be encouraging news to Jessica Bonnett, a freshman majoring in prepharmacy, who recently became engaged to the man of her dreams, Brett Clements. “He is done with school already, but I will still have five years left of school since I want to do pharmacy,” the 19-year-old said. “He’s really supportive of me in school though, and right now that is the main thing for me.” The couple has been dating for 16 months, and while she is excited to marry him on June 2, 2012, Bonnett is happy to have a couple of years to focus only on college before the big

and textile design; and Linnzi Rich, a junior majoring in interior design. Lucas said much research about the history of the campus went into her design. “I wanted to connect the past to the present and the present to the future,” Lucas said. Lucas said she picked her design after drawing a lot and asking opinions from friends. The design is called “Family Tides,” a gray, red and black plaid design, representative of the history of the University of Alabama. “The green lines are placed directly in the center of the design and are representative of the Quad with relation to its central location on campus,” Lucas said. According to a UA news press release about Lucas’

design, the crimson lines represent all those who have walked the Quad and those who will walk the Quad in the future. Rich said that she wanted to make the University distinct within her design. “I wanted to make it easily recognized as the University’s plaid,” Rich said. “I wanted there to be no question as to which university it represented. I hoped the public would see it and relate to it.” Rich said that it was difficult to represent the whole University, but she chose 13 lines for the 13 colleges. “I made about 65 to 70 designs,” Rich said. “I enjoyed making all of it, and the process was exciting knowing that one of the designs would be chosen. I love my design and how everything came

together, and I would be honored if my design represented the University.” Long said that, when designing her tartan, she enjoyed learning about the University’s past. “I thought it was really cool to look back at the school’s history,” Long said. “I went on the school website on the history section and looked at the timeline and what I thought was important to incorporate in the tartan.” More than 400,000 votes were cast, according to the project’s website, bama. ua.edu/~tartandesign/. A panel of judges will make the final decision at the College of Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Appreciation Convocation at 3 p.m. on Friday. The winning design will be recorded in the

“The figure of $84 million is a little misleading,” he said. “It’s not as if in June 2009 when the campaign ended we were given a check of $84 million to deposit into an account.” Pam Parker, vice president of advancement, said the University has experienced a rise in cash donations but a drop in pledges due to the recession. Adair said the successful Capital Campaign has nonetheless strengthened the University’s fundraising efforts. “It’s really raised the confidence level among the donors,” he said. Adair said the growth in numbers and quality of the student body has attracted donations from private sources. “They see [students] as the future of this state,” he said. “They see [students] as their talent pool … and they want to support the students as a long-term viability.” He said corporate power-

houses have taken an interest in the talent of the student body. “[Major] corporate recruiters are now coming to campus,” he said. “We’re getting [companies such as] Google, BMW, IBM and Kellogg [to visit campus]. They see us as a diverse University.” Adair said the donors, such as corporations, who seek to advertise their names with the establishment of sponsored scholarships, are few and far between. He said most donors see a more benign purpose behind giving to the University. “Think about the individual Joe Smith from Gadsden, Alabama,” he said. “He does it because it’s in his heart.” Adair said the fundraising will continue to rake in money for the University to improve the quality of the education at the Capstone. “We’re not going to stop,” Adair said. “Not everyone is ready to give during the campaign. I’m still working with

folks I was working with two years ago. You never stop.” Adair said the development of relationships with private sources of funding is critical. “This is a relationshipdriven business,” he said. “We look at it as a long-term effort.” He said the University has also hired quality faculty to instruct students’ growing academic quality. Parker said University President Robert Witt has facilitated non-state funding for the University by bringing his vision for the University into fruition. “Witt is a man with a vision,” she said. “You can see that vision being implemented … and it creates an excitement that is rarely seen. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more vibrant excitement before.” The creation of a new building for every 90 days on average, for instance, is indicative of the energy behind Witt’s vision, Parker said.

Friday, October 15, 2010

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There is this common conception now that you have to finish both or all of your degrees before you get married or have kids. I think it’s almost like putting your life on hold.” — Cori Purdue, English Ph.D. student

day arrives. “I think I need time,” Bonnett said. “Not because I’m unsure, but because I need these two years to become financially stable and focus on school.” As a new member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Bonnett was able to have a candlelight ceremony and share the news of her engagement with her sisters. Bonnett said her sorority sisters overall are very

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supportive of the couple’s engagement. Clements, who is two years older than Bonnett, proposed to her in front of Denny Chimes after ADPi’s Black Diamond Formal. “A lot of people already knew it was me who was engaged because they had to make sure it was okay to have a candlelight since I wasn’t initiated yet,” Bonnett said. “It was so exciting, though, and I was shaking the whole time.”

“I wanted to connect the past to the present and the present to the future.” — Candace Lucas, a senior majoring in apparel and textile design

International Tartan Index, Scottish Tartans Authority and the National Tartan Registry, Boschung said. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the tartan, Foster

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said. The College of Human Environmental Sciences will also receive a portion of the proceeds, which will go towards scholarships. “This is a historic opportunity to be able to do this,” Foster said.

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 25% Off ALL Merchandise with your Student

ID

OPINIONS

OUR VIEW

Annual concerts united campus

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MCT Campus

Friday, October 15, 2010 Editor • Tray Smith letters@cw.ua.edu

Bright: A false Democrat

Page 4 By Tray Smith

{ YOUR VIEW } IN RESPONSE TO “WHAT HAPPENED TO SPORTSMANSHIP?” “Sounds typical of a fan base that is not accustomed to winning championships. [South Carolina] canʼt act like theyʼve been there before because they clearly havenʼt. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience” — David

“I experienced the same thing. Those fans were the most awful bunch of people I have ever been surrounded by. I had a grown man spit water on my feet. Nothing but taunts the whole way back to my car. It was awful. I just kept thinking, ʻCome to Alabama and we will show you people what class is, because apparently there is not any in South Carolina.” — Shawna

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

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

Over the years, the University In short: Students has brought sevwould greatly eral exc e l l e n t benefit from musical talents Homecoming to perform for concerts. the student body on Homecoming we e k . Jo h n ny Cash, Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, Blues Traveler, Chris Daughtry, and Earth, Wind, and Fire have all participated in past Homecoming concerts. These appearances were fitting. Homecoming, after all, is a big week at the University. We have a lot of tradition to celebrate, and a great football team to cheer on. We also have a lot of alumni and fans who return for the event. It is a little disappointing, then, that University Programs is not continuing this great tradition by sponsoring a Homecoming concert this year. Homecoming week is full of excitement – Homecoming Queen elections, competitions, and, of course, the Homecoming game. The concert was a great addition to these other festivities – it offered the student body another chance to get engaged and boost their school spirit by bringing popular artists to campus. The Homecoming concert was also a great addition to social life at the University. Some students don’t have access to, or interest, in a lot of the regular parties and concerts that occur in Tuscaloosa. However, bringing big names with great music to campus was something everyone could find enjoyable. It gave students an opportunity to come together and unify around one major event during the week. Students who voted in Tuesday’s Homecoming Queen election were asked questions about what type of performers they would like to see at a spring concert in the new Tuscaloosa amphitheater. Maybe their answers will provide the University with good insight into what students want in a concert, and perhaps the result will be a great performer coming to Tuscaloosa next semester. The construction of the new amphitheater is a welcome development that will hopefully be a venue for many great events in the future. However, it is still disappointing that, on this important week, the University has failed to preserve the tradition. It could have been a fun time for all.

Th i s we e k , A l ab a m a Congressman Bobby Bright aired a new television ad reminding everyone of the derangement that comes with being a Democrat in Alabama. In the clip, titled “Just Bobby,” the Democratic representative from the Wiregrass pledges not to vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House if he is reelected. This must be the sort of thing candidates do when they belong to a political party that is extremely unpopular in their districts, but lack the courage to separate themselves from that party. The ad opens with Bright saying, “I’ve heard my constituents, and they don’t want a liberal running the House. They want a conservative.” You don’t say. Unfortunately for Bright’s constituents, he did vote for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker of the House after the 2008 elections, joining all of his 254 Democratic counterparts. Now that Pelosi is seen as the leader of the sinking Democratic majority, though, Bright wants to separate himself from the San Francisco liberal. As if he didn’t know what he was voting for two years ago. This is the woman, after all, who opposed the Gulf War of 1991 because of “environmental concerns.” Nevertheless, Nancy Pelosi is a leader in the Democratic Party. As such, she helps shape the party’s agenda, and oversees the House of Representatives, which it controls. If Bright honestly believes the leader of his party’s House caucus is so out of touch with his constituents, he should join the other caucus. There is no doubt that Nancy Pelosi is, in fact, much more liberal than Bobby Bright. That is why we have two political parties:

one for liberals and one for conservatives. If Bright wants to be the conservative representative he is campaigning as, then he should join

are part of a political apparatus led by some of the most liberal leaders in American history. Worse, they empower the national Democrats. Some voters look at their local leaders and think, “Democrats aren’t just the party of Obama and Pelosi, they’ve got Bobby Bright and Jim Folsom.” The result is a Democratic Party that can claim to have widespread support and inclusiveness, when in reality it has neither. If Bobby Bright won’t vote for Nancy Pelosi to be Speaker, who will he vote for? John Boehner, the House Republican Leader? If so, why not just declare himself a Republican? Or will Bright just not vote? Do his constituents want a congressman who takes no stand on who the next House Speaker will be? There aren’t the good ole days when conservative (if not racist) Democrats dominated the South and Democratic candidates could get away with being Democrats because, well, everybody else was. Over the past two years, President Obama and Nancy Pelosi have drawn clear lines between those who think an evermore complex and intertwined society justifies a more proactive government and those who think it makes government more unnecessary. For offices of national significance, like Congress, sending people who align themselves with Obama and his party will only help them keep control of Congress and its agenda. Regardless of how they campaign here, the result will be the same in Washington, D.C. At best, they’ll just find another, slightly less unpopular liberal to be Speaker.

the Republican Party. Yet, for some unknown reason, Bright continues to cling to his Democratic affiliation. Democratic Lt. Governor Jim Folsom is using a similar trick, introducing himself as “the same ole country boy.” In fact, this is the same tactic employed by most Democratic candidates in Alabama, whether they’re running for school board or Congress. Alabama has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1964. Alabama has chosen a Republican governor in five of the last six gubernatorial elections. Seeing the political sands shift beneath them, state Democrats have responded by trying to distinguish themselves from their party. And in truth, most Alabama Democrats are much more conservative than their national leaders. So why do they continue to affiliate with a national party led by Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi? Part of the answer, of course, is that Alabama’s gambling-union machine runs the state Democratic Party and funnels money to a lot of these candidates. Still, no matter how much they insist they are nothing like that unpopular trio, the truth is that Tray Smith is the opinions editor Democrats in Alabama, just like of The Crimson White. His colDemocrats in every other state, umn runs weekly on Fridays.

A Collective Consciousness By John Davis This past Tuesday, I witnessed something extraordinary. No, not the Rangers clinch against the Rays or a dormitory hallway covered in fire extinguisher chemicals (though both certainly happened), but rather a miracle of modern technology and the human spirit. Sitting on my couch, looking at a fifteen-inch screen, I watched as, one-by-one, men were lifted from a mineshaft nearly 5000 miles away. I watched as friends on Facebook and Twitter shared their thoughts and support in real time as the miners emerged from the hole and fell into the arms of friends and loved ones. Both the rescue itself and the collective response left me in awe, though not for the obvious reasons. The day before, Wikipedia founder and Alabama alumnus Jimmy Wales penned an open letter to Wikipedia users. In it, he asked users to “imagine a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge.” A profound thought for sure, but what about a world in which every single person on the plan-

et has free access to the sum of human experiences? Tuesday night, that’s exactly what happened. Maybe we reached this point before Tuesday, but has it ever been more perfectly illustrated? The Internet has brought us together in unprecedented ways. It allows people to share experiences from hundreds of different locations around the world simply by logging in to the same website at a given moment. But it doesn’t stop there – the Internet is actually making you smarter. A common opinion among older generations is that the pervasive use of the Internet has made its users dumber, less attentive individuals. Nicholas Carr, author of “The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember,” writes that the constant stimulation provided by ever-present links and quick doses of information delivered 140 characters at a time decreases our ability to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. He cites the Roman philosopher Seneca, who wrote, “To be everywhere is to be nowhere.”

With no offense to Seneca, in the age of instant information to be everywhere is to know everything. I may not be able to recite the preamble to the Constitution (and let’s be honest, we all forgot it after 8th grade civics class), but by the time you finish reading this sentence I could have it up on my browser. And with the rapid development of smart phones, the Internet as a resource is omnipresent. We no longer need to store endless pieces of information in our minds – we just have to know how to find it. Think of the cell phone; before it, people had to memorize numerous phone numbers or store them on paper (remember the Rolodex?). After its invention, all those numbers could be stored internally. The Internet is the same way, but on a much grander scale. We have created the cloud of collective information Mr. Wales refers to, and all it takes is a simple Internet connection. It may not be the singularity, but it’s pretty damn close, and it’s pretty damn cool. John Davis is a junior majoring in hyperbole. His column runs biweekly on Fridays.

Our View is the consensus of the Crimson White editorial board.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Question All: CW articles, organizations, UA traditions By Christy Boardman

Friends, Alabamians, Countrymen (better than plainsmen), lend me your eyes. I come to address concerns, not to bury them; The good that HCA does grows as HCA grows, The success of HCA is rooted in its bones, So let HCA continue to thrive… The noble Vaughn Hath told you HCA “could … intrude on … other organizations.” If it is so, why has HCA partnered with many varying organizations? And happily did these organizations and HCA join forces… Here, under leave of Vaughn and the CW (For Vaughn is a knowledgeable man; So are they all; all knowledgeable men) Come I to rebut Vaughn’s article HCA members have become my friends, faithful and just to me: But Vaughn says HCA “has the appearance of exclusiveness” And Vaughn is a knowledgeable man… HCA hath brought over 400 students home to the Honors College Whose schedules did HCA fill. Did this in HCA seem exclusive? When disillusioned students cry, HCA offers new involvement opportunities: Exclusiveness should be made of more exclusive stuff. Yet Vaughn says HCA seems exclusive; And Vaughn is a knowledgeable man. You all may have seen that in block seating HCA has never turned a student away, And HCA gives students an avenue to accomplish all they please: Can this be perceived as exclusion? Yet Vaughn says HCA has “no definite path;” And, sure, he is a knowledgeable man. I speak not to discourage criticism, such as what Vaughn wrote, But here I am to encourage criticism and questions. This University needs more questioning, not without cause: What cause does not deserve questioning? From established University traditions to new ideas, All need to be founded on reason… Bear with me, My heart is tied to this University, And we should all pause and not follow blindly.

Christy Boardman is a junior majoring in economics and French.

By SoRelle Wyckoff Contributing Writer

Left: Marianne McConnell, playing a Master of Philosophy, instructs Monsieur Jourdain (Peyton Conley) on the nature of vowels.

IF YOU GO ...

Next week, the UA theatre department will open their doors to offer the community some comic relief. From Oct. 18-24, UATD will put on “The Bourgeois Gentleman,” a musical play written by French playwright Moliere. This version, however, has a twist. The script is a translation by Rod McLucas, and UA professor Raphael Crystal wrote the music. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the lobby of the Gallaway Theatre in RowandJohnson Hall. This particular translation has only been performed in New York City, and Matthew Burkholder, the director, said he is honored to be the host of the translation’s regional debut. “Moliere is a really specific style, but this translation really contemporizes it,” said Burkholder, who called Moliere a “French Shakespeare.” Burkholder enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with translator McLucas. “Having the ability to simply e-mail the translator made directing the play such a great experience,” Burkholder said. “And even better, the composer [Crystal] is on campus.” Burkholder, who is in his third year of his masters, has been directing for 20 years. “I always knew I wanted to do a classic while I was here [at Alabama],” he said. The cast has been working on the play for six weeks, practicing five days a week. “It was really just six weeks of laughing every night,” Burkholder said. Actors Payton Conley, a second year Master of Fine Arts acting student, and John Paul Snead, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre, agreed with Burkholder. “The play is hysterical,” Snead said. “And I get to work with some of the funniest people.”

• What: “The Bourgeois Gentlemen”

• Where: Allen Bales Theatre

• When: Oct. 18 - 24 • Cost: Tickets are $10 and can be bought in the lobby of Gallaway Theatre Conley, who plays Monsieur Jourdain, the titular gentleman, said the laughter shared in practice is instrumental in the growth of the play. “The cast is very understanding of give-and-take,” Conley said. “We’re all working together to make the show better, funnier.” Both Conley and Snead agreed, though, that the comedy found in the play is not produced from the actors. “I never want to play for laughs, I want to play for the character,” Snead said. “And sometimes the comedy is good, sometimes it’s ‘in a rut’ with the content. It’s a fine line we have to find.” Burkholder said watching the actors find that fine line of comedic relief is one of his favorite parts about directing. “Finding that comedic timing is almost mathematical,” he said, “and I like to watch for when the light bulb goes off for an actor, and they just get it.” The play will be performed in the Allen Bales Theatre in Rowand-Johnson Hall. The stage is surrounded by the audience on three sides, which is new for some of the actors, including Conley. “Space, movement, or blocking, is different in this kind of setting,” Conley said. “It’s a new challenge.” Another challenge was the limited amount of practice the cast has had on the Allen Bales stage, Burkholder said. Until two weeks ago, the

Below: Monsieur Jourdain, played by Peyton Conley, shows off his knowledge of fencing to his instructors. CW | Teresa Portone

cast was practicing in a small studio. Despite these challenges, though, the actors continue to prepare for their opening night, which they eagerly look forward to. “I’m so excited for people to see it,” Snead said. “There is nothing like being in a theatre with people who are laughing with you.” “I’m still finding things funny, but when an audience

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joins in, it rejuvenates the comedy we have been enjoying to ourselves,” Conley said. Along with comedy, Burkholder said the audience can look forward to “sword fighting, musical numbers and dancing.” “There are so many things in this play that people enjoy,” Conley said. And, as Snead said, “you’ll be constantly laughing.”

LIFESTYLES

‘Bourgeois’ brings laughs to Allen Bales

Page 5 • Friday, October 15, 2010 Editor • Kelsey Stein kmstein@crimson.ua.edu

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Friday, October 15, 2010

SPORTS

The Crimson White

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Tide looks to build on last week’s win By Miranda Murphy Contributing Writer

The Alabama volleyball team, who won its first Southeastern Conference game last weekend, will be on the road this weekend against Kentucky and Tennessee. The Tide, after sweeping South Carolina (2519, 25-18, 25-16), is continuing to practice hard and is looking

forward to continuing to win. “I think consistency is the biggest thing for us,” said head coach Judy Green. “This past weekend when we played Florida and South Carolina at home, we felt like, as coaching staff, this was by far the most consistent performance for a whole weekend. We want to continue that, but we also want to get better on our execution

of what we are doing, whether that’s defensively or offensively. We want to continue to focus on growing ourselves as a team and not putting too much emphasis on the other teams.” Lately the Tide has come up short with road games, losing five out of the nine away games thus far, though the team is looking to change that statistic. “I think our confidence is up and we know we can win,” sophomore Kayla Fitterer said. “So, I think that will help us get through it.” The win against South Carolina stopped a six-game losing streak for the Tide. It was

also Alabama’s first win against an SEC team. “We are definitely moving in the right direction right now,” junior Stephanie Riley said. “We’ve been talking about making this the greatest turnaround in Alabama volleyball history because we didn’t start so great, but now that we’ve got a win under our belt and we’re playing together better as a team, I think we can definitely make the turnaround and make the season worth it.” The players are starting to understand and learn from each other as they progress. “We’re doing really good, especially now that we won

[against] Sou th Carolina,” Fitterer said. “It was a confidence booster. We’re all meshing and I think we’re doing really good.” The win seems to have given Green and the team the focus they needed to go on the road to other SEC teams and add some more wins to their 9-8 season. “The most important thing is that they think they can win,” Green said. “The coaches have always thought this team was very capable of doing something very special. I think getting the taste of victory certainly helps your confidence because it lets you know that what you’re doing in practice is paying off on

gameday. I think they feel good about what they did. I think the next test for us is to be able to go on the road and do that. A Kentucky native, Riley is looking forward to going home to play this weekend. “I always love playing in Kentucky,” Riley said. “I actually have a couple of high school friends on the team, so it’s fun to play against them, but it’s a team that I always have a strong grudge towards. I’ll have a lot of people there, so it’s a fun place to play, for me.” The Tide will be playing in Kentucky at 6 p.m. on Friday and Tennessee at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Bama runs toward recovery By Chad Troyan Contributing Writer Alabama’s men’s and women’s cross country teams have been preparing for a meet that could potentially help them as they inch closer to postseason running. The Tide will travel to Terre Haute, Ind., on Oct. 16 for their pre-nationals meets. Both teams are coming off performances against tough competition at the Notre Dame Invitational, with the men’s team placing eighth out of 21, while the women placed 20th out of 24 teams. This particular meet coming up splits all participating teams into two divisions: blue and white. Separating the competition helps the meet run more smoothly, but the two divisions are equally competitive, as they combine for 19 nationally ranked teams. In the meet this weekend, Alabama’s men will participate in the 8-km race starting at 12:50 p.m. on Saturday. They will compete in the white

division, which consists of 36 teams. The Tide will be accompanied by ranked schools No. 4 Colorado and No. 8 Portland. “There are usually 20 of the top 30 teams at this meet,” Walker said. “The divisions are evenly divided so there isn’t one division that will be easier. They both will be equal.” Walker said he believes that the team is looking forward to this meet, especially coming off their showing at the Notre Dame Invitational. “I think they are looking forward to lining up again,” Walker said. “They want to put on a better performance.” Walker said he believes that the team will perform better as a group in this meet and, as a result, will get a closer group of five guys that will help the team place better. He isn’t the only one who believes the team is looking forward to this meet. Junior Joel Rop said the team has a goal to achieve. “We want to get back to where we used to be ranked,”

Rop said. Even though Oregon will not be at the pre-nationals meet, Rop said he knows that some of the best teams in the nation will still be there. This illustrates the fact that there is not just one team that stands out in the competition they’ll soon face. With this meet, the Tide will be inching closer to postseason running, and a strong performance could give the team more momentum. Rop said that their performance is key. “It’s very important,” he said. “We’re trying to prove ourselves and run to our potential.” While the men’s team keeps working hard, the women’s team also continues their work in order to prepare for prenationals. Alabama’s women will begin racing in six-kilometer races starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The women will be competing in the blue division, which consists of 40 teams. Eight other ranked teams,

highlighted by No. 3 Florida State and No. 6 Arizona, will accompany the Tide in this division. The level of competition, though, is just as hard in the white division, which has nine ranked teams. The No. 5 Georgetown and No. 9 Colorado highlight the white division. Like Rop, junior Leigh Gilmore believes a good performance plays a big part when trying to gain momentum heading into postseason running. Gilmore emphasized the importance of a strong performance as the women’s cross country prepares for the prenational meet. “It gives us a lot of confidence as a team if we perform well,” she said. This will be the second time the women will have competed in this meet, and so they know what to expect. “We just need to bust out and run fast,” Gilmore said. “We know if we keep up with Washington or Oregon we’ll do just fine.”

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thing exciting at home instead. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- What seemed impossible last month suddenly comes together with ease. Your hard work pays off. You sought independence, and now you have it. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Your individual interest and family demands require careful planning, if everyone is to get what they want. No detail’s too small to consider. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- You get more done today working from home. Use the travel time you save to create harmony and to complete artistic family projects. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Send flowers. Be sure to include everyone’s name on the gift card. Bigger is better, to make a powerful impression. It pays off later. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Positive feedback makes you feel better about a project that’s just started. Associates volunteer to help get things rolling. Accept their aid. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- A dream gets confirmed by a long-distance call. Because the answer is yes, you’re able to move forward confidently. All systems go. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- A male wants to take the show on the road before the rest of you are ready. To slow down the process, ask for an extended break in the action.

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SPORTS Page 8 • Friday, October 15, 2010 Editor • Jason Galloway crimsonwhitesports@ gmail.com

SPORTS

this weekend TODAY • Softball vs Jefferson State: 5:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

SPORTS in brief

Bama anxious to play again Junior outďŹ elder Cassie Reilly-Boccia prepares to throw the ball in during a game last spring.

By Brett Hudson Contributing Writer The Alabama softball team will begin fall play this weekend with a game against Jefferson State on Friday and a doubleheader with the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Northwest Florida State on Sunday. “It’s a great opportunity to let the players play against someone other than each other for a change,� head coach Patrick Murphy said. “We’ve been practicing for about three weeks now, only able to scrimmage against ourselves. It’s great to just go out and play, knowing it doesn’t count against our record.� Last year’s season was ended with a game-three loss in the Super Regionals to Hawaii at home, a loss the team didn’t forget as they parted ways in the offseason. “Since our season ends during summer break, a lot if us go home,� sophomore Kayla Braud said. “I just went home, worked out every day, even worked out at my high school a little bit and came back ready for the strenuous training in the fall.� Junior Cassie Reilly-Boccia said, “It was a long time to just think about how we didn’t make the College World Series last year, and I used that as a motivator.� When the players came back for weightlifting on Aug. 30, it was clear the offseason was a good one for this year’s Crimson Tide. “It was the first time in the

CW | John Michael Simpson

history of our program that every team member passed the fitness test,� Murphy said. “It’s things like that that make this group so easy to coach. They’re very hard working, and they show a lot of enthusiasm in everything they do.� Looking forward to the first games of the fall season, the team is getting more anxious everyday. “We’re all really, really excited,� Reilly-Boccia said. “To have the chance to put on that Alabama uniform again, and for all the freshmen to put it on for the first time, it’s a great feeling.� Excitement aside, the team is all business about these relatively casual games. “These games are kind of a reward for all their hard work,� Murphy said. “But we want to

go out and see how people hit and pitch with the bases loaded. We want to see how people play in these game situations. We want to see how these freshmen perform, too. I know what these seniors can do, and I’m pretty sure what these juniors can do. But we don’t know much about these freshmen.� The players are curious about how the freshmen will perform but are also ready to start establishing those on-field connections. “We need to get the feel of how each of our teammates plays in certain game situations,� Reilly-Boccia said. “We just need to come together as a team on this field. We already have a great team chemistry, it just needs to show on the field.� Braud said, “It’s a really

great opportunity to get to know each other as a team. It’ll help our team chemistry to go out and have fun together.� With all the focus on these next few weeks of games, the Tide manages to keep looking ahead to developing the team for regular season play. “We’re going to take it one day at a time,� Reilly-Boccia said. “But at the same time, we have our long-term goals. Winning the Southeastern Conference is one of them. We definitely want to win it all, but we will start with an SEC Championship.� “I just want to pick up where I left off. I want to show maturity in my sophomore season, and play with the same energy and excitement like it’s an SEC Tournament game or a postseason game,� Braud said.

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Football to open 2012 season against Michigan at Cowboys Stadium From staff reports

The Alabama football team will open the 2012 season against the University of Michigan on Sept. 1, 2012, in the “Cowboys Stadium Classic� at Cowboys Stadium. The primetime kick off will be televised by either ESPN or CBS and will mark the fourth time the schools have played. The Alabama-Michigan contest will be the third time since 2008 that the Crimson Tide has opened the season at a neutral site in front of a primetime national television audience. Alabama opened the 2008 and 2009 seasons with victories against ACC opponents Clemson and Virginia Tech, respectively, in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Alabama will be the home team, and the Wolverines will be the away team. The game officials will be from the Big 12 Conference. The three previous meetings between Alabama and Michigan occurred in bowl games. Most recently, Michigan edged Alabama, 35-34, in overtime in the 2000 Orange Bowl. The Wolverines lead the alltime series 2-1-0.

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Graduation Celebration Thursday October 14th 10:00am-6:00pm on the Ferguson Center Plaza

FrLday October 15th 10:00am-4:00pm Ln the Ferguson Center Lobby

Caps and goZns announcements oIĂ€cLal class rLngs dLploma Irames Photographer on sLte to taNe cap goZn photos Free reIreshments 5egLster Ior great door prLzes

Homecoming 2010 Friday, October 15, 2010

Share the Pride, Celebrate the Tide

Corolla and CW File Photos

INSIDE today’s special section History of Homecoming ...... 2 Professors Recall Past Homecomings .................. 2 Homecoming Around the SEC ........................... 3

SGA Offers Look Behind the Festivities ................... 3

Breaking Down the Bonfire ............................ 4

Homecoming Concerts: Then and Now ................. 6

Meet Your 2010 Homecoming Court .......... 4

Historic Football Moments ......................... 5

Minority Queens a Rarity.. ............................ 4

Prothro to Serve as Grand Marshal ................ 5

Southbound Offers Homecoming Concert Alternatives ..................... 6 Step Show Preview ............ 7

2

Friday, October 15, 2010

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

The Crimson White

The circumstance behind the pomp A century of history behind Homecoming traditions By Brittney Knox Staff Reporter bsknox@crimson.ua.edu During Homecoming week, sorority houses are filled with young women singing and dancing as they work diligently on pomping for their annual direction contest. There are many different traditions of Homecoming, such as pomping, the bonfire, the parade and the pep rally. An article from the Columbia Missourian suggest that the battle for the title of what school had the very first Homecoming is between the University of Missouri in 1911, the University of Illinois in 1910 and Baylor in 1909. Although there is no definite answer, Homecoming origins date back to the early 1900s, with the traditions such as the bonfire, having first been spotted at Baylor University in 1909, according to an article from Baylor’s student newspaper, The Lariat. The purpose of the bonfire was for freshmen men to ward off any intruders from the rival school that may come on the campus during the time of Homecoming. “On campus, the bonfire dates back to before I was at the University in 1967, but

there have been several changes to the structure of the bonfire over the years,� said Tom Strong, a former dean of students. He said a bonfire tragedy at Texas A&M in 1999, when the bonfire stack collapsed and killed 12 people, made every university look at their bonfires. Strong also recalled remembering the artistic figures that the sorority women created while pomping. Articles from The Crimson White date pomping back to the 1930s. One article talks about the judging of homecoming decorations by sororities and fraternities and awarding a cup to the winner. “There have been several changes in pomping, including the sophistication and amazing artistic way the students create their figures,� Strong said. “Every year, each sorority tries to outdo the other, and they continue to grow in size.� The article begins with how great it was for the campus to welcome back Isham Dorsey, a former student, who returned for Homecoming after 51 years. When Dorsey left campus in 1886, he left nine buildings and 241 students in enrollment. He came back to 100 buildings and 5,000 students in enrollment.

Corolla and CW File Left: Student organizations express their Crimson Pride with floats and other gradiose displays of Tide emplems, such as Big Al. Right: Two past UA students pomp in preparation for the Homecoming Parade. The article also describes current traditions, such as the pep rally and the annual parade. “The traditions of homecoming have been going on a long, long time,� said Clark Center, curator in Hoole Special Collections Library.

He said the bonfire and the parade are great ways to celebrate and enjoy the time together. “I can recall in the past for the homecoming parade, they used to bring in a real elephant,� he said. “But over time

it got too expensive to do.� He said Homecoming has gotten a lot bigger, and he can recall when the campus and festivities were smaller and he would go with his friends to the bonfire and watch the parade.

The theme of this year’s Homecoming is “Share the Pride, Celebrate the Tide,� and alumni are still able to participate in traditional Homecoming activities, including the football game against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Alumni professors remember Homecoming By Taylor Holland Senior Staff Reporter tlholland1@crimson.ua.edu Students often think of Homecoming as being about the week’s biggest football matchup and the crowning of a Queen. To many UA alumni, however, homecoming is about so much more. “I walk and look around campus today and while it might look a little different, to me the feel is the same,� said Robin Rogers, a UA graduate and chemistry professor. “Even the football atmosphere was similar. I played in Bear Bryant’s last two national championship games, as starting right tuba, in back-to-back years. School spirit and pride ran high, and it was a very enjoyable time for me.� Rogers said he had quite a few Homecoming memories from his time as a student at the University, from being tapped into Mortar Board on the mound to the seven years worth of football games, which he marched in with the Million Dollar Band.

“Homecoming was about parades, bonfires and running around the field to provide my tuba to alumni so they could play during pregame,� Rogers said. Roy Ann Sherrod, a professor at the University’s College of Nursing, said one her favorite UA Homecoming memories as a student was going to the football games and seeing the different organizations present. “Homecoming really was a nice time,� she said. “I can remember everyone was nicely dressed, and even in coordinating outfits. There was such great interaction with one another.� Kristy Reynolds, a UA professor in the College of Commerce and Business Administration, said one thing that stands out about her time at the University as a student was that no one had their own computer or their own cell phones and that she can remember writing some of her papers on a typewriter. “We just spent a lot of time together talking and hanging out in our free time,�

Students and alumni gather at a past Homecoming pep rally as the bonfire rages in the background. Homecoming brings past and present UA students together.

Reynolds said. “The fashion was very casual. I see students going out so dressed up now. We just wore jeans and T-shirts or sweaters.� Reynolds said Homecoming was always a lot of fun. “We built a huge lawn decoration every year at the Phi Mu house,� she said. “I remember pomping for hours, but it was fun because we all did it together.� Liza Wilson, a professor in the College of Education, said some of her favorite Homecoming memories came as an alumna. “We had a very close group of friends who always met to tailgate under the same tree each year,� Wilson said. “We took pictures of our kids as they grew. We caught up with each other’s lives. Really, whoever could come to Homecoming met under that tree. “This weekend really presents an opportunity to think about the lifelong friendships you’ve created. That’s my advice for this weekend. You should really spend time with those lifelong friends.�

Corolla

Students, alumni view Homecoming differently By Ethan Summers Staff Reporter summers.ethan@gmail.com

week, some students are curious about how much students truly care about Homecoming itself. However, Even with the emphasis for some University alumni, that is put on Homecoming Homecoming has a different

importance. “As a student, Homecoming is just one giant, week-long party,� said Jonathan Chapin, a junior majoring in political science and anthropology.

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“I still take care of my studies, but there is just so much going on, it’s quite a trip. “But Homecoming is so much more than that; it’s the shared love that all students hold for the Capstone and the city of Tuscaloosa itself,� he said. “I can only imagine what it will mean to me as an alumnus. The very fact that so many alumni come back for Homecoming is a testament to the University and how much it has impacted their lives.� Erica Floyd, head of the Student Government Association’s Homecoming Planning Committee, said Homecoming is the best time of year for many alumni. “It’s the one week every year where [alumni] can come back to Tuscaloosa and relive the college days,� she said. Student organizations play a large part in making Homecoming week a success, she added. “It’s a really competitive week,� Floyd said. “We actually have 45 student organizations competing this year.� One of the committee’s biggest tasks is spreading awareness about events, Floyd said. “We’ve had fliers for literally every event and our website has been improved, so I think its been easier getting the word out than it has in the

past,� she said. In direct contrast, some students said Homecoming isn’t very significant in their lives. Kelly Cannon, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, said she doesn’t feel Homecoming has anything to do with her busy life. “It doesn’t really apply to me,� Cannon said. “I have more important things to worry about.� Cannon said she doesn’t care as much about Homecoming as alumni might, because spending time with friends at the game isn’t limited to one special week per year. “You can do that — go to a game — without it being a Homecoming game,� she said. Director of Student Engagement Chad Clark said student apathy about Homecoming isn’t something he’s encountered much during his work. “I get to work with the student committee and all of the participants, so the most common attitude I come across is one in which the students look forward to this week and all of the events as soon as they return to campus for the fall,� he said. Clark said he does recognize that while students generally care about Homecoming, they

can’t be involved in everything, so his office is focused on providing many options for students. “We have implemented some new events to the week [including a] block party and talent show and new positions [including] campus outreach on the Homecoming Committee to try and increase the level of involvement throughout the week,� Clark said. “We’ve seen good increases in participation levels.� The level of student work involved demonstrates how much students and alumni care about Homecoming, he said. “We begin selections for the committee about 11 months before the week itself, so the process is strenuous and time consuming,� Clark said. “Each year, we have a number of directors who return to the committee to serve again, which is a great testimony to their level of commitment.� He said the volunteer nature of working for the committee is another example of the members’ commitment. “They don’t see a monetary benefit to their service,� Clark said. “They do it as a gesture to the University and the community and view it as a way to get involved and give back.�

The Crimson White

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, October 15, 2010

3

SGA: Planning for Homecoming tradition Homecoming eight rich at SEC schools months of work By Jennie Kushner Senior Staff Reporter Jfkushner@bama.ua.edu

By Lauren Erdman Contributing Writer

For students, Homecoming means a week of competitions, parades and games, but for the Student Government Association Homecoming Committee, the week requires intensive planning beginning months in advance. The committee, which consists of an executive director, 24 assistant directors and about 75 committee members, plans each aspect of Homecoming including the theme, the parade and the community service opportunities. Planning begins each year with the release of the application for the executive director in November, SGA Homecoming Executive Director Erica Floyd said. Next, the application for assistant director is released at the end of January. Finally, the committee member applications are released in March. Meetings to plan for Homecoming begin as early as February, Floyd said. Most of the “behind the scenes� planning occurs during this time, she added, including reserving event venues, coordinating between student organizations, choosing a Homecoming theme and planning events to correlate with the theme. Beginning in March, the executive director and assistant directors meet weekly to discuss Homecoming details, Director of Lawn Decorations Caitlin Gottstine said. “As far as planning goes for the Lawn Decorations Committee, our main goal is to make sure all safety

FAST FACTS • The SGA Homecoming Committee consists of about 100 people. • Planning for each year’s Homecoming begins with the release of the exuctive director application in November. • The committee spends more than 75 hours developing Homecoming events.

regulations are being taken care of with working with the health and safety department,� she said. “We also set rules and guidelines for putting up the frames and the scaffolding and make sure these are followed.� For the Service Project Committee, planning includes coordinating with the Community Service Center and the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger coordinators, SGA Homecoming Director of Service Projects Sarah Papadelias said. According to Papadelias, there are traditionally two service projects during Homecoming, but this year, the committee planned three: Crimson Kick-Off, a powderpuff football game between 20 sorority members to benefit Beat Auburn Beat Hunger and St. Francis Catholic Church; CanFormation, a competition between student organizations to build structures solely out of canned food; and a volunteer opportunity with St. Francis Catholic Church. “I think that the service

projects this year achieved their goals in uniting student organizations at the University and to give back to the campus community as a whole,� Papadelias said. In addition to all of the events of Homecoming, a theme must also be chosen. “The directors work together to brainstorm ideas, compile a list and select the final theme for Homecoming Week,� Floyd said. “Our theme selection must then be approved by various administrators and faculty members.� “Share the Pride, Celebrate the Tide,� this year’s Homecoming theme, helps bring not only student organizations together, it also unites the entire campus, Papadelias said. By the end of the process, Floyd said, the SGA Homecoming Committee spends a total of more than 75 hours making Homecoming into a memorable event for Alabama students. “Basically, the planning of Homecoming Week is an eightmonth process,� she said.

Homecoming is a tradition at any SEC school, but the particulars of the rituals differ and make each school unique. University of Mississippi, Auburn University and University of Georgia students illustrate their personal Homecoming experiences in different ways. Auburn senior Amelia Cheeley, an international business major, said this year, the Tigers face the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Nov. 6. Cheeley said the week includes school-wide events for students, including the Miss Homecoming elections. “The Greek community is incredibly involved in Homecoming,� she said. “The Miss Homecoming elections are a huge deal, and each sorority and the majority of the fraternities work on campaigns for the different representatives.� Cheeley said five girls run for Miss Homecoming, and students can vote online for their candidate of choice. “Every organization can nominate someone for Miss Homecoming. Elections are then held on a certain day of Homecoming week and students can vote online through AUAccess.� Cheeley said there are no lawn decorations, but organizations pair together to make a float to stand on the Concourse on Friday and Saturday. Homecoming week at Auburn is a time for students and alumni to show how much they care about their school, Cheeley added. “I have absolutely loved each of my previous experiences with Auburn’s

{

“Going to play Alabama at Alabama for their Homecoming is bound to put some pressure on the Ole Miss football team,â€? he said. “But regardless of how we play on the ďŹ eld, tons of Ole Miss fans are going to be attending the game and, as we say at Ole Miss, ‘We might not win every game, but we do win every party.’â€?

Homecoming,� she said. “I also have loved helping with campaigns for the Miss Homecoming candidates, because it is so rewarding when she is announced Saturday at the game.� Becca Barrow, a senior broadcast journalism major, said Homecoming week at UGA isn’t a high priority. Barrow, a member of Kappa Delta sorority, said some members of her sisterhood partake, but others don’t. “We haven’t ever had involvement except for girls in KD who have been on the court,� she said. This weekend, UGA faces Vanderbilt University in their Homecoming game. Barrow said the rave isn’t about Homecoming but about their new mascot. “Past years, it has always been fun seeing people I know win Homecoming king and queen,� she said. “But, this year is the most exciting one for me thus far because they are revealing the new Uga [the school’s bulldog mascot]. “We’ve had Russ, and he’s been great, but since Uga VII died last year, we’re ready for Uga VIII.� Barrow said organizations do not pomp or have lawn decorations. SGA senator Joshua Stanfield said students are able to vote for Homecoming Queen and King all week. He said events begin the

}

Sunday before the game and run until Friday, the day of the Homecoming parade. Wednesday is the Ludacris concert and court presentation. “Homecoming week is a time where the Dawg Nation can come back to the place they will always consider home,� Stanfield said. Ole Miss student Chase Dickerson, a junior majoring in business administration, said every weekend of an Ole Miss home game is remarkable, but the Homecoming weekend at Ole Miss is indescribable. Dickerson said there is a Homecoming parade through campus, and the presentation of the Homecoming Queen and Homecoming King at the halftime of the football game. There are about five girls running for Homecoming Queen, Dickerson said. Students can vote online for their candidate of choice. Dickerson is excited to play Alabama for our Homecoming game. “Going to play Alabama at Alabama for their Homecoming is bound to put some pressure on the Ole Miss football team,� he said. “But regardless of how we play on the field, tons of Ole Miss fans are going to be attending the game and, as we say at Ole Miss, ‘We might not win every game, but we do win every party.’�

6858 Ticket Information for Students

" •

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IF YOU WANT TO SIT TOGETHER, ARRIVE TOGETHER. Bryant-Denny Stadium is not oversold. Each ticket represents one seat. You will be asked to move over if you occupy more than one seat.

•

Seating in the lower bowl is ďŹ rst-come, ďŹ rst-served until capacity is reached. Once capacity is reached, all seats in the student section – including Student Organization Seating (SOS) – are open to students who have already been admitted to the lower bowl.

•

Purses bigger than an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper are not permitted. Bringing items that are not permitted in the stadium will slow your ability to get into the stadium and to your seat.

•

A wristband from your SOS does NOT guarantee that you will get a seat in the lower bowl. To sit in your SOS section, you must arrive before capacity in the lower bowl is reached.

•

The student section in the upper deck is conďŹ ned to sections SS-2 through SS-5. Individuals who sit in every other section in the upper deck have purchased a ticket assigned to a speciďŹ c seat.

•

Lines will be long, so give yourself plenty of time to get to your seat.

actcard.ua.edu

+ 6858

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An unused ticket on a student account will result in a one point penalty for that student.

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A ticket donated after 5 p.m. on the Friday before a home game will result in half-point penalty.

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Students who accumulate three points worth of penalties in one football season are ineligible for postseason tickets (SEC championship tickets and bowl tickets) and next season’s student ticket package.

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If you are not going to use your student ticket, remember to transfer or donate your ticket to another student through the myfootballticket tab on actcard.ua.edu.

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Take your name off the donation request list if you no longer want a ticket, to avoid getting a penalty for non-use if you get a late donation.

(205) 348-2288

4

Friday, October 15, 2010

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

Meet your 2010 Court

The second Homecoming Maid is Chelsea Banks, a senior from Tuscaloosa, who is majoring in telecommunication and film. She said her passion is life. “I’m just high on the three L’s — love, laughter, and life,” Banks said. “I guess you can really relate all that back to the fact that I’m a Christian.” Banks has been involved in various organizations during her time at the Capstone, including Sales and Marketing Association (SMA), Avanti Team, many honor societies and Baptist Campus Ministries, where she has served in leadership roles for three years. Banks wants to become Homecoming Queen in order to represent a ministry on campus. “Fifteen out of 18 of the

By Amanda Sams Senior Staff Reporter alsams1@crimson.ua.edu The 2010 University of Alabama Homecoming Court is composed of five girls who are fairly well-known, involved on campus and academically strong, according to Erica Floyd, SGA homecoming director. Each of these girls has her own unique interests, passions and reasons for wanting to be crowned queen. The first Homecoming Maid is Pandora Austin, a senior from Starkville, Miss., who is double majoring in psychology and advertising. She said her passion is people. “Everything I’ve been involved in at the Capstone has involved people,” said Austin. “I am very compassionate and want to help better people’s lives, especially in my career.” Austin is involved in many different organizations including: National Pan-Hellenic Council, the peer mentoring program, Psychology Club, Advertising Confederation, and the Alabama Black Belt Initiative. She also serves as the community service chair for Delta Sigma Theta. “I want to be Homecoming Queen because I always aim to inspire others,” Austin said. “It’s about leaving a legacy at UA. I want to leave a pathway so someone else

Homecoming nominees were greek,” Banks said. She said she feels honored to be nominated and would love it if a girl supporting a ministry won.

The third Homecoming Maid is Anna Foley, a senior from Richardson, Texas who is majoring in English. She said her passion is engaging in discussions about new ideas. “I am invigorated when other people challenge my way of thinking,” Foley said. She is involved in many organizations on campus including: Chi Omega, Blount Undergraduate Initiative, an Honor’s College internship, Blackburn Institute and various honor societies. “I am just so honored to be on Court. It was not on my radar at all when the Honors College nominated representing all of the people me,” Foley said. “I never that came out and voted for foresaw it. But I would enjoy me.”

could follow behind in my footsteps.” She said there has not been a minority Homecoming Queen at Alabama since 1986, so that is another reason why she would like to win this year’s title and set a precedent for minority girls in upcoming years.

The Crimson White

The fourth Homecoming Maid is Shellie Street, a senior from Mobile, Ala., who is majoring in accounting. She said her passion is trying to make a difference in the lives of those around her. “I’ve always been the type of person who enjoys being busy, and I meet many diverse people,” Street said. “I want to leave a legacy behind with each person I meet, because that’s what you are remembered by.” Street has been involved in many organizations, including: Crimson Cabaret, the Alabama Panhellenic Association, Directors of Recruitment Counselors, SGA director of transportation and various honor societies. She currently holds the title of Miss University of Alabama.

“I want to be Queen because I think that it would be a huge honor to be able to represent the University from all different aspects,” Street said.

The fifth Homecoming Maid is Bethany Travis, a senior from Kennesaw, Ga. majoring in marketing. She said her passion is international mission work. “I have a really big heart for community service, traveling and helping children,” Travis said. She has been involved in many organizations including: Sales and Marketing Association, Women’s Initiative Program, Kappa Alpha Theta Service Committee, sales ambassador for the Business School and many honr societies. Travis wants to be Queen because she loves the a tradition in my family,” University of Alabama. Travis said. “I was born and “Attending Alabama is raised to love the Tide.”

Students discuss race’s role in HC elections By Katherine Martin Staff Reporter klmartin@crimson.ua.edu It’s been 24 years since Deidra Chestang, the last successful minority candidate, was elected as the University’s Homecoming Queen. Before Chestang, Terry Points became Alabama’s first black Queen in the history of the school, according to the 1987 and 1974 Corolla’s. This year, Pandora Austin, the representative for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, is the only minority represented on the 2010 Homecoming

Court. Although trying to remain optimistic, Austin said she thought her chances of being crowned Queen are slim. “There’s a system at Alabama that seems to work around the greek system,” Austin said. “They stick together. It seems to be effective.” Austin said she believes so few minorities are represented on the court because, overall, minorities do represent such a small number of students on campus. “I feel like we are the minority on campus, and it’s kind of

expected to only get one or two representatives,” Austin said. “I feel blessed and honored to be represented on the court, and maybe we can improve the number in the future.” Shannon Matheny, a freshman majoring in health studies, said tradition plays a big role in a minority’s chances of being elected Queen. “Although it’s a problem,” Matheny said, “it’s just always been like that, so people won’t back up those who are new. People lean more to what has been, instead of trying to branch out.” Like Austin, Matheny said

she doesn’t think Austin’s chances of winning are very good and that some people on campus would be taken aback if Austin were to win. “It’s not the norm,” Matheny said, “but eventually people will realize that if she was the best candidate it would be good for the University. And publicity wise, for the University, seeing our diversity will help us out.” Xavier Jones, a senior majoring in psychology, said since the black population is so small at the University, it is expected that there will be a small minority representation.

“[With] the large number of people on this campus, of course there are always going to be minorities,” Jones said. “Because of that, we don’t have as many minorities to participate in something like the Homecoming Queen elections, student government elections and others like that.” Jones also calls Austin’s chances “pretty slim.” “I’m going to be totally honest,” Jones said. “Unless [Austin] is known by the majority of the student population, a total stranger isn’t going to vote for someone they don’t know anything about.”

Jones said it does not come down to a black and white division – it is just something that can’t be helped, because of the numbers. Jones said the same thing goes for back in 1986 when Chestang was crowned. “Back then, the person who got elected was probably wellknown,” Jones said. “It probably didn’t matter what color they were then either. The fact they were the minority was the thing that stood out, but really, they were probably well-connected with the majority of the student population.”

Bonfire undergoes changes to ensure safety By William Evans Senior Staff Reporter wjevans@crimson.ua.edu One Homecoming tradition at the Capstone has burned brightly for decades. The Homecoming bonfire will be ignited on the Quad Friday after the conclusion of the Pep Rally at 7 p.m., said Robert Pugh, director of risk management. Pugh said the bonfire has been a tradition of the University for many years. According to The Crimson White’s archives, the University has hosted the

bonfire to kick off the week of Homecoming at least as far back as 1949, when the newspaper ran ads for Lucky Strike cigarettes that boasted on the pack, “It’s toasted.” Pugh said the University has to partner with the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue services to watch over the burning of the wood, which he said is soaked in kerosene and diesel fuel. Duane Lamb, assistant vice president of facilities and grounds operations, said the Air Force ROTC at the University provides much needed support at the bonfire. “The Air Force ROTC is the

catalyst or backbone behind the bonfire,” he said. Lamb said the Air Force ROTC keeps the area secure for spectators by stationing members every 25 feet to prevent the crowd from approaching too close to the flames. Pugh said Captain Jim Landers of the Air Force ROTC has served the University well in having his group to assist with the bonfire, and this year’s bonfire will be his last before he retires. Landers said the bonfire has changed in shape and form since he began monitoring it in 2006.

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He said the University has begun placing eight to nine inches of sand on the ground underneath the fire to prevent damage to the grass. He also said the towering structure of the bonfire has typically been stabilized with telephone poles. This year, the telephone poles will be done away with because they didn’t serve much of a purpose, he said. Landers said Texas A&M University’s 1999 bonfire, which killed 12 people and injured 27 due to a collapse during construction, used telephone poles to attempt to stabilize the wood structure. “I don’t know how they got away with it for so long without people getting injured,” he said. Landers said the bonfire last year burned off of a structure 30 to 35 feet tall in wood. This year, the structure will be 25 feet tall, but wider to compensate for the reduction in height, he said. Pugh said the University acquires the wood for the bonfire from Cottondale Products, a local business, which donated the wood last year as well. Cottondale Products transports a tractor-trailer full of wood to the University to be unloaded by the grounds crew, Pugh said. The Air Force ROTC in turn assembles the wood for the bonfire, Landers said. “We used to build it on Monday morning, but now we do it on Wednesday morning,” Landers said. “We had it built in less than two hours, [even though] this year we asked them to bring more pallets out.” Lamb said the University developed a policy and general provisions for the bonfire to

CW File The bonfire has been a UA Homecoming tradition for more than 60 years. ensure the entertainment will be conducted in a safe manner. He also said the University had to acquire a permit prior to hosting the bonfire. Lamb said the University exercises measures of precaution during the bonfire. He said more tents tend to occupy the Quad during Homecoming, and the University moves that potential fuel for an uncontrolled fire out of reach of the flames. He also said the University secures a rope around the area deemed hazardous to spectators and checks the weather forecast and wind speeds. Lamb said the rope circumscribes an area around the bonfire that ensures safety. “The rules state that we have to be 100 feet out,” he said. “But there is really no hazard. The Tuscaloosa Fire Department will have three vehicles here.” He said this year’s bonfire should be exciting since the weather is dry for the first time in four years during the week of Homecoming. “For four years [of Homecoming], we have one week of good weather,” he said. “Last year, it rained the entire

week.” Also, Pugh said the wind speed limit that is considered safe for the bonfire is 20 miles per hour. Gregory Thomas, an Air Force ROTC cadet and freshman majoring in psychology, said the cadets have the opportunity to guard the wooden structure from any threat of disruption. “I know, from an ROTC perspective, it’s kind of an extracredit job,” he said. “You [are given] the option to stay up there and guard it because someone from Auburn or somewhere can go up there and douse it. Bryant Cooper, a freshman majoring in business management, said the bonfire is conducive to a family atmosphere. “I’ve been to it before,” he said. “I liked it. I mean, I was younger so I was amazed by anything, but it creates a good family atmosphere.” Drake Tevos, a freshman majoring in biology, said the bonfire brings people together. “If it’s contained … it’s a good idea,” he said. “We had bonfires at my high school. It gets everyone together.”

The Crimson White

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, October 15, 2010

5

FOOTBALL

Homecoming games full of classics In the Oct. 6, 2007 homecoming game, Alabama cornerback Simeon Castille saved the tide with a last minute interception by University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum

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

straight plays and then scored a touchdown on a 4-yard toss play to seal the victory for the Tide. Ingram accounted for all Homecoming tradition at the 68 yards on the drive en route Capstone has been an impor- to a 246-yard rushing game, the tant part of the fall football third-best total in school history. schedule since the 1920s. The Oct. 6, 2007 first Alabama homecoming was held on Nov. 11, 1920, two years During Saban’s first after World War I ended. In that first Homecoming battle, the year coaching the Tide, the Crimson Tide defeated the LSU University of Houston Cougars Tigers 21-0 at an 11 a.m. game came to came to Tuscaloosa for on a Thursday. A week before homecoming. Alabama, (4-2) the Homecoming game, the was expected to roll over the Tide had just finished celebrat- Cougars (2-3), and after the first ing its first ever victory against quarter, it looked like the Tide the Vanderbilt Commandeers. would do just that. The Tide started the secAfter the game ended, the school hosted a Homecoming ond quarter up 23-0 after thenTide quarterback John Parker dance. A lot has changed since the Wilson accounted for three University celebrated its first touchdowns. The Tide went into Homecoming; however, the the half leading 23-7 and ended tradition of Homecoming has the third quarter up 30-10; howstayed the same for the Tide. ever, after that things took a Homecoming has produced turn for the worst. Two fourth quarter touchmany memorable moments for the Tide, from near heartbreaks downs by Houston quarterto Heisman-winning perfor- back Case Keenum brought the Cougars back to within one mances. score. Down 30-24 with 2:56 left in the game, Keenum scrambled Oct. 17, 2009 away from pressure and heaved Perhaps no Homecoming a pass toward the end zone. game has been more memo- Alabama cornerback Simeon rable for the Crimson Tide as Castille saved the game when he the 2009 match up against the intercepted the pass that would South Carolina Gamecocks. have led to a demoralizing loss The game looked as though it for the Tide if it had been comwould not pose a problem for pleted. The win would go on to be the No. 2 Crimson Tide. Safety Mark Barron intercepted South an important one as the Tide Carolina quarterback Stephen finished the regular season 6-6, Garcia on the first play of the just good enough to be deemed game; however, the rest of the bowl eligible. game was not that easy for the Nov. 1, 1997 Tide. The Alabama offense hit Not all homecoming memoa lull, and quarterback Greg McElroy was having one of the ries are sweet for the Crimson least productive games of his Tide. In 1997, the Tide (4-3) Alabama career. The Tide, up headed into a homecoming 13-6 late in the fourth, called on game against Louisiana Tech. running back Mark Ingram to Alabama, favored in the game, lost to the Bulldogs 26-20. put away the Gamecocks. The loss sent the Tide into a Ingram delivered with a season-defining performance, as tailspin, as Alabama would go the sophomore running back on to lose the remainder of its took the ball directly from games and finish the season the wildcat formation for five with a 4-7 record.

CW File

Prothro joins ranks of HC Grand Marshals By Jordan Bannister Sports Reporter jmbannister@crimson.ua.edu

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CW | Daniel Owen Richard Todd, a former quarterback under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, was honored as 2009ʼs homecoming grand marshal in the annual parade. Though he does not regularly attend Tide home games, Prothro still carries a significant amount of school spirit. So much, in fact, that he one day hopes to get on the coaching track at Alabama. “It’s taking longer than expected, but I’m definitely still trying,” he said. He said he is not ready to let go of his decade-old ambition to become as great of a coach as he was a player. Prothro attended this year’s Florida game in early October, but said he is ecstatic to take on such a major role in the Homecoming presentation. Prothro’s duties as Grand Marshal include attending the bonfire pep rally on Friday night, joining the Homecoming parade on Saturday morning, and finally, being named the official “Guest of Honor” at halftime during Saturday’s game. “They don’t just let anybody

be a Grand Marshal,” Prothro said. “Just to be an option is an honor and a privilege.” Dozens of dynamic Tide players make up the list of Homecoming Grand Marshals, and each one brings something new to the table each year. The list of exemplary Alabama Alumni turned Grand Marshal includes Jay Barker, the quarterback who lead the Tide to its 12th National Championship in 1992 over the Miami Hurricanes, Bob Baumhower, collegiate defensive lineman gone professional nose tackle in 1977 with the Miami Dolphins and College Hall of Famer Johnny Musso, running back under the great Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1971 and Chicago Bears member in 1975. Prothro said he is honored to have the opportunity and blessed to fall within the ranks of the Tide’s outstanding Grand Marshals.

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Former University of Alabama wide receiver Tyrone Prothro has been named Grand Marshal of the Crimson Tide 2010 Homecoming game against Ole Miss on Saturday. Prothro is one of the most well-known football players in the University’s history. A member of the Tide football program from 2003-07, the wide receiver was one of the most difficult players in the nation to defend at the time and even harder to take down. He became nationally famous in his time at Alabama with his miraculous catch behind the helmet of Southern Mississippi player Jasper Faulk at the start of the season in 2005. Aptly named “The Catch,” Prothro’s famous catch won the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Play. He spent the rest of his junior football season on the Heisman watch list before he tragically broke his left leg in the October 2005 Florida game. Before the 2008 season, his last chance to be eligible to play for the Tide, Prothro finally realized it was in his best interest to hang up his uniform and permanently end his Alabama football career after failed rehabilitation. Proud to finish his education at Alabama, Prothro graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Human and Environmental Sciences and currently works as a bank teller at Regions in Tuscaloosa. After taking his leave from Alabama, Prothro went on to write a book in 2008, “Catch & Hold: 5 Keys to Strength, Success, & Secure Happiness,” detailing the hardships of his past and the influential characters that impacted his life. “It is about my life and overcoming the obstacles I have been faced with along the way,” Prothro said.

USIVE L C X E LLECTION O C

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Friday, October 15, 2010

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

The Crimson White

Homecoming Concert: Then and Now By Karissa Bursch Senior Staff Reporter kabursch@crimson.ua.edu What usually makes a good celebratio? Something that celebrates legacy and tradition? Friends, food, competition, large sporting events? Sure. However, another important part of that celebration is music. The University of Alabama, for many years, has celebrated the annual Homecoming week with an invited performer. Heather Roberts, a masters candidate in American studies and a graduate assistant at the Ferguson Center, worked on the Homecoming concert panel for three years. “I think large concerts, or student-centered events of any scale for that matter, are important at the University because they provide the opportunity for a collective experience that helps to build a sense of unity among the student body,” Roberts said. “From a planning standpoint, they provide an excellent opportunity for students to get ‘real world’ experience in all aspects of large-scale event planning – logistics, management, hospitality, marketing and advertising.” Roberts also explained different facets of what goes into the Homecoming concerts. She said planning a Homecoming concert takes a lot of time and effort. “Planning a concert of such a scale as a Homecoming concert requires months of planning and a committed team of people,” Roberts said. “Logistics alone requires months of planning and great skill and organization – hundreds of phone calls, emails, and planning meetings in the weeks leading up to the event and hundreds of collective man hours for the week of and day of the event. However, equally critical to the success of an event is a strategic marketing and

Corolla File CW File Throughout the years, many famous musicians have performed at the University, including Johnnny Cash (left) in 1969, Hank Williams Jr. (middle) in 2008 and even Elvis Presley (right) in 1975. advertising plan, which ultimately hinges on the expertise and commitment of staff well-versed in those areas.” Choosing an artist appropriate for a particular budget, who also has a contemporary and widespread appeal, is difficult, Roberts said. Roberts was the vice president of University Programs and was the primary chairperson for both the 2007 Chris Daughtry Homecoming concert and the 2008 Hank Williams, Jr. concert. She was also a volunteer for the 2005 Better than Ezra/Collective Soul show, a board member for the 2006 Neal McCoy/ Ying-Yang Twins show and an event assistant for the 2009 Carolina Liar/Taking Back Sunday Show. Roberts said the Daughtry homecoming concert was her favorite of all of these. “The Daughtry show was probably the most exciting for me because it was my first experience in planning such a large-scale event,” Roberts said. “Though I wasn’t necessarily a Daughtry fan, it was

definitely cool to be part of such a hard-working team of people for that show and to get to meet a rising artist with the best-selling record of that year. Chris Daughtry and his band were very gracious and really easy to work with, which I think helped make the experience a positive one for all of us.” Roberts said she thinks the Homecoming concerts have been officially going on since the mid-to-late 60s, and since then the University has experienced many great artists. “In the late 1960s and 1970s, virtually every popular act of the time period made an appearance at the University,” Roberts said. “From Bob Dylan to Jimmy Buffett to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Ray Charles, UA has been lucky enough to host dozens of legendary performances by national artists over the past 40 years as well as countless talented independent acts.” Students have noticed the absence of such well-known national acts performing at the University in recent years.

“It’s a shame that we no longer have Homecoming concerts anymore,” said Ryan Benton, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. “While they’re not necessarily an integral part of Homecoming, they are something fun to do that I think students enjoy.” Though the past decade hasn’t brought the most popular artists, most were at least on the average students’ radar, and will be missed. Some students have suggestions for what could be done instead of eliminating the Homecoming concert altogether. “They used to have good, washed-up 90s alternative artists, and honestly it was pretty cool and entertaining,” said Bown Robertson, a senior majoring in early childhood development. “Though it seems they had a few busts with the final few years’ selection, they could have done some sort of survey of the students that would give them a better idea of what would sell best to the students, but that never came about, or if it did I was unaware.”

PAST HOMECOMING SHOWS Here is a snapshot of different performers that have come to the University over the years: 1957 1969 1975 1976 1983 1985 1986 1993 1998 2000 2001 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Leon Westerhouse Johnny Cash Elvis Presley Earth, Wind and Fire and Commodores Olivia Newton-John and Jimmy Buffett Go-Go’s, R.E.M. and John Cafferty Steel Pulse Jimmy Buffet Alan Jackson Blues Traveler George Clinton Collective Soul and Better than Ezra Ying Yang Twins and Neal McCoy Chris Daughtry Hank Williams Jr. Taking Back Sunday and Carolina Liar

Southbound to rock Bama Theatre By Jordan Staggs Senior Staff Reporter jlstaggs1@crimson.ua.edu Homecoming week has been wracked with events and activities so far, but there is one thing missing from the bill this year: a Homecoming concert. After last year’s poor turnout for the Taking Back Sunday fall concert in Coleman Coliseum, perhaps the University just opted out of another possible dud. However, the Bama Theatre will be hosting the Southbound Showdown tonight beginning at 8. Produced by Nashville’s Southbound Entertainment company, it will feature a night of four concerts by four artists

of various genres and styles of Southern music by Shannon McNally, Grayson Capps, the Stanton Moore Trio and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. “I’m excited about this show,” said Bama Theatre manager David Allgood. “It’s an attempt by a promoter to bring a great concert to the Bama on the night before a UA home game — something that’s never been attempted before in the time that I’ve been manager here (nearly 8 years).” Tickets are $10 for students with a valid student I.D. and $15 for the general public. They are available at the Bama Theatre and Oz Music. “This is quite a bargain to hear bands as talented as

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Dumpstaphunk and Stanton Moore Trio,” Allgood said. “You would normally pay more than that just to see a show with only one of them.” “Our goal is to get some of the people coming from out of town to come out to the Bama,” said Alan Brockman of Southbound Entertainment. “It’s a perfect venue for what we’re doing.” The Southbound Showdown has been traveling the SEC and putting on shows before big home football games for weeks now, and will be heading to Knoxville on Nov. 11 and the SEC Championship in December. They are also making an entire gameday weekend event out of these shows, with tailgates and other events before and after the big show. “I know a lot of students have plans for parties and things on Friday,” Allgood said, “but there are a lot of other students, faculty and people in town looking for entertainment. I hope people will come out and support the show and, if it’s successful, this could become a regular event on Friday nights during football season.” Co-promoting the show will be the Tuscaloosa News, whose large RV will be in front of the Bama Theatre on Friday before the show, playing music and hoping to draw in the crowd to the event, which will include pre-show drink specials at the Bama Bar inside the theatre. The main event will last around three to three and a half hours, Brockman said. “[The lineup] tightens up the artists’ set so they’re not playing for two hours each,” he said. “So the audience is getting a package show instead of just one.” Also before the show, at 5:30 p.m., Shannon McNally and Grayson Capps will be performing an intimate live show at Oz Music on 15th Street, free of charge. “Shannon’s kind of got this Stevie Nicks style,” Brockman said. Based out of Mississippi, McNally’s style combines the

Submitted Photos Artists Dumpstaphunk (top), Shannon McNally (bottom left) and Grayson Capps (bottom right) will perform at the Bama Theatre tonight. classic rock she grew up listening to with the sultry soul of New Orleans. Her band, Hot Sauce, released its third album this year. Grayson Capps is an Alabama native, also influenced by the sounds of the Bayou, but with a style that is edgy and fun, Brockman said. Next up on the stage will be the Stanton Moore Trio, who

have been playing that funky music in New Orleans since drummer Moore began in the early 1990s. Ending the Showdown is Dumpstaphunk, a fivesome the New York Times has ranked the number one funk act to come out of New Orleans. Its members have performed with various great artists over the years, such as The Rolling

Stones, Dave Matthews and John Mayer. The setup is supposed to be a throwback to that of the Louisiana Hayride, Brockman said, the sort of underground music series in the 1950s and ‘60s that launched the careers of legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash. “We’re just having a big music brouhaha,” he said.

The Crimson White

HOMECOMING SPECIAL SECTION

Friday, October 15, 2010

7

Homecoming step show brings life to Foster Members of sororities and fraternities perform in the 2009 Step Show in the Coleman Colesium, hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Student Government Association. Tonightʼs event will be held in Foster Auditorium, and is the first event since the buildingʼs renovation.

By Kelsey Stein Lifestyles Editor kmstein@crimson.ua.edu In the past, audiences often filled the seats of Foster Auditorium for sports events, lectures, concerts and even graduation ceremonies, but the building stood largely unused until April 2009 when the University announced major renovation plans. Tonight the National PanHellenic Council will host its annual step show in Foster, the first event in the auditorium since its renovation. “We are so elated, so ecstatic about this because it really is surreal to be the first event to be hosted in Foster Auditorium, considering the history and especially as it relates to African Americans,” said Temani Beck, the director of NPHC events and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. “It’s really surreal when you think about how far the University has come. This is a huge milestone.” The show, hosted by comedian Joe Clair and DJ Serious, will begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7. Six NPHC fraternities and sororities will participate in the competition, which is traditionally judged by alumni from each of the teams. Featured performers will include the winners of this year’s Choreography Contest and Talent Show, as well as the University’s Rip Tide Dance Team and the TKO Step Team from Opelika. Beck is responsible for planning, facilitating and coordinating the entire show, with help from a committee and advisers. Though this is her first year as director, she gained hands-on experience as a committee member for last year’s show. “We expand the show every year,” Beck said. “Last year we had between 2,300 and 2,500 patrons, and this year we’re reaching for 3,000. We’re also adding new components, like

CW| Daniel Owen

technical capabilities to run short videos to introduce the teams’ shows.” Beck and others have been planning since late May in order to organize such a huge show, now an official homecoming event. The show’s theme, “The Pride. The Celebration.,” is based on the University’s theme, “Share the Pride, Celebrate the Tide.” Last year was the first year the Student Government Association co-sponsored the step show, which NPHC has hosted for more than 30 years. “Every year the amount of tension and intensity behind this show increases,” Beck said. “It’s so unifying, even though there’s always that rivalry and that level of competition.”

Because the show is so deeply rooted in tradition, many alumni and active chapter members make an effort to attend the event along with parents and friends of the participants. Whether you are greek or not, anyone can enjoy coming out to see the competition and rivalry between organizations, Beck said. “The fraternities and sororities you love to see step will be competing once again,” Beck said. “They will display their creativity, talent and pride on stage as they battle it out for the top prize.” Last year’s fraternity winner was Alpha Phi Alpha, and the sorority winner was Delta Sigma Theta.

The teams often begin practicing shortly after school begins in order to learn their steps, said Roderick Avery, a senior and member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. “It was definitely a lot of preparation,” Avery said of their victory. “We worked hard, night in and night out, sometimes staying up until 12 or 1 a.m. There were nights when we were sore and sweating, but it paid off in the long run.” Avery stepped for his fraternity during last year’s show and is returning as their stepmaster this year, a challenge for which he volunteered. Being stepmaster entails deciding which steps to implement and overseeing the direction of the show, along with help from the other team members. “There’s definitely more pressure this year,” he said. “I feel like we set the bar high.

It’s a legacy to uphold. My organization, we take stepping seriously, and we have a passion for it.” Avery said he expects more creative shows and tougher competition this year, but he’s looking forward to competing as part of his last homecoming at the University. “I’m ready to make history again,” he said. Teddy Phillips, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and president of NPHC, said he expects his fraternity to reclaim their title due to all the time they’ve invested in the show, their stepping and their video. “I won’t step, but I’ll be onstage,” Phillips said, not wanting to give away anything about the show. The winning fraternity and sorority receive $700, and the second place teams each receive $400. The winning teams will also perform on Saturday at the Alumni

IF YOU GO ... • What: Step Show • Where: Foster Auditorium

• When: Tonight, 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

• Cost: $20 at the door

Affairs Homecoming Stage on the Quad. However, money isn’t the only sought-after reward. “You get the first place trophy and prize money but also bragging rights for a full year,” Beck said. Advance tickets are $15 for students and $20 for the general public. All tickets purchased the day of the show will be $20. For ticket information, visit crimsonartstickets.com.

8

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Crimson White

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