NEWS Pepsi awards UA program for helping high school students
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
SPORTS Women’s soccer season ends
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Serving the University of Alabama since 1894
Vol. 118, Issue 55
SGA executive speaks out against Machine VP of Student Affairs David Wilson offers details on the secret campus organization By Will Tucker Assistant Managing Editor wjtucker1@gmail.com
SGA Vice President for Student Affairs David Wilson first heard about the Machine, a secret political coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities at the University of Alabama, even before he arrived on campus as a
freshman. Three years and two SGA elections later, even as he sits in a position for which he ran as a Machine-backed candidate, Wilson will admit that he has long had concerns about the organization and how it operates. “If you grow up in Alabama and you go to UA, you’re going to hear about it,” Wilson said. “I remember doing
research on the Machine when I was a senior in high school. It’s an important thing on our campus – you always hear about this thing at the center of our greek system, and I wanted to know what I was getting into.” Wilson said that during this research, he read and heard about how the Machine controlled a bloc of greek voters. He read online about physical intimidation the organization had allegedly carried out in the past against those who didn’t agree with its choices, and he knew from people he’d talked to that the organization
Wilson brought his questions about “If you grow up in Alabama and the Machine from high school to camyou go to UA, you’re going to pus in 2009, and after becoming a Phi hear about [the Machine.]” Gamma Delta pledge and First Year
Councilor that semester, had conversations about it when he began to express an interest in running for SGA office. He met people who referred to was real. the Machine as Theta Nu Epsilon, or For him, though, the Machine TNE, and discovered that the group became real – and wrong – in fall 2009, would go as far as sending text meswhen he arrived as a freshman looking sages to those who talked about the to get involved with campus politics. Machine in public telling them to stop. — David Wilson, SGA Vice President
Arriving on campus
See WILSON, page 2
Theta Nu Epsilon history stretches back a century By Stephen N. Dethrage Assistant News Editor sndethrage@crimson.ua.edu
The coining of the name ‘Machine’
The political group known as the Machine has moved in and out of the conversation and media surrounding the University of Alabama for decades. Attention to the group has even spread nationally – Esquire Magazine devoted its cover story to covering the Machine in April of 1992. Students and members of the UA community have dismissed the Machine as fictional, demonized it as a force of corruption in campus politics and shrugged it off as friends helping friends in the SGA. John Merrill, who ran against the Machine and won to become SGA President from 1986 to 1987, summarized it this way in 2005: “The Machine is a select coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities designed to influence campus politics. If you’re one of them, you can make it. And if you’re not, you can’t. And even if you are one of them and you’re not in the right house the right year, you still can’t.”
The Crimson White first published content regarding the group, originally known as Theta Nu Epsilon, 83 years ago. In 1928, the first accusations of political corruption came against the organization. “There exists or has existed a secret national political fraternity on the campus,” William J. Cabaniss said in a letter to The Crimson White. “This institution is called Theta Nu Epsilon. “It is admitted by the President of the Student Body that Theta Nu Epsilon was organized before the elections of 1927, whereby he was elected to his present high position in the affairs of the University,” Cabaniss said. “In the President’s own words its object was ‘to help the students of the University select the best candidate for each office that is filled by student election.’
Fraternities ΔX
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Delta Kappa Epsilon ΔKE Delta Tau Delta Kappa Alpha Order
The Art of Drinking Wine Sips n Strokes offers a chance to paint while enjoying a good drink
See MACHINE, page 2
Fraternities and sororities on this list were confirmed to be affiliated with Theta Nu Epsilon by two sources with knowledge about the operations of the Machine. All presidents were contacted for a response but either declined to comment or could not be reached for comment.
Beta Theta Pi
CW | Shannon Auvil Sarah Crump details her Christmas wreath painting at Sips n Strokes Nov. 8. For $25, customers at Sips n Strokes get a blank canvas and an art lesson with friends.
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By Julie Fry Contributing Writer In downtown Tuscaloosa, next to FIVE, is an art studio that has become a place of social gathering called Sips n Strokes. The idea of painting as a social activity is not new, as people have painted their caves and houses together for centuries. Vicki Meads is the owner of this franchise and her partners are her two daughters, who run shops in Florida. The franchise is based in the South, with one location in Wisconsin. The idea of Sips n Strokes began in Birmingham in 2002. Meads is proud of what the studio accomplishes. “A lot of people claim to have no [artistic] knowledge, but
AXΩ Alpha Delta Pi
By Laura Owens Senior Sports Reporter lkowems@crimson.ua.edu @laurako_O
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As the fourth quarter was winding down Saturday in Starkville, Miss., Alabama led by 10 points, but Mississippi State had enough time to come back. What stood in their way were the Alabama running backs. On the Crimson Tide’s last drive of the game, junior Trent Richardson took nine straight snaps, running for 43 yards, and sophomore Eddie Lacy polished off the drive with two runs, including a 32-yard touchdown,
INSIDE today’s paper
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Plea s
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CW | Margo Smith Running back Trent Richardson participates in Tuesday’s practice. The Tide will play host to Georgia Southern this Saturday in the final home game of the season.
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See SIPS, page 6
Crimson Tide prepares for 2011 Senior Night
Sororities Alpha Chi Omega
ninety-nine percent of people leave happy,” said Meads. For people who would like to learn how to make a painting, but feel like they do not know where to start, Sips n Strokes could be the place. To help break down the process, teachers Megan Neelsen and Kelly Magadan show the painters how to work from an image on their canvas. The image is different for every class. Sips n Strokes has a schedule online with information on each new picture of the day. Ballet dancers, roosters and Alabama elephants grace the walls, but what really stands out are the colors of the paintings of more nondescript images such as a vase of flowers. The colorful, loose paintings attempt to convey that the studio is made for fun.
P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-8036 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifieds: 348-7355 Letters, op-eds: letters@cw.ua.edu Press releases, announcements: news@cw.ua.edu
Briefs ........................2
Classifieds .................7
Opinions ...................4
Puzzles......................7
Lifestyles....................5
Sports .......................8
“It’s frustrating to not be able to play because you work to play on the weekends, but you get a nagging injury.” — Eddie Lacy, Crimson Tide running back
sealing the game at 24-7. Similar to the South Carolina game in 2009 when the Tide desperately needed a score and had Mark Ingram in the wildcat formation, Richardson took some of those snaps directly, plowing into the defense.
See FOOTBALL, page 8
WEATHER today Chance of Thursday T-storms Clear
70º/38º
61º/36º
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GO ON THE
ONLINE
ON THE CALENDAR TODAY What: Albritton Lecture:
SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK IN REVIEW Follow Tweets that used the popular campus hashtags #uachat and #uatweet for a recap of last week on social media.
Where: Law Center
Where: Room 205, Gorgas
When: Noon to 1 p.m.
Library
What: Vincente Molina Foix Where: 118 Graves Hall
Speak on Black Women and the Civil Rights Movement
What: International Coffee
Where: Room 324 Lloyd Hall
Where: Room 121, B.B.
When: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Comer Hall When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When: 3 p.m. What: Chocolate Festival Where: Student Activity Cen-
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Common Ground
What: ABXY Game Night –
Where: Starbucks, Ferguson
Continue? Featuring Playstation Dorm Crashers Where: Gameroom, Ferguson Student Center When: 7 to 10 p.m.
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calendar@cw.ua.edu
ON THE MENU LAKESIDE LUNCH Steak Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Hummus with Pita Chips Fresh Steamed Broccoli Garden Burger and Fries
DINNER Asian Pepper Chicken Pot Roast Braised Cabbage Greek Gyro Sandwich Caramelized Mushroom Pizza
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Turkey Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes with Red Scallions Spicy Chicken Lo Mein Apple Fritters Ziti Casserole (Vegetarian)
Tony Tsoukalas sports editor
Kyle Carey design editor Evan Szczepanski graphics editor Drew Hoover photo editor Tyler Crompton web editor Daniel Roth multimedia editor
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Hour
What: Xpress Night: On
Stephanie Brumfield lifestyles editor
John Davis chief copy editor
Used to Solve Problems of Living Independently…A Practical Approach by Allen Ray Where: Ferguson Student Center When: 11 a.m. to noon
What: Danielle McGuire to
Jonathan Reed managing editor jonathanreedcw@gmail.com
Tray Smith opinions editor
What: How Technology is
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Student Center
Victor Luckerson editor-in-chief editor@cw.ua.edu
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EDITORIAL
Taylor Holland news editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Fincke speaks
ter, Student Recreation Center
Page 2• Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Will Tucker assistant managing editor wjtucker1@gmail.com
What: Astronaut Col. Michael
Justice John Paul Stevens
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE:
FRIDAY
THURSDAY
WILSON Continued from page 1
Other people Wilson met, however, would answer his questions. “I had a friend of mine who’s older, and she was really involved in student government,” Wilson said. “She explained to me that there are two members from each house, and they go to these meetings and they decide who to vote for and they ‘come up’ and tell you who to vote for. [She said] once you get to campus, you need to start figuring out who these people are and getting them to know you.” Wilson said that conversation raised red flags for him immediately. “[She] wasn’t telling me to get to campus and meet as many people as possible. She’s saying you need to suck up to these few people and that will help you excel. And that just wasn’t right,” he said. As the year went on, Wilson said he learned more about the structure of the organization and how exactly it chooses candidates for SGA executive council, SGA Senate and homecoming queen. “They have the executive board…president, vice president, treasurer, etc., and have two representatives from each house, an older one and a younger one,” he said. “The older one is the one that gets to make a choice and gets to
MACHINE Continued from page 1
“In addition to these direct admissions from the President, there are other and possibly graver charges made by others who were either connected with Theta Nu Epsilon or who were directly aware of its activities. Chief among these is the accusation that the organization members formed a political machine which had as its purpose the election of its chosen candidate for each office, this to be accomplished by the understanding of each member to support and work for the entire slate.” That letter, published on March 29, 1928, was the first time that the group was referred to in the newspaper as a political machine. By the 1940s, the secret society was commonly referred to simply as the Machine.
The Machine Evolved Since then, the Machine has become a near-permanent figure in campus dialogue, and has been accused of questionable influence in campus poli-
Chicken Noodle Casserole Braised Pork Chop with Apple Juice Turkey Burger Chopped Hot Roast Bee Sandwich Feta Onion Spinach Rustica Pizza Two Bean Nachos (Vegetarian)
BBQ Pulled Pork Baked Beans Steamed Vegetables Chicken, Spinach, Onion Pizza Turkey Chili Harvest Medley Quiche (Vegetarian)
thinking…one day, if I’m ever SGA president, I’m going to fix this,” Wilson said. “I always told myself, what I’ll do is I will become SGA president, work with the Machine, change the Machine internally and try to get them to follow me and then speak out against it when I’m done.” For Wilson, that plan began with seeking an SGA Senate seat – with help from the Machine. “Have I ever received money from the machine? Yes. I received 50 dollars for my senate campaign,” he said. “[It was] delivered in an envelope, cash. My Machine rep gave it to me…and I knew who it was from. It said ‘David Wilson, Phi Gamma Delta’ on there.” The Machine’s donations to Wilson’s campaign didn’t break any rules, according to Kelli Knox-Hall, SGA Elections Board co-convener. “Candidates can accept donations from greek houses, student organizations, family members and friends,” she said. “They are required to submit Financial Disclosure forms that outline the amount of the donation and the source of the funding.” Wilson said that when he received money from the Machine, he reported it on his financial disclosure record. He said he used his Rising through money to purchase stickers and Facebook ads for his the ranks campaign in March 2010, the “As a freshman, I remember second semester of his fresh-
man year. He won. As a senator, Wilson said he attended meetings held in a Machine-fraternity basement and conducted by one of the Machine’s “downstairs” officers that served the purpose of party meetings – all Machine-backed senators would attend and be given instructions on how to vote on legislation. It wasn’t until his sophomore year, while serving as a senator, that Wilson began to realize that the Machine had a negative effect on the greek system, not just on independent students, he said. “I started to see my friends not get into positions when I thought they deserved positions, and would have won if they’d had a fair shot,” Wilson said. “I saw greeks not even get a shot because somebody literally came out and said, ‘You can’t do this. She’s going to do this, and don’t fight us.’ It was sad to me. It was frustrating, because these are my friends. These are people telling my friends, you can’t follow your dreams.” It was at that point, Wilson said, that he decided changing the Machine from the inside wasn’t possible. He decided to come out against it after a successful campaign for Vice President of Student Affairs – a campaign to which the Machine donated $100, according to Wilson. “I thought…maybe it might be better for me to go to my
friends in the Machine and tell them, I don’t agree with things this organization does and things this organization stands for as it stands right now, and unless this changes, I’m going to run in March and not accept the endorsement of this party,” he said. When he told them just that, Wilson said he experienced mixed reactions. “They disagreed with my viewpoints, but a lot of them agree. And a lot of them said that they agree with me, and I think that they’re really working to change… my friends in the Machine, they have agreed with what I say and they’re working to change themselves to do what’s best for the campus,” he said. Wilson declined to elaborate, but said that he has, at least once, spoken to a UA administrator about the Machine. When asked, he would not give the name of the administrator. Instead, he stated that he preferred everyone else involved speaking out on his or her own. “The greeks are smart,” Wilson said. “I have full faith and confidence in our greek system at the University of Alabama, and in that the people in our greek system are of the best and brightest, and in that we are ready to make our own decisions, and that we can. And that us making our own decisions is better than a secret political party telling us what to do.”
or another political group, if you lose sight of your purpose, then you’ve gone astray,” Wallace said. “Any political party that doesn’t have its primary concern to serve its constituents, in this case the University’s students, has lost its purpose.” Wallace noted that at the time he was elected, the Machine did not include sororities, and that their eventual inclusion gave the Machine a great deal of power. Their addition to the Machine came only one year after Wallace’s presidency.
University began increasing, sororities were invited to join the Group. Also, to offset the growing independent vote, more fraternities were invited to join.” Thomas said it was this expansion and growing independent apathy that allowed only two non-Machine candidates to win the presidency since he accomplished the task in 1976. “I take no pride in being the sole African-American SGA President in the history of the University of Alabama,” Thomas said in an interview this October. “It’s no longer a source of pride. One wishes for a more open and representative government. I was of course deeply honored to be elected, and was privileged to have that position, but one would hope that others would have had the opportunity. “Institutional barriers exist for all independent candidates, especially the lack of a continuing institution for independents, and they are looking in the face of an entrenched one for their opposition, which is the Machine.” Thomas said the biggest obstacles he faced during his election campaign did not stem from his race, as many expected it would, but rather his non-
greek status and the sheer power of the Machine to produce candidates and voters. “It’s like Tammany Hall or any other long-standing dominant political machine,” Thomas said. “The Machine is there from year to year with institutional memory, with financial resources, with a training ground and process to select individuals early and bring them through the system. An independent student does not have that institutional benefit, so typically, the Machine candidate is more qualified on paper because from the first time they were on campus there has been a system to select them and guide them and grow them.” “If you are an independent student,” Thomas said, “Unless you are a person of enormous ambition, as I was, and have a real understanding of the system, and know what one has to do from day one on that campus to amass the qualifications, you’re not likely to have the qualification or sophistication to make it through the process.” Read Thursday’s edition of The Crimson White for part two of this series, in which we look at the accusations of violence leveled against the Machine since its inception nearly a century ago.
say ‘this is who I support.’ The younger one can make a case for people, but when it comes to questions of who you want for SGA president [or] who you want for homecoming queen, the older one is the only one who decides. Each house gets one vote.” Wilson said 28 fraternities and sororities send representatives to the Machine’s meetings, an action referred to by greeks as sending someone “downstairs.” Machine-backed SGA officials – from senators to the SGA president – are referred to as “upstairs.” When asked, Wilson declined to name any “downstairs” officers involved with the Machine. The voting bloc of 28 houses is kept in order by a looming threat, real or not, of social repercussions for houses that challenge the Machine’s choices, Wilson said. “That’s not right,“ he said. “There have been times when a member of a house has gone against the Machine and they’ve said, ‘we’re not going to support anyone from this house for x number of years.’” All the red flags, however, didn’t stop him from seeking the Machine’s help at first to run for office – instead, he said he dreamed of changing the Machine from the inside.
tics, including the harassment of political opponents through verbal and written threats, burning crosses and physical assaults. Dale Wallace, who was elected as SGA president in 1975, said in an interview in September 2011 that the Machine endorsed his campaign, but it was different in the 1970s and has since become more concerned with its own power instead of the betterment of campus. “[In the 1970’s] its focus ensured that whatever was best for the University was always first and foremost,” Wallace said. However, as the Machine became more and more political, Wallace said, there was less focus on what its students valued. “There was a shift that occurred, in my opinion, as evidenced by the University’s enrollment growth,” Wallace said. “When this happened, the fraternities were able to gain the ability to send out significant numbers to vote. I think more openness is a good thing on the surface, but if you’re doing this not to back the best candidate, but to reassert your control, it adds to the whole idea of power leading to corruption. “Whether it be the Machine
Cleo Thomas breaks boundaries That year, in 1976, independent Cleophus Thomas was elected to serve as the SGA’s first and only black president. After Thomas’ victory, select sororities were integrated into the Machine to ensure that sororities, who strongly backed Thomas, would not be used against the Machine’s candidates in the future. “For most of its history, girls were not allowed in the Group,” The Alabama Chronicle reported in 1983. “In the 1970s, when sorority girls began posing a political threat and when the independent population of the
The Crimson White
NEWS
UA Math and Science Mentoring Program Wins $25,000 from Pepsi Refresh Competition By Ashanka Kumari Staff Reporter akkumari@crimson.ua.edu
The University of Alabama Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility’s CollegeFirst Adva n c e d Placement Mentoring Initiative won a $25,000 award from the Pepsi Refresh online voting competition. CollegeFirst trains university students to implement a Summer Advanced Placement Institute for high school students enrolled in an AP course during the upcoming school year, said Olivia Grider, coordinator of the CollegeFirst initiative. “Winning this award is a great honor, particularly because recipients were chosen through public voting,” Grider said. “CollegeFirst competed against thousands
of deserving programs across the country. The fact that the initiative received the second most votes of any project in the nation demonstrates the value of the initiative to our state, its children and future.” In June 2011, CollegeFirst hosted its second annual Summer Advanced Placement Institute for more than 215 high school students from six school districts in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville, Grider said. More than 70 college student mentors from UA, UAB and UAH led the students through three weeks of intensive lessons to prepare them for AP calculus, AP chemistry and AP biology in the upcoming school year. “CollegeFirst received $25,000 and will use the money to expand the initiative,” Grider said. “Costs include
supplies for biology and chemistry labs, teaching materials and staff.” Of the 70 student mentors, 40 were UA students who earned Honors oR New College credit for participating in the CollegeFirst servicelearning course, Grider said. One of CollegeFirst’s goals is to increase the number of Alabama students attending and graduating from college, Grider said. Students who pass AP exams are three times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not pass, according to the College Board. “This initiative provides successful college students as both tutors and mentors the chance to increase the number of Alabama students who will be ready not only to attend college, but to excel in college,” CESR Director Stephen Black
said. “The experience benefits university students as well because in order to teach a concept, one must not only grasp it intuitively, but fully understand the reasoning and logical steps involved.” CESR assists students in developing a distinctive definition of moral and civic maturity, making the values and skills of citizenship a hallmark of a UA education, according to the press release. “By playing an integral role in an innovative education reform effort, these students are also developing a sense of their obligations toward fellow citizens and a commitment to the common good,” Black said. To see programs CollegeFirst competed against, go to refresheverything.com/grant-recipients and see the $25,000 amount category.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
ON CAMPUS Safety Alert for On-Campus Residents Over the last seven to 10 days, four students have reported to housing officials and UAPD that an unidentified male has entered their room through an unlocked door. In each case, the male subject left the room upon being discovered. In the wake of these incidents, Housing and Residential Communities reminds students that the very best way to insure their personal safety and the safety of their belongings is to lock their residence hall door at all times, whether they are in their room or not. Do not let a missing key be
the reason to leave the door unlocked. If residents have lost a room key, they can submit a work order for a new key via this link on the Housing and Residential Communities website, <http:// housing.ua.edu/on_campus/ work_order_request.cfm>. Students can also contact their community desk for assistance. If students see or experience anything unusual in their residence halls at any time, they should contact UAPD immediately at 205-348-5454. To keep their homes safe, students are reminded to lock their doors at all times.
Deadline for Corolla Pageant Approaching The deadline to apply for the Corolla yearbook’s 76th Annual Corolla Pageant is 5 p.m. Friday. The pageant will take place Jan. 18 in Moody Music Building. To find an application or more information please visit the Office of Student Media or corolla.ua.edu
Searching for T-Town’s Best Dance Crew Local competition, based on hit TV show, searches for talent By Judah Martin Contributing Writer
Tonight there will be an opportunity to observe the talent that Tuscaloosa has to offer. “T-Town’s Best Dance Crew,” inspired by the MTV show “America’s Best Dance Crew,” will showcase dance teams of no more than five members who will compete in the Ferguson Center Ballroom at 6 p.m. According to LaToya Scott, an advisor for University Programs, the event was made possible after a partnership with the University of Alabama Ferguson Center, Shelton State Community College and Stillman College. Five-minute auditions were held in the Ferguson Center Game Room Nov. 9, but the teams have yet to be announced. “All types of dance are welcome at the event in an effort to expose attendants to a variety of
IF YOU GO ... • What: T-Town’s Best Dance Crew
• Where: Ferguson Center Ballroom
• When: Tonight, 6 p.m. • Cost: Free dance genres and culture,” Scott said. “The Ferguson Center, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College welcome all students, faculty, staff and Tuscaloosa community members to T-Town’s Best Dance Crew dance competition.” Eliza Adams, a Ferguson Center volunteer coordinator, was a part of the group who began planning for T-Town’s Best Dance Crew at the begin-
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ning of the semester. The group developed the idea as part of an assignment for RHM 385, an event leadership class. “It just seemed like something that would be fun,” said Adams. According to Adams, the group then contacted representatives at Stillman College and Shelton State, who helped plan the event. Students from each school will be participating in the competition. “We hope by opening this event to surrounding colleges, high schools and community members that it will bring the Tuscaloosa community closer together,” said Adams. “By entering the dance competition, students and nonstudents will have the opportunity to compete, to be a part of something they love even if they are not dance majors or involved in an organization for it.”
Free Photo with Santa When: Saturday, November 5th, Noon - 2:00PM Where: SUPe Store Tent on the Quad Tell him what you want this year (Besides a Bama National Championship, of course).
OPINIONS
NBA lockout an embarrassment for all involved By Wesley Vaughn @WesleyVaughn
MCT Campus
The Machine story never told By Victor Luckerson
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Editor • Tray Smith letters@cw.ua.edu Page 4
{ YOUR VIEW } WEB COMMENTS “Quit fixing everything except ten Hoor. That place needs to be torn down and rebuilt. Why focus on the outdoors so much when there are several facilities on campus that could use a major renovation.” — “EyeoftheTide,” in response to “UA releases new campus master plan”
“Itʼs sad what these girls are doing. They will potentially have careers and, most importantly, families in a few years. Nothing like having naked pictures of your mom on everyoneʼs iPhone or whatever.” — Eric Mitchell, in response to “UA students chosen to pose in Playboy’s Girls of the SEC edition”
EDITORIAL BOARD Victor Luckerson Editor Jonathan Reed Managing Editor Will Tucker Assistant Managing Editor Tray Smith Opinions Editor John Davis Chief Copy Editor Drew Hoover Photo Editor
WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Letters to the editor must be less than 300 words and guest columns less than 800. Send submissions to letters@ cw.ua.edu. Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published. Students should also include their year in school and major. For more information, call 348-6144. The CW reserves the right to edit all submissions.
In the one and a half years I have been the editor-in-chief of The Crimson White, I have never run a news article about Theta Nu Epsilon, more commonly known as the Machine, until today. When I took over the newspaper, I perceived that reporting on the Machine in a way that was fair and accurate would require an incredible dedication of time and resources that would detract from our ability to focus on other topics. Instead we turned our attention to more concrete issues that affect students’ lives—racial tensions and campus crowding last year, and block seating, the segregated greek system and misconduct in the Student Government Association this year. However, as we delved deeper into these topics, we discovered that many of them can trace their way back to the Machine—either through the direct maneuverings of the group to control SGA elec-
now. Individuals from all sides are working to fundamentally shake this organization. Such a change should not be allowed to happen in secret to a group that affects every student on this campus and, in many ways, every individual in this state. It is not The Crimson White’s place to attack or destroy the Machine through news coverage. As with any other story, our role is to provide information. However, when dealing with an organization that is powered by its secrecy, it is
Though the story of the Machine has been told in bits and pieces throughout The CW’s history, it has never been the story that exists today. Ultimately this is our University, our greek system and our Machine, and for all the legacy and mystery and intimidation of the past, we will define the narrative of the present. tions or the implicit sexism and racism it engenders throughout the greek system and the University as a whole. Many others have noticed the connection between this group and the social issues on our campus, and there is a building pressure to see substantial and dramatic change. That is what compels us to act
Any facts concerning the Machine will be confirmed by multiple sources with first-hand knowledge of the situation. Individuals whose names are revealed will be given ample time to defend themselves. I wish we could tell this story the easy way—the normal way—but as our staff learned during our coverage of the tornado, there comes a time when official statements from presidents and administrators cannot tell the whole story, and journalists must act to inform and strengthen their own community. Our struggles to confirm student deaths after the tornado taught us valuable skills about how to operate when there is a vacuum of information, and we will apply those lessons to tell this story. Know that there is not a single voice driving these stories, but rather a broad number of players. Though the story of the Machine has been told in bits and pieces throughout The CW’s history, it has never been the story that exists today. Ultimately this is our University, our greek system and our Machine, and for all the legacy and mystery and intimidation of the past, we will define the narrative of the present. This is not the story of The Crimson White attempting to tear apart an organization. This is the story of individual students and administrators making important choices when, for the first time in the history of this University, they are given all of the facts. If you can help us tell that story, we welcome your aid.
difficult to report in a traditional manner. Going forward, you may see names and facts attributed to the Machine that come from anonymous sources. We know that is asking for an incredible amount of trust from our readership, and we take that commitment seriously. We Victor Luckerson is the editor-inhave raised our standards for accu- chief of The Crimson White. He can racy beyond our regular articles. be reached at editor@cw.ua.edu
UAB football deserves a chance By Brad Tipper
ly denied UAB the opportunity responsible, the $600,000 a year to get their football team out of salary UAB was prepared to offer Let me describe a hypothetical Legion Field, an 84-year-old stadi- Fisher is quite modest by today’s situation. A family has two chil- um that is way past its prime, and college football standards, and a dren. The older child is the super- build a $75 million, 30,000-seat on- large part of it was going to be star of the family – a gifted ath- campus stadium for their football covered by UAB boosters. Keep lete, the most popular in school program. Their decision to deny in mind as well that at this time and always on the front page of such a large financial undertak- the board authorized buying out the local paper. The younger child is also very gifted; while just a Their decision to deny such a large financial undertaking is decent athlete, he is well liked not the problem with this situation; it is the fact that the around school, and mostly known board made this decision without an official vote of the for having the best project at the board and the proposal was not even discussed or on the science fair. Unfortunately for the youngest of the two children, agenda at the recent board meeting. their parents are much more fond of their older sibling. While mom and dad buy the oldest child brand new, expensive ing is not the problem with this the remainder of former Alabama sports equipment, the younger situation; it is the fact that the coach Mike Shula’s contract, costone gets the worn out hand-me- board made this decision with- ing $4 million, and offered a sixdowns after the eldest is done out an official vote of the board year, $12 million contract to Rich using them. Its not that the par- and the proposal was not even Rodriguez to take over as the new ents don’t love the younger of the discussed or on the agenda at the head coach. Now, it’s obviously unreasontwo children and aren’t proud of recent board meeting. This is not the first time a UAB able to expect the board to treat their accomplishments, but the oldest is their golden child and attempt to push its football pro- UAB’s football program on the the parents do just a little more gram to the next level has been same level as ours. We have a for the older compared to the stopped unfairly by the board. In larger fan base, much more suc2006, while both our University cess and are undeniably the cenyounger of the two. As the University of Alabama and UAB were in the hunt for a terpiece of football for the entire at Birmingham has come to real- new head football coach, UAB was University of Alabama System ize, sometimes it is tough being the first to find who they thought that the board presides over. But it is unfair to the students, the younger child. While both would be the best option to take UAB and our University are inte- over their team and revitalize alumni, players, coaches and administration at UAB for the gral parts of the University of their program. dJimbo Fisher, who was then board to act like the biased parAlabama System (which includes the University of Alabama, UAB working as LSU’s offensive coor- ents who favor their favorite son, and the University of Alabama dinator, was UAB’s first choice, while giving the younger son the in Huntsville), UAB occasionally and all that was left was finalizing unwanted leftovers. I hope the gets the short end of the stick the details of his contract before board will give UAB the respect between the two, with athletics he would take over the reigns of it deserves by allowing a public being a prominent example. In the the football team. Unfortunately vote of UAB’s request for a stacase of UAB’s push to build an on- for UAB, though, the board did dium and, in the end, at least give campus football stadium, it looks not agree with this decision and the kid a chance. like they’re going to be forced to claimed that they could not hire stick with our hand-me-downs for Fisher because of “financial con- Brad Tipper is a sophomore majoring in political science siderations.” at least a little while longer. While it is obviously smart and economics. His column runs The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees recent- for the board to be so fiscally biweekly on Wednesdays.
The NBA has built itself on some of the planet’s most athletically gifted individuals, has always boasted players with enthralling personalities that light up sports-talk radio stations and has successfully reached out to all corners of the globe. It has never missed an entire season dating back to its official creation in 1949. Until now, at least. After almost two months of marathon meetings between players and owners, the 2011-2012 NBA season will likely never begin. It all began this past summer when Commissioner David Stern claimed that the NBA lost more than $300 million last season and expected similar losses for the upcoming season. In response, National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Billy Hunter and players quickly moved to discredit this claim. The greatest NBA season since Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls had devolved into an offseason of financial finagling. Once the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expired on July 1, the NBA officially fell into a lockout. The owners have, through these negotiations, forced concessions from the players on most aspects of a new CBA, mainly lowering the players’ share of basketball-related income from 57 percent down to the latest concession of 51 percent. When the owners posed a 50-50 split ultimatum last week, the players dug in their heels by breaking off all negotiations Monday. Who gave the players this sense of entitlement and seemingly unfair split of revenue? The owners actually did when the last CBA was signed in 1999, in the midst of a lockout caused by Kevin Garnett’s gargantuan contract, which opened the door to misguided overspending on players for a decade. NBA fans will have a difficult time putting the blame on any specific group, but it will be easy to hate how this nauseating and embarrassing process transpired.
The die-hard fans that fill the arenas to watch this sport have been left out, forgotten.
The politics of the lockout have been as follows: big-market owners versus small-market owners, owners versus Stern, Stern versus Hunter, Hunter versus players, star players versus role players, players’ agents versus owners. The die-hard fans that fill the arenas to watch this sport have been left out, forgotten. The owners and players can explain the intricacies of their financial investment, but they too soon forget the financial and emotional investment of the fans. The fans, unlike the players and owners, do not pour time and money into this sport for a tangible return on their investment. We do it for the thrill. Whether it’s Michael Jordan’s late-game heroics, Dirk Nowitzki’s unstoppable barrage of jump shots or Allen Iverson’s orthopedic-stressing crossovers, we don’t see dollar signs when we watch. Instead, we feel that adrenaline shot of “wooo-wheee, did you see that?” Now that feeling is lost, in such a golden age of young NBA talent, too. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin – must I go on? They will all lose a season, a loss that could have been avoided. Neither the players nor the owners have taken up for the fans. Neither has even seriously considered the repercussions for those whose jobs depend on the NBA. Neither has considered the legal repercussions of bailing out on taxpayerfinanced arenas; the city of Memphis has already begun preparing a lawsuit. Both sides knew the CBA’s expatriation date and refused to even discuss a new one until after July 1, then waited until after August to really start talking. Though they act as if it’s financial life or death now, the players and owners treated their multi-billion dollar league as if it were a simple homework assignment. A couple of percentage points and a few headbashingly miniscule details have almost certainly driven the stake through the 2011-2012 NBA season. To make matters worse, the players have assembled a legal team to supposedly mount an anti-trust lawsuit against the league once they decertify the players union. Stern responded to this supposed tactic on SportsCenter by saying, “They seem hell-bent on self-destruction and it’s very sad.” Commissioner Stern, you seem to be mistaken. Your entire league has been “hell-bent on selfdestruction” ever since the Dallas Mavericks hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy. As the NFL quickly ended its lockout because America would cease to exist without Sunday football, your league kicked back and twiddled its thumbs. NBA fans already have to deal with constant criticism from casual fans – the season is too long and the players don’t try hard. Commissioner Stern, I and many other NBA fans would have given anything to respond to these gripes for another season. Instead, we have to explain how the league didn’t have a season.
Wesley Vaughn is a senior majoring in public relations and political science. His column runs on Wednesday.
Students will take on New Orleans Rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll Half-Marathon in early March By Allie Ellsworth Staff Reporter amellsworth@crimson.ua.edu Running a half-marathon would appear daunting to some people. However, students in the Honors College at the University of Alabama say running with a group of encouraging friends it is not only an attainable goal, but also a great way to get in shape and have fun too. The Honors College will be taking a group of students to run the New Orleans Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll Half-Marathon this year on March 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a great way to have community when you run,â&#x20AC;? Blair Baskin, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group organizer, said. Students can register for the half-marathon online at runrocknroll.competitor.com.
The running group will travel together to the marathon and stay in a hotel in New Orleans. Dinner will be hosted by the Honors College the night before the race. In the past, the group has gone to Nashville for the Country Music Marathon in April, but this year they decided to go to Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll Marathon Series in New Orleans in March. Rachel Hunkler, the coordinator for the group the previous two years, said she thought the New Orleans race would be better for most peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedules since it falls before spring break. The Nashville race was always right before exams, making it difficult for some students to participate, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had never run [a halfmarathon] before, and I was
The running group can also definitely intimidated by it at first,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it is a provide students opportunities great group. They are moti- to meet new people and develvated to go out and have a op new friendships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been able to get to great time, and without them
â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get up to eight, nine and ten miles it really helps to challenge yourself within a group.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Maddy Haddock
I would not have had the motivation to do it on my own.â&#x20AC;? The group is not exclusively for Honors College students, Hunkler said. Anyone can join the group and run. Students interested in training with the Honors College can search Honors College Half-Marathon on Facebook to join the group and get updates about upcoming runs and events.
know lots of very dedicated students balancing academics, extracurriculars and running,â&#x20AC;? Maddy Haddock said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming from out of state, it introduced me to the Tuscaloosa running community. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Haddock ran her first half marathon last year in April with the Honors College group in Nashville, only three days after the tornado hit Tuscaloosa. She said that
training with the group was invaluable and helped hold her accountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always run a lot faster in a group and wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dare skip a scheduled run, and when you get up to eight, nine and ten miles it really helps to challenge yourself within a group,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plus, as much as I love running solo, it gets lonely after a while. I love ending the weekend with a Sunday afternoon group run.â&#x20AC;? Group runs will be on Sundays at 4 p.m., and the group will meet at the lower Rec Center parking lot next to the pool. They will also have additional meetings to learn tips on running and how to eat well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finishing is an accomplishment,â&#x20AC;? Baskin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exciting and encouraging to have everyone come run with you.â&#x20AC;?
LIFESTYLES
Honors College takes group to run in the Big Easy
Page 5 â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Editor â&#x20AC;˘ Stephanie Brumfield lifestyles@cw.ua.edu
COLUMN | HEALTH
The best stress-relieving workout By Tricia Vaughan The holidays are right around the corner. You know what that means: family, food, andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dare I say itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;final exams. How the hell is anyone supposed to prevent gaining unwanted pounds while carbs are hanging around the house for nearly two months straight? Not to mention the inevitable stress of finals and the anxiety that comes handin-hand with extended family visits. With no outlet the tension builds up, leading to a Britney Spears-esque meltdown. No one wants a recap of that 2007 fiasco. To maintain some semblance of sanity, I have discovered the holy grail of exercise. Yoga, traced back to the Vedic Period, is a slimming exercise as well as a mental practice. No longer is it solely for the hipsters, my friends. Even celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Matthew McConaughey have jumped on the yoga
â&#x20AC;&#x153;To maintain some semblance of sanity, I have discovered the holy grail of exercise.â&#x20AC;? bandwagon. Before I gave it a try, I thought yoga consisted of folding oneself into awkward poses and producing odd humming sounds. I was wrong. Yoga will kick your butt, particularly (my favorite) vinyasa or â&#x20AC;&#x153;powerâ&#x20AC;? yoga and ashtanga yoga. There are many different types, but all involve challenging poses, deep breathing and clearing the mind of clutter. Besides providing exercise for the body, here are some other benefits of practicing yoga:
Improves breathing capabilities. Yogaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus on breathing helps strengthen oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to breathe, which helps performance during aerobic exercises such as running.
and alleviate some symptoms of asthma or other chronic diseases.
Increases ďŹ&#x201A;exibility.
Yoga requires challenging the body with new and versatile poses. If a pose hurts or is It is a source for uncomfortable in any way, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stubborn or proudâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;try the stress reduction. variation pose. Hurting yourself Slow movements, concen- doing yoga is embarrassing. The trating on not falling overâ&#x20AC;Ś stretching involved also helps you tend to forget your worries prevent sustaining an injury. after the first warrior pose. As a life-long practice, yoga promotes a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. Promotes deep The University of Alabama breathing. Student Recreation Center Yoga enforces offers, among many other exerbetter posture. Deep breathing allows oxygen cise classes, yoga at least once a to circulate throughout the body day (except, of course, on sacred Many sitting poses require more efficiently, relieving ten- football Saturday). you sit up straight, as if there sion and stress. Deep breathEnter into the practice is a string pulling your spine up ing might also lower blood pres- with an open mind and give towards the sky. sure, encourage restful sleep it a try.
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LIFESTYLES
COLUMN | MUSIC
Trio’s music makes you think By Trey Irby Sometimes it is extremely difficult to honestly critique music. It may be because you’ve developed a friendship with the people involved, compromising any attempt at a more distant critical view. You may hate the genre, the gimmick or have just heard one song too many times. But this may be tough because I don’t know thing one about what I experienced Saturday night. “Change Over Time 2,” a series of compositions by Peter Sloan and Colin Brogan, took place Saturday night at a humble house on 6th Street. The compositions were stark opposites despite both deserving the sub-label of “challenging music.” Sloan’s composition “The Problem of Evil” is bombastic with cellos, flutes, clarinets and a tenor reciting David Hume’s paraphrasing of Epicurus. Meanwhile, Brogan’s set held two brief pieces whose sole means of communication were piano and computer. The improvisational aspect,
the purpose of the name “Change Over Time,” closed the show when a fascinating interchange between Sloan on the piano/trombone, Brogan on a drum set and Jack Thomason on guitar. But again, I feel confused. I suppose it’s redundant to say I felt challenged, but it’s probably true. Talking with Sloan, Brogan and Thomason post-show does give a little more understanding to what I heard, however. “If you look at the conversation we’re having now, you can see the musical form in it,” Sloan said. “You established a framework in which Jack responded freely because he didn’t plan his remarks prior to being asked. And Colin had something to add to that, and it went back and forth for a while. This is very much how we operate as a musical trio.” All three were quick to point out this idea of musical improvisation as a conversation. “It’s just a different voice rather than vocal chords,” Thomason said. “You’ve still got to learn words to have a conver-
sation and you have to learn music to do improvisation.” It’s still extremely tough to explain what exactly this music sounds like, although I did like that I would overhear that studying and appreciating this form is akin to figuring out how to ride a bicycle or a similar human development. It’s not a natural development to understand atonal music and the work being produced by composers. “To explain, atonal would be music that lacks a tonal center,” Brogan said. “In music, we have a point where we reference all the harmonies and the melodies and we assume these things exist on a subconscious level.” The comparison is to pop music and the idea of work that requires brain processing being noticeably different. Again, I’m a beginner at this process, so I hope someone comments or sends a nice letter explaining this process better than I can in 600 words. My critical analysis beam must be broken. “I’ll hear some melodic moment,” Sloan said. “I’ll hear an oboe and think that it would be very nice if it made a certain sound. And then I’ll write that note down and put it aside and not think about it. When I come back to it, I’ll think as critically and as analytically about that moment that I witnessed in a nonanalytic way.” Perhaps “Change Over Time” hits at something about us that never forces ourselves to be challenged. I will tell you challenge is actually a good thing once I figure out what that is.
The Crimson White
Students ranked eighth in nation for StarCraft 2 By Lauren Ferguson Staff Reporter ldferguson@crimson.ua.edu Four months after establishing UA’s first StarCraft 2 team, members are surprised by the amount of success the team has achieved. This past summer, Vince Hill, team manager and a freshman majoring in chemical engineering, noticed that the University was not participating in the Collegiate Star League for StarCraft 2 competitions and decided to start up a team. “I had heard of Collegiate Star League when I started playing over the summer,” Hill said. “I decided to start a team and posted on forums and community sites. Several people responded and now we have over 20 people on the team.” Collegiate Star League consists of more than 250 teams representing different universities around the United States that compete in the virtual landscape of StarCraft 2, a science fiction real-time strategy video game set in the 26th century. The game, released in July 2010, revolves around three
different races of aliens, the Protoss, the Terrans and the Zerg. The game is a sequel to StarCraft, which launched in 1998. Hill said players are able to choose one of the three species to play, and none is more powerful than the others. Patryck King, a senior majoring in history said, “I play the game on a daily basis, and joining the team has given me a lot of experience and people to play with.” King said the team focuses primarily on strategy for competitions, and members play against each other for practice. Currently, the UA StarCraft 2 team is wrapping up the first half of the season and is ranked eighth in the country. In addition to winning the southeastern division, the team is undefeated 7-0 and will play against Arkansas this weekend. “I grew up with sports and love competing,” said Thomas Beutler, a graduate student majoring in computer science. “I don’t have time now to stick with a schedule, so this game allows me to practice in my free time and compete at the drop of a hat.”
Matches are best of five sets that last anywhere from five to 30 minutes each, and the team competes with interdivisional schools such as Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi and even schools in Canada. “I was a little surprised by how well we did,” Beutler said. “The team format is difficult because five players compete, but you don’t know who is paired up with who. We might not have the best skill set, but we are good at strategy.” In addition to glory, different tournaments offer winning teams prize pools ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Hill said playoffs for the Collegiate Star League will be held in May and will consist of single elimination style rounds. “I like the camaraderie of the team,” Hill said. “We are all friends, and teams that don’t do well aren’t friends with one another. We may not have the best players, but we have good strategies that have allowed us to pull through some gritty matches.” For those interested in joining the team for next year’s season, contact Vince Hill vwhill@crimson.ua.edu.
Open Sunday: 11am - 3pm CW | Shannon Auvil Amber Butler celebrates her birthday painting a wreath at Sips N Strokes in downtown Tuscaloosa Nov. 8. “It’s my second time here but it’s still just as exciting as my first,” Butler said. For $25, customers at SIps N Strokes get a blank canvas and an art lesson with friends.
CW | Shannon Auvil Above: UA graduate Caitlin Kirby (left) jokes with friend Sarah Crump while painting at Sips N Strokes Nov. 8.
SIPS Continued from page 1
submissions are accepted via email[mfjsub@sa.ua.edu]. accepting submissions starting october 17th, 2011. the final deadline is december 16th, 2011.
spoken poetry prose word
art
music
“A lot of people don’t have a place to express themselves,” Neelsen said. Sips n Strokes also visits hospitalized veterans, DCH cancer patients and children with special needs to teach painting because it’s part of the franchise’s mission to be a part of the community. Neelsen graduated from Alabama with a BFA and this is her first job out of school. She has really enjoyed it for the past two years because she loves people and art. In this environment, sweet things have happened, according to Meads. Twice in the store a boyfriend has proposed to his girlfriend in paint, on a canvas.
The first time Meads said the suitor painted “Will you marry me?” on a canvas and wrapped it, then asked everyone in the painting session to draw raffle numbers, and the staff made sure his girlfriend got the right number. She said yes. This style of art can be a special event for friends, but Meads says many people come by themselves or in groups of kids from school. The cost including art supplies is $25 Monday through Wednesday and $35 Thursday through Saturday. Alcohol is not essential for this art form, but Sips n Strokes sells drinks, including Michelob Ultra, white zinfandel, Bacardi Silver and red wine. “I think for some people maybe [alcohol] can make them more creative,” said Meads.
For questions, concerns, or to report potential stormwater violations contact the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 348-5905 and ehs@bama.ua.edu This is our water.
Let’s all protect it.
DOWNTIME
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2011
PAGE 7
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SPORTS
MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TENNIS
SOCCER
Barnardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early success continues
Page 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Editor â&#x20AC;˘ Tony Tsoulukas crimsonwhitesports@ gmail.com
SPORTS this week
THURSDAY â&#x20AC;˘ Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Maryland: 4:00 PM @ San Juan, Puerto Rico
By Chad Troyan Contributing Writer
Many kids play a sport when they are young, but not many can say that at the age of nine they were already ranked in the top 50 in their state for that sport. One person who is able to say that is University of Alabama menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis player Harris Barnard. Barnard credits his family for getting him interested in tennis as a young boy. He competed in USTA Junior tennis since the age of nine, and at 16 he was ranked No. 1 in the state of Alabama. In 2009, he won the 6A high school state title in the No. 1 position. Before deciding to attend Alabama, Barnard said the only schools he had considered were LSU and Samford. Since joining the Tide, Barnard has had an overall successful career so far. He won his only singles match of the spring over Eastern Kentucky at the No. 6 position, 5-7, 6-0, 6-3. He went on to win four singles matches in the fall, three of which were in the Crimson Tide Fall Championships. Barnard did not compete during his sophomore year but managed to be named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Barnard has not been able to see much playing time this year, but that does not mean he has not seen success. Barnard had a great performance at the Crimson Tide Fall Championships this year here at home. He and freshman Stuart Kenyon defeated Samfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles team of senior Joe
UA Athletics Harris Barnard Hunsicker and sophomore Garrison Laduca, 8-6. The duo then followed up that win with an 8-1 win over Boston Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pair of senior Rob Ankner and freshman Joe Davison. Barnard would add a singles victory against Middle Tennessee Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marlon Brand 6-3, 6-1. When looking back at his entire tennis career, he believes his biggest highlight would be a tie between winning state in high school for both doubles and singles and his first collegiate match. Barnard said that if he did not play tennis he would play baseball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a big step from high school,â&#x20AC;? Barnard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was pretty good at it. I played it up until I stopped in 9th grade.â&#x20AC;? Barnard and the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis team finished fall play this week and will resume competition after the New Year. The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team will then compete in the Central Florida Invitational from Jan. 6-8 in Orlando, Fla.
UA Athletics Pia Rijsdijk (9) dribbles the ball against Auburn earlier this season. The Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season ended with a ďŹ rst round loss to Miami in the NCAA tournament.
Tide falls in ďŹ rst round of NCAA tournament By Aldo Amato Contributing Writer The Alabama womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team finished its season with a loss to Miami (FL) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Coral Gables, Fla., on Saturday. The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second ever tournament appearance may have ended in double overtime against the Hurricanes, but head coach Todd Bramble said the best of Crimson Tide soccer is yet to come. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve earned the respect of many of the teams we faced in the tournament,â&#x20AC;? Bramble said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we sent the message this season that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a fluke.â&#x20AC;? Following what some players call a disappointing 2010 season, the Tide rebounded this year to finish 10-9-3 overall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We surprised a lot of peo-
ple,â&#x20AC;? said Theresa Diederich, a redshirt freshman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But not ourselves.â&#x20AC;? Diederich, the Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading scorer, said the Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations rose after earning a first round berth to the NCAA tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We played hard all season against great SEC competition and we made it to where we wanted to be,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But now that we are out, our focus is to get back in and further next year.â&#x20AC;? Diederichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teammates echoed the set of expectations set forth for next season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Setting goals,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Molly Atherton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is how we take the next step.â&#x20AC;? As far as goals go, Atherton said they are higher than ever. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to expect ourselves to make the tournament every year now,â&#x20AC;? she said. Bramble said the Tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stellar season would not have
been possible without the surge of young talent on the team, including freshmen forwards Laura Lee Smith and Pia Rijsdijk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our younger players really helped out in the growth of this team,â&#x20AC;? Bramble said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the team as a whole played great defense that really kept us in games.â&#x20AC;? Bramble said reaching the NCAA tournament brings a multitude of benefits, such as extra weeks of training, experience and recruiting exposure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything we gained out of reaching the NCAA tournament is great,â&#x20AC;? Bramble said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the best part about it is that it validated the hard work of our players.â&#x20AC;? With the expectations set high for next season, the Crimson Tide look to reach the next step in a program that is rapidly gaining respect.
FOOTBALL Continued from page 1
â&#x20AC;&#x153;[The wildcat]â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really fun because I really get to pick my holes, and I get to run the offense at that time,â&#x20AC;? Richardson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When AJ [McCarron] is out there at receiver, I tell him go line up right now, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m running the offense. I just have fun with it.â&#x20AC;? Senior center William Vlachos said the offense hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run the wildcat too much this year, but it was effective in that game in killing the clock and getting first downs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always fun as an offensive lineman when the defense knows youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running it, everybody knows that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running it with our Heisman trophy candidate at tailback,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were some
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While all the Heisman hype well-blocked plays on that drive, and there were also continues to follow Richardson some great moves by running around, Lacy said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a level head about it. backs.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not cocky,â&#x20AC;? Lacy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think just because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the guy,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over everybody.â&#x20AC;? For the game, Richardson rushed for 127 yards with one touchdown and had 26 yards receiving, while Lacy ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Lacy, who was injured during the Arkansas game with turf toe on his right foot, said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been feeling a lot better. Turf toe is an injury to the big toe, and Lacy said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not painful so much as nagging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frustrating to not be able to play because you work to play on the weekends, but you get a nagging injury,â&#x20AC;? Lacy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frustrating, but I just deal with it and go out and do what I can.â&#x20AC;? He gets treatment for it multiple times a day, in the mornings and after class. At practice, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limited and has his right leg wrapped from his foot to his knee. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also been wearing two different size shoes: size 13 on his left and 14 on his right. S-XXL Lacy said he goes in during certain periods to brush up and Ladies: make sure heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready for the weekend. Richardson said Lacy is back to normal in terms of his ability to run. www.theshirtshop.biz â&#x20AC;&#x153;More importantly, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back out there practicing so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Mon.-Fri. 7-6pm Sat. 9-5pm have to take so many reps,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out there helping me EPXOUPXO t catch my wind. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing pret (SFFOTCPSP "WF ty good.â&#x20AC;?
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CW | Margo Smith Running backs run through drills during Tuesday afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indoor practice. The Tide will play host to Georgia Southern in the ďŹ nal home game of the season.
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