The Crimson White - 4/3/09

LIFESTYLES ON-LINE @ WWW.CW.UA.EDU

Sundown Cinema begins second season Sunday

Coverage of Zeta Beta Tau and Kappa Alpha Psi’s forum on Southern minorities

Friday, April 3, 2009

At 7 a.m. Monday, football fans all over campus will roll out of their beds, log onto their computers and purchase tickets for the 2009 Crimson Tide football season.

11,000 season packages will be made available to students Monday morning at a price of $35, or $5 each for the Tide’s seven home games. Marquee opponents include South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU. Students will visit rolltide. com to claim their tickets.

However, they must register beforehand on the Web site using their CWID numbers in order to purchase tickets.

Registration opened on March 31.

“As an SGA, we’re anticipating tickets selling out in record time,” said Richard Byrd, SGA Chief of Staff.

Byrd said last year, student

tickets were sold out in a little more than two hours.

Louise Crow, vice president for student affairs, said increased excitement following the Tide’s successful 2008 season could lead to a record sell out.

Last year, technical difficulties involving security settings on the ticketing Web site led to some students being denied access or unintentionally logged off the site.

“Through working with the athletic department, we hope those problems will be minimized this year,” he said.

“We were very firm with the athletic department about improving that,” Crow said.

Crow said a lack of promotion about the date of ticket sales also led to student frustration last year.

“It wasn’t publicized like this year,” she said. “We really

See TICKETS, page 5

Portera named development director in C&IS

By Karissa Bursch Staff Reporter Neely Portera, a University of Alabama graduate and the University’s previous School of Social Work director of advancement, was recently named the new development director of the College of Communication and Information Sciences, according to a press release.

Portera graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, according to the press release.

“I’m excited to be back in the Neely Portera school where I have a degree,” Portera said.

Portera has other ties to the University of Alabama system, University — Malcolm Portera which is Alabama’s largest is her father-in-law. higher education enterprise, Malcolm Portera is the chief executive officer of the See DIRECTOR, page 5

UA weather

TODAY

INSIDE Today’s paper

Crow ends run as VP of student affairs ..........2 Kappa for a Kure run.2

Clear

Opinions: Puff, puff pass the legislation ..........4

67º/41º

Opinions: Your View ..4

Saturday

76º/54º

Sports: Rogers continues to build legacy.........7

Sunday

74º/47º

Sports: Rowing ..........8

Clear

Scattered thunderstorms

SPORTS Senior’s leadership skills give team a leg-up

7

Serving the University of Alabama since 1894

Football tickets go on sale Monday

By Victor Luckerson Senior Staff Reporter

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Sports: Gymnasts stay focused ................. 10

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

Vol. 115, Issue 111

Sun safety a key concern

By Patty Vaughan Staff Reporter As the summer approaches, students should be alert and aware of how harmful the sun’s rays could potentially be.

In the past 30 years, melanoma has become a key concern for doctors. Dr. J. Grier Stewart, assistant professor of internal medicine at the College of Community Health Sciences, said melanoma has gone up four percent each year during the past 30 years.

“Melanoma is the one skin cancer that is potentially fatal,” Stewart said. “It is the most deadly of the skin cancers.”

It is physically impossible to not absorb the sun’s rays during the day. However, students can be more mindful when going out into the sun for long periods of time, Stewart said.

“The most important thing to prevent melanoma is avoidance,” he said. “Stay out of the sun when possible, and if it’s

CW | Marion R Walding A girl walks out of Palm Beach Tan on the Strip Thursday afternoon. According to Dr. J. Grier Stewart, assistant professor of internal medicine at the College of Community Health Sciences, students should avoid extended periods of ultraviolet radiation because it can cause skin cancer. not possible wear appropriate clothes, tight weaves and hats.”

Ultraviolet light is at its highest from noon to 2 p.m.

Stewart said sunscreen may not prevent melanoma completely, but is better than nothing. Sunscreen can also

prevent other kinds of skin cancers.

The best way to watch out for melanoma is to keep an eye on your skin. Make sure to check any moles or dark spots regularly. If there are irregular or uneven borders around

the spots, get them looked at as soon as possible, Stewart said.

“Melanoma can move to other parts of the body and cause serious problems,” he said. “Young

See CANCER, page 5

All in the family Members of an Alabama all-women’s community speak to UA students

By Josh Veazey Senior Staff Reporter Deep in the Bible-belt of Northeast Alabama sits Alapine, a lesbian community whose founders have lived together since the 1970s. The community, established in 1997, has been featured in the New York Times and is the largest all-female community in the United States.

The houses in Alapine are largely selfbuilt and feature minimal utilities, and residents try to live environmentally conscious through rainwater collection, organic farming, composting toilets and “earth shelters” — houses that are built partially in earth and need less artificial cooling and heating. Two members of Alapine, Emily Greene, 62, and Ellen Spangler, 75, spoke

Photo submitted by Renee Wells Emily Greene (right) and Ellen Spangler, members of the Alapine lesbian community, speak to UA Honors students on Thursday. to UA honors students on Thursday.

CW: How did a women’s community come to be in Alabama?

Spangler: One of the initial three women that formed [the community] used to go to

summer camp in the area, and had aunts living up here. She said it was a beautiful area, and that was really the draw.

And these three women that did the initial looking around came from a lesbian

See COMMUNE, page 5

Tuscaloosa to host Air Show this weekend

By Drew Taylor Senior Staff Reporter Thundering jet engines roared across the grey, overcast skies of Tuscaloosa Thursday as planes of a myriad colors, shapes and models began practicing for the upcoming 2009 Tuscaloosa Air Show, happening Saturday and Sunday, at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. The twoday event is hosted by the City of Tuscaloosa, Northport, Tuscaloosa County and David Schultz Airshows LLC. The two-day event is free to the public. However, chalet seating can be obtained for $50 per day, reserved seating for $20 per day and grand stand seating for $10 per day.

Numerous flying teams will take to the sky to perform during the air show, including the United States

Navy Blue Angels, the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the Red Eagle Air Sports Team and the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demonstration Team.

Mary Weimer, media spokesman for the college of engineering, said that the college is sponsoring the Blue Angels portion of the show at 3 p.m. both days. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, first assembled in 1946, have performed in front of more than 450 million people in their 63-year history. This will be the third air show that the unit has performed this year. The Blue Angels are scheduled to play over 69 shows at 35 air show sites for the 2009 season.

Gates will open at 9 a.m. both days with the flying starting at CW|Babatunde Ajilore 11 a.m. Gates will close at 5 p.m. The Blue Angels doing a fly-by over the University during their For more information, visit tus- rehearsal. caloosa.schultzairshows.com.

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• Black Warrior Storytelling Festival — 6 to 9 p.m., River Road Park, also Saturday

PAGE Friday

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

• The Arty Party — 6 to 9:30 p.m., Hotel Capstone

• UP presents Sundown Cinema Sundays with “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist — 7 p.m., the Quad

TODAY

•Public Night Sky-Viewing Session — 8 p.m., Gallalee Hall roof, also Saturday

April 3, 2009

CORRECTION

In Wednesday’s article, “Marijuana legislation to be discussed today,” it was stated that the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act would make marijuana possession legal on public property, such as work sites or school grounds, for individuals with debilitating illnesses. Actually, the bill, House Bill 434, states the opposite, granting that “authorization for the medical use of marijuana in this act shall not apply to … the medical use of marijuana that endangers the health or wellbeing of another person … or any public property, including school grounds, public parks or any use of marijuana … for purposes other than medical use permitted by this act.” The Crimson White regrets the error and is happy to set the record straight.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Send announcements and campus news to cwnews@sa.ua.edu

UAEC Commuter Recycling Program UAEC’s Commuter Recycling Program kicks off today at various commuter parking lots around the UA campus.

The program’s intention is to provide off-campus students with the opportunity to recycle, said Elizabeth Gilbert, a coordinator of the program.

These commuter parking lots include the Moody Music Hall parking lot, the Campus Drive parking lot by the outdoor swimming pool, the Rec Center parking lot on 6th street, the soccer field parking lot, the Coleman Coliseum parking lot and the ten Hoor parking lot.

Volunteers with recycling bins will be present at each parking lot to assist students. Volunteers will be at the parking lots to collect recycling from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Another commuter recycling collection will occur this month on April 24.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Ultraviolet radiation is ultraviolet radiation. Students should avoid tanning beds.”

— Dr. J. Grier Stewart, assistant professor of internal medicine at the College of Community Health Sciences

BIRTHDAYS Today, Amy Allen, senior majoring in nursing Sunday, Nathan Cordle, sophomore majoring in business management and marketing

THE CRIMSON WHITE EDITORIAL • Corey Craft, editor-in-chief, craft@cw.ua.edu, 348-8049 • Phil Owen, managing editor, owen@cw.ua.edu, 348-6146 • James Jaillet, production editor • Breckan Duckworth, design editor • Robert Bozeman, assistant design editor • Marion Walding, photo editor • RF Rains, assistant photo editor • Kelli Abernathy, chief copy editor • Paul Thompson, opinions editor • Dave Folk, news editor • Brett Bralley, news editor • Ryan Mazer, lifestyles editor • CJ McCormick, assistant lifestyles editor • Greg Ostendorf, sports editor • Ryan Wright, assistant sports editor • Eric McHargue, graphics editor • Andrew Richardson, Web editor

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Crow ends run as VP for Student Affairs

By Victor Luckerson Senior Staff Reporter

diversity-focused We Are UA Day, and initiating the Ideas to Action program, which saw its most prominent success in the Scholarship Date Auction.

Crow said it was important to recognize that the achievements of student affairs were a team effort.

“Student affairs covers such a wide depth of things that it’s about getting the right team on board,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the directors and my assistants, there’s no way I would have been able to do the stuff I did. It wasn’t an ‘I did it,’ it was a ‘We did it.’

This is not a one-person job. It’s a team job.”

Crow said she was also proud of the work she had done to increase student safety. She and her safety team created a Freshman Safety Video to show new students preventative safety measures they can take on campus. She also created a lighting committee which found areas where the University either needed to install or improve lighting structures. Selfdefense was also expanded, with a new section of the class being created and a special self-defense seminar being offered during Homecoming Week.

“It’s not just reactive safety, it’s proactive,” Crow said.

Crow said because the student affairs post is so broad, she felt there were many other things she could have done. “There’s endless opportunities, which is both a blessing and a curse,” she said. “No one’s a superhero.”

Specifically, she said she wished First Year Council could be given more attention and mentorship. However, she said next year the group would be given more guidance under the leadership of the Executive Vice President, who will lead both First Year Council and the Senate. “They deserve that kind of attention,” she said.

She expressed excitement about Vice President-elect Tyler Valeska.

“I knew he was an emerging leader on this campus,” she said.

“Before he even thought about running, he took his Senate job seriously. Tyler shares the same passion I do about student affairs.”

In her last week in office, Vice President for Student Affairs Louise Crow recalled vividly the very first week of her job — she’d been faced with an inbox full of angry e-mails concerning the sale of football tickets.

“People were outraged they didn’t get tickets and livid that tickets were paperless,” said Crow, a senior majoring in public relations. “Our administration was kind of thrown into it.”

Crow said she and her staff worked throughout the summer to help make the transition to paperless tickets as painless as possible. They created the nationally recognized My Football Ticket online program, accessed through the ACTion Card Web site, which allowed students to trade and donate tickets as well as ensure that upcoming games were registered on their ACT Cards. The Web site averaged 16,000 hits per week during the season and introduced a new ticket system that was mostly streamlined and without issue.

“We didn’t choose to have paperless tickets, but we made the best of the situation,” Crow said. “We made it as student friendly as possible.”

Crow said her work on athletic services was one of her most important accomplishments as vice president for student affairs, an office she said covers a wide spectrum of student and campus issues.

“I knew it was a broad field,” Crow said. “I wanted to make sure in that broadness that I could develop programs students needed or deserved.”

Crow said she accomplished everything proposed in her campaign platform except for a proposal to have tailgating viewings in Bryant-Denny Stadium on away game weekends, which was deemed unfeasible because of security and personnel requirements.

Some of the student affairs office’s accomplishments included installing route signs and bus shelters at CrimsonRide stops, making textbook tags at the University Supply Store more student friendly, launching the

See VP, Page 5

Crime Report

MARCH 22

• Burglary 3 occurred at 9:55 a.m. at Rose Towers Compiled by Christy Conner • Burglary 3 occurred at Contributing Writer 10:38 a.m. at Rose Towers • Burglary 3 occurred at MARCH 16 4:05 p.m. at the Theta Chi • Theft 2 occurred at 5:20 p.m. at house the Student Recreation Center • Burglary 3 occurred at 6 p.m. at Rose Towers

MARCH 17

• Burglary 3 occurred at 10:20 MARCH 23 a.m. at Bryant Denny Stadium • Theft 2 occurred at 11:32 a.m. at Shelby Hall MARCH 20 • Theft occurred at 1:51 p.m. at • Theft 1 occurred at 12 p.m. at Graves Hall Bryant Denny Stadium • Burglary occurred at 3:10 p.m. at Byrd Hall • Theft 2 occurred at 12:14 p.m. at Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library • Possession of marijuana C Me Dance 2:10, 4:20, 7:00, 9:20 occurred at 11:59 p.m. at Burke Taken West 2:35, 5:15, 8:00, 10:15

Haunting in Connecticut

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3D Monsters vs Aliens

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Monsters vs. Aliens 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:35

Race to Witch Mountain 2:05, 4:30, 7:205, 9:35

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I Love You Man

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Adventureland

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Fast And the Furious 4

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12 Rounds

2:20, 4:50, 7:30, 10:05

Last House On The Left 9:45

Knowing

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Duplicity

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“On the Strip”

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Advance tickets available at www.cobbtheatres.com

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Key awarded Truman Scholarship

By Jessie Gable Staff Reporter Kendra Key, a UA junior at majoring in political science, was recently awarded the Truman Scholarship from the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, lead by Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State.

The scholarship, which is exclusively for students who will be going to graduate school to pursue degrees in areas of public service, will provide up to $30,000 in funding for Key’s graduate school expenses.

The Truman Scholarship will also provide her with priority admission into some graduate programs, Key said.

will be announced to the community, the Truman Scholar Summer Institute to provide scholars with internship opportunities and graduate-level seminars, and the TrumanAlbright Fellows Program to work in Washington D.C. at an entry level position for a public service organization, according to the Truman Scholarship Web site.

Candidates for the Truman Scholarship must be full-time students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, they must be juniors at the time they apply and they must be dedicated to being a change agent in their community and aware of the problems in their community.

Candidates must also want

“I feel like this is a tremendous honor, not only for me, but for the University, too. It really means a lot to see that this University has so many people that are committed to public service.”

— Kendra Key

Key said she plans on going to law school after graduation.

As part of the scholarship, Key will have to spend at least three of her first seven years after graduating law school working in some area of public service.

This includes working for the government or working for a non-profit organization.

“I feel like this is a tremendous honor, not only for me, but for the University, too,” Key said. “It really means a lot to see that this University has so many people that are committed to public service.”

Each year there are approximately 60 Truman Scholars hand-picked by the foundation from more than 600 candidates from 289 colleges and universities. The candidates must first go through a selection process at the university’s level before moving on to be candidates for the scholarship.

“It’s a prestigious honor to be awarded this scholarship,” Key said.

Truman Scholars have the opportunity to participate in several programs, including the Truman Scholar Leadership Week, where the new scholars

to work in some area of government or public interest.

During their time in college, all Truman Scholarship candidates must have been active in student government and campus-based extra curricular activities as well as having high grades, according to the Truman Scholarship Web site.

Key is the only Truman Scholar from the state of Alabama this year; however, the University has had other scholars in the past. In 2007, Adam Harbison was awarded the scholarship. Also, in 2005, John Phillips was recognized as a Truman Scholar.

In her years at the University, Key has started the Recycling Initiative, lobbied for legislation regulating the commercial tax preparation industry, and helped raise more than $40,000 for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, according to the Truman Scholarship Web site.

Key is also active in student government, interned for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently president of the Blackburn Institute Scholars.

Kappa for a Kure Run

By Brittney S. Knox Contributing Writer This Saturday, while thousands of students are nestled in their beds, hundreds more will be gearing up to run for a cause with the Kappa for a Kure run for cancer.

Kappa Kappa Gamma is hosting their third annual run for cancer this Saturday in which all donations will go to the American Cancer Society.

The sorority began the run in honor of their sorority sister, Carleton Parnell, who died a few years ago from the disease.

The run is three miles around campus and it begins at the Outdoor Recreation Center parking lot.

Registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 that morning, and the run begins at 9:00 a.m.

Admission is $20, which includes a donation for ACS and a T-shirt.

Ginny Byrd, a junior majoring in fashion merchandising who is coordinating the event, said she hopes a lot of people will come and walk in honor of all those who have been touched by cancer.

“When I participate, I think of how this is such an amazing

cause and how this touches a lot of people,” she said. “Some of the girls remember Parnell, and they are very close to the family.”

Parnell’s family was present during the event in years before, and they may return for this one as well.

Valerie Cason, a senior majoring in public relations, will be participating in the run this year. She said many of the girls in the sorority and their family members have participated in years past, but they hope to get more outside participation.

“This is one of our many philanthropy fundraisers, and it is an easy walk in the morning to give your time and money to a great cause,” she said.

She said the run is not competitive. Rather, it is just people getting together to support a good cause.

Byrd said in the past there have been about 300 participants, which included the sorority members and their parents.

“This is a great way to walk in someone’s honor that has been affected by this disease.

I’m very excited about this event,” she said.

The Crimson White

NEWS

Friday, April 3, 2009

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OPINIONS

Friday, April 3, 2009

Paul Thompson • Editor

Puff, puff pass the legislation Getting the facts about marijuana without positive or negative spin is a lot like trying to find an unbiased opinion about the health effects of abortion or a brief history of George W. Bush’s presidency without the words “fool” or “catastrophe” in it. I suppose the fervor stems from the countless after-school specials we watched as kids, the anti-marijuana propaganda films your grandparents saw (search “Reefer Madness” on google.com sometime) and the simple fact that people just like to rally against the law every now and then. As popular a topic of debate as it is, I hardly expected to see a legitimate yet poorly named piece of legislation — The Compassionate Care Act — vying to legalize the use of medical marijuana here in our fine, Southern, morally upstanding little state.

Opponents of any form of marijuana legalization usually present a few stock arguments — particularly, marijuana promotes sloth and turns otherwise productive Americans in to couch potatoes who would rather listen to Pink Floyd all day than go to work. However, to assume that a man who sits in his recliner and smokes a joint/doobie/blunt/so on to relax (or in this case, treat a chronic medical illness) must soon become a stoner mooching off society and eating Fritos while contributing nothing is, in a word, ignorant. By that logic, we should assume any man who likes to have a beer after work will very soon decide he should pound down 15 more and go home to beat his family.

Of course, marijuana, like most things in life, does have some drawbacks, though the people at NORML would never admit it (keep in mind, NORML is to marijuana what Fox News is to news). It has many of the same lung-based drawbacks as tobacco, though the relative severity is a hotly debated topic. As the famous girl-on-abike-at-a-drive-through commercial taught us, it also slows your reactions, though not as severely as alcohol does, supposedly. As for long-term effects, a Canadian medical journal reported “marijuana does not have a long-term negative impact on global intelligence,” though heavy-users showed lower IQ scores in the short-run. However, there is a vast array of medical articles both confirming and denying that result, so a definitive answer is still unattainable.

Really, as far as side-effects go, marijuana should follow the same rule as alcohol, food and over-the-counter medications: use in moderation. Too much

Matt Ferguson of just about any good thing is bad for you, be it smoked, drank or deep-fried.

On the topic of medication, you should also keep in mind the purpose of this bill — not a sweeping legalization of the drug, but provisions for its distribution to patients with debilitating illnesses. The act lists some of the conditions for which marijuana should be recommended by a doctor, including cancer, chronic pain and AIDS, according to legislature.state.al.us. So this isn’t a fancy way for people to sell dope to your kids and avoid Johnny Law, but is rather a means to ease the suffering of patients with incurable or debilitating illnesses via a small, doctor-approved dosage of a prescription drug. For that matter, even with its side effects, marijuana may yet be safer than many prescription drugs. Watch some late-night lawyer ads on TV if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

And if you’re worried about your kids getting any ideas from some pot-smoking, hippie cancer patient at the park, don’t be — the act forbids the use of medical marijuana on most public grounds.

All in all, this bill contains very little to get worked up about, though I foresee a wave of controversy and outrage swelling up anyway. There are far more dangerous prescription drugs out there that people have a much easier time finding, especially on a college campus. How often do you hear of people overdosing on marijuana as opposed to overdosing on prescription pain killers or on our favorite legal drug, alcohol? So let the guy next door suffering from chronic back pain light up and listen to Traffic for a while; it won’t hurt you a bit and you might actually enjoy the music.

Matt Ferguson is a senior majoring in chemical engineering and is the former chief copy editor for The Crimson White. His column runs on Friday.

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letters@cw.ua.edu

Be unique like everyone else Weird, as defined by dictionary.com, means “Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange.” I’m sure everyone reading this, and especially those who aren’t, have heard that word used to describe something they’ve said or done. Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it amused but I’m willing to bet, throughout everything, the word always stuck with them.

One afternoon, a few years back, I was talking with my grandfather. During our conversation, he asked me how high school was treating me.

It took me a second to think of an answer, but I finally responded with, “Well, you know, I’m liked by everyone, but I’m still kinda weird.” My grandfather just looked at me, smiled, and then asked me something I would never forget. He said, “Is there really

What no one knew, however, was the “weird standard” we were all held up against was almost non-existent.

Sure, I searched for what was normal and universal, but I never found an answer that didn’t take away who I wanted to be. Everyone has to have quirks and strange qualities that mold them.

Otherwise, we face the possibility of entering a feared society among the ranks of Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” or George Orwell’s “1984.”

How can one type of indiDebra Flax vidual be considered the norm, when not one persomeone that can be defined son is the same as the next? as weird? And if there is, who Hopefully, as college students, decides who’s weird and who we can look back and see the isn’t?” band geek, along with the I’d never thought of that cheerleader; the lone poet before. Being weird was just and the star quarterback a fact that everyone seemed are nothing but representato learn once they hit puberty. tions “of…strikingly odd or

unusual character[s].”

When you look deeper into the meaning and history of the word, you can find that “weird”, or “wyrd” as it used to be spelled, meant “Of or relating to fate or the Fates.”

What makes us weird predicts our future. It depicts who we will be, how we will live our lives and what we will contribute to our potential.

Being strange or unusual just emphasizes and enhances who we are as independent creatures. Are you really willing to hold back the pieces of your life that entitle you to individuality?

So the next time someone calls you weird, turn to him proudly and say “Thank you.”

Debra Flax is a freshman majoring in journalism. She is a regular contributor to The Crimson White.

What happened to the Cinderella?

This was one year I was so busy that I completely missed the annual filling out of the NCAA Tournament bracket.

Honestly, I’m kind of glad I didn’t. There are two types of people who fill these things out every year. It never fails. You have the folks who really sit down and crunch the numbers until they either can’t think any more or the daily Mel Kiper NFL Draft special comes on. The other group — well, we pick the upset specials so we come out of the whole thing looking like geniuses when Alabama State cuts down the net.

Usually, and I use the word “usually” loosely, as we do have something to brag about when it’s all said and done, but this year it didn’t quite go our way.

This year, only two teams in the Sweet 16 were seeded outside of the top four. It was kind of what you would expect looking at the whole thing on paper. At first, I was a little hesitant, but finally convinced myself: “well, at least they will all be great games”.

Much to my dismay, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Of those eight games, six were won by double-digit totals, including a

Ellis Thomas 21-point UNC rout of Gonzaga.

I hope you are all happy. Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking to you, guy (or girl) who just loves those equal-seeded games. You got what you wished for and look what happened: A terrible tournament … unless your team is still alive. Maybe it’s just me, but I think the underdog, or Cinderella team, is crucial to the success of a tournament. When we look back on past “dances,” we more often find ourselves recalling the teams that went from unheard of to national

prominence. I don’t look back on last year and say:” Man, hell of a year for Kansas”. It’s more like: “How about Davidson and that Stephen Curry?” After all, isn’t that what we’re all about here in America? We seem to be so fascinated with the “underdog,” but when it comes to the tournament, people lose interest by the masses.

The tournament almost seems like it wants a Cinderella team to earn its immortality on its very court. A birth in it gives new life to a team that was near done, another chance if you will. It’s this that makes every March so crazy (American synonym for “mad”). People who have never watched a minute of basketball all of the sudden find themselves life-long sports fans as UAB hangs in there only down by two with a minute left.

Just as the immortal speeches I dwelled on last week, this tournament transcends the game.

It sucks people in who never had any intention of watching; much less falling to their knees with tears streaming down their face as the 16 seeded teams climbs the ladder. When we lose this, it’s just not the same. The

spontaneity has disappeared; it’s too predictable.

I’m writing this for everyone, but especially to those who think they have it figured out when it comes to brackets. Sometimes it may look good on paper, but as we’ve seen this year, it may not be. These games aren’t just about the numbers. We seem to forget about the players on both sides who have no intention of losing when they step out onto the court. They don’t pay attention to the stats, so why should we? Where’s the fun in seeing something the way it should be?

All I’m saying is that next time you fill out your bracket, put your stats away and have a little fun. The results may surprise you.

The American poet and scholar Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Our spontaneous action is always the best. You cannot, with your best deliberation and heed, come so close to any question as your spontaneous glance shall bring you.”

Ellis Thomas is The Crimson White’s sports columnist. His column runs on Fridays.

Thompson right about parking

By Brad Hodges While I don’t always see eye to eye with The CW Opinions Editor Paul Thompson, his column on Monday, Mar. 30 about the recent leaps in parking fees at the University hit dead on. I have personally felt the sticker shock of having to pay increasing amounts annually (albeit tax deductible) just in order to

park to work as an instructor on campus. As a former student, I can only imagine how much more difficult paying soaring amounts for parking, tuition and fees all at once must deter qualified people from enrolling. Finally, Thompson notes that freshmen are especially hit hard, since they are forced to live on campus, buy a meal plan and so on.

In the past two years, the University has made earnest attempts to solve its transportation problems by creating and improving the CrimsonRide program. Further improvements could be made by integrating this bus service with the Tuscaloosa Trolley or by expanding further into neighborhoods around campus where students live. What’s

more, the University should also be proactive in lobbying the city to expand sidewalks throughout the inner city. Until then, students (and faculty and staff) who live near campus will be forced to park on campus.

Brad Hodges is an instructor in the University’s English Language Institute.

YOUR VIEW

How do you feel about the rising parking decal prices?

“ I do not think it is fair because I donʼt get the spots that I pay for.”

“In this economic down time, I donʼt understand why the University would put this on the students.”

“It is an assinine move by the Univesity. I would like to see a break down of where my money is going.”

“Not good for students who have to pay for it themselves. It is a lot of money because I have to move my car for game day.”

— Alexa Chastine, a freshman majoring in music education

— Demarcus Pruitt, a junior majoring in telecommunication and film and musical theatre

— Jon Croy, a senior majoring in music performance

— Kristin Bruns, a sophomore majoring in telecommunication and film CW |Norman Huynh

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Editorial Board

Corey Craft Editor Phil Owen Managing Editor Kelli Abernathy Chief Copy Editor

James Jaillet Production Editor Breckan Duckworth Design Editor Paul Thompson Opinions Editor

Letters to the editor must be less than 200 words and guest columns less than 500. Send submissions to cwopinions@gmail.com. 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.

The Crimson White

NEWS

Friday, April 3, 2009

5

Model UN team addresses international issues Kellie Munts Contributing Writer The group of students that comprise the UA Model United Nations team are getting real-life experience and broadening their awareness of international issues through their involvement in the world-renowned program.

The Model UN team is organized through the International Relations Club, a group that meets weekly to discuss current events, international topics and other pertinent issues. The club has had a presence on campus for 10 years and is consistently building its strength at the University, according to president Will Thomas.

The program is largely studentrun and is associated with Capstone International. Thomas, a junior majoring in economics and finance, has served as president for the past two years and will be stepping down to fulfill the role as head delegate in the fall.

“I was president this past year and the year before, but I’m stepping down because I think that two years to serve

TICKETS Continued from page 1

want to spread the word.”

By using Facebook, Twitter and e-mail, along with announcements during classes, Crow said she hoped the SGA could create a ripple effect that would let all students know about ticket sales.

“To make the process as easy as we can, we’ve provided written information and a video of the step-by-step process of registering and ordering tickets,” Byrd said. These instructions are available on the rolltide. com Web site.

Crowe said it was important for students to prepare and inform themselves before Monday.

“From here, it’s up to students to make themselves accessible to [the information],” she said.

Byrd said there would still be game day options for students who are unable to claim tickets on Monday for

as president is enough,” Thomas said.

“I’ll actually be working with others to plan the events and conferences that we go to, and will be fulfilling a lot of other roles.”

Through Model UN, participants have the opportunity to take on the role of key individuals in international relations and address issues that are being discussed on the global scene. At the conferences that the team attends, they work with groups from schools across the nation to build alliances amongst assigned countries and draft resolutions concerning the issues debated at the conference.

There are a variety of Model UN conferences the group travels to participate in. Participants are generally assigned a country or group to represent. In preparation, intensive research and studying is done on those countries in order to provide the most accurate representation of their individual policies.

“The key to Model UN is that it’s role play,” freshman Meredith Wildes said.

“You have to do research and really know what’s important to your country

whatever reason.

“There are always students who wanted tickets and didn’t get them,” he said. “As an SGA, we’re working to accommodate those students in any way possible.”

Students will still be able to transfer and donate tickets and get on ticket wait lists through the ACTion Card Web site next season. Byrd said the SGA is also working with the ACTion Card services office to provide a way to fill empty seats in the student section with waitlisted students after the first quarter.

The number of student tickets available has not increased from last year, even though oncampus enrollment increased by more than 1,500 this year. “[Increasing student tickets] is something we’ve been fighting for and will continue fighting for until football no longer exists,” Crow said.

She said more student tickets would probably be made available when the stadium expands in 2010.

DIRECTOR

Portera’s role as director of development will be similar to her role as director of advanceContinued from page 1 ment, according to the press according to the UA system Web release. site.

Portera will spearhead fundAfter graduating, Portera raising efforts and lobby for served as the manager of chap- and facilitate major gifts for the ter development and special college. events for the National Alumni Portera said she would look Association, and then served as director of advancement for the into expanding the WVUA and School of Social Work, according the area on the ground level of Reese Phifer Hall. to the press release.

CANCER Continued from page 1

people are not immune, and there are a significant amount of people in their 20s and 30s who have melanoma.”

Melanoma can also occur in places that aren’t exposed to the sun. However, if caught early enough it is usually curable, Stewart said. If the cancer spreads, depending on where it is in the body and how much there is, chemotherapy might be the last and only option.

“Not getting it is step one,” he said. “And catching it early is the next important thing.”

Tanning beds are also a problem with melanoma, as they can increase the risk of skin cancer.

It does depend on the length of tanning, the intensity and how

CAMPUS in brief

Relay for Life to be held this weekend

By Dave folk News Editor Starting at 2 p.m., the Colleges Against Cancer’s UA chapter will be hosting the annual Relay for Life fundraiser at the UA soccer stadium.

Kristin McDonald, president of UA’s Colleges Against Cancer, and chair of the Relay for Life here said they’re expecting upwards of 500 people for the event.

“Registered online are about 550 participants,” she said. “Throughout the day we should expect anywhere up to

often, but one does not get a “free pass” from using tanning beds, Stewart said.

“Ultraviolet radiation is ultraviolet radiation,” he said. “Just from a public health perspective, I would say tanning beds are worse, because they can be avoided and also they usually have a more concentrated dose of radiation. Students should avoid tanning beds.”

Stewart is not saying to stay out of the sun at all times but he does advise students to use extreme caution when staying in the sun for long periods of times.

“I don’t think complete sun avoidance is necessary,” he said.

“Just avoid excessive time in the sun, avoid significant sun exposure during the time of the day when ultraviolet radiation is at its highest, avoid burning and check your moles regularly.” a thousand.”

McDonald said UA’s Greek Week is also co-sponsoring the event.

Overall she said it was a good thing to get involved with for students.

“The event is really a way to celebrate all the money we’ve raised,” she said.

and what they’ve voted on in the past in order to best represent them.”

Wildes, an international studies major, explained that in preparation for the conferences those involved sign up for practice debates held at the weekly IRC meetings. Each participant in the debate is assigned a different country, and is required to debate with other countries and prepare resolutions based on the topic chosen for the debate.

Jessica Hetherington, a junior majoring in international economics with a concentration in world business, said the internal debates held on a regular basis are fun as well as informative.

“We hold internal debates, and that’s really fun for us,” Hetherington said.

“We vote on a topic and they study up on it for about two weeks and then get to debate about it at our meetings.”

Because different perspectives are presented at the debates, Wildes explained she has increased her awareness of international issues through her involvement with Model UN. According to Thomas, the International Relations Club has a wide variety of students at

the University, and for that reason there is generally an interesting balance of opinions and views.

“It’s not just a passive club, it’s something that you can see the importance and relevance of,” Wildes said. “I feel like I have a really good grasp of the world and an understanding of what’s going on around me because of the debates and what I learn at the conferences.”

In the coming year, participants and leaders of Model UN intend to continue to be involved in conferences across the country and will work to further participation in the organization throughout the state.

As president for the 2009-2010 school year, Hetherington plans to increase the allotted budget, which will allow more students the opportunity to participate in the conferences. Hetherington also intends to coordinate trips to conferences that take place outside of the usual itinerary of events for the year.

“We will be going to a Model UN conference in L.A., and I will be working extremely hard to take a group to China in the near future,” Hetherington said.

COMMUNE

Wildes will be working in a new position as outreach director in the fall.

Among her duties in that role, Wildes will be working to bring Model UN to more Alabama high schools. The Alabama Model United Nations conference for high school students in tentatively scheduled for November, according to Wildes.

“What we really want to do is provide a basis for the program so that students in high school have the opportunity to be involved and proactive in researching about the world,” Wildes said.

The benefits of participating in the organization are more far-reaching than simply having the opportunity to travel to conferences, Wildes explained.

Thomas said Model UN is a great way for students to become informed about important issues.

“Every student is welcome to participate in Model UN,” Thomas said. “Every discipline [and] every major is more than welcome, the only requirement is to have an interest in international affairs. You’re don’t have to fit a specific mold to be involved in Model UN, and I think that’s a great thing about it.”

neighbors are women and lesbians, and will always be — we’ve set ourselves up so we can mainContinued from page 1 tain that — but our male relacommunity in Florida. So it’s a tives, our male friends can come into the community and visit. long history from the 1970s.

made an effort from the beginning to get involved with community and do things, and they see us as a part of who they are too — hardworking. We really have good relations.

Spangler: The draw from most of us there is not because we’re separatist, but because we Greene: The community I came wanted to be in a community from to begin with, the Pagoda with women with similar values — that was definitely out there that we felt we could work on. as a separatist community.

Pagoda had a lot of people com- CW: What do the neighbors ing just to visit – thousands of think? Do they have any idea?

CW: What is your definition of family?

CW: Would you describe yourself as “separatist?”

women. These women were coming to relax, and be on the beach, and enjoy themselves in a women’s space. They wanted it to be a little more controlled. So it couldn’t be a situation where male friends and relatives could be in and out visiting.

Greene: We’re sure they know we’re not just little old ladies living out in the woods. I think they have some clue. And it’s fine — we’re not trying to be blatant with our lifestyle, we just want to be able to do what we want to do.

I’ve lived in Jacksonville, Spangler: They wanted a place where it was safe, where the Fla., then in South Carolina. police weren’t outside check- This seems like a great place. ing the license plates. And over Even though it’s in the state of time, it just evolved to more a Alabama, which has such a bad reputation — that’s not true. residential place.

Our neighbors are delightful, Greene: From my personal but we’re pretty much secluded. experience, I had a nephew I We’re behind a locked gate. loved to death, I had my sister’s boyfriend that I thought a lot of, Spangle: And I’d just like to say and I wanted them to be able — people get the idea of gated to come and visit me. We are community — this is not fancy. separatists in the sense that our This is an old cattle gate.

It’s rural people, and we’ve

VP

Continued from page 1 Crow said she and Valeska have met continuously and will continue to do so.

“This isn’t about me just handing him a notebook,” she said. “He can call me a year from now.”

Crow said she hoped future leaders would expand on the programs created this year.

“It’s not about reinventing the wheel,” she said. “Take the things we started and make them more accessible.

For example I think We Are UA Day can be even bigger next year.”

Crow expressed satisfaction with her involvement in SGA over the years. “[SGA] has been a part of my life for four years,” she said.

“It’s been the most impacting aspect of my college career.

If I impacted something or someone half as much as I was impacted, I feel like I did my job.”

has hosted the conference, Lahr said.

Some of the schools in attendance will be Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Georgia Institute of Technology and Ole Miss.

About 500 students and faculty from 32 universities, as well as industry representatives from the region will be present, said.

Chemical engineer- Lahr Some of the day’s events ing conference to be will include poster and paper competitions. Students will held today compete for cash prizes by presenting research. A ChemThe UA student chapter of the E Car competition will allow American Institute of Chemical students from each school to Engineers is hosting the 2009 build and race shoebox-sized AlChE Southern Regional con- cars that run on chemical reactions. ference today.

The conference will be held Joseph Lahr, conference chair for AlChE, said the event on the eve of the department’s is hosted each year by a differ- 100th birthday, Lahr said. ent school in the region. This is the first time the University — From staff reports

find in my own life doing a lot of things that I wouldn’t otherwise do, because I don’t have a man around.

Spangler: Ideally, I would like to see children raised by much larger than two people — by a village.

Spangler: Family to me is two or more people that are committed to helping each other live with quality in their life — living close together and kind of looking out for each other.

Greene: When you talk about raising children, there are so many people who are too young, or are not ready to have children.

So it would be far better to have those who really love children and want to give that energy to CW: Should same-sex couples be the primary caregivers, and be able to adopt children? let others interact in and out of [the child’s] lives, instead of Greene: Absolutely. being forced to be parents when that’s not where they’re at.

Spangler: Those decisions should be made on how togeth- CW: How do feel about our curer people’s lives are, not what rent president and Democrattheir gender is or anything controlled Congress? else.

Greene: I hope we will have CW: What about the idea that the chance to have civil rights. men and women, because they We’re one of the remaining few are different, reciprocate each groups that doesn’t have civil other and create the ideal rela- rights. I think [Obama] really tionship to raise a child with? has that potential. I’m thrilled with the Democratic Congress.

Greene: I don’t find that there I don’t think we’d move as far needs to be a set role of “you as we need to with a Republican have to have a man do this” and Congress. I know they say “you have to have a woman to “Checks and balances,” but do that.” So I don’t feel like you we’ve had too much of the other have to have that reciprocal. I one [laughs].

EATING

also have a smattering of ice cream choices and cake, but to be honest, I have never tried Continued from page 6 those. Drinks range from coffee Plans in one visit to the register and juices to the typical founas well as guest Meal Plans if tain drinks, milk and bottled they’re feeling especially hun- water. All in all, a typical grill offering. gry.

Food quality And while there will probably never be any Weight-Watchers As I said before, Weightmeetings held here, Lakeside Diner still holds a special place Watchers will probably want to avoid the Diner, and vegetarin my heart. ians won’t find much to munch on here. The food leans more to Atmosphere the greasy side and can range The sounds of students chat- from good/decent to stuff I perting, food grilling and televi- sonally wouldn’t want to try sions playing anything from one again. T. People that read my to three different channels can Burke review will recall that I quickly overwhelm the limited enjoy the junky foods I can find space of the diner. Fortunately, consistently in good taste, such as the meals usually come in as hot dogs or chicken tenders. something that can be used It may not be the healthiest food as a to-go box or bag, one can around, but it’s dependable and change venues easily. The vol- good for the late night hunger ume was a problem back when pangs. they shouted your name, but The good they’ve amended that recently by calling out numbers instead.

Decent consistency in food Still, the bustle is the life of the quality is a major plus here. place.

Really, the best factor about the Diner is its hours. Being Service the only place on campus open The food is cooked with rela- from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. to accept tive speed, and the popular Meal Plans (and a far more chicken tenders combo is often suggestible place to visit from pre-packaged. Drinks are given 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. than its downthe moment you order and pay stairs neighbor), it has saved (though you may drink it all me from numerous attempts to before you get your food), and go to bed on an empty stomach no one I’ve ever met working after a late night at work. there has seemed unfriendly.

The bad For a diner, the service is decently efficient and works It’s kind of messy at times, well. and the crowd can be a real downer. Around 12 to 1 a.m., the Selection place fills to the brim and you Selection here is limited pret- may be standing there for quite ty much to what can be cooked some time. The Meal Plans are on a grill. Their breakfasts cheapened here, ranging from include standards like waffles, $8.48 to around $3 in worth, so grits, eggs, omelets, meats and it may be better for you to use biscuits. For the other foods, Dining Dollars if you still have they have burgers, chicken, them. grilled cheese and philly steaks.

They also have a selection of Bottom line “specials,” not payable through Convenient when you’re hunMeal Plans, that include cheese gry and just need something nachos and fries with or with- to eat. out meat, chili dogs, hot ham and Swiss and hot wings. They Grade: 86 (out of 100)

ARTY

Continued from page 6

“Members of the Board are enthusiastic about supporting the College’s fine and performing arts faculty and students,” Florence said, “[Board members] work very hard to make this event successful financially as well as to raise the visibility and appreciation of those programs in the community.”

The Arty Party begins tonight at 6. Individual tickets for the fundraiser are $150 and are available through the Arts and Sciences Leadership Board. The deadline for reservations has passed, but Florence said the Board may continue to sell tickets.

SUNDOWN Continued from page 6

UP began the program last spring to bring together a diverse group of students through movies, “something everyone can enjoy,” she said.

Last spring, nearly 400 students attended each showing.

“The crowd was so big for the first movie that we had to go back and order food two more times, but it was great,” she said. “We were really excited to see that people enjoy what we do.”

RHA has contributed by helping fund the publicity efforts and providing volunteers, said Steven Scaife, RHA programming committee chairman and a freshman majoring in political science.

“Our SGA is all about getting members of different residence halls together to create a sense of unity on campus,” Scaife said.

LIFESTYLES

Friday, April 3, 2009

Ryan Mazer • Editor

Sundown Cinema starts screenings

By Kelsey Stein Senior Lifestyles Reporter

Man” on April 19 and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” on April 26. Food The second year of Sundown and drinks will be provided, Cinema Sundays will kick off including pizza and popcorn. this Sunday at 7 p.m. with a “I think that after a long showing of “Nick and Norah’s week of classes and then Infinite Playlist” on the Quad. hanging out with friends on University Programs and Friday and Saturday night, the Residence Hall Association students look for a way to co-sponsor the program, wind down before starting which will run throughout the it all over again,” said UP month of April.

Film Director Rachel Kelly.

The other showings will be “Sundown Cinema Sundays is “Twilight” on April 12, “Yes the perfect way to do that.”

If you go...

• What: “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Where: The Quad See CINEMA, page 5

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By Jessica Cheek Lifestyles Reporter The sixth annual Arty Party, a fundraiser event organized by the College of Arts and Sciences, will take place tonight at Hotel Capstone. Around 30 students are working or performing at the event, whose purpose is to raise money for scholarships and support the University’s fine and performing arts programs.

This year’s theme is “Act Out” in support of the Department of Theatre and Dance. Activities for the evening include dinner, a silent auction, a live auction and performances by UA theatre students—individuals will sing pieces before the event begins and a group of students will perform “One” from the musical “A Chorus Line” during the benefit.

“While the live auction is fun, I think the patrons enjoy most seeing the students perform,” said Rebecca Florence, director of college relations and

associate director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences. “That is, after all, why we have the Arty Party, to support students in the fine and performing arts.”

Theatre students also helped by creating lamps out of old theatre props that will be auctioned at the fundraiser. Other UA and theatre-themed auction items include lunch with Eli Gold and Tom Roberts, a trip to New York City to see a Broadway show, a chance to ride in next year’s Homecoming Parade and a road trip to a football game with the Million Dollar Band. A full list of the auction items can be viewed at as.ua.edu/artyparty.

Many of the items are expensive, but not all patrons will have to spend thousands of dollars to participate in the auctions.

“We have over 60 auction items and the price can range from $10 to thousands. There is something for everyone,” she said.

The Fine Arts Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Board started the Arty Party six years ago to raise support for the college’s arts programs—creative writing, visual art, dance, theatre and music. Over the past six years the benefit has raised more than $150,000 for these departments.

“We have been successful,” Florence said. “We hope to see an increase in attendance every year.”

The Arts and Sciences Leadership Board is composed of almost 150 alumni and friends of the University who show their support by committing their time, effort and yearly dues to the College of Arts and Sciences. The Leadership Board meets throughout the year to plan the Arty Party with some members driving from Birmingham to participate in the benefit’s organization.

See ARTY, page 5

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After a very roundabout tour of the Meal Plan-accepting campus eateries, I’ve finally come full circle and returned to the beginning. In the same building as Lakeside Dining Hall, on the upper floor, rests Lakeside Diner, open every day from 5

p.m. to 3 a.m. As the diner categorization suggests, this location offers quick food, cooked while you sit at the bar or nearby tables and wait.

Older UA students will remember that it took the place of the famed 24-hour Diner at Paty Hall. While it may not be a 24-hour diner, the food remains similar and the

hungry students still awake after midnight can go there to get something to settle their munchies. It has breakfast and lunch/dinner food available all day, and students can use two regular Meal Plans in one visit to the register as well as guest Meal

See EATING, page 5

The Crimson White

SPORTS

Friday, April 3, 2009

7

SOFTBALL

Rogers continues to build leadership legacy saying ‘by the time she gradu- kid. She hasn’t disappointed ates, she could run for mayor anyone.” and win.’ And she could do Rogers will be honored that because she’s that nice a Saturday when Alabama hosts

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and runs with it. It’s such a blessing to be here.”

Rogers’ production over her collegiate career has put her in The Alabama softball team a class above the rest. Rogers is off to a 28-6 record heading joins Kretschman as the only into competition against No. 6 players at Alabama to ever Georgia this weekend. A large record 300 hits, 200 runs and part of the Tide’s success has 100 stolen bases. been due to the leadership of Yet, while her statistics are senior centerfielder Brittany impressive, Murphy praises Rogers. the way Rogers has displayed “She does so many things I great leadership during her don’t even know about,” head tenure. coach Patrick Murphy said. “Off “She is the epitome of a the field, she is helping people student-athlete,” Murphy said. with problems. I think that, to “She’s the first softball player to me, is the sign of a really good be the president of the Student leader. She takes care of the Athlete Advisory Board. She’s problems that don’t involve a the Alabama female nominee coaching staff. She just does so for the Boyd McWhortor postmany things that benefit everygraduate scholarship, which one.” the highest honor an SEC athRogers has been the leading lete can get. And now she is a force behind Alabama’s strong finalist for the Lowe’s Senior start as well as the team’s CLASS Award.” mental focus. A three-time Tuesday, Rogers was All-American, Rogers could announced as one of 10 finalists potentially become a four-time for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award that rewards studentathletes on four criteria: classroom, community, character and competition.

Murphy has also seen the impact Rogers has made in helping the younger players.

She is seen as a role model to several of the freshmen players, including Jennifer Fenton, who expressed the positive influence Rogers’ has made on her.

“She’s been great,” Fenton said. “She’s always helping us, encouraging us, giving us tips of things that helped her in the past. She’s just been a great leader. We always go over to her house and hang out and watch movies. If we need help with our schoolwork, she’s always there to help us. She’s great on and off the field.”

As the season progresses, Rogers’ place in Alabama softball history will only continue to grow. Murphy has seen Rogers develop to become a strong leader since her freshUA Athletics man year.

“There’s an article from her Senior Brittany Rogers comes in to catch a fly ball. Alabama will freshman year,” Murphy said. hold Brittany Rogers day Saturday when they take on Georgia “In the article I was quoted as in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. recipient this season, an honor only achieved by two other Tide players in the program’s history.

“It’s a special honor here,” Murphy said. “We have had two kids do it before: Kelly Kretschman, a two-time Olympian, and Jackie McLain, who is also a four-timer. It’s a rarity because this is the 13th year. I know she would trade all those in for a national championship for the team.”

While the rest of the team and the coaching staff may take notice of the possibility of Rogers receiving the honor, the senior has more important things on her mind.

“To be honest, it’s not something I usually think about,” Rogers said. “My goal this year is to be a good teammate and do whatever I can to help my teammates out. That’s the cool thing about this team; everybody embraces that concept

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8 Friday, April 3, 2009

SPORTS

The Crimson White

WOMEN’S ROWING

Tide hosts SMU, UNC in regatta

By Laura Owens Contributing Writer The Alabama women’s rowing team takes on SMU and the North Carolina in the final home regatta of the season on the Black Warrior River this weekend. This is their fourth event of the spring season.

To start their season, they’ve already faced tough, ranked opponents such as Tennessee and Clemson. Altough the Tide’s team is still relatively new, head coach Larry Davis has scheduled such hard regattas in order to challenge his young team.

“One of the things that we’re trying to get across to our girls is how tough and tight the competition is,” Davis said. “You’re going to see in the top crews, they’re within a 10th of a second. To be able to compete at that level, there’s no room for error. You have to do everything just right in the race.”

Even with the tough races to start the season, the team has done very well in the competitions. The first novice boat, or the freshman boat, has been competing exceptionally well.

They have already won two of three races against Clemson

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Overall, the schedule for the spring is stacked with tough opponents. Although the wins-losses column may not look as successful as previous seasons, the team’s improvement is still noticeable.

“Last year we had a good dual season,” senior Stacey Ogle said. “We were moving forward in level of competition. This year we’ve moved to the next step so we’re not winning as much we’re still moving up in performance level and starting to improve so I think we’re having a strong season.”

Alabama is also building off of a good fall season. Even with the race types different from fall to spring, the Tide was able to race against teams they’ll face again. Having that experience gave the team a good foundation to build from.

The constant goal the team strives for is to continue moving up in the rankings, despite the fact that the program

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Davis knows it may take many seasons to achieve, but he also knows it’s in the team’s future somewhere.

“We still are on track for the kind of improvement in the quality of our program that we’re looking to have,” he said. “We still have a way to go to be a top 25 team. Our goal is to see if we can break out of the 40s and get into the

30s this year. If we did that, it would be a nice step.”

Although the schedule this spring will be harder for Alabama, as long as they keep the same goal and work hard, they’ll be able to come out with a successful season.

“You’ve got to put it on the line every single day,” Ogle said. “It’s not just race day, it’s every day we’re on the water.

We all have to be focused on

that. If two or three people have the goal of being the best, you’re not going to get that. You need constant goal setting as a group. It’s being able to put forth what it takes to win every single time.”

This weekend’s regatta includes more than just the race with an art festival and the Black Warrior Storytelling Festival set up along the river for fans to participate in.

player who performed according to expectations was sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones, who tallied five receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown to lead the production among receivers.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker Rolando McClain continues to cement his status as the star of the Tide’s stiff defense, racking up 10 tackles, two INTs and two sacks in the scrimmage. “[McClain] had a really good scrimmage,” Saban said.

Turnovers were plentiful for the Tide defenders, who picked off six passes on the day. In addition to McClain, senior defensive back Tyrone King nabbed two, while

sophomore Robby Green and senior Justin Woodall grabbed one apiece.

“We got some turnovers on defense, which is probably good for the most part,” Saban said. “I don’t think there’s any question that the defense is a little ahead.”

Saban called the scrimmage “not disappointing” and seemed pleased by the performance of the first teams on offense and defense, as well as the progress of several underclassmen. He cited Michael Williams, Tyler Love and John Michael Boswell as first year players who had shown improvement over the course of the spring.

“Obviously, any time you have a scrimmage, it’s a great

QB Battle Passing: Greg McElroy: 22 for 33, 214 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT Star Jackson: 6 for 16, 25 yards, 1 INT

time to evaluate players in terms of can they execute … individually and collectively,” Saban said.

Alabama will conduct the eighth practice of their spring schedule this Friday. All practices are closed to the public.

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SPORTS

Friday, April 3, 2009

Greg Ostendorf • Editor

10

crimsonwhitesports@gmail.com

GYMNASTICS

Team staying focused on the present Tide ready for tomorrow’s regional meet

By Jason Galloway Senior Sports Reporter The Alabama gymnastics team recently captured a championship from the best conference in the country, has advanced to nationals each of the past 26 years and the Crimson Tide’s biggest competition at Saturday’s Northeast Regional (No. 9 Oklahoma) already lost in Coleman Coliseum this season.

Those are the facts. Nobody expects Alabama to lose on Saturday.

The problem is, nobody expected Georgia to lose the SEC Championship two weeks ago either, but when two falls on the balance beam forced the Bulldogs to etch a horrifying 48.6 on their scorecard in the first rotation, the unexpected happened.

A couple miscues in the sport of gymnastics can ruin a team, and head coach Sarah Patterson said Alabama cannot go into the regional meet expecting to run over the competition. “No team can come out and have an off night and expect to

win,� she said.

No. 3 Alabama will host Saturday’s Northeast Regional in Coleman Coliseum as the region’s top seed, with No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 15 Missouri, Central Michigan, New Hampshire and Maryland filling in seeds 2-6 respectively.

Six region meets are placed in different spots around the country, with the top two finishers from each region advancing to nationals in Lincoln, Neb., April 16-18.

Junior All-American Morgan Dennis, a 2008 regional champion in the vault, floor exercise and all around, admitted it can be difficult to not look ahead to

nationals when the competition seems inferior. “It’s kind of hard for some of the upperclassmen who have been there before,� she said. “For some of us who have been to nationals before, we kind of look at it as an easy meet because the teams aren’t that competitive, but we just have to stay focused and know that we really need to get through this meet.�

Although the Tide only needs a second-place finish against this field to secure a spot at nationals, a slip up could still end Alabama’s season. Earlier this year, the Tide defeated Oklahoma by two tenths of a point, the same margin

Oklahoma beat Missouri by in the Big 12 Championship two weeks ago.

Sophomore All-American Kayla Hoffman said coming off an emotional win at the SEC Championships can also be a factor in trying to focus for this meet. “It’s hard not to look back on SECs because that was a really exciting time for us,� she said. “We have to put the past aside.

The best place for us to be right now is the present.�

AlthoughtheTidehasqualified for the NCAA Championships every year since 1983, Patterson said the importance of it has not diminished over time. “There’s nothing that gets old about qualifying for an NCAA Championship,� she said. “We are very exciting to be hosting [the Northeast Regional] and I hope our fans will come.�

To avoid any distractions, Patterson is treating this meet as if Alabama was on the road.

The gymnasts will pack up their things and stay at Hotel Capstone across the street from Colman Coliseum tonight. “The coaches are still trying to simulate as if we were traveling somewhere,� Hoffman said. “We’re still focused and staying within our team and not having outside distractions, but it’s definitely nice to be at Colman Coliseum.�

There will be two practices that are open to the public today. Alabama will participate in the first practice session at 2 p.m. while another session will begin at 4 p.m. The Northeast Regional meet will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Because this is not technically a home meet for the Tide, students will not receive free entry.

FOOTBALL

McElroy shines in ďŹ rst spring scrimmage

By Spencer White Sports Reporter Editor’s note: Due to an error in sending pages to the printer during production of Thursday’s edition of The Crimson White, this story covering the football team’s first scrimmage of spring practice was not published. The CW regrets the error.

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The highly anticipated quarterback battle between junior Greg McElroy and redshirt freshman Star Jackson edged a little closer to a conclusion Wednesday, as McElroy went 22-33 for 214 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage of spring practice. “He managed things; he showed leadership out there,� head coach Nick Saban said at the press conference following the scrimmage. “Right now, Greg’s ahead of everyone.�

Saban cited McElroy’s experience and confidence as an upperclassman when asked about the quarterback’s performance. “He showed that his experience, his knowledge and his confidence that he played with were a real positive,� Saban said.

Jackson struggled in his first spring action, throwing 6-16

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for only 25 yards and an INT. Walk-on Thomas Darrah was also less than impressive, going 10-20 with 81 yards and 3 INTs. “From a development standpoint ‌ they’re getting the repetitions that they need to start being themselves as players,â€?

Saban said.

Sophomore Mark Ingram, the top choice to replace departed NFL-hopeful junior Glen Coffee as Alabama’s top running back, was sidelined from the scrimmage with what Saban called “a hamstring injuryâ€? on Monday. “He may be out for a week, may be out for two,â€? Saban said. “We obviously want to try to get him healthy, get him back ‌ but we’re also not going to put him in position where his career is risked.â€?

Junior Terry Grant took advantage of the extra reps, rushing for 63 yards on 18 carries, by far the most of the Tide running backs. Saban praised the efforts of Grant, who was used sparingly last season, as he works to earn a bigger role for the 2009 year. “Terry Grant did a really good job,â€? Saban said. “He was by far the best runner ‌ the other backs did fine. They didn’t have as good an opportunity.â€?

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