State: Women may have to listen to a baby’s heartbeat before an abortion, p. 5
Music: Ingrid Michaelson dishes on her more mature sound, p. 15
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Film: A columnist ranks the top five flicks to watch this summer, p. 18 Thursday, May 3, 2012 • Volume 116, Issue 138
Kicking past impairment Student participates in USA Deaf Soccer team tryout camp
Claire Caillier Staff Writer
After 15 years of hard work and training, a University student with a hearing impairment got the chance to play soccer with some of the top athletes in the nation. Kinesiology junior Craig Verdin, a goalkeeper, traveled to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend to train with the USA Deaf Soccer team. The team represents the country in international games. Spots on the team are hard to come by because only one or two players are invited to attend each tryout, Verdin said. He estimated about 25 to 26 people were at his tryout camp. The Houma native is hearing impaired with a hearing level of 70 decibels, and the minimum level required to qualify for the team is 50 decibels. The more decibels a person has, the less he or she can hear. Verdin said when he first arrived in Columbus, he was uncomfortable because everyone else was deaf, and he didn’t know sign language, making communication difficult. “I don’t know sign language,” Verdin said. “But by the end of the camp, I was able
to communicate with everyone. I learned a lot more about the deaf community this weekend.” Verdin said he learned a lot from the tryout. “It was a different experience because they communicate differently,” Verdin said. “Everybody knows everybody’s role, which gives each player a lot more responsibility to own up to.” Players are not allowed to wear hearing aids during the game, Verdin said. In order for players to know when play has been stopped, referees wave flags instead of blowing whistles. The camp was intense, with players training three times per day, but Verdin said it was a fun learning experience overall. “It was eye-opening, and I made a lot of new friends,” Verdin said. “Hopefully it opens doors for future games.” Despite his hearing impairment, Verdin said he has never faced challenges on the soccer field or in the classroom, and he can read lips. “It has never impeded on my ability to learn,” Verdin said. “Nothing changed VERDIN, see page 7
LOOKING BACK
Erie: Drive through Quad had message
Attributes event to friend’s death Emily Herrington Staff Writer
TAYLOR BALKOM / The Daily Reveille
Kinesiology junior Craig Verdin dives in front of the ball Tuesday on the Parade Ground.
Storm Erie left members of the University community scratching their heads and feeling alarmed when he left his mark on the school two years ago. Erie drove his car through the Quad and threw various items, including a sling blade and a gas can, from the vehicle in February 2010. He spoke with The Daily Reveille on Tuesday to reflect on the event and share where he is now. Erie, now 23, said he doesn’t regret the incident and feels like his action was misrepresented. The items he removed from his car weren’t randomly tossed around the Quad, he said, but they were part of an artistic representation. Erie said each item had a symbolic meaning and was arranged in a manner intended to communicate a message and serve as a symbol for life. The incident was an impulsive reaction to his best friend’s murder ERIE, see page 7
STATE
Gun bill continues progress through Legislature SB 303 passes in House committee Brian Sibille Staff Writer
A controversial bill in the state Legislature regarding guncarrying laws is moving forward and possibly paving the way for fewer firearm restrictions. After tremendous support in the Senate, the bill, SB 303, also made its way through the House of Representatives’ Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday,
passing with a 9-5 vote. The bill grabbed state and national headlines in April because of its intention to protect the absolute right to bear arms throughout Louisiana. The bill is backed by the National Rifle Association and was recently endorsed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. But opposition has been strong from dissenters who think the potential law will make it difficult for institutions like churches and schools to ban guns from their premises. The law would require “compelling government interest” for those institutions to
restrict guns on their premises. Under current Louisiana laws, public and private institutions have that right. Chancellor Michael Martin and the Board of Regents have expressed concern about guns on campus becoming a reality. The bill will move to the House floor next, and if it continues forward, the possibility of a new law will be left up to Louisiana voters during November elections.
TRAVIS SPRADLING / The Associated Press
Contact Brian Sibille at bsibille@lsureveille.com
Sen. Neil Riser (center), R-Columbia, accepts congratulations from bill opponent Rep. Roy Burrell (left), D-Shreveport on Wednesday at the Louisiana State Capitol.