The Daily Texan 6-16-10

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SPORTS PAGE 8

LIFE&ARTS PAGE 6

Barefoot running sparks debate, inspires groups around Austin

Ultimate Frisbee team member fights through injury LIFE&ARTS PAGE 6

Avoid the heat with ice-cold coffee

THE DAILY TEXAN Wednesday, June 16, 2010

TODAY Calendar We can’t make it here anymore James McMurtry and Jon Dee Graham play the Continental Club. Show starts at 10:30 p.m. and tickets cost $8 at the door.

Whiskey or God

Dale Watson brings some relief at the Broken Spoke beginning at 9:15 p.m. Free cover for the ladies.

‘Lovers of Hate’ Showing at the Alamo Ritz at 7:30 p.m. with writer-director Bryan Poyser in attendance.

Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

TOMORROW’S WEATHER

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Schools in modified Big 12 include Texas, major rivals

By Collin Eaton Daily Texan Staff After evaluating the long-term value of Texas’ position in the Big 12 Conference, officials announced Tuesday that the University would assist in holding the conference together and decline the invitation to join the PAC-10 Conference.

President William Powers Jr., men’s athletic director DeLoss Dodds and women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky spoke with

reporters in the morning to discuss why the University is remaining in the 10-team conference.

“In reaching this decision, we’ve taken into account the impact on our student athletes, the financial ramifications of the various options and the interest of our Big 12 partners,” Powers said. “It has always been our top priority to keep the Big 12 together. We believe a newly reconstituted 10-member conference will continue to benefit

all of our institutions and the University of Texas at Austin.”

Powers said there was no single issue that propelled him to decide that UT would stay in the conference — the “economics” of its position in the conference, the student athletes and the traditional rivalries between UT, Oklahoma and Texas A&M were all taken into consideration.

BIG 12 continues on page 2

Tamir Kalifa | Daily Texan Staff

UT women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky, President William Powers Jr. and men’s athletic director DeLoss Dodds respond to questions concerning the Big 12 and Pac-10 during a press conference Tuesday.

‘Next Oprah’ rolls past the competition Former UT student’s entry leads contest to host show on future cable network

In 1903 Ford Motor Company is incorporated.

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Quote to note “Ten’s not a bad number. Ten was a very common number before conference shifting began.”

Tamir Kalifa | Daily Texan Staff

TRY OUT FOR THE TEXAN! We are currently hiring in all departments: r /FXT 3FQPSUFST r &OUFSUBJONFOU 8SJUFST r 'FBUVSFT 8SJUFST r 1IPUPHSBQIFST r $PMVNOJTUT r 4QPSUT 8SJUFST r %FTJHOFST r $PQZ &EJUPST r .VMUJNFEJB 3FQPSUFST WJEFP BVEJP

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Today in history

— Chris Plonsky Texas womens’ athletic director SPORTS PAGE 8

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Former Longhorn and Texas Student TV member Zach Anner is leading the competition for “Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” with 2.6 million votes. Anner intends to produce a comedic travel series about seeing the world despite his disability.

By Gerald Rich Daily Texan Staff It’s one thing to post a video online. It’s another thing when that video may lead to a show on Oprah Winfrey’s new network, OWN, with John Mayer already promising to write the opening theme song.

That’s what happened last weekend to UT alumnus and Texas Student TV veteran Zach Anner with the submission of his humorous travel audition video about seeing the world despite his inability to use his legs. Since birth, Anner has had the motor disability cerebral palsy, or what he calls the “sexiest of the palsies.”

The disability usually occurs after an injury before or during birth, impacting the brain’s ability to control the nerves, and affects 800,000 Americans, according to United Cerebral Palsy.

“I guess I was a war hero of the womb or something,” Anner said.

Since posting the video, “Zach is Oprah 2 (now with wheelchair and world travel),” on “Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star” website on June 1, it has gained 2.6 million votes and 4.4 million views and

ANNER continues on page 2

Public gives feedback on budget cuts Bond proposal addresses

By Destinee Hodge Daily Texan Staff In the shadow of $11 million to $28 million worth of projected budget cuts, the city held a Budget Input Forum to gauge public opinion on the programs that will be considered for budget increase or overall elimination.

“We’re always trying to engage you,” city manager Marc Ott said to the approximately 50 citizens in attendance. “[And] while we remain challenged to develop a responsible fiscal plan in 2011, I can tell you I approach it with optimism.”

Departments under the city’s general fund submitted two lists, one with proposed service reductions, the other with pending needs. Attendees were allowed to visit each of the tables where department representatives explained the rationale behind the financial amendments to every item. They were then given electronic clickers to vote on whether or not they

traffic, mobility concerns

Danielle Villasana | Daily Texan Staff

Citizens attend the Budget Input Forum on Tuesday to vote on the allocation of funds throughout city departments. agreed to cut certain items. budget increases are approved as If all of the suggested reductions part of the 2011 budget, it will cost are implemented, it could put close taxpayers close to $15 million.

City budget officials stressed their to $9 million back into the city budget, but if all the items put forth for CUTS continues on page 2

By Michelle Truong Daily Texan Staff In response to traffic challenges, city manager Marc Ott revealed an $85 million bond proposal Monday as part of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aiming to remedy the city’s congestion.

In January, Austin ranked as the fourth-worst city for commuting, with 460 weekly hours of bottleneck congestion, according to research that traffic data firm INRIX conducted in the same month.

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to revamp the city’s transportation system while promoting jobs, keeping neighborhoods safe and accommodating growth, according to the mission statement on the plan’s website.

“This bond package represents a balanced approach to improving mobility and connectivi-

ty via roads, bicycle paths, trails, sidewalks and transit infrastructure,” Ott said in a statement Monday. “It also plants the seeds for regional advances that will help us respond effectively to future growth.”

The bulk of the bond package, approximately $70.8 million, has been designated for immediate construction projects while the remaining portion is set aside for long-term construction, according to the proposal. The bond money will be used to address nearly 500 mobility needs as identified by citizens, spanning all modes of transportation and serving pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

“The variety of mobility improvements included in the bond package proposal reflects the importance of multiple forms of

TRAFFIC continues on page 2

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NEWS

CUTS: Forum just a ‘facade,’ activist says From page 1 goal was to include the public’s opinion on budget decisions, and that they have started implementing certain changes since 2009. “We used the results from last year’s forums,� city budget analyst Leigh Byford said.

However, city spokesman Doug Matthews highlighted that although attendees vote on certain issues, it is not necessarily reflected in the ultimate decision. “[While] it gives us a snapshot to what’s important to the community, it doesn’t necessarily

mean that it will be implemented into the budget,� Matthews said.

The forum addressed Austin favorites such as the Trail of Lights and South By Southwest, which were put up for elimination and budget increase respectively.

Alice Suter, financial director for the Austin Police Department, said officers who work overtime at SXSW have to be compensated for security and conducting roadblocks, which would require an increase in the budget.

While 61 percent of attendees supported eliminating the Trail of Lights, only 28 percent support-

ed increasing the APD budget for SXSW. The Q-and-A segment was marked by inquiries on the city’s bond debt, as well as passionate arguments about the state of government transparency. “I think this whole process is a really a facade,� said John Bush, executive director of Texans for Accountable Government. “It gives the illusion that people are involved in the decision-making process.�

The final draft of the 2011 budget will be proposed to City Council on July 28.

TRAFFIC: Plan addresses driver, cyclist needs From page 1 travel to reduce congestion and our reliance on cars alone,� assistant city manager Robert Goode said. “The city should build the infrastructure that supports walkable and cycling environments and promotes long-term sustainable mobility that is better for our pocketbooks and the environment.�

Officials plan to target improvements for traffic congestion and anticipate improving Austin’s traffic signalization, specifically for emergency-response vehicles, which are aided by sensors that turn traffic signals green to clear traffic in urgent situations. “We have completed the update of our network, so it’s fully functioning,� Austin Transportation Department spokes-

woman Karla VillalĂłn said regarding the sensors for emergency vehicles. “What we’re working on now is looking to what a new system would look like in the future.â€?

Emergency vehicle sensors in traffic signals are not necessarily funded solely by the bond proposal, VillalĂłn said.

The city may also seek grants from the Department of Homeland Security or through the fire department’s funds.

The proposal may impact the UT campus area, VillalĂłn said, citing plans for a bicycle boulevard for Nueces and Rio Grande streets between Third Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard. Construction designs for the Riverside area, where many students reside, are also in the works.

THE DAILY TEXAN

This newspaper was written, edited and designed with pride

by The Daily Texan and Texas Student Media.

Permanent Staff

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Winchester Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Wermund Associate Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Francisco Marin Jr. Associate Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heath Cleveland, Douglas Luippold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Player, Dan Treadway News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claire Cardona Associate News Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pierre Bertrand, Kelsey Crow, Cristina Herrera Senior Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Collin Eaton, Nolan Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destinee Hodge, Michael Sherfield Copy Desk Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vicky Ho Associate Copy Desk Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elyana Barrera, Kelsey Crow Design Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Olivia Hinton Senior Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veronica Rosalez, Simonetta Nieto, Suchada Sutasirisap Special Projects Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .Thu Vo Photo Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruno Morlan Associate Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Gerson Senior Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tamir Kalifa, Mary Kang, Peyton McGee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek Stout, Danielle Villasana Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Lingwall Associate Life&Arts Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Madeline Crum Senior Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addie Anderson, Katherine Kloc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mark Lopez, Julie Rene Tran Features Entertainment Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Ergenbright, Gerald Rich Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Hurwitz Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin Ries Senior Sports Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Will Anderson, Chris Tavarez, Bri Thomas Comics Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolynn Calabrese Multimedia Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Murphy Associate Multimedia Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlos Medina Senior Videographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanna Mendez Editorial Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Warren

Issue Staff

Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Lambert, Kiersten Marian, Michelle Truong

The proposal also outlines plans to construct a boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake, stretching from the Austin-American Statesman office to Lakeshore Park, to serve as a hike-and-bike trail, project manager David Taylor said. “It is one of the heaviest-used facilities in the city,� Taylor said, citing that roughly 1.5 million people visit the lake annually.

The bond proposal may be subject to voter approval in November, but in the meantime, city officials will continue to gather public opinion before the proposal goes to City Council on July 29.

Citizens can learn more about the plan and share their opinions at an open house hosted by the Transportation Bond Citizen Task Force from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at City Hall.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

ANNER: Video wins laughs, hearts From page 1 is ahead of the nearest competitor’s entry by 1 million votes as of press time.

The video features him attempting various types of shows, including cooking, yoga and fashion before settling on travel. His friends say he’s been wanting to do a travel show for years.

Anner left town last weekend to go to Oprah’s open audition in Dallas but did not receive a callback. Then, after visiting Six Flags Over Texas before coming home, he discovered that his video had experienced a massive jump in votes — with a personal video response from John Mayer — and he was being called the “Next Oprah� by bloggers with Time and New York Magazine. “When you’re performing and expressing yourself, you’re less confined than people without a disability,� Mayer said in his video. “And just in case someone needs an extra kick in the pants, I will up the ante and offer you a theme song for your show.�

Anner enthusiastically replied to the video Tuesday at 4 a.m., adding that Mayer could even play the theme on a nose flute.

If the Web sensation remains in first place by July 4, he and the other top four competitors will be flown out to Los Angeles to enter a television competition series to vie for their own show.

While this is his first video to reach such widespread success, Anner had already been known locally for helping create and acting in the TSTV show “That’s

Awesome,� for which he interviewed Bill Clinton and Dennis Quaid.

Before any of the now-viral interviews premiered, though, Anner said he wasn’t sure about his abilities until his friend Mark Dennis encouraged him to be in front of the camera. After that, he went on to meet the people that would establish Lark the Beard Productions and has continued to write and act with them in feature films and pilots. “We really don’t want this to become an ‘us thing,’ though,� Lark member Marshall Rimmer said. “We want this to be a ‘Zach thing’ because he really deserves this.

He’s probably the sweetest guy I know, and that’s rarely coupled with the funniest guy I know.�

The team is also documenting Anner’s pledge to crawl the 26mile Austin Marathon after receiving a million votes. “If the Internet community doesn’t see it as cheating, I’m looking into getting some sort of Heelys on my legs since they’re just dead weight,� he said.

Whether he wins or loses Oprah’s competition, he has remained ecstatic and grateful for the attention and hopes his training videos help people get to know him better. “[Anner] shows a creativeness that mainstream society doesn’t see,� said Mark Denzin, executive vice president and chief development officer for United Cerebral Palsy of Texas. “It’s a positive step for him to be able to show the world his comedic slant on his situation.�

Volume 111, Number 10 25 cents

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BIG 12: Fewer teams means more options From page 1 “The Big 12 has served its members well,� Dodds said. “We move forward with the commitment and confidence of 10 Big 12 universities to ensure the very best academic and [athletic] opportunities for the student-athletes we support.�

Since the University of Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten Conference on Friday, university presidents, conference commissioners and athletic directors have been speaking behind closed doors about what could have been the most significant shake-up of college sports in years. Late Mon-

day, UT announced that a Board of Regents meeting to discuss the potential move was canceled, and Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott told The Associated Press in an email that UT had not accepted the invitation to join.

Later that day, Texas A&M, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State also announced they would remain in the conference.

With 10 teams remaining after the University of Colorado and Nebraska announced they would leave the conference, NCAA rules will prohibit the Big 12 from having a conference championship game.

Powers said he received personal assurances from other Big

12 university presidents that they would not move to the Pac-10 but there was no official contract between them. He said no money from penalty fees derived from the outgoing universities’ broken contracts has been allocated toward any university, and that he opposes such a deal.

Despite the loss of the conference championship game, UT football head coach Mack Brown said he was happy that the Big 12 is staying together. Brown said the 12-team conference did not provide a fair way to determine a champion anyway. “It’s very, very difficult, in my estimation, to crown a champion

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unless you play everybody in the league,� Brown said. “I don’t think [the 12-team conference] is fair, because a lot of times you don’t get to play the best two teams. I like the fact that there are nine [games] and we will all play each other.�

In a telephone conference call with reporters, Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe said Tuesday that nine universities had announced their intentions to remain in the Big 12 and only Texas Tech had not announced its intentions. Tech was invited to join the Pac-10 along with UT, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and other Big 12 universities.

State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, said in a press release that Texas Tech announced its decision to stay and that the House Higher Education Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday regarding the college decisions has been canceled.

Branch said Texas Tech’s decision to stay made the meeting unnecessary. “Moreover, the decisions by our Texas schools to remain in the Big 12 appear to be a positive result for our students, families and universities,� he said.

Contrary to earlier reports, Beebe said he had not reached an official TV deal to create a campus sports network with UT and there have been no set contracts with any other university going into 2011.

Plonsky said UT officials had received “assurances� that they would be able to continue their pursuit of a television network, which would focus on UT’s 20 athletic programs.

Powers said the network would also feature academic and cultural aspects of the University, such as orchestra performances in Bass Concert Hall.

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

T HE DAILY T EXAN

Mexican violence lingers, prompts currency control

By Mark Stevenson The Associated Press MEXICO CITY — Soldiers battled gunmen for nearly an hour Tuesday on the outskirts of the popular tourist town of Taxco, killing 15 suspects as escalating bloodshed puts June in line to become the deadliest month yet in Mexico’s drug war.

Troops investigating suspicious activity came under fire from gunmen holed up in a house, the Defense Department said. It said no soldiers were hurt in the 40-minute shootout. Twenty guns and two homemade explosives were recovered, it added.

The battle in Guerrero state came one day after 12 federal police officers were killed in an ambush in neighboring Michoacan state, a stronghold of drug activity. It was unclear if the two shootouts were related.

Taxco police, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, told The Associated Press that the men killed Tuesday had suspected ties to Edgar Valdez Villarreal, a reputed U.S.-born capo known as “La Barbie.�

Taxco, popular with foreign visitors because of its colonial architecture and more than 2,000 silver shops, has increasingly been the scene of cartel turf battles.

Two weeks ago, authorities discovered 55 bodies in an abandoned Taxco silver mine that was being used as a dumping ground for apparent victims of drug violence.

In a televised message Tuesday night, President Felipe Calderon asked Mexicans to support the fight against organized crime and urged them to report

criminals to authorities. “I say this is a fight of all Mexicans, because criminals don’t discriminate and hurt all of society,� Calderon said.

Earlier in the day, Calderon’s government announced some of its toughest restrictions ever on dollar cash transactions to fight money laundering that fuels drug traffickers.

Tourists and Mexicans without bank accounts will be limited to exchanging a maximum of $1,500 for pesos each month under the new rules, Finance Secretary Ernesto Cordero said. The measure is meant to help stem the flood of about $10 billion a year in suspicious cash flows possibly linked to drug trafficking.

In recent years, banks have seen an excess of about $10 billion in deposits and transactions that cannot be explained by normal business activity, Luis Robles, vice president of the Mexican Association of Banks, said at a news conference.

The billions in suspect dollars have bought the heavy weaponry that drug gangs are using in attacks on police, such as the ambush Monday that killed 12 officers in Michoacan.

Federal police antidrug chief Ramon Pequeno blamed the attack on the Michoacan-based La Familia, a cartel that has become notorious for bold assaults on federal security forces.

Drug violence has killed more than 23,000 people since late 2006, when Calderon took office. Mexican officials attribute much of the bloodshed to turf battles between drug cartels, but the gangs are increasingly turning to attacks on police and prosecutors.

Michael Spooneybarger | Associated Press

President Barack Obama addresses troops at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., on Tuesday. Obama is on a two-day visit to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, stepping up his efforts to limit the fallout from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Obama speaks on Gulf response

By Erica Werner The Associated Press PENSACOLA, Fla. — Laying the groundwork for a speech to the nation at Pensacola’s Naval Air Station, President Barack Obama pledged to “fight back with everything we’ve got� against the spreading oil lurking offshore.

Speaking to troops at the base, Obama said the country faced an unprecedented environmental disaster and “we’re going to continue to meet it with an unprecedented response.�

Wi t h t h a t , t h e p re s i d e n t wrapped up a two-day visit to the Gulf and headed back to Washington for a prime-time speech from the Oval Office. One measure of

the enormity of the problem: The oil that has gushed into the gulf would fill the Oval Office nearly 600 times over, based on the government’s best estimate of how much has been spilling daily.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said earlier Tuesday that Obama is poised to seize the handling of oil spill damage claims from BP, if necessary, to ensure that people get the help they need to recover.

Obama’s address to the nation sets the stage for his showdown White House meeting Wednesday with top BP executives. BP leased

the rig that exploded April 20 and led to the leak of millions of gallons of coast-devastating crude. It’s part of an effort by Obama to convince a frightened Gulf Coast and a skeptical nation that he is in command.

The trip gave him ammunition for the speech and for his meeting with BP executives where he intends to finalize the details of a victims compensation fund. He visited vacant beaches in Mississippi where the threat of oil had scared off tourists, heard the stories of local employers losing business, watched hazmat-suited workers scrub down boom in a staging

facility in Theodore, Ala., and took a ferry ride through Mobile Bay and then to Orange Beach, Ala., where oil has lapped on the shore. “I am confident that we’re going to be able to leave the Gulf Coast in better shape than it was before,�

Obama said Monday.

That pledge was reminiscent of George W. Bush’s promise to rebuild the region “even better and stronger� than before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Bush could not make good on that promise, and Obama did not spell out how he would fulfill his. Tuesday’s speech will give him the chance.

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COFFEE: Shops cover basics,

PLAY REVIEW

THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD

concoct inspired creations From page 6

Around campus If you’re stuck on campus and need that quick burst of caffeine, both JP’s Java (located on San Jacinto Boulevard) and CaffÊ Medici on the Drag offer coldbrewed iced coffee. The difference between the two is subtle — JP’s iced toddy is slightly bolder whereas Medici’s has a smoother taste. Regardless, both have an equally potent caffeine content, and for 12 ounces, they are similarly priced at a little less than $3. The other obvious campus coffee stop, Starbucks, offers an iced coffee that just can’t compete. Not only does Starbucks not cold brew its coffee, but in comparison, the drink tastes watered-down, weak and acidic.

Strange brew Both Thunderbird Coffee locations (2200 Manor Rd. in East Austin and 1401 Koenig Ln.) serve consistently strong yet smooth cold-brewed coffee and experiment with alternate brewing methods on the weekend.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the newly added side bar at the Thunderbird on Koenig Lane transforms into a multifaceted coffee lab, offering personal cups of either iced pourover or AeroPress coffee for $3.29. The newly opened Houndstooth Coffee (4200 N. Lamar Blvd.) also uses these methods, but unfortunately only for hot coffee.

Sweet tooth Sometimes it’s not always

about the black — the sweet stuff is just as important.

Starting at $3.40, CaffÊ Medici’s Toddy SS is a simple combination of milk, vanilla and its cold-brewed concentrate, a creation that provides the same energy without being overwhelming sweet. Also, it’s worth venturing to Jo’s Coffee (1300 S. Congress Ave. and 242 W. Second St.) to try its Iced Turbo, a delightfully intricate mix of espresso, hazelnut, chocolate, cream and coffee.

Most creative Of all of the coffee shops I visited, no one did things quite like Progress Coffee (500 San Marcos St.). Its iced toddy was the same dark-brown color as Thunderbird’s, Medici’s and JP’s, but the bold taste had a surprising and subtle sweetness to it. With each order, a shot of Mexican vanilla is automatically added to your brew. If you don’t like your coffee sweet, you must specifically ask them to withhold the addition. In addition to this, Progress’ creativity is also apparent in its experimental drinks, namely the Lucky Rabbit Rocket Fuel. This creation combines iced coffee, sweetened iced coffee, two shots of espresso and a splash of coconut, topped off with whipped cream and shredded carrots. Although it’s a strange combination, the drink is the perfect hybrid of sweet and black coffee.

So, go ahead, let your coffee get cold. No matter what your preference may be, embrace that cup and take on those lazy summer days.

BAREFOOT: Running trend

inspires revamped footwear From page 6 and provides them cushioning,� Carrozza said.

Carrozza believes in using barefoot running as a complement to running with shoes. “Barefoot running is on that list of things that are helpful in strengthening your feet, in small doses,� Carrozza said.

He raises the concern of people sustaining injuries by suddenly flipping the switch and running barefoot all the time. He suggests considering shoes with a more natural fit.

The running-shoe industry may be in for a big change. According to Vibram, the company that created the glove-like FiveFingers shoe, annual revenue from the shoe’s sales is now at $4 million — up from $400,000 a year ago. And Nike, the name that created the modern thick-soled running shoes, has come out with Nike Free shoes, which they say “mimic barefoot running.�

Andrew Schwartz, member day, month day, 2008

UNS AD IRNE FOR ONL

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LIFE & ARTS

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

of the Austin Barefoot Running Club on Meetup, runs in water socks in extremely cold weather, but says that while they protect you from harsh elements, minimalist shoes can be dangerous to barefoot runners. “When I first put on the water socks, I went out in the cold and ran much, much longer than I usually do because I wasn’t feeling the ground. It turned out that I strained some muscles doing that,� Schwartz said.

However, Carrozza says that some runners don’t find enough support in flatter shoes. “We’ve had racing flats for years, and a lot of people don’t run in them because it’s not enough,�

Carrozza said. “So, if you take it all the way down to the ground, that’s even less support.�

Barefoot runners say you must ease into the sport to avoid initial injury, and some may even say it’s not for everyone. “If the shoes are working for you,� Nicar said, “I think that’s great.�

Not-so-fabulous play employs hackneyed humor

By Katherine Kloc Daily Texan Staff Since the play’s premiere in 1998, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told� has received more than 5,000 complaints. While other productions may take this sort of controversy as a negative sign, Paul Rudnick’s retelling of the Old Testament that follows a conspicuously rewritten first couple — Adam and Steve — revels in its own notorious reputation. Even before entering the theater for the Austin City Theatre Company’s production of the play, the incoming audience is reminded of the controversy by a conspicuously stuffed display board covered in postcards and letters of criticism, condemnation and disapproval.

Despite all the play’s hype, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told� seems far too busy trying to offend people to focus on the bigger issues that the project inherently brushes against. The bigger picture aside, the play still comes off as frenzied, never spending enough time developing a single character or theme to create a lasting impression.

The first act chaotically hops from one loosely biblically based event to the next. The act opens with an irritable stage manager (Renee Brown) setting the play — and the earth — into motion with the technical cue “House to half, go. House out and pre-set, go. Creation of the world, go,� after which Adam (Austin Rausch), our flamboyantly gay protagonist, and his partner Steve (Marco Bazan) enter the stage.

After this strange introduction, the couple begins exploring Eden and their new relationship. After Adam causes their exodus from Eden, Adam and Steve befriend lesbian couple Jane (Katie Blacksmith) and Mabel (Chrissy Shackelford). Together, the four friends survive the flood, meet the Egyptian pharaoh and perform bestiality.

Although the first act address-

Courtesy of “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told�

“The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told,� written by Paul Rudnick, follows the story of two homosexual couples in a retelling of the Old Testament. The play has received numerous complaints and letters of disapproval es events that cover a span of more than 500 years, the dialogue is repetitive and the jokes are stale, which makes the first act seem like multiple occurrences of deja vu.

The second act opens hundreds of years later. The couples and a few of their friends gather in Adam and Steve’s New York apartment for a ’90s Christmas party. Jane, far along in her pregnancy via artificial insemination, plans to wed Mabel at the party, and Steve is HIV-positive. The second act is almost painfully melodramatic, particularly when Mabel interrupts her own wedding ceremony to tell a lengthy and unnecessary story about how she once shot Jane’s picture at a shooting range.

The scene shifts awkwardly between comedy and drama, and the actors fail to effectively navigate

the more serious moments of the play. Throughout the play, the dialogue is forced and unnatural as the actors seem more preoccupied with their own lines instead of the flow of the conversation. Similarly, while some of the jokes are entertaining, most fall flat because of a lack of originality.

More disappointing, however, is the lack of character development. Each role in “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told� is a stereotyped stock character more or less defined by one simple and obvious trait. For example, Adam’s homosexuality dictates his actions and serves as the main source for the play’s humor. This is troubling not only because it creates a onedimensional lead character, but also because it takes cues from stereotypes that are almost too hack-

neyed to be funny anymore.

While the play has many shortcomings, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told’s� biggest failure is its inability to find an underlying message beneath the trite humor and circular dialogue. The characters return to the same arguments regarding their relationships or theological concerns without ever settling on a resolution, or even touching on the meta-issues they keep circling around. Try as it might, the play fails to venture deeper than the surface level of any character or conflict that presents itself, and instead reverts back to its lowbrow humor before any kind of serious moment can occur. “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told� is neither clever nor thoughtprovoking, but rather a drawn-out, immature joke.

CONDOMS:‘Rhythm method’ on the rise in young adults From page 6 during sex outside of a committed, long-term relationship as a guard against STIs. I have too much potential to risk an infection or to risk causing an unplanned pregnancy.�

Other students may be less adamant about condom use, but still try to use them as often as possible. “Condoms suck, but safe sex is smart,� one female UT senior said. “Yes, I’ve had slip-ups before (Who hasn’t? Thanks, alcohol!), but I find [that] I generally stick to my guns on this one.�

Reports routinely cite that the majority of sexually active young people do use at least 1 one method of contraception.

Earlier this month the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion released its latest study on the teen sexual behavior, “Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006– 08.� In the study of teens ages 15 to 19, researchers found that among those who were sexually active and never married, 79 percent of females and 87 percent of males used at least one form of contraception the first time they had sex. A little more than 71 percent of sexually active females interviewed for the study reported using a condom every time they had sex. These results were consistent with those released in the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth.

However, among those sexu-

CLASSIFIEDS

ally active young people who do not report routinely using a hormonal method of birth control or condoms, there does appear to have been a change in contraceptive preference for “the rhythm method� — a method of pregnancy prevention based on tracking a female’s menstrual cycle and abstaining from sex, or at least using a condom, during the most fertile phase of her cycle when she ovulates.

The later study found that 17 percent of sexually active teens report using the rhythm method, whereas only 11 percent responded affirmatively in the previous study.

Some commentators, like blogger Amanda Marcotte in her RHRealityCheck.com post “Sex Shaming and the Rhythm Meth-

CLASSIFIEDS THE DAILY TEXAN

od,� credit abstinence-only education for this rise in rhythmmethod use. But I surmise that the increase may be related to our youth’s preference for “$60 prime rib� without having to spit out the last bite.

As someone who will admit to hating condoms as much as the next person, this rise in rhythm method use intrigues me. However, this is only a piece of the “real story� behind condom use, or lack thereof, and young people. And since trying to track down every single young person who identifies as using the rhythm method and investigating their individual histories with unplanned pregnancies is a daunting project, finding out the complete “real story� seems very unlikely.

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LIFE&ARTS

6 Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Life&Arts Editor: Mary Lingwall E-mail: dailytexan@gmail.com Phone: (512) 232-2209 www.dailytexanonline.com

T HE DAILY T EXAN

Ward off the heat with iced coffee from Austin’s best

By Kiersten Marian Daily Texan Staff In the sweltering heat of Austin in mid-June, if you’ve yet to make the seasonal transition to iced coffee, now is the time. For die-hard coffee lovers, or even the occasional social drinker, bidding adieu to the mug isn’t the easiest idea to warm up to. Luckily, in a city that loves coffee, local shops have adapted nicely to the typical (i.e. oppressively hot) Austin summer by offering an array of drinks that provide the same caffeine fix, but combat the heat rather than add to it.

The classic chilled counterpart to the average cup of joe comes in the form of, well, iced coffee. As simple as the name sounds, many coffee shops brew their iced coffee differently. Some even do more than just add ice to leftover drip coffee that would normally be served hot by preparing batches of iced coffee beforehand using a cold-brew, or toddy, system. This

procedure requires 12-plus hours of brew time and absolutely no hot water. The result is reminiscent of standard coffee but with a smoother, less acidic taste.

Chris Cusack, co-owner of Thunderbird Coffee, describes the overnight-brew method as a way to bring out a “nuttier, almost chocolaty� flavor in the beans.

The cold-brew method isn’t the only way to prepare a respectable cup of cold coffee, though. There are other, less common systems, such as pourover and AeroPress brewers, which use full-immersion brewing much like a French press, but can also be served cold.

When using these systems, the final product has a cleaner taste than that of the cold brew but still provides the wonderfully bitter bite found in hot coffee.

With this in mind, I began a tour of Austin in search of the best cup of coffee on the rocks.

COFFEE continues on page 5

The Lucky Rabbit Rocket Fuel is an iced coffee drink offered by Progress Coffee on East Fifth Street. The drink features both sweetened and black coffee, espresso, coconut, whipped cream and shredded carrots.

Illustration by Tamir Kalifa | Daily Texan Staff

Austinites and citizens across the country have kicked off their shoes for what some are calling the more runner-friendly alternative, bare feet.

Runners step up with bare feet

By Addie Anderson Daily Texan Staff The modern running shoe was designed in 1972 by Nike and provided runners with more cushioning and support than ever before. Sounds good, right?

Well, Christopher McDougall , author of the national best-seller “Born to Run,� argues that modern running shoes have done more harm than good.

Proper footwear — or a lack thereof — has become the center of much debate in the running world since the publication of McDougall’s book in May 2009, and more and more runners have opted to kick off their shoes and give barefoot running a try.

Austin has several barefootrunning groups on social platforms such as Facebook, Yahoo! and Meetup.com Barefoot running

Kiersten Marian Daily Texan Staff

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“coaches,� such as Barefoot Ted of the 13-year-old website therunningbarefoot.com, are traveling the country to sanction workshops.

Barefoot running began receiving attention with the debut of “Born to Run.� The book concentrates on a tribe of “the world’s greatest distance runners� in an isolated area of Mexico. McDougall examined their ability to run for days in harsh conditions wearing little to no footwear. He says that humans have been running since ancient times, yet in the past 30 years, shoe companies have decided that the foot needs extra cushioning and support to run better and prevent injury. Craig Richards, a researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia, found there are no evidencebased studies to back the claim

that running shoes are helpful.

Runners across the country have defended their shoes, while others have become experimental and have given barefoot running a go. Jim Nicar, the history and traditions coordinator at UT’s Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, took up barefoot running in 2006 after years of continual running injuries and frustration. “There was a website that was slowly growing in 2005,� Nicar said. “As people joined in, they were very, very excited about it.

Eventually I decided to just try it.�

Nicar hasn’t put his running shoes back on since. He has run two marathons barefoot, and may attempt another in July. “I think it’s sort of taking hold and becoming part of the running community,� Nicar said. “If people are running in shoes and having a

great time running in shoes, then I don’t think they should change it.

For me, barefoot running is what made running new for me again, and I enjoy it.�

Paul Carrozza, owner of RunTex and member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, points out that barefoot running is not a novel activity.

Sports teams and runners have been using it as a strength exercise for decades. In fact, running has been traced back to our earliest ancestors. “What we’ve known for years is that you have to run with a natural pattern, and that’s really what we do at the company — get people in shoes that are closest to their natural pattern, that protects them from the ground

BAREFOOT continues on page 5

Medical studies weigh in on withdrawal method

HUMP DAY

By Mary Lingwall

“Condoms, but like, the ‘real story’ on condoms,� a friend of mine told me when I asked what I should write about for this week’s Hump Day. Of course, I’ve written about condoms before — with a 98-percent success rate for preventing pregnancy and the contraction of sexually transmitted infections, condoms are an integral part of any reputable sex-education dialogue. However, as my friend reminded me, there is a “real story� behind con-

dom use, especially for young adults such as college students.

And, not surprisingly, this story is one of disfavor, often resulting in a refusal to use condoms.

A male friend of mine with a propensity for metaphorical language likened sex with a condom to a cheap steak. “Condom analogy: Would you rather eat a $60 prime rib and spit out the last bite or an entire [steak] from Applebees and eat the whole thing?�

If sex without a condom is the “$60 prime rib� in my friend’s analogy, then I assume that to “spit out the last bite� is his cryptic nod to withdrawal. Though historically deemed irresponsible by medical and sex-education professionals, withdrawal is still popular.

The 2002 National Survey of Family Growth found that more

than half of sexually active female teens had used withdrawal, and other studies consistently demonstrate that young people accept withdrawal as a safe-sex practice, especially when combined with condom use or a hormonal birth-control method.

Over the past year, studies have attempted to reevaluate the medical establishment’s view of withdrawal due to the undeniable popularity of the method.

In June 2009, Contraception published Rachel K. Jones’ “Better Than Nothing or Savvy RiskReduction Practice? The Importance of Withdrawal,� a study that made waves in the medical and sex-education communities for its attempt to garner credibility for a method that had long been accepted as ineffective at preventing pregnancy. “The best available estimates

indicate that with ‘perfect use,’ 4 percent of couples relying on withdrawal will become pregnant within a year, compared with 2 percent of couples relying on the male condom,� according to the Guttmacher Institute’s review of Jones’ study, “Does Withdrawal Deserve Another Look?�

But even “perfect use� of the withdrawal method provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Some UT students I’ve talked with seemed acutely aware of the risks. “Unless I’m in a committed, long-term relationship, I always use a condom,� an anonymous male graduate student said in an e-mail. “Even if I had a vasectomy, which I have considered, I would still use a condom

CONDOMS continues on page 5

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7A COMICS

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Sports Editor: Dan Hurwitz E-mail: sports@dailytexanonline.com Phone: (512) 232-2210 www.dailytexanonline.com

T HE DAILY T EXAN

SIDELINE

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

Frisbee player battles through injuries

By Bri Thomas Daily Texan Staff At the USA Ultimate Club Championship, Katie Blyth lunged for the disc and collided with an opposing player from Carleton, leaving her right leg twisted like a pretzel around her counterpart. When she left the ground, Blyth was competing for a national title in club Ultimate Frisbee. When she landed on the ground, she had a torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee.

Knee injuries are nothing new for Blyth, who has already undergone two knee surgeries and is scheduled for a third. A recent UT graduate, Blyth played for Texas’ Melee Ultimate Frisbee club team for all four years of her college career, serving as captain her junior year. This year, she led the team to the national championship in Madison, Wis., where it finished in a 17th-seed spot.

As this was her third ACL injury, Blyth knew she was done.

“I knew what it was automatically, and I just thought, ‘Oh, fuck,’” she said.

Her coaches carried her off the field and, after spending a few days in the hospital in Madison, Blyth returned, only to spend the next four and a half days on the sideline, frustrated and angry.

“When she fell, I don’t think any of us were at that moment thinking of how her being out was going to affect the team,” teammate Rachel Massey said.

“Rather, we were all just so sad for her because we knew that was the end of her college career in Ultimate. However, I don’t have a doubt in my mind that she will recover from this injury and be playing top-level club Ultimate within the next year. Her work ethic and drive are like no one’s I’ve met before. She will be a critical asset to any team she ever plays with.”

As a freshman, Blyth experienced her first ACL tear — in her left knee — when a lunge of action brought her to the ground

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Texas’ Melee Ultimate Frisbee player Katie Blyth has battled through two knee surgeries in her four years at Texas and is scheduled for a third.

Blyth was nominated by her teammates for the Callahan Award, which is given to the best male and female Ultimate players. during UT’s Women’s College Centex, the most competitive Ultimate meet in the nation.

“I was still the newbie, messing up left and right, so I had no idea what happened,” Blyth said.

Two years later, the ultimate player developed a rare condition in which the ACL graft placed inside of her knee stripped itself down, causing lesions in her knee and the areas around the screws in her to become inflamed.

Blyth also plays for a club team in Austin, and back in November, she was asked to play for them in Prague for the summer. She spent her free time traveling and training with them, only to find out

that this most recent injury will result in a surgery in July, ending her career with the club team.

Despite all these mishaps, however, this athlete’s intense love for the game and sincere support from her teammates keeps her going, building up a community she loves so much.

Being incredibly competitive, Blyth cannot stand to be put on the sidelines, so this just pushes her to overcome injuries and get back in the game.

“I’ve played sports my entire life and have never played with a person who works as hard as Katie does,” Massey said. “She gives 100 percent in every game she ever plays, in every drill we

ever run, in every fitness exercise we do. It’s not only amazing, but it is incredibly inspiring.

Since playing Ultimate with Katie, anytime I’m doing a drill or doing fitness, I tell myself that Katie would be running, cutting, focusing harder than I am, and it pushes me to work harder and be a better player.”

Because of her courage, drive and leadership, Blyth was nominated by her team for the Callahan Award, an annual award given to the best male and female collegiate Ultimate players. In addition to honoring extraordinary physical talent and skills, the Callahan Award also honors sportsmanship and leadership.

Reorganization leaves Big 12 searching for accurate name Texas’ women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky let it slip. She referred to the newly agreedupon Big 12 as the Big Ten. For the most part, the speculation is over when it comes to conference expansion. Utah is expected to be the final team to switch conferences by heading to the Pac-10.

But one major question remains: What are we going to call all of these conferences?

The Big 12 has 10 teams. The Big Ten has 12 teams. And the Pac-10 has 11 teams. Things need to be made less confusing.

The Big 12 and Big Ten could just trade names and the Pac10 could switch out its “0” for another “1,” but that’s way too easy.

These conferences need to get creative. The Big 12 has many options it can go with; here are a few options that are circulating.

It could choose to name the conference after one of the major players in the conference.

There’s “Beebe’s Bunch,” after Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe. Or how about the “Mack10,” in honor of Mack Brown?

Or it could be based on a geographical location. Maybe it should be called something like the “South Central Conference” or the “Central Plains Conference” — or even better, the “Plain 10.”

For Texas, though, the name of the conference is the least of its worries. Texas is just pleased to be staying put. With the departure of Nebraska and Col-

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CONFERENCE EXPANSION

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orado, the remaining universities are going to make more money; the student athletes won’t have to travel as extensively, and traditional rivalries are saved.

But not only is the Big 12 (or whatever they are going to call it) gaining more economically, it quickly became better athletically.

Nebraska and Colorado didn’t bring much to the Big 12 — their athletic departments didn’t bring much competition.

Yes, Nebraska is improving in football and was one second away from keeping Texas out of the 2010 BCS National

But not only is the Big 12 (or whatever they are going to call it) gaining more economically, it quickly became better athletically.

Championship.

But overall, in recent years, Colorado and Nebraska have struggled in the Big 12. In men’s basketball, the two universities combined have an 8-24 record in Big 12 play. Nebraska has only made it to the NCAA tournament once during its 14 years in the Big 12. Colorado has only made it twice.

In baseball, Nebraska finished second to last in the conference. And as for the Buffaloes, they don’t even have a baseball team. Also missing from Colorado is a softball team and a men’s tennis team.

Colorado finished in the bot-

tom of the conference standings in nearly every sport this past year. Nebraska did have a little more success, and has strong programs in volleyball and women’s basketball.

But overall, the Big 12 didn’t lose much in losing these two universities. They’re also geographically questionable as to whether they belong to this conference’s region, but so is Iowa State, who has also been a weak link in recent years.

The 10 remaining universities combine to make one of the strongest athletic conferences in the country. Just because a 16team superconference is a neat idea for us to imagine for two weeks, does not mean it was the best proposal for all parties.

“Ten’s not a bad number,” Plonsky said. “Ten was a very common number before conference shifting began.”

Plonsky is right. There is nothing wrong with a 10-team conference. If anything, it may bring new, stronger rivalries between the teams from the North and South who will get the opportunity to compete against each other more often.

T h e c o n f e re n c e f o r m e r l y known as the Big 12 is now in great shape. Texas is in great shape, and it will continue to be successful in athletics. As for Colorado and Nebraska, one has to wonder if they’re beginning to feel like a mistake has been made. The Buffaloes will continue to struggle. The Cornhuskers are going to be facing just as good competition in the 12-team Big Ten. I am hyped. I can’t wait for the new and improved Big 12 to begin play.

Oh, wait — we still have two more years for any of this stuff anyway. There’s plenty of time to come up with a name.

Although this year ’s championship did not end in Texas’ favor, the women wrapped up a season built around strengthening their new young players and emphasizing team development over winning. With so much effort put in, it seems success would come easily for the team.

“No, no, no! With such a young team, we put in a significant amount of work,” Blyth said. “This year, though, I did not doubt for a second that we would make it to nationals. We had such an athletic and talented batch of new recruits that I knew we would be able to make the big trip.”

Who the Big 12 lost

Colorado and Nebraska are leaving the Big 12 for greener pastures.

The Buffaloes are going to the Pac-10, and Nebraska, to the Big Ten. So, what kind of competition is the rest of the conference losing?

Here are the 2009 - 2010 Big 12 standings for six sports ...

Football

Volleyball

Texas (8-0) Nebraska (6-2) Oklahoma State (6-2) Texas Tech (5-3) Oklahoma (5-3) Missouri (4-4) Kansas State (4-4) Iowa State (3-5) Texas A&M (3-5) Colorado (2-6) Baylor (1-7) Kansas (1-7)

Texas (19-1) Iowa State (17-3) Nebrasksa (16-4) Baylor (11-9) Texas A&M (11-9) Oklahoma (11-9) Missouri (9-11) Kansas (8-12) Kansas State (6-14) Colorado (2-18) Texas Tech (0-20) Oklahoma State (no team)

Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Kansas (15-1) Kansas State (11-5) Baylor (11-5) Texas A&M (11-5) Missouri (10-6) Texas (9-7) Oklahoma State (9-7) Colorado (6-10) Texas Tech (4-12) Iowa State (4-12) Oklahoma (4-12) Nebraska (2-14)

Texas (8-0) Nebraska (6-2) Oklahoma State (6-2) Texas Tech (5-3) Oklahoma (5-3) Missouri (4-4) Kansas State (4-4) Iowa State (3-5) Texas A&M (3-5) Colorado (2-6) Baylor (1-7) Kansas (1-7)

Baseball

Softball

Texas (24-3) Oklahoma (15-10) Kansas State (14-12) Texas A&M (14-12-1) Texas Tech (13-14) Baylor (12-13) Kansas (11-15-1) Missouri (10-16) Nebraska (10-17) Oklahoma State (8-19) Colorado (no team) Iowa State (no team)

Texas (14-2) Oklahoma (13-3) Oklahoma State (12-6) Texas A&M (12-6) Missouri (11-7) Texas Tech (7-11) Nebraska (7-11) Baylor (6-12) Iowa State (4-14) Kansas (2-16) Kansas State (no team) Colorado (no team)

SPORTS BRIEFLY Cowboys employees settle in building-collapse dispute DALLAS — The two Dallas Cowboys employees who are suing over injuries they suffered in the collapse of the team’s practice facility last year have reached out-ofcourt settlements with the company that built the structure.

Cowboys scouting assistant Rich Behm and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis have both settled with Summit Structures LLC of Allentown, Pa., and its Canadian parent, Cover-All Building Systems Inc. The settlements were described in court documents filed last Friday. The parties agreed to keep the amount confidential, according to the filings.

The agreements do not affect other defendants named in the lawsuits filed by the pair after the accident May 2, 2009, including three companies controlled by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Behm was paralyzed from the waist down and DeCamillis was left with a broken vertebrae after the steel and fabric building collapsed in a wind storm. They filed identical suits in different Dallas courts last August alleging gross negligence on the part of Summit, Cover-All and others tied to the facility’s design and construction.

In March, both suits added the Jones companies as defendants and alleged they knew, or should have known, that the building didn’t meet code.

Frank Branson, the attorney for Behm and DeCamillis, said his clients are pleased to have the suits partially settled. They now “look forward to dealing with the other defendants, including Jones family entities that owned the building and the land it was on,” he said.

— The Associated Press

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THROUGH JUNE 23

OPINION

4

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Editor-in-Chief: Lauren Winchester Phone: (512) 232-2212 E-mail: editor@dailytexanonline.com Associate Editors: Heath Cleveland Doug Luippold Dave Player Dan Treadway

T HE DAILY T EXAN

GALLERY

VIEWPOINT

The right call The University pulled the rug out from under the college sports world Monday, announcing that UT would remain with the now 10-member Big 12 Conference. The announcement came after weeks of speculation that UT would be a key player in the current round of conference realignment, with most sources touting the Pac-10 Conference as the most likely destination. Going into Monday, all signs pointed toward a formal announcement of such a move — the top-fold headline of Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman even read “UT, Tech heading west to Pac-10.” Yet by Monday’s end there was an aboutface as President William Powers Jr. announced that UT was reaffirming the school’s commitment to the Big 12.

This news capped off a tumultuous couple days. College sports has become completely encapsulated by the 24-hour cable news cycle. When combined with the online media fueled by sports columnists, recruiting websites, bloggers and other college football zealots, the final product can be overwhelming. The resulting media frenzy created a significant amount of momentum pushing the University toward the West Coast.

The UT administration and athletic department, by putting the brakes on the movement and ending all the excitement, could have generated some negative sentiment that may be directed our way.

That negativity, however, should be overshadowed by the positive effect this decision will have on the University. The choice to remain in the Big 12 is the smartest decision in light of the present circumstances.

In an editorial that ran last week, we outlined why the University should pursue a move to the Pac-10, stating “If another major conference offers significantly greater annual revenue, as well as providing a more accommodating academic culture, then it is in the best interest of the University to make such a switch.”

That reasoning still stands, but the conference has changed since then. As recent developments have shown, the Pac-10 no longer presents the best option for the University going forward. Under the proposed move to the Pac-10, UT would have become a centerpiece of a new 16-team “super-conference”, and a TV deal that could have netted twice the amount of revenue of our current deal.

The turning point came with news that the Big 12 could offer an even more lucrative television contract. Under a new deal, Big 12 schools would receive $17 million annually with UT receiving an estimated $20 million, at least initially. Some estimate that UT’s revenue could reach as high as $25 million annually.

The possibility of UT operating its own cable network was a point of contention between the University and the Pac-10.

Under the Pac-10 television contract, member institutions forfeit their distribution rights. By retaining those rights with the Big 12, UT stands to bring in an additional $3-$5 million annually in revenue.

It’s natural that the Pac-10 may feel bitter after being snubbed by UT. After Monday’s announcement, the Denver Post’s John Henderson quoted a Pac-10 source close to the negotiations stating, “They want a better revenue sharing deal and their own network. Those were points of principle. [The Pac-10] wants to treat everyone fairly. It’s been that way for months of discussions.”

The simple truth is that there’s nothing “fair” about the financial side of college athletics. There’s no reason for smaller schools that bring nothing to the table athletically, like Washington State, to receive the same amount of compensation as schools with powerhouse athletic departments such as UT. The UT administration has a responsibility to pursue whatever course of action they perceive to be in the best interest of the University. That includes student athletes, the student body, faculty, alumni and future students. Not, however fervent their interests, the Pac-10, sports pundits or speculative college football fans.

Over the past five years, the athletic department has given $6.6 million back to the University. At a press conference yesterday, when asked how additional revenue would be used, President Powers said it would continue to be used in the same manner as currently employed. There’s no reason to suspect that $6.6 million shouldn’t increase with the athletic department’s deepening pockets.

The University and its athletic department are in a favorable position compared to their peers across the country. Schools in California are facing huge budget shortfalls; the University of California-Berkeley’s athletic department continues to face budget deficits that are supplemented by student fees and the university’s general fund. Here at UT, we are fortunate to be one of the few educational institutions on the receiving end of the money exchange between the University and its athletic department.

President Powers and athletic directors Deloss Dodds and Chris Plonsky should be applauded for having the patience, will and foresight to stop the realignment whirlwind in its tracks and do what’s best for the University. It may not be the most popular decision, but at this point in time, it seems like the right one.

—Dave Player for the editorial board

Thinking like an engineer could prevent future oil spills ance of a foolproof design. But no project is complete before maintenance and monitoring are considered.

Several questions occur to me when According to a Washington Post articonsidering the ongoing disaster in the cle published on May 5, the U.S. governGulf. ment granted BP an exemption from an Was an engineer involved in the deci- environmental impact analysis in 2009, sion to approve the construction of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico? What sort of mindset is required of political and business leaders when evaluating potential projects, esIf [Deepwater pecially infrastructure-level ones?

Horizon] had been Government and business leaders are reviewed correctly and and will continue to be responsible for evaluating increasingly complex, infrainspectors had asked structure-level projects. Therefore, it’s the right questions imperative that these individuals have the ability to “think like engineers.” and monitoring tools There are several broad categories of deployed on the rig, tools used by engineers today: design then it probably would tools, manufacturing and construction tools, and maintenance and monitorhave been a success. ing tools. This probably seems prosaic, but it’s an important point to remember, especially when evaluating a complex project. This is especially true in today’s technological environment, in which the sophistication of engineering showing that neither the government tools is so high that the lines between nor BP expected such an accident. them can be difficult to draw. Often the My guess is there were very few casdesign tools used for new products and es by which to judge the product’s desystems make it possible to generate sign. The maintenance and monitoring data and graphs that give the appear- tools in place were probably simple reBy James Murdock Daily Texan Guest Columnist

finements of systems used in older rigs operating in environments that were not as harsh. The waived safety systems probably didn’t even exist — the ambitious nature of the design should have made the evaluator investigate it more, not less, and be insistent on seeing a proper suite of maintenance and monitoring tools. Such a toolset would have made it possible to accurate ly measure the amount of oil flowing from the rig. BP’s inability to provide an accurate figure indicates the maintenance tools were not up to par.

This disaster will make it more difficult to drill in the Gulf. In addition to the up-front costs, future profitable projects may not go forward for fear of similar disasters, and economic activity those projects could have stimulated may not occur.

But, if this project had been reviewed correctly and inspectors had asked the right questions about the maintenance and monitoring tools deployed on the rig, then it probably would have been a success. Future political and business leaders need to keep these simple and direct questions in mind when evaluating future projects such as Deepwater Horizon.

Murdock is an electrical and computer engineering graduate student.

GALLERY

THE FIRING LINE BP isn’t biggest eco-polluter There was an unusually low amount of rules and regulations for the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. Although not for BP, whose laundry list of accidents and explosions can, and likely will, fill a book at some point.

However, I was extremely disappointed to learn the trail of falsehoods had spread so far as to infiltrate our own beloved Daily Texan. This Monday, in the article “Google sells out,” by Joshua Lee, the author refers to BP as “the biggest eco-polluter in history.” That subjective title belongs to someone else for the time being — the now defunct Iraqi government of the late Saddam Hussein.

If you restrict the criteria of “the biggest eco-polluter in history” to oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, Pemex, then the national oil company of Mexico, takes the cake with their Ixtoc I spill in 1979. Pemex does not even get punished because their standing as a national oil company granted them sovereign immunity.

Too bad BP was never a national oil company, seeing as they may be seeking a bailout from somebody in the near future.

— Steven Gohlke undergraduate president of the Jackson School of Geosciences

A simple thank you Very simply Longhorns — thank you! From football fans who enjoyed the Big 8 as well as the Southwest Conference, both of which were top notch, we thank the UT administration for its decision to stay put in what is now the best conference in all of college football. Just ... thanks!

— Larry and Barb Marsh, Lake Waukomis, Missouri

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