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Is Rodman relevent in global politics? Patel reviews ‘Lone Survivor’ Bearkat basketball in SLC

TOMORROW’S FORECAST

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Where does SHSU go from here?

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Volume 125/ Issue 1

Facebook.com/ TheHoustonian Thursday, Jaunary 16, 2014

“Mistaken” CAMPUS

UPD admits fault for misidentified victim during investigation JAY R. JORDAN Associate Editor Hours after a fatal car wreck involving four Sam Houston State students on campus in December, SHSU’s police department incorrectly identified one of the deceased students in the midst of the tragedy. SHSU officials are admitting fault to misidentifying Roberto Rodriguez Guerra as one of the three students who died in the accident. After eight hours of confusion about the identity of the victims, the university released the names of those who were killed, but SHSU student Guerra, 21, whose name was included in the press release, was alive and well. According to University Police Chief Kevin Morris, UPD misidentified Guerra as the third victim. “We made a mistake,” Morris said. Morris said a piece of stolen property belonging to Guerra contributed to the confusion. “We use several different characteristics, you know, could be driver’s licenses, ID’s, whatever may be in the individual’s pockets,” Morris said. “Going on what one of the individuals had in his pockets, it appeared that his name was who we identified him as. As we went through that process, we felt fairly confident of it. When the two investigators were going through it, they felt

IN BRIEF The House of Representatives passed a $1.1 trillion compromised budget that funds the government through September. The bill reduces funding for the Internal Revenue Service and Environmental Protection Agency while raising the budget for Head Start, the Obama Administration’s key priority for early childhood education. District Court Judge Terence Kern ruled Tuesday that the state’s ruling on samesex marriage was unconstitutional. Although a major ruling for the LGBT community, Kern said that this ruling won’t immediately affect same-sex couples in Oklahoma hoping to get married. Walmart is being sued for allegedly retaliating against protesting employees during 2013’s Black Friday. 19 employees claim to have been fired for their actions, and the incident encompassed 120 employees in 14 states. Walmart spokesperson Brooke Buchanan said the company believes that it’s okay to retaliate against employees acting as such during their scheduled shifts.

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confident, and so we released the names to our public relations who then released them to the media.” That stolen property was an iPod found on the victim’s person, according to Guerra, a junior political science major. He said he kept on it a copy of his class schedule and Sam ID. “They got my name from the iPod,” Guerra said, including that he thought an iPod doesn’t come close to an official ID. Communications director Julia May was in charge of making the victims’ names public. “We were given the names, and whenever we had our statement prepared, then we released the names,” May said. “Almost immediately we were contacted by UPD that there was a possibility that the third name we released was inaccurate.” The media received a second press released redacting Guerra’s name with a third release later revealed that Alfanso Mata, 20, was the third victim. Guerra said his parents were notified of his alleged death and accepted their son’s fate at face value. “That was the main inconvenience for me, that my parents were notified about it,” Guerra said. Guerra’s parents didn’t attempt to contact him because of their confidence in the police’s word, according to Guerra. After he was incorrectly reported dead, he said his phone was flooded with texts

Khoi Nguyen| The Houstonian

IN MEMORIAM. Three crosses are placed for three students who died in an accident on graduation day last semester. The memorials have since been removed.

and calls from concerned friends. “I just didn’t know what to believe,” Guerra said. “The first thing I did, I went for my wallet and looked for my IDs. I looked through my phone, everything. My first reaction was to assume everybody was alive, because I knew I was alive and I had all my IDs. All of them.” Minutes after the initial press release by the university, The

Houstonian posted the names on Facebook and Twitter. Multiple commenters immediately refuted the reports that Guerra had died. One commenter, Ricardo Rodriguez, suggested checking sources again, because he was certain it was a mistake. “Roberto Rodriguez was not in the car at the time,” Rodriguez posted. “It’s somebody else.” “He is our friend, and he is well

and alive,” Cristina Isabel said. “It put his family and friends through grave stress.” UPD is currently reevaluating their process by which victims are identified in situations such as this, according to Morris. An investigation into the fatal car crash is still ongoing by UPD. The Houstonian will continue to cover the investigation as more information unfolds.

CAMPUS

Settlement offered in discrimination lawsuit HANNAH ZEDAKER Senior Reporter A lawsuit by a Sam Houston State University employee against SHSU on the basis of racial discrimination came to a close Monday after two years of litigation, according to court documents. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt dismissed Angel Lamb’s lawsuit after being notified that a settlement between the two parties had been reached. Details of the settlement were unable to be obtained by press time because Lamb and her lawyer, Jo Miller, refused to comment to the

Houstonian. Yvonne Bennett, who represented SHSU, did not return repeated calls for comment. Lamb, a human resources employee, filed the lawsuit with the U.S. Court of the Southern District of Texas in 2012 under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 citing “unlawful employment discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation” according to court documents. Previous settlement attempts by the university were “lowball” offers, according to court documents filed by Miller. The parties have 90 days to reinstate the case if the terms of the settlement are not met. Lamb began working for SHSU

in 1990 as a full-time financial aid clerk and was eventually transferred to the HR department in 2010 alongside fellow AfricanAmerican employees Brittany Drake-Dixon and Cyndi Wilson. At the time of her transfer, David White served as the interim director of the HR department and Cynthia Bennett worked as the associate director of the HR department. It was during these two employee’s supervision that Lamb alleged she and her coworkers were passed over for raises and promotions that they believed they were qualified for due to false evaluations. Lamb and the other AfricanAmerican coworkers were the only employees in the HR department

not to receive raises, which all white employees reportedly did receive, according to court documents. According to Lamb, White and Bennett were “targeting” the three black HR employees “in an effort to the get them to quit and cleanse the HR department,” the documents stated. White is no longer director of HR, while Bennett is still associate director. In her original complaint, Lamb said, “I love SHSU and I plan to retire here, but I will not continue to sit back and take this type of treatment.”

CAMPUS

Autopsy: alcohol a factor in triple-fatal accident on campus KASSIDY TURNPAUGH Assistant News Editor The autopsy and toxicology reports on the driver in the fatal car accident that killed three Sam Houston State University students in December have been obtained by the Houstonian. An autopsy conducted by Montgomery County Forensic Services Department found that Blanca Espinal, 19, died of multiple blunt injuries and declared her death an accident.

The toxicology report noted Espinal’s blood alcohol content of .21g/100mL, almost three times the legal limit. according to Texas Penal Code §49.01. The toxicology report also indicated that in her system was 2.0 ng/ mL of tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive found in marijuana. The accident also killed SHSU students Eric Torres, 22 and Alfanso Mata, 20, and put the lone survivor, Thomas Roling, 22, in the hospital. University Police Department

received a call in the early hours on Dec. 14, 2013, of a crash at the intersection of Bowers Boulevard and Avenue I. According to a police investigation of the incident, the vehicle in question struck a portion of sidewalk in the center of the intersection, causing it to become airborne. Police arrived on the scene to find a vehicle resting upside down against the stairwell of Academic Building IV. According to UPD’s incident report, Roling “had extracted himself from the vehicle and was

standing outside of the vehicle on law enforcement arrival.” The police report also indicated that Torres was in the back seat and was partially ejected from the sunroof of the car before it came to its final resting place. Both victims in the back seat were not wearing seatbelts, the report stated. An investigation into the crash is still ongoing by UPD. The Houstonian will continue to cover the investigation as more information is available.

Be sure to check out the Houstonian Orientation Guide located around campus and the City of Huntsville! Can’t find one? Let us know and we’ll get you a copy.

Page 2

News

Thursday, January 16, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

CAMPUS

SHSU professors lead new research, see success on federal level with ATF CONNOR HYDE Editor-in-chief

Sam Houston State University researchers have identified techniques to strengthen the national database of forensic ballistic evidence used to link the use of guns in violent crimes. A report released by the National Institute of Justice highlights recommendations from a study headed by SHSU associate professors William King and William Wells to strengthen

the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network – a database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. NIBIN is the only nationwide database that allows examination and comparisons of ballistic evidence during criminal cases. The system contains 150 local police departments and crime labs across the United States. King, who was the lead investigator of the study, said in an interview with Today at Sam the program has “tremendous potential to help criminal investigators solve violent gun

crimes and combat organized criminal groups.” “Historically, NIBIN has suffered from a lack of funding and clear performance metrics that can be used to assess how well the program is working,” King said. King said the ATF has already used suggestions from their study to improve the performance NIBIN network. He said there is a wide fluctuation of performance across the board in the NIBIN sites, but specific labs including Houston and Santa Ana, Calif., police departments developed efficient

techniques to assist in criminal cases, despite the number of gun cases processed each year. The recommendations from the study to broaden the information on each “hit” report include geographic codes, criminal records and to create a measurement standard to log the number of hits and inputs to evaluate each local NIBIN site. King and the research team suggested the NIBIN should also be used as a tool to identify and counter gun crimes related to organized crime groups. Eventually it would establish an ATF research and development program to increase timeliness of

CAMPUS

Twitter chat educates LEX LAAS Contributing Reporter Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted a live Twitter chat Monday in which he addressed any questions students had about the education system. Topics ranged from how to keep college affordable to the importance of the Obama Administration’s college rating system. Last August, President Barrack Obama outlined a plan to combat rising tuition costs to help college become affordable for most families. He directed the education committee to plan and get involved with the community for an approach to be the best plan of attack to lower educational costs.

One question tweeted by Duncan garnered numerous responses: “Students: When comparing colleges, what matters most to you in making a decision – price, quality, geography, program, other? #StuVoice” Duncan encouraged parents as well as students to join the chat. “Giving parents an easy way to understand college options and help their children drives so much of our work,” Duncan said in a response to one Twitter user. The series of chats, which were launched in May 2012, were created to bridge the gap between students, journalists and educators. People from all over the world can discuss policy issues while sharing similar ideas.

CAMPUS

President Gibson inducted into federal task force KASSIDY TURNPAUGH Assistant News Editor The newly formed nationwide Task Force on Government Regulations of Higher Education will include Sam Houston State University President Dana Gibson along with 13 other university presidents and education experts. The task force was established by the U.S. Senate Education Committee to address the financial impact of federal regulation on post-secondary education. Gibson’s appointment comes after serving with the American Academic Leadership Institute, the policies and purposes committee, and the board of directors for the American Association of State Colleges and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “I’m looking forward to working with other education leaders from across the nation to

Courtesy Sam Houston Stazte University

make recommendations that will address this increasing burden on our universities,” Gibson said in a recent press release. “I am honored to serve with this group.” Gibson will still maintain her duties as university president and believes that her involvement in the task force will benefit the university. Being on the task force will help SHSU because it will allow me to obtain information on other universities’ strengths, Gibson said.

hits to the websites. “The singular mission of NIBIN is to reduce firearm violence through aggressive investigation and prosecution of criminal shooters,” Ron Turk, ATF assistant director of field operations said in an interview with Today at Sam. “This NIJ report validates many of the changes ATF has implemented in the NIBIN program over the last year in an effort to achieve our mission.” Researchers from Arizona State University, American University and the University of Cincinnati assisted King and Wells in their study.

Khoi Nguyen| The Houstonian

SHUT DOWN. Huntsville’s Planned Parenthood is closed in accordance with Texas’s new abortion law

Texas abortion laws in federal court hands ASHLEE SYMANK Contributing Reporter A federal appellate court heard arguments last week on whether parts of Texas’ abortion law passed in summer 2013 may continue to be enforced. The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans didn’t specify how soon it would rule on whether a district judge erred in declaring parts of the measure, passed as House Bill 2 and signed by Gov. Rick Perry, unconstitutional. In October, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled that the part of the law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where they perform abortions places unconstitutional burdens on women seeking abortions. Planned Parenthood and The Center for Reproductive Rights joined the American Civil Liberties Union and several Texas clinics in bringing a lawsuit against the state of Texas that led to Yeakel’s decision. Other parts of the law passed in 2013 ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as hospital-style

surgical centers. According to the USA Today, under the law abortion providers also need to follow a United States Food and Drug Administration protocol for providing abortioninducing drugs. “The FDA protocol limits the use of the drugs to the first 49 days after a woman’s last menstrual period, but many doctors have developed an ‘off-label’ protocol that permits a drug-induced abortion up to 63 days after the last menstrual period,” the USA Today reported. The bill’s author, Rep. Jodie Laubenberg (R-Murphy), claims that the new requirements will encourage health and sanitation of abortion facilities and patients as well as promoting the state’s interest in protecting fetal and adult life. NARAL Pro Choice Texas, a political action committee, issued a statement condemning the regulations because they will endanger the health and safety of Texas women. “The medical abortion protocols required in HB2 are a 13-year-old FDA label that is no longer commonly used because there is a newer, evidence-based method proven to be safer, more

“Be SAFER”

effective and with fewer side effects,” the PAC stated in its October release. “It makes no sense why the Texas Legislature would want to interfere this heavily into the practice of medicine and require doctors to follow protocols that aren’t in the best interest of their patients, except that the additional trips to the clinic that would be required would make it insurmountably difficult for women to afford a medical abortion.” However, Sam Houston State University student Andrew Sanchez agreed with Laubenberg. “I don’t necessarily agree with the decision to have an abortion, but I support this law,” senior Sam Houston State University student Andrew Sanchez said. “Previously, abortion clinics were known to have less than optimal safety conditions, and it’s a good idea to make them live up to higher surgical expectations.” Abortion clinics statewide, including Huntsville’s Planned Parenthood, were forced to close their doors after failing to meet the law’s requirements. Planned Parenthood did not return repeated calls for comment by press time.

What are you risking?

“Be Safe” Alcohol & Drug increase the risk of harm, take precautions to be safe! - Designate a driver! - Always go out with friends! “Be Assertive” Be the voice of reason, even when it’s not a popular decision. - Don’t let friends drive drunk! - Stay above the influence! “Be Fun(ctional)” Know your limits...don’t exceed them.

Remember to “Be SAFER!” The mission of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Initiative is to prevent and reduce irresponsible alcohol and drug use among Sam Houston State University students through coordinated efforts to inform, educate, and modify student’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding substance abuse. Through a multi-faceted approach, we envision a safe, and healthy SHSU community that is free of the negative and tragic outcomes attributable to alcohol and drug use. “Be SAFER” is the slogan for the ADAI and a message that permeates throughout all of our efforts. With every campus event, presentation, or other effort we want to remind everyone to “Be SAFER!”

“Be Educated” Be educated on the impact alcohol can have on your health and overall well-being. When you know what’s at stake, you’ll be empowered to make responsible decisions. “Be Responsible” When you know the facts, your limits, how to be safe, and are prepared to be assertive, then you can be responsible. Alcohol use is common, but also causes a lot of harm. So, don’t drive drunk, look out for your friends, and “Be Responsible.”

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Initiative

www.shsu.edu/dept/adai • 936.294.2228

“Be SAFER!”

Contact Information: www.shsu.edu/dept/adai 936-294-2228 936-294-3794

Location Information: Allen House 2001 Avenue I, Suite 213 Huntsville, TX 77341

Page 3

Viewpoints

Thursday, January 16, 2014 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

WORLD

Idiot Abroad: Dennis Rodman brings his circus act to the world’s stage through his exploits in North Korea COLIN HARRIS Viewpoints Editor

Five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman’s basketball career was marked by on-thecourt tenacity and a penchant for making headlines due to his off-the-court antics. Even though his playing days are long over, Rodman just can’t seem to stay out of the news. Since he’s run out of orifices to pierce and his brief career as a pro wrestler is on hiatus, Rodman finally has enough time to pursue a bromance with North Korea’s despotic leader, Kim Jong-un. The friendship between the two lunatics blossomed in February 2013 when Rodman and an entourage of Harlem Globetrotters played an exhibition game in the isolated nation. Rodman was sufficiently seduced by Kim’s superficially glamorous lifestyle and the country’s Potemkin villages to make three subsequent visits, lauding the murderous dictator as “a very good guy.” Although it’s difficult to confirm any news from north of the demilitarized zone, this December noted “very good guy” Kim Jong-un more than likely

had his uncle executed via firing squad as part of a potentially ongoing and highly-publicized purge within the regime. Most recently. Rodman brought a group of former NBA B-listers to North Korea to celebrate Kim’s 31st birthday with a high-profile pick-up game against Korean players in front of an arenasized audience. Dennis even led the raucous crowd (made up of confidants Kim hadn’t recently executed) in singing “Happy Birthday to You” to the tyrant. In the lead up to the revelry, a CNN host asked Rodman to opine on Kenneth Bae, a KoreanAmerican Christian missionary sentenced to 15 years in a labor camp by the paranoid regime on trumped up accusations of sedition. Rodman, clearly not understanding or particularly caring about the facts of the case, defended Bae’s imprisonment. Foreign policy analysts and human rights advocates worldwide criticized him for his tone-deaf comments about the American political prisoner abroad. Several days later, Rodman offered a contrite apology saying, “I had been drinking. It’s not an excuse but by the time the

interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed. It’s not an excuse, it’s just the truth.” Glad you could clear that up for us, Dennis. Who among us, after a night of heavy drinking, hasn’t befriended a murderous and psychotic despot with a small nuclear arsenal and defended his thug regime for trampling on the rights of its citizenry? After all, when you’re drunk, everyone’s your friend, and if lunatic tinpot dictators happen to be nearby, cozying up to them can’t be too intimidating, regardless of how many mass graves and human rights violations they’re responsible for. Rodman beclowns himself with his globe-trotting antics in North Korea, but this is nothing out of character coming from a man who wore a wedding dress to his own wedding. I’d ask you to imagine the reaction on the altar from his future wife, but Rodman was marrying himself. In the United States, a person can’t legally marry themselves, but this was an immaterial fact to Rodman’s publicity stunt. The Kim family’s reign of terror on the people of North Korea is just as inconsequential to Rodman’s most recent publicity stunt.

Word on the Street: Where do you buy your textbooks?

“I usually buy (my books) from Barnes & Noble, because of the convenience on campus.” -Rebekah Flaschke Junior Marketing

“If I’m buying, I’ll just get them on campus. I rent a lot off of Chegg too. They usually give you free stuff like Red Bull with your books.” -Valeri Michna Senior 4-8 Mathematics Education

CAMPUS

Christmas Down Under polar opposite to America’s traditions NATALIE PETAIA Columnist With school underway the Christmas holidays are well and truly behind us, but before classes, work and the everyday busyness of life take hold let’s take a moment to remember just how amazing it was. The carols, the presents, the food, the beach… No, you aren’t hallucinating, I just said Christmas at the beach. Now before you go and call me crazy let me explain myself. One of the perks of being an international student is that I get to experience the best of both worlds. When it comes to Christmas, I’ve had the luxury of experiencing two very different, but equally brilliant holidays. Christmas back home in Australia, is hot, sweaty, and sticky and I love every moment of it. Instead of being inside sitting around a fire, we lie out by the pool or take a trip to the beach. Instead of little kids looking like snowballs all rugged up, there are toddlers parading around in nappies (diapers), togs (swim suits), and thongs (flipflops). Gone are giant turkeys, roasted

chickens and yummy pies. Instead my Christmas lunch is made up of fresh prawns (NOT shrimp), which may or may not be ‘thrown on the barbie’; cold meats, giant salads, and for dessert the greatest creation known to man: the pavlova. It is common knowledge to any Australian or New Zealander that the pavlova is so amazing I’m going to take a second right now and attempt to explain the gloriousness that is this dessert. Picture this: a crisp, sugary merengue crust encircling a light, ‘marshmellowy’ center. Top this with fresh cream and even fresher fruit – namely passion fruit, kiwi fruit and strawberries – and you have the genius that is pavlova. Don’t get me wrong though, I loved my American Christmas experience. One thing I can say is that you guys know how to decorate a tree like nobody’s business. Wearing boots and a scarf was a welcome change and even though I was in Texas, I didn’t feel like a complete imposter when I sang along to “White Christmas.” One of the most comforting things about spending Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere is that the majority of Christmas

carols actually make sense! Singing about snow-covered hills in a country mainly covered in desert and surrounded by tropical beaches isn’t one of the aspects of my life that has made the most sense. However don’t fear, instead of losing our national identity over the years, we Aussies fashioned our own Christmas carols, our most famous and most loved being the good ol’ “Six White Boomers.” Since Australians are deprived of the gloriousness that is Thanksgiving (can you tell how much I love food yet?) and Black Friday, we’ve developed our own version. One of the best parts of Christmas in Australia (or any commonwealth country for that matter) comes the next day with what we lovingly call Boxing Day. This is the Down Under equivalent to black Friday and it also comes with people camping outside stores to try and grab bargains, however we are yet to have our first pepper spray fiasco! Whether I get to spend my Christmas up north, or Down Under, I love it for the memories, for getting to see my family, and for eating meals three times too large without judgment.

“I usually don’t buy them on campus, because the process takes so long. They’re usually a lot cheaper off campus and $100 or more each semester makes a big difference for college kids.” -Christopher Jacque Junior History-Secondary Education

“I like going off campus for my books. It’s not as busy, crazy and chaotic. Less stress is always good.” -Courtney Dillon Sophomore Advanced Animal Science

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The Houstonian Editorial

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Connor Hyde ........................................................................................................................................936-294-1505 FACULTY ADVISER Robin Johnson..................................................................................................................................936-294-1499

The Houstonian was named in the top 100 college newspapers for journalism students by JournalismDegree.org. Members of Associated Collegiate Press and Texas Intercolligiate Press Association.

EDITOR’S NOTE Articles, letters and cartoons by Houstonian staff members or others in this paper are their own and not the opinion of the Houstonian, unless it is noted as such. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcome. Please send submissions to viewpoints@houstonianonline.com. Articles may be edited for grammar and spelling at discretion of editor. Unsolicited oppinions should be 150 words or under. Please contact us if you wish to submit anything longer. Deadline for submission is by 5 p.m. on Mondays or Wednesdays.

STAFF Jay R. Jordan .................................................................................................................................Associate Editor Colin Harris...................................................................................................................................Viewpoints Editor Jeremy Villanueva..................................................................................................................................Sports Editor Kizzie Frank.............................................................................................................................Entertainment Editor Stephen Green...........................................................................................................................................Web Editor Kassidy Turnpaugh.............................................................................................................. Assistant News Editor Marissa Hill........................................................................................................................................Sports Reporter Hannah Zedeker.................................................................................................................................Senior Reporter Miranda Landsman....................................................................................................................Multimedia Reporter Samantha Zambrano.............................................................................................................................Layout Editor Lillie Muyskens..............................................................................................................................Graphic Designer Staff Reporter(s)..................................................................................................... Kaleigh Treiber, Alex Broussard

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BUSINESS MANAGER Paty Mason......................................................................................................................................936-294-1500 ADVERTISING MANAGER Stacy Hood.........................................................................................................................................936-294-1495 STAFF Cristina Tazado.............................................................................................................................Delivery Manager

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Page 4

Arts&Entertainment

Thursday, January 16, 2014 houstonianonline.com/a-e

FILM

Associated Press

PREPARING FOR BATTLE. From left, Taylor Kitsch, as Michael Murphy, Mark Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell, Ben Foster as Matt “Axe” Axelson, and Emile Hirsch as Danny Dietz in a scene from the film, “Lone Survivor

‘Lone Survivor’ brings heart into a gruesome story of war DHARMESH PATEL Assistant A&E Editor The film “Lone Survivor” is currently the number one movie in the nation and audiences have been packing the theaters to experience a first-hand account of the deadly survival story of local hero and Sam Houston State University alumnus Marcus Luttrell. The film is based on Luttrell’s memoir of the same name, “Lone Survivor”, and accurately translates into a live action story of a failed Navy SEAL Team’s mission to capture and kill the abhorrent Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. Even before stepping into the theater, the ending can be deduced from the title. Luttrell was the only one to make it out alive.

The movie’s director, Peter Berg, is able to take viewers inside the tight-knit Navy SEAL 10 team as they scout through the mountains of Afghanistan and shed light on the humanity of the four individuals within the team including Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and Matt Axelson (Ben Foster). The actors come together and exude a believable chemistry playing off of each other’s ability to act as individuals who have transitioned from colleagues into an unbreakable brotherhood. They portray the men not just as soldiers, but as individuals with everyday concerns such as family, wives, children, dreams and hopes for a future that will never come.

This very personal portrayal of the men’s lives outside of the Navy plays heavily later in the film when they are being horrifically ambushed by 100 plus Taliban fighters and have nothing to hold onto except their fading memories of home. Viewers were taken deep into the lives of the soldiers and their families. “What got to me was watching them dying and thinking about their families back home and how they would never see them again,” said senior at SHSU, Roxanne Gordon who watched the movie this past weekend. The firefight scene is what sets this film apart from other military movies. According to ABC News, Luttrell worked alongside Berg to ensure the scenes were true to

TELEVISION

America’s Got Talent travels to Houston KIZZIE FRANK A&E Editor Grab your burping soda. Grab your top hat. Your ventriloquist dummy. Your flaming rings of death. America’s Got Talent announced that auditions are coming to Houston January 17-18. Auditions for the competition that defines talent broadly are open to all ages. However, if you are under 18, grab your parent or guardian as well. America’s Got Talent has been on the air for eight seasons and has already visited multiple cities to watch everyday people audition to perform their talents. A common question when auditioning is whether or not celebrity judges will be present. In this case, the answer is no. Like many other shows similar to AGT, the first round of auditions will be reviewed by the producers of the show. The auditioning website suggests that all performers give their all during auditions. “After producers have auditioned everyone in each city, they begin to make decisions on which acts will be asked

to perform for the celebrity judges,” the producers said. When on-air auditions begin, the celebrity judges will be in attendance. According to the Houston Chronicle, on air auditions will have the same four judges as last season including Heidi Klum, Mel B, Howard Stern and Howie Mandel. The acts that will be moving on in the process are the only ones that will be notified or called back for the second round. Each person asked to move up in the process will be assigned a producer who will go over anything that is essential in the next round. For those who are not able to make it to the physical auditions, performers have been given the opportunity to submit auditions online as a video. “That way, the producers can become familiar with your act before we see you,” show officials said. Auditions will take place at 8400 Kirby Dr. in Houston. For more information and inspiration to gain the courage to participate, visit americasgottalentauditions.com.

View the full story online.

life. Together, they were able to accurately reproduce the realness of battle. “It was so intense that I had to shut my eyes to keep myself from crying,” said Jacqueline Franklin, a junior at SHSU. However, the real struggle of the protagonist does not began until after the ambush is over. Luttrelll, gruesomely injured with a broken back and countless other wounds, had to find a way to survive and get back home. He crawled through the unknown landscape until being found and sheltered by local Pashtan villagers who risked their own lives against the wrath of the Taliban. This heartwarming and critical turning point in the plot helps break the stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists.

He is eventually rescued with the help of the Afghan villagers and is able to make out alive. After the last scene plays out, the audience sat in shock, contemplating what they had just endured: real life footage of the four brave individuals begin to play. The actuality of the events sinks further into the viewers’ minds as they get a glimpse of who the soldiers were before that fateful day. The movie is projected to sweep the box office once again for a second week and continues to garner raving reviews. “Lone Survivor” is not a film to be missed. It will continue to bring perspective on what the men and women who fight for our country face every day as they head into the unknown.

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Page 5

Sports

Thursday, January 16, 2014 houstonianonline.com/sports

FOOTBALL

SHSU scrambles for new head coach after Fritz’s departure JEREMY VILLANUEVA Sports Editor

Former Sam Houston State University head football coach Willie Fritz accepted the head coaching position at Georgia Southern University Friday, leaving SHSU to search for their 15th head football coach in the school’s history. The problem for SHSU – it is four weeks before National Signing Day. SHSU is scurrying to fill in the hole at the head coaching position. Currently, the Bearkats only have four commits: quarterback Cole Martin from Cypress Ranch, cornerback DraShane Glass from Garland and two others. “Our search criteria will involve national playoff and championship

experience with preferred heading coaching experience,” SHSU athletic director Bobby William said. Williams said before Fritz made the commitment to Georgia Southern, the two were working on a strategy to fill the head coach position in case Fritz departed. “We were able to implement it as soon as he called me with his decision Thursday,” Williams said. Rumors swept across social media last week surrounding Fritz’s expectance to accept the offer from Georgia Southern and make the jump to the Football Bowl Series. Georgia Southern fans quickly began welcoming their new head coach while Bearkat fans posted gratitude and disappointment towards the soonto-be Eagle coach. Fritz was welcomed with open

Lillie Muyskens| The Houstonian

Alex Broussard | The Houstonian

FAREWELL. In his last season as head coach for Sam Houston State football, Willie Fritz earned SHSU its third straight Football Collegiate Series playoff berth with a 9-5 record. In his time at SHSU, Fritz turned around SHSU football by making the team a threat in the FCS.

arms at Georgia Southern’s official press conference by university president Brooks Keel and athletic director Tom Kleinlein. Kleinlein spoke about the direction he envisioned the football team to carry over from their Football Championship Subdivision success into FBS, and how Fritz is going to head the charge. “[Fritz] will take our program into the future and keep our historic past,” Keel said. Fritz spoke of Georgia Southern’s impressive winning record during their tenure as an FCS program. Yet, the records and traditions weren’t the determining factor, Fritz said, it was “for the people…we feel home here already.” Fritz said he plans to continue the triple-option offensive strategy that dominated the FCS during the Bearkats’ consecutive trips to the FCS National Championships in 2011 and 2012.

“We intend to hit the ground running,” Fritz said. “We’re going to run the football and we’re going to run it effectively. Our goal is to win every game next year.” Other coaches from Fritz’s staff have been rumored to depart as well. Backup quarterback Jared Johnson tweeted Tuesday that offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Ruse would be departing. “My QB coach is moving on to a new school…wish him all the luck to go and succeed…New chapter,” Johnson tweeted. When responding to a follower, Johnson said wide receivers coach Matt Barrett and cornerbacks coach Michael Mutz would be leaving the program as well. Fritz finished his final season as the Bearkat head coach with a 9-5 record, his worst record at SHSU next to his first season at the school. The absence of senior Bearkats Timothy Flanders, Brian

Bell and Tanner Brock didn’t make things easier for Fritz heading into the 2014 season until he accepted the job at Georgia Southern. “This is my fourth head coaching job,” Fritz said. “At the other three schools, the common denominator was the programs were on a downward spiral. That isn’t the case here.” Fritz led the Bearkats to a 40-15 record during his time at SHSU, including three FCS playoff appearances, two Southland Conference titles and back-toback National Championship appearances. Although Fritz won’t be calling the plays at Bowers Stadium anymore, he did thank Bearkat fans during an interview with KSAM for his time at SHSU, and changing the culture of Bearkat football. “And for one last time, eat ‘em up ‘Kats,” he said.

BASKETBALL

Bearkats running hot in Southland play Marissa Hill Sports Reporter Sam Houston State’s men’s basketball began conference play on a strong note currently seated second in the Southland Conference, trailing one game behind Stephen F. Austin State. The Bearkats climbed conference standings with two victories during the winter break against McNeese State and Nicholls State. The Bearkats desperately held on to a one-point lead in the final seconds of the game by way of a jump ball with 2.6 seconds remaining. Sophomore guard Paul Baxter missed a pair of free throws, one of which stuck to the rim. The possession arrow turned in favor of SHSU and with 2 seconds remaining, Cowboys freshman guard Jamaya Burr fouled Baxter to send him back to the line to drain the two late free throws to hold off a McNeese State comeback. Head coach Jason Hooten credited an early double-digit advantage to the win. “We needed that hot start,” Hooten said. “Or we would’ve been in trouble later.” Initially the Bearkats began the game in total control as they owned a 19-9 advantage within the first 10 minutes of play. SHSU continued to build upon that momentum behind the performance of junior guard Kaheem Ransom. He tallied 17 points and nine boards to lead the Bearkats to a 21-point lead in the first half. Redshirt freshman guard Dakarai Henderson came off the bench and contributed 11 points, draining three of SHSU’s six three-point shots in the first half. However, the Cowboys gained life during the second half. McNeese State clawed their way out of a 17-point deficit finding rhythm on the perimeter to narrow the Bearkats’ lead. “We played harder than them,” Baxter said. “We just lost intensity towards the end of the game.” With less than a second on the clock, sophomore guard Shaun Johnson connected on a 3-pointer to put the Cowboys at the heels of SHSU 81-82. A final turnover and foul sealed the Cowboys’ fate, giving the Bearkats the conference victory. “We need to do a better job of finishing,” Hooten said. SHSU used the McNeese game to propel them into the Nicholls State contest. Despite a sluggish start to the game, the Bearkats managed to annihilate the Colonels 88-61. Nicholls State took advantage of SHSU’s slow start with a healthy 13-2 lead. After

Courtesy GoBearkats

ON FIRE. Sophomore guard Paul Baxter takes the ball to the basket while fighting off Liberty’s University’s freshman guard Iverson Flaming in the 82-78 Bearkat win on Dec. 28.

that, the Bearkat offense revved up for a 15-4 run to tie the game at 17. Junior guard Jabari Peters said the Bearkat squad needed to change how they were playing for the second half. “We didn’t come with the right energy,” he said. “We picked it up and played our basketball.” Junior guard Marquel McKinney gave SHSU its first lead of the game, 26-25, after draining two free throws with six minutes left in the first period. The Bearkats took a 42-31 lead into halftime and didn’t let their momentum diminish. SHSU scored the first 10 points of the second half and kept their foot on the gas pedal, reaching a 30-point lead in the second half. Hooten used the squandered 24-point lead against McNeese State as ammunition. “I thought we responded,” he said. “We didn’t get sloppy.” The Bearkats ran the floor as they shot 57 percent from the field for the game. The Colonels were muffled down to 45 percent from the field after their aggressive start. Peters led the attack for the Bearkats, posting 18 points and doling out seven assists. Baxter chipped in 12 points and senior forward Terrance Motley drained 10 points. The win was a team effort as 11 Bearkats found themselves in the box score. SHSU will take the road the next four games. Their first stop will be in Hammond, La., to matchup with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Page 6 Thursday, January 16, 2014 houstonianonline.com/news

LOCAL

City approves sidewalk project on Lake Road, Ave. J BRYNN CASTRO Contributing Reporter

Kaleigh Treiber | Contributing Reporter

NOT DONE. Not Done

Huntsville City Council unanimously approved the Safe Routes to School Project during its Jan. 7 meeting. The project will construct sidewalks throughout Huntsville including Lake Road, which is heavily trafficked by Sam Houston State University students. The SRTS Project, which will cost $185,000, will allow the city to also construct sidewalks on Avenue J. Students frequently use Lake Road and Avenue J to travel from residential areas including U.H. Apartments and University Place Apartments to campus. Due to the lack of sidewalks, pedestrians who live along these roads are sometimes forced to share the road with motorists, which can be dangerous.

In one incident a man was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike down Lake Road during an evening last fall, according to a Houstonian reporter sent to cover the incident. Sam Houston State University students, including freshman Connor Manning, said the lack of sidewalks has been dangerous throughout the school year. “I used to ride my bike, but I got driven off of the road a few times, so I stopped,” Manning said. Huntsville Mayor Mac Woodward lent his support for the project. “I’m glad to be getting this project moving forward,” Woodward said at the meeting.

BASKETBALL

Bearkats finish in conference thrillers Marissa Hill Sports Reporter It was a nail-biter at Johnson Coliseum Saturday as Sam Houston State’s women’s basketball team stole a win from Nicholls State with .5 seconds remaining on the clock. Senior guard Jasmine Johnson drained the game-winning three before the final buzzer sounded, giving the Bearkats a thrilling 5150 victory over the Colonels. “I believed I could make the shot,” Johnson said. “I knew had to nail it.” The victory not only broke a seven-game losing streak but also gave SHSU its first conference win. “The monkey is off our back now,” head coach Brenda Nichols

said. “I think our girls will relax now.” SHSU started the game in a fiery fashion, owning the first 10 minutes. They quickly jumped out to a 17-3 lead while NSU struggled from the field, shooting 1-of-14. The Colonels were stifled with five fouls within the first 12 minutes of the game, allowing the Bearkats to go 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Nicholls State was able to recover in the second half, going on a strong run to overtake the Bearkats’ lead before being burnt at the death. SHSU played against conference rival McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., where the contest eluded the Bearkats by four points despite three Bearkats scoring in double figures for the night.

Junior post Angela Beadle headed the charge for the Bearkats, scoring 14 points and pulling down seven rebounds in the 55-59 loss. Freshman and sophomore guards Kristina Smith and Amanda Barnes each drained 13 points for SHSU, respectively. SHSU was scoreless in the first three and a half minutes, allowing McNeese State to gain a nine-point lead in the first half. However, once the offense started clicking, the Bearkats managed to close the gap with an 8-2 run, trailing the Cowgirls 21-22. In the second half, the Cowgirls extended their lead to 11 points, but the 3-point arch became the hotspot for SHSU. Smith drained a crucial 3-pointer, cutting the Cowgirls’

Courtesy GoBearkats

ATTACKING THE PAINT. Senior Jasmine Johnson drives into the paint against McNeese State. The Bearkats HSU fell short 59-55 against McNeese.

lead to 41-37. McNeese State managed to beef their advantage back up to nine points, but the Bearkat offense had two quick daggers for them. Smith and Barnes both connected on shots beyond the arc to slice the nine-point lead to three points.

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In the closing seconds of the contest, only down by 4 points, SHSU could not rally enough offense to take the victory. “Our biggest problem right now is our offensive game,” Nichols said. “We’re getting the shots; we’re just not getting them to fall.”

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