Vol 120 | Issue 5
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Publishing since 1913
Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Houstonian editors launch individual blog websites, pg. 3
Visit us on Facebook: “The Houstonian SHSU”
College sports signing day, pg. 7
INDEX Viewpoints ....... pg. 2 A&E ................... pg. 5 News .................. pg. 3 Sports................. pg. 7
Balancing life and death Movement, including very vocal members such as Gloria Rubac and Pat Hartwell. Rubac and Hartwell set up poster boards with the words “Honk to Stop Executions” and “Gov. Perry Texas Owes $800,000 to Clarence Brandley.” The supporters share a common belief that the death penalty is morally wrong, but take different extremes to get their message across. “If somebody’s being murdered, you should yell and scream,” Rubac said. “How many more millions does it cost to keep a prisoner on death row than it does for the amount of time you keep them in prison? It’s less,” Harwell said. Longmire believes that he is witnessing what he calls “the sin and injustice that’s taking place.” The group knows the moments leading up to execution by watching media, as well as family members, enter and exit the building. Standing on the corner passers-by can see straight into the top floor of the jail, where prisoners stand watching the pro-death penalty supporters. The prisoners can hear Rubac and others as they shout over the loudspeaker their beliefs. “I believe that no matter what the people have done, they’re people,” Longmire said. “They are humans, they’re part of our spirit and soul. It’s incumbent upon us to try to help the transition for them and ultimately it’s our transition as well.”
Criminal justice prof. shows his antiexecution stance with solitary candle JANISE RICHARDSON Contributing Reporter When someone hears that a criminal justice professor is at an execution, they may think he’s doing research. Not holding a candle in support of human life, like Dennis Longmire, Ph.D. Texas has performed over 400 executions since 1976 According to the Death Penalty Information Center website. The 478th execution happened on Jan. 27 at the Walls Unit, and Longmire was there like he has been since he moved to Huntsville in 1984. Longmire, a criminal justice professor at Sam Houston State University, focuses his research primarily in capital punishment. He stood on the corner of Avenue I and 12th Street outside the prison with other pro death penalty supporters where the executions take place. “I don’t come to the corner for any particular case,” Longmire said. “The issue isn’t innocence, [but] when we execute someone, we are taking human life.” At about 5 p.m., the “vigilers” take post and wait for key signs that signal parts of the execution. Rodrigo Hernandez, an inmate convicted of rape and murder of a 38 year old woman, was was executed for his role in the crime. Hernandez was required to provide a DNA sample as part of his parole when he was released in 2002. He was serving time for “beating a man nearly to death”, according to txexecutions. org. Hernandez’s sample matched DNA found on a woman who was assaulted and strangled back in 1994. Longmire held a “mother of Mary” candle, while Kelly Epstein, another prodeath penalty “vigiler” were only two of several pro-death penalty persons at the corner. They share it with a few members of the Texas Death Penalty Abolition
“
They are humans, they’re part of our spirit and soul. It’s incumbent upon us to try to help the transition for them and ultimately it’s our transition as well.
“
--Dennis Longmire, Ph.D.
Megan Laurie | The Houstonian
Studies: Non-medical use of study-enhancing drugs causes negative effects on its users JESSICA LUNDSTROM Contributing Reporter
After four cups of coffee, and two energy drinks, the determined freshman honor student still cannot find it in him to stay awake all night to study for the next day’s exams. So he turns to study drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse to keep him up through the night without knowing the risks. Are you one of those students? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration an estimated 6.4 percent of full-time college students ages 18-22 have nonmedically used study drugs in the past year.
Full-time college students who used Adderall non-medically were three times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year as students who did not misuse Adderall. They were eight times more likely to have used prescription tranquilizers nonmedically, and five times more likely to have used prescription pain relievers without a health professional’s orders or simply for the feeling or experience these drugs cause. These drugs are prescribed by doctors to children and adults that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD or narcolepsy. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency these drugs
have similar effects of cocaine but have a slower onset and prolonged duration. The main ingredient in these drugs, often called study drugs, is amphetamine salts. It is a stimulant that when taken causes an increased heart rate, loss of appetite, dry mouth, chest pains, hallucinations and in rare cases psychosis and paranoia. If taken by someone that does not have ADHD it can cause a sense of euphoria, which can make it extremely addictive. If taken too much, the user can easily acquire a psychological dependency. If taken over a long period of time, it can cause a permanent decrease in concentration. These drugs have become very common in college students. They
are not only taken just for study drugs but often taken so they can stay out later and party longer. When taken with alcohol it is said to make the effects of alcohol less severe since it is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. This puts the user at high risk of alcohol poisoning because it is still having the same effect on the body, and giving the impression that more alcohol can be drank than normal. Eddie Gisemba, the Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative on Sam Houston State University’s campus said use at SHSU and other schools are contributing to rising numbers. “There has been a recent rise in prescription drug abuse, with study drugs being a major class
of them. In addition, the amounts of prescriptions for ‘study drugs’ such as Adderall are going up. It would be a huge concern if students attempt to mimic the symptoms of psychiatric conditions in order to be prescribed the medications.” Gisemba also said that students should take advantage of finding important study mechanisms now, while they are still young, because they will not be able to take Adderall forever, and need to form good habits for their future careers. So while using study drugs seems to be the easy way out, experts do not recommend students to take these study drugs because of their potential long term impact or recreational use.
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Viewpoints
Page 2 Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Black colleges fail in athletics Brandon K. Scott reflects on historically black colleges and ‘Negro Leagues’ at the start of Black History Month
T
his column was supposed to be about athletics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the escape of black talent in the abandoning of Negro leagues. I was going to reflect on Black History Month from the perspective of a sportswriter and note black athletes had their own leagues that in the worst form of irony, lost its best to the institutions that once excluded them. The timing would’ve been perfect since we’re fresh off the NBA lockout, which saw threats of its predominantly black players forming leagues of their own, even if it was far-fetched. As far as colleges go, I wanted to address how pitiful HBCU
athletics are, even though so many of our college athletic superstars are black. Then I read an article on Wednesday from the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s website, which cited startling numbers from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. According to the data, 61.5 percent of the students at the 100 accredited HBCUs are women. Ten percent of black males who attend college attend an HBCU. The numbers also show that of the black males who make it to an HBCU, only 29 percent will graduate within six years, which is worse than the 33 percent national average of black males at all colleges. The six-year graduation rate is
that predominantly white colleges are. Maybe there is a little truth to that, but the issue here is much bigger than responsibility held by black colleges. If only 10 percent of black males who go to college are attending HBCUs, it downsizes the chances these universities are getting the black elite, similar to the situation with athletics. Even though one of the greatest tragedies in sports, in terms of black empowerment, is the collapse of Negro leagues and the athletic success of black colleges, the fact is that black athletics relies on black excellence on all levels. So what I’ve learned is, all of these shortcomings tie in together. Black colleges don’t have the best athletes or the best black students because they go to schools like
Brandon K. Scott Recurring Columnist
57 percent on a national level. These figures make it easy to assume that HBCUs are somehow failing black males or at least not meeting their needs in the way
Love your neighbor
The passing of Don Cornelius, founder of Soul Train, of apparent suicide. Your vision will be missed.
Misti Jones thinks ‘Brother Jed’ is doing more harm than good for Christians
I
All comics courtesy Creators.com
am all for freedom of speech, Wow. Red flag there, Buster. I’m but this is too far. Yelling pretty sure racism isn’t a Godly at students that they are quality. doomed to Hell as they walk Apparently his preaching style to class is uncomfortable on is aptly named “confrontational all levels. It’s unsettling and down- evangelism.” Isn’t Christianity about right inappropriate. how Jesus loves every single person A man named Brother Jed stands and not to judge others? Who does high and mighty next to this man think he blasphemy: “Warning. is to yell at students Drunks, homosexuals, who have tattoos abortionist, adulterers, or call sorority liars, fornicators, girls whores or thieves, athiests, tell us all to repent witches, idolators. immediately? Hell awaits you. 1 Jed and his Corinthians 6: 9-10”. followers are only This is my second contradicting what semester at Sam the Bible says. While Houston, but this is my they are quoting first time witnessing scripture, they are such an offensive taking it way out of demonstration outside context. No where Misti Jones the Lowman Student in the Bible does Senior Reporter Center. it say to scrutinize I cannot fathom how others for their sins. this man—whose Wikipedia site I It is purely hypocritical. stumbled upon with some help— “Our purpose in life is to love assumes we are all going to Hell for God and His creations, not hate those we associate ourselves with all the people we [know] because or things we have done. No one is of their differences,” sophomore perfect, and it is obvious that he is Brittany Madrigal said. “Shame on not either. this guy.” From Jed’s Wikipedia site: “The These campus preachers are not only thing Mexicans contribute to representing Christ in any such way. society is burritos and Jewish people This is a false representation of what are only good at making bagels and the Christian faith believes in. running banks.”
The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semiweekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call 936-294-1495. The Houstonian is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
The Susan G Komen Foundation pulled funding from Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings.
100% signing rate! There will be 17 new Bearkat football players next year and 9 new soccer players. Volleyball’s Valentine’s Day Fundraiser. Contact Assistant Coach Ellen Andrews at 936-294-3596 or email her at eaa017@shsu.edu for details!
W
hen Rick Perry announced his candidacy for President of the United States in August 2011, he seemed to be a very promising candidate. However, there were a few monumental mistakes that Perry made that led to his waning popularity and his choice to ultimately decide he would no longer run for president. One of the biggest mistakes Perry made was not being better prepared for debates. In a Republican presidential debate, Perry made the comment that he would cut three agencies once he became president, “education, commerce, and…uhhh, what’s the third?”
Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni: The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body. We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian. Karmen C. King, Viewpoints Editor, kking@houstonianonline.com
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Perry shot himself in foot during campaign
The debate host asked Perry if he really was unable to name a third agency and after stumbling about for a minute or two he reluctantly chuckled Jasmine Brown blames and admitted he Governor Rick Perry’s could not. His lack of preparedness and multiple debate gaffs on attention to various his failure to secure the national issues caused him to look Republican presidential foolish in the media. “I think Perry is nomination an embarrassment to Texas, just like Bush 57% through the Clean Air was an embarrassment to Texas,” Initiative.” Perry also speaks very SHSU student and political negatively about the freedom of science major Ashley Gay said. religion, saying that we should Another issue is that Perry have “freedom of religion, not has very controversial views, freedom from religion.” some of which are quite He goes further to state, “I will unfounded. end Obama’s war on religion.” At the GOP debate Perry A war that he has yet to give argued against the fact that proof that Obama has waged. human activity contributes to Resigning as a presidential global warming saying, “The candidate may be one of the best science is not settled on this.” decisions Perry has made since However, then he goes on to starting this journey. say that Texas “has lowered our nitrous oxide levels by All comics courtesy Creators.com -Jasmine is a mass comm major.
Editorial Staff
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Texas, Michigan, Florida, UCLA, or even Sam Houston State University. We can’t be so quick to blame HBCUs because if we take their black male students and switch them with the ones at the white schools, the conversation is totally different. It’s the same with the athletics. I’ve had conversations with friends about why mid major HBCUs can’t make historic runs in college basketball the way the predominantly white mid majors do. Well, if only 10 percent of black males who even go to college are at black colleges, that means a lot less than 10 percent of black males who go to college are playing ball at an HBCU.
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News
Page 3 Thursday, February 2, 2012
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University officials help students with financial aid MOLLY WADDELL Associate News Editor February is Financial Aid Awareness Month. This will be the 10th year that Sam Houston State University has done FAAM. The SHSU Financial Aid and Scholarship office is getting involved by helping SHSU students find out about financial aid and helping them fill out their financial aid forms. The Financial Aid and Scholarship office has a power point attached to the Today@sam email, giving student information on FAAM. In their power point the first thing they let students know is that in order to receive financial aid, a student must complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. They also made students aware of a new FAFSA requirement that financial information should be electronically retrieved from the IRS. According to the Financial Aid and Scholarship office three of the requirements for receiving financial aid are: the student must be enrolled at least half time (6 hours), the student must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA at SHSU, and the student must complete 75 percent of classes attempted. It is important for students to get a head start on financial aid, according to Lydia Hall, Assistant Director of Financial Aid. “There is a change in the technical requirements for
completing the FAFSA this year,” Hall said. “The family income information reported on the FAFSA must be electronically retrieved from IRS data or the student’s FAFSA will be selected for Verification.” Financial Aid also made students aware of a new FAFSA requirement that
financial information should be electronically retrieved from the IRS, if it is not the FAFSA retrieval could be delayed 8 weeks. “It is recommended that students and their parents file their taxes online,” Hall said. “If taxes are submitted online, a student should be able to retrieve the data in 5-10 business days.”
To kick off FAAM, priority Scholar X applications were due yesterday. After the priority deadline the application process stays open through the summer, according to the Financial Aid and Scholarship office. Scholar X is a way for students to fill out one application, but apply for several scholarships,
Christian Pratt | The Houstonian
PRESENTATIONS. The Financial Aid and Scholarship office is putting on several events throughout this month to educate students on financial aid.
according to the Financial Aid website. The next FAAM event is a live chat happening today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., where students can ask staff members of the Financial Aid and Scholarship office questions about financial aid. The Financial Aid and Scholarship office will be holding workshops and seminars all month as well as streaming videos on campus, according to Hill. Huntsville High School is also helping their seniors get ready for college, according to Danielle Williams HHS’s senior counselor. “[We are] making sure they are in the most challenging courses to help prepare them for college, encouraging them to take the ACT or SAT, helping the students have access to scholarship information and fill out scholarships, help with FASFA, NCAA Clearinghouse information,” Williams said. “We [also] publish a Money Cents publication where we list all local and national scholarship opportunities.” They are also hosting SHSU’s College Goal Sunday in their computer lab. Governor Rick Perry declared February FAAM in Feb. of 2006, according to a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board press release. For more information on financial aid students can call the SHSU Financial Aid and Scholarship office at 936-2941774, or visit their office in the Estill Building room 201, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m M-F.
SGA discusses spring semester events
MISTI JONES Senior Reporter Student Government Association discussed its goals for service for the spring semester at Tuesday night’s meeting. President Tyler Eberhart assured that SGA will continue to have a semester full of action and service. “We always look to serve the students and our community,” Eberhart said. “BAPI is our chance to give back to the town that supports our school. It’s a show of appreciation. Outside Wi-Fi, scheduling and the STI reports are our honest efforts at serving the students. Along with the 24hour library, we look to continue
“
Photos courtesy of shsu.edu
From the King Hall parking lot there is an everlasting aroma of French fries and burgers billowing from the Old Main Market chimney. During high traffic hours the lines are congested with students waiting for their choice of meat; Pork slathered with barbeque sauce, a form of chicken, and the all American burger. Vegetarianism is a diet that can reduce illnesses such as diabetes
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
SERIOUS DISCUSSION. President Tyler Eberhart speaks to the senators about what is to be done this semester.
body. The Senate inducted Kolby Flowers as a senator in the College of Science. SGA confirmed it will not be handing off Homecoming to Student Activities as falsely stated in Tuesday’s issue. “No changes to the elections of homecoming will be made,” Eberhart said. “We will still not be
sending out the email or tallying the votes but this is how it has been done for as long as I know. The students will still receive appropriate representation and will elect the 2012 King and Queen. It will be the same as they did for 2011.” SGA will discuss its budget next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in room LSC 320.
Whether because of animal rights or Buddhism, vegetarianism is universally and culturally present. “People choose vegetarianism for philosophical, religious, and ecological reasons as well as health benefits” Dr. Keen said. In Huntsville, especially at Sam Houston, the biggest obstacle for vegetarians is finding meals that are free of animal products. “How it’s cooked is the biggest obstacle,” Dr. Keen said. “It has to be free of animal residue on the grill.” Old Main Market on campus has multiple lines that offer different forms of meat but only a countertop dedicated to a vegetarian, gluten free meal. Next to the soup pots are bowls chilling on ice that contain various vegetable options that can be quickly stir fried. Though the option is there and
is quite tasty, Old Main Market isn’t the best vegetarian hotspot in Huntsville. The Potato Shack located off Avenue I and Bobby K. Marks has a scrumptious original baked potato that includes melted cheese, sour cream, and diced chives. This colossal potato is filling, and satisfies the taste buds and follows the vegetarian diet. For those who follow the pescetarian diet, abstain from eating meat except fish, Yummy Yummy Mongolian Grill and Sushi off Highway 30 cooks great sushi and rice bowls at low prices. But if vegetarianism isn’t a lifestyle choice suited for you, Dr. Keen recommends “mak[ing] full use of the dietetic program.” For more information on vegetarianism or any diet plans, trained nutritionists are located at Margaret Lea Houston Building near the Old Main Memorial.
Vegetarian in cattle country
VEGGIE BAR. Old Main Market is one of the few places in Huntsville that offers food to vegitarians.
CONNOR HYDE Contributing Reporter
“
VP asks senate to get involved more
to improve the on-campus life for from last semester, The Fire Relief students at Sam.” Effort. According to Eberhart, SGA will report to the Student SGA teamed up with Greek Week Advisory Board, at the Texas to gather about 9,000 canned food State University Board of Regents items, 6,000 bottles of water and meeting, about four main topics: a 1,000 pounds of animal feed to new tobacco policy, new schedule, give to fire victims. facilities/infrastructure and Bearkat All Paws In will gather community service. 500 students together, as well The Texas State University as all faculty, staff and student system passed an absolute tobacco organizations, to join in the ban for all of its campuses but university’s largest community SHSU’s senate was not in favor service project of the year. This of a total ban. The Senate spoke is the third year for the BAPI of a tobacco policy, only partially initiative. b a n n i n g It has been smoking around confirmed campus by No changes to the elections of home- that the d e s i g n a t i n g coming will be made library will s m o k i n g remain open locations. It -Eberhart 24-hours a did not discuss day during smokeless spring finals tobacco. week; however, the Senate has The Senate discussed a “2-2- spoken to library officials about 2” schedule for summer Grad possibly keeping the library open students, meaning they will at all times. not follow the traditional class “They have agreed to a trial scheduling. The idea is that the period. If the library is successfully students may choose the option used 24-hours during the trial to have classes two days a week, period, the library will stay open including Saturdays, in order to full-time,” Eberhart said. fit in with work schedules. This Shane Rankin discussed plans scheduling plan is still under for outside Wi-Fi to the fountain investigation and will not be area. confirmed nor dismissed for Vice President Jason Tilton about two more weeks. encouraged the Senate to produce In the SAB report, SGA will more legislation. He expressed a acknowledge its most successful goal to research and give campus community service initiative wide STI reports to the student
and heart cancer and is strictly based around consuming high fiber foods as well as grains and fruits but excluding all meat products. Vegetarians are a rare species in East Texas and vegans are endangered. The predominant diet in the south is “heritage and comfort foods,” DPD Director, Dr. Valencia Browning-Keen said. High intakes of protein through meats and sides that are cozy and home-style like grandma’s fried chicken and mashed potatoes are
typical dishes found in the South. These foods though can cause a plethora of health risks in America such as type II Diabetes and heart cancer. Though vegetarianism promotes healthy hearts and skinny bellies, it lacks support in healthy daily intake of calcium, vitamin D and iron. These necessary vitamins can be consumed through a daily multivitamin available at any local food market. Dr. Keen mentions that there are different sub-groups of vegetarianism such as lactovegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian. “Lacto-Vegetarians include dairy in their diets,” Dr. Keen said. “Whereas vegans are strictly vegetable, fruits and grains,” excluding meat and animal biproducts such as eggs and milk. Flexitarians eat predominantly vegetarian meals with rare instances of eating meat.
Arts & Entertainment
Page 5 Thursday February 2, 2012
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Dancers to illuminate stage MFA thesis concert to combine lighting, dance GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor Dancers and light will become one on stage in a collection of dances in a concert titled “Illuminate” today and Friday at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Dance Theater. The 30 minute performance is a part of a Master of Fine Arts Thesis for dance student Crystal Lewis, and will make use of nontraditional lighting design to merge movement with light. Ten dancers will break away from using traditional stage lighting and make use of household light sources such as light bulbs, flashlights and tap lights on stage to explore the relationship between dancers and their light source. “Illuminate” will feature the modern style of dance, which originated from dancers who did not want to follow the traditional, precise style of ballet, according to Dionne Noble, dance lecturer. While the show does not involve colorful sets and costumes, with all the different lighting elements, Lewis said there were lots of challenges. “A lot of the challenges had to deal with practical things like how to hang the flashlights and light bulbs from the ceiling,” Lewis said.
“And you go through a lot of batteries.” Other obstacles involved getting the dancers comfortable with dancing with the different lights and achieving good timing needed in the show, she said. The concept for the concert began as a graduate school project where dancers used four small tap lights in a dance called “Flirting with Light”, which will open tonight’s concert. From that original idea, Lewis’ researched the history of illumination from fire to electric lighting, and previous choreography using nontraditional lighting in order to choreograph and design her show. Aside from being an experience for the dancers, Lewis wants the audience “to have open minds as far as looking at how we view light.” With the concert, she will be one step closer to earning her Master’s degree, a big moment for her after the hard work. “It’s indescribable to see it all come to life,” she said. “It has been incredible and rewarding.” Admission for “Illuminate” is free. For more information, contact the dance department at 936-294-1875.
Megan Laurie | The Houstonian
LIGHT IT UP: Thesis concert “Illuminate” will explore the relationship between the dancers and their light sources as the audience will get the chance to view flashes of light that show images of dancers throughout the performances.
Old, new eateries provide alternative to fast food fix MEREDITH MOHR Contributing Reporter
George Mattingly | The Houstonian
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE: Since opening last summer, 3 Spoons Yogurt has been satisfying students and residents with unique frozen yogurt flavors that satisfy appetites and are healthy to enjoy
Honest, Dependable, Reasonable, Knowledgeable I Know Bikes Since 1988
Richard’s Cycle Service 1020 12th St. Huntsville, TX 77340 “A Passion For The Bicycle”
(936) 295-2898-Store Phone Noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (936) 295-5467-After Hours Service All Makes Serviced Quality Products & Service
CLASSIFIEDS 1&2 bdrm Apts Nice Area, CH/CA Triplex 1.5 blocks SHSU 936-294-1102
Even with its smalltown feel, Huntsville continues to offer unique tastes and a variety of choices for students and residents to escape the monotony of Taco Bell. Huntsville is full of different restaurants that are unique to the town. You just have to know where to look. More of the new food venues are popping up in strip centers along the highway as developers are looking at what restaurants have skyrocketed in popularity in the past few months, especially among the college crowd. While these new restaurants have sparked a buzz, others have the ‘tried and true’ routine down to a science. First on the menu are the newbies. There is Five Guys Burgers, which opened last semester, a burgersonly place where you can get a cheeseburger or a hamburger, with a
side of their hot, crispy fries. Plans are in the works for an Olive Garden to open in the Spring of 2012 in Ravenwood Village, according to the city of Huntsville. Other restaurants add to the eating experience with a theme. Mr. Hamburger has mastered this with clever, prisonthemed burgers and decorations. Students and residents can also get a variety of foods besides the usual burger at places like Fuzzy’s Tacos, which features $1 tacos on Tuesdays and Chicken Express. While some people consider some older places “ h o l e - i n - t h e - w a l l” restaurants they are worth experiencing. Carbonero’s offers Latin American food and the spiciest verde sauce on this side of the Trinity River. There is also Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Barbeque, which is nationally known for its huge plates of smoked meat from a pit in the front yard and a unique
story behind it. The restaurant walls are plastered with pictures of satisfied customers from over the years. Down the block from Mt. Zion is the Mexican supermarket which features a kitchen in the back with authentic Mexican food and drinks, spicy guacamole and cactus tacos. For dessert, check out Sugar Skull Sweets Bakery on 14th Street. The owner invents unique recipes for his cupcakes and cookies, with flavors such as chai, pumpkin and pickle, and runs the bakery out of his house on the weekends. Three Spoons Yogurt offers tasty, healthy alternatives for those with a sweet tooth in a variety of flavors such as red velvet and New York cheesecake. If you’re sick of drive-thru windows and the usual burger and fries, try some places that have had locals talking long after the meal. You might be surprised at what tastes you will come across.
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Sports
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McNeese State lassoes in Bearkat basketball squads Mens team drops fourth straight in 6761 loss at home
Womens team loses on road to Cowgirls, 57-48
CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter
KARMEN KING Viewpoints Editor
The Sam Houston State Men’s Basketball team dropped their fourth straight game, losing to the McNeese State Cowboys on Wednesday, 67-61. This first four game skid for Sam Houston is the first one since November as they lost five in a row from Nov. 16-26. With this loss, the Bearkats move to 2-6 in conference play while the Cowboys are now 6-2 in the conference. Both teams came into the game with losing records but a late first half surge by the Cowboys made this game seem out of reach for Sam Houston. The game started out positive for the Bearkats, as the first points of the game were an ally-oop from Darius Gatson to Marcus James. But not long after that, McNeese went on a 22-11 run to finish the first half. Steve Werner had an off night scoring only eight points with five rebounds. Demarcus Gatlin and Marcus James each scored 16. Konner Tucker also scored 10. The Bearkats shot 47 percent from the floor while shooting
It was East meets West when the Bearkats took on the McNeese State Cowgirls in Lake Charles Wednesday night in a losing battle, 57-48. With the loss, the Bearkats drop to 5-3 in conference play and 10-9 overall. Heading into the game the Bearkats were ranked number one in the Southland Conference West division and the Cowgirls were number one in the East. The Bearkats got off to a strong start, staying right with last year’s conference champions and found themselves only down 22-21 at the half. The Kats were led by Britni Martin who scored 14 points and Sequeena Thomas had 13 with 19 rebounds. The Bearkats only shot 34.5 percent from the field. The Cowgirls were led by twins Ashlyn and Caitlyn Baggett who had 18 and 14 points respectively. Second half freethrows made the difference as the Kats shot just 57 percent (4-7) versus the Cowgirls 76 percent (10-13). The Bearkats come home to face Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
HITTING A ROUGH STRETCH. Sophomore guard Aaron Harwell drives to the basket against McNeese State on Wednesday. As a team, the Kats shot 46.5 percent from the field but came up short, losing their fourth straight, 67-61.
42 percent from the three-point line. They also finally reached and surpassed head coach Jason Hooten’s goal of shooting 70 percent from the free throw line as they shot 76 percent. The Cowboys shot an impressive 88 percent from the free throw line and made 55 percent of their shots from the floor. Patrick Richard, who was the preseason conference player of the year, had a double-double scoring
15 and having 11 assists. He also pulled down seven rebounds. Jeremie Mitchell also put up 16 points. McNeese’s defensive weapons were Dontae Cannon, who had six rebounds and two steals, and Richard Daniel, who recorded three blocks while scoring 9. Sam Houston turned the ball over 13 times and the Cowboys were able to make 19 points out of them. McNeese also scored eight
fast break points. The score was brought within three late in the game, but the Cowboys were able to hold the Kats off down the stretch. The Bearkats go on another road trip this Saturday as they play the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. Tip off will be at 6 p.m. For more information about the basketball team and everything Bearkat sports related, visit gobearkats.com.
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
WELCOMING SOME NEW FACES. Head football coach Willie Fritz talks about the new recruits and transfers that will be joining the Bearkat squad in 2012 at a press conference held on Wednesday.
Football adds 17 new faces for 2012 season on ‘Signing Day’ New recruits include 16 high school recurits, one transfer ZACH BIRDSONG Sports Editor The Bearkat football team released its list of new recruits and transfer students that will be a part of the 2012 squad, in part of the NCAA Football National Signing Day on Wednesday. Sam Houston is coming off a 14-1 season that saw the Bearkats make it to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship game in Frisco. With all the success from last year, the team still needed to replace 12 seniors who graduated. As a result, Sam Houston’s squad will feature 17 new faces, 16 incoming freshman and one transfer student, when the season opens up in September. Among those 17 new faces, the Bearkats have added seven new offensive linemen, to replace two senior starters. Those new recruits include: Brandon DeWitt, Roclan Drain, R.J. Earls, Donald Jackson III, Richard LoLohea, Zachary Stevens and Shane Weeks. “We really wanted to find some offensive linemen,” head coach Willie Fritz said during a press conference on Wednesday. “We have got some experienced offensive linemen coming back but we need to get some guys in that can provide depth and
can provide continuity in that offensive line for years to come.” Mixed in amongst the offensive lineman, Sam Houston also brings in three other offensive players including quarterback Don King III, tight end Braden King and running back Steven Hicks. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bearkats are adding seven new players as well. In those seven new faces, there are 2 new defensive lineman and two new linebackers. The two defensive lineman are James DeLaRosa and Sione Latu and the two linebackers are Nigel Robertson and Mouf Adebo. In the secondary, the Bearkats have corner back Shelby Davis and two defensive backs, Jarell Crenshaw and Boise transfer Quaylon Ewing-Burton who come in looking to strengthen the Bearkat passing defense. For the 2012 season, the Bearkats will have quite a bit of seniors on the defensive side of the ball and Coach Fritz is hopeful that these recruits will help in the future. “We’ve got a quite a few guys that have started four years,” Fritz said. “We are going to have a very experienced defense next year. We brought some guys in that will hopefully push for playing time. If not, we can redshirt and get them in the system.” With all 17 new recruits accounted for, Fritz is excited about the future state of Sam Houston State football. “Our goal is to establish a program that competes on a national stage year after year,” Fritz said. “That’s what we want to get done and that’s our big challenge as a football program.”