The Houstonian

Vol 115— Issue 14

Huntsville, Texas

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball advances to 13-1 in conference, prepares for postseason tournament.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

FEATURE PRESENTATION

INDEX

Nation & World...page 4

Entertainment editor Kevin Jukkola gives viewers reasons to evade seeing “Cop Out”.

Viewpoints................page 2

Entertainment........page 5

SEE page 5

Campus................page 3

Sports....................page 6

SEE page 6

HAPPY 217th BIRTHDAY GENERAL!!!

Annual event celebrates Sam Houston’s birthday, Texas independence

By Meredith Mohr

SHSU Public Relations

Image courtesy Sam Houston Memorial Museum

"It is a matter of great satisfaction to me to hope that my children will be in circumstances to receive a good education. Mine was defective and I feel the inconvenience, if not the misfortune of not receiving a classical education. Knowledge is the food of genius, and my son, let no opportunity escape you to treasure up knowledge."-Gen. Sam Houston

TRIVIA QUESTION Q: What Indian name is given to Sam Houston by Chief Oo-Loo-Te-Ka?

Q: How do you get to the grave site?

A: Exit right on 19th Street as you leave the park. Go to Avenue O

Sam Houston State Uni(the first stop sign) and turn right. Continue on Avenue O until 11th versity and Huntsville community citizens are invited to Street. At 11th Street turn right. Travel six blocks to the intersection of join in one of Huntsville’s oldest traditions, the March to the Avenue I and 11th. Turn left and go three blocks to the grave site.

Grave, an annual celebration of Gen. Sam Houston’s birthBackground image courtesy of J. Stephen Conn's day on March 2.

In remembering and honoring Houston, they will walk together down University Avenue to Oakwood Cemetery to his grave, just like students at Sam Houston Normal Institute did in 1889.

The city of Huntsville will celebrate Houston’s life of service and commitment to Huntsville and commemorate Texas’s Independence in a day of activities planned by local historical societies.

Before the march at 10:15 a.m., participants are invited to the Gibbs-Powell Home Walker County Museum at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments hosted by the Walker County Historical Commission.

A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave site with a speech by Gregg Cantrell, the Thomas Boydston| The Houstonian File current Erma and Ralph SEEN HERE: In this past march, a group of students and administrators formed a small parade led by the Army — See MARCH, page 4

R.O.T.C. The ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery began with a musical tribute by the Wright family. The Army R.O.T.C. performed the posting and retirement of the colors, as well as a 21 gun salute and taps to close.

The Great Bearkat Shoot Out

Halftime special Most consecutive finalist, Tyler Werner,

wins free one-year lease at The Grove apartments

A:“The Raven.”

By Amy Turek

Contributing Writer

All majors welcome Criminal Justice Career Fair to be held Wednesday

By Jake Pickard

Contributing Writer

Sam Houston State University will host more than 43 agencies and companies this Wednesday for the Criminal Justice Career Fair. The fair will be held in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It’s up from last year,” said Susan Byrd, an employee with Career Services. “This is good, especially considering the job market.”

Students will be able to meet and exchange information with many employers in the field of Criminal Justice. However, the fair isn’t exclusive to Criminal Justice majors.

“It’s for all majors, because some employers are there looking to fill certain positions outside the field of Criminal Justice,” said Byrd.

The SHSU Career Center recommends registering with their Jobs 4 Kats program online at www.myinterfase.com.

The site contains a complete list of participating employers and the specific positions they are seeking to fill.

“Jobs 4 Kats offers opportunities to students looking for employment,” said Byrd.

“These opportunities include anything from part-time while attending school to internships to full-time employment. Every student at the university needs to have this account.”

Career Services recommends that any interested stu-

dent attend, even if they aren’t searching for a job.

“Bring multiple copies of your resume and dress professionally,” said Byrd. “Even if you’re not looking for employment and you want to know what it will be like when you are ready to look, it’s a good idea to attend and get some experience at a job fair.”

Some of the agencies and companies that will be present: 2010 Census Center for Advanced Legal Studies Federal Bureau of Investigation Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department Harris County Juvenile Probation The Houston Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services US Secret Service The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston The Police and/or Sheriff’s Department of Baytown, Belton, Carrollton, College Station, Conroe, Dallas County, Fort Worth and Missouri City For the complete list, visit www.myinterfase.com

John Rudolph | The Houstonian

Scoring Rent: Tyler Werner, wins the one year free lease for

shooting most consecutive free throws in the “The Great Bearkat Shoot out” on Saturday night. The first 800 students through doors received the entry forms for round one , but only three made it to the final round.

It’s a good thing for Tyler Werner that housing renewal for the 2010-11 school year has not started yet because he won a free one-year lease at The Grove apartments.

Werner was the lucky winner of The Great Bearkat Shoot out, a three round basketball event that began Wednesday night after the men’s basketball game against McNeese State.

Werner was one of only three students to make five free throws in a row on Wednesday night, qualifying for the second round on Saturday afternoon. The other two were Roderick Hamilton and Jonathan Bane.

Werner and Bane moved on from round two to the third and final round after sinking the most consecutive free throws.

The final round took place

on Saturday night during halftime of the men’s basketball game against UTA. In this round, the student who scored the most points in 30 seconds would win the grand prize, a free one year lease at The Grove.

Different spots on the Johnson Coliseum floor were assigned different point values, ranging from one to five, with one being the spot closest to the basket and five being the farthest from the basket.

Werner was the first to compete. He scored mostly two-pointers from the free throw line. Bane took the “SFA approach,” as the announcer said and scored mostly one-pointers by standing under the goal and continually shooting.

In the end, Bane’s effort was not enough and Werner walked away the winner.

He can begin enjoying his three bedroom apartment at The Grove in August 2010.

CRIME STOPPERS Crime Stoppers pays up to $1000 in cash rewards for tips that lead to the arrest of the person or persons involved in crimes.

•

You do not have to give your name when you call.

•

You can call Crime Stoppers at 936-2949494.

•

http://walkercounty.crimestoppersweb.com

Information courtesy of the Huntsville/ Walker County Crime Stoppers

An apartment in the 500 block of Bowers Blvd was broken into by unknown subjects between Dec. 16 and Jan. 6. A television and a Nikon digital camera were stolen from the apartment.

An apartment in the 2400 block of Montgomery Road was broken into by unknown subjects between Nov. 24-30. Some of the stolen items included a DVD player, purses, jewelry, books, movies, textbooks, wall pictures, and other items.

An apartment in the 2500 block of Lake Road was entered on Tuesday, Jan. 19, between 11 a.m. and 11: 30 a.m. The victim stated the subject took prescribed medicine from the residence. Nothing else was stolen.

Page 2 The Houstonian

Letter to the Student Body 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, room 210 in the communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian.

VIEWPOINTS

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

What is your favorite place to eat on campus?

Yuna Nam

International Student

“I bring my lunch to campus.”

Heath Wierck Viewpoints Editor haw002@shsu.edu

Paws Up, Paws Down With the Thanksgiving break approaching,

we at The Houstonian decided to lighten the mood take a of look at the not-so-serious In thisand section the opinions page, side of Turkey Day. After all, we all need we take a look at some various news something funny to get us through the days stories around campus and give the with crazy families.

Breanna Slaughter

Kyle Miller

Wade Dixon

Kimberly Provencio

“Chick-fil-A.”

“The Subway in Southpaw.”

“I always liked Belvin.”

“Southpaw’s Tortilla Fresca.”

Freshman

parties involved either a “paws up” for a good job, or a “paws down” for a not so good job.

A big time “Paws UP” to the Bearkat men’s basketball team for becoming Conference champs last week, and also winning against UTArlington this past Saturday.

“Paws DOWN” to the men’s USA hockey team losing to team Canada this past Sunday. Their loss resulted in a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“Paws UP” to it being March, which means Spring Break is only a couple of weeks away. A much needed break.

“Paws DOWN” to another earthquake in Chile, and the tsunami scare that followed.

Mother Nature is seriously mad at someone.

Correction In the Thursday, February 25 issue of The Houstonian, there was an error in the “Facing fiscal fees” story. The author stated the “College of Business Affairs,” and should have read ‘College of Business Administration.”

Senior

The psychology anomaly Malissa Peek talks about trying to find

her place in life by classes taken in college.

Although I had a million ideas for this column, I came to the conclusion that most of them would bore you to death.

Here are a few; you be the judge.

Comedic news reports taking over Generation Y’s interest in politics.

Boring, right? Fast food workers’ internal hate for their job; I mean, really, I just want some extra fancy ketchup not a piece of gold. Last, but not least, my latest trip to the tattoo parlor. This could have been interesting considering how long I debated my newest ink splatter, but none the less nothing mind boggling. I like mind boggling. So here it is. I regret settling.

It all began in August of 2006. I was a freshman Bearkat determined to be a broadcast star.

This lasted all of one semester. The moment of truth came when I tried to be a DJ on 95.7 the Kat and failed miserably. I neither like, nor understand technology.

So being behind a switch board, a video camera or anything else tech savvy was like being a bull in a china store: a disaster.

So I made the short leap

to print.

I have always loved to write and have been told I am pretty good at it, but as time dragged on I considered it more of a hobby, not a passion. My passion has always been music, but since there is still no degree plan for becoming an international music sensation, I stuck with print.

I settled. I knew this wasn’t what I wanted for

found myself fascinated with human beings the same way I am fascinated with lyrics...” a career or even a back up plan. I knew because every time I was given a news assignment I became deflated and irritated at the idea of being told what to write.

I could feel my artistic freedom being ripped from my soul and my pen evolving into a light saber trying vigorously to defend my honor. What the heck was I going to do? Not only did I begin to despise the idea of being a journalist, I was on the road to graduating with a degree in it.

Then, lo and behold I

Meagan Ducic shares important lessons that college teaches us we’re not aware of. go to all of my classes.

I’m married and have two children at home, a 5-yearold son and a 4-month-old daughter, and right now I’m pregnant with our third child. So believe me, every class I make it to is a big deal.

I feel proud, because I

self-motivate and schedule our lives so that we can accomplish our goals.

One summer, I took a class with an especially dry subject matter.

Sitting through lecture after lecture taken nearly verbatim from the chapter we were just quizzed on

“...if we want to be successful, sometimes we have to play by someone else’s rules.” know how hard I worked to keep my life organized enough to be there and prepared.

College is the first real situation where we are responsible for getting ourselves out of the house on time.

It’s not like high school where our parents were there to make sure we actually got up and went to school—here, no one cares what we do, and no one is here to help.

College teaches us how to

was absolutely numbing.

What are we paying professors for if all they do is put the textbook up on PowerPoint and read it to us? Ten hours a week, wasted.

As much as that bothers me, having to listen as a professor slips in thinly veiled political agenda is far worse. Now, I am actually paying to be subjected to someone else’s political ideas that have nothing to do with the material and almost

began taking upper level electives, and fell head over heels madly in love with psychology. For the first time in a long time I wanted to be in class. I wanted to study. I found myself fascinated with human beings the same way I am fascinated by lyrics and their ability to alter minds. I found an extra passion, but for me it was a little too late.

Growing up I had some

“I

What college does teach us Graduating from college can be upsetting when you look back and realize most of what you learned is irrelevant. But you can take solace in knowing that it wasn’t just a very expensive waste of time.

You did learn something valuable, even if you don’t realize it.

Too many times I’ve heard of students who needed to be advised two or three times a semester because each advisor gave them different information.

We end up taking classes we don’t need, missing opportunities we aren’t aware of, or making multiple trips to the Sam Center. Yes, this is madness; however, there is a lesson here. These experiences teach us what questions to ask, who we should be asking, and that we should never, ever just accept what we’re told without double checking it ourselves.

One of the hardest things for me is to actually

Freshman

Junior

always differ from my own.

What do these two insanely frustrating circumstances teach students? Perhaps the most valuable lesson of all.

They teach us that if we want to be successful, sometimes we have to play by someone else’s rules.

Give the professor what they want, get your A and move on. Learning to play the game when we need to, and attack at only the right moment is one thing that makes college worth all the debt we’ve put ourselves in to be here.

So, even if none of that horrible math we had to learn, or those passages we had to memorize will help us in the future, in the end we still come out ahead.

Meagan Ducic is a guest columnist for The Houstonian. She is a Senior Print Journalism major, English minor.

rough patches like most of us, and I unwillingly attended counseling. I’m not sure when it happened, or how it happened, but one day I let go of my past and began to live again. I believe a huge part of that transition can be accredited to my psychologist. I guess what I am trying to say is that at 18-years-old I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, but because the rest of the world expected me to, I chose something random.

Now I am a summer

and a semester away from graduation, and I wish I knew then what I know now. My dreams of going back to Nashville and pursuing music are still alive; I just wish my back up plan was something I loved, not just something I am good at.

I wish I was a psychology major. I don’t want to be a reporter, but I guess that is how the cookie crumbled. Depressing?

Well, a little. I think I will just lay my money down and place my bet on music, because if I don’t make it I have two options: settle, or unload another couple thousand dollars into Sam Houston’s top hat. We shall see.

P.S. as much as I would like to believe this scenario is unique to me I know it is not. There are many people out there still searching for a deeper meaning to life, still settling. Mind boggling? To me it is.

Malissa Peek is a guest columnist for The Houstonian. She is a Junior Print Journalism major, English minor.

The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly 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) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press.

The Houstonian Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meagan Ellsworth...............................................................936-294-1505 FACULTY ADVISOR Patsy Ziegler.....................................................................936-294-1499 SECTION EDITORS Lotis Butchko....................................................................Senior Joe Buvid.............................................................................Photo Jessica Priest..................................................................Associate Heath Wierck..............................................................Viewpoints Mike Silva...........................................................................Sports Kevin Jukkola........................................................Entertainment Thomas Merka...................................................................Web

Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor

STAFF Kristin Meyer.................................................................Senior Reporter Brandon Scott.................................................................Sports Reporter John Rudolph.......................................................................Photographer

Advertising BUSINESS MANAGER Tammie Nokes.................................................................936-294-1500 STAFF Brad Basker.........................................................Advertising Relations Brittany Hampton...............................................Advertising Manager Brittany Pires.......................................................Production Manager Kyle Thomas.............................................................Account Executive Gupreet Singh...........................................................Account Executive

Advertising Deadlines

Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

CAMPUS

SHSU Rodeo Recruits

The Houstonian, Page 3

Month to kick off with ‘Hip Hop feminism’ lecture

By Jennifer Gauntt

Joe Buvid | The Houstonian

SHSU RODEO TEAM: Three top high school rodeo participants signed letters of intent with the SHSU Rodeo team at a press conference held yesterday.

Rolemodel recognition

SAM Center to honor mentoring relationships with new award

By Jessica Priest Associate News Editor The Student Advising and Mentoring Center is currently accepting submissions for the 1st Annual SHSU $1,000 Mentoring Award. The award, which was donated to SHSU by a private donor, is designed to recognize one hard-working and influential mentor and mentee.

“We really want to recognize mentoring relationships,” said SAM Center Staff Associate Candi Harris. “So if you are a student, faculty or staff member, you can submit an essay no longer than one page about why your mentor or mentee is so great.”

“We are accepting submissions through April 15,” Harris continued.

“We have a selection committee set up who will make decisions on who the student winner is and who the faculty or staff member winner is.”

The SHSU Mentoring Award Selection Committee include: Dr. Lydia Fox, director of the McNair Scholarship Program; Dr. Drew Miller, director of the Counseling Center; Ms. Donielle Miller, coordinator for the office of M.I.S.S.;

Ms. Candi Harris, SAM Center Mentor and one SHSU McNair Scholar student.

So far, Harris said, there have been a total of six nominations submitted.

“I’ve had a lot of faculty and staff nominate students so far, but I have not had any students nominate faculty or staff yet,” Harris said.

“I want to stress that mentors and mentees do not have to be in a formal mentoring program to participate in this.

I’ve received a lot of questions about this…a mentoring relationship does not have to be completely academic in nature. I’ve had over my time at SHSU several mentors who have simply guided me through getting through school, making career decisions, etcetera…I know of other students, who have had mentors in their academic fields. Whichever relationships are great examples of the type of submissions we are looking for,” Harris said.

According to Harris, there are several formal mentoring programs across the university; including SAM Mentors and a Computer Science mentoring program.

Candi Harris recently graduated from SHSU in 2007with a bachelor’s degree

in English. She currently works as a Staff Associate at the SAM Center and coordinates a variety of mentoring programs.

“I think this award is awesome,” Harris said. “It’s really recognizing the value of a mentoring relationship and I think anyone who has been successful in his or her life can indentify at least one person who has helped them (get where they are today).”

“This award is really a testament to how important mentoring relationships are and the hope is to encourage more faculty, staff and students to get involved in mentoring relationships.”

If you are interested in nominating a mentor or mentee, please e-mail Candi Harris at candiharris@shsu. edu to receive a cover form. All essay submissions and nominations may be e-mailed, faxed or dropped off at the SAM Center. The SAM Center is located on the 1st floor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building (CHSS) in room 170 and room 190. For more information about $1,000 Mentoring Award, please call Candi Harris at 936-294-4628.

Bar List (6-9 pm) Monday............................. $1.50 Wells/ $1.50 Drafts Tuesday......................... $1.50 Marg/ $2 Longnecks Wednesday................ $4.50 Pitchers (NO LANDSHARK) Thursday........................... $1.50 Wells/ $1.50 Drafts Friday..... $4.50 Pitchers (NO LANDSHARK)/ $2 Dr. Shockers

Saturday........................ $3 Jager/ $1.75 Longnecks Sunday......................... $3 Jager/ $4 Ziegen Pitcher

SHSU Public Relations The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is celebrating women during the month of March with a number of speakers and other gender-oriented events.

Women’s History Month will kick off on Tuesday (March 2) with a showing of the crime thriller “Bordertown,” starring Jennifer Lopez, Martin Sheen and Antonio Banderas.

The movie, about a journalist investigating a series of murders near American-owned factories on the border of Juarez and El Paso, will be presented at 3:30 p.m. in College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Room C090.

On Wednesday (March 3), Aisha Durham, an assistant professor of communication at Texas A&M University, will get “At Home with Hip Hop,” discussing the emergence of hip hop feminism through home stories at 6 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Theater.

“She outlines the contours of an embodied intellectual, cultural and political project by fleshing hip hop feminism as a dynamic conversation between real and imagined bodies that recall, remember and represent,” said Sujey Vega, assistant professor of sociology. “Durham addresses the unique contributions of hip hop feminism while anchoring the project within a long,

rich tradition of feminist of color creative-intellectual work within women and gender studies.”

Also that evening, CHSS will sponsor a poet’s lounge with works addressing gender and sexuality at 8 p.m. in LSC Room 320.

The Women’s History Month events are designed to “bring awareness to women’s history and celebrate the role of women in our everyday lives,” Vega said.

“Personally, this is why I decided to invite Aisha to campus. I felt her work with hip hop would speak to a lot of students who don’t listen to hip hop now-a-days and shed light on reading feminism through hip hop,” she said. “Once more, this highlights not just amazing scholarship conducted on women’s issues in our region, but also helps us gauge how to examine gender roles in contemporary lived experience.”

Other events for the month will include discussions by author/historian Carroll Parrot Blue and on the legal battles against rape, panels on women’s issues and alumni, a research display of CHSS female faculty, and films featuring women around the globe.

For more information, contact Vega at 936.294.4085 or sxv005@shsu.edu.

Page 4 The Houstonian

NATION & WORLD

Lowe Chair in Texas History at Texas Christian University and Texas history author.

Following his presentation, a reservation-only lunch will be held at The Homestead Restaurant at 12:30 p.m.

There will also “A Toast to Texas” and birthday cake served at 2 p.m. at the Sam Houston Statue and Visitor’s Center.

The keynote event of the day will be a book talk and signing with Texas author James P. Bevill at 7 p.m. at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Katy and Don E. Walker, Sr. Education Center.

Bevill, who will present a talk on financing the Texas Revolution, is the author of The Paper Republic: The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas.

The March 2nd celebra-

tion has been sponsored by the Walker County Historical Commission through a program called “Texas Heritage Days” since 1981.

The “March to the Grave” event ended in 1932 due to the Depression, but was resurrected in 2001 by the Walter P. Webb Historical Society.

For more information, contact the Sam Houston Memorial Museum at 936.294.1832.

CONCEPCION, Chile (AP) — Rescuers found signs of life in the wreckage of a 15-story building Monday as the world offered aid to victims of an earthquake that killed more than 700 people. Troops and police arrested dozens of people for violating a curfew designed to prevent looting.

The toll of dead rose to 723, with 19 others missing, the National Emergency Office announced, in a magnitude-8.8 quake that President Michelle Bachelet called “an emergency without parallel in Chile’s history.”

Some coastal towns were almost obliterated — first shaken

by the quake, then slammed by a tsunami that carried whole houses inland and crushed others into piles of sticks. Shocked survivors were left without power, water or food.

In Concepcion, the biggest city near the epicenter, rescuers heard the knock of trapped victims inside a toppled 70-unit apartment building and began to drill through thick walls to reach them, said fire department Commander Juan Carlos Subercaseux.

Only the chop of military helicopters flying overhead broke the silence demanded by rescuers straining to hear signs of life inside the building.

Firefighters had already pulled

25 survivors and eight bodies from the structure.

Mayor Jacqueline van Rysselberghe told Radio Cooperativa that some food aid was arriving in the city of 200,000 Monday for distribution to the hungry. Electricity was still out, however, and water was scarce.

Concepcion police chief Eliecer Soler said officers arrested 55 people for violating a curfew imposed after looters sacked nearly every market in town. Troops ordered into the city

by Bachelet patrolled to enforce security.Afew looters re-emerged to rob a market on Monday. ...

From MARCH page 1

Chile troops, police attack post-quake looting

Tuesday,March 2, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

At the Movies with Kevin:

Cop Out formulaic and tiresome

Sam Houston Memorial Museum Events Calendar

Kevin Jukkola Entertainment Editor Someone once advised me that just because I found something funny that didn’t mean it was comical. This was a piece of wisdom that could have been useful to the writers of “Cop Out” before they pinned the screenplay.

The film seems made up of inside jokes, conjectures, and innuendos that some might find humorous, but seemed tiresome and flat to me.

“Cop Out” follows every single overdone buddy-cop formula straight down the line. Almost some of the exact same lines that have been used in previous efforts are repeated. After a few bullets fly and a kid’s bike is stolen, the police chief informs Jimmy Monroe (Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges (Tracy Morgan), “You’re suspended, without pay!”

First of all, how many times has that exact same line been said? Just one time, I would like to hear the police captain say, “Don’t do it again. Now, get the hell out of here and fight some crime.” Second, do these movies have any idea what it takes for a police officer to be suspended without pay? It took the cops who beat up Rodney King several weeks before they were given this punishment.

Realistically, the only way to be suspended without pay is if that is your only goal entering the force, and you do everything necessary to ensure that happens.

That said, formulas can work if the screenplay is filled with sharp dialogue and characters that seem realistic enough to care about.

“Metro”, a 1997 comedy, contained many of the same elements as “Cop Out” but had an energetic turn by Eddie Murphy and riotous moments that elevated it above the given material.

“Cop Out” has none of this, and somehow believes that

The Houstonian, Page 5

March 2 Sam Houston’s Birthday Celebration When: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. starting at Houston’s grave in Oakwood Cemetary “The Paper Republic” When: 7:00 p.m. at the Walker Education Center Auditorium

Looking for laughs. Paul (Tracy Morgan) and Jimmy (Bruce Willis) are working together to find the whereabouts of a drug dealer in “Cop Out”.

new ground is being broken as they are recycling the formulas. Just because one of you is dressed up as a giant cell phone when a familiar event is taking place, doesn’t mean that it is something we have never seen.

The uninspired nature of the proceedings is surprising considering that “Cop Out” was directed by Kevin Smith, who has not always been successful in his endeavors, but never seemed this detached or lazy. Since he didn’t write the screenplay, it is possible that Smith felt like he couldn’t identify with the material and never became emotionally invested in the project. All of his previous efforts, including “Clerks”, “Chasing Amy”, “Dogma”, and “Jersey Girl”, examine certain parts of his growth as a filmmaker and experiences as a person that made them more personal and effective works of art. The comedy was more natural and hilarious because it came from a place that was real, instead of manufactured out of parts of other movies and

tired jokes about defecation.

The story involves unrealistic interaction between villains, who are simultaneously devoutly religious and extraordinarily violent, and cops, who are focused on everything but the job at hand. Nobody seems natural in their roles, and the lack of passion

that exudes from the actors is startling. “Cop Out” is a disappointment mostly because as the ship is feverishly going down, the entire production team is waving and smiling on the shore, unaffected by the drowning of our precious dollars into the pit of a mindless morass.

Cop Out

Stars: * * Grade: CRunning Time: 110 min.

MPAA: Rated “R” for pervasive language including sexual references, violence, and brief sexuality.

Cast: Bruce Willis (Jimmy Monroe), Tracy Morgan (Paul Hodges), Seann William Scott (Dave), Kevin Pollak (Hunsaker), Adam Brody (Barry), Michelle Trachtenberg (Ava).

Directed by Kevin Smith.

Written by Robb and Mark Cullen.

March 4 Texas Thursdays Movie Featuring: The Great Debaters When: 7:00 p.m. with free admission

Box Office Winners 1. “Shutter Island”, $22.2 million one week, $75.1 million overall 2. “Cop Out”, $18.6 million one week, $18.6 million overall 3. “The Crazies”, $16.5 million one week, $16.5 million overall 4. “Avatar”, $14.0 million one week, $706.9 million overall 5. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief ”, $9.8 million one week, $71.2 million overall

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SPORTS

Page 6 The Houstonian

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Kats blast Mavs Brandon Scott Sports Reporter

Just minutes before tipoff, Corey Allmond, Preston Brown, Ashton Mitchell and Arthur Zulu were honored in a traditional ceremony dedicated to the seniors. But senior night turned into a highlight film on Saturday, when the Bearkats defeated Texas-Arlington 94-69 in the final home game of the season.

Sam Houston dropped only one game at Johnson Coliseum this season and finished undefeated at home in conference play. The Bearkats sent the seniors out in appropriate fashion, with a glimpse of what is to come in the conference tournament and possibly beyond.

“UTA could be the secondbest team in the conference,” Allmond said. “Coming in they had won eight of their last nine. We wanted to send them a message and the league a message that we are still hungry. No matter what we accomplish, we have the biggest goal in front of us.”

The message was sent with a home-record setting 14 three-point field goals, with 11 of those threes coming from seniors. Brown made his first three of the game to give the Bearkats a 7-6 lead, one that they didn’t relinquish for the remainder of the night.

Allmond shook things up when he stole the ball from UTA’s Armani Williams and raced down court for the lay-in. On the ensuing possession, Lance Pevehouse forced Williams into another turnover situation, which led to another three from Brown to cap a 10-0 Bearkat run.

Allmond scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half, including all five of his threes.

Brown finished the first half with 13 of the 15 points he totaled, including the dunk fest he and Clavell put on for the fans. Clavell finished the game shooting seven-of-11 from the field for 21 points, 11 rebounds and the stat of the year with nine offensive boards. But the Bearkats weren’t finished.

Go to Youtube and search “Amazing play by SHSU’s Lance Pevehouse” and

see the hustle play of the season. In the second half, Pevehouse, Brown and Josten Crow swarmed the UTA penetration with a block at the basket. As the ball was seemingly bouncing its way out of bounds, Pevehouse made a blind effort to spike the ball into play, somehow with enough authority for it to travel the length of the court and gently tap off the backboard into hands of a conveniently trailing

coliseum. Mitchell dropped a routine 11 points and seven assists and spoke emotionally to the crowd after the game.

He thanked the fans, his teammates and the coaching staff. But he most importantly talked about how hard it was being away from his family these past four years and showed gratitude for the opportunity and experience at Sam Houston. Zulu, who the Bearkats have been committed to since he played John Rudolph | The Houstonian

STRUGGLING TO FIND A WIN. The SHSU baseball team has played solid opponents all season and have been unable to find a victory this season. After serieses against TCU and Utah, the Bearkats are 0-7.

Utah blanks SHSU Eric Schrader

Contributing Writer

John Rudolph | The Houstonian

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. The Bearkats’ basketball team has dominated opponents at home and has just one loss all year at Jouhnson Coliseum. They are undefeated at home in conference play.

Mitchell. The layup turned out to be the greatest nonassist of Pevehouse’s seven assist performance.

“The chemistry is great right now,” Mitchell said.

“We’re clicking at the right time because we’re going to need this in the tournament.”

UTA had no answer for the Bearkats’ many weapons, but Marquez Haynes, Brandon Long and LaMarcus Reed each had 14 points. Tommy Moffitt was a factor early in the contest and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

In light of the team chemistry, the ceremonial gestures for the Sam Houston seniors were more than appropriate for the group that played its last game at the

for Jacksonville College, has been the consummate team player. He shared his thoughts on senior night moments before greeting Bearkat fans.

“The morale in the locker room was great,” Zulu said.

“All the seniors were excited about tonight being the last game at home and playing for the crowd one last time.

That was a great feeling.

Everybody couldn’t wait to be out there so we appreciate the support.”

Sam Houston wraps up the regular season schedule on the road against Northwestern State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Bearkats face Texas State on Saturday at 4 p.m. in their final game before the conference tournament.

The Bearkat baseball team has had no answer for their Mountain West Conference opponents in the early part of this season.

A week after the Bearkats got swept in a three-game series at Fort Worth against No. 11 TCU, Sam Houston State welcomed Utah to Don Sanders Stadium.

The Utes were nothing short of dominant as they also came away with a sweep of the Bearkats in the four-game series. Head Baseball Coach Mark Johnson spoke about SHSU opponents this season.

“The bottom line is we’ve played two really good ball clubs,” Johnson said. “They are both regional play teams.

They both won championships last year, and they are tough opponents.”

On Friday evening, ace Dallas Gallant took the mound for the Bearkats. Gallant struggled through five innings by surrendering three homeruns, including a grand slam in the fifth, and eight runs total to the Utes, en route to a 12-4 home opening loss.

The Bearkats were behind the entire game and never got things rolling on offense. The 1-2-3 hitters for the Kats were a combined 2-13 with just one RBI in the game.

In the first game of Saturday’s double-header, junior transfer Paul Spinn took the mound for SHSU. Spinn was able to keep the game close for the Kats, pitching seven and one-third

innings and allowing five runs on 10 hits.

The Kats brought in closer Matt Shelton in the eighth, who had a tough outing as he made two errors on the mound and gave up a three-run homerun to Utah’s Mark Moorman. The Utes totaled five runs in the top of the ninth, and eventually won the game 10-6.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Bearkats came up short and lost a heartbreaker, 3-2.

SHSU outhit Utah 10-7 but left 11 runners on base. Bearkat designated hitter Chris Andreas went 3-3 and Mark Hudson went 2-5 and delivered SHSU’s only RBI of the game.

The Bearkats started 6’8” freshman Andrew Massey, who went for just two and two-thirds innings and allowed two earned runs, while hitting a batter and walking another. Veteran reliever Justin Jackson came in and pitched well, finishing out the game by only giving up one run on five hits. Coach Johnson also had some thoughts about Saturday’s ballgames.

“We’re playing hard,” Johnson said. There are a lot of good things out on the mound, but right now we’ve got pitch counts going, so our guys aren’t going to go nine innings. Our bullpen has to come in and keep things flowing.”

Powerful lefty Brent Powers took the hill for the Bearkats on Sunday and pitched three full innings while giving up one run. Daniel Nottebart came on in relief and pitched a scoreless fourth inning but he could not escape damage as he gave up eight runs total after only one

and two-thirds innings pitched.

SHSU fought back and its bats eventually came alive in the seventh inning. With one out, Ruston Harris delivered by driving the first pitch offering over the left field wall for a tworun blast.

After a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, the Bearkats continued to chop at the lead by scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning.

Third baseman Jessie Plumlee got things started for the Kats with a leadoff double. Ryan Mooney and Braeden Riley each got singles and came around to score.

After the five run outburst, the Kats trailed 9-7. SHSU had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with one out and two runners in scoring position. But the Bearkats came up short, as their three and four hitters were retired by closer Brock Duke to seal the Utah victory. After the game Coach Johnson weighed in on his team’s performance.

“The game just isn’t going in our favor right now,” said Coach Johnson. “We’re going to be fine. We just have to keep our heads up and keep working.

“It’s a game of failure, and if you don’t handle the adversity, it will just eat you up. I think we’re strong enough mentally that we will get through this.”

The Bearkats will look to turn things around on Tuesday, March 2 when they host Texas Southern for a 6:30 p.m. matchup. Then the Kats come back home for their annual Bearkat Invitational Tournament next weekend, March 5 through March 7.