May 1, 2012

Vol 120 | Issue 28

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Publishing since 1913

Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Dr. Hendrickson laments cuts to women’s health programs, pg.2

Tennis teams knocked out of SLC tournament, pg. 5

Like us on Facebook: “The Houstonian SHSU”

INDEX Viewpoints ....... pg. 2 A&E ................... pg.4 News .................. pg. 3 Sports................. pg.5

‘The Ryan Express’ conducts Huntsville stop Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

MLB Hall of Fame member, Texas Ranger CEO ‘mingles’ with university, community ZACH BIRDSONG Sports Editor In 1965, a young 18-year-old pitcher was committed to play baseball for Sam Houston State University. However, before his Bearkat career began, that pitcher signed a contract with the New York Mets.

That 18-year-old was former Major Leaguer and Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. In his 27-year career, Ryan compiled a record of 324-292 and managed a career Earned Run Average of 3.19.

Ryan made mention to his SHSU ties and more on Monday when he spoke to the students and faculty at SHSU during the “Mingling with a Major Leaguer” program put on by the Presidents Speaker series in conjunction with Priority One, a course within the university’s mass

communication department.

The former major leaguer had ties to the university as both his brother and two sisters graduated from the university.

Before he signed a contract to play for the Mets, Ryan had wanted to play baseball for Texas A&M. Tom Chandler, Aggies head coach at the time, felt that Ryan would be better served by playing at a community college before transferring to A&M. Ryan listened to the advice and committed himself to SHSU. That all changed when numerous MLB teams expressed interested in him and he decided to pursue his pro career.

That decision turned out to be the right one for the Hall-of-Famer as he went on to pitch seven no-hitters and have 5,714 strikeouts, both the most in MLB history.

During the program on Monday, SHSU President Dana Gibson, Ph.D.,

made mention to the longevity of his career and questioned how he was able to pitch for so long, as his career spanned seven presidencies. As Gibson listed the Presidents, Ryan interrupted and jokingly said “I’m glad you didn’t say Lincoln.”

The former major leaguer pitched until he was 46-years-old and as best he could, told the crowd how he managed to do so.

First and foremost, Ryan stated that he was blessed to have a career that spanned for so long.

However in his later years, Ryan didn’t rely on his pure talent and would study different mechanics and training techniques to prolong his career.

Despite being known for his fastball, the Hall-of-Famer has been quoted in the past as saying that the reason he was so —

Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

RYAN’S ROAD TO SUCCESS. Former Major League pitcher Nolan Ryan sits and answers question during a press conference on Monday.

RYAN, page 5

The Parking Games:

Challenging the charge

Data shows appeals process not favorable to violators

MOLLY WADDELL Associate News Editor

1. U n

aut lor horiz ed Zo 54 n e app eals Co

3. P

2. Fa

ar Pr king o W 40 hibite her app e eals d

appeals there, which is twice as much as the next highest spot – the library faculty and staff lot.

Out of all 184 citations, 53 were appealed after getting a ticket for parking in an “unauthorized color zone.”

On the SHSU official parking and transportation website there are a list of reasons that are not accepted as valid explanations as to why a citation should be appealed.

These include, “I was only parked there for a few minutes,” “I didn’t realize I couldn’t park there,” “I’m not familiar on where I should park,” “There were no signs there stating I couldn’t park there,” “Other cars were parked there without being ticketed,” “I parked there before without receiving a citation,” “My four-way flashers were on,” and “I can’t afford to pay this citation.”

These reasons are used as examples of what is not acceptable to appeal a citation so that the appeals process is fair for all students.

“I have to be as consistent as possible,” Kapalko said. “It will be between 24-48 hours before I render a decision on an appeal.”

cult Par y/St aff kin g 44 a ppe als

Upgrades to the ticketing process

The SHSU Parking and Transportation department has recently started using a new system that is more up-to-date and convenient for students as well as the ticket issuers, Kapalko said.

“The new software we got last summer is called ‘My Parking’ account. I can see the ticket and click on the link to get the information on it,” Kapalko said.

“It’s more automated and more people found it more convenient to do it electronically than meeting in person.”

Another change that has taken place with Parking and Transportation’s ticket issuers is the method in which they are giving tickets.

“There has been significant change in this field since last year,“ Kapalko said. “Our student ticket writers use electronic scanner [hand held writers] that can now take pictures of the vehicle so I can see why the citation was issued.”

Because of these new electronic scanners, the SHSU parking and transportation department has

TOP App 3 e Cita aled tion s been able to keep a more detailed record of how many violations are issued each semester.

Take it to the next level

If a student’s appeal is not accepted for various reasons, they can appeal it to the Parking Appeals Panel.

Dean of Students John Yarabeck is the chairman of the Parking Appeals Panel. He is also one of the facilitators that put the panel —

PARKING, page 3 Stephen Green | The Houstonian

Stephen Green | The Houstonian

AMANDA MORGAN Contributing Reporter There comes a time in every college student’s life when they have to ask themselves a question: what in the hell is this [expletive] parking ticket doing on my window?

When it comes to paying for a parking violation, students have the option to appeal the ticket in the hopes of keeping the money they would have to spend on paying for the ticket.

For students to appeal a parking ticket, they must log onto their MySam account within 10 days of receiving the ticket, select their parking account and appeal the citation online.

Assistant Director of Parking David Kapalko said that not every student who appeals a ticket is guaranteed to win their case.

“When the appeal is accepted then the citation is voided,” he said. “But if the appeal is denied, then the ticket stands. There has to be a valid reason for the ticket to be appealed.”

According to records obtained by the Houstonian, the SHSU parking and transportation department issued 184 parking citations that were later appealed by students between January 1, 2012, and March 31, 2012. Over the same time period, a total of 4,475 tickets were issued.

Only 24 or about 13 percent of the appeals were overturned by giving the student a warning.

The parking lot with the highest number of student appeals was lot P24, a green lot on 20th Street directly in between South Paw and White Hall. There were 28

Rent-a-puppy therapy to relieve finals week stress

This is part 3 of 4 in a series on SHSU parking tickets.

Check out HoustonianOnline.com for an interactive map of parking lots on the SHSU campus.

The Sam Houston State University Wesley Foundation (Methodist Student Center) and the Rita B Huff Humane society will come together to allow students to rent-a-puppy for finals stress relief.

Today and May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wesley foundation, at the corner of 17th street and University Avenue, students can rent one of 15 puppies for 15 minutes for $5.

Sammy the Bearkat will make an appearance on May 2 at noon to play with the puppies as well.

Jackie O’Brien, a member of the Wesley foundation, and the administrative assistant came up with the idea this year.

“I had seen it done at other schools before,” O’Brien said. “It would get the word out about the Wesley foundation and it was a fun fundraiser for finals relief.”

The puppies will be provided by the humane society and are also available for adoption.

The Wesley foundation is a student organization whose focus is “creating disciples and helping students grow in their relationship with God both during and after college,” according to their website.

The Rita B Huff Humane society is a non-profit animal shelter whose mission is to, “preserve the lives and well being of animals through adoption, rescue, spaying and neutering, and education,” according to their website.

All proceeds will be split between the humane society and the Wesley foundation.

The Houstonian’s last issue will be on May 3. Printing will pick back up during the Fall 2012 for it’s 99th year. Have a safe Summer!

Viewpoints

Page 2 Tuesday, May 1, 2012

houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

Today in history:

April 30

1938 – The animated cartoon short Porky’s Hare Hunt debuts in movie theaters, introducing Happy Rabbit (a prototype of Bugs Bunny).

1939 – NBC inaugurates its regularly scheduled television service in New York City, broadcasting President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s N.Y. World’s Fair opening day ceremonial address.

1966 – The Church of Satan is established at the Black House in San Francisco, Ca. 1993 – CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) announces World Wide Web protocols will be free.

1993 – Monica Seles is stabbed by Günter Parche, an obsessed fan, during a quarterfinal match of the 1993 Citizen Cup in Hamburg, Germany.

1995 – U.S. President Bill Clinton became the first President to visit Northern Ireland.

May 1 1931 – The Empire State Building is dedicated in New York City.

1991 – Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics steals his 939th base, making him the alltime leader in this category.

However, his accomplishment is overshadowed later that evening by Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers, when he pitches his seventh career nohitter, breaking his own record.

2003 –In what becomes known as the “Mission Accomplished” speech, on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (off the coast of California), U.S. President George W. Bush declares that “major combat operations in Iraq have ended”.

2009 – Same-sex marriage is legalized in Sweden.

2011 – Barack Obama announces that Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks is killed by United States special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Due to the time difference between the United States and Pakistan, bin Laden was killed on May 2 in Pakistan.

Percentage games Kenneth Hendrickson examines the politics behind funding for Planned Parenthood

I

n the near future, our campus will witness an effort among students and some faculty to draw attention to the political struggles of women in America.

Specifically here in Texas, the politics of federal funding and the politics of the debate over abortion have combined to ignite a firestorm of controversy. There are those who wish to make abortion THE issue in the argument about state funding of Planned Parenthood.

I disagree.

Simple research will show that abortions about are 3-5 percent of what Planned Parenthood does.

According to the Washington Post (Feb. 2, 2012), the other major activities of Planned Parenthood include: STD testing and treatment (35 percent); cancer screening (16 percent); contraception (35 percent). Further simple research will show that in many communities in Texas, Planned Parenthood is the only provider of these basic health care services for women.

If outlets like Planned Parenthood disappear, women in need will either get no help or will flood to emergency rooms for non-emergency care.

So, while the Texas legislature can appease a radical conservative base and hide costs from the state budget with the attack on Planned Parenthood, in the end we will all suffer from higher medical costs and more stress on the

Faculty Adviser 936-294-1499

Stephen Green E dito r-in-Chie f 936 -294-1505

L

ast week the Houstonian revealed that indoor air quality inspections are not being full performed in SHSU buildings, including dorms.

This is a preventative action that cannot be ignored or pushed aside as it has been the past few years.

Sam Houston State University’s Indoor Air Management Plan states the school “is committed to providing its students’, employees, and visitors an indoor environment free of contaminants and airborne disease agents.”

How can they guarantee clean air if they are not performing these annual inspections that test for possible health risks in the air?

In the previous article by the Houstonian, Mark Shiflet, University Safety Coordinator, said annual inspections are not being done because they are not required to do so by law.

They currently only inspect area’s if an official complain is brought to their attention.

If there is a policy stating annual inspections are done yearly, they should be done annually regardless of legal requirements. If they say they are going to do something, they should follow through and do it.

Many of the dorms and buildings on campus are very old and have odd, musty

smells that never seem to go away. This could be the result of mildew or mold, but only an inspection of the walls and air would decipher this; inspections they are not doing.

Exposure to mold or other harmful substances in the air can cause varying health effects.

The most common effects are allergic responses, such as asthma and irritation of the eyes, nose throat or lungs, which come from breathing in contaminated air.

Although, these don’t seem like severe risks, long term exposure can cause more serious allergic reactions in some people.

The health risks involved should be enough to push those responsible to do the inspections needed to ensure all students and employees are breathing in clean air.

The best way to guarantee an environment free of air contaminants is to catch it before it becomes a problem, instead of fixing the issue after it becomes known.

The IAMP, along with all other university departments, should practice what they preach, and follow any procedures they have set up for the safety of its students and employees. Otherwise, what’s the point?

sgreen@houstonianonline.com

Gender politics Adam Robinson tells a tale of perceived norms

I

was recently driving through the woods with a female friend of mine when an apparently dry patch of dirt turned out to be hiding a mud pit, which stuck us there for three hours.

When the tow truck finally came, its driver informed me that I should be the one behind the wheel when he pulled us out, the implication being that a woman could not be trusted to do that job.

If he was not impressed by my refusal to comply with what I considered to be an outdated request, it surely did not aid my masculine reputation when I proved to be of no help when he got his truck stuck as well.

It is moments like these –stuck in the woods, far from civilization, with a less-than-pleased tow truck driver –that make you wonder if you’ve chosen the right time to strike a blow for gender equality.

But the truth of the matter is that I was not a better driver simply because I was a man, and to assume that creates a norm which I do not fit into.

Patriarchy, the appropriate name for a society organized around male dominance, is intolerant of diversity in both men and women.

It prescribes a role for you from the day you were born based on your sex, and is the foundation for the emotional and physical abuse many women suffer at the hands of men whose domination and aggressiveness are seen as socially acceptable.

Please don’t misunderstand me.

If you are a man with mechanical skills or physical prowess, by all means, use those talents.

But it is time we all realize that some men are not dominant, and some men like women who are, and some men like men.

Rejecting gender equality weakens our personal relationships and endangers our ability to tolerate one another, regardless of sex, gender, orientation, or ability.

- Adam is a history major.

- Jessica is a mass comm major.

Women’s rights Robin Carter wants politics out of Planned Parenthood

F

ederal U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel temporarily overturned a controversial Texas law Monday that excluded Planned Parenthood from the Texas Women’s Health Program, which provides reproductive health care services for the poorest women in the state.

Planned Parenthood, which provides basic medical services, cancer screenings, STI screenings and birth control, is the healthcare provider for 40 percent of the women enrolled in the Texas Women’s Health Program.

With 12 Texas facilities closed due to lack of funding, a group of Planned Parenthood clinics that do not provide abortions announced in April their decision to file a federal lawsuit against the state for discrimination in the program.

Women’s rights activists voiced concern that, if the Texas decision was upheld, more Planned Parenthood locations would shut their doors, leaving tens of thousands of Texans without access to reproductive health care.

In 2011, the Texas legislature began enforcing the 2007 mandate, which prohibited healthcare facilities affiliated with facilities that provide abortions from receiving state

funding. The federal government consequently decided not to renew their 90 percent portion of funding for the Texas Women’s Health Program, part of the Medicaid Family Planning Demonstration Program, citing illegal restriction of citizen choice of qualified state health care providers.

The Texas program, which does not pay for abortions, was faced with continuing on $4 million from state funding. The Texas Attorney General retaliated in March by filing a lawsuit against the federal government for defunding the program.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Texas State capitol Saturday as part of a nation-wide protest, which included over 50 separate rallies across the country, to express opposition to an array of bills that have been recently introduced or passed by many state legislatures regarding women’s access to reproductive health care, the aggregate of which has been called a “war on women”.

Sam Houston State University students from several different student organizations also joined together last week to collect signatures to petition the state against the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Cody Lewis

c b oyd @ hou s toni a nonl i ne. c om

Th u r sday ’s Issu e Tu esday 2 p.m .

c l ewi s @ hou s toni a nonl i ne. c om

Business Mananger 936-294-1500

kkin g@h oust on ian on lin e. c om

m j ones @hou s toni a nonl i ne. c om

Zach Birdsong S p o r ts Edi to r

zbirdson g@h oust on ian onl i ne. c om

Molly Waddell

gmat t in gly@h oust on ian onl i ne. c om

A & E Edi to r

Matt Frazier

We b & Mul ti m e di a E d i t o r mf razier@h oust on ian on line. c om

Business Staff

Ad Deadlines

Misti Jones

Vie w p o i nts Edito r

- Robin is a mass comm major.

Chelsea Boyd

Karmen King

George Mattingly

mw ad d e l l @ho u s to ni anon lin e.c om

- Dr. Hendrickson is a professor in the history dept.

Jessica Furdock worries about the lack of inspections

s g re e n@ho u s to ni ano nl i ne.c om

Asso ciate Edito r 936-294-1502

hospital system.

And that takes us to the real point: Treating women with inequality and callous sexual politics hurts us all.

When politicians use differences like gender, sexual orientation, race or any other distinctions among citizens to create divisive policies, we all lose.

What rational person would destroy 100 percent of a vital healthcare provider because of 3 percent of its operations?

Women, especially poor women and women of color, are easy targets for political operators.

The issue is not the morality of abortion, contraception, or sex at all.

This is about cutting state budget costs on the backs of women citizens who have not yet won a place of full equality in our society.

But do not think for a moment that it will be money saved. It is a transfer of those costs away from the political elites who drive our state government and onto the taxpayers in hospital districts around this state.

Divide and conquer is an age-old tactic of those who hold power.

Stand in firm solidarity with our sisters.

Demand reasonable funding to Planned Parenthood and similar health care outlets.

When the politics of inequality determine our public policies, we all pay.

Air-quality woes

Editorial Staff Robin Johnson

Thursday will be final issue for the semester.

Thank you to everyone who contributed this year.

To submit columns for the Summer or Fall semesters email:

S e n i o r R e p o rt e r

S p o rt s R e p o rt e r

Jessica Gomez

A d v e rt i s i n g M a n a n g e r 936-294-1495

Paty Mason

Tu esday ’s Issu e F r i day 5 p.m .

A ccoun t Executives 936.294.1503

p m a s on@ hou s toni a nonl i ne. c om

Steve Sears

P h o t o g ra p h e r

Meagan Ellsworth

Keelanni Cabrera

Allison McMath

m el l s wor th@ hou s toni a nonl i ne. c om

S e n i o r P h o t o g ra p h e r

Megan Laurie Co p y E d i t o r

P ro d u ct i o n M a n a n g e r

s s e a r s @ h o us t o n i a n o n l i n e . c o m k c a b re r a @ h o us t o n i a n o n l i n e . c o m

Ashley Fordyce

a fo rdy c e @ h o us t o n i a n o n l i n e . c o m

All comics courtesy Creators.com

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 936-2941495. The Houstonian is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

News

Page 3

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

houstonianonline.com/news

Families flock to festival Event relives history of the 1800s MISTI JONES Senior Reporter

The 25th Annual General Sam Houston Folk Festival hosted guests from across the nation as it celebrated the Lone Star State and the life of Sam Houston with performances, crafts and hands-on demonstrations Apr. 27 through Apr. 28.

The General Sam Houston Folk Festival was held at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds with 18 acres of historical and interactive entertainment.

Visitors gathered to see historical reenactments and demonstrations such as how to make glass, how to quilt, how to weave wool and how to throw a tomahawk.

Guests could even view the inside of Sam Houston’s Steamboat house where he quietly died in 1863.

Friday School Day provided educational demonstrations, crafts, vendors and food for more than 3,500 children.

Activities included face

PARKING,

painting, caricature artists and games as well as shops with all kind of hats, clothing, toys and wooden weapons.

On both days, stands were scattered across the Museum grounds selling ethnic food, fried desserts, Hispanic and Texas apparel, figurines, paintings and souvenirs. After expenses, any proceeds or profits from the Folk Festival are donated back to the Museum for improvements to its facility.

Musical and theatrical performances were held on Saturday and featured performing acts from several major Texas cities.

Musical entertainment included local bands such as Lone Star Blue Grass Band, Gillette Brothers, No Foolin’ String Band and Houston Celtic Chorus.

Dance performances included Huntsville Promenade Dancers and Sahawe Indian Dancers.

The No Foolin’ String Band was created in the 1990s by a group of Huntsville musician friends and has played at the Festival for more than 15 years. The group enjoys coming out to play music from the 19th century and participating annually.

“We like the fact that we just get to sit and play and watch all the activities,” Gene Young, Ph.D, No Foolin’ band member and SHSU English professor, said. “It brings history to life. We just love to watch peoples’ expressions on their faces when they’re and

judge

the

citation

page 1 accordingly,” Yarabeck said.

together with the placement of the new electronic citation system.

“I think that the new electronic system is much fairer to the students and the objective of the parking appeals,” Yarabeck said.

“It’s more about facts than stories and opinions.”

The panel is a committee made up of picked Student Government Association (SGA) students and members of the faculty senate, Kapalko said.

Yarabeck selects two panel members to review a case and if they can’t decide the outcome of the ticket then he breaks the tie.

Only two students have appealed to the panel this year, Kapalko said.

Dean Yarabeck said he tries to give every student a fair and unbiased verdict based on the assessment and situation of the citation.

“My job as chairman is to weigh in the difference between the student’s citation and the rules

“More likely than not, I’m going to rule in favor of the student unless there is a clear violation of the rule that’s being upheld.”

Previously, the Parking Appeals Panel consisted of volunteer members who would meet with students face-to-face. For students, this method of appeals was not the most conducive or convenient way to appeal a ticket.

“The biggest complaint I had was convenience because the panel only met on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. [or whenever was convenient for the panel members],” Kapalko said. “And if you had a conflict [with the times] you couldn’t appeal the citation.”

This situation is just one reason why the Parking and Transportation department decided to purchase the new T2 System by Flex in late 2010.

“It’s Banner compatible, making the charge go to

INFO

Last day to resign and drop courses is May 4: Courses may be dropped without a grade of “F” before taking any final exams. To process a “Q” drop after the online drop closes, students must come to the Registrar’s Office, Estill Building Rm. 331 between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. No schedule changes may be made after the deadline specified in the Academic

photos by Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian

faced with historical things they haven’t seen before.”

Rolling Thunder, a replica of an 1841 Mississippi Six Pounder cannon, was fired every hour during the Festival with help from the Lonestar Volunteers.

Many other volunteers at the Folk Festival were seen in period wear from the 1800s doing historical reenactments.

Covey Barbee, a history graduate student at SHSU, has volunteered at the Folk Festival for ten years as a historical re-enactor.

“The Folk Festival is a wide assortment of different time periods in history but all with a tie to Sam Houston himself,” Barbee said. “I do Texas Revolution history and Sam Houston’s all in [it].”

Throughout 25 years, the Festival has geared more toward educational, familyfun entertainment that celebrates Sam Houston’s life, the 1800s and the Lone Star State. the student’s account [in Banner] for them to pay it or appeal it,” Kapalko said. “If they appeal it, the citation goes back into the ‘T2’ system where I ‘delete’ the ticket and the charge is removed from their Banner account. This brand is also the only one that tracks citations, permits and garage activity [hourly and contract parking].”

The parking appeals process has changed for the better in terms of efficiency and convenience for both students and the Parking and Transportation department, Kapalko said.

For more information on SHSU’s Parking and Transportation department or to appeal a ticket visit http://www.shsu. edu/~upd_www/parktrans/ rules.html.

Johnny Peres contributed to this report.

CELEBRATE TEXAS: (top left) A woman dressed in 1800s wear plays a harp for passersby. (top right) Two performers act out a sword fight for festival attendees. (middle left) Aaron Voisard, freshman criminal justice major, learns how to throw a tomahawk. (above) Houston Celtic Chorus was one of the many performers on Saturday. (left) Covey Barbee, history graduate student, and Mark Hegman, SHSU alumnus, are dressed in Texas Revolution army wear.

Veterans honored with special cords SOFIA MEDRANO Contributing Reporter Around 50 military veterans and active reservists graduating this spring will be the first group to display the new red, white and blue cords used to honor their service done for our country.

The cords will be worn over the graduation cap and gown, similar to the academic honors cords, and are only available for veterans that apply and are accepted to graduate.

Fernando Chavez, coordinator of Veterans Success at Sam, proposed the idea of the cords after learning that other universities were using them at a veterans benefit conference.

“It’s going to be a new

thing that’s starting at schools,” Chavez said.

“It’s a good way to honor veterans and reserves here on campus.”

Texas State UniversitySan Marcos is similarly starting to use the cords this semester as well.

Domitilo Ponce, member of the Veterans Advisory Council at Texas State said “veterans are accustomed to wearing devices on their military uniform which show their accomplishments and experiences,” and “by allowing veterans the opportunity to continue this tradition embraces the university’s promotion of diversity and culture acceptance.”

Other schools such as Texas Tech University and University of HoustonDowntown are honoring

CLASSIFIEDS

Rental 2BR/2BA Roommate plan on ranch, close in town. Can work P/T for rent. No pets, horse OK. $600/mth.

936-291-3226

their veterans by using stoles instead of cords.

Professors at SHSU that are military veterans will also have the chance to wear the cords starting next semester.

Chavez hopes the cords will allow other students and people in the crowd to notice the number of veterans graduating and recognize them for going above and beyond by serving in the military and graduating college.

“I think that many people aren’t aware as to how many vets attend SHSU,” Corbett French, Vice President of the Collegiate Veterans Association said. “With vet enrollment expanding exponentially, I’m sure it will be a sight to see on graduation day for years to come.”

Arts & Entertainment

Page 4 Tuesday, May 1, 2012

houstonianonline.com/a-e

Spring musical delivers best of SHSU theater GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor

Laughs filled the Erica Starr Theater last week as the Sam Houston State Theater Department delivered a hilarious performance of the spring musical “Once Upon a Mattress”. With the colorful set, animated cast and lively music, the show was anything but boring.

“Once Upon a Mattress” takes place in a kingdom ruled by the Queen Aggravain, who makes it law that no one will marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, marries a real princess. With a series of unfair tests, she stops every princess who tries to marry her son.

But when Princess Winifred is brought to the castle, she proves that it won’t be that easy for the queen to get rid of her. What ensues is a whacky retelling of “The Princess and the Pea”.

From the opening, the actors had the audience laughing.

Each of the characters was charming, funny and brought to life with their over the top body language. Each had unique characteristics about them that made the characters memorable and believable.

Act One brings audience out of chairs with music, dance GEORGE MATTINGLY Arts & Entertainment Editor

Jessica Gomez l The Houstonian

MAKING AN ENTRANCE: The men of “Once Upon a Mattress” carry princess Winifred as she makes her big entrance in a song titled “Shy”.

Queen Aggravain, played

by Sarah Meyers, used her accent, voice changes and over the top personality to create a melodramatic attitude that brought comedic relief to her most conniving moments.

One of the most memorable roles of the show was King Sextimus, played by Garrett Line. He used props, facial expressions and hand gestures to communicate with other characters. This made for some of the most hilarious comedic moments in the show like when he tried to explain sex to Prince Dauntless in a number titled “Man to Man Talk.”

Aside from the characters, the music and dance in the show were phenomenal. The songs were a mix of classic Broadway sounds, and touches of Medieval tunes.

All of the songs brought personality to the stage. The numbers sang by Princess Winnifred, played by Katelyn Johnson were filled with personality. In her entrance titled “Shy”, she combined her body language and smiles with her strong voice to take command of the stage. She had the audience cheering and laughing throughout the show.

The best dance moments of the show came from the group dance numbers. In “The Spanish Panic”, the cast showcased its versatility with a variety of steps that included the monkey, the chicken dance, and the Tango that turned the stage into a fun party for the audience.

The second act opened with another big dance moment “Quiet”. It started off with the Jester, played by Max Pierce, clapping and stomping on beat and then rippled throughout the entire cast.

They moved across the stage in synchronization while still managing to inject humor and personality for the audience.

The result was unique to the theater stage and made for another memorable moment that drew the loudest applause from the audience.

With the talented cast, hilarious characters and versatility dance and music, “Once Upon a Mattress” was easily one of the best shows performed at SHSU. The only disappointment was that it was not able to go on longer.

For more information about the SHSU Theater Department, visit http://www.shsu. edu/~drm_www/.

The audience sang, clapped and danced along to memorable music on Friday as Act One performed in its first major campus performance titled “Brown Sugar Revue”.

A group of 18 students of all majors delivered a variety of performances that combined music, theater and dance with comedy and emotion on one stage in the Mall Area.

The show featured music for all ages and from all genres including jazz, swing, Broadway and gospel along with tap dancing, cabaret and the famous moves of Tina Turner.

The night of performances started out with a cappella renditions of gospel songs and then switched gears to jazz, swing and pop music.

Audience members clapped and cheered along as the entire group took the stage to perform the jazz tune, “It Don’t Mean a Thing”. Dressed in simple white and black outfits, students took the stage, snapping as they sang.

Then, in a surprise, students broke out of the group in the center to the stage tap-dancing with attitude and precise movement.

Next, small groups took the stage to perform memorable songs like “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner and “I Feel Good”

by James Brown. A trio of girls performed the famous moves of Turner dressed in sparkling dresses that had the audience cheering.

In addition to music, some of the songs inlcuded acting scenes that touched on topics surounding relationships. The cast also made use of props such as chairs, hats and costumes to bring Broadway songs to the stage.

In the second half of the revue,

the entire cast returned to the stage to honor people who have died with their emotional performance “Seasons of Love” from RENT. “I loved when they took time to honor the people we have lost,” Christina Brinkley, senior theater major said. “It was a really powerful, awesome moment.”

The night of performances ended on a high note as audience members go on their feet to dance, sing and cheer along with the cast.

Brinkley also said the “Brown Sugar Revue” was a great example of the amount of talent in the students at Sam Hosuton State University.

“I love seeing different majors branch out,” she said. “The fact that the group can pull resources and talent without faculty endorsement shows what we are capable of.”

Act One is an organization on campus that provides free production on campus to educate the SHSU community and give students an opportunity to perform. It is open for everyone to join.

“We have so much talent [at SHSU] that is not being used and everyone can’t be in every show” said Brandon Johnson, dance director of Act One. “So [our productions] are an outlet for students to express their talent.”

For Johnson, the biggest reward for the night was seeing how many people came out to show their support.

“It was amazing so many people come out,” he said. “We tried so hard to publicize and we only had fifty chairs, but we had about a hundred people come out each night.”

With the “Brown Sugar Revue” being the last performance of the year for Act One, Johnson said the group hopes to make the revue an annual event and to increase membership next year.

Sports

Page 5 Tuessday, May 1, 2012 houstonianonline.com/sports

twitter.com/HoustonianSport

Kats sail past Islanders

CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter With only three Southland Conference series remaining in the regular season, the Bearkats took two of three games from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and remain in first place in the Southland Conference.

This was Sam Houston’s eighth consecutive series victory over a Southland opponent as they have yet to drop one all season. This series moved Sam Houston (3212, 19-5 SLC) from number 22 to number 21 in the Collegiate Newspaper Poll, which is the oldest college baseball poll in the country.

The Islanders (18-26, 10-14 SLC) moved form eighth place to tenth place in the Southland Conference.

On Friday night, the Bearkats took a 5-2 loss from the Islanders, totaling only five hits and an error.

Sam Houston led the game after a two-run first inning but was unable to come back after Corpus Christi posted their five runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning.

Third baseman Kevin Miller led the Bearkats as he drove in the only two Sam Houston runs.

Miller went seven for ten from the plate in this series and totaled five RBIs in all three games.

Saturday was a different story for the Bearkats, as they won the game 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off balk by Corpus Christi pitcher Phillip Garcia.

After being down 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, left fielder Luke Plucheck and Miller led off the inning with back to back singles. Designated hitter Jake Arrington was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who drove in Plucheck on an RBI single. A ground out by shortstop

CODY LEWIS Sports Reporter

photo courtesy of Brian Blalock/ SHSU

KEEPING THE MOMENTUM. Sam Houston State freshman catcher Shea Pierce (2) goes back into the dugout and high-fives his teammates. Over the weekend, the Bearkats won two-of-three games over Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Corey Toups brought home Miller and Arrington scored on a bunt by right fielder Greg Olson to give the Bearkats a 4-3 lead.

After the Islanders got one run back in the top of the seventh to tie the game up, the Bearkats posted another three-run inning led by a triple from Plucheck to put Sam Houston up 7-4.

Corpus Christi, however, would not go away and tied the game back up in the top of the ninth before Garcia balked with Plucheck on third, allowing him to score the game-winning run.

Michael Burchett got the win in relief of starting pitcher Justin Jackson.

“I tip my hat to our kids for staying focused and fighting back to get the win,” Bearkats head coach David Pierce told gobearkats.com. “Overall it was a great win. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but we’ll take it. It was just that kind of day that we grinded all day.”

On Sunday, the Bearkats got back into their usual form and defeated the Islanders 6-3. A five-run fourth inning by Sam

Tennis team bounced from SLC tournament AMY TUREK Contributing Reporter

The Sam Houston State women’s tennis team was knocked out of the Southland Conference tournament over the weekend in the semifinals against the University of Texas-Arlington.

Despite losing in the semifinals, this season stands out for the Bearkats.

They reached the semifinals of the Southland Conference for the third time in the program’s history and ended the season with a 12-9 overall record, the best since the 2007 season. The twelve wins also tied the record for most wins by a Bearkat team. The record was set in 1983 then equaled in 1984, 2002, 2006, and 2007.

In the first round on Thursday, the Bearkats faced and defeated number two seed Texas State, 4-3.

SHSU had lost the prior weekend to the Bobcats.

The Bearkats started off with a 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point.

Although Doubles No. 1

RYAN,

Offense helps lead softball past Mavericks

Tatyana Postnikova and Nadia Dubyanskaya lost 8-2, No. 2 Sheridan Currie and Natalie Petaia won 8-5 and No. 3 Imke Jagau and Olivia Battye won 8-4.

In singles, the Bearkats trailed 3-2 after Jagau lost 6-2, 6-3, Petaia lost 6-3, 6-1, and Postnikova lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Dubyanskaya kept the Bearkats in it with a 6-3, 6-3 win. Currie and Battye were the last on the court. Battye pulled out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win to even the score. The result rested on Currie’s shoulders.

She came through and won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to send the Bearkats to the semifinals.

“It came down to a tight third set that could have gone either way,” Coach Jim Giachino said. “Texas State could just as easily have taken that match from us. I’m not saying we were lucky to win it because we showed a lot of heart out there, but it could have gone either way.”

In the semifinals, the Bearkats were swept by the number three seed UT Arlington.

UTA took two

page 1

dominant was due to his curveball.

Monday, Ryan re-stated that and stated that every dominant pitcher had to have a secondary pitch.

Ryan was asked about his most memorable pitch and Ryan stated “it was the pitches that didn’t work that I most recall.” Over his career, Ryan tried to perfect his pitching and hated giving up hits to batters.

However, Ryan went on to answer the question and stated that the one pitch he recalled was against the Toronto Blue Jays and was the last strike of his last no-hitter.

That pitch came against Blue Jay second baseman Roberto Alomar.

As a Met, Ryan played with Sandy Alomar, father to Roberto. Ryan remembered showing a young Roberto how to pitch, as he would hang around his father in the clubhouse. Because of that relationship, Ryan recalled that pitch the most.

After retiring from baseball in 1993, the former pitcher said that it took him two years to get over his retirement.

doubles matches, defeating Postnikova and Dubyanskaya 8-4 and Jagau and Battye 8-5. The number two doubles match was not played because the doubles result was already decided. Singles matches went unfinished as well after UTA took three, giving them the win. Jagau lost 6-1, 6-2; Currie lost 6-3, 6-2; and Petaia lost 6-3, 6-1.

UTA went on to face Stephen F. Austin in the final, and the Lumberjacks won 4-0.

The future continues to look bright for the Bearkats as the entire squad will return next year and Giachino is proud of his team.

“The team chemistry this year was amazing and the improvement they’ve shown with their hard work was something special,” Giachino said. “[Thursday’s] win over an excellent Texas State team was a big step.

All year long, we’ve told the girls they have the talent to compete with the best in the conference and they proved it to themselves Thursday.”

“I was in a funk,” Ryan said. “I didn’t anticipate it and I missed the competition and camaraderie [with teammates]. It’s a special feeling and a special fraternity that you are in and you don’t realize how much that you are going to miss it.”

Despite retiring, Ryan knew that he wanted somehow be involved in the front office aspect of a team.

“It was something in the back of my mind that I always wanted to do was help set the direction of an organization,” Ryan said.

Ryan followed through with that and his now the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Texas Rangers organization.

Ryan spoke about that and wrapped up the program with his thoughts about the current direction of the MLB, stating that “it’s a different time.”

As the program closed with the audience giving Ryan a standing ovation, Ryan had one last piece of advice for the students at Sam Houston.

“Take advantage of your opportunity here,” Ryan said. “This is where the future is and be the best that you can.”

Houston provided all the offense they needed to get the win.

Pitcher Brandon Bergen picked up the win in relief of starter Cody Dickson.

The Bearkats will host the number nine ranked Texas A&M Aggies today for a non-conference game. The last time these two team met up, the Bearkats won 8-5 in twelve innings in College Station.

Sam Houston will send Michael Oros (6-0, 2.14 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

The Sam Houston State softball offense came alive this past weekend as the team swept past the University of TexasArlington in a two-game series that took place on the road over the weekend.

The Bearkats set the tone for the weekend with a 6-1 win over the Mavericks on Friday night.

A three-run triple by third baseman Shelbi Tucker helped give the Bearkat softball team a 10-7 win over University of TexasArlington on Saturday afternoon in Arlington.

Saturday, Sam Houston led 7-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning but the Mavericks were able to rally back and tie it up. After Tucker hit the go-ahead triple, she went out and got the last three outs.

Tucker went three for five from the plate and totaled five RBIs and was named Southland Conference hitter of the week.

“This team always manages to find a way to win,” Sam Houston head coach Bob Brock said.

“That’s just a good sign to the way our season’s gone since we got rid of that 1-13 record.”

Tomi Garrison and Shelby Lancaster were the winning pitchers for the Bearkats in the series.

SHSU next takes on Texas State at home this upcoming weekend.

“We’re just going to continue to do what we’ve done,” Brock said.

“We’re going to be ready for them.”

First pitch for this series is set for Friday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit gobearkats. com.

JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

pay $475 with zero down or

pay $489 with zero down & receive a $150 gift card

scan & like

2-story townhomes. private bedrooms & huge walk-in closets. resort-style amenities. individual leases. pet friendly.

apply online @ villasonsycamore.com 936.439.5234 • 1615 Sycamore Ave Rates, fees, deadlines and utilities included are subject to change / see office for details / limited time only