10/15/2018 Weekly Edition

Monday, October 15, 2018

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Students Dedicated to Professional Journalism Volume 130 | Issue 4

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Last week week we honored our traditions...

Sam Switch

Sam Switch

Fire Fest

Battle of the Piney Woods

Common Reader with Dan Rather

...now let’s highlight our future.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, October 15, 2018

Page 2

campus news

GCJD Brings Former ISIS Former ISIS Captive Wins 2018 Nobel Captive to Campus Peace Prize

BY TRACE HARRIS Houstonian Archives 2016

BY SHARON RAISSI Associate Editor

As part of this week’s theme where we honor our traditions, the following article was originally written by Trace Harris in 2016 following Nadia Murdad’s visit to Sam Houston State University. It is an exact reprint of the original story.

The Global Center for Journalism and Democracy along with the College of Criminal Justice hosted an event called “Who is Nadia Murad?” Thursday evening in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center (GPAC). The conversation featured Murad and her translator Murad Ismael telling her story and ended with questions from the audience.

Murad is a 23-year-old woman from Kocho, in Sinjar province in Northern Iraq. Nadia and her family are members of the Yazidi community, a minority group in Iraq with just over a half million members. The Yazidi are part of the Kurdish ethno-sectarian group of Northern Iraq in the proclaimed “state” of Kurdistan.

The audience gained some background on her life. Murad grew up with 6 brothers and sisters. She went through 11 years of school and hoped to become a history teacher and make-up artist.

Murad’s life changed forever August 3, 2014 when the Islamic

State of Iraq and Syria (or the Levant) (ISIS or ISIL) invaded the village. ISIS then began ethnic cleansing and an attempt to carry out a full-fledged genocide.

Over 400,000 Yazidi were under siege, with at least 5,000 killed and 6,500 girls in slavery. Murad was among those in slavery and she was held in the city of Mosul. She was beaten, tortured, and raped by her captors.

However, that November, Murad was able to escape when one of her captors left a door unlocked. She then ran to a neighboring family who helped her out.

During the presentation Murad said she was very lucky and grateful for this family.

The family was able to provide Murad with an ID and smuggle her to a refugee camp in Duhok, Iraq, a non-ISIS controlled area.

From the camp, Murad was able to make it to Stuttgart, Germany.

Even though Murad was lucky enough to find a way to

Archaeologist Digs up Truth About The Alamo

BY MARISA SAENZ Contributing Reporter Dr. Nesta Anderson discussed her work on The Alamo at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum as part of celebrating Texas Archaeology Month.

Anderson is a senior archaeologist for Pape-Dawson Engineers. Anderson is from Michigan and came to Texas after she received her doctoral degree.

Her career is mostly focused on Spanish exploration in the San Antonio area.

“Nesta has just completed this amazing archaeological investigation,” Curator of Collections at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum Mike Sproat said. “The Alamo is a hot topic, so she was the perfect person to come speak.”

Anderson speaks to different areas to educate them about The Alamo and its upcoming changes as part of The Alamo Master Plan.

Pape-Dawson Engineers was hired in 2016 to explore The Alamo grounds to develop the master plan.

Anderson worked on the south and west walls. These specific areas were sought out because the city wants to preserve and exhibit more of the battlefield.

The Alamo Master Plan has

been in the works since 2015.

The plan includes preserving The Alamo church and long barracks, relocating entertainment attractions off the plaza, closing the street off to motor vehicles and restoring the cenotaph.

Plans change often because of lawsuits or because they need approval from the city.

There are some proposals that concern archaeologists. The latest proposal intends to lower the plaza by thirty-six inches. Many archaeologists are fearful of this proposal because it could ruin the deposits below the Alamo.

“We are hitting deposits at two and a half feet,” Anderson said. “If we go down thirty-six inches, we will completely ruin them.”

Technological advancements continue to help Anderson and her team discover deposits “We scanned some archaeological deposits to create a 3D representation,” Anderson said.

“We are also using drones to shoot from different angles and it’s really starting to change the way we study.”

Preserving The Alamo continues to be a priority for archaeologists.

“I hope we don’t lose the archaeological resources because once they’re gone, they’re gone,” Anderson said.

The Alamo Master Plan is expected to be completed in 2024.

After her visit to Sam Houston State University two years ago, human rights activist Nadia Murad was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 8.

Murad was kidnapped from her hometown of Kojo, Iraq escape, she urged during her when Islamic State fighters comspeech that there are still 3,400 mitted genocide of her village girls in slavery across Syria and of about 600 people. She was Iraq under ISIS. taken and captured, along with Since her escape, Murad has more than 6,700 women, and become an activist and voice was kept as a slave in the city for refugees and victims of the of Mosul where was beaten and Islamic State. She has visited 120 raped by her captors. countries trying to spread the She was finally able to escape word about ISIS’ deadly meswhen one of her captors left the sage. door unlocked. She was taken Murad has met the German in by a neighboring family and Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who eventually smuggled out of the she discussed a safe zone over Islamic State controlled area. parts of Iraq with.

In December 2015, Murad Murad has won numerous briefed the United Nations Seawards, even being nominated curity Council about her experifor a Nobel Peace Prize for her ence in human trafficking. Since activism by the Iraqi governthen, she has been an outspoken ment. advocate for survivors of genoToday, Murad continues her cide and sexual violence. work educating the public on the At her visit to Sam Houston dangers of the ISIS ideology.

State University in 2016, she She explained she likes to go to talked about her childhood, leadMuslim-majority countries being up to her capture and what cause she can make the biggest happened while she was a slave. difference there. The take-away Since then, she has continued to Murad wanted to leave the audi- speak out on behalf of victims ence with is that terrorism is the everywhere. enemy, not Islam, or refugees.

“We must remain commit-

ted to rebuilding communities ravaged by genocide,” Murad said in her published statement after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. “Survivors deserve a safe and secure pathway home or safe passage elsewhere. We must support efforts to focus on humanity, and overcome political and cultural divisions.”

Upon accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, Murad urged government action.

“I call on all government to join me in fighting genocide and sexual violence,” Murad said. “The world should bear its moral and legal responsibilities and proper accountability. The sexual violence and conflict in our towns and cities must be stopped. A single prize and a single person cannot accomplish these goals alone. My hope is that all women who speak about their experiences of sexual violence are heard and accepted so they feel safe to continue sharing their stories.”

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleCommunityNews | Monday, October 15, 2018

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community news

Fair on the Square

BY KACIE GING Contributing Reporter The Huntsville Chamber of Commerce hosted the 44th annual Fair on the Square Oct. 6 in downtown Huntsville.

There were over 350 vendor and organization booths along with a food court, beer garden, Kids Korner, classic cars show and live music.

The event offered free parking at Bowers Stadium and a free shuttle service was also offered

by First Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church. This allowed commuters a way to get to and from the event.

A Pre-Fair on the Square Concert was held the night before.

The concert featured the local bands Rosenwall and John Tolan Trio.

The Huntsville Item reported that the first Fair on the Square was in 1975 and started off as a way of helping bring people in for the prison rodeo.

The prison rodeo experienced a much higher than average turnout for opening night after the first Fair on the Square, according to the Huntsville Item.

For 44 years, the event has brought local businesses and craftspeople to Huntsville. The Fair on the Square continues to be tradition in the community The Fair on the Square is an annual event that occurs on the first Saturday in October.

Kacie Ging

“A Hashtag Is Not A Vote.” -Dana Hoyt What students need to know about voting

Kacie Ging

HOUSE OF VOTES. Those registered to vote in Walker County can early vote from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2 at the Walker County Annex. Election Day is Nov. 6.

BY CHEREE SMITH News Editor Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and International Business Darren Grant explains what students should know about voting.

It is important for students to know how to register to vote, when they may vote and where they may vote, according to Grant. However, it is also important to note that registration deadline has passed for this November’s election.

Another vital piece of information is that students know where they are registered.

“If you are registered to vote in Montgomery County, such as the Woodlands, then you cannot vote in Huntsville,” Grant said.

Students should also know when they may vote and where

they may vote. According to Grant, the ‘when’ and ‘where’ go together because it really depends on whether you are going to vote early or on election day,” Grant said.

Early voting is open for two weeks starting Oct. 22 and ending on Nov. 2 at the Walker County Annex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“They have occasional evening hours, so it’s longer than 8 to 5 some days,” Grant said.

Everyone registered in Walker County can vote at the Walker County Annex during early voting. It is located three blocks away from the SHSU campus.

From the corner of Old Main, up University Avenue three blocks north and on the left will be the Walker County Annex.

“The lines aren’t probably going to be very long,” Grant said.

“You could possibly, in twenty

minutes, walk down there, vote, walk back”.

Students that have breaks between classes may use this time to vote.

“Most students have a little break between classes at some point during the day, so that will usually be an hour or an hour and a half that should be plenty of time to pop down their vote and come back,” Grant said.

Things are different for students that want to vote on Election Day. The when and where for election time is more complicated, according to Grant.

“You vote by precinct, and so people will be in different precincts depending on where they live,” Grant said. “Each precinct has its own voting location so on election day you have to know what your precinct is, you have to know where the poll is for that precinct, then that they are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.”

Students should also be aware of what forms of identification are permitted when they go to vote.

“The last thing you need to know is about ID’s because you need an ID to go vote,” Grant said. “A driver’s license is fine, a passport is fine, but your student ID is not fine.”

Grant provided a personal reason as to why students voting in elections is important to him.

“When I first came to Texas in 2001, the tuition was so low, that not that many people had student loans,” Grant said. “Over the next five years or so the legislature of Texas made a choice

they were going to put less tax money in universities and they were going to raise tuition, once the universities were able to raise tuition, you can guess what happened.”

Grant believes that students should be expressing their voice through voting.

“Year after year I have watched students not vote,” Grant said. “Year after year I think to myself why do you put up with this? Vote.”

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement indicates that several SHSU stu-

dents registered to vote in the last mid-term election but many of them did not vote.

“That report says that of Sam students aged 18-22, seven percent of them voted in the 2014 mid-term election,” Grant said.

“Lots of them registered but only a few showed up to vote.”

Grant believes that when it comes down to voting, students should just do it.

For information about Early Voting and Election Day Voting hours and locations visit http:// www.co.walker.tx.us/ and select “Current Election.”

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, October 15, 2018

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arts & entertainment

All’s Well That Learns Well: A Look Back at 50 Years of Teaching Through the Eyes of Krienke

BY SHARON RAISSI Associate Editor “Pity Chips never had any children!”

“But you were wrong. I have.

Thousands of them.”

-James Hilton Sam Houston State University professor Dr. Douglas Krienke once said, in a letter regarding his Excellence in Service Award nomination, “This remark is certainly applicable to me.”

As both a professor and the Associate Chair of the English Department, Krienke knows this feeling well. If serving more than 50 years at the SHSU English Department has taught him anything, it’s that his students are, by some respects, his family.

Krienke can be found in the Evans Complex teaching classes on Shakespeare, a plaque on his wall that reads, “SHSU Excellence in Teaching Award – Douglas Krienke” hanging proudly near the door. Shakespeare quotes, a black and white picture of a dog and more than a dozen more awards and degrees line his walls.

Krienke received his degree in English from Sam Houston State in 1959. By his graduation, he already had three job offers.

After teaching in public schools for three years, Krienke moved to a university teaching position in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, then finally applied for a position back at his original alma matter.

His eventual return to SHSU was seemingly inevitable, a way of “coming back to his roots,” so to speak. Krienke described the changes he’s seen on campus and in students in the 50 years he’s been walking the campus grounds.

“Over the years, I’ve noticed that students have traded one addiction for another,” Krienke said. “Back in the day, class would be dismissed, and everyone would run out and congregate outside, smoking cigarettes.

Now, they still run out at the end of class, but this time they’re on their cell phones. It’s not a bad thing, just something I’ve noticed.”

In 1990, Krienke was given the Sam Houston State University Excellence in Teaching Award. Over the years, he has racked up a dozen awards from

the university such as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award and, most recently, the Department Teaching Award for the SHSU Department of English.

More than awards, Krienke has also received several letters and emails from past students.

They detail the effects Krienke’s teaching has had on their lives and careers. One letter is from a past student of his who now happens to be an SHSU English lecturer, Jonathan Antonini.

“You need to know that you make a difference in people’s lives,” Antonini wrote. “You need to know that you help students see this world through a different lens— through a lens of compassion, love, and forgiveness as we see so often in Shakespeare and the classics.

You help change people’s lives. I want you to never forget that.”

With all the lives Krienke has made an impact on, he described one life that made a huge impact on him: the life of a little dog named Argus. Argus, named after Odysseus’s dog in “The Odyssey,” was a gift from the fraternity.

A few of the fraternity brothers delivered the dog that would be Argus to Krienke’s front door, along with a bag of dog food for her. Not knowing what to do with the dog, Krienke put her in the backyard.

“I went out there, and the poor little thing was pawing under the fence trying to get out,” Krienke said. “I picked her up, and she licked me. And I said, ‘Oh my Gosh.’ So I brought her in the house.”

For the next 18 years, he and Argus remained a tight-knit pair.

“She was one of the best things that ever happened in my life,” Krienke said. “I learned more about being sensitive and

about being caring and being appreciative from that little dog.

That was a very important part of my life.”

While he does not plan to retire anytime very soon, Krienke does have a loose plan for when he finally does.

“I would love to go to Ireland or Scotland to live,” Krienke said. “Probably Scotland. If I can’t do that, I would like to move to a beach area. I’ve always wanted to live near the water.”

Krienke has cited Chair of the English Department, Dr. Jacob Blevins, as a reason for him sticking around at SHSU for as long as he has.

“We have a chair who has just come in from a school in Louisiana, and he has a kind of vision, a kind of sense of fairmindedness that I like,” Krienke said.

“He asked me not to retire yet.

He said, ‘You still have a great deal to give,’ and I liked that, so I work well with him. That’s also one of the reasons I’ve stayed. We have an outstanding office staff.”

According to Blevins, Krienke’s unwavering dedication is what sets him apart from the rest.

“You would think that someone who has 50 years of service might begin to slow down, rest on his laurels,” Blevins said.

“Not Dr. Krienke. He is as active, as open, and as engaged as someone fresh out of graduate

school. The opportunity to work with him has been one of the true high points of my time here at Sam.” Most recently, Krienke has been working on the Center for Ethics, Western Civilization, and American Traditions (EWCAT).

EWCAT is a unique program that aims to encourage a higher level of insight in the classroom through peer-led discussions of ethical, social, political and religious issues. It aims to help students develop their own personal ethics and intellectual identity.

“My most important academic goal is to know that I have been the best teacher that I can possibly be,” Krienke said. “As a teacher I strive for that balance: to be compassionate without being weak and to be strong without being insensitive. In order for me to be remembered as a good teacher, I first have to be remembered as a good human being.”

Sam Houston Memorial Museum Honors History, Traditions

Celebrating a legacy! The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is on a 15 acre grounds area, and every inch of it is dedicated to commemorating one of the most influential men in Texas history.

BY TESLA CADENA Arts and Entertainment Editor The Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds have been celebrating and preserving the history of Sam Houston and Huntsville for 107 years. There is not only much to see, but much to do.

Overall, the grounds house the duck pond and over 13 buildings which include the steamboat house, the Woodland home, Eliza’s kitchen and demonstration cabins. The museum has a collection of over 10,000 items in their curated collections.

Guided and self-tours are available to the public with special offers to schools, seniors, groups and clubs. There are also four free regularly-occurring demonstrations: blacksmithing, woodworking, kick wheel pottery (interactive) and weaving (interactive). They also have special events like “Life on the Farm” and guest speakers.

Exhibit Curator Casey Roon wants to debunk the misconception that history museums are boring or that they are all the same.

“We try to think of programming to bring people over to a history museum that may never think they would enjoy visiting

a history museum,” Roon said.

“We spend a lot of time around a table in a creative process trying to think of ways to touch people and get people here because once they’re here, they get it.”

To make the museum even more engaging and resourceful,

there will be changes in January to the Woodland home after being static for more than 20 years.

The house’s interior will reflect the season. For example, during different times of the year, there may be different clothes, bedding, more or less rugs, etc. It will also reflect whether Houston was home or traveling for work. If he was gone, there would be Margaret and her children’s items on

display.

Last May, the museum collaborated with the Sam Houston State University Mass Communications department, Priority One and SHSU students to write, illustrate and publish the “Sam Houston Chickens” book available in the museum shop.

Now, they are partnering with the same illustrator and SHSU Art major Victoria Gillis to create a coloring book which should also become available in the museum store.

The updates don’t stop there according to Museum Director Mac Woodward.

“When Sam Houston was a young boy, his family owned a store in Tennessee,” Woodward said. “We’re going to make [one of our cabins] into a store and it will be another activity for people to participate in and see what a general store from that time would look like.”

The museum not only honors history, but traditions. For example, Houston wore a ring with “honor” inscribed—a word he lived by. Thus, all SHSU class rings are inscribed with “honor,” and the rings spend the night in Houston’s home the night before the ring ceremony in hopes that students will feel that connection.

Being involved with the university is a significant goal because establishing these grounds was done through a joint effort of the college (Sam Houston Normal at the time) and the community.

“Historically, we’ve continued to be a part of the university and the community,” Woodward said. “In many ways, we’re a link.

I think traditionally, historically and wisely, we’ve made that connection between university and community.”

According to Curator of Education Derrick Birdsall, history unites us beyond university and community, but as a people. The long-standing unification is why the museum aims to be broad

and thoughtful enough to appeal to and include a diverse variety of people. The history goes beyond Sam Houston’s bloodline.

There are many people and factors to include when discussing the history of Sam Houston and Huntsville.

“Diversity is the foundation of everything we do, including our buildings and programming,” Roon said. “It also says something about Sam Houston.

He had those relationships with diverse groups of people.

Economically, culturally [and] racially he was connected to a diverse group and they all have a connection to this site.”

Woodward believes it’s necessary to use the Sam Houston Memorial Museum as a way to honor history, open discus-

Sam Houston Memorial Museum

sions and serve the community because it is for the people.

“I used to give tours and when we’d take people in the historic homes I’d ask ‘Who owns this house?’” Woodward said. “It

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, October 15, 2018

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Opinions

Walker County is Founded on Dishonesty

BY MICHAEL GARCIA Contributing Writer Walker County’s name means nothing. It’s a lie.

Earlier this semester I asked my friend if we could drive by the back of The Walker County Courthouse so I could see the sign that ended up being the

source for this article. When we got to the sign I read to him the following: “The region was included in neighboring counties until Walker County was created by the First Legislature of the State of Texas in 1846; it was named for U.S. Senator Robert J. Walker, who introduced legislation for Texas’ annexation…When the Civil War began, R.J. Walker declined to support the Confederacy. The Texas Legislature renamed the county in 1863 for Texas Ranger Samuel H. Walker.”

The fact the name was never changed back is a shame that hangs on Walker County.

Imagine if the same had been done to Sam Houston—who

lost his governorship because he “declined to support the Confederacy.” Imagine that every statue of him on campus was just some random dude; imagine that the school motto “The Measure of a Life is its Service” was something that some other “Sam Houston” said. All of these things would mean nothing. Walker County’s name means nothing. It’s a lie.

155 years ago, the Texas Legislature decided to keep the name and lose the meaning, so they wouldn’t have to change the stationary. They got “lucky” there was another semi-famous Texan named Walker, but more importantly for them, that Walker had no opinion on the Civil War because he died several years prior. All due respect to Samuel

H. Walker, but I think even he would object to his name being used in such a petty way. It’s not an honor to give somebody something simply because they have the same name as somebody else.

Think what you will about statues and school names. This is different. This is something that nobody knows about, something that most people won’t care about, but I think they should— not because I’m some historical revisionist, but because Walker County is a place of justice and education, a place people should respect. That’s not so easy for me to say anymore.

I want you to go to the Courthouse in Downtown Huntsville for curiosity’s sake. Right across

from the Democratic Headquarters you’ll find the sign I read right there in the open. It’s no secret. That sign is dated 1999, almost as if to say ‘hey look how petty and cheap we used to be but look at how much we’ve improved.’ I would agree with that statement, only I would like it to say: ‘Hey, look at how far Walker County has come, where there once was slavery there is now education and justice, isn’t it great how the changing back of the name symbolizes the change in Walker County?’

The name would mean so much more than Texan Annexation; it would be a symbol for “Texan change.” The name would mean something, rather than nothing.

It wouldn’t be a lie.

Should teachers be required to use Blackboard?

BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Editor-in-chief Times are changing. Technology is evolving which means numerous aspects of our lives are progressing with it, including how we approach and incorporate technology into education.

As the name so wittingly suggests, traditional blackboards (chalkboards) have become a symbol of a stereotypically antiquated classroom. The paradox of SHSU’s online platform being called Blackboard plays into the

new-age renovation of traditional education.

The amount of use of Blackboard by professors covers the entire spectrum. Some professors use it consistently for almost every assignment and update, but others do not even log onto Blackboard to post so much as a syllabus at the beginning of the semester.

The question becomes whether Blackboard is simply a luxury available to professors at their leisure versus the online platform being a required incorporation in all courses.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of online work or online classes.

I enjoy in-person lectures and prefer my work to be handed out in class and completed by hand. That being said, I have heard many students grumble about professors that never use Blackboard at all. Two very com-

mon complaints are syllabi not being available on Blackboard and grades not being posted throughout the semester. I feel inclined to say that I agree with these opinions.

Perhaps Blackboard can provide some commonality, though.

I came from a high school that had an online system for keeping track of grades in a similar way to Blackboard, and it was incredibly organized and beneficial.

I believe professors should, at minimum, upload grades to Blackboard so students can easily access where they stand in all of their classes on one consistent platform. Having course documents compiled in a single digital location is logical. Uploading the syllabus in case a student loses theirs during the semester or needs an extra copy just makes sense.

Every class is run differently,

and that is the undisputed right of the professor. I understand some professor’s reservations when it comes to learning about new technology. Some genuinely find it complicated; some have been teaching since before technology like Blackboard was available and feel no need to adjust their style.

It’s hard to mandate that Blackboard be a part of all cur-

riculums, but it seems fair to say there are undeniable advantages for students. Uploading a syllabus and course calendar and inputting grades during the semester, at the very least, should be done. Blackboard is an improvement meant to make the lives of students and teachers alike easier.

This is my message: Please use Blackboard.

Priceless Advice: Sam Switch Style

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, October 15, 2018

Page 6

SPORTS

Taylor Cunningham: From Local Hornet to Bearkat Star

BY COLTON FOSTER Contributing Reporter Sam Houston State University’s senior middle blocker Taylor Cunningham is not only a Bearkat athlete but is also a native of Huntsville.

Her strong start and teamleading 262 kills and 69 blocks to date has helped lead the Bearkats to a 14-5 start this season.

SHSU is currently 6-1 against Southland Conference opponents this year, placing them right at the top in a three-way tie for second place. So how does it feel for Taylor Cunningham to go from a local Huntsville High School Hornet to a Bearkat legend?

“It’s great to be in my hometown,” Cunningham said.

“Growing up, I didn’t want to stay in Huntsville. I was going to move away, but I love it. I love the fan base and how people I know [like] relatives and friends can see me play.”

With Cunningham continuing to dominate during her senior year, fans have basically grown to expect the impressive numbers she puts up virtually every time she steps on the court. Four years ago, however, she was just

a freshman adjusting to playing in college.

“It’s definitely a lot different,” Cunningham said. “My high school experience was not as tough as college, but I feel like I’ve adapted well.”

There is no doubt Taylor has fully adapted to collegiate competition. She currently leads the entire Southland Conference with 4.03 kills per set, an entire half a kill more than the second place Samantha Anderson from UCA (3.53).

Her presence on the court is not limited to strong offensive showings, though. She is eighth in the conference averaging 1.06 blocks per set. She also became the first player this season to sweep the SLC Player of the Week awards with both offensive and defensive nods. Cunningham has accumulated three offensive player of the week awards this year.

Head coach Brenda Grey has nothing but praise when it comes to talking about her star blocker.

“She’s so gifted” SHSU head coach Brenda Grey said. “She’s just special, and I don’t know if we have had a middle as great as Cunningham in 35 years. She is

SHSU Athletics

very set in her ways, and she’s going to get her kills.”

She remains the center piece of this team and has become a strong leader for this team. Her 262 kills, 212 digs and 69 total

blocks all rank within the top 11 in their respective categories in the SLC. In her sophomore year in 2016, she set her single-season record with 307 kills. She is 45

kills away from that mark, and the Bearkats have nine more matches for Cunningham to chase down her personal record before this year’s conference tournament on Nov. 16.

Sam Houston Inundated By Lions on Homecoming, 53-21

BY DAN RATHER Houstonian Archives, 1951 As part of this week’s theme where we honor our traditions, the following article was originally written by Dan Rather in 1951 following Sam Houston’s Homecoming game. It is an exact reprint of the original story.

And the rains came.

Slow, drizzling rain at first, then driving soaking Rain.

A rain of touchdowns that washed a disillusioned Sam Houston team dreaming of its first Lone Star conference title in twenty years, out of first place in league standings; a rain that dampened the spirits of a Homecoming Day reached a post-war peak only hours before.

The falling pellets washed away everything for that Homecoming throng—except the scoreboard decisions of East Texas 53, Sam Houston 21.

Everything but the inner pain and self-damnation of the

drenched band of orange jerseys that faded into the clubhouse out of Pritchett Stadium—whose wet stands were completely empty minutes before the contest ended.

Perhaps never before, even in the dark days of 1947-48, had a Sam Houston football team been so devastatingly outclassed nor so completely forgotten.

At the beginning of the encounter a packed crowd of 4,000 was on hand. No one wanted to miss this game. “Sam Houston is on its way to the title after this one” they said. “This is the big one.”

Then, the rains came.

The shower of the touchdowns began in the first six minutes of play as the Lion’s Marvin Brown went 130 yards on a pitchout to put the hated East Texans out front. The same play had worked for yardage twice before.

Jim Corder kicked the point after to make it 7-0.

Minutes later the squirming Brown, junior college All-Amer-

ican last year at Tarleton State, went nine yards for another marker—and the thunderclouds began to rumble.

Then James Gray, Commerce’s heralded passer, completed a nine-yard touchdown heave to Billy Self—the first of four touchdown aerials.

Even at this early point, with the ‘Kats trailing 19-0, some of the fans began filing out.

Gray tossed two more counting passes before the half, a fouryarder to James McCormack and a 37-yarder to speeding Brown.

Corder booted the extra points.

In the meantime, Sam Houston tallied once on a Don (Cotton) Gottlob to Dawton Hughes pass play good for 60 yards.

Odessa Oz had dropped almost certain touchdown pass earlier in the game, but hung on to his one and with a good block from freshman J.C. Nichols got into the end zone and then kicked the extra point.

At half-time another flock of Bearkat “faithfuls” left mumbling “33-7, it’s the same old story year after year.”

Back behind the club house, Coach T.F. (Puny) Wilson was telling his charges that they could still win—that the rain clouds could be driven away.

But, Marvin Brown, like the weather, proved to be something the Wilsonmen could do nothing about, as on the second play after intermission he took a pass behind the line of scrimmage and legged 63 yards across the double stripe.

Corder again added the extra point and the rains had begun in

earnest.

Then Jack Kyle displayed the great heart and determination that has made him one of the conference’s better backs for three years as he gave the Homecoming fans – those that were left – their only real chance to cheer.

The Rockdale Rocket took the ensuing kick-off on his own goal line and returned down the left side-lines 100 yards for touchdown. Up front, the ‘Kat line showed flashes of life as they cleared the way for Kyle.

Hughes got his second conversion and it was 40-14.

But, in four minutes the Lions drove to the SH 15 from where Brown dashed for his fifth touchdown of the afternoon.

Corder missed the conversion this time, but it made little difference as precipitation fell from the skies to blend with the gloom of the leaving fans.

Only moments later, Gottlob chunked long downfield with a desperation pass and lightening George Bowling intercepted for the visitors and flashed 70 yards to end the Lion scoring parade as Corder tacked on the one-

pointer.

In the fading minutes of the contest, with less than 300 loyals left in the stadium, Gottlob hit Ed Olin with a 20-yard pass and the Pearland wingman went all the way for the Bearkats third marker.

Kyles’s kick was good and the scoreboard signaled the final score, 53-21.

The rains had come.