The Murray State News

PAGE 8B

Alliance hosts ‘Glamour’ show

The Murray State News TheNews.org

November 30, 2012

Vol. 88, No. 15

Higher Education

Stumbo pushes for state UPike funds Austin Ramsey || Editor-in-Chief aramsey5@murraystate.edu

House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg, Ky.) is prolonging the Frankfort fight to make the University of Pikeville a state institution.

The Democrat state Senate leader told reporters Monday he will not support any extra higher education funding until the Appalachian private college is adopted into the state school system.

“You know if they want my support in helping do whatever to get some more money into higher education then somebody better be figuring out what to do with that situation up there,” he Stumbo told The Associated Press this week.

Stumbo’s comments come almost a year after he and Pikeville President and former Gov. Paul Patton pushed controversial legislation calling for the private college’s institutional adoption at the cost of losing students served by Eastern Kentucky and Morehead state universities.

The legislation would have voided more than 10 Kentucky

“You know, if they want my support in helping do whatever to get some more money into higher education then somebody better be figuring out what to do with that situation up there.”

–Greg Stumbo House Speaker counties from standing state universities’ service regions. Controversy came early this year when several Kentucky state universities – Murray State among them – spoke out against the bill.

Officials argued it would unnecessarily deplete eastern Kentucky enrollment and come at the cost of students statewide.

The University of Pikeville serves slightly less than 2,000 students from 81 counties in the state, 39 states and 12 countries.

The private college in Pike County was always a hot topic for the experienced state legislator; Stumbo was the No. 1 backer of last year’s legislation that was shot down after the new year.

When the bill was met with so much criticism last year, Patton abandoned his support for the bill in favor for a scholarship alternative Gov. Steve Beshear

see UPIKE, 3A

File Photo

The Murray State Faculty Senate has endorsed President Randy Dunn, above, urging the Board of Regents to act soon on renewing his contract that would expire in 2014. Staff Congress is waiting on results of a survey before making their recommendation to the board.

Faculty Senate endorses Dunn Staff Congress awaits survey completion Chris Wilcox || News Editor cgross2@murraystate.edu

For fear of academic and administrative instability, Murray State’s Faculty Senate drafted and submitted a letter expressing support of President Randy Dunn to the University’s Board of Regents for consideration.

The letter was also written to ask the board to take action on the president’s contract – which, without board action to

Samuel T. Hays/The News

Sophomore guard Zay Jackson sits head in hands during a men’s basketball game against Brescia earlier in the season. He has been benched indefinitely after he was indicted for striking two individuals with his car in a Walmart parking lot.

Freshman wide receiver charged with robbery

toward renewal, will end June 30, 2014.

Dunn said he believes the Board wants to be sensitive to faculty concerns, but he also understands the role of the board is to balance a number of competing interests – he said that might be part of what is at play in this situation.

“I’m not sure about the impact on academic ‘security’ but I think it does raise the level of organizational angst – particularly on the academic side of the enterprise – when the search for a new provost is underway,” he said. “If there’s uncertainty about the president’s ongoing role, it probably adds to that some.”

Dunn said when it was not clear what was happening with senior leadership – particularly the chief executive – it could put things on hold throughout an organization.

“I recently had one of our mid-level academic administrators at the University share with me (a concern) that budget team members are more tentative and

afraid to move in some bolder ways,” he said.

“I’m not sure if there’s going to be the necessary commitment over the longer haul to implement recommendations.”

Bonnie Higginson, provost and vice president of Academic AfYoung fairs, agreed with Dunn’s sentiment and said she knew the reason for the Faculty Senate’s decision had to do with a level of uncertainty about leadership.

“I believe the resolution will be carefully considered,” she said. “For the stability of the University I wish this could be settled. These last few months have created a level of anxiety that at times is not altogether healthy.”

Staff Report

football team was charged with one count of first-degree robbery and held in the Calloway County Jail overnight before he was bailed out Monday.

He was bailed on a 10 percent of a $20,000 cash bond.

John Brush, media relations assistant for Murray State football, would not comment until Murray State officials have gathered more details.

Murray police officials say the investigation is still ongoing, and information will be unavailable until the case closes.

A Murray State football player was charged with first-degree robbery Sunday night after the Murray Police Department received a report of armed robbery at The Chase Apartments in Murray.

Janawski Davis, freshman from Prichard, Ala., was arrested when officers responded to the apartment complex at approximately 11:34 p.m.

Davis, who is a wide receiver for the

Jackson withdraws plea

Adderall usage ineffective, not recommended for finals week

Athlete rejects original sentence deal, case likely to go to trial Lexy Gross || Staff writer cgross2@murraystate.edu

Zaveral “Zay” Jackson has withdrawn his guilty plea, erasing two months of decision-making by the Calloway County court system.

The men’s basketball guard

originally pled guilty to two charges of wanton endangerment after striking two civilians with his car in the Murray Walmart parking lot in early September.

Jackson appeared at a status hearing Nov. 21 to decline or ac-

see JACKSON, 3A

see DUNN, 3A

Edward Marlowe || Staff writer emarlowe@murraystate.edu

Kylie Townsend/The News

Students may be tempted to use the drug Adderall to stay alert during finals week, but health officials say normal studying habits better increase academic performance.

With finals week quickly creeping up on the calendar, some students are looking for the “any methods necessary” approach to buying extra time and focus for end-of-semester projects and last-minute studying.

For most students, time management, a healthy sleep schedule

and personal organizations skills seem to do the trick when things get hectic.

However, some students choose an entirely different route altogether.

Their answer is taking Adderall (or “addies” in casual conversation) … a prescription drug used to combat the negative effects of At-

WHAT’S

FROM WIRE

OUR VIEW

BASKETBALL COVERAGE DEAD WEAK

INSIDE

Up-to-date state and national news in your weekly paper, 6A

Staff urges Board of Regents to act on Dunn’s contract, 4A

Men’s team continues positive 5-1 start with senior leaders, 1B

see ADDERALL, 3A

Final exams loom nearer for students, 6B

The News

News

2A

November 30, 2012 News Editor: Chris Wilcox Assistant Editor: Meghann Anderson Phone: 809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

This week Sunday

Today

Saturday

• 3 p.m. College Republicans; Curris Center, second floor, open to all • 5:30 p.m. Dicken’s Alley and Main Street Merriment; downtown Murray, open to all.

• 7:30 p.m. “The Amazing Spiderman”; Curris Center Theater, open to all • 8 p.m. American Pride Entertainment Karaoke’ Show-Me’s, Paducah, open to all

• 8 a.m. Worlds AIDS Day Awareness Walk; Paducah’s Farmer Market, open to all • 2 p.m. The Nutcracker; Lovett Auditorium, $8 • 7 p.m. Women’s basketball vs.

Southern Illinois; CFSB Center, free with Racercard •7 p.m. Town and Gown Community Band performance; First Baptist Church, open to all.

Tuesday

Wednesday

• All day Extended Waterfield Library hours • 8 a.m. Free Cedar Christmas Tree; Land Between the Lakes, open to al • 5 p.m. Leadership Connection Workshop; Curris Center, Barkley Room, open to all • 7 p.m. Men’s basketball vs. Bethel; CFSB center, free with Racercard • 7 p.m. Sci Fi Club; Faculty Hall, Room 208, open to all

• All day Extended Waterfield Library hours • 1 1: 30 a.m. Pinterest is my Interest luncheon; Oakley Dining Room, $7 • 6 p.m. College Democrats; Curris Center, Mississippi Room, open to all • 7 p.m. Wednesday Word and Worship; Curris Center Theater, open to all • 7:30 p.m. Dead Week Movie Study Break; Faculty Hall, Room 500, open to all

Monday

• 9:30 a.m. Sunday School; Winslow Cafeteria, open to all • 9: 30 a.m. Journey Church; Sunday School, Curris Center, large ballroom, open to all • 1 1 a.m. Journey Church; Sunday School, Curris Center, large ballroom, open to all • 2 p.m. Free Movie Afternoon; Traders Mall Family Theater, Paducah, open to all

Weekend Weather

• All day Extended Waterfield Library hours • 8 a.m. Free Cedar Christmas Tree; Land Between the Lakes, open to all • 5 p.m. PRSSA meeting; Wilson Hall, Room 115, open to all • 6 p.m. Ballroom dance class; Paducah Dance Academy, open to all • 7 p.m. Karoake; Shotz Bar and Grill, Paducah, open to all

Thursday • All day Extended Waterfield Library hours • 5:30 p.m. Tennis Club practice; Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts; open to all • 7 p.m. The Art of Belly Dance Instructional Class; Old Fine Arts Dance Studio, $5 • 7:07 p.m. Baptist Campus Ministries, open to all • 9:30 p.m. Musical performances; Hart Coffee Shop, open to all

FRI

Mostly Sunny 61/45

SAT

Mostly Sunny 64/54

SUN

Mostly Sunny 67/55

If you would like an event to appear in the This week section of The Murray State News, email us at news@thenews.org or send a fax to (270) 809-3175.

Please submit events by noon on Wednesdays. We cannot guarantee all items received will be published.

National Weather Service

Police Beat Nov. 22 9:22 a.m. A caller reported theft of property at Roy Stewart Stadium. Officers were notified and took a report for theft from a vehicle less than $500.

2:39 p.m. A caller requested to have their apartment unlocked at the 300 block of College Courts. The housing staff on call was notified. Officers took an information report.

lawful taking less than $500 from a vehicle.

9:54 p.m. Racer Patrol reported an unsecure door at Racer Arena. They also found people in the building after closing hours. Officers took an information report.

Nov. 24 12:09 p.m. A caller reported juveniles in Racer Arena. Officers were notified and took an information report.

10: 23 p.m. An officer issued a verbal warning to a driver behind Richmond College for speeding.

Nov. 23

10:12 p.m. Officers were notified to attempt to locate a stolen vehicle in Calloway County. Officers took an information report.

Nov. 26 10:22 a.m. A caller reported being threatened. Officers at Public Safety took a report for harassing communications.

8:41 p.m. A caller reported finding alcohol and drug paraphernalia in a dorm room in Franklin College.

2:09 p.m. Central Plant was notified becuase of the activation of the trouble alarm at Hester College.

Meghann Anderson, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety. Not all dispatched calls are listed.

The dispatch logs on Nov. 27 and 28 are unavailable due to computer malfunctions at Public Safety. As of Nov. 29 the computer was functioning properly.

Photo illustration by Maddi Mucci/The News

Nov. 26

Nov. 25

3:30 p.m. A caller reported a theft of items from a vehicle in the Regents College parking lot. Officers were notified and took a report for theft by un-

Motorist assists - 0 Racer escorts - 0 Arrests - 0

Call of Fame

2:04 p.m. A caller reported being locked out of their vehicle at the Chemistry Building parking lot.

Officers were notified and took an information report.

PATROL UPGRADE: Earlier this month the Murray Police Department leased 15 new patrol vehicles. The new additions include seven Ford Interceptors, six Ford Tauruses and two Ford Explorers. Each vehicle is on a three-year lease.

Police Chief Jeff Liles said the vehicles will provide more safety and reliability for each of the officers. Under the lease agreement, the 15 vehicles will be replaced at the end of the contract. The vehicles were ordered through Parker Ford-Lincoln, which worked with On Duty Depot supplier detail to place decals on the vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with light bars, siren boxes, rifle racks and other new technology.

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The News

News

November 30, 2012

JACKSON From Page 1 cept special circuit Judge Craig Clymer’s one-year jail sentence. Instead, defense attorney Gary Haverstock asked Clymer to allow Jackson to withdraw his guilty plea.

Clymer said in open court Jackson has the constitutional right to withdraw his plea and appear before a grand jury. By no longer admitting to the two counts of wanton endangerment, Clymer said Jackson is no longer accepting responsibility for his actions.

“If he’s indicted for a crime and it’s a felony, all of the previous offers are off the table,” Clymer said.

Commonwealth Attorney Mark Blankenship said the state was neutral on Jackson’s decision to withdraw his plea. Blankenship said he was surprised by Haverstock and Jackson’s decision.

“I guess I was thinking Jackson would go ahead and accept what the judge had indicated acceptable to the court,” Blankenship said. “He didn’t, and I’m neutral because any defendant coming to the court system has the right to have their case reviewed by a grand jury. He gave up that right, but that was when he had an agreement.”

Clymer said he believed Jackson was hesitant to accept the one-year sentence because the original plea deal discussed by Haverstock and Blankenship was much lighter. This

diversion program would have given Jackson 30 days in jail to be served on weekends, along with several other behavioral programs.

Judge Dennis Foust, the original judge over the Jackson case, was expected to accept this diversion program in October. Foust unexpectedly left the case instead after his ties to Murray State were questioned.

The one-year Haverstock jail sentence Jackson was offered by Clymer included a possibility of shock probation. Blankenship said this form of a diversion program would have been likely if Jackson had accepted the sentence.

“I don’t practice in front of Clymer, but if a judge makes a statement about considering shock probation, more than likely it will be granted,” Blankenship said. “If not, Clymer would’ve told Jackson it wouldn’t be a possibility at the beginning.”

Blankenship said the trial is basically back to square one.

When Foust decided to leave the case, Head Basketball Coach Steve Prohm and Athletic Director Allen Ward suspended Jackson from all team activities.

Shortly after the start of the 2012-13 season, Jackson began practicing with the team again.

The Murray State athletic department declined to comment.

DUNN From Page 1 Higginson said it was almost as if they were all treading water.

When asked about alternative options, Dunn said he has asked the board for a contract extension – following the board’s 360-degree comprehensive evaluation in the spring – and said he was told by Constantine Curris, chair of the Board of Regents, the board would not be acting at that time.

“It was then that I shared with Curris that until the Board would take action to extend, I will need to explore other select, exceptional career opportunities when they arise until my status is determined,” he said. “ I don’t think it’s wise for me to just wait for the clock to run down.”

He said if a reasonable contract extension was offered to him, he would accept it, and said he

3A

UPIKE From Page 1 signed into law for July 1 of this year.

The compromise allocates slightly more than $2 million in coal severance tax receipts for a pilot scholarship program in the region around the Pikeville main campus. The scholarships benefit students attending Pikeville or nearby Alice Lloyd College.

Now, however, Stumbo said he stands strong behind what he calls the only logical choice for the impoverished and undereducated Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky. He told the AP he was willing to explore other options for the school, but his personal preference was always allowing Pikeville to go public.

Stumbo has been in contact with Patton, who said the scholarship program has been very beneficial for attracting students to the region, but more can always be done.

He said students choosing not to go to college because there are no reasonably priced choices nearby is a sign of failed government policy.

Beshear called for a study on the feasibility of a public Pikeville university last December, which found that the maximum capacity of the private college could only account for 2,000 of the nearly 7,000 students the region needs to educate each year.

Additionally, the report found that Pikeville’s current recruitment drew the majority of students from Pike,

and his wife Rhonda are in full agreement that further job hunting would come to an end.

The Faculty Senate has not been the only constituency to express concern to the Board of Regents, the Staff Congress sent a similar letter in January stating they were in support of Dunn’s contract renewal.

More recently, the Staff Congress has unofficially decided not to follow suit and will instead be waiting for its staff survey to be completed.

The survey asks questions about upper administration, benefits, responsibilities and compensation and the last day the survey can be completed is the day of the Dec. 9 Board of Regents meeting.

John Young, Staff Congress president, said the results of the survey would indicate to the staff how it would proceed with either writing a letter to the Regents or not writing one.

Results from the 2011 Staff Survey indicate a large majority in support of Dunn. More than 94 percent agreed the president has the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for institutional success and 93 percent agreed the

other drugs as academic enhancers.

“It makes me feel like a ninja of productivity,” one individual said. “I can focus so hard that I barely even need to study” and “it makes me feel robotic.”

Finding the drug is the easy part. According to IMS Health, more than 2 million new prescriptions of Adderall for students aged 10 – 19 are written every year based on diagnosed cases of ADHD, and as they age out of high school and into the college realm, they bring their prescriptions with them.

Ph ot Said one student about the o co availability: “People with ur tes ADD/ADHD don’t like the way yo fs their bodies react to their medicaxc .h u tion, so they happily sell it because they have no use for it.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the exchange of Adderall can carry a stiff penalty – up to a felony should prosecution push for as much. However, most cases during this time either go on unbeknownst to third-parties or are simply ignored by proper authorities.

When immediately coming down from the From Page 1 effects of Adderall instead of slowly lowering tention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder the dosage, users generally report a loss of ap(ADHD), narcolepsy, obesity, sleep disorders petite, a sense of tiredness, irritability and feeland severe depression. ings of depression. Other symptoms such as According to the Spring 2012 National Colcottonmouth, difficulty sleeping and headaches legiate Health Assessment of colleges in the have also been reported with short-term use U.S., nearly 8 percent of students reported and quitting the substance “cold turkey.” using a stimulant of some kind during the Extended use of Adderall has been known to course of the spring semester. cause cardiovascular problems, not to mention Former student Zachary Drye from Dalton, psychological and/or physical dependencies Ga., said while his extended use of Vyvanse (a forming as the levels of dopamine in the brain drug similar to Adderall) to treat ADHD led to remain high while the drug is regularly adminsleepless nights and chronic irritability, he did istered. not want to stop others from using it.

As the argument rages on through academia “I had particularly bad experiences with the and research facilities around the world, nudrug,” Drye said. “However, if someone thinks merous studies have been conducted surthey need to take it for whatever reason, I say rounding the effects of stimulants on students go for it.” with and without ADHD. Adderall helps trigger the release of adrenaOne particular study, conducted at line from the adrenal glands, thus creating an inLouisiana State University in 2010, produced crease in heart rate and blood flow to the body’s some unique information surrounding the muscular system. The chemically-induced rush drug’s extended use. creates a renewed sense of energy and invigor“Although most study habits of ADHD stuation, which in turn often leads to improved dents did not differ from controls, their high focus and concentration – two highly sought school and college GPA (grade point average), after qualities needed for intense marathons of and ACT scores were significantly lower, and studying and finishing difficult tasks. they withdrew from significantly more classes Since the drug is a Class II controlled subthan did control students,” the study showed. stance (equivalent with cocaine and mor“Interestingly, preliminary data suggested that phine), its use outside of a doctor’s good study habits alone, even without stimuprescription or unlawful transaction is strictly lants, could overcome the achievement disprohibited. However, this is not stopping stuparity of ADHD students.” dents around the U.S., especially at Murray Any students who suffer from adverse efState, from using it as an assistant in the comfects from the medication should contact Ining weeks. terim Associate Director for Health Services Several sources who spoke on the condition Judy Lyle at 809-3809 or visit Health Services of anonymity discussed using Adderall and located in Wells Hall.

Associated Press

House Speaker Greg Stumbo addresses members of the General Assembly on the issue of creating an additional public university in eastern Kentucky.

Floyd or Letcher counties and would have a limited affect should it service a 16-county region.

Educational services are still needed in the region, however. In 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau determined 20 percent of the poorest counties in the nation are located in eastern Kentucky, and in 2011, only 18 percent of 24 to 64 year olds in the region had four-year degrees, compared

president does a good job of communicating major developments.

Young said the executive committee of the Staff Congress had discussed the issue prior to their November meeting, but no resolution could be created at the time.

Young said each member of the congress had the responsibility of talking with their peers and gathering information and opinions on what might be done, so the Staff Congress might make a decision before the first Board of Regents meeting in 2013.

He said in January, the staff’s representative body sent a letter to the Regents, based off the results of its 2011 survey, stating the staff was in support of Dunn in regards to his skills as president and his communicative ability.

“The board has heard an opinion from the Staff Congress already,” Young said. “Our 2012 survey results will be provided at the first meeting of the new year, including extensive comments and recommendations.”

Young said if the president’s contract was not extended the staff might not see any im-

to the 30 percent state average.

The Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education – responsible for equal and fair education in the state – has stayed largely impartial during the debate over a public University of Pikeville, but Sue Patrick, a spokesperson for the council told the AP the higher education body looked forward to working with Stumbo to find a solution.

mediate changes, but a good working relationship with a new president – in the event Dunn’s contract was not extended – would take time.

“A sudden departure could be disruptive because there is an excellent working relationship between President Dunn and the staff,” he said.

In the event Dunn applies and receives an offer at another university, business or agency of the government, Young suggested a sudden departure would not fare well – especially as the University is also conducting a national search for a provost.

Young said he has seen Dunn has a large support group with the students, faculty and staff and he believes Dunn is good at having direct interaction with University groups – something he said the University has lacked in previous presidents for many years.

“I’ve been in Murray long enough to know what can go on between (University constituents), the president and the board,” he said.

“I would hope that the board would consider the amount of support for Dunn.”

Students in college may be tempted to use a variety of stimulant drugs to make it through grueling finals. Slightly less than 8 percent of students nationwide opt for manufactured enhancers.

ADDERALL

AIMS is currently accepting applications for its Summer Program being held May 29 - July 3, 2012. Applications may be picked up in Room 240 of the Blackburn Science Building.

Application deadline is February 5, 2012.

Skills needed:

Residential Advisor Positions - summer camp counselor experience preferred. Experience working with lowincome, first-generation, high school students preferred.

Teacher/Instructor Positions - Mathematics, Science, Science Research, English Composition & Literature, Foreign Language, Computer Literacy/Technology, Financial Literacy, Elective Courses - i.e. P.E., Journalism, Arts & Crafts, Hip Hop Dance, etc. Interviews will be conducted in February.

Gail Woolridge 809-5429 gwoolridge@ murraystate.edu

Stephen Keene 809-3368 skeene@ murraystate.edu

4A

November 30, 2012

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Devin Griggs Phone: 809-5873 Twitter: MSUNewsOpinion

Our View

No time for politics in Dunn contract decision The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Evan Watson/The News

We have seen a lot of changes at the University this semester. We have seen faculty and staff come and go, we have seen student enrollment increase and we’ve seen construction all across campus. One of the critical factors in all these – in leading Murray State in a time of rapid change – is a steady signal from the administration that it is willing to do what is necessary to make Murray State all it should be.

That’s why we would like to encourage the Murray State Board of Regents to make a critical decision in the coming months – the decision whether or not to renew President Randy Dunn’s contract at Murray State.

While we levy no endorsement or opposition, we believe it’s time for the Regents to make a decision and make its voice heard on whether or not Dunn will be returning as the “captain” of our ship.

The board has had ample time to talk about and review Dunn’s stay at the University past 2014. One year ago, the board did a comprehensive evaluation of Dunn and have discussed this issue at length in the past.

With the University already engaged in a search for a new “first mate,” a new provost to replace Bonnie Higginson, the Board of Regents needs to make a decision and it needs to make it in the interest of Murray State’s students, faculty and staff.

In these trying times, we should not have to wait on an answer from the Board of Regents. We need to know now, not tomorrow and not weeks or months from now, whether or not we will need to search for a new president along with a new provost.

The Staff Congress has already endorsed a renewal of Dunn’s contract, and both the Faculty Senate and the Student Government could make decisions in support of or in opposition to Dunn in the coming weeks, should they so choose.

Why the silence from the Board of Regents? If the three constituency bodies of this university are prepared to make their voices heard and recommend staying the course or changing it, why hasn’t the Board of Regents weighed in?

In these times, we cannot afford political brinkmanship on the part of the Board of Regents – doing so would only further complicate the situation on campus by fogging up the vital questions facing Murray State going into the next academic year.

Should we search for a new president while we’re searching for a new provost? We would like to know the answer to this question, regardless of what that answer is.

We have written a lot about transparency this semester, and frankly, we’re tired of asking those we expect to help us improve ourselves with an education why they cannot provide us with a simple answer.

There is a time for politics, and now is certainly not that time. This is a time for debate and reflection, a time for decision and a time for an answer to one of the biggest questions facing Murray State as we enter the new year.

A Professor’s Journal

Kicking the end of semester blues, not letting up I’ve got those low down, guilt ridden, desperate feeling, anxiety inducing, essay grading, committee meeting, desk unloading, library hopping, coffee shop haunting, student commiserating, email reading, excuse making, steam rolling (thank you James Taylor), mind blowing, professor rating, no time left, ‘What have I done?’ end of semester blues.

Duane Bolin The end of a semester at any college Professor of or university is grist for the blues, History although I have failed to find purely academic themes in the lyrics of Bessie Smith or Muddy Waters or Robert Johnson or B. B. King. The end of a semester is made for the blues.

Yes, I hear the blues from you toward the end of every semester: When can I take that make-up test? Will you still accept my book review? Will you please read over my book review again? Sorry about missing class; did we do anything? Will you accept my doctor’s excuse? Can I come by your office to talk about my grades? I have three finals on the same day; can I take yours on a different day? Will

Should

MARIJUANA be L E G AL I Z E D?

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 email: msu.thenews@murraystate.edu Fax: 809-3175

TheNews.org

the final exam be comprehensive? Will you drop my lowest grade? Will this be covered on the final? Will that be covered on the final? Can I still drop this class? Will there by any true/false on the final? Will there be multiple choice on the final? Please no essays on the final! Do you give extra credit? Will there be a review sheet for the final? Will we review in class for the final? Can you have an evening review session for the final? Can you read over my class notes? Do you have any suggestions about how to study for the final? Do you give make-ups? Why not? Why? How? When? Where?

Sure you have questions. I asked the very same questions when I was a student. End of semester questions from students are quotidian. But know this. Equally repetitive and exhaustive are the questions and concerns of professors: I am so far behind in all of my classes – can I catch up this last week of class? What must I include in this last class session? What can I leave out? Is this committee meeting really necessary? Should I extend my office hours? Can I squeeze in a lunch with Evelyn today? Can Evelyn squeeze in a lunch with me? How will I find time to grade all of these research papers? When can I write out my final exams? Do I include this on the final? Do I

“Yes, and not because I do drugs, I just believe that if it was legalized it could be better regulated.”

Samantha Green • Senior from Lexington, Ky.

Austin Ramsey Editor-in-Chief • 809-6877

Ryan Richardson Online Editor • 809-5877

Chris Wilcox News Editor • 809-4468 Devin Griggs Opinion Editor • 809-5873

Brandon Orr Advertising Manager • 809-4478 Wes Yonts Advertising Production • 809-5874

Anna Taylor Features Editor • 809-5871

Kylie Townsend Photography Editor • 809-5878

Jonathan Ferris Sports Editor • 809-4481

Kyser Lough Interim Adviser • 809-3937

include that on the final? Oh, I’ve got to make out a review sheet. Will I include possible essay questions on the review sheet? I’ve got to respond to all of those emails. I must block out time to speed grade all of those final exams. When can I tally up the grades? When are grades due on MyGate? When will I put together the syllabi for my Spring courses? How can I find time to write?

Is there time for a cup of coffee before the next class?

How? When? Where? Why not? Why? Students and professors alike ask endless questions at the end of each semester. Students and professors alike sing the blues. There always seems to be too little time at the end of any academic term to do justice to everything that justice needs to be done to. So here’s to the end of the semester, a time of endings and new beginnings.

But for now ... I’ve got those low down, guilt ridden, desperate feeling, anxiety inducing, essay grading, committee meeting, desk unloading, library hopping, coffee shop haunting, student commiserating, email reading, excuse making, steam rolling, mind blowing, professor rating, no time left, ‘What have I done?,’ end of semester blues.

Don’t let up. Study hard. Finish well. jbolin@murraystate.edu

“It should be highly taxed and children shouldn’t be able to buy it. We should do more to educate people about drugs and their effects.”

Akira Sato • Freshman from Hopkinsville, Ky.

“No, because it is like alcohol. I believe people would abuse it and will hurt someone while they are under the influence.”

Maurice McClellan • Senior from Lexington, Ky. Caitlin Gannon/The News

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The News

Opinion

November 30, 2012

5A

Outside Voice

Christmas in America, peace in the world repeat, need to be brought home now. As for the bigotry and the denial of health insurance, I believe these go hand-in-hand.

How can a society claim to be civilized when so, so many millions of our citizens are without the very, very necessary safety net of health insurance?

Perhaps this Christmas will be the start of better times in our country. If we all truly understand the real meaning of Christmas, we can change things for the better.

son/ The New s

Let ter s t o t h e E d ito r “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves.” The title of this famous book on punctuation demonstrates how an extra comma can entirely change meaning. In the book, the extra comma leads only to the punchline of a joke. There is a very serious real-life example, though, in the Nov. 16 Murray State News feature story, "Hiding Guns": “Knives, other than pocketknives, swords, nightsticks, karate sticks, death stars, artificial knuckles and bow and arrows are all considered weapons."

As the sentence stands, the list (pocketknives, swords, nightsticks, karate sticks, death stars, artificial knuckles and bow and arrows) is made up of items that are not considered weapons, while knives that are not pocketknives are the only things considered weapons. Obviously that is not the intent of the sentence. In fact, because of that misplaced comma it says the opposite of what it is intended to mean.

The problem is the comma after “Knives.”

Remove it, and "knives other than pocketknives" is one category of weapon on the list that includes swords, nightsticks, etc.

Only pocketknives are exempted from being considered weapons.

As the article consists of advice on the new policy from Murray State Police Chief David DeVoss, it could lead students to believe that they can carry dangerous weapons such as death stars or brass knuckles into labs and classrooms.

Mr. DeVoss is not to blame–he was

Opinionated Tweets We sift through the muck so you don’t have to.

This week: #FiscalCliffWWIIMovies Want to see your tweet in this section? Hit up @MSUNewsOpinion with your thoughts on anything from construction on campus to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the hashtag #RacerThoughts and you might see it here!

Wat

Tim Bledsoe non-student from North Augusta, S.C.

Evan

I believe the lyrics from John Lennon, "So this is Christmas," is an appropriate way to start this letter. It is the Christmas season all over the world. As I acknowledge this, I cannot help but wonder, which country and/or who are the people that keep and honor Christmas in the most fitting way?

Is it the United States? Is it because we have 8 percent unemployment due in part to the fact that so, so many of our Christmas gifts come from other countries? Is it because our very own government cannot agree that all, I repeat, all Americans need health insurance? Is it because American troops (human beings) are fighting and dying in two countries where it is highly rumored these governments are very corrupt? Is it because after more than 200 years of being a country, we still have bigotry and prejudice?

If you are like me and don't like the answers to these questions, it is not too late to make the answers more positive for the sake of our future. We have got to come to some understanding that we cannot continue to purchase almost everything that is made in other countries!

We have got to understand that American troops are also moms, dads, sons and daughters. Our American troops need, I

undoubtedly interviewed, trusting the reporter to represent his words accurately.

The reporter who mispunctuated his words is to blame, along with the proofreader, the editor and the faculty advisor.

This error should have been caught and corrected. Otherwise, someone arrested for having one of these weapons on his or her person could get a lawyer to claim that the Police Chief said it was not defined as a weapon. This time a misplaced comma produced much more than a joke!

Finally, because too many people don't know why the sentence with that comma and the sentence without it have opposing meanings, it should have been rearranged for clarity: “While pocketknives are exempt, all other knives, swords, nightsticks, karate sticks, death stars, artificial knuckles and bows and arrows are all considered dangerous weapons.”

I'm not in the classroom fighting the good fight for accurate language anymore, but this error is just too dangerous not to point it out.

Jean Lorrah professor emeritus of english and philosophy from Murray, Ky.

Cheers & Jeers Cheers & Jeers is written by the opinion editor.

Questions, concerns or comments should be addressed to dgriggs@murraystate.edu Cheers to ... the Chinese state newspaper Xinhua for taking The Onion a little too seriously and naming North Korean despot Kim Jong-Un sexiest man of the year.

Keep up the good work, comrades.

Jeers to ... finals just around the corner.

One week back from Thanksgiving break and back to papers and studying already? I guess they call it “dead week” for a reason ...

Cheers to ... Dunkin Donuts!

Between coffee, donuts and bagels this might be the best thing to happen to Murray since, well, ever.

Jeers to ... this week being the slowest, coldest week in a while.

Aren’t the days supposed to be shorter as we get closer to winter? As if the windy, frigid weather wasn’t enough ...

Joseph Weisenthal @TheStalwart Saving Private Paul Ryan #FiscalCliffWWIIMovies 8:02 a.m. Nov. 28

Simon Maloy @SimonMaloy Bore-a! Bore-a! Bore-a! #FiscalCliffWWIIMovies 11 a.m. Nov. 28

Dr. Goose @DrGooseEcon Negotiations from here to eternity #FiscalCliffWWIIMovies 8:18 a.m. Nov. 28

NoNonsenseJoe @Nononsensejoe #FiscalCliffWWIImovies Debts of our fathers 11:07 a.m. Nov. 28

World First @World_First Inglourious Boehners #FiscalCliffWWIImovies 10:17 a.m. Nov. 28

El Vakarian @TheVakarian #FiscalCliffWWIIMovies Das Bullshit 11:10 a.m. Nov. 28

Born in the U.S.A.

The forgotten American Shuttered factories. Rising health care costs. Exploding student loan debt. The highest income inequality since 1929. What do all these things have in common?

These issues, of Devin Griggs which I have listed only a few, are Opinion Editor symptomatic of a problem in America – the “forgotten American.”

For the past four decades, the wealthy have had a buffet, while the rest of us have scraped by with the crumbs, they call it “trickle-down,” but all we’ve seen is the down – never the trickle.

Who has forgotten Middle America, the toilers and those who make America what it is today? The blame is bipartisan. Conservatives have continually pushed “trickle-down,” though the result has been “trickleup” poverty. Liberals have shirked away from their populist heritage in order to draw in Wall Street cash.

No one has stood up for the rights of labor, no one has stood up to yell “stop!” for the forgotten American.

But the times, they are a-changin’.

The forgotten American is fighting back, and the political class should take notice. Last week, thousands of Wal-Mart workers stood up for the dignity of their work in the face of employer opposition by going to the picket lines. The forgotten American voted on Nov. 6, and he or she voted out the darlings of the far–right in favor of the friends of the American worker.

The forgotten American must hold the line and keep up the fight. There is much more to be done, much more to be said–the working people of America are going to have to work overtime to restore equal opportunity for all.

Democracy, it can be said, is the most radical form of government ever devised. Power rests in the hands of the people, not the powerful. We live in radical times, and radical times call for radical solutions at the ballot box.

The spirit of Washington can be changed by those who hold the power. There’s not enough Wall Street cash to stop the coming revolution in American life–the revolution of the common man and the common woman.

There’s an old labor song that perhaps puts this best. “Solidarity Forever” was written in 1915 and is probably the most famous labor anthem, outside of “The Internationale.”

Here’s what Ralph Chaplin, the labor activist who wrote the song had to say: In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold, Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.

We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old For the union makes us strong.

We, you and I, have the power to make this country a better place for ourselves, our families, our friends and our communities.

It’s time we exercised that power.

Devin Griggs is vice president of finances for the Murray State College Democrats. dgriggs@murraystate.edu

Comics

3

4

Grift Town

By Casey Vandergrift

By Gregory Knipp

Calendar Blues

by Greg Knipp

The News

News

6A

November 30, 2012

ROTC benefits attractive to students FROM

Ben Manhanke ||

THE

Staff writer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

WIRE

Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Ben Manhanke

‘FISCAL CLIFF’ APPROACHES President Barack Obama and Democrats continue negotiations with Republicans in an attempt to avoid across-the-board tax increases and heavy spending.

President Obama’s plan calls on increased taxes on the wealthy and extending cuts for families earning less than $250,000.

With the rising cost of attending college becoming a greater deterrent for prospective students, enrolling in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs has become a much more practical option for students who want to obtain a secondary education and who would otherwise be unable to afford to do so.

Major Paul Denson, Officer in Charge of the ROTC program at Murray State said the benefit that most draws in members to the ROTC is they will have the entirety of their tuition paid for. However, he said, the motivation differs from student to student. “That’s what normally brings them in, looking for some way to pay for their degree,� Denson said. “You also have other groups who have a long family history of serving and they want to join because of all the stories, and all the family who have talked to them.

There are some who join who do it for the adventure, but money probably is the biggest factor.�

The ROTC was established at Murray State in 1952.

Today, the ROTC program at Murray State is made up of approximately 30 contracted

cadets those who have met all the requirements to be a cadet in pursuit of commission, 10 cadets working to meet the requirements and some students who take the courses as electives.

Denson said not all who apply to be part of the ROTC program are accepted and the program is especially competitive now due to the economy and the high demand.

Besides members having their college tuition covered, the ROTC offers a number of other benefits. “You can’t beat the scholarships,� Denson said. “The ROTC offers scholarships to pay for books, tuition is paid for, members get a stipend that goes up every year, and for certain individuals, room and board is paid. You’re probably going to leave school with a zero balance owing for education and being able to step out into a full-time job.�

Denson said the ultimate goal of completing the ROTC program is to be able to be commissioned and leave the program as a second lieutenant, either active duty or in the reserves.

The ROTC program is a four-year program where members must participate in physical (PT) exercises in the morning every Monday, Wednesday and Friday while

Photo courtesy of John King, Jr.

John King, Jr. and Ashley Brown pose for a picture at a friend’s wedding.

Staff Report

SANDY REPAIRS TOO COSTLY

POWERBALL NEARS RECORD Two Powerball jackpot winners will split the $587. 5 million prize from Wednesday night’s drawing.

The winning tickets were sold in Arizona and Missouri.

Fort Campbell or Fort Knox to be tested on their land navigation skills.

Denson said the program is not for everyone, and he hopes most people enrolling are doing so because they want to serve their country not just because of the money. “I was enlisted prior to being an officer and I’ve had poor leadership and I’ve had great leadership,� Denson said. “I made a pact with myself that any lieutenant who

comes from the program that I am in charge of is going to be worthy to lead soldiers.�

The ROTC program consists of 273 host programs with more than 1,100 partnership and affiliate schools across the country.

The schools trained an estimated 32, 000 cadets in 2010 according to Fox News and that number is on the rise.

Cadets from the ROTC have gone on to serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This is the seventh installment of a 12-part series profiling skills’ as individuals,� Sewell said. “When you the representatives who make final University decisions. look at economic development today, you see

Friends reflect on Brown’s life New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked several congressional leaders Wednesday for more federal aid to communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, including $42 billion for the state of New York.

also taking classes like the average student.

ROTC members have their own courses they provide where cadets are taught fundamentals in leadership, military history and tactics, ethics and oral and written communications skills along with other expertises.

Once a week cadets will have a lab where they are taught hands on applications of these skills and once a semester the members are taken to Land Between the Lakes,

Sewell puts students first, wants to grow institution

PROTESTS IN EGYPT CONTINUE A day after 200,000 gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square protesting the new absolute power of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, a number of Egypt’s top judges went on strike Wednesday to protest his self-granted supremacy. Morsi defended his actions and said his decree was necessary to facilitate the nation’s transition to democracy.

Photo submitted by Sarah Stafford

ROTC cadets learn skills needed for future military endeavors, including how to move quickly over a variety of terrain. Many students come to Murray State because of ROTC.

Ashley Brown, 23, from Bethalto Ill., died Thanksgiving night due to complications with her leukemia at BarnesJewish Hospital’s Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Mo., where she had recently received a bone marrow transplant.

Brown was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was 13 years old. She went into remission for four years following treatment, but the cancer returned the June after her freshman year of college.

She went into remission again after two more years of chemo therapy, but the cancer returned for a third time this May. She was an organizational communication major and and a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

For the past 10 years Brown was an active participant in Relay for Life, The American Cancer Society’s largest fundraising event, which sup-

ported research, patients, survivors and their families.

Alpha Gam President Valerie Bender said Ashley blessed her, the chapter and everyone else who knew her. “I am so incredibly thankful for all of the precious times together; her warm spirit and bubbly personality will be missed dearly,� Bender said.

Bender said Brown was a great friend and a great role model.

Brown was also elected as Sigma Chi’s Sweetheart for two years in a row from 20092011.

Alex Sewing, president of Sigma Chi, said everyone in the fraternity loved her and her personality. “She had the type of personality where she would walk into a room and put everyone else in a better mood,� Sewing said.

Sewing, along with other members of Sigma Chi and Alpha Gamma Delta, helped organize a memorial service for Brown Thursday evening.

Lexy Gross || Staff writer cgross2@murraystate.edu

Jenny Sewell already has a bright future planned for Murray State and she’s been a Board of Regents member for only a year.

Sewell said she is interested in several of the building projects the Board has planned, for instance the new library. “I want to work to enhance educational opportunities at Murray State and make it the best campus in Western Kentucky,� Sewell said. “Right now, the economic gridlock is preventing growth in building projects, but as it eases progress will definitely be made.�

Sewell said she feels it is her responsibility, as well as the Board’s, to provide students with the best post-secondary education possible.

She said the Board is constantly concerned with making sure students are prepared to enter the career field after graduation.

Sewell said Regional campuses, such as those in Paducah, Ky., and Madisonville, Ky., play a major role in University success. She said these campuses are unique to Murray State and reach out to the community in many different ways. “Because of economic problems, (the Board) has been working to understand reviving the workforce in our century,� Sewell said. “The Board has been very supportive of these satellite campuses.�

Sewell said another aspect of college education she wishes to focus on as a board member is giving students the opportunity to understand the social needs in the work force.

These needs range from networking with others in the same field of study to being able to manage time. “I think it’s so important not only to continue classroom work, but to develop ‘soft

how important those are. Whether or not a student is prepared can determine if they get a job in the very competitive market.�

In 1974, Sewell received her bachelor’s degree in music education and her master’s in education two years later.

After serving as a school board member for 23 years, Sewell began working as a life insurance representaSewell tive and real estate broker.

She soon took over her family’s business and is currently the president and owner of Beshear Funeral Home in Dawson Springs, Ky. “If I wasn’t prepared to take on a new role, I knew how to reach out and prepare myself because of my education,� Sewell said. “I call it moving laterally; you need to understand how to talk to people with experiences other than your own.�

Sewell said she stressed the importance of being educated in multiple areas even to her own children. Her oldest son has a degree in biology, but Sewell asked him to also become certified in mortuary science.

As a member of the marching band, jazz band, Sigma Alpha Iota and several other organizations, Sewell said Murray State helped her grow socially. “I really enjoyed being involved at Murray State, even though it was different at the time,�

Sewell said. “The University gave me the necessary resources to provide to my own community.�

Sewell said she intends to support the Board and help make decisions for Murray State students. She believes the students and their education are the first priority of the Board of Regents.

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The News

News

November 30, 2012

7A

Students’ help supports Needline Lexy Gross || Staff Writer cgross2@murraystate.edu

Kristen Allen/The News

Dy lan Ki tchen, sop hom ore from Harris burg , I l l., hel ps stock the shelves at Need line in prep aration for the holiday season.

Colder temperatures, rising gas prices and a slow economy affect most people at this time of year.

But for the 1,019 Calloway County residents who visited Needline last month, an inadequate income made putting food on the table even more difficult.

Tonia Casey, manager of the non-profit organization Needline, said winter is a critical time for most families.

Needline is the largest food pantry in the region.

“We want to make sure people can eat, have heat and can shower,” Casey said. “Basic needs are what we try to provide for at Needline.”

Casey said Murray State and the community are the reason they can provide basic needs.

She said two University organizations have contributed donations in the last few months.

Across campus

“Thanks to Lambda Chi Alpha and the Murray State athletic department, we are stocking the shelves very well for the winter months,” Casey said.

Daniel Hughes, member of Lambda Chi Alpha, oversees the fraternity’s work with Needline.

Hughes said Lambda Chi members have reached out to the community in support of Needline more than ever this year.

“We chose to work with Needline because it supports our national philanthropy, the North American Food Drive,” Hughes said. “We really wanted to help Needline this year though because we had heard they were behind in supporting their usual 900 families a month.”

Hughes said Lambda Chi alumni have also been supportive of the food drive.

Lambda Chi has worked with Murray State’s Interfraternity Council to support Needline and

The University will conduct its fourth Annual Project Leadership Workshop on campus Dec. 3 in the Curris Center.

Project Leadership is an interactive leadership program led by faculty and staff in conjunction with the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business and the office of recruitment.

Registration is $5 per student and includes lunch, a T-shirt and materials for the day. The event is free and open to the public and participants are encouraged to be interactive with the speakers.

Governor to make industry announcement today Gov. Steve Beshear will be in Murray today to make an industry announcement at the former Webasto plant.

Mark Manning, president of the Murray-Calloway County Economic Development Corporation, said he cannot make any further announcement on the governor’s visit.

The identity of any company that might locate in Murray is currently being kept confidential.

Correction On page 7A of the Nov. 16 issue of The Murray State News, Mohandas Gandhi was misidentified as “Mohamed Gandhi.”

We apologize for the error.

year,” Rydecki said. “The soccer team has gone door-to-door in Murray to collect cans. Every year it seems like more happens for Needline.”

More than anything, Rydecki said athletes talk to their professors about involving more students.

“We wouldn’t be able to give as much as we do without these Murray State organizations,” Casey said.

With the Christmas season approaching, Needline is preparing to fill 600 boxes for families with traditional food items such as potatoes, corn, greeens and some type of meat. Casey said soon families will be selected to receive these boxes.

“It would be wonderful if we only had 10 people needing supplies, but until that day we will continue to work our hardest,” Casey said. “And what better time to give to others than Christmas?”

Outstanding senior man, woman named Meghann Anderson || Assistant News Editor

Project Leadership Workshop set for Dec. 3

send extra money made at fraternity social events to the organization. Cash given to Needline supports people in need.

“We want to show the community there’s so much more to Greek Life than what meets the eye,” Hughes said. “We’ve taken well over 300 pounds of food to Needline on the weekends.”

Casey said Racer Athletics has also been a strong contributor to Needline. Racer Athletics donated over 6,000 cans and approximately $400 in the past few months.

Brock Rydecki, senior from Ft. Myers, Fla., works with the athletic department to support non-profit organizations.

He said a major reason the athletic department decided to help Needline was because of the support for food drives other Ohio Valley Conference schools have shown.

“It seems like we’ve had more team interaction and activities this

manderson22@murraystate.edu

Every semester two students are chosen to be the outstanding senior man and woman. On Nov. 16, at the senior breakfast, Alyssa Brooke Cecil and William Cole Hackett received the honor.

Cecil, accounting major from Buckner, Ky., said Murray State Cecil has helped her transform into the person she is today.

She was named outstanding student in accounting her sophomore and junior year, is a Becker Ambassador and is vice president of Beta Alpha Psi. “I honestly can't describe what an honor being named Outstanding Senior Woman is,” Cecil said. “I'm still in shock that it's me. Without the professors and people here, I wouldn't be who I am.”

Cecil plans on pursuing her MBA at Murray State in the spring. She also has an

internship at Ernst and Young next summer and aspires to become a certified public accountant and work at a Big Four public accounting firm.

This semester’s outstanding senior man, Hackett, is a biology major from Boaz, Ky., said some of his honors include being named Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, the Coca-Cola Silver Scholar and the Gamma Beta Phi leadership award.

“I consider being acknowledged as the Outstanding Senior Man a great honor,” Hackett said. “I know that there are many other students on campus who have tirelessly worked to better the University and community while excelling academically, so to be chosen out of such an accomplished group of students is truly humbling.”

He said it is the highest honor he has received in his academic career, and he greatly appreciates those who chose him for the award.

His plans after graduation are to attend either the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry or the University of Louisville Dental School to pursue a career.

“I hope to eventually open my own den-

tal practice in order to assist individuals in the community with their dental health,” Hackett said.

Both students are involved with volunteer work and honor societies on campus.

Cecil and Hackett held jobs while achieving full-time status as a student.

Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs, said the selection comes from the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

The students selected Hackett

by Murray State for the 2012-13 award are graduating in December.

Robertson said the students receiving the award was a great honor and the students should be proud of their accomplishments.

The leaders of the Residential College Council makes the final selection.

Cecil and Hackett will both give valedictorian speeches at the December 2012 Commencement ceremony. The event begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 15, and is at the CFSB Center. The event lasts about two hours.

R U DY ’ S R E S TAU RA N T O l d e s t Re s t a u r a n t i n To w n C o u n t r y S t y l e C o o k i n’

E ve r y t h i n g i s H o m e m a d e D o w n t ow n o n th e S q u a r e

G r e a t f o o d , G r e a t S e r vi c e 1 0 4 S . 5 th S t r e e t • ( 2 7 0 ) 7 5 3 - 1 6 3 2

Follow games with live-tweets @MSUSportsnews

TheNews.org

8A

The News November 30, 2012

November 30, 2012

Section B

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Jonathan Ferris Assistant Editor: Jaci Kohn Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsnews

From the Bullpen Racer legends

Samuel T. Hays/The News

Seniors Ed Daniel and Isaiah Canaan have led the Racers to a 5-1 start. Daniel scored 20 points and a career high 18 rebounds against Lipscomb.

A STRONG START Racers overcome grueling early schedule to secure 5-1 record

Canaan, Daniel among national leaders after impressive games

Jonathan Ferris || Sports Editor

Jonathan Ferris || Sports Editor

jferris2@murraystate.edu

After competing in the Charleston Classic two weeks ago, the Racers have finished one of the more grueling portions of their 2012-13 schedule with a solid 5-1 record to start the season.

After playing three games in four days in Charleston, the Racers came home to find a determined Old Dominion team waiting for them at the CFSB Center.

Despite their 1-4 record, the Monarchs gave the Racers everything they could handle Saturday night.

The Racers would need every one of Isaiah Canaan’s then season-high 30 points and Ed Daniel’s careerhigh 15 rebounds to storm back from a second-half deficit.

With the game tied at 68 with 2:45 remaining, Canaan hit his sixth and final 3-pointer to give Murray State a lead it would not relinquish.

The Racers would escape the cold and rainy night with a hard-fought 79-72 victory.

Canaan, Daniel and the rest of the squad did not have time to relax, however, as they had only one day to prepare for a Monday night contest in Nashville, Tenn., against Lipscomb.

The Bison presented another tough matchup for Murray State, relying heavily on their superior size and strength in the post.

After a physical first half, Lipscomb led Murray State 40-39. The Racers struggled to work the ball inside and were forced to rely on the 3-point shot, scoring nearly half their first-half points from behind

the arc.

It was a different story in the second half, however, as Daniel dominated the boards, collecting 18 rebounds – re-breaking the career high he had set two nights prior against Old Dominion.

The Bison refused to go down quietly, keeping pace by shooting the ball a staggering 71 times.

Canaan hit another key three late in the game, extending the lead to nine with 1:36 to play. Canaan, Daniel and Stacy Wilson hit free throws down the stretch to seal the 88-79 victory, moving the Racers to 5-1 on the young season.

“I’m proud of our guys’ effort and resiliency to find a way to win on the road,” said Head Coach Steve Prohm after Monday night’s victory.

With players dealing with nagging injuries, Prohm is glad his team has seven days before its next game.

“We’ve got to get some rest right now,” Prohm said. “We played five games in 11 days and we’ve been preparing for other teams instead of getting Murray State better. We’ve got to get back and take a day off and then get back to working on getting Murray State better.”

The men took Tuesday off and returned to practice Wednesday. The team’s next game is at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at the CFSB Center against Bethel.

jferris2@murraystate.edu

Before the season started, Head Coach Steve Prohm knew his team would have to rely heavily on seniors Ed Daniel and Isaiah Canaan if the Racers were to be successful.

Daniel and Canaan have provided, turning in several dominant performances early in the year.

Through the first six games, Daniel is averaging a double-double, including 11.3 rebounds per game – the eighth highest total in the country.

Daniel had the best game of his career Monday night at Lipscomb, scoring 20 points and collecting a career-high 18 rebounds, along with five blocks and three assists.

With the loss of senior forward Latreze Mushatt to a torn Achilles, Daniel’s playing time has significantly increased, with his average minutes per game climbing from 23.9 a year ago, to 29.3 in 2012-13.

“Ed has been tremendous this season,” Prohm said. “I’m proud of him. He’s really maturing as a player. His rebounding numbers are at 10 or 11 a game and he’s getting everything around the basket. He’s scoring and playing really tough around the basket also.”

Canaan is also among the national leaders, ranking 13th in scoring with 22.5 points per game, and

Minutes PPG RPG FG% FT%

Isaiah Canaan: 33.2 22.5 3.5 .495 .769 Ed Daniel:

29.3 15.5 11.3 .558 .673

leading his team in several statistical categories including minutes, points per game, assists, 3-point shots made and 3-point field goal percentage.

After surpassing the 30-point mark for a second straight game at Lipscomb, Canaan is not only knocking down shots, but is keeping his team in every game.

In Murray State’s last two games against Old Dominion and Lipscomb, Canaan has either tied the game or taken the lead for the Racers eight times, three of which coming in the last ten minutes of play.

With the absence of Mushatt and sophomore guard Zay Jackson, Daniel and Canaan’s remarkable performances are being noticed on a national scale.

After successful campaigns last season, both players were invited to NBA camps over the summer to improve their skills and learn from professionals.

With the eye-popping stats Daniel and Canaan have put up thus far, the seniors continue to draw interest from NBA scouts and coaches across the country.

Regardless of the media attention and impressive stat lines, the two are helping the Racers overcome a lack of depth and experience off the bench.

The lone remaining starters from last season’s 31-win roster continue to help a young Racer team find ways to overcome adversity and win games.

“The two guys sitting next to me (Daniel and Canaan) are the heartbeat and the leaders of our team,” Prohm said. “We go as they go.”

At Murray State we have a huge batch of talented players in a wide variety of sports.

Everyone knows about our successful basketball team, but rifle and golf have had very strong starts to Jaci Kohn their seasons, and track is expected to Assistant Sports Editor do well also.

Many of these players will go on to play at the professional and international levels after their time as Racers ends. These are just a few of the many talented players here on campus. These are people you should take notice of and follow as they progress throughout their sureto-be-successful careers.

Senior Isaiah Canaan is already showing his strength early in the season. So far, he has scored 135 points and is averaging 22.5 points per game.

In the game against Lipscomb Monday, Canaan scored 32 points for his second straight 30 point-game. In the preseason polls he was selected to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team Basketball Team, was named the OVC Preseason Player of the Year and was selected as the top point guard in the country by CBS Sports.

He started all 33 games and was sixth in the OVC with 33.7 minutes per game last year.

Canaan reached the 30-point mark four times and ended the season as the 24th leading scorer in the nation, sixth in made threes per game, 13th in three-point percentage, 36th in free throw percentage and 47th in steals per game. He is the 38th member of the Murray State 1000-Point Club and this season could become the sixth person to the 2000-Point Club.

Alexis Love wowed the campus last year with her blazing times on the track & field circuit.

The senior from Palmetto, Fla., holds the Murray State and OVC record in the 200m. Love finished sixth at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and was named the OVC Track Athlete of the Year.

Her peers at Murray State also voted her Female Athlete of the Year.

After her season at Murray State was over, Love moved her sights to the Olympic Trials. She made it all the way to the semifinals before coming up .54 seconds short of the final Olympic qualifying spot.

This season, receiver Walter Powell had a record-setting year of his own.

The junior from St. Louis, Mo., put together the best football season ever recorded by a receiver at Murray State. Powell set many new school records: 94 catches for 1,213 yards, just the fourth player to catch 10 touchdown passes in a season and his six 100-yard receiving games.

He is ranked fourth in the FCS for receptions per game and 10th for receiving yards per game. The Racer averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return, and 15.8 yards per punt return.

Powell set an FCS record when he returned a punt 100 yards for a touchdown in the victory against Southeast Missouri. He leads the OVC and ranks second in the nation for all-purpose yards per game with 193.

Golfer Patrick Newcomb has been solid so far this season. Right now, the senior from Benton, Ky., is leading the OVC with a scoring average of 71 shots through 17 rounds.

Over the summer, Newcomb became the first player in Racer golf history to advance to the round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Village, Col., and to win the state amateur two times. He is one of only two to be the champion.

Newcomb finished his summer sixth overall and fourth among amateurs at the Kentucky Open in Hebron, Ky., with scores of 72-72-68=212.

Last season Newcomb was named the OVC Golfer of the Year after he won three times and turned in eight topfive finishes.

Newcomb finished second at the OVC Championship and for the season, he had 16 rounds of par or better and eight sub-70 rounds.

With so many successful Racers, it seems as if our winning legacy will stay pristine for many years to come thanks to the successes of numerous athletes currently among us. jkohn@murraystate.edu

WHAT’S

FINAL VICTORY

WINNING STREAK

NO SHAVE NOVEMBER

DRAG SHOW

INSIDE

Football team sends off its seniors with a win, 2B

Women’s basketball defeated Lipscomb Monday night, 3B

Men go a month without shaving to support cancer foundation, 5B

See highlights from Alliance’s semi-annual event, 8B

The News

Sports

2B

November 30, 2012

Football

That’s What He Said

Better, closer, warmer

Photos by Samuel T. Hays/The News

Junior running back Duane Brady runs past the SEMO defense with the help of block by sophomore offensive lineman, Drew Kelley.

Racers defeat SEMO, finsh strong Edward Marlowe || Staff writer emarlowe@murraystate.edu

It was the last time senior quarterback Casey Brockman would see the clock hit :00 with him on the field as the Racers’ leader.

Fortunately enough for Brockman and the rest of the senior class, it all chalked up to one final win for the exiting squad, as Murray State (5–6, 4–4 OVC) defeated the Southeast Missouri Redhawks (3–8, 2–6 OVC) Nov. 17 by a final score of 42 – 35.

SEMO got on the board first as senior kicker Drew Geldbach booted a 36-yard field goal with 9:13 left in the first quarter.

However, the Racers responded immediately as junior wide receiver Walter Powell gashed the SEMO special teams unit by returning the ensuing kickoff 83 yards.

Brockman made light work of the short field position, hitting senior wide receiver Ja-Vonta Trotter in the middle of the end zone for the seven-yard touchdown. The Racers never trailed again.

Both SEMO and Murray State clamped down on defense as the score remained 7–3 after the first quarter ended. SEMO’s usually effective option attack was gaining yards but could not hit the home run, while Brockman and company were forced into tough throws and short check downs where multiple defenders were waiting to snuff out any yards after the catch.

A deep punt into Racer territory completely changed the momentum of the game.

With 9:30 left to play in the second quarter, Redhawks junior punter Joe Vucic booted the ball 53 yards for what looked like an obvious touchback situation.

Powell saw things a little differently, however, and, after catching

the ball just inside the end zone, decided to race through a sea of red jerseys for an FCS-record 100-yard punt return touchdown and a 14–3 lead.

The Redhawks never faded, however, as senior running back Levi Terrell (25 carries, 215 yards, two TDs) and sophomore running back Ron Coleman both scored touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, with Coleman knotting it up at 35-all with just over three minutes left in the game.

Preparing to take the field for a final chance at some late game heroics, Brockman simply stood on the sideline and watched junior running back Duane Brady return the 85-yard kickoff for a touchdown and the deciding score.

Admittedly, Brockman said he was looking forward to running the final drive of the game and of his Murray State career.

“Yeah, it was just one of those times to kind of redeem what has happened a lot of times this year,” he said. “We needed to go out and score on a game-winning drive … something that we haven’t done all year.”

Brockman finished his Racer career just 10 yards shy of the 10,000yard club, though his 189 yards was enough to give him 3,802 total offensive yards on the season, breaking the OVC record set by Samford’s Ray Nelson in 1994.

For Head Coach Chris Hatcher, the win was a bittersweet introspection of the past three years and where the team has progressed from since he first took the whistle as a Racer in 2010.

“We’re not where we want to be, but thank goodness we’re not where we used to be,” Hatcher said. “These guys won 18 games in the last three seasons, and prior to that the Racers had only won 13 in five years. We’re

Senior Casey Brockman shares a moment with his parents before playing his last game as the Racers starting quarterback. He finshed his career with 9,990 passing yards. getting better and averaging six wins each year. You look back and you’re roughly a .500 club, and one or two plays later you’re sitting here 9–2 or 8–3. We didn’t get the breaks, we didn’t make the breaks and we didn’t take advantage of the breaks in some of the games we played early on in the year.”

Another chapter is closed in the Racer football tradition.

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Writer’s Note: For most of the season, junior wide receiver Walter Powell’s classification status has been erroneously reported as a senior.

I personally apologized to him for the error after the game and told him I made the mistake “because he has played like a senior all season.”

He laughed and thanked me for the kind words.

Head football coach Chris Hatcher is certainly making some noise in the FCS ranks with his “Hatch Attack” and the Murray State Racers.

I’m just afraid it’s all falling on deaf ears.

Over the past three seasons, Hatcher has Edward returned the Racers Marlowe from an afterthought to OVC contention, and Staff writer despite this season’s 5 – 6 finish, Murray State continues to receive plenty of mention on the national scene.

At the end of the 2012 FCS regular season, the top five offenses in the country were listed in order as Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, Harvard, Colgate and Murray State.

No, you didn’t misread that. Murray State had one of the top five offenses in the country this season.

Behind hometown senior quarterback Casey Brockman, senior wide receiver JaVonta Trotter, junior wide receiver Walter Powell, senior running back Duane Brady, junior transfer running back Jaamal Berry and a myriad of role players and reserves, the Racers finished with 5,328 yards on 910 plays (5.85 yards per play), 57 touchdowns and nearly 485 yards per game.

In case you were wondering, that’s pretty damn good.

Fifth in passing offense, 78th in rushing offense, fifth in scoring offense; the list goes on and on for this Racer football squad.

Powell shattered a nearly 50-year-old school record by catching 94 passes on the season, while Brockman remains in consideration for top FCS quarterback honors with a phemonenal year at the helm.

Sure, the defense (which finished in the bottom five of the FCS standings allowing 510 yards per contest) made it difficult at times to be a fan, but even they had their moments of spectacular play this season.

Much like the bleachers at Roy Stewart Stadium, however, the defense was undermanned and lacking depth.

Look, I’m not writing this scathing review of Racer Nation because I was asked to. I haven’t heard the players or the coaches complain about the lack of attendance at games, nor have I received a letter to the editor echoing these very sentiments. I’m also not trying to belittle the existing loyal fan base by looking a gift horse in the mouth.

I’m sure hearing this come from a journalist just sounds like a homerism, in which I’m blindly supporting the home team for biased personal reasons.

Whatever … I’ve already been bitched out on Twitter for comments regarding the porous defense and lack of execution of offense in the red zone, which in case you were wondering, plagued the Racers all season long.

Call it what you want, but I call it like I see it, and right now I don’t see many fans in the stands at “The Track.”

I remember a time not that long ago when the stadium was filled every Saturday with fans screaming at the top of their lungs. Like the CFSB Center, playing the Racers at home was something teams were afraid to do.

That’s no longer the case.

I’m not delusional; I know this town worships basketball and its accolades.

Trust me; I’m aware how hard it is to avoid the hype-machine and witness history being created with each passing game. In fact, I follow the basketball team (and other Racer teams, of course) as an avid fan (partially because Isaiah Canaan and Ed Daniel are beasts).

However, it’s time to buy into Hatcher’s “don’t quit” attitude. A winning culture will never return to the football program until the fans fill Stewart Stadium and rebuild a “home-team advantage.” emarlowe@murraystate.edu

The News

Sports

November 30, 2012

3B

Kylie Townsend/The News

Women’s Basketball

Women add to winning streak Carly Besser || Staff writer cbesser@murraystate.edu

Things are looking up for the Racers (3-3) as they draw closer to conference play.

After three consecutive losses to Western Kentucky, Indiana and James Madison in the opening of its season, Murray State left the court with an incentive to increase shooting percentages, prevent turnovers and improve offensive rebounding.

Starting with a tightly clinched 7668 victory over Longwood, the Racers continued in the right direction. The combined efforts of senior guard Mariah Robinson, freshman guard Erika Sisk and junior guard Erica

Burgess changed the outcome of the game.

Against Lipscomb, Murray State kept turnovers at a season low of seven and made it to the free throw line 25 times.

Head Coach Rob Cross said he is pleased with the dominance at the free-throw line and increase in offensive rebounds.

“We’ve done a great job on the boards,” Cross said. “We’re making it to the free throw line and we’re taking really good care of the basketball.”

Even though the Racers are showing a pickup in wins and offensive dominance, field goal percentages plateaued at 27 percent in their game against Lipscomb. Even though the Racers are successful at this point in

the season, Cross said shooting percentages will have to improve before conference play to win games.

“We’re crashing the offensive boards extremely hard,” he said. “We can’t rely on that. We’ve got to shoot the ball better. That’s no question.

We’ve got to find someone who starts putting the ball in the basket. We’re missing layups, we’re missing midrange shots and we’re missing three’s.

Our players understand that they have to step up and they know what they have to do.”

In their next game against Ball State Thursday, the Racers will be paired up against an aggressively defensive team with a size advantage.

Cross said the challenge is posed

with good coaching and shooters like point guard Brandy Woody, who scored a team high 14 points against Stetson last week.

“They’re a well-coached team,” he said. “They’ve struggled a bit shooting the ball on the perimeter, but they’ve got big, strong bodies. They’re going to be aggressive and physical on the defensive end.”

Another incentive for the Racers going deeper into their schedule is allowing Sisk’s role to increase and for her to grow and learn as an athlete.

The OVC Freshman of the Week shot 1-7 in her performance against Lipscomb and ended the game with five points and two rebounds.

“Defensively, she kind of took a step

Player Profile

Robinson leads team to victory Carly Besser || Staff writer cbesser@murraystate.edu

Photos by Michelle Grimaud/The News

Mariah Robinson goes up for a 3-point shot against Lipscomb Monday night. Robinson is averaging 21.4 points per game and has two double-doubles this season.

Robinson backs down an opponent in the Nov. 9 loss to Western Kentucky.

With two double-doubles, the school record in 3-point shots and an Adidas OVC Player of the Week title, senior guard Mariah Robinson is starting her senior season with a bang.

The guard managed to average 23 points a game and 10 rebounds over two back-toback victories for the Racers last week. In her performance against Evansville, Robinson capped a season-high 31 points.

Alongside junior guard Erica Burgess, Robinson played 37 minutes in her game against Lipscomb, making her the most active player on the team.

“Mariah Robinson has been outstanding for us at this point,” said Head Coach Rob Cross. “Her rebounding has been huge.”

Nominated as the captain for her final season at Murray State, her all-around athleticism has proven to be a key component to the Racers, who have picked up three consecutive wins in the past two weeks.

“She re-dedicated herself to becoming a better conditioned athlete over the summer,” Cross said. “She has done a lot of personal growth off the court, and I think that’s really contributed.”

In the second half against Lipscomb, Robinson managed to sink two 3-point shots in the first minute, pulling the Racers out of a six-point deficit carried over from the first half.

Her offensive dominance played behind the free-throw line as well, shooting 6-8 in free-throws against Lipscomb. If anything, her energy and sharp shooting beyond the perimeter and at the line is the source of strong momentum for the Racers heading deeper into their schedule.

Robinson has contributed not only in her shooting but also on the defensive end. She is currently the leading rebounder for the Racers this season and left Lipscomb with 11 rebounds.

“She’s in the top 20 in the nation in scoring and the top 20 in the nation in free throw attempts and free throws made,” Cross said. “She’s a much more aggressive player going to the rim and a much better rebounder. She understands that on the defensive board, as a guard, that she has to go and get a lot of rebounds and help her team.

She’s done a really good job leading the team on and off the court.”

With the rate of her personal success and contribution to the effort of the team, Robinson shows no signs of slowing down now as the Racers go deeper in the schedule and prepare for conference play.

Her personal growth as a leader and dedication has shown statistically, in national ranks and in overall performance in the last few weeks.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Cross said. “It’s a great thing to see not just from a basketball perspective but a personal perspective as well.”

back in the Lipscomb game,” Cross said. “She’s got a lot of learning to do.

We’re letting her play through some things right now. She’s been a little quick on the trigger and the perimeter. She’s been rushing shots. She’s just been a little unsure of herself these last games, but she’s settled down.”

It’s a time of transition for a young and quick Murray State team, but more focused ball handling improvement and advantage behind the free throw line will be strong keys in the next two games and throughout the remainder of the season.

Next up for the Racers is the Southern Illinois Salukis at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the CFSB Center

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The News

Sports

4B

November 30, 2012

Rifle

Shooters miss target against Gamecocks Laura Kovarik || Staff writer lkovarik@murraystate.edu

The 10th-ranked Murray State Racers headed to Jacksonville to take on the Gamecocks for their final match of the fall season.

This marked the fourth consecutive showdown between the Racers and Gamecocks. Murray State had a strong showing and placed second out of six teams at the Jacksonville Invitational. They bounced back from a less-thansatisfactory showing at Morehead State the previous weekend.

Jacksonville won the match with an aggregate score of 4,639. The Racers came in second with a total of 4,625. Columbus State came in third, posting 4,571.

Sophomore Kesley Emme led the Racers in total scoring with an aggregate of 1,164. Emme also led the team in smallbore with 579 and shot 585 in air rifle. Junior Mikey Burzynski shot a solid score of 573 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle.

Sophomore Kristen Moyer had a strong performance in Jacksonville leading the team with a

587 marking her season best air rifle. Freshman Tessa Howald shot a 580 in air rifle and a 570 in smallbore. Freshman Kaitlyn Wilson scored a 570 in air rifle and a 559 in smallbore.

Consistency has been the name of the game this season according to Head Coach Allan Lollar. The relatively young Racer rifle team has been working diligently to establish a solid foundation and performance throughout its fall season, Lollar said.

“We are staying consistent at a pretty good level right now,” Lollar said. “We need to get better, but the interesting thing is that we are holding this consistency in different ways. It’s not the same every time. What that means to me is that it is just under the surface waiting to show up in a big way. We just have to have the patience needed to make improvements that are permanent. I think we will.”

So far this season, the Racers have been solid contenders throughout the OVC. Kicking off their 2012 fall season with a win versus UT Martin and Columbus State on Sept. 30 gave the Racers high hopes for their season. Unfortunately

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Sophomore Marisca Mozeleski from Vashon, Wash., looks toward the target as she prepares to shoot. the season rounded out with a 1-5 record.

With the fall season completed, the Racers have set their sights on the OVC Championships held at Morehead State in February.

“How we come back from the break will be the key,” Lollar said. “January 10 and 12 we have

Alaska and Jacksonville State in big matches.”

In addition to preparing for the OVC Championships, Emme is currently training for the USA Shooting Winter Air Rifle Championships in a few weeks. The younger shooters are also prepping for their Junior Olympic Qualifiers.

Intramurals

Monstars advance to next round after playoff victory Laura Kovarik || Staff writer

ment; three of the four teams were from the Bluegrass state.

The Murray State Monstars beat Vanderbuilt 18-15 to win the women’s championship bracket Nov. 18, earning a free entry into the intramural national championships in Pensacola, Fla., today.

Murray State Monstars freshmen Abby Futrell, Kathryn Winthrow and Amanda Winchester were named to the All-Tournament team. Winchester was named most valuable player.

Futrell said the tough competition at regionals helped them prepare for last Tues-

lkovarik@murraystate.edu

It was a clash of purple jerseys, as the undefeated Monstars took on Sigma Sigma Sigma in flag football Tuesday at 9 p.m.

The Monstars are currently undefeated and just returned from a trip to the intramural regionals at Western Kentucky where they took on four other women’s flag football teams in the Battle of the BlueGrass.

The team won two games and came home with the victory.

Kentucky schools had a strong showing in the tourna-

day’s game. She said teamwork and poise are the key elements that set this intramural team apart.

The Monstars started the night off with first possession.

A series of well-placed throws and jukes gave them an early advantage in the game. A successful running-play within the first four minutes of the half gave them their first touchdown of the night.

A complete pass to the corner of the end zone gained them a one-point conversion and a 7-0 lead.

The Monstars rushing defense put the pressure on the

Tri Sigma offense. The quarterback rose to the occasion and successfully moved the ball down the field. A wellplaced pass past the Monstars’ defense allowed Tri Sigma its first touchdown of the night.

“We came out strong but it was difficult maintaining that level of play,” Futrell said.

A complete pass for the onepoint conversion tied the game 7-7 with 11 minutes remaining in the half. The Monstars swiftly responded by scoring another touchdown, taking the lead once again. Aggressive defense by Tri Sigma denied the Monstars the extra one-point

ing another touchdown.

Despite their recent wins, the Monstars know there is always room for improvement.

They scored one more touchdown toward the end of the second half and had a successful one-point conversion.

“Maintaining intensity and staying consistent are two things we will work on for the next game,” Futrell said.

The game concluded with a 33-7 Monstars’ victory over Tri Sigma. The Monstars will continue on in the tournament, hoping to advance to the final match and clench another championship.

conversion, bringing the score to 13-7.

The Tri Sigma offense struggled to gain ground in the remainder of the first half. The Monstars’ offense took advantage of this on a fourth down punt and scored another touchdown. This widened their lead to 20-7 after a complete one-point conversion.

The Monstars’ offense continued to power down the field and scored another touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in the half, extending the 27-7 lead.

Tri Sigma’s defense and offense rallied in the second half but were unsuccessful in scor-

Disc Golf

#Racertweets

Club team preparing for second appearance in national tournament

8 new Tweets

Isaiah Canaan @SiP03 Y.O.L.O. But Legacy Live Forever Men’s Basketball

Nick Dolan || Staff writer ndolan@murraystate.edu

After placing 16th in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships last semester, the Murray State disc golf team continues to win and looks to better its 2012 result in its first full year.

The rules are simple; golfers throw first from designated tee boxes to a target down range using a variety of discs. There are driving discs, mid range discs and putting discs.

Driving and mid range discs are thinner, sharper and heavier, which cut through the air and fly longer distances. Putting discs are lighter, making them more reliable in short distance shots.

Club president Michael Griffin said course lengths are typically 18 holes with the national championship course being 20.

Similar to ordinary golf, the object is to make the frisby go into the goal at the end of each hole in the least amount of throws possible. The Racers are one of the best teams in the nation at doing so.

They recently returned from a tournament at Purdue where they palced third and beat several schools larger than Murray State.

“We played Purdue, Iowa State, SIU, Ball State and teams like that,” he said. “We were tied for second and lost in a playoff but one of our guys won the overall individual tournament.”

This win came after placing 16th in the nation out of 40 teams in last year’s National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship tournament where they faced the likes of Oregon, Notre Dame, Arkansas and Florida State.

The Racers’ Zack Johnson was also a 2012 Men’s First Team AllAmerican.

The team roster consists of 11 players. The starting lineup includes four players, while seven reserves fill in throughout the game.

Potential members can check out the team on their Facebook page or attend a practice at the Central Park course in Murray, Griffin said.

“We have a Facebook page where we post when and where we meet and play,” he said. “They are welcome to come out to the course and join us any day, but we meet Sundays at 1 (p.m.).

That’s where we try to recruit new members to come and join the team.”

The Racers do not play again

Local

Saturday:

Women’s Basketball

Southern Illinois (0-4)

vs. Murray State (3-3) 7 p.m. CFSB Center

Tuesday:

Men’s Basketball

Bethel (9-1)

vs. Murray State (5-1) 7 p.m. CFSB Center

Nick Paradossi @paradossi I just decided that from now until Xmas I will only cross crosswalks like Buddy the Elf. Sorry drivers, it might take a while.

Baseball

Steve Prohm @CoachProhm Can someone bring @SiP03 some Cookies N Cream Ice Cream! He's been tweeting about it for 2 days! Help him out! He can be reached at @SiP03!

Men’s Basketball Coach

Photo courtesy of Kelly Hulburt

Michael Griffin, a senior from Madisonville, Ky., practices with the disc golf team as they prepare to compete for the national championship. The team finished 16th in the championship last year and are looking to better that finish in its second appearance. until next semester when they head to St. Louis, Mo., and then return to the national championship tournament.

“We already got a bid to the national championship for next year,” Griffin said. “We’ll be play-

ing in that in South Carolina.”

The Racers look to better their result at the tournament, and move up the leaderboard, in hopes of bringing a national title back to Murray in their first full year of competition.

National

Saturday:

NCAA Basketball

Baylor Bears (4-2)

vs. No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (4-1) 11:30 a.m. CBS

Saturday:

NCAA Football

No. 3 Georgia (11-1)

vs. No. 2 Alabama (11-1) 3 p.m. CBS

Casey Brockman @realWildHorse As if I wasn't fat enough already, Thanksgiving had to be today. Well, looks like I'll be 240 tomorrow #fido Football

Dave Winder @RacerDave23 Seeing what Newcomb is doing & Canaan, Brockman & Love...I continue to be amazed this period of #RacersAthletics. #AllAmericans Men’s Basketball

Racheal Foxley @rachealfoxley 2 weeks and 3 days until I'm home for Christmas! Can't believe how quick this first semesters going! #crazy Soccer

Molly Goodrich @Hoodrich5 All I wanna do is rock out to some Jimmy Buffett Christmas Island and put up decorations.. #Santafever Volleyball

Luke Daugherty @lukedaugherty11 Why do some people type tha instead of the?

Is it that much aasier to typa tha a instaad of tha e?

Baseball

November 30, 2012

Features Editor: Anna Taylor Assistant Features Editor: Savannah Sawyer Phone: 809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

5B

The News

Features

To shave or not to shave

Photos by Beamer Barron/The News

Men ditch razors, honor No Shave November

We get why you do it...

You save time.

Hunter Harrell || Staff writer hharrell@murraystate.edu

In recent years, No Shave November or Movember has become a national phenomenon. As tradition goes, men vow to discard their razors, fight the urge and itch to shave and grow out their facial hair for the entire month.

Though many men have taken part in this phenomenon, rarely do they know the history or significance behind the beards of glory.

Movember began in 2003 when two men from Melbourne, Australia, decided the mustache should make a comeback. They formed a group of individuals who, for 30 days, vowed not to shave their mustaches.

The movement took off the next year when the group raised $40,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia with only 450 participants.

According to the official website of Movember, us.movember.com, more than 854,000 people registered as participants and raised $126.3 million.

Now, almost a decade after the first No Shave November, it has grown to not only include mustaches, but also beards. The movement has sparked conversations about facial hair and men’s health.

Men on Murray State’s campus are no exception.

Looking around campus this month, beards were not scarce. But why do men participate in No Shave November?

Tyler Webb, freshman from Springville, Ind., said this year was his first No Shave November.

“It’s the first time I could participate because (I play) sports, so I thought it would be cool to see how long I could grow a beard,” Webb said. “No Shave November was a good excuse.”

Most men, however, participate for the sheer purpose of friendly competition.

“My roommate and I participated in No Shave November,” said John Smothers, freshman from Hickman, Ky. “We wanted to see who would cave first and shave it all off.”

Another way men compete is by seeing who can grow the longest beard.

“My buddies all participate to see who is the alpha male and can accumulate the most facial scruff.” said Jacob Whitehall, freshman from Lebanon Junction, Ky. While competing with friends can be fun, there are some negative aspects of not shaving for an entire month.

“It was difficult not to shave my neck,” Webb said.

“It drove me nuts. But my friends were surprised at how long my beard got and thought it was really cool.”

Overall, the men of Murray showed their best beards this month, but are ready to get rid of the unruly hair on Saturday.

“Come December first, this is all getting chopped off,” Smothers said. “No Shave November isn’t that cool because it’s itchy and causes ingrown hairs.”

The beards and ‘staches are a reminder of No Shave November, but the aim of the tradition is to have an impact on the face of men’s health, no pun intended.

Most women, however, have a different take on the beards than the men who sport them.

“My boyfriend participated in No Shave November,” said Shannon Smith, freshman from Hopewell, N.J. “He looks like a ridiculous lumberjack.”

Although some women despise the excessive amounts of facial hair during the month, some women actually get involved.

Those women who support the cause are known to some as ‘Mo Sistas.’ They often only encourage men to speak up about men’s health problems to support the cause. Though it is more rare, some go as far as to not shave their legs all month, similar to that of a man’s facial hair.

No matter whether it is the face or legs as the canvas for the art known as No Shave November, most agree by the end of the month, they are ready to lather in shaving cream and break out a brand new razor.

The Rules 1. Shave clean Oct. 31 as close to midnight as possible 2. On Oct. 31, take a photo of face after clean shave 3. No shaving from Nov. 1–30 4. On Dec. 1, take a photo of face before shaving Optional extra: Take a photo of face every day in November for photo album or blog Rules provided by no-shavenovember.org

All those minutes you spend shaving can now be spent doing other things like maybe homework ... or being on Facebook.

You save money.

Razors and shaving cream can get sooo expensive.

Without having to buy them, you can save up some extra dollars for Christmas next month.

Your beard will be awfully warm in the chilly November weather.

Don’t you just hate it when you are walking to class and your face gets cold?

You get money.

Assuming you placed a bet with someone, you could get some extra dough for gas, groceries or rent – you pick your spending.

You prove your masculinity.

Everyone knows that only real men can grow beards for a whole month, or longer.

but...

It makes your face itch.

In Features, we really wouldn’t know but we can imagine those things can get pretty itchy after a while.

Most ladies don’t dig for the Grizzly Adams look.

Unless you are Ryan Gosling, it’s true. Chicks dig it when a man has total control of his facial hair.

There is a chance you’ll get some ingrown hair. ... and nobody likes ingrown hair.

You will have to worry about beard odor.

Eww. Beard odor.

You look younger and professional without the beard.

With a clean shave, you appear more professional.

You look younger, too, if you’re into that.

by Anna Taylor, Features Editor

Features

6B

THE

The News

“Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversation�

WATER COOLER Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Anna Taylor

BEYONCE TO DIRECT HBO DOCUMENTARY Pop singer Beyonce is sitting in the director’s seat for an upcoming untitled film for HBO. The film, which will debut Feb. 16 of next year, will reveal what a typical day in the life of the singer is like.

It will feature Beyonce preparing for performances, recording music in the studio and running her TV and music production companies, HBO announced Monday.

Professors and their Hobbies

Professor searches for storms, geocaches in spare time Shannon MacAllister || Staff writer smacallister@murraystate.edu

Professors and their Hobbies is a series that profiles various Murray State professors who have unique hobbies.

Outside of their classrooms, beyond the constraints of their desks and set free from their chalkboards, who are our professors? Are they pipe makers, karaoke singers or travelers of the world? Or do they perhaps geocache and storm chase?

David Allen, assistant professor of education, does just that. Throughout his life he has been both an active storm chaser as well as a geocacher.

Introduced to geochaching by his wife, Allen described geocaching as a great way to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. “It’s kind of like a little treasure hunt.

People will hide a little canister of some sort, and then they will put in coordinates and then you go and find them,� Allen said.

To access the coordinates for geocaches, all it takes is signing up for a free account on geocaching.com and typing in a zip code to find caches

Michelle Grimaud/The News

Professor David Allen finds a geocache canister on campus by using GPS coordinates. nearby. From there, all it takes is a GPS device or a smart phone to type the coordinates into and find the geocache.

Once it has been located, the finder may open the container and extract one item, if and only if they replace it with something of equal or lesser value. Geocaches can contain anything from travel mementos of past finders, to small trinkets, all the way to small pieces of history. Each one is a unique experience, just waiting to be found. “I love being outdoors and if you like treasure hunts it is for you,� Allen said.

Dead week looms ahead Kelsey Randolph || Contributing writer krandolph3@murraystate.edu

ELMO PUPPETEER RECEIVES NEW ALLEGATIONS One week after Kevin Clash, former Elmo puppeteer, was alleged with having sexual interactions with an underage boy, he has been accused of similar actions by another underaged boy.

A man, identified only as John, claims Clash engaged in oral sex and other sex acts with him when he was 16 years old.

November 30, 2012

Every semester, the week before finals, professors are courteous enough to not assign homework or give exams to their students. Some may know it as “hell week� or “book week� but on Murray State’s campus it is known as “dead week.� Campus organizations will often put on activities and events to help ease the stress that comes along with it. “I’m expecting the calm before the storm,� said Sam Steinmann, freshman from Hamel, Ill. “Everyone is getting anxious because they know Christmas break is around the corner, but they still have to tackle all the important due dates and start studying for what’s next.�

“And some of the most interesting geocaches will take you places you didn’t even know existed. I’ve geocached in probably 10 or 12 states, and the farthest I have been with geocaching has been probably Vancouver, British Columbia and Puerto Rico, so far.�

In addition to his international geocaching, Allen also storm chased in Oklahoma when he was an Earth Science teacher at a local middle school.

He began storm chasing as a result of his classes when he contacted the local TV station’s meteorologist and asked

A lot of universities have a similar tradition as Murray State. At Columbia University, students open their windows at midnight and scream to relieve stress. Some make it more extreme. At Penn State students run naked down the street. On Murray State’s campus there is a more subtle approach to relieving stress. “I didn’t know it was even called dead week, but I spend most of my time in the library and it’s extremely stressful,� said Rachael Parrill, sophomore from Louisville, Ky. Waterfield Library extends its hours starting Monday and is open 24 hours until Dec. 13 in order for students to feel like they can go at any time. Pogue Library will be extending its hours and will be open until 10 p.m. on Dec. 3–6 and then again from Dec. 10–13. “Although we are very busy throughout the semester, it is not uncommon for every seat in the building to be filled during dead week and finals week.� said director of Public Services of University Libraries, Ashley Ireland. “It is apparent that hard, and perhaps sometimes frenzied, work is getting done here.�

Other student organizations also offer some relief.

The Sociology Club will be offering students a showing of “The Great Debaters.� It will show at 7:30 p.m.

him to come and speak with his class. “In between classes we just started talking about storm chasing, and he invited me up to do a training and I just went from there,� Allen said.

From there Allen began to storm chase for the NBC affiliate station in Tulsa, Okla., and found that storm chasing is not always as exciting as the shows would have a person believe. “It’s about 10 percent excitement and 90 percent sitting around waiting or driving, in lots of rain, or driving and driving and driving,� Allen said.

Once the driving is done however, storms do often live up to their hype, as Allen often found. “There was an F2 tornado hitting a power plant in Oklahoma, and I was off to the side paralleling its track, and it was raining,� Allen said. “It was a rainwrapped tornado, and it had just stopped raining so I could get out of my car to start videotaping it when I looked up above me and there was another tornado right above me. So I got in my car and left.�

It was times like this that Allen said made storm chasing worth it, because although terrifying and dangerous, it allowed a closer glimpse at Mother Nature’s force and capabilities.

“Although we are very busy throughout the semester, it is not uncommon for every seat in the building to be filled during Dead Week and Finals Week. It is apparent that hard, and perhaps sometimes frenzied, work is getting done here.� –Ashley Ireland Director of Public Services of University Libraries

on Wednesday in Faculty Hall room 500. This will be their second annual movie study break.

Winslow Dining Hall will also host Midnight Breakfast where students can go and eat their favorite foods, served by the Student Affairs office.

This year it will be from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Dec. 9.

There are more than 200 giveaway prizes as well as T-shirts that will be given out.

Regardless of how students choose to relieve stress or what their major is, one thing is certain, finals week is coming, whether Murray State is ready or not.

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Features

November 30, 2012

7B

Movie Review

Pop Culture Savvy

Twilight f inale boasts shocking twist

A Very Special Christmas

Chris Wilcox || News Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu

S

ome people find the Twilight Saga tacky, poorly written and peculiar, but it is for this reason I believe the franchise has become a best-seller. This movie pushed the boundaries of what vampires and other super natural creatures had always been.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” was a decent movie, but it didn’t live up to the expectations I had set for it. The overall quality of the computer-generated imagery was extremely poor; especially considering the budget for the film was $120 million.

The movie closely follows the plot of the book. Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, awakens as a vampire and indulges in the abilities her new form has granted her. Her everadoring husband, Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson, notes Bella’s transformation to immortality suited her exceptionally well.

Next, Bella meets her half-human, half-vampire child, Renesmee Cullen, played by Mackensie Foy, who takes a less-than significant role in the plot of the movie.

The Cullen family, Bella’s adopted vegetarian-vampire (vampires who drink the blood of animals, instead of humans) family, also stars in the film, but so does fan-favorite Jacob Black, a shape-shifting member of the Quileute tribe, played by Taylor Lautner.

In “Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Black imprints on Renesmee, and in part two he continues to be a guiding figure in the child’s accelerated life.

Following Bella’s first dramatic feeding as a vampire, the movie becomes choppy. What could have been illustrated more smoothly was compressed for what I assume was dramatic effect, a failure on the part of the director and staff.

One of the biggest assets the movie brought to the table was one of the final scenes Stephanie Meyers and director Bill Condon created for the movie – a scene that was not in the book.

And I can assure every Twilight fan, your jaw will drop. The only problem I have with the scene is that if you follow the saga, you will know it was not a possibility, because Alice’s gift has a clearly defined limitation – she can’t see the wolves in her visions.

The gifts some vampires receive upon transformation were exceptionally illustrated in this movie, almost all of them, except for Bella’s.

Vampire gifts are rare among the supernatural world. These gifts can include powers of premonition, telepathy, immense physical strength, psychic capabilities and defensive skills.

As a mental shield, Bella single handedly stopped the Volturi’s sol-

diers’ offensive gifts – gifts of offensive psychic might. This feat is poorly illustrated in the film.

The overall plot was lacking in storytelling elements, but that fact can almost be overlooked purely due to the epic nature of the unexpected scene.

That scene pits the Cullens and their wolf friends against the intimidating might of the Volturi, the sinister, Italian-royalty of the vampire world.

Despite a slow start to the film, the final movie ends in a positive manner. The fans get their fair share of passion and violence, something expressed clearly in the final book.

In the previous films, no one was thrilled with the acting ability of any of the cast but the latest installment surprised me in the fact that the performing of some of the cast was better than the previous films.

Every movie in the franchise had spots of poor acting and Stewart in this movie was no better than in past acts. She was stoic at times her character should have been expressing more heightened emotions.

In contrast, Patterson – who in previous films had been almost robotic – sprang to life in the final film. His character was more relaxed and human. This might have been the plan, as Bella, who was once seeing things as a human, in

the final movie saw clearer life through a vampire’s keen sight.

The only problem with the theory is Stewart’s awkward performance as a vampire – a creature noted for its elegance, power and grace.

Lautner, the best actor within the love triangle, had a more mature role in the film as the protector of Renesmee and pulled off the transformation from teen into young adult very believably.

The Twihards, die-hard fans of Twilight, will be oblivious to the flaws of the movie, but normal fans can appreciate the movie while seeing the tremendous negatives.

Professional film critic Siobhan Synnot of the Scotsman did not have a glowing review of the movie, but what he said was a surprise. “(It is) bloodier, funnier and even more ridiculous, the final chapter of this saga is better paced than the Potterthon,” Synnot said.

This statement gave many movie review enthusiasts pause.

Harry Potter is the book series that defines most millennials and their reading habits; the movies were an adventure the fans wished would have never ended. The final Harry Potter film wrapped up every detail and spared no expense in telling the whole story, something I feel Breaking Dawn parts one and two failed to accomplish.

Another professional critic, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, was in the majority that states the final installment of the saga was better than the others, but that it was nothing of which to be proud.

“You're going to hear a lot about ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ being the best of the Twilight movies,” Travers said. “That's like saying a simple head cold is preferable to swine flu.”

While I disagree with both their sentiments, I can understand from where both are coming. Breaking Dawn – Part 2 lacked the luster, which was expected. Every member of the staff who created the movie knew its potential and they failed to create anything extraordinary.

The overall movie quality was poor, but for some reason it attracted a huge audience turnout.

In the first weekend alone “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” easily won the weekend box office with huge sales. In North America the movie grossed $141.3 million and worldwide numbers indicated ticket sales topped $340.9 million.

No one is saying the movie was phenomenal, but it is definitely worth seeing.

Out This Week

See It

Friday, Nov. 30

“Killing Them Softly,” starring Brad Pitt and directed by Andrew Dominik tells the tale of Jackie Cogan, an enforcer investigating a heist during a high-stakes, mobprotected poker game. The movie, based on the 1974 novel “Cogan’s Trade” by George Higgins also stars Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini. It was originally an entry in this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

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Images couresy of IMDB

Rent It

Friday, Nov. 30

“Men In Black III,” the third installment in the sci-fi film series starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, chronicles the continuing adventures of Agent J in his attempts to keep the existence of aliens a secret from the public. Josh Brolin stars as a younger version of Jones’ character. “Men in Black III” revolves around Agent J going back in time to 1969 to stop an alien invasion before it is too late.

Hear It

Friday, Nov. 30

Ke$ha’s second studio album comes two years a fter her first album, “Animal.” Featuring the hit “Die Young,” Ke$ha’s latest album features her familiar dance-pop sound with songwriting from Fun. and The Flaming Lips as well as featuring guest vocals from Iggy Pop. Ke$ha has said her new album was inspired by the sounds of ‘70s rock ’n’ roll, something that her fans will not want to miss.

Read It

Tuesday, Dec. 4

Tom Clancy’s upcoming political thriller, “Threat Vector” fea tures the continuing saga of former CIA agent and president Jack Ryan and his son Jack Jr. This actionpacked installment features a conflict centered on a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and cyberwarfare between the United States and China, upping the ante and raising tensions that could lead to World War III.

Play It

Tuesday, Dec. 4

An open world first-person shooter, “Far Cry 3” has many of the things fans have come to expect from the ongoing franchise. Players will have to save their kidnapped friends and escape from the island setting of the game while bewaring the islands’ inhabitants. The game is rated M for blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, language, sexual content and drug use.

SOLUTIONS AT THENEWS.ORG

SUDOKU

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With Thanksgiving said and well done, it is finally time to turn our attention to my second favorite holiday, Christmas.

I have to admit, I am one of those people who will listen to Christmas music yearSavannah round, no matter the Sawyer season.

Assistant I mean, what other holFeatures Editor iday has its own genre of music? It doesn’t get much better than that.

My all-time favorite Christmas song would have to be Bruce Springsteen’s version of “Merry Christmas Baby,” (my favorite Christmas song is by Springsteen, big surprise there).

The song came from one of the popular christmas albums, “A Very Special Christmas,” which features various artists with each album produced.

Every year, my sister, my mom and I have the tradition of putting up the Christmas decorations around the house while listening to the slew of Christmas albums we own. “A Very Special Christmas” are the ones we gravitate toward first.

Little did I know, the purchase of these albums is going to a great cause.

Co-producers Bobby Shriver, Vicki Iovine, and Paul Marshall got together 25 years ago to put out the first “A Very Special Christmas” album donating all the proceeds to the Special Olympics. The album series is now “the single most successful benefit recording in musical history,” the AVSC website stated.

They were able to get big-named artists such as Madonna, U2, Springsteen and other such musicians along with record labels and producers to donate their time and talent to help put out the album.

“Approximately $109 million in royalties and investment proceeds has been generated by the sale of the AVSC albums to support Special Olympics’ athletes with intellectual disabilities,” the AVSC website stated.

The idea originally came to Jimmy Ivoine, a music producer who has made his career by working with well-known music legends including John Lennon, Springsteen and Tom Petty, after his father passed away. He wanted to give a memorial to him.

His wife, Vicki, volunteers for the Speical Olympics and initially suggested the idea of the money raising Christmas album to her husband.

After receiving approval from Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Founder of the Special Olympics, the Ivoine’s put their plan into action.

One hundred percent of the albums’ proceeds goes directly to the Special Olympics and is disbursed through the Christmas Record Trust Grant Program.

The program distributes the monies made each year through the albums and gives it to the least-advantaged athletes from all over the world who participate in the Special Olympics.

Since the first album dropped in 1987 there have been eight other albums.

This year the 25th Anniversary album was released Oct. 16 and features artists such as Jason Mraz, Train and Christina Aguilera. ssawyer@murraystate.edu

Photos courtesy of Amazon.com

The News

The News

Features

8B

November 30, 2012

&

GLOSS GLAMOUR Murray State Alliance’s semiannual drag show raised $1,539.75 Thursday evening. Performers included Rachael Michaels, Venus Knight, Michelle Starr, Trey Rawlings, Gypsy Red, Aubry La'Shea Shannell, Sapphire Dior, Izabella Edwards, Natalie Symone, Jordan DC Lakes and Justin Beaver.

The show, themed “Glamour,” was directed by Jo Bennett, freshman from Murray. Alliance produces each drag show to provide a majority of their funding for the organization’s activities. Rachael Michaels, a guest performer and Reba McEntire impersonator, was what members referred to as the “star of the show.”

Photos by Kylie Townsend/The News

Pictured are Jordan DC Lakes, top right, Aubry La’Shea Shanell, bottom left and Rachael Michaels, bottom right.

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