The Murray State News

M 100 days of

TRUMP

THE MUR R AY STATE

NEWS

Miss Rodeo USA

Page 9

90 years of excellence

February 2, 2017 | Vol. 91, No. 16

Week 2 A wall, a ban and a whole lot of backlash

Matthew Parks Staff writer cmorris29@murraystate.edu

Rex W. Tillerson, was confirmed on Wednesday as the 69th secretary of state with a 56 to 43 vote. Tillerson is the former chairman and chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp.

His confirmation comes after days of opposition from members of Congress, who are con-

cerned about Tillerson’s history with Russia. Tillerson was given Russia’s Order of Friendship award in 2013 after signing oil deals with the state-owned oil company.

Also this week, President Trump officially nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court to replace Antonin Scalia who passed away last year.

Gorsuch is a conservative

appellate judge from Colorado who, if confirmed, would balance the political ideologies of the court with four conservative-leaning justices and four liberal-minded justices, with one swing vote.

“This has been the most transparent and most important Supreme Court selection process in the history of our country and I wanted the American people to have a voice in this nomination,”

Trump said.

To overcome a filibuster on his nomination, eight Democratic Senators will need to vote in favor of Gorsuch’s nomination along with the 52 Republicans.

THE WALL

The president of Mexico spoke out this week against President Trump’s plans to build the wall between the two countries.

“It is evident that we have dif-

ferences with the new United States government on some issues, such as a wall that Mexico absolutely will not pay for,” Pena Nieto said. “At no time will we accept anything that goes against our dignity as a country and our dignity as Mexicans.”

Economists and Democratic opponents have said that tariffs will only exacerbate the price of imported Mexican goods for Americans.

IMMIGRATION ORDER

On Friday, the president signed an executive order that called for an immediate travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, including: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Under what Trump is calling the “Immigration Order,” vi-

see TRUMP, page 2

Dare to be different: The new life of former Murray State quarterback Zeke Pike Collin Morris || Assistant Sports Editor cmorris29@murraystate.edu

“I remember sitting on my back porch one night with a 9mm handgun on my lap, and crying out for God to either show me a sign, or I would end my own life,” speechless Lyon County High School students heard last Friday as Zeke Pike recited for them his life story.

Just two years ago, in the late spring of 2015, Murray State welcomed a former four-star recruit and Auburn football signee onto its campus. The Racers were to be a third chance at meeting overwhelming expectations for Pike, a 23 year-old quarterback once rated Kentucky’s No. 1 overall recruit.

Rather than a revitalization of his football career, however, Murray ultimately became a

near-death, life-changing experience for Pike.

In 2012, after garnering national attention from elite schools, including Alabama, Florida, Michigan and Southern California, Pike signed with the defending national champion Tigers of Auburn University.

Pike was to succeed then reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, Cam Newton.

After being released from Auburn for public intoxication, Pike returned home to Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, awaiting phone calls from any of the dozens of schools he had once been offered scholarships from. Weeks went by, but in August of 2012, Pike received a call from Charlie Strong, head coach of the University of Louisville Cardinals. It was there that Pike was given a second chance, only to expand his previous addiction beyond alcohol and marijuana into prescription drugs. There, Pike met his girlfriend, Louisville cheerleader Dani Cogsworth, who was also battling drug addiction.

A few months later, in early 2013, a Xanax-induced blackout found Pike face-toface with a telephone pole he had driven himself and Cogsworth into. Both emerged

see PIKE, page 2

Jenny Rohl/The News

Student Government Parking survey proposes price hikes, reserved parking march for higher ed Ashley Traylor Staff writer

Matthew Parks

atraylor@murraystate.edu

Staff writer

mparks6@murraystate.edu

Last week, Murray State’s Parking Office sent a survey to faculty, staff and students proposing a new parking system.

In the survey, students were asked their thoughts on a potential tiered system that would allow students to pay more money for better parking spots.

According to the survey, “The purpose of [the] survey is to determine what type of parking and parking permits our university community prefer. Our ultimate goal is to determine if Murray State University faculty, staff and students are interested in a Multi-tier Parking Permit Option that would offer our customers (faculty/staff/ students) the option to choose not only the type of parking permit but to choose a permit price suitable to their personal needs.”

Currently, Murray State’s parking system assigns each individual who purchases a permit designated zones based on their status as an employee, class designation or residence status.

The proposed multi-tiered system would offer four tiers of parking on both the residential and academic sides of campus.

The four designated tiers are: Reserved – This would be a spot reserved solely for the permit holder in a spot close to a specific building.

Premium – This would reserve certain lots that are closer to specific buildings for pre-

FOLLOW US:

Jenny Rohl/The News

Parking spots in the survey were listed as high as $800+ for spots students and faculty could reserve for the year. mium permit holders on a firstcome, first-serve basis.

Standard – This would allow permit holders to park in on-campus parking that is convenient but not immediately adjacent to academic and residential buildings.

Economy – This would be the least expensive option and would allow the permit holders to park in more distant parking areas at a significantly-reduced price.

“This model would move away from permits being assigned by the individual’s status with the university only,” according to the survey. “And allow the customers to choose the level (parking zone) they would prefer to purchase and park.”

The price ranges set in the

www.TheNews.org

survey vary by the level of the tier: Reserved - $400 - 800+ Premium - $200 - 400+ Prices were not given in the survey for the standard and economy tiers.

Lauren Terpinitz, recent Murray State graduate, said the proposal isn’t feasible for a school the size of Murray State.

“I can see reserved parking at bigger schools that spread across a city,” Terpinitz said.

“But Murray State is almost entirely clustered in one central area, so the idea of someone potentially paying more than $800 for a reserved spot on campus is almost laughable.”

She also said she could see the proposed parking system driving away potential students.

“Murray State already has

@TheMurrayStateNews

a major problem with overcrowded lots and catering to the highest bidding student isn’t going to fix that,” Terpinitz said. “When students who want to live off campus come to tour the school, it won’t take long for them to recognize that issue and that could potentially affect their ultimate decision in what college they want to attend.”

Rikki Crayton, senior from Los Angeles, California, said that while it would be nice to have a closer parking spot, she believes the tiered system would be unnecessarily complicated and favor students with access to higher disposable income.

“Parking at Murray State is a problem and everyone knows

see PARKING, page 2

@MurrayStateNews

Student body presidents from Kentucky’s public universities planned a rally for higher education to take place Feb. 13 in Frankfort at the Capitol rotunda.

Clint Combs, Murray State’s Student Government Association president, said the purpose of the rally is to prioritize education by advocating to stop future cuts to higher education and fulfilling the powerball promise – need-based financial aid that funds grants like the College Access Program (CAP) Grant and the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG).

He said $30 million was diverted from need-based funds to Kentucky’s general fund.

The Board of Student Body Presidents, which comprises Student Government presidents across Kentucky, are taking a two-prong approach: a rally and a petition.

“We feel it is important we clear that up and make sure all that money goes toward those need-based grants and those students who need it,” Combs said.

More importantly, Combs said, their goal is to stop budget cuts to higher education, regardless of it not being a budget year.

“It is never too early to start advocating for the next budget cycle and beginning to plant that seed of the importance of higher education in Kentucky,” Combs said.

@TheMurrayStateNews

He said he thinks legislators believe in higher education, but higher education takes a while to see return benefits.

Combs said when people have some form of education, they are more likely to be employed, paying taxes and bringing in revenue for the state.

“A lot of the things you see as big spenders right now, as you have a more educated electorate, will become smaller and smaller,” Combs said. “However, that takes a while.”

According to a study by The Courier-Journal, Kentucky is ranked No. 46 in education and has the lowest percentage of associate’s and bachelor’s degree holders.

Karen L. Dearing, resident of Murray, said she grew up with parents who taught in higher education.

Her parents reached out to the lower economic classes where she observed the disadvantage of lack of education.

“There are very smart people out there who have made do with extremely little because they never had the opportunity for a proper education, let alone higher education,” Dearing said.

“There is a lot of potential that is wasted because of poverty that prevents obtaining that education.”

Lottery funds that fund financial aid for students are being diverted away from higher education, and

see HIGHER ED, page 2

@MurrayStateNews

The News

News

Page 2

PIKE

February 2, 2017

From Page 1 physically undamaged, but Pike’s football career was severely hindered after the police arrived on scene and charged Pike with a DUI. Pike was then suspended from Louisville’s football team as well. From there, he and Cogsworth departed for Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where Pike was charged with yet another DUI only 14 days later.

Pike enrolled at Sober College and achieved five consecutive months of sobriety, allowing him a 10-day visit home with his parents and girlfriend. Pike said he saw that week and a half as an opportunity to prove to his family his commitment to a new direction, as well as a chance to check on Cogsworth, who had been left to cope with her addiction alone.

Two nights before Pike was supposed to return to treatment, Cogsworth fatally overdosed on heroin. He didn’t go back to Sober College.

“Five months of sobriety and I just lost my best friend and my girlfriend, so the only thing I know to do is to run right back to drugs; now I was a full blown junkie,” Pike said.

Months later, Pike received a phone call and scholar-

TRUMP From Page 1 sa-holders and immigrants from the seven listed nations are prohibited from entering the country.

The order also suspends the United States’ refugee system for 120 days at a time when the global population of individuals living as refugees is at a historic high, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. Currently, refugee intake from Syria is suspended indefinitely.

The order gives preference to Christian refugees from the Middle East over Muslim refugees, while slashing the total number of refugees that will be allowed

HIGHER ED From Page 1 Dearing said, this makes her angry.

“To now find out that those funds are being diverted and not used, as promised, to provide higher education for those poor and vulnerable, who desperately need education to better their lives, and further, that they are the ones most likely paying for whatever those funds are being diverted to, lends weight to my perceived corruptive influence of a lottery,” she said.

Dearing said legislators need to know citizens are dismayed by their actions and they should realize well-educated people typically are not in prison and well-educated citizens provide higher income for taxing them.

Chalice Keith/The News

Now, Pike can be found signing autographs during his speaking tours at local high schools.

ship offer from Murray State football Head Coach Chris Hatcher. Just four months after that, Pike was arrested for his fourth DUI and released from the third football program of his career.

Pike then lost all communication with his parents and resorted to drug dealing to pay his bills and fuel his own overpowering drug addiction.

“I remember sitting on my back porch one night with a 9mm handgun on my lap, and crying out for God to either show me a sign, or I would end my own life,” Pike said.

“And I sit there for a few min-

utes, I take some more pills, and I decide this is it. So I put the clip in my 9mm, take the safety off, put the gun to my head and right before I pull the trigger, my phone rings.”

Pike said the call was from just another addict looking for a fix, but it stopped him long enough to realize he couldn’t allow his mother to find him dead on his porch.

“So, I decide I’m going to get in my truck, drive to the woods and end it once and for all,” Pike said. “Hopefully I’m never found, and if I am then my body is already decayed and I’m not really recognizable.”

On his way away to the woods, and in a haze, Pike was pulled over and arrested for his final time; charged with four felonies and facing 14 years in prison, Pike was able to serve a mere eight months.

“I wish somebody would’ve told me when I was in high school that 90 percent of addiction starts in your teenage years,” Pike said. “I wish someone would’ve came and stood before me like I’m doing today.”

Lyon County joins more than 30 other schools across the southeast that Pike has visited as part of his tour to

into the U.S. during 2017 from 110,000 to 50,000.

Trump called this order – which he has officially titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” – a security measure that is part of a new “extreme vetting” process to “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States.”

Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, expressed her disdain for the new measure during a phone call with Trump Sunday.

Merkel said she believed the global fight against terrorism “does not justify putting people of a specific background or faith under general suspicion.” She also attempted to remind the president of the Geneva Convention’s obligation to take in war refugees on humanitarian grounds.

Protests have erupted across the country in response to the ban, many taking place in airports where refugees and travelers were being detained because of the executive order. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called Trump’s order “a euphemism for Muslim discrimination.”

The long-term effects of the ban are currently uncertain because many organizations have lawsuits in place against the plan and leaders around the world are denouncing the plan as illegal under international human rights laws.

Trump announced to reporters Saturday that he thought the order was “working out very nicely” while also stating that the order is in fact “not a Muslim ban,” as opponents have suggested.

Many students from Louisville, Murray and Bowling Green, Kentucky, signed the petition and expressed their thoughts about higher education.

Kristina Arnold, resident of Bowling Green, Kentucky, commented on the petition that she works with students in higher education and sees they want to attain a better a life through earning a degree.

“Every year, higher education in Kentucky gets more and more expensive for students, and because of strained finances, they become less and less able to achieve their dreams,” Arnold wrote. “Access to public higher education should be a right in Kentucky, not limited to those, who by luck of birth, have families that can afford to send their children to college.”

Murray State student, Gabrielle Tinebra, commented on the petition stating that budget cuts and tuition in-

creases are affecting enrollment and retention at Murray State and how there is a decline in interest of programs because of the rising expenses.

“I’m signing this petition to protect our rights to higher education and show support for the university that I love,” Tinebra wrote.

The petition currently has nearly 800 signatures.

Guest speakers for the rally will include Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, Secretary of State Alison Grimes, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and students from the universities will have an opportunity to speak.

The rally will take place Feb. 13, at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. Students can go to murraystate.edu/rally for links to the Facebook event, petition and interest forms for a ride to Frankfort with SGA.

The Murray State News

Keep up with the news anywhere.

it’s ee

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Jenny Rohl/The News

Pike, who never officially took the field as a Racer, was cut before the start of the 2015 season.

Feb. 7: Lady & The Tramp Feb. 14: Fireproof

promote drug awareness.

Pike says his traveling comes as part of his new initiative, Number 8 Ministries.

“Number 8 stands for new beginnings, which has a lot of biblical meaning behind it, and we’re trying to give people a new opportunity to create a new beginning for their life and give people hope,” Pike said.

Pike said his ministry looks to support all individuals facing addiction or other mental health issues, but his other upcoming project – Replay – will be athlete-oriented with focus on athletes who have

been suspended or kicked off their teams for drug and alcohol-related incidents.

“We’re trying to really give athletes the opportunity to get clean and get their lives back in order, and not have to waste five years of eligibility and then open your eyes and addiction has taken over your life like what happened in my situation,” Pike said.

Pike also said he hopes to meet with the NCAA in the coming months to collaborate in their efforts to fight these diseases.

“If you blow a knee out, you don’t lose a year of eligibility for that, you get a medical redshirt year,” Pike said. “What’s the difference between that and someone who’s trying to better their life, end their addiction and not lose their opportunity to play sports and make their dreams come true?”

While Pike certainly believes there’s more to be done for athletes facing adversity, he said doesn’t fault the programs he previously attended for his own personal struggles, including Murray State.

“There could be more for every university to do to make sure when kids are suspended that they’re bettering themselves and getting the help they need,” Pike said. “But the people at Murray State will always have a special place in my heart.”

PARKING From Page 1

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Tillerson shakes hands with Vladimir Putin, president of Russia.

it,” Crayton said. “And the tiered-system sounds to me like a way to complicate the problem, not solve it.”

Crayton said she believes that rather than try to implement a system to divide up lots based on what a student is willing or able to pay, parking should be expanded using funds from a small increase on the price of every student’s’ parking passes.

“At the end of the day, it’s a question of what kind of message [Murray State] wants to send,” Crayton said. “Do they want to treat students equally or favor the ones who are able to pay them more?”

The News

News

February 2, 2017 News Editor: Abby Siegel Assistant Editor: Alicia Steele Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

POLICE BEAT Jan. 25

10:35 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at 12th and Poplar streets. A citation was issued for failure to wear a seat belt and a report was taken and a citation was issued for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

1:33 p.m. The Murray Police Department reported a vehicle striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk at 16th Street and Howton Agricultural Engineering Building. Officers, Student Affairs and International Student Affairs were notified. The patient was transported by Murray Ambulance Service and a collision report was taken.

Jan. 26

4:49 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at Hart Residential College. Officers and the on-call residence director were notified and an information report was taken.

10:29 p.m. A person reported a possible fight at James H. Richmond Residential College via the LiveSafe app. Officers were notified and a report was taken for harassment and harassment with physical contact.

Jan. 27

1:16 a.m. A residential adviser reported information to Public Safety in reference to the intramural field lights being on. The Central Heating and Cooling Plant was notified.

9:34 p.m. A caller reported an electrical issue on the Pony Express. Officers and the Central Heating and Cooling Plant were notified. The cause of the issue was a mechanical malfunction.

No threat of fire was determined and an information report was taken.

Page 3

1970

Black History Month Lindsey Coleman || Staff writer lcoleman7@murraystate.edu

In 1922, Senate Bill 14 established Murray State as a “normal” school for educating only white future teachers, but since then Murray State has made strides in excelling in the name of racial equality. Sixty-two years after its integration, Murray State celebrates Black History Month and the accomplishments made by African Americans across campus.

According to an article by the History Channel, since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, during which America recognizes the role played by African Americans in shaping the nation’s history.

Murray State has a rich history of honoring African American students and their accomplishments. In Fall 2016, 669 of the 10,495 total students at Murray State were African American. Of those, 40 percent were male and 60 percent were female.

Tevin Crumble, senior from Hickman, Kentucky, is the president of Alpha Phi Alpha on campus. Founded on Dec. 4, 1906, it was the first African American intercollegiate Greek

fraternity. The Zeta Omicron Chapter was chartered on Jan. 11, 1969 at Murray State.

“I feel as if Black History Month is to celebrate and to look back and remember all the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans,” Crumble said. “It’s an informative way to let youth know that regardless of your trials and tribulations, regardless or your upbringing, you can do something with your life.”

He said now is not the time to be timid about racial issues. He said a big part of celebrating Black History Month is reflecting and carrying on the legacy of historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. “We’re still fighting this battle today…” Crumble said. “Being able to be impactful to our community is one way to mitigate what’s going on.”

S.G. Carthell, senior director of Diversity Initiatives in the office of Multicultural Affairs, said they try to celebrate diversity year-round, because history wasn’t made during only a certain month.

Amid talk of immigration reform in the U.S., Carthell said remembering what has been accomplished by immigrants is vital.

“I think that this is a time when you can look back on the contributions that folks have made, people of color – particularly African Americans, and make that connection to why things like diversity are important,” Carthell said. “If you’d look at what we would not have without those contributions or how much longer it might have taken for us to get to where we got, then you can see the value of it.”

Carthell said we need to have a clear understanding of where we’ve been in order to understand where we want to go with all the things we’re facing as a nation.

To commemorate Black History Month, the office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting several events, including the yearly African American Read-In in the Tennessee Room on Feb. 15, and the Black Student Council will be hosting a panel discussion about the movie “13th Amendment.”

1955 First African American Student: Mary Ford Holland, 1955 Holland enrolled at the age of 48. She graduated in August of 1961, earning her Bachelor of Science. She retired from teaching in 1972.

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First African American Student-Athlete: Dennis Jackson, 1960 Jackson competed in football as well as track and field and was named a member of the All-OVC football team in 1964. He has worked as a sports official, teacher and coach, while receiving numerous honors such as induction into the Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Jan. 28

1:45 a.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Hester College. Officers, Murray-Calloway County Ambulance Service and Student Affairs were notified. The patient refused transport and a medical report was taken.

12:42 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at Payne Street and White Residential College. A verbal warning was issued for failure to wear a seat belt.

1969 First African American Miss MSU: c Dennis Ja

Thornton was a first-generation college student who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Murray State before earning her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

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1961 First African American Graduate:

Jan. 29

1:22 a.m. Public Safety received an emergency call box activation in the Wellness Center parking lot with a negative response. Officers were notified.

11:47 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop on North 17th Street and Ryan Avenue. A citation was issued for second-offense failure of owner to maintain required insurance, no registration receipt and no registration plate. The driver was arrested on a warrant for multiple traffic offenses.

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Jerry Sue Thornton, 1969

Nancy Tyler Demartra, 1961 Demantra graduated on May 29, 1961 with a bachelor’s in elementary education, and later earned a master’s in education in 1963.

1970 First African American Professor: Ernest T. Brooks, 1970

According to the Board of Regents minutes from the March 30, 1970 meeting, Brooks was hired at Murray State as an Assistant Professor in the Guidance and Counseling Department.

Jan. 30

10:46 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop in the Bradley Bookstore parking lot. A verbal warning was issued for careless driving.

11:35 p.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Hart Residential College. Officers and Murray-Calloway County Ambulance Service were notified. The patient refused transport and a medical report was taken.

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Jan. 31

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4:11 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at White Residential College. Officers were notified and an information report was taken.

10:29 p.m. A caller requested an escort to a residential college.

Racer Patrol was notified.

Library

First African American Homecoming Queen: Yvette Payne, 1980 Payne was crowned Homecoming Queen at a Murray State vs. Middle Tennessee football game. She was a business management major from Joppa, Illinois.

Alicia Steele, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Love Police Beat?

You can check it out every week online, too, on TheNews.org.

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2007

First African American Homecoming King: Phillip DuVentre, 2007 The title of Homecoming King was established in 2001.

DuVentre received his bachelor’s degree at Murray State, earned his master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida International University.

Page 4

February 2, 2017

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Hallie Beard Phone: 270-809-5873

­

Our View

Connor Jaschen Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 cjaschen@murraystate.edu

Abby Siegel

The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Parking: still problematic

News Editor • 270-809-4468 asiegel@murraystate.edu

Hallie Beard Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 hbeard2@murraystate.edu

Gisselle Hernandez Features Editor • 270-809-5871 ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Sarah Combs Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 scombs@murraystate.edu Selena McPherson /The News

Kelsey Watznauer Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 kwatznauer@murraystate.edu

Austin Gordon Online Editor/Advertising Production • 270-809-5877 agordon4@murraystate.edu

Nahiomy Gallardo Advertising Sales Manager • 270-809-4478 msunewsads@gmail.com

McKenna Dosier Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 mdosier@murraystate.edu

Allison Laski Chief Videographer alaski@murraystate.edu

Stephanie Elder-Anderson Adviser • 270-809-3937 selder@murraystate.edu

The News

After years of hearing the desperate cries of parking-challenged students echo through the gloomy valleys of Murray, the Murray State Parking Office responded.

“Ha!” the officers said, laughing and counting their tear-soaked dollars. “You want change? You got it.”

Enter the Parking Survey, which was sent to all Murray State students, faculty and staff on Jan. 26.

The survey inquires how interested participants would be in a multi-tier parking system based on cost rather than status. This means both students and staff could select virtually any parking permit they wanted – reserved, premium, standard or economy – and therefore park closer to the buildings they frequent.

That is, in a perfect blue and gold world where our basketball team wins the OVC, Winslow Dining Hall becomes a five-star restaurant and the Faculty Hall elevators become teleportation pods.

Initially, the proposed change

2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175

The News strives to be the university community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate.

The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

The survey prompts participants to answer how much they’d be willing to pay for reserved or premium spots, and the cost ranges from $200 to $800. It doesn’t take an accountant to figure out that the people who could really benefit from having a reserved spot – say, a young mother who commutes and brings her child to campus, a professor who travels hours per day or a student with a physical disability who doesn’t have access to one of the few handicap spots – probably don’t have an extra $800 lying around to shell out.

Consider, too, the hidden Opportunity that could be afforded with this potential change: a redesigning, rebranding and repainting of all parking zone signs around campus. That work doesn’t happen overnight, and it won’t come for free, but leave it to Murray State to spend an exorbitant amount of time and money on something as trivial as zoning signs.

To Murray State officials reading this, listen up: you misheard our cries. We don’t want to spend more on parking and university fees, we want to spend less. We don’t to be forced further away from our buildings based on inability to pay or housing status.

We want to improve the mess that already exists, not create a new one that is wildly more expensive and exclusive.

Additionally, the university’s transportation issues span far beyond student parking. International students – most of whom don’t have cars – struggle to make it around campus and the city using the shoddy bus system, but it doesn’t look like any extravagant proposals to help that population are in the works.

If you want more money out of us, so be it. It’s a request (read: demand) we’re well acquainted with by now. But we won’t be easy customers. You might just have to run us over and pry the checks from our cold, dead hands.

Between You and Media

Battle of the demos

TheNews.org The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the university. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to hbeard2@murraystate.edu.

Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.

to our problematic parking system sounds promising – under this system, faculty and staff wouldn’t be the only ones to grace the coveted Blue Zone (essentially “Reserved”) spots.

Who would take over those spots? Wealthy tenured professors and Gucci-clad freshmen whose parents slide hundreds in their care baskets when en route to their two-story lakehouse.

The university’s proposal – while not official or set in stone – would only benefit the university in the form of cold, hard cash and not the students who have already paid more than enough for a colored piece of reflective plastic.

If the university wanted to have more of a financial cushion for the Parking Office, maybe they should have been a bit more careful in the planning process.

We haven’t forgotten the Parking Tag Debacle of 2016, in which the university wasted $14,000 on parking tags that were a size too big. #NeverForget.

Rachel Wood || Contributing writer rwood7@murraystate.edu Press conferences are a hot topic right now, but the mere concept of the press conference has changed over the past several decades, perhaps most visibly in the entertainment media industry.

Video game press conferences, with their extravagant stage demos and famous montages, give us an interesting example of what the press conference has become – for better or worse. But first, a little background: In summer 1995, the Interactive Digital Software Association (now the ESA) held the first Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the original consumer electronics conference completely dedicated to video games. Open only to industry professionals, E3 has been held every year since and has become the primary venue for some of the largest game announcements in history.

The audience these stage presentations cater to has evolved over time due to the rising interest in the video game industry. When the conference was not broadcast live to the general public, as was the case in its first 10 years of existence, getting accurate and exciting information to reporters was key. These audience members would be the voices that

got the first tidbits of news out to consumers at large. Information overshadowed theatrics.

Then, in 2005, the conference was broadcast live on TV, followed by an added online broadcast several years later. Essentially, they cut out the middleman – generating hype directly from potential buyers was now the primary objective. Bring on the elephants and flash-mobs.

In 2013, Nintendo made a shocking announcement – they would not be presenting on stage for the first time in 18 years. Instead, they opted to broadcast an entirely digital conference, the “Nintendo Direct,” to showcase their upcoming titles.

On the one hand, these pre-recorded presentations make these exhibitions almost foolproof; there’s no room for on-stage mishaps, like Naughty Dog’s infamous controller malfunction during the live “Uncharted 4” demo at E3 2015. However, the demo-heavy video reel seemed to pale in comparison to other companies’ extravagant shows. For many, simply broadcasting over an hour of gameplay demos can feel like a glorified infomercial.

So, who has the right idea here? With viewers at home watching alongside the press and conference attendees, are theatrics and celebrity speakers the way to go? Or do gameplay

demos hold more weight? I think these companies should look at meeting in the middle.

Both keynoters and gameplay are essential to generating anticipation for new titles. The people behind these games need to be sharing their passion with viewers – the creator of the platformer game “Unravel,” for instance, became an instant hit at EA’s 2015 conference because of his excitement and passion for his creation. Bringing creators and directors into the mix, instead of CEOs and celebrities, allows audiences to develop more of a connection with these new titles.

While gameplay is important, too much can be a bad thing. Games are obviously a hands-on medium, so even watching someone play a live demo can fall flat. These companies should consider using their broadcast time to show early bits of gameplay but make playable demos of games closer to completion available to viewers at home.

So, while Ubisoft’s outrageous songand-dance numbers may bring some entertainment to viewers, it doesn’t do much to generate intrigue in the game itself. Sometimes, brief stories from creators, exciting gameplay clips and playable content are all that’s really needed to promote video games directly to the public. I’d still be OK with a good montage, though.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Hallie Beard Opinion Editor

Dylan Doyle Junior from Marion, KY

John Muenzberg Lecturer of philosophy

Robert Valentine Senior lecturer of advertising

Rachel Wood Junior from Birmingham, AL

The News

Opinion

February 2, 2017

Trump followed through

Some Things Considered Hallie Beard || Opinion Editor hbeard2@murraystate.edu

During the election season, there was a Maya Angelou quote that circulated around Facebook walls and opinion sections, primarily focused on Trump: “If someone shows you who they are, believe them.”

Last week, Trump signed an executive order banning travel from seven Muslim -majority countries – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lybia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It’s quickly been coined as a “Muslim ban,” though President Trump and his sidekicks vehemently deny it.

The man now sitting in the Oval Office certainly showed the American people his true colors on several occasions. But now, the show time is over. He’s taking action, and there’s no more room for giving him the benefit of the doubt.

When he used hateful and generalized anti-Muslim and anti-refugee rhetoric during his campaign, we didn’t want to believe him.

I, for one, certainly opted for looking at his entire existence as a joke – I never dreamed

Page 5

he’d make it as far as he did or actually get elected. And yet, here we are, facing a leader who is actively trying to wiggle his way around the parameters of our Constitution.

Besides keeping travelers from those countries out of the U.S. for a 90-day period and keeping refugees out indefinitely, he has also made it possible to investigate the social media and phone records of visa applicants from those countries.

The president has claimed again and again that the ban is not religion-centered and therefore not a violation of the Constitution – but his favoritism toward Christian-identifying travelers and shady, invasive search proposals have made it clear that what he implied during his campaign season is true: in his eyes, all Muslims and/or refugees are radical, violent extremists who are probably pledging their lives to ISIS and

want to destroy the “real” Americans who speak English and wear MAGA hats.

It’s ugly, it’s fallacious and it’s anti-American.

This history has been beaten into our heads since elementary school, but it never hurts to remind ourselves: when colonists came to settle in America, they were escaping governmental and religious oppression and seeking freedom. We all know this in our heads, but do we accept this in our hearts? If Trump is truly a patriot who understands and values the history of our country, shouldn’t he be advertising America to outsiders as the promised land? Shouldn’t he be using his supposed business skills to let more citizens of the world become citizens of our great country?

When people show you who they are, believe them.

- Maya Angelou

I had thoughts of this when he first started running, but more and more, Trump’s political ideology and actions are leaning toward that of a young Adolf Hitler who wanted to wipe out groups of people altogether. He said in his inauguration address that he would “eradicate radical Islamic terrorism from the face of the Earth,” but what does that mean if he believes all Muslims are radical terrorists?

Surely you can make that connection.

For those of you who laugh at this column and think my view of Trump is skewed or too infused with millennial snowflake-isms, just replace his name with some politician you don’t like. If a politician you opposed made these statements and took these actions against a group you’re a part of (revisit the Hitler reference!), you’d be horrified and disgusted.

Don’t let your party affiliation blind you from the extremely unconstitutional efforts of our new commander in chief. Listen to what he’s telling you. Believe others, and believe him. The first step in making a change is admitting there is a problem, and this is a big one.

Jeers to ... More mold

Cheers to ... History!

Word on the street is that there’s black mold in some science labs.

Seriously? We thought the Springer Residential College situation last semester was enough mold to hold everyone over – but I guess we just have a special relationship with that spore-loving little buddy.

When will this breakup be final?

February is Black History Month, so crack open a textbook and learn up. Don’t come at us with that, “Where’s white history month?” because it’s all the time. Realize it’s important to be empathetic, open-minded and willing to learn and that what we’ve been taught is not always the full story. Learn something new!

Cheers to ... Holidays

CHEERS & JEERS

We know, it’s a bit early to start celebrating Valentine’s Day, but Walmart has already brought out the heart-shaped boxes and little love letter stationary kits, so we can’t help it. It’s the most adorable holiday that exists, decoration-wise, and there’s always a ton of chocolate. What’s not to love?

Got opinions?

WRITE

Jeers to ... Elevators It seems like the Faculty Hall elevators never fail to let us down. If you haven’t heard the drilling and various mechanical noises, maintenance is working hard to repair them. But, it sure makes waiting for that magic arrow a lot more painful.

TO US!

Cheers & Jeers is written by The Murray State News’ Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to hbeard2@murraystate.edu Rational Animal

Trying to prove a negative John Muenzberg Contributing writer jmuenzberg@murraystate.edu Last fall, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election, but she did receive almost three million more votes than Republican candidate Donald Trump. After the election, then President-elect Donald Trump tweeted that he would have won the popular vote if it had not been for 2-3 million illegal votes cast.

In response, reporters and congressmen asked for the evidence of such cheating. This is understandable, as several million illegal votes would be an unprecedented level of voter fraud. Despite regular allegations of voter fraud, the number of illegal votes cast is usually in the single digits, not in the millions.

The more interesting response came from people who challenged media criticism and asked for evidence that there was not illegal voting. They thought that if nobody can prove that there was not illegal vot-

ing, then we should accept that illegal voting did happen.

This type of argument is a fallacy, known as an argument from ignorance. The typical form of an argument from ignorance is to assert that something must be true because there is no evidence proving it to be false. The reason that this is a fallacy is that the argument form can be used to prove either side of an argument.

If you accuse someone of cheating, you might argue that since they cannot prove their innocence, then they are guilty. They in return can argue that since there is no evidence they did cheat, then they did not. The lack of evidence should result in no conclusion being drawn, not evidence for one side or another.

This is why U.S. courts require the prosecutor to prove someone’s guilt in court. Guilt requires positive evidence of guilt, not simply a lack of exculpatory evidence.

But the argument from ignorance is also central to arguments called conspiracy theories. The term is not

restricted to actual conspiracies, but also includes complex arguments with only circumstantial evidence.

Such arguments have a peculiar status because the lack of concrete evidence actually makes them harder to deny.

On Dec. 4, 2016, Edgar Welch entered a pizza restaurant in Washington, reportedly to investigate a supposed child sex ring run out of the location. Edgar Welch is alleged to have fired three shots from a rifle, although nobody was hurt.

Welch became convinced the pizza restaurant was engaging in illegal activity because various people interpreted leaked emails and decorations at the restaurant as symbols of abuse.

That no actual victims or witnesses came forward did not deter Welch.

Welch was convinced not by evidence for a sex ring, but rather by interpretations of ordinary things to signify something sinister. Given the lack of evidence, he and others interpreted the symbols to agree with their worldview. If I think the govern-

Letter to the Editor

From Stanley Jointer, Assistant Professor of Computer Science:

I’m writing regarding a survey put out by the Parking Office, which is created to judge interest in changing from the current, permit-based system to a system based on ability to pay. The system that the survey suggests implementing has a multifold effect on our campus community and is detrimental to us all.

Most importantly, creating a system that is based on the ability to pay will automatically be detrimental to most students. Given the price tiers for the proposed

“reserved” and “premium” class of parking, which range from double to octuple (eight times the current price) of the current faculty parking, one can only assume that students will take the option for the proposed “economy” classification.

Given the current location of various parking lots and the concept that reserved and premium parking will likely be located in lots that are currently used by faculty and staff, we can only assume that economy parking will be located in places that are utterly disturbing with regards to students reaching class on time. The amount of time it will take for students to find a parking space in these economy class park-

ing lots will further take away from their class and study times, all because they cannot afford $800 to park in a closer location. And allow me to briefly mention the increase in fender-benders as more people compete for fewer and spaces further away from the classes as well as the increase in stress level all around.

Secondly, and I admit a little selfishly as a professor, raising prices on faculty and staff so that they can park in locations where we always parked before, and with a multiplier of eight(!), is detrimental to professors being able to start courses on time. I refuse to pay $800 just to park in the location that I currently

We want to hear from you!

ment is nefarious, then I think NASA faked the Moon landing. If I think that my president is ruthless, then I think that lack of evidence is evidence of murder. If I am convinced that my partner is a cheater, then small problems become evidence of my prior assumptions.

That Barack Obama’s birth certificate was an issue is evidence that people already assumed he was a foreigner. Even though candidates do not normally release their birth certificates, the lack of evidence was taken as positive evidence of illegitimacy. Even the release of his birth certificate did not dissuade some critics.

This is why we must guard against the argument from ignorance. It is easy to assume the world is exactly as we think it is. But this leads us to falsehoods and conspiracies. It is harder to only accept those conclusions that we have evidence for. But this is the way that leads to truth.

SEE PAGE 4 FOR DETAILS

The Murray State News Wilson Hall Murray KY 42071

park in, which, I may add, requires me to be on campus at 7:30 a.m. as it is. I shouldn’t be required to arrive at 6:30 a.m. or walk to work, which I’m lucky enough to be able to do in a pinch...not daily, simply because the Parking Office wants to disguise a parking permit price increase as reserved or premium parking while accentuating the divide between those who have and those who have not. As a professor, I might be able to afford $800 a year. I’m pretty certain that my department’s administrative assistant cannot.

Finally, parking issues can be alleviated simply by letting me know which lots have available space in them, so I can drive directly to that

lot to park. If, for whatever reason, I’m running behind, I’d much rather know that there are no spaces available on University Drive, and I should proceed directly to Main Street or 15th Street parking. Such a system saves me time and frustration, which are the real issues with parking. It’s not the locations or not enough parking, but more so it’s not knowing where the parking spots are.

I strongly urge all readers to tell the Parking Office to think of a different solution to perceived parking issues than to increase the divisions between students, staff and faculty by creating a parking system based on wealth.

Page 6

February 2, 2017

The News

Sports Editor: Sarah Combs Assistant Sports Editor: Collin Morris Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews

Sports ­­

@MSUSportsNews

#nationalsigningday2017 The Murray State football team welcomes new players to program

Blake Sandlin Staff writer

bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

Bryan Edwards Staff writer

bedwards16@murraystate.edu

The Murray State football program celebrated national signing day on Wednesday, welcoming 26 new recruits to the 2017 class of Racers.

The Racers finished the 2016 season with a 4-7 record. Head Coach Mitch Stewart knew what he needed to aim for in the offseason to invigorate his team.

“We needed to target a quarterback to try to get someone to fill in KD’s spot,” Stewart said.

“We wanted to get more speed on the field on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. The other big target was the offensive line. We wanted to bring some lineman in and so far I think we’ve done that.”

Stewart said his decision-making process when recruiting players comes down to three things.

“We have kind of a three-tier system, kind of like building a house,” Stewart said. “The foundation is the off-the-field character. So, how does he treat his mom? Is he a good citizen? A good person? Those types of things.”

Stewart then expanded on his analogy, again emphasizing the personalities of the recruits he looks at.

“The body of the house is the on the field character,” Stewart said. “Does he work hard, does he watch film, does he try to get better?

We feel if those two things are solid, that’s how you build that house. His ability is the ceiling.

If the kid can play, he will only see that ability out so high if his foundation stinks.”

Prior to national signing day, Stewart was able to convince five players to bring their talents to Murray State. Offensive lineman J.R. Burns of Northwest Community College and defensive end Kenney Wooten of Itawamba Community College were among the first transfer players to join the 2017 class.

Wooten was the 235th ranked prospect in 2017 and ranked as the 11th outside linebacker by 24/7 Sports. Burns was ranked 356th in the class and was the sixth ranked center in the 2017 class.

Shuler Bentley, a redshirt junior quarterback from Old Dominion University, and Pres-

The Murray State attraction: “opportunity” Blake Sandlin Staff writer

bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

One of the most noticeable things about the Murray State’s men’s basketball roster is the number of transfer players. Seven out of 12 players previously attended a different college. But this abundance of incoming players asks the obvious question, “Why is the Murray State men’s basketball team so magnetic for transfers?”

Each player came from a different environ-

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ton Rice, an early graduate quarterback from Wayne County High School also made decisions to join the Racers. University of Georgia defensive back, Rico McGraw, made the commitment to transfer to Murray State, joining his brother, sophomore Mareio McGraw.

Stewart said the addition of these players so early in the year is beneficial because of the added experience the players get during spring football.

“Obviously it helps getting them in in the spring because they’re going to have a little more time rather than bringing them in in the summer, so I feel good about that,” Stewart said.

On national signing day, Murray State gained a plethora of incoming recruits to the class of 2017. The lineman signees included Shane Walker, from Bartlett, Illinois, Austin Daulton, from Burnside, Kentucky, Jacob Vance, from Prospect, Kentucky, Davian Phillips, from Cadiz, Kentucky, Mitch Ponder, from Glasgow, Kentucky, Jaquez Hill, from Pleasant Grove, Alabama, and Levi Nesler, from Mayfield, Kentucky.

The Racers picked up a field of receivers as well, signing Rodney Castille, from Humboldt, Tennessee, Austin Thomas, from Dresden, Tennessee, Alec Raboin, from Mattoon, Illinois, Corey Jones, from Memphis, Tennessee, Dequan Dallas, from Memphis, Tennessee, CJ Henagan, from Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Kylan Martin, from Humboldt, Tennessee.

The team also signed a group of running backs to add some depth to their roster. DJ Penick, from Highland Park, Illinois, Christian Ballard, from Jackson, Tennessee and Trajon Bright, from Mayfield, Kentucky were among those signed on Wednesday.

Stewart made some improvements to his secondary, signing several defensive backs, including Tristan Bonnstetter, from Jackson, Tennessee, Qmond Woods, from McComb, Mississippi, Don Parker, from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Juwon Hayes-Keyes, from Mt. Olive, Mississippi.

Other recruits who signed with the Racers include Jeremy Bumpus, from Union City, Tennessee, Chandler Moody, from Brentwood, Tennessee, Colin Boyd, from Springfield, Illinois and Corey Newbie, from Jackson, Tennessee.

With the addition of these new signees, Stewart hopes to propel his team to the best they can be when they take the field later in the year.

ment. With four true freshman, four Division I transfers and three junior college transfers, the Racers’ diversity is evident.

Head Coach Matt McMahon said recruiting a transfer is beneficial because they already have a taste of the college environment. Along with experience, McMahon said sitting out their redshirt year can be to their advantage.

“If they do it right, they can take advantage of their sit out year to get in the gym and get better as a player,” McMahon said. “Committing to the strength and conditioning program with Coach [David] Land and improving their bodies, as well as learning the system.”

Junior guard Jonathan Stark experienced this process last year, sitting out the entire 2015-16 season because of ineligibility after transferring from Tulane. Stark is now averaging 20.7 points per game with a season high 32 points against South Dakota State.

After making the decision to transfer from Tulane, Stark said he received attention from several schools in the SEC and the ACC, but his deciding factor in making the switch to Murray State came after persuasion from a former Racer.

Shuler Bentley @ShulerB19

Happy and excited to continue my education and football career at Murray State University #GoRacers

# #Comm17ToTheRace

Preston Rice @psrice5

#ThrowYourRock

Blessed to say I am committing to Murray State and will be enrolling in January! #TYR #AGTG

DJ Penick

#NSD17

@Dpenick15 The next chapter in my life! Thank you all for your support! Proud to be a Racer #throwtherock #comm17totherace @CoachKPark @CoachDawkins1

“I used to play with Cameron Payne when I was younger in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union),” Stark said. “I talked to him and his dad and they told me that I shouldn’t go to any other place. I felt like this was the right program for me.”

McMahon says the success of past transfer student-athletes has helped to pave the way towards Murray State becoming a hotspot for players looking for a change of scenery.

“I think they see the success that previous transfers have had here at Murray State with guys like TJ Sapp and Isaac Miles and many others, and they’re looking to do the same things,” McMahon said.

For players like senior guard Bryce Jones, the journey to Murray State wasn’t as easy.

After high school, Jones made his way to Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, and he never believed that he would end up at a Division I school like Murray State.

“Before high school, you always dream of playing DI basketball, but not a lot of people can make it there,” Jones said. “So finding out you have to play JUCO and realizing you don’t have a straight shot to get there was

Super Bowl

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#AGTG

#TYR

hard, but to finally get here is a sigh of relief.”

Jones said schools like Baylor, Florida State and Purdue began to notice his talent at Jones County Junior College, but after seeing the jump that Racer point guards like Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne made to the pros, it was an easy decision for him.

“I thought it was a no brainer, being as this is a point guard school,” Jones said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I was going to play right away and be able to be out there to get the full experience. Murray State was just always there. I waited to sign late so that I could see who was going to stick around, and Murray didn’t go anywhere.”

As for what attracts players to a mid-major school like Murray State, Jones’ summed up everything that makes Murray State special for an incoming player.

“This is a winning program,” Jones said.

“We have great tradition. A lot of pros come out of here, whether it’s the NBA or overseas. Most importantly, their fan base is like no other. They take us in like family. They really take care of you. This really is a great place to be if you want to play basketball.”

Patriots Appearances

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Artwork courtesy of Jack Kurzenknabe

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The News

Sports

February 2, 2017

Page 7

Miller Jr. leads team with career high stats Bryan Edwards Staff Writer

bedwards16@murraystate.edu

The Murray State men’s basketball team went back to their winning ways in a matchup against the UT Martin Skyhawks after losing two consecutive games.

The Racers defeated the Skyhawks 94-86 behind a strong second half by junior forward Terrell Miller Jr., who had 19 points in the second half and a season high 30 for the game.

Head Coach Matt McMahon said he was pleased with the way the team prepared after falling in the final minutes to Southeast Missouri State.

“I was proud of the way the guys bounced back from Thursday night,” McMahon said. “After a disappointing night, we came in and practiced well and it transferred to the game tonight.”

Despite trailing by five at the 7:39 mark, the Racers were able to jump out to an eight-point, 49-41 lead with 40 seconds left in the first half. A layup by Skyhawks’ senior forward Javier Martinez and a half-court shot from senior guard Jacolby Mobley as time expired saw that lead fall to 49-46 to end the first 20 minutes of play.

The Racers were led by senior guard Damarcus Croaker at the half. Croaker recorded 12 points on 86 percent shooting and had the team high with 4 rebounds.

The Racers started the second half on an 11-4 run to jump their lead to 60-50 and extended their lead to as much as 19 points at 87-68.

The Racers have struggled at the start of the second half lately, giving up leads in back-to-back games at the start of the

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Junior forward Terrell Miller Jr. elevates above UT Martin player to draw a foul at the CFSB Center. half. Miller said they changed things up a little at halftime. The team went to the practice gym and ran drills before the second half to stay loose for the rest of the game.

“We didn’t sit and talk about in the locker room during the half,” Miller said. “We went to the gym and did little workouts so we could stay loose and it worked.”

The Skyhawks inched back into the game but were never be able to get the deficit within seven and the Racers held

on to take the game 94-86 and remain tied for first place in the OVC Western Division.

Miller was one of the four Racers who recorded double figures in the game. The Racers shot 60 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arc.

The win gets the Racers back over .500 and puts them at 6-3 in the OVC. The Racers will stay at home at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 as they will host the OVC-leading Belmont Bruins in the CFSB Center.

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Variational congruency: juxtaposed, sports and politics Collin Morris

Assistant Sports Editor cmorris29@murraystate.edu

Both commonly involve two teams competing for superiority; both necessitate support of the masses to thrive and succeed. However, in the political arena, these teams do not just need their supporters to stand idle, cheering from the sidelines.

It is vital for America’s constituency to engage and hold its “team” (and opponents) responsible. It is the duty of a responsible American citizen to be informed and prepared to challenge elected officials for their actions, whether it be with phone calls, protests, social media posts or their own grassroots campaign.

Generally speaking, many Americans have been active in the early days of Donald Trump’s presidency. With the record-breaking Women’s March as just one example, unrest from various wings of the American electorate is palpable. And while some would say others have been too swift to contradict, the Trump administration continues to raise new issues.

Most recently, Trump has sparked controversy with his self-proclaimed “ban” on immigration from Muslim-majority countries.

“The order also stops the admission of refugees from Syria indefinitely, and bars entry into the United States for 90 days from seven predominantly Muslim countries linked to concerns about terrorism. Those countries are Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen,” according to the New York Times.

Read more at TheNews.org.

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Page 8

February 2, 2017

Coaches v. Cancer Staff Report

choice of sneaker to spread awareness and advocate for the American Cancer Society’s mission.

“The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy

Suits and Sneakers is a weeklong Coaches v. Cancer event hosted nationwide by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Coaches across the nation suit up head to squeaky toe with their

living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs,” according to cancer.org.

Both basketball programs of Murray State supported the event to wrap up the last week of January, sporting their choice of sneaker under their dress slacks.

Head coach of the men’s basketball team Matt McMahon laced up a pair of Cool Grey Jordan Future and Head coach of the women’s team Rob Cross wore Nike Air Max. To learn more or donate to the Coaches v. Cancer program, visit coachesvscancer.org Chalice Keith/The News

Update on D1 recruit, Rico McGraw Thundering Herd Bryan Edwards

program with him,” Stewart said. “He had the opportunity to play with his brother and he had the chance to play a lot. I don’t think he was going to have the opportunity to play a lot and be the guy down there, so he wanted to make a move while he still had years left and he found a situation where he could come to play with his brother and we welcomed him with open arms.”

Mareio McGraw said he is happy to be playing on the same team as his brother again. The brothers played football together in high school.

“It’s exciting and it’s been too long since we’ve played together,” Mareio said. “The team is happy to have him here and we’re all ready to get to work this offseason.”

McGraw played two seasons for the Bulldogs, including a breakthrough freshman year, when he played in nine games and started in five, recording 20 tackles and four pass break-ups.

After having a successful freshman year, McGraw only played in two games for Georgia in his sophomore season and announced his intent to transfer from the program at the end of the year.

McGraw wasn’t the only player to leave the Bulldogs football program this offsea-

Staff writer bedwards1@murraystate.edu

With National Signing Day approaching for all football programs in the country, the Racers added a four-star transfer from the Stewart University of Georgia to their steadily-building recruiting class for the 2017 season.

Head Coach Mitch Stewart announced Jan. 23 that Rico McGraw, sophomore defensive back and older brother of Racer running back Mareio McGraw, has decided to transfer to Murray State and has enrolled in classes for the Spring 2017 semester.

“We’re glad to have him on the team,” Stewart said.

“He’s a tremendous player and a tremendous person in general and we think he is going to be a major impact on this team.”

Stewart noted McGraw’s decision to transfer to Murray State was a personal decision.

“His relationship with all of the players and coaches at Georgia was great and there were no issues within the

son, defensive backs Juwuan Briscoe and Kirby Choates, wide receiver Shaquery Wilson and linebacker Shaun McGee all have also decided to transfer from Georgia for unspecified reasons.

Recruited as an athlete out of high school, McGraw attended Ensworth School.

He recorded 875 all-purpose yards with seven touchdowns on the offensive end in his junior season, while recording three interceptions, five pass deflections and 29 tackles defensively.

He helped lead the Tigers to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Division II Class-AA State Championship that season as well.

As a senior, he helped his team record a 10-2 record with 16.5 tackles, three deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery before falling short of a second straight state championship.

Before committing to Georgia, McGraw was a consensus four-star rated prospect out of high school, ranked 144th in the 24/7 sports rankings and the sixth ranked recruit in the state of Tennessee, where he was a member of the Tennessee Sports Writer Association All-State Team in 2013 and 2014.

He originally committed to play for the University of

Alabama, before switching his commitment to Georgia when Coach Kirby Smart left Alabama to become the head coach of the Bulldogs the following season.

Along with those honors, he was selected to participate in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, in which the best high school prospects are invited to play one final game in front of college scouts from all over the country.

Stewart said that the recruiting process has some slight changes when dealing with a transfer student than with a high school prospect.

“There isn’t a difference when it comes to actually recruiting him to play but there are some issues with contacting the player,” Stewart said. “We have to get permission from the school to meet with him and the player has to send their release forms before we can start with any recruiting.”

McGraw will have two years of football eligibility left and will be available to play in the upcoming season.

This won’t be the last time McGraw sees his former teammates. The Racers are currently scheduled to face the Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia in the opening weeks of the 2018 season, which will be McGraw’s senior season.

Blake Sandlin || Staff writer bsandlin1@murraystate.edu

Murray State’s track and field traveled to Marshall University last weekend to compete in the two-day Marshall Thundering Herd Invitational.

The invitational, which was held at the Chris Cline Complex in Huntington, West Virginia, had the Racers matched up with competition such as Georgia State, University of Cincinnati and Lehigh University in their fourth meet of the indoor season.

The Racers’ notable performances from the sprinters included sophomore Jabreuna Brimlett’s third place finish out of 44 runners in the preliminary round of the 60meter hurdles. She qualified for the finals, finishing in 8.76 seconds. Brimlett was unable to carry her momentum into the final heat, however, and she finished last out of eight runners with a 9.19-second sprint.

In the field events, freshman Hope Tewes finished in 12th out of 25 athletes in women’s high jump, finishing with a mark of 1.60 meters. In the shot put finals, sophomore Christina Meinhardt recorded a mark of 11.97 meters.

Moving to distance, the Racer’s recorded some of their fastest finishes, with junior Meagan Smith in the

5000-meter run finals finishing with a team high seventh place out of 43 runners, recording a time of 17:52.89. Her teammate, junior Rebekah Priddy, finished close behind, claiming an eighth-place finish with a time of 17:58.28.

Sophomore Ida Mutai finished 21st with a 18:34.01.

In the one-mile run, Priddy finished 23rd out of 51 runners with a time of 5:12.29 in the finals after recording an eighth place finish in the preliminary heat. In the 800meter run, freshman Hilary McAdam finished second in her preliminary round, running a 2:18.88. McAdam secured a 14th-place finish out of 49 runners.

The Racers’ team of sophomore Aubrey Main, freshman Yazmine Home, freshman D’Myia Thornton and McAdam finished in 17th place out of 27 teams in the 4x400 meter relay, finishing in 4:06.27.

Head Coach Jenny Swieton said she was pleased with her team’s improvement.

“I am very happy with our continued progress,” Swieton said. “We had a lot of personal records and collegiate bests set this weekend.”

Murray State will be back in action next week when the team hits the track at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, for the Don DeNoon Invitational hosted by Southern Illinois.

February Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday 1

WBB @ Morehead State

2

MBB v. Belmont

Friday 3

Tennis @ Evansville Track @ Southern Illinois

Saturday 4

2017 OVC Rifle Championship (Smallbore) @ Morehead State WBB v. Belmont

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2017 OVC Rifle Championship (Air Rifle) @ Morehead State

Rifle v. West Virginia Softball @ Mercer Invitational Tennis v. Central Arkansas & Southern Illinois

Rifle v. Nebraska Baseball v. SE Louisiana Softball @ Mardi Gras Invite Tennis @ East Tennessee State

WBB v. Eastern Kentucky

Baseball @ Alcorn State Tennis @ Chattanooga

MBB @ Morehead State Tennis @ Saint Louis

WBB @ Eastern Illinois

WBB v. SEMO

MBB v. SIUE

MBB v. SEMO

Tennis @ Arkansas State Softball @ Mercer Invitational Softball v. Portland State Track @ Samford Baseball @ Hofstra Softball @ Mardi Gras Invite

Baseball v. Buffalo Softball @ Samford/UAB Classic 2017 OVC Track Indoor Championships @ Eastern Illinois

MBB v. Austin Peay WBB v. Austin Peay Softball @ Mercer Invitational

MBB v. Eastern Illinois WBB v. SIUE Baseball @ Louisiana-Lafayette Softball @ Mardi Gras Invite

MGolf @ Snowman Getaway MBB @ UT Martin WBB @ UT Martin Baseball v. Buffalo Softball @ Samford/UAB Classic

.

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MGolf v. Snowman Getaway WGolf v. College of Charleston Baseball v. Buffalo Softball @ Samford/UAB Classic

27

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MGolf v. Loyola Baseball @ Mississippi Valley WGolf @ College of Charleston State

Jenny Rohl/The News

February 2, 2017

Page 9

The News

Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Assistant Features Editor: Emily Williams Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

Features ­

candidate represents Murray State Assistant Features Editor ewilliams15@murraystate.edu

Each January, ladies from around the nation have the opportunity to compete for the sought-after title of Miss Rodeo USA at the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. This year, Murray State’s very own Madison Moxley, junior from Paducah, Kentucky, competed for the title and represented Murray State.

Moxley said she was first named Miss Rodeo Murray State before going on to Oklahoma City to represent Murray State on a national level.

“What’s different about rodeo queen competitions is you have to know everything that a beauty pageant contestant has to know,” Moxley said. “We have to know our current events, know what’s going on in the news, be very well-spoken, but on top of that, we also have to have equine knowledge and rodeo event knowledge.”

Brittany Howard, a Murray State alumna and winner of Miss Rodeo USA 2017, said the week of the competition is a very grueling and intense process consisting of speeches, a 12-page exam, impromptu questions, media interviews, modeling and horsemanship.

“It was a lot to prepare for,” Howard said.

Moxley said she won the People’s Choice Award along with Miss Congeniality while at the competition. She said she believes that she received the honor of Miss Congeniality because of her light-hearted attitude throughout a stressful week and her ability to crack jokes.

“As far as the People’s Choice Award, I got an insane amount of votes and I think that had a lot to do with the Murray community,” Moxley said. “I’m also a sister of Alpha Delta Pi, so that helped me out a lot, too. I was the first one in the pageant’s history to pass that 3K mark.”

Moxley said when she is older she would like to do professional

rodeo as a career.

“A while back, I got the advice that if you want to be successful in something, you have to have people who want to be around you all the time,” Moxley said.

“Before this pageant, I didn’t feel like I had a personality that people enjoyed.”

Moxley said that putting herself out there in a scary situation and learning that people recognize she is fun and can make people laugh really made her feel great.

Caeleigh Whitworth, sophomore from Paducah, Kentucky, and Moxley’s best friend, said she considers Moxley to be a great friend because she cares about people and will drop anything to help her friends. She said she believes one of Moxley’s strong suits is that she has a lot of self-confidence and isn’t afraid to be herself.

“She went to the pageant and she represented Murray State very, very well,” Whitworth said. “We should all be very proud of her.”

Photo contributed by Madison Moxley

Emily Williams

Babcock breaking barriers Gisselle Hernandez Features Editor

ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Throughout Hannah Babcock’s life, she has heard her fair share of “No, you can’t”s when trying to break the norms for people with intellectual disabilities. This time, she confidently said, “Yes, I can!” when she won the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children’s 2016 Yes I Can! Award in School and Community Service in November. She was recently recognized for the national equivalent and will fly to Boston in April to receive the award.

On Friday, the Murray State Best Buddies organization honored Babcock by awarding her a $300 check to help with her expenses for Boston. The Best Buddies organization works with two high schools in the area and each student with an intellectual disability is paired with a Murray State student.

Sarah Willmore, president of Best Buddies and senior from Nashville, Tennessee, said

they form a friendship and that friendship helps to develop social skills as well as leadership and job opportunities. One of those opportunities, she said, was Babcock’s recognition for all she has done for people with intellectual disabilities.

Babcock was one of the founding members of the College to Career Experience (CCE) that was established at Murray State in 2014. That, and her involvement in community theater, was probably what won her the recognition for the award, said Pam Rockwell, Babcock’s mother.

“She’s worked really hard and is so deserving of it,” Rockwell said. “She’s done so much to create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in the community.”

The CCE program allows students with intellectual disabilities to get an education at a post-secondary level, which was a brand-new concept, Rockwell said.

“Hannah and I became aware when she was in middle school of the fact that this was beginning to happen nation-

wide, and so we began doing research and going to conferences and visiting universities where things were happening like that,” she said. “So, we approached Murray State’s provost Bonnie Higginson with the concept.”

After presenting all the information and bringing in representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, Rockwell said Murray State embraced the idea wholeheartedly.

Babcock also was the first person with intellectual disabilities to be involved in community theater at Playhouse in the Park. Rockwell said when she first attempted to become involved, the past director told her no.

“They said, ‘No, she can’t do this,’ which isn’t uncommon, but it’s the kind of thing parents like me have to learn,” she said. “If you want your child to be included, you have to deal with that at first and then learn to continue to move on.”

Read more at TheNews.org.

Kelli O’Toole /The News

On Friday in Carr Health, Best Buddies honored Hannah Babcock for her work.

FabYOUniversity: The choices you make, make you

Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer dtuck@murraystate.edu

With a mission to help people become the best version of themselves, MacKenzie Wolf, designer of FAB 7, took the stage in Wrather West Kentucky Museum last week to introduce her new program.

Struggling to be her best self while battling anorexia helped shape Wolf’s program.

Her journey compelled her to help others realize an important aspect of her program: a perfect body is no good without a soul to match.

Wolf said she grew up

with an intense pressure to be “perfect.” She referred to it as walking a straight white line and never straying. When she decided to start her new fabulous life, her “Dare to be FAB 7” was created.

“I looked at what I had learned through all my studies and what I had been through,” she said. “These were the things that really made a difference for me.”

AUTHENTICITY

At the center of the puzzle is authenticity. Wolf believes that this piece is the most important when

You can’t make changes if you aren’t authentic.

“

”

- MacKenzie Wolf. founder of FabYOUniversity.

it comes to being fabulous.

With this step, each person should practic honest self-assessment.

“You can’t make changes if you aren’t authentic,” Wolf said.

Wolf stressed the impor-

tance of being honest with one’s self. As an example, she talked about a woman on an all-liquid diet, in order to lose weight. The woman went with a friend to get ice cream, but when reminded she was on a liquid diet, she said she would just wait for her ice cream to melt.

Wolf said people rationalize to fit their convenience.

CONSCIOUSNESS

In this step, it is important to be aware of mind games people can play on themselves, for example, all the what-if scenarios, obsessions and neg-

ative labels.

“Words we say to ourselves don’t seem like they have an impact on our self-esteem,” Wolf said, “But the unconscious mind takes note.”

She also stressed the importance of knowing the difference between fear and danger. Fear is a fantasized experience that seems real but is not dangerous.

Even though fear and danger are two different concepts, they both have an impact on people’s actions and how they proceed in life, she said.

CHOICE

Every day, everyone is faced with hundreds of choices and those choices define their future self.

“With every choice, you are creating all your tomorrows,” Wolf said. “Choose the new and fabulous.”

Wolf used herself as an example when describing this step. She said she has been guilty of not doing something because it would require her to leave her comfort zone even though she was being miserable passing up the new experiences.

Read more at TheNews.org.

The News

Features

Page 10

February 2, 2017

Students hopeful of Meal Bank launch WE’RE

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Nick Erickson || Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu

With the preconceived notion that money is tight for most college students, food insecurity across campuses nationwide is an issue often overlooked. With this in mind, Murray State Dining Services began a new meal bank on campus.

Operation of the Meal Bank began on Jan. 17, the first day of classes. The Meal Bank is intended to assist students currently without a meal plan or dealing with matters that leave them without food security.

The Meal Bank grant will be once a semester, consisting of 14 Winslow meals. Once granted, meals will be put on the student’s Racer ID card, allowing them to swipe into Winslow as if they had a meal plan. This allows the students to keep their food situation completely private.

Dining Services plans to initiate, or “seed,” the Meal Bank’s launch with 1,000 meals. The first meals available to students will be generated from guest meals from the All-Access Plan that go unused.

Director of dining services, Paula Amols, said the idea for the Meal Bank came from a program at Columbia University.

“We learned about it while attending a professional conference last summer,” Amols said.

Amols said there have been several requests thus far, but most of those have been from students who didn’t fully understand whom the program is meant to assist.

“Many people who requested had a meal plan of some type,” Amols said, “but some of those who requested meals have received them.”

Amols believes the Meal Bank will be extremely beneficial to students in need.

“I do think food insecurity

is a problem not just here, but on most, if not all, campuses,” Amols said. “It’s a problem for even those regarded as top tier or elite.”

David Likai Chen, freshman from Taiwan, said the Meal Bank is a good way to help those in need.

“This program is a good way to keep everyone at school wellfed,” Chen said. “The idea of giving back to the unfortunate should be upheld.”

John Gafford, sophomore from Stewart County, Tennessee, said he believes the Meal Bank is extremely positive for the community.

“It’s good to see people working toward helping others and the common good for everyone,” Gafford said. “This is going to keep from undermining those left behind in society.”

Depending on the demand, Dining Services is considering allowing students with unused meals from the two block plans at the end of Spring 2017 to donate them in Fall 2017. If permitted, a limit may be placed on how many meals a student is able to donate.

For students wishing to request a Meal Bank grant, there is a link button on the Dining Services home web page. This link redirects to a page where students may fill out basic information.

Dining Services does not want to discourage anyone from applying by asking overly personal questions about their financial status, so the setup process is relatively objective.

With the aid of the Meal Bank, Murray State students in need have the promise of food security, without ever feeling self-conscious.

While the stress of classes and social matters may persist, Murray State is on its way to making hunger one less thing to worry about.

Jenny Rohl/The News

Greek recruitment week springs into action Sydni Anderson Staff writer

sanderson33@murraystate.edu

“It’s a lot more informal in the spring – a lot more casual and laid back,” Hubbard said.

For fraternities, that sentiment also applies towards their fall recruitment. According to Hubbard, fall and spring recruitment is pretty much the same for fraternities. Fraternities have a schedule of events that hap-

Greek life recruitment week kicked off on Monday, Jan. 23. Students interested in rushing for spring semester registered online, but unlike fall recruitment, there is no fee for rushing in the spring.

Starla Hicks, president of Murray State’s Panhellenic Council, said spring recruitment differs from fall recruitment because

- Tyler Thorpe, there is less of a cenjunior from Morton Gap, Kentucky. trally-structured schedule.

“The chapters are in charge of putting on their pen throughout recruitment own recruitment events,” week. Individuals interested Hicks said. “And the numattend the events to learn ber of girls who receive bids more about a fraternity and are significantly less in the get to know members. spring.”

Despite this discrepancy During sorority fall rebetween sorority and fratercruitment, everyone goes to nity fall recruitment, Hubthe same place at the same bard said more people rush time. Hicks said there is no in the fall semester for both. universal schedule for the “Recruitment is larger chapters or “Gamma Chis” – in the fall,” Hubbard said. the recruitment counselors – “There are about 200 males during spring rush. that rush in the fall versus 50 Interim coordinator of in the spring. For sororities, Greek Life and Student about 300 rush in the fall Leadership Programs Brooke compared to the 75 to 80 in Hubbard said spring recruitthe spring. The size of it is ment is more relaxed. scaled down.”

“

I’m expecting to...find people I can hang out with and trust.

Tyler Thorpe, junior from Mortons Gap, Kentucky, said he rushed in the fall semester but had to drop it.

Thorpe signed up for spring recruitment and said he is excited for the brotherhood aspect of Greek life.

“I’m expecting to be a part of something and find people I can hang out with and trust,” Thorpe said.

During spring recruitment, Hubbard said she facilitated the opening day for the 23 Greek organizations’ recruitment.

“I make sure that they’re (the sororities and fraternities) set up and ready to meet members,” Hubbard said.

On Monday, Jan. 30, spring recruitment ended with “bid day,” the last day of recruitment where potential members who were invited back on Monday received their bids to join a sorority or fraternity.

Hicks said her favorite part of recruitment week was seeing the girls run “home” on bid day.

“The excitement in their faces as well as on the faces of all of the active members makes the stress that goes along with recruitment all worth it,” Hicks said.

”

The News

Features

February 2, 2017

Under the Radar

nerickson@murraystate.edu

Go Go Gosling!

We knew that Ryan Gosling was a stud from the moment he jumped onto that Ferris wheel to woo Rachel McAdams while starring in “The Notebook.” But there is much more than meets the eye for this devilishly handsome actor. In the recent, Academy Award winning film “La La Land,” Gosling plays a struggling jazz enthusiast and gives the world of cinema a glimpse of his musical abilities and they are impressive to say the least. On top of the singing and dancing he does in this film, Gosling also shows off his breathtaking piano skills that have the potential to bring you to tears. But the cherry on top is this: Gosling even has his own indie-rock band called Dead Man’s Bones. Worth a listen? Probably.

Just So You Know

Train stuck on the track Nick Erikson || Staff writer

Photo courtesy of ibtimes.com

Page 11

There are three categories of people who know of the pop-rock band Train: those who adore the band, those who know “Hey, Soul Sister” and those who hold the band with high disdain.

Now with their 10th studio album, “A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat,” the band concentrates on producing cheery music for anyone to enjoy. Yet, the sweetness results in a saturated record with peppy beats and lyricism akin to anything they’ve done with the past nine.

Pulsating synth and a dance-floor beat kick off opener “Drink Up,” which to no surprise is about literally drinking and seizing the moment. Instrumentally, it is reminiscent of “V” era Maroon 5, but is far more forgettable. “Take this moment and put it in a glass; if you want a sip, I’ve got memories on tap,” frontman Patrick Monahan sings in the airy chorus.

While Train isn’t a band traditionally noted for their lyricism, this is just a little more outputting than usual.

Though the first release without lead guitarist and founding member Jimmy Stafford, the band still makes

Do It Now

Closer “You Better Believe,” undoubtedly the standout track on the record, has a sentimental tone to it. The piano-driven ballad garnishes the hints of genuine passion that are scattered around the album and make its message cohesive. “You better believe you’re not alone,” Monahan sings over keyboards and an ensemble of faint strings and acoustic guitar. Eventually climaxing with a simple drumbeat, it effectively ends the record on a surprising highlight. Still, it’s all too familiar.

Train makes extremely catchy music, but one may easily argue that is their niche and nothing else. After two decades of minimalistic pop, “A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat” fits in with their discography with nary a note that hasn’t been struck by the group before. Glossy vocals, beats and digital production will help direct the album’s way onto the radio stations, but the dissenting opinion remains: there’s much more substance to be sought after and far more creative artists waiting for their time to shine.

Take the drops of Jupiter, and leave room for the next wave of talent.

adequate use of the instrument. However, like much of pop music, the traditional conveyance of the six-string is often drowned out by overproduction. “Lottery” kicks off with some funky acoustic strums, but it’s not long before a synthesized swell and beat enters and overshadows. On the bright side, the Latin-inspired beat is undeniably catchy.

“Valentine” starts with a bass-octave sung vocal loop that sounds unintentionally humorous and paves the way for a chorus so sugary it could be used as filler for a Disney Channel soundtrack. While Monahan’s voice soars as he repeats “Baby, you’re my valentine,” the persistent repetition of the beat, vocal loop and simplistic, ‘50s-esque chord progression, it gets annoying quicker than one would think. “Loverman” features Priscilla Renea blasting listeners with the chorus from the start, leading into a guitar hook and Monahan’s smooth voice.

Yet, Renea’s reentrance with the chorus becomes grating quick with its almost nursery-rhyme melody.

The band works wonders when they hone in on their serious side.

Photo courtesy of wallpaperscraft.com

“XXX” marks the spot Photo courtesy of marilynch.com

Ben Sollee comes to MAC Kentucky-born cellist and composer, Ben Sollee, is returning to Paducah, Kentucky, on February 18 for the first time since his fantastic and energetic performance at Paducah’s Lowertown Music and Arts Festival in May of 2016.

Sollee’s music has been featured on ABC’s “Parenthood” as well as “Killing Season”, a film from 2013 starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta. As good as he is on Spotify, Sollee is even better live and is a wonderful performer who engages his audience and personalizes each musical experience.

Head on over to Maiden Alley Cinema in Paducah for a night of unforgettable musical talent and a whole lot of cello. Tickets are $20 online. Get them while you can.

Grant Dillard || Contributing writer gdillard@murraystate.edu

In January, the month that gave audiences terrible movies such as “Underworld: Blood Wars,” “Monster Trucks” and “The Bye Bye Man,” “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” is easily the diamond in the rough. Directed by D.J. Caruso, the third installment of the “XXX” series focuses on Xander Cage (Vin Diesel). Cage, a former agent of the “XXX” program, is forced to come out of retirement in order to stop a rival team led

by Xiang (Donnie Yen) from getting its hands on a device called Pandora’s Box. This device has the ability to make satellites crash down and cause worldwide destruction.

The plot is the weakest factor in the film. It’s confusing at times and is not interesting enough to become truly invested in. But really, plot isn’t the main reason to enjoy a film like this. This is

the kind of movie where audiences can sit back and enjoy the exciting action scenes, hilarious one-liners and amazing stunt work. Thankfully, all those aspects are very well done and entertaining.

The main cast, while not entirely memorable, does have its highlights.

First off, Vin Diesel is extremely fun to watch as agent Xander Cage. Surprisingly, he’s very energetic and has a lot of charisma. This is unexpected because in films like the “Fast and Furious” series, he’s usually very stoic and monotone.

Another standout is Adele Wolff (Ruby Rose). She’s a wisecracking assassin who always has something snarky to say, as well as being a good shot with any weapon. But, by far, the best element about the film has to be Donnie Yen’s character, Xiang. It has nothing to do with how the character is written, but lies in the fact that he’s played by Donnie Yen, one of the greatest martial arts actors right now. He takes every op-

portunity given to show off his amazing martial arts skills, and it is quite amusing to watch.

The only other major flaw, aside from the generic and uninteresting plot, is a character that’s introduced halfway into the film: Becky Clearidge (Nina Dobrev).

She’s supposed to be the comic relief, but her humor falls flat. Throughout all of her scenes, there’s always a joke or two that she has to spew out, but not one of those jokes ever hits the mark.

Becky’s “comedy” is about as cringe-inducing as the humor in Michael Bay’s “Transformers” movies – it’s that bad.

Despite a weak plot and a terrible side character, “XXX: Return of Xander Cage” is an enjoyable, silly, popcorn action flick. Hardcore fans of the “XXX” series will probably like it more than casual moviegoers. But if audiences are simply looking for a cheesy action movie with entertainment and corny dialogue galore, “xXx” marks the spot.

There’s always a satisfying feeling that trails behind after hearing someone say, “You were right.” For most people, pride settles in when these Gisselle Hernandez words are utFeatures Editor tered. There has never been a time where I dreaded those words more than in 2017 regarding politics. Yes, this will be another anti-Trump column.

From the seven countries where immigrants were banned, thankfully, Belize was not one of them.

However, this doesn’t remove the fear of what’s yet to come. From the months leading up to the election, despite the rightful anger felt towards the presidential candidate, many people I spoke with were skeptical Trump would follow through any of it. It’s unconstitutional, they said. Even some friends who received open prejudice simply because they were Muslim said nothing would actually happen to them because Trump was “all talk.”

To be honest, it sort of put me at ease. But I wasn’t all that familiar with the way the U.S. government worked, and after a while of hearing my peers scoff at the outrageous things he said, I thought the future might not be so bleak. I was still skeptical, though. And after the first week of Trump being in office, I have never detested being right as much as today.

Everyone has an opinion about the immigration ban, especially in Murray, whether they support it or not. The constant fear of being stripped away from the home people have made for themselves because that Cheeto of a president is delusional, will never plague most people here. Let’s not pretend it will. There have been various arguments already in the interwebs of minorities stating this fact, but it qualifies now more than ever because people are actually being stripped of their human rights because of orders from an inhumane person. Open your doors. It is reasonable to see why so many would be for the temporary ban, but that does not make it logical to stick one big label on millions of people.

After the news of the immigration ban was released, the Institute of International Studies at Murray State sent out an email to all international students saying despite a time where foreign students may feel fear, they will always be there for us. It broke my heart because, I remember, last semester an international student went into the IIS office worried, asking if her student visa will be terminated if Trump becomes president. That nightmare is becoming reality.

But I’m glad to see Murray State is offering their support.

Just because I’m not an American doesn’t mean I don’t have a voice. Some people don’t get to tell me what I should or should not get emotional about. But this is not only about me – it’s about millions of others who were detained in airports who were denied refuge.

There’s no denying we are going backward. You had the power. We didn’t. We can’t vote.

But you could’ve. And you didn’t.

The things you said in history classes, when you said, “If I was there, I would’ve…” Well, now’s your chance. Do it now. ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

Out this week

Photo courtesy of consequenceofsound.net Photo courtesy of barnesandnoble.com

Read It

“Echoes in Death”

Photo courtesy of movieinsider.com

See It “Rings”

Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Hear It

“Snowdonia” Surfer Blood

Rent It

“Masterminds”

Photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Play It

“Yoshi’s Woolly World”

Page 12

The News

February 2, 2017