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October 17, 2019 | Vol. 94, No. 7

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‘ Megan Reynolds and Colton Colglazier/The News

News Opinion Sports Features

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Students report pink eye on campus

Homecoming: A celebration for all

Gauging Gage: Amateurism is coming to an end in the NCAA

Visiting artist opens students’ minds

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page 4a

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News

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October 17, 2019

Backpack company partners with University Sarah Mead Contributing Writer smead@murraystate.edu Emily Shepherd Contributing Writer eshepherd2@murraystate.edu

Adventurist Backpack Co. has partnered with the University Bookstore to sell backpacks and support Murray’s food insecure students and families.

Kelly Belknap and Matilda Sandstroem, a married couple based in Colorado, founded Adventurist Backpack Co. to create what they believe to be the world’s greatest backpack.

Sandstroem and Belknap wanted to design a backpack that was high quality, minimalist in design and could retail for less than $100.

“When Matilda and I were searching for backpacks that we could use for school, travel and nights out, but we couldn’t seem to find a high quality and fashionable backpack that was also affordable, most of them ranging from $100-150 and upwards,” Belknap said. “We decided to design our own, using minimalist elements from Matilda’s home country Sweden, as well as high quality all-weather materials fit for all adventures.”

The backpacks are currently available for sale in the University Bookstore.

They can also be found at Urban Outfitters and on the Adventurist Backpack Co. website.

“We received an email advertisement on the Adventurist backpacks and decided it would be a great fit for our University,” Christy Dudley, assistant director of softgoods for the bookstore, said.

Adventurist Backpack Co. is not just about selling backpacks. The company is dedicated to giving back to local communities.

“We were traveling all around the world, all throughout South America and Europe, and we were wanting to do random acts of kindness,” Belknap said. “We would go to the supermarket, buy food that we could pack into individual meals, and whenever we saw someone in need throughout

the day, we would take these bags of food and we would give them to whomever was in need.”

When they returned to the United States, they wanted to continue their giving.

Adventurist Backpack Co. partnered with Feeding America and local food charities to support Americans in need.

“When the Adventurist Backpack Co. approached us, they expressed how they wanted to give back, they wanted to be involved in the fight to end hunger,” a Feeding America Representative said.

Every backpack sold provides 25 meals to local families. Currently, they have provided nearly 100,000 meals to families across the United States. They have also partnered with universities across the country to support food insecure students.

“I’m a recent college grad,” Belknap said. “While I was [in school] I had friends who experienced food insecurity.

They went to school full time and worked full time to pay the rent and feed themselves while going to school. ” The outreach to local communities is slated to continue at Murray State. Adventurist Backpack Co. has partnered with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland to provide resources to food insecure students and families in the Murray area.

“College students are essentially helping themselves by getting an education and we wanted to give those who needed help the best opportunity to succeed in their classes and to better themselves,” Belknap said.

The company’s goal is to provide 250,000 meals by their third year of business.

“We believe that it is every company’s responsibility to give back in order to solve basic problems around our country, and around the world,” Belknap said. “We aim to be at the forefront of brands using business to do something larger than just provide a great product or service, but to help change the world for the better through entrepreneurship.”

Lauren Morgan/The News Adventurist Backpack Co. partners with the University to sell backpacks to help those in need.

Addison Watson/The News Telecommunicator Jill Hudson discussed her role in law enforcement at the Citizens Police Academy on Oct. 14.

Citizens Police Academy: telecommunicator tells all Addison Watson Contributing Writer awatson25@murraystate.edu

The City of Murray Police Department held Night Two of the Citizens Police Academy on Oct. 14 to discuss telecommunications.

Jill Hudson has been answering 911 calls with the Murray Police Department for over 10 years. For the third time in her career, she presented to the Citizens Police Academy, giving insight into the depth her job entails.

Hudson’s ex-husband was a firefighter with the Murray-Calloway County Fire Department.

Hudson said understanding and living life with a first responder is what ultimately led her to apply for an opening for her position in 2008.

Being commonly known as a dispatcher in her career field, she said technically she is not a dispatcher, she is a telecommunicator. Dispatchers are radio transmission operators for bus companies, taxi services, trucking companies, and similar services. Telecommunicators are radio transmission operators who communicate among a variety of different lines to effectively organize communication.

Like police officers, telecommunicators attend the Department of Criminal Justice Training in Richmond, Kentucky. Their academy is five weeks long with a probation period when they return to their respective departments.

Unknown to many people, the police department answers all 911 calls, not just those who need police assistance. It is up to a telecommunicator’s discretion to pass the information received to the appropriate department.

Hudson provided a scenario in which an accident with an injury had occurred and as a result of the accident, a telephone pole had been struck

and knocked over. The process of calling an ambulance and a fire truck is much more complicated than it seems.

Hudson said in order for an emergency 911 call to go smoothly, she has to prioritize the way she plans her callouts.

First, she would need to call an ambulance to the scene in the event that someone is seriously injured. Second, she would call the fire department out to extricate anyone from the vehicle if needed. She would then need to call the police department to establish traffic control as well as call the utility company to tend to the telephone pole.

All while doing those things, she has to remember which fire station is closest to the accident, which electric company covers the pole that was knocked down and a variety of other factors.

The system Hudson uses to answer calls for help can handle up to 23 incoming calls at once, but she often works alone. Having a system in place that is 100 percent digital makes her job more manageable. Murray upgraded its telecommunications system the year before she began. There are currently 6 telecommunicators working for the department.

In 2018, there were 22,660 calls for service that first responders tended to.

Hudson said she takes her job extremely seriously. It is not only a job to her; it is her calling.

“My number one priority is the safety of my officers, and when I say officers, I mean all my first responders,” Hudson said.

Sgt. Brant Shutt, the public information officer for Murray PD, said he respects his telecommunicators immensely, as the role they play in law enforcement is undeniably one of the most important.

“If I have an officer out there with a subject and he is trying to

run them for warrants or gather some information on them, their eyes are no longer on the subject,” Shutt said. “So being able to call a telecommunicator and have them running the information for them, allows them to be aware of their surroundings instead of their face being in a computer screen.”

Sgt. Jay Herndon, sergeant of the overnight shift, is in charge of three or four other officers at any given time during the night.

When it’s dark out, situational awareness automatically should be heightened and when an officer is trying to look up information on their own, they have a handicap over them.

“I want my officers to pay attention to what’s around them at all times,” Herndon said. “They need to have their heads on a swivel because anything can happen at any time.”

Not everyone who dials 911 can be the most cooperative.

When emotions are at an alltime high, sometimes the most that Hudson can understand from a caller is their location, and that’s all she can use to make her decision.

Stressful situations come often in Hudson’s line of work.

Coping with the stress and chaos of her job can be difficult, but Hudson has found ways to help.

She said sometimes she thinks about hanging up her phone and going home, but she knows in her mind why she loves her job.

“It’s the ones you know you’ve helped, that make it worth it,” Hudson said.

The next topic of discussion will be narcotics investigations.

Addison Watson is a contributing writer for The Murray State News. As part of his assignment, he is attending the Citizens Police Academy at the Murray Police Department to write this series of stories. You can find all of his articles in the series at TheNews.org.

News

October 17, 2019

High-achieving students are struggling The vast majority of participants have felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the last year.

Respondents experienced a need for mental health services in the last year, despite achieving a high GPA. of respondents believe that “most people think less of a person who has received mental health treatment.”

Active Minds and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars surveyed 9,319 students with a GPA of 3.4 or above nationwide regarding mental health.

Colton Colglazier/The News

Students report pink eye on campus Daniella Tebib News Editor dtebib@murraystate.edu Several cases of pink eye have been

reported on campus following students’ return from Fall Break.

Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as pink eye, is an infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white area of the eyeball, according to the Mayo Clinic.

ChristopherLennon,assistantprofessor of microbiology, said pink eye is conjunctivitis or inflammation of the conjunctiva of one’seye.Theinfectionistypicallycaused by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction. It is extremely common and spreads among people easily.

“Pinkeyeishighlycontagious,”Lennon said. “[It’s] usually spread by hand-toeye contact, but anything that is contaminated that comes in contact with an eye can lead to infection.”

Symptomsincludeburning,painful,itchy eye(s) discharging fluid, redness or pink color to the eye(s) and slight blurry vision.

An email sent to faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, Oct. 15 provided ways to prevent the infection. Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly and often, to blow and wipe their noses with tissues, not their hands, to avoid touching their eyes and to not share items with any other person.

Scott Curran, a physician assistant with

Primary Care Medical Center, said he recommends those infected should see a health care provider.

“Most of the time pink eye is caused by a virus and will go away on its own, but I would encourage anyone affected to see a health care provider, either at Murray State Health Services, Primary Care, or even a local eye doctor, for a professional opinion,” Curran said. “It is particularly important that you see someone if your vision is changing or you have discharge that has a color, not just clear tears.”

Taylor Robinson, freshman from Owensboro, Kentucky, said she realized she had pink eye when she got back from Fall Break.

“I woke up and my eyelids were stuck together,” Robinson said. “Then, my eye was very red when I finally got it to open.”

Robinson also said she experienced some complications with her medication.

“I got a prescription for [my pink eye], but it turns out I was allergic to the eye drops,” Robinson said.

If students, faculty or staff feel like they have been exposed to pink eye and are experiencinganysymptoms,theyshould visitoncampusHealthServicesorahealth care professional to receive a proper evaluation. Primary Care is located on the first floor of Wells Hall and is open from 8 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Study highlights mental health of students Emily Shepherd Contributing Writer eshepherd2@murraystate.edu

Active Minds and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars conducted a survey to promote mental health awareness in high-achieving college students.

Thestudyfoundthatsuicideisthesecond leading cause of death among college students. Ninety-one percent of students surveyed felt overwhelmed from all the work they had to accomplish in the last year. Despite having a high GPA, two out of three students experienced a need for mental health services.

“Mental health is something everyone struggles with,” Mallory Unverfehrt, local chapter contact for NSCS, said. “Life can be stressful and finding support is vital.”

The survey also showed 46 percent of respondentsbelievethatmostpeoplethink less of a person who has received mental health treatment. More than 50 percent of students reported problems keeping them from getting help. In essence, they do not have the resources to deal with the issues on their own.

The main points of the study were for teachers to keep overachieving students on the radar and embed well-being into their curricula.

The participants in this study were firstand-second year college students with a GPA of 3.4 or above. To many of the hardworking students with this kind of lifestyle, free time is a luxury. The study surveyed 9,319 students.

“The study looked at perceptions of

mental health and then created a series of recommendations to keep the [mental health] conversation going,” Steven Mandurano, marketing director of NSCS, said. “The study concluded that it was crucial for students to remember to practice self care and be proactive in seeking help.”

Simon Placr, junior organizational communication major, said he frequently finds himself buried in work.

“I have a constant battle with myself where I don’t give myself a break,” Placr said. “I find myself throwing myself into a specific project and devoting a lot of my time to that or completely giving up and realizing I have too much to do. I find myself being haunted by whatever else I could be doing even if I’m being productive.”

Mandurano said professors can help alleviate this stress by eliminating midnight deadlines because they promote unhealthy behavior for students. He also said professors should normalize the need for help.

Students often seek help from advisers and professors, but two-thirds of students in the survey weren’t comfortable speaking about their problems to teachers or advisers.

“To me, the idea that suicide is the second largest cause of death among college students- that is a lot to process,” Unverfehrt said. “I find that a lot of people struggle and many of us don’t realize it.”

Students can utilize on campus Counseling Services in Room C104 of the Oakley Applied Science Building.

WELCOME BACK RACERS!

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Homecoming

Opinion

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October 17, 2019

Homecoming:

A celebration for all The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Murray State celebrates Homecoming 2019 with the theme “ReturnoftheRacers”basedoffofthe popular “Star Wars” movie “Return of the Jedi.” Annual Homecoming themes are one of the many exciting aspects the community enjoys when preparing for Homecoming Weekend.

Homecomings across the nation serve important purposes of building school pride and continuing exciting traditions. School spirit duringHomecomingWeekendsoars as everyone engages in the parade, football games and much more.

Seeing old friends and making new connections is an important part of Homecoming Weekend. Alumni return to reconnect with other graduates and old professors they haven’t seen in years. Students get the chance to meet alumni and make memories they will eventually reminisce over as alumni themselves.

Other long-lived traditions such as Tent City, A Taste of the Arts Dinner and Auction and the Homecoming Parade create a packed weekend

of celebrating Murray State. These festivities create involvement and rewarding opportunities for networking.

Greek Life activity on campus reaches an all time-high during Homecoming. Besides tabling for Tent City, many fraternities, sororities, Residential Colleges as well as other clubs and organizations on campus have spent a lot of time and manpower creating Homecoming floats that will be showcased in the parade. Everybody involved with the floats works so hard each year, which makes watching them that much more enjoyable.

Tent City, a relatively new tradition that started in the ‘80s, is a great opportunity for organizations and clubs to fundraise and promote themselves. Along with the floats, the tables for Tent City further adds a sense of community. Walking through the elongated path of bustling activity by the football field amplifies the school pride pumping through people’s veins.

There is something about the

Autumn Brown/The News

wholecampussportingMurrayState gear that makes the energy on campus feel alive. Celebrating school pride is what Homecomings are for.

Cheering on the football team and seeingeverybodyshowschoolspirit makes the whole community feel as though they are a part of something special.

Walking through Tent City and watching the Homecoming Parade allows exposure to many different clubs and organizations that people might not otherwise know about.

Theseevents,alongwithmanyother traditions like the Miss Black and Gold Pageant, are great settings to relax and enjoy oneself.

Smaller clubs get exposure and fundraising opportunities at Tent City. Murray businesses can also promote and profit. Not only does the University benefit, the entirety of the town gains from Homecoming Weekend.

Many Greek Life chapters will celebrate milestones for the number of active years on campus.

Homecoming 2019marksAlphaTau

Omega’s 60th year at Murray State, SigmaPhiEpsilon’s50thanniversary on campus, and 25 years for Alpha Sigma Phi. Homecoming is a wonderful time for students to broaden their friend groups and meet other students on campus. Opening up and meeting new people can lead to so many greatopportunities,fromfriendships to jobs and internships.

As stressful as college can be, students should enjoy their time here while they can. Fun campus activities like Homecoming are short and sweet, so take advantage when they come. Before you know it, four years have come and gone, and students will attend Homecoming as alumni to reminisce about their pasts.

Murray State is a wonderful and welcominguniversityandcommunity-buildingeventslikeHomecoming Weekend are a reason for this.

Alumni are proud to come back, and people are nostalgic to see everyonebecausetheylovetheUniversity and the people that make it up.

Megan Reynolds Daniella Tebib Claire Smith Gage Johnson Cady Stribling Editor-in-Chief

News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor

Opinion Editor mreynolds12@murraystate.edu dtebib@murraystate.edu csmith110@murraystate.edu gjohnson17@murraystate.edu cstribling1@murraystate.edu

Editorial Board

Bryce Anglin David Wallace Production Manager Chief Copy Editor

zanglin@murraystate.edu dwallace15@murraystate.edu

Kalea Anderson Elizabeth Erwin

Chief Videographer Public Relations Manager kanderson29@murraystate.edu eerwin1@murraystate.edu

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 mreynolds12@murraystate.edu.

Connor Dame Brock Kirk Ad Sales Manager Photo Editor

cdame2@murraystate.edu jkirk11@murraystate.edu

John O’Neill

Dr. Stephanie Anderson Online Manager Faculty Adviser

joneill4@murraystate.edu sanderson37@murraystate.edu

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

Contact Us 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 TheNews.org

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 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.

October 17, 2019

Sports

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High profile games bring in big bucks

We have special prices on drinks!

(Monday and Wednesday) Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics Murray State football was paid $550,000 for traveling to play Georgia on Sept. 7.

Keaton Faughn Contributing Writer kfaughn1@murraystate.edu

On Saturday, Sept. 7, the University of Georgia football team took the Murray State Racers to a 63-17 defeat in a money game, a common practice that is as old as collegiate athletics itself.

Larger schools have always played much smaller programs during their regularseasons. These“moneygames,” also known as “guarantee games,” date back to 1916. The infamous 222-0 beatdownbyJohnHeisman-ledGeorgiaTech University of Cumberland College is one of the first in a long history of these money games.

The payout for these games help smaller programs or mid-major schools gain money to boost their respective athletic programs. The large powerhouse programs pack the house for these games, keeping fans happy with a usual blowout win.

When the Racers traveled to Athens, Georgia, for their second game of the year, the Bulldogs took the opportunity to rename their field in honor of their legendary coach Vince Dooly, and it is no coincidence that they chose a guarantee game to honor Dooly.

While Murray State has played some larger schools in the NCAA recently, they didn’t take those challenges without leaving with some financial gifts from their opponents. Racer Athletics was paid $550,000 for the team’s trip to the deep south.

Murray State Athletic Director Kevin Saal said the funds from money games like these go to support the global athlet-

ics department budget and are used as strategic investments in the growth and development of our football program.

This is where the root of the money gameslie—whereparticipantsofastruggling athletic program can be paid to play a team that will almost certainly dominate them.

In only the first several weeks of college football this season we have already seen a few, one being the Georgia State University vs. University of Tennessee game. The Volunteers lost a game that cost them $950,000.

However, this is a rare example among money games, with most of them ending up in a loss for the smaller program and even a pileup of injuries that can affect the rest of their season.

Murray State’s game was no exception to this, but it isn’t the first money game the Racers have had in recent memory.

Saal said these games have been an important part of the Racers’ scheduling philosophy for many years.

Past schedules support this philosophy. In 2003, the Racers played at the University of Kentucky, which Saal said was a guarantee game.

“Same with UConn in 2004, Mississippi State in 2005, Missouri in 2006, Louisville in 2007, Indiana & WKU in 2008, NC State in 2009, Kent State in 2010, Louisville in 2011, Florida State in 2012,” Saal said.

“Missouri & Bowling Green in 2013, LouisvilleandWesternMichiganin2014, Northern Illinois & Western Michigan in 2015, Illinois in 2016, Louisville in 2017, Kentucky in 2018, etc.”

,

see Money Games page 6

Small margarita buy one at regular price and get the second one for only 25 cents.

(Tuesday and Thursday) Imported beer 23oz $3.50 12oz $2.50 From 3 p.m. to close.

#murraystate #students #discount All Murray State students get 10% off with student ID.

Come see us!

106 S. 12th Street Murray, KY 270-767-1627

Sports

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October 17, 2019

IN MY OPINION

Gauging Gage: Amateurism is coming to an end in the NCAA According to bylaw 12.02.11 of the 2019-20 NCAA Division I Manual “A professional athlete is one who receives any kind of payment, directly or indirectly, for athletics participation except as permitted by the governing legislation of the Association.”

While there have been multiple court cases fighting against amateurism, the movement that California has begun poses the NCAA’s biggest threat to date.

On Friday, Sept. 27, California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined “The Shop: Uninterrupted”—Lebron James’ HBO show in which he and multiple guests discuss important topics about sports and society—and signed the Fair Pay to Play Act. The new Act guarantees that college athletes can profit from the usage of their name, image and likeness. The Act also allows players to sign an agent and representatives to help earn commercials and other means of profit.

Duringtheepisode,Newsom said the NCAA is a little panicked with the signing of this Act and what it could mean for the future.

“They recognize that they’re vulnerable,” Newsom said.

“The gig’s up. Fourteen-plus billion dollars goes to these universities, goes to these colleges, billion-plus revenue to the NCAA itself. The actual

product—the folks that are putting their lives on the line, putting everything on the line—are getting nothing.”

There have been plenty of court cases, such as O’Bannon v. NCAA and Jenkins v. NCAA and the class-action lawsuit filed against Electronic Arts and the NCAA for the usage of players in video games.

That lawsuit ended in a $60 million settlement paid by EA Sports that attacked amateurism. While the video game lawsuit ended well, O’Bannon v. NCAA and Jenkins v. NCAA were both turned down by the U.S. Supreme Court. So what makes the Fair Pay to Play Act different?

The Act being passed as a state law makes it illegal to forbid players to receive compensation for the usage of their identities, thus giving the NCAA no chance to deny the players any profit gained through collegiate athletics.

Coming from someone who used to think the idea of paying student-athletes was absurd, I see a lot of pros and a lot less cons to the Act if passed nationwide.

First things first, major athletes who get constant coverage—i.e. Zion Williamson and Ja Morant this past year—will berightfullyawardedcompensation for the hours and hours of coverage they receive from sports media outlets across the world.

Money Games

the FBS against FBS matchups generally require a larger financial guarantee.

The FBS is made up of the larger football programs that have a deeply rooted history in winning on the national stage. These Division 1-A schools are better funded and equipped schools that make up the Division 1 standings. The FCS schools are the smaller Division 1 schools, referred to as Division 1-AA. They are typically smaller schools, with funding that makes it hard to compete with the FBS powerhouses.

“It’s important to note that FBS teams can only count one FCS team each year toward their bowl eligibility win total,” Saal said.

“Therefore you typically see FBS teams schedule one FCS and two to three FBS opponents in their non-conference schedule. Similarly, FCS teams will either schedule home-and-home series

From Page 5

The Racers took home $450,000 for their week one 69-3 defeat at the hands of the Seminoles in 2012.

Murray State is not only a benefactor of these money games, but Saal said they have paid schools to come and play before and will continue to strategically do more in the future.

“Typically, a senior administrator [or the AD] and Head Coach [or Director of Operations] are involved in developing the schedule,” Saal said. “Initial contact is mutually initiated between the payee and the payer.”

These games are a common practice among college football programs, with FBS teams paying to host FCS, teams as well as other FBS teams. The costs of these matchups vary, but

And while athletes from bigger schools like UCLA will gain massive profits being on primetime television, athletes from mid-major schools would gain massive profits from local commercials and sponsorships.

This would also allow the communities around these schools to increase profits in their businesses by aligning themselves with college athletes through sponsorships.

Consider the amount of business that local places in Murray, such as Matt B’s, Sammons’ Bakery and Dumplin’s, would’ve received last year by having Morant in their advertisements.

Rich Paul—the founder of Klutch Sports Group, which represents athletes such as Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons—feels this would be a great learning experience for collegiate athletes.

“I believe that it’s the beginning of an educational process for the athlete,” Paul said. “Because they get to the highest level and they’re uneducated on the business of themselves as an individual. If they’re able to attain some type of compensation, it helps them understand the business aspect of it there.”

This would give student-athletes an opportunity to learn how to manage their money, rather than being thrust

Gage Johnson Sports Editor

straight into the potential millions they could earn in professional leagues.

However, not everyone is a huge fan of the Fair Pay to Play Act. Gonzaga University men’s basketball Head Coach Mark Few is one of them.

He recently sat down for an interview with Jeff Goodman of Stadium. While he made it clear that the topic is very complex and that he thinks the NCAA has some good people working on trying to create the right solution, he’s not a fan of Newsom’s involvement.

“What I find totally disappointing and disgusting is that a governor is wasting his time grandstanding around about something that he really doesn’t understand when 0.0001 of his constituents will be affected by this,” Few said.

“He should probably stay in his lane like I tell my players and figure out homelessness, and I think he’s got a state that borders Mexico so get that mess figured out, and the budget and some things like that.”

Meanwhile, Duke University men’s basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski released a statement that seemed to be in favor of the players’ opinions. In the lengthy statement, Krzyzewski said that while he may not understand all the complexities within the situation, he feels the NCAA has not always responded in the

players’ best interests and needs in a swift manner.

The major underlying con to this bill being passed would be the massive amount of uncertainty of whether or not schools could compete in the NCAA. The Act goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023 and will seemingly make California colleges and universities not members of the NCAA unless the organization’s bylaws are changed.

Since the Act’s announcement, Kentucky and Florida representatives have made it known that they are drawing up similar bills for their states.

This brings colleges and universities and the NCAA to a crossroads. If schools that decide to pass bills like the Fair Pay to Play Act in the future, they will have a large decision to make. They will either have to secede from the NCAA and find a way to still play, or the NCAA will have to change its bylaws to accomodate all schools. If they don’t accommodate these schools, they risk becoming obsolete if the schools decide to form an independent league.

The next step for these schools and the NCAA is something that fans, athletes, business owners, schools and politicians will be anxiously awaiting. In the end, people just want what’s best for the players… and NCAA football and basketball video games back.

Photo courtesy of Seminole Productions Murray State football was paid $450,000 for playing FSU in 2012.

at no cost to either school or pay to host an FCS or NAIA to complete their non-conference schedules.”

These matchups cost the FCS schools much less

than what it would cost a FBS school to host either another FBS school or an FCS school.

The difference in funding and opportunities between

the FBS and FCS teams are one of the reasons these profitable “money games” are going to be a standard in college football schedules for the foreseeable future.

October 17, 2019

Features

Friday, Oct. 18: Title IX and Illegal Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Online Course is DUE Students enjoy listening and learning during a lecture hosted by the department of art and design featuring Terry McKelvey, a painter and professor at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. The next guest lecture, the Patricia Summerville Emerging Arts Professionals Panel, will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and features artists Clarissa Pezone, Hannah McBroom and Alex Younger.

Jillian Rush/The News

On Monday, Oct. 14, Murray State wel-

comed Terry McKelvey, a guest lecturer who is a professor of art at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

McKelvey came to lecture and visit studios in the Advanced Painting classes.

He instructs painting, drawing, 2D foundations and graduate coursework at Edinboro.

McKelvey was recently selected for an exhibition at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, while his latest solo exhibition was in 2018 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

McKelvey is known for his narrative art style and some of his borderline-taboo paintings. During his lecture, he spoke about his growth as an artist and how undergraduate art education has changed.

Many students were impressed and inspired by his work.

“His artwork opened my eyes to ideas that I would not have thought to explore in art pieces,” Molly Ramsey, a freshman from Hawesville, Kentucky said After graduating with his master’s, McKelvey explored what art meant to him. He showed his own evolution of art to the students and professors in attendance.

McKelvey explained how his work was inspired by many religious narrative pieces from the past. While his pieces are not reli-

Fall 2019 Environmental Sciences SeminarSeries:LifeafterGraduation @ 3:30 p.m. in Blackburn Science Building Room 302

Saturday, Oct. 19: SeetheHomecomingspecialsection for a list of activities and events Cinema International

@ 7:30 p.m. “Shoplifters” in Curris Center

Sunday, Oct. 20: Concert Choir and Women’s Choir @ 3:30 in Lovett Auditorium

Monday, Oct. 21: Virtual Course Design Challenge

@ 10:30 a.m. in MSU Faculty Development Center

Visiting artist opens students’ minds Iris Snapp Contributing Writer isnapp@murraystate.edu

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gious, many of them have art elements from those religious pieces.

Some of the topics he covered in his paintings were relationships, sex, childhood and loss.

He also explained that he never uses photos for references; he either uses memory or mirrors. Many of McKelvey’s paintings are self-portraits. If they aren’t, he inserts himself into the painting as the main protagonist or as a small detail.

McKelvey said he likes to make fun of himself in the paintings because it feels narcissistic not to. He also explained that he never stops painting; even when he has no specific inspiration, he paints still lifes.

Danielle Muzina, professor of art and design with a focus on painting, said the department brings in several guest lecturers throughout the semester.

The lecturers often coincide with exhibits in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery.

“Guest lecturers in the department of art and design are invited by the department, the gallery, or by faculty, for their individual studio area,” Muzina said.

These guest speakers give students the opportunity to see and learn about other art forms. This might even inspire students and professors to explore other styles and topics.

“We bring in artists and educators who we feel will benefit the overall education of our art students as contemporary makers & thinkers,” Muzina said.

Tuesday, Oct. 22: Tinseltown Tuesday

@ 7 p.m. in the Curris Center Theatre

Work-Life Balance: Because We Have It Figured Out?

@ 12:30 p.m. in MSU Faculty Development Center

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Spanish Conversation Table

@ 3 p.m. in Waterfield Library Gallery

Thursday, Oct. 24: Police Fun Day

@ 10:30 a.m. in the Quad

German Coffee Table

@ 3:30 p.m. in the Collins Industry and Technology Center Conference Room 206

If you would like to see your event featured in the Calendar of Events, email the features editor at csmith110@murraystate.edu.

Colton Colglazier/The News

Features

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October 17, 2019

MESS brings environmental issues to campus Ciara Benham Staff Writer cbenham@murraystate.edu When you think about the current state of the environment, you may think it is a bit of a mess. One club on campus is dedicated to bringing awareness to the state of the environment and how the community can help improve it.

The Murray Environmental Student Society is a student-operated environmental conservation organization dedicated to the well-being of the planet.

“Our mission is to act as the environmental voice for Murray State through education, student activities, and outreach on campus and within the community,” Steven Collett, president of MESS, said.

The club, which was formed in 2008, meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in room 332 in the Blackburn Science Building. At each meeting, the club plans activities and outreach events, invites guest speakers, discusses present environmental issues on campus or within the community and devises solutions to combat them.

Collett said he wanted to become an officer of MESS

to bring awareness to the club.

“I wanted to become president to offer my experiences to grow MESS’s presence on campus and to encourage MESS to work with other related clubs,” Collett said. “I am active within the earth and environmental sciences department and have friends in leadership positions in other related departments and want to cooperate with them to have an increased presence on campus.”

MESS is an active student organization that strives to get as involved as possible on campus and in the community.

“We take hiking trips about once a month and camping trips once a semester,” Hannah Kamman, MESS public relations chair, said. “We involve ourselves in the community with different programs. Earlier this year we spent a meeting making posters for the climate strike.”

MESS also plans fundraising events that educate and aid in conservation efforts.

“Last semester we sold small pots and seeds of plants that were native and pollinator-friendly while we educated people on the importance of pollinators,”

Photo courtesy of @murraystatemess Alyssa Allen and Natalie Jarrett set up in the Curris Center to teach students all about MESS.

Leah Barnes junior and club secretary said.

The members of MESS all share a common interest in protecting and enhancing our environment. The members also enjoy the club because of their ability to grow and learn within it.

“My favorite part of MESS is educating ourselves and others about the environment and how to save it,” Barnes said. “I love being able to simultaneously educate and help people while helping the envi-

ronment, and I get to meet so many amazing people along the way that share my passion.”

MESS members would love to see more students become involved with their organization.

“We are the voice of environmental causes on Murray State’s campus,” Collett said. “As young people begin to take a greater stake in the future of our planet, getting involved with our club is a great opportunity to learn what is

happening and what will be happening in the future.”

MESS is currently working toward several projects including finalizing their semester camping trip and making costumes for Trail of Treats at Central Park.

A long-term goal for MESS is creating more green space on campus and implementing bike trails around Murray.

“We work together to work toward change for the better in Murray,” Kamman said.

Lauren Morgan and Colton Colglazier/The News

Homecoming

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October 17, 2019

Letter from the Editor To the returning Murray State alumni, I would like to welcome you back with open arms to a place that will always be your home.

Homecoming is a time for nostalgia to thrive as the University’s past and present collide. Students of the school’s past come together with current students, and even future students.

Laughter rings through the air as the smells of autumn float through the noses of those meandering their way through Tent City. Students and alumni alike are bursting with excitement and anticipation for the fast-approaching football game.

The Murray State Racer football team is currently tied with Jacksonville State University for third place in the OVC, sitting at 2-1 before the game on Saturday.

The Racers are even getting

votes to be in the FCS Top 25.

Our boys are putting forth their all, and it’s our responsibility to hype them up. Let’s cheer them on as they continue climbing their way to the top of the ranks.

Even though football is a huge part of Homecoming, the parade is quite possibly the most lively event of the whole weekend.

I am excited, as I am sure you are as well, to see the floats that Greek Life and the Residential Colleges have come up with.

With a theme of “Return of the Racers,” creativity must have run wild this year.

Perhaps, though, the return of the alumni is the true best part of Homecoming.

I am so thankful to you, the alumni, for the community all of you have helped build here at Murray State. You have built something amazing here, and I think I speak for the entire stu-

dent populace when I tell you I am forever grateful for that.

So, alumni, I ask you to embrace the nostalgia that fills you this weekend and reminisce with your classmates, friends and family. Put your “shoes up” at the football game against Eastern Kentucky University.

Show your Racer Pride!

Megan Reynolds Editor-in-Chief

Homecoming

October 17, 2019

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Racers look for third straight win against EKU

Lauren Morgan/The News Redshirt sophomore quarterback Preston Rice looks up the field for a receiver after scramblling out of the pocket.

Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Looking for its third-straight win, Murray State football will take on Eastern Kentucky UniversityduringMurrayState’s 2019 Homecoming.

The Racers are coming off a 31-17 victory over Tennessee State University that moved them to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Murray State was able to get the job done with a solid performance on both sides of the field. While he threw one

interception, redshirt sophomore quarterback Preston Rice threwforthreetouchdownsand 277 yards on 24-for-44 passing attempts. Head Coach Mitch Stewart and company were also able to establish a solid run game, with the team running for 254 yards.

On the defensive end, the Racers forced three interceptions and two fumbles. With the absence of now-Jacksonville Jaguar linebacker Quincy Williams, senior linebacker Kendrick Catis and junior linebacker Anthony Kocklanakis have picked up the slack by

leading the team in tackles with 49 and 68, respectively.

WhileDefensiveCoordinator Jake Johnson said he probably wouldn’t have predicted that the two would be on pace to put up numbers like Williams did in his senior season, he’s knownthattheywerecapableof controlling things on the defensive end.

“They both started for us last year and they both had great offseasons,” Johnson said. “I don’t really look at [statistics] too much. I know they’re both good football players and good leaders for us. To be as good as

Quincy right there in that pace (for 100 tackles each), he did a lot of good things for us last year so I probably wouldn’t have thought that.”

The Colonels are coming off of a 38-28 loss to UT Martin, which put them at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in OVC play.

EKU was able to score each quarter, but were unable to stop the Skyhawks’ run game.

UT-Martin’s running backs flew past the Colonels for 234 total yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Despite that defensive performance, the Colonels own

the second best ranking in the OVC for total defense and have the best scoring defense in the country. So Offensive Coordinator Nick Coleman knows the Racers have to come prepared.

“They’re a good football team,” Coleman said.

“Statisticallythey’rereallygood on defense. They do a great job getting to the ball and stuff like that, so we have to come out ready to play offensively.”

MurrayStatewilltakethefield for the Homecoming matchup with EKU at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Roy Stewart Stadium.

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October 17, 2019

Candidates for queen

Abagail Lanier

Emily Perry

Abagail Lanier is a senior agriculture education major from Bardwell, Kentucky. She was nominated by her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. Lanier is also involvedinCollegiateFutureFarmersof America and Hardin Baptist Church. In the past, she has served as a Summer O counselor and Hutson School of Agriculture ambassador.

Emily Perry is a senior mathematics major from Paducah, Kentucky. She was nominated by the Order of Omega. Perry is the vice president of Alpha Sigma Alpha and the president of the Order of Omega. She is also a member of Campus Activities Board, Lions Club and AssociationforWomeninMathematics.

Emma Piepenbrok

Kimberly Thomas

Shelby Wright

EmmaPiepenbrokisaseniorinterdisciplinaryearlychildhoodeducationmajor from Sikeston, Missouri. She was nominated by the men of Alpha Tau Omega.

Piepenbrok is a member of Alpha GammaDelta,MurrayStateDucksUnlimited, ILAAlphaUpsilonAlphaHonorSociety, KentuckyEducatorsAssociationandFirst United Methodist Church.

Kimberly Thomas is a senior accounting major from Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

She was nominated by the men of Pi Kappa Alpha. Thomas is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, Order of Omega, the Accounting Society and Beta Gamma Sigma. She was also previously the Pi Kappa Alpha Dream Girl.

Shelby Wright is a senior agriculture business major from Greenfield, Indiana. She was nominated by the Rodeo Club. Wright is also involved in AgriculturalAmbassadors,Agricultural BusinessClub,AgriculturalLeadership Council and Block and Bridle.

Mackenzie O’Donley, Richard Thompson, Lauren Morgan and Brock Kirk/The News

Voting for Homecoming King and Queen ends at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 17 on myGate.

Homecoming

October 17, 2019

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Candidates for king

Andrew Harris

Trey Book Trey Book is a senior business marketing major from Henderson, Kentucky.

He was nominated by the women of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Book is also the president of the Student Government Association,presidentofInter-fraternity Council, student regent, marketing intern for Racer Athletics and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Andrew Harris is a senior construction engineering technology major from Paducah, Kentucky. He was nominated by his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. He is also a member of Associated General Contractors.

Keenan Lautner

Warren Norman

Matthew Skinner

Keenan Lautner is a senior civil engineeringmajorfromElberfeld,Indiana.

He was nominated by his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. Lautner is also on the Murray State Judicial Board and a member of the Gentlemen’s Service Club and Associated General Contractors Club. He previously served as a Hester Residential College senator as well.

Warren Norman is a junior agriculture businessmajorfromHendersonCounty, Kentucky. He was nominated by the Agriculture Business Club. Norman is the vice president of the Student Government Association and secretary of the Campus Activities Board. He is also a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, student ambassadors, agriculture ambassadors, agriculture business club and Zion Baptist Church.

Matthew Skinner is a junior biology/ pre-medicine major from Cadiz, Kentucky. He was nominated by Order of Omega.Skinnerissecretaryandscholarship chairman of Pi Kappa Alpha, vice president of Order of Omega and the STEM college senator in Student Government Association. He is also a presidential fellow, member of Hardin Baptist Church, Murray State Judicial Board and Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society.

Mackenzie O’Donley, Richard Thompson, Lauren Morgan, Megan Reynolds and Brock Kirk/The News

Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned before the football game on Oct. 19.

2019 Homecoming

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October 17, 2019

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE HOMECOMING Welcome Home Racers!

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 5-10 p.m.

A Taste of the Arts Dinner and Auction

Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 9 a.m.

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

ATO Golf Outing Murray Country Club Hancock Biological Station Tours

11 a.m.

Hutson School of Agriculture: Dean’s Circle Luncheon

5 p.m.

Applied Health Sciences Gathering

5:30 p.m.

Golden Reunion

6 p.m.

Hutson School of Agriculture Alumni Picnic

6 p.m.

Racer Football Reunion

Homecoming

October 17, 2019

6 p.m.

7:06 p.m.

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Nursing Alumni Banquet Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant & Reception

7 p.m.

Young Alumni Reunion

8 p.m.

African American Alumni Reunion Meet and Greet with Homecoming Dance

8 p.m.

Homecoming Jazz Swing Dance

8 p.m.

Alumni Meeting at ATO House followed by party

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019

8- 9:30 a.m.

COEHS Homecoming Breakfast

8- 10 a.m.

MClub Breakfast

9:30 a.m.

Homecoming Parade

10 a.m.

Baseball Alumni Game (Batting Practice)

10 a.m.

Race for the Homecoming Cup Brunch followed by race starting at 11 a.m.

10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

1 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

Tent City SGA annual picture Pre-game

2 p.m.

Football Game

7 p.m.

NPHC Alumni Reception

8 p.m.

NPHC Yard Show

9 p.m.

Alpha Phi Alpha 50th Anniversary Alumni Bash (with Live DJ)

Homecoming

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October 17, 2019

Graphic courtesy of Murray State University

A tradition of its own

The process behind choosing a Homecoming theme rather than a committee. It hasn’t been done “We are always open to suggestions and since. would love to have more participation,” Decisions regarding the Homecoming McGinnis said. “Anyone who would like to theme are made by a committee of about be involved in some of this decision making Claire Smith 10 people including members from student is welcome to contact our office.”

Features Editor organizations, athletics, branding and marUsually a theme is chosen by April and csmith110@murraystate.edu keting, faculty and alumni.

Homecoming promotion begins in the middle “A student from the student activities board of summer. That theme will work it’s way into Iris Snap sits on the committee along with Jeanie many of the events, like Tent City and the Contributing Writer Morgan to represent the student population,” Homecoming Parade. isnapp@murraystate.edu McGinnis said.

Kristen Creech, senior organizationOnce Homecoming 2019 is complete the al communications major, initially didn’t ‘Return of the Racers’ is the theme for this committee will meet to discuss what did understand the theme; however, she does year’s Homecoming. and what didn’t work for the year and begin recognize the reason behind having one.

The theme, which plays on Star “I think themes help give context Wars, is fitting as many alumni return about what is happening at MSU to Murray State for this event each and help when it comes to float year. building etc,” Creech said.

Jordan Moore, junior pre-medical Residential Colleges, fraternities biology major, said the theme is releand sororities and other organizavant and catchy. tions participating in this year’s “Homecoming is about a grand Homecoming Parade, will use the return and phrasing it in a way that ‘Return of the Racers’ theme for also echoes a very popular series of their floats. The different orgamovies makes it easier for people to nizations often try to theme their become excited about it,” Moore said. tent set ups at Tent City to fit the The theme is meant to be something year’s theme; the theme can show that students and alumni can identify through their decorations, their with. tent activities or even their tent “We typically try to go with a theme snacks. that has some type of tie to current “I’m excited about my first MSU pop culture or that we think will Homecoming and glad to say I was resonate with both students and our a part of my residential commitalumni population,” Carrie McGinnis, tee,” Dionte Berry, freshman from - Jordan Moore, pre-medical biology student director of alumni relations, said.

Fort Campbell, Kentucky said.

Past Homecoming themes were The parade will be on Saturday, ‘Field of Dreams’(2018), ‘Once Upon a Oct. 19, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Main Homecoming’ (2017), ‘Decades: Building Street.

Memories’ (2016) and ‘Raise Your S.H.I.E.L.D’ looking at themes for 2020.

Ultimately, Homecoming is an event that (2015).

“We will meet pretty regularly beginning continues to bring people together and havUniquely, 2015’s theme was part of a in the spring,” McGinnis said. “Early in the ing a theme only adds to the festivities and contest put on by the Student Government year we will start discussing a theme and the excitement.

Association in which students, faculty, staff parade grand marshals for the year.”

“Our goal, of course, is to get as many of and alumni could submit theme suggestions.

Despite the decision being made by a com- our Racer alumni as we can to come home and This was the first time in five years choosing mittee, McGinnis says outside help is always celebrate with us each year,” McGinnis said. a theme had been done through a contest welcome.

Megan Reynolds Editor in Chief mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

Homecoming is about a grand return and phrasing it in a way that also echoes a very popular series of movies makes it easier for people to become excited about it.

Homecoming

October 17, 2019

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Alumni return Graduates recall favorite Homecoming traditions Cady Stribling Opinion Editor cstribling1@murraystate.edu

Homecoming Weekend traditions like the Homecoming Parade and Tent City are fan favorites for students and alumni.

With events packed from Thursday to Sunday, it’s a wonderful weekend for the Murray community to come together and celebrate being Racers.

Alumni get to relive Homecoming traditions they once participated in as students and attend alumni events that allow them to reconnect with old friends Kirby Rhines, Class of ’86, has great memories of Homecoming Weekend as a student and returning as an alumnus. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and enjoyed all the traditions of the fraternity and University.

“ATO had a tradition that, after Rush, a bunch of brothers grew ‘Homecoming beards,’” Rhines said. “Our tradition was to have a shaving party the morning of our party.”

Homecoming of ’84 was memorable for Rhines because it was the first one that he took his wife, then Beverly Claybrook, to. Rhines needed a date for Homecoming and had met Claybrook at ADPi 500. He proposed to his wife at the 1986 Homecoming Weekend, and they have been married for 31 years.

“Homecoming is not one day for me,” Rhines said. “I come in early to see as many folks as I can and enjoy all the events.”

Murray State didn’t have Tent City when Rhines attended, but now it’s one of his favorite events.

Rhines said Tent City is a great tradition for organizations to get together and a place where everyone is welcome.

Homecoming of 2014 was another favorite for Rhines because he experienced it with his son, Keegan Rhines, at his first Homecoming as an active ATO. “Murray State and ATO are very special to me, I have lifelong friends I keep up with literally daily, having gained friendships from folks in the ‘60s to

Homecoming is not one day for me. I come in early to see as many folks as I can and enjoy all the events.

- Kirby Rhines, Class of ‘86

recent graduates,” Kirby said.

Rhines now serves as an adviser for the fraternity. The ATO chapter will celebrate its 60th anniversary on campus.

This year, Rhines is looking forward to hosting the ATO chapter at his house to help them get ready for events. He looks forward to the golf outing and Homecoming party on Friday and all of the Homecoming traditions on Saturday.

Rhines said he and his wife rent a place the week

of Homecoming near the parade route to host a parade viewing party.

“We have a nice turnout of fraternity brothers, their guests, and lots of other Murray alumni,” Rhines said. “[It includes] folks from the 1960s through today.”

Christian Barnes graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May 2018 and his master’s degree in December 2019. Homecoming is one of his favorite traditions at Murray State.

Tent City is Barnes’ favorite Homecoming event.

Barnes said his best memories were the times he spentwiththeStudentGovernmentAssociationpreparing for events such as the Homecoming Parade.

He assisted with lining up the parade during the early hours of each Homecoming Saturday morning.

“Hundreds of alumni gather inside the walls of the stadium and have the opportunity to meet and speak with so many old and new friends,” Barnes said. “There is nothing else like it in the world. It is such a special event that brings me much excitement and joy each year.”

Barnes said this year is special because his fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, will celebrate 25 years on campus. Barnes now serves as the campus adviser for the local chapter. He said he has been heavily involved in the preparation for the celebration event.

Barnes is currently a full-time employee of the University as the director of annual giving for the Office of Development. Before this, Barnes served as the office coordinator and graduate assistant for student activities, and he spent time as the assistant to the Adviser of the Student Government Association, Jeanie Morgan.

Epsilon Lambda Est. 1958

Photo courtesy of Kirby Rhines Kirby Rhines, his son Keegan and his wife Beverly share a moment at the 2014 Homecoming.

Kirby Rhines (left) along with fellow ATO fraternity brothers shave off their beards during Homecoming in 1984. It was tradition for the brothers of ATO to grow a beard after Rush at the beginning of the semester. This was unique at the time because beards were not as common in the mid-1980s.

Photo courtesy of Kirby Rhines

Thank you to the Murray State community for voting Pi Kappa Alpha as Best Fraternity for a second consecutive year!

Go Racers!

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Homecoming

Tent City Map

October 17, 2019

Photo courtesy of Murray State University

October 17, 2019

Homecoming

MSU vs. EKU

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Homecoming traditions unique to each campus Claire Smith Features Editor csmith110@murraystate.edu Homecoming is a time-honored tradition at many universities and many have traditions that are specific to their school.

For this year’s Homecoming game MurrayStatewillplayEasternKentucky University on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

EKU celebrated its Homecoming Oct. 3-4.

While many of our traditions are the same ending with a football game there are traditions that are unique to each of the universities.

Zachery Combest, sports editor of the “Eastern Progress” EKU’s newspaper, said many alumni return to campus not only for the football game but the tailgating, parade and other events.

This year EKU didn’t have a theme but recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month by painting a pink “E” on the field.

EKU’s unique Homecoming tradition is the Corn Roast where students come together for roasted corn, games, and free sweatshirts.

“It’s a good way to get everyone excited for the game and for fall events,” Combest said. “The marching band and dance teams performed and the Student Government Association helped to organize the event.”

This year EKU switched up their parade schedule and hosted it on Friday evening. Although some were

upset about the change in the parade still had a large turnout.

“The parade still drew a large crowd and it was a great atmosphere,” Combest said. “A lot of students participated in the parade as well.”

This year Murray State’s theme is ‘Return of the Racers,’ complete with a lightsaber-wielding Dunker.

Throughout the week there are different reunions and activites to get students, alumni and the community excited for the main events.

The main events kick off on Saturday, Oct. 19 with the parade on Main Street.

“The parade is my favorite part of Homecoming but I also love the NPHC Step Show and then this year we are doing a yard show which I think is exciting,” Precious Lynch, president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., said.

Murray State’s biggest Homecoming tradition is Tent City. It’s a chance for alumni, current students, friends and family to gather for a grand tailgating event inside Roy Stewert Stadium.

Student organizations hand out food, host games and welcome alumni back to campus in preparation for the kickoff.

Tent City will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In addition to Tent City there are also alumni events like the Golden Reunion which will celebrate the class of 1969.

While each school may have unique traditions these traditions have a common goal and that is to bring the universities’ communities together.

Photo courtesy of Amanda J. Cain The EKU marching band plays during Homecoming 2019.

Kelli O’Toole/The News Alpha Tau Omega and Alpha Sigma Alpha celebrate Homecoming at Murray State with a retro float that tied in with the 2016 theme ‘Decades: Building Memories.’

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Homecoming

October 17, 2019