The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Vol. 117, Issue 15, 24 Pages
Tigers celebrate historic season Eric Yabor WRITER
TODD VAN EMST / AUBURN MEDIA RELATIONS
Aubie and Mr. Penny do push-ups during a pep rally in Phoenix, Ariz., a day before the national championship game.
GLENDALE MEETS MR.PENNY COMMUNITY RAISES $9,600 TO SEND JOHNNY RICHMOND TO THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Jillian Clair
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PHILIP SMITH / PHOTO STAFF
NEWS EDITOR
f his wife would let him, Mr. Penny would paint his entire house orange and blue. Known for enthusiastically performing thousands of pushups at home football games, Mr. Penny, Johnny Richmond, is classified by many as Auburn’s greatest fan. Although Richmond claims he is a motivator for the team’s success, he was shocked when the community raised $9,600 to send him to Glendale, Ariz. for the BCS National Championship
game—something he could never have dreamed. “I want to thank people—I can’t thank them enough,” Richmond said. “They didn’t have to do that, but God put it in their hearts to do it, and so that’s what they did. I really appreciate it. I had a great, great time.” Richmond works at Dean Road Elementary School as a custodian and a crossing guard. The group of parents and students he ushers across the street as they walk to school call themselves the Penny Walkers. » See PENNY, A2
Auburn fans are preparing to party like it’s 1957 as the football team brings home the Coaches’ Trophy Saturday. Head coach Gene Chizik invited all Tiger fans to join the team in Jordan-Hare Stadium as they present the American Football Coaches Association National Championship Trophy. Lolly Steiner of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce said many hotels are booked for Saturday night as Auburn faithful pour into town to celebrate. “We typically participate in these types of celebrations and events that involve the community,” Steiner said. Two events of similar size had been planned before: Toomer’s 2000, which was a celebration for the new millennium, and a celebration for the 2004 perfect season, Steiner said. Scott Carr, senior associate athletic director, said the city plans to close off Toomer’s Corner to traffic as people will naturally flow there following the trophy presentation. “I would assume we had something like this back in 1957,” Carr said, referring to the Tigers’ last national title 53 years ago. The Tigers have come close to being awarded titles again since then, most noticeably in 1983, 1993 and 2004. Each time, bad luck in the polls doomed the team to wait another year. Now that an undisputed championship has finally arrived, the school is planning for large support to come in. Carr estimated that anywhere from 40–60 thousand Auburn faithful will attend the ceremony. “I would say this is the
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We’re going to get this thing rolling; and we’re going to celebrate this national championship.” —Gene Chizik, HEAD COACH
largest celebration of this type on this campus,” Carr said. Carr, who had previously worked on planning the FedEx Orange Bowl game, said while he’s used to coordinating large events, he has never planned a historical event such as this. Carr recommended fans also attend the men’s basketball game against the University of Alabama where the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Award will be presented. The award is given each year to the winner of the Iron Bowl, with Auburn currently holding that honor after a 28-27 win in Tuscaloosa to finish off a perfect regular season. In keeping with the tradition of the sportsmanship trophy, Alabama’s SGA president will sing Auburn’s fight song during the presentation. The celebration, set to begin at 1 p.m., will last about one hour and will feature the band, cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, Aubie and of course, the team. Entrance is free and is through gates 2, 4, 5 and 7. Seating is first-come, first-serve. Students with an Auburn Ignited card may walk onto the field through the gates in sections 46 and 35. Parking for the event will be at the hayfields on South Donahue Drive. » See CELEBRATION, A2
Studies reveal danger-soaked side of drinking games Liz Conn ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR
Drinking games, a staple of the college lifestyle, may provide danger as well as fun. “The biggest danger with drinking games is that you lose control over how much you’re drinking,” said Chris Correia, associate professor of psychology. “You put yourself in a situation where you might be drinking more than you normally would or more than you can handle in that period of time.” Correia published a study in 2010 that showed a correlation between participation in drinking games and alcohol-related problems. Problems included having trouble studying, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and going to school or work drunk. “With drinking games, I think the reason that you see such a high correlation with those problems is because people are drinking at really elevated levels,” said Jenni Cameron, who co-authored the study. INSIDE
Community » A3
Cameron graduated from Auburn in August with her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. The fast-paced nature of drinking games is also a contributing factor, according to Mark Silvestri, graduate student in psychology. “If you think of Flip Cup, for example, it’s a pretty fast and rapid game,” Silvestri said. “You can consume a good amount of alcohol in a short amount of time, and what that does is, obviously, it makes you drunk fast because your BAC spikes up much higher.” Cameron said drinkers often lose track of how much alcohol they have consumed and consequently drink more. “Consumpt i o n games” such as Century Club are especially dangerous, where participants drink an ounce of |
Commentary » A5
beer every minute for 100 minutes, Cameron said. “The other ones that are really high are the chance games—stuff like Kings, Circle of Death, Three Man— the ones where there really aren’t any rules,” Cameron said. “What you drink literally just comes down to the flip of a card or the roll of a dice.” Cameron said the prevalence of drinking games on college campuses stems, in part, from the large popula-
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Intrigue » C1
tion of students under 21. “Before you’re able to go to the bars and get in legally, it’s something that you can do when you’re hanging out and drinking with people,” Cameron said. Correia said books, video games and even national tournaments market to college students one of the most popular drinking games: Beer Pong. “There is this huge culture specifically around Beer Pong,” Correia said. Another study published by Cameron and Correia in
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Technology » C3
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2010 studied average blood alcohol content levels during games of Beer Pong. The study analyzed disparities in BAC levels because of metabolic differences between males and females. “Guys and girls drink about the same amount when they play Beer Pong,” Correia said, “but the girls are going to come away, on average, with a higher BAC.” In a 20-minute, two-player game of Beer Pong, the average male had a BAC of .08, while the average for a female was .14. “Looking at those differences in BACs, you can see some of the risks of drinking games, specifically for female participants,” Cameron said. Cameron cited a 2004 study in which participants were questioned about their motives for playing drinking games. “Some of the ones that males
Wasting Time » C4
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Sports » D1
reported, that females didn’t, were that some of their motives were to intoxicate other players or to facilitate sexual contact,” Cameron said. “When you look at those differences in BACs for males and females, you can see where that could lead to some of that.” Silvestri said drinkers should give their bodies time to catch up after playing a drinking game. “You may not feel the effects of how much you drank when you were playing that drinking game,” Silvestri said, “because it usually takes your body some time to process that alcohol.” Correia said participants should avoid playing with hard liquor and, for Beer Pong, decide beforehand how much beer will go in each cup. “The No.1 thing is knowing that you can always stop,” Correia said. “That’s something to keep in mind for any drinking situation you’re in.” Recycled paper
News A2
The Auburn Plainsman Crime Reports for Jan. 13 – Jan. 20, 2011
DUI ARRESTS IN THE CITY OF AUBURN JAN. 13 – JAN. 20, 2010
Jan. 12 — Quad Drive
Theft of property reported. One yellow bicycle.
■ Herbert Hunter, 45, of Opelika Vickerstaff Street Jan. 15, 8:34 p.m.
Jan. 14 — Heisman Drive
West Glenn Avenue at Thomas Street Jan. 16, 3:20 a.m.
■ Jose Alvarado, 39
PENNY
South College Street Jan. 16, 3:56 a.m.
» From A1
■ Kevin A. Frank, 21, of Tampa, Fla.
Susie Weigel, a Dean Road parent and member of the Penny Walkers, said she thought Richmond should have been able to go to the Iron Bowl and the SEC Championship. She said she couldn’t imagine him missing the National Championship as well. “I started thinking about it, and I said, ‘You know, this man is the biggest Auburn fan I know,’” Weigel said. “I thought that would be just ridiculous if he’s not there, but I didn’t really know what to do about it.” Weigel created a Facebook group Dec. 7, hoping to have a ticket donated by the athletic department. “I went by (the athletic department), I called them, I talked to several different people,” said Anna Harris, who partnered with Weigel
West Glenn Avenue Jan. 17, 2:27 a.m.
■ Evan T. Dodd, 20, of Jacksonville, Fla.
North Donahue Drive at Genelda Avenue Jan. 17, 2:29 a.m.
■ John L. Dowdell, 51, of Opelika Lee Road 18 Jan. 17, 2:37 p.m.
Jan. 14 — Hampton Drive
Jan. 15 — West Longleaf Drive
Burglary of residence reported. One flat screen TV, assorted change, 25 T-shirts, 12 baseball caps.
Theft of property reported. Set of house keys, one leather wallet, one Visa debit card, money.
Jan. 14 — Armstrong Street
Jan. 16 — Millbranch Drive Theft of property reported. Four bottles of fingernail polish, one makeup kit, one bottle of perfume.
Theft of property reported. One MacBook Pro.
Theft of property reported. One iPhone with case.
■ Jasmine V. Amoo, 18, of Wilmington, Del.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Jan. 14 — Hampton Drive Burglary of residence reported. One rifle, one wristwatch, one surround sound stereo.
to raise money and plan Richmond’s trip. “Their response was, ‘We do not have any tickets to sell.’ We weren’t asking for donations; we just wanted a face value ticket to buy, you know, less than $900.” Weigel, Harris and Richmond could never have imagined what happened next. After a bank account was set up and linked to PayPal, money began pouring in by the thousands. Five days later, $9,600 sat in the account. “It’s just amazing that we were able to raise that much,” Harris said. “Mr. Penny is just so grateful and appreciative of what we’ve done—we gave him a oncein-a-lifetime experience.” Weigel and Harris bought two tickets for Richmond and his wife, made travel arrangements and bought him a camera and luggage to take to Glendale—all in
— Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety
about four weeks. Richmond said he thinks his kindness and enthusiasm inspired people to donate money. “I love people,” Richmond said. “When you do good, good things follows.” In Glendale, Richmond said he felt like a movie star. “I took a picture with everybody,” Richmond said. “I couldn’t even go to the bathroom.” Richmond was featured on the Rick and Bubba show, made an appearance at the pep rally the day before the game and was interviewed by ESPN, Fox News, The Birmingham News and several TV news stations. Richmond said he knew all along that Auburn would win the national championship. “I told everybody this year was our year,” Ricmond said. “I said, ‘We gonna get that national championship.’” Richmond has been doing
pushups at Auburn games for 17 years. He has a detailed, rigorous system: 50 for every touchdown, extra point, field goal and safety; 25 for every sack;and 20 for every first down. This season, he has done more than 9,800 pushups— including the 500 he did at the national championship game. “I tell people all the time—my pushups is not a show,” Richmond said. “It’s to glorify God. What it does, it gives that team motivation.” Although Richmond, 57, understands the risk of his extreme Saturday tradition, he said he is confident God will protect him. “Well if I die, I like what I’m doing, so it won’t bother me,” he added. “It’s nothing that you can do on your own unless God is in the mission of it. That’s how I get my strength.”
Bentley assumes Alabama governorship TODD VAN EMST / AUBURN MEDIA RELATIONS
Auburn coach Gene Chizik with the Coaches’ Trophy.
CELEBRATION » From A1
Shuttles will run there beginning at 10 a.m. Tiger Transit will also be running Saturday, picking up from Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn Village Mall, Sam’s Club, Tiger Town and the facilities division. The buses will begin pick ups at 10 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m. The hayfield at the corner of Donahue and Lem Morrison will be available
for all RV parking. Immediately following the celebration, a “reverse” Tiger Walk will take place as the players walk from Jordan-Hare to the Athletic Complex. National championship posters will be distributed for free as fans exit the stadium. “We’re going to get this thing rolling; and we’re going to celebrate this national championship,” Chizik said to the fans that have patiently waited 53 years for this time to come.
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» A4
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Page A3
Aerial surveying to aid county in project planning Elizabeth Fite
practice to do these as your way of collecting data,” Graff Surveying throughout said. “It’s so much more the county began last week cost effective. Here you get a as the Lee County Coopera- nice, clean, uniform data set tive’s Aerial Project took off. that was all from one period The aerial project, which of time.” takes place every three Kucera International, years, combines aerial pho- Inc., the contractor retography with LiDAR tech- sponsible for completing nology, which measures the project, sent its survey elevation, to form a map of crew out last week to begin the county. by placing X and Y-shaped The map contains details markers throughout the including building and road county. These white markedges and elevation chang- ers were painted on the es. shoulders of the roads. Auburn has collected this Kucera’s high-precision data every three years since GPS will pick up the painted 1997. markers to tie the photo“What’s different about graphs together to form one the project this year is we’re coherent map. doing the entire county, and Data collection is set to we’re working in coopera- begin at the end of January, tion with Lee County, so you pending weather condihave Opelika and the Uni- tions. versity as well,” said Project “We schedule for basically Manager Christopher Graff, a week, so sometime the last geographic information sys- week of the month, they’ll tems procome down, or they’ll watch fessional the weather and when they for the city find a window of of Auburn. two to three days, In the then they’ll fly past, each down,” Graff city and the counsaid. ty have collected the G ra f f data separately, but this said the year maps are HELEN NORTHCUTT / GRAPHICS EDITOR d i f available to ferent the public entities in Lee County have through the city’s webcombined funds to hire an site, and nearly all of the outside contractor to col- data is stored in the digital lect the data. resource library on campus Planning for this year’s for the University students’ project began in spring 2010 use. and will be completed in The data and maps prosummer 2011. vide a valuable resource for The cost of the entire city as well as private projproject for the county was ects. just less than $400,000, Graff “If you’re using it to plan said. out an outbuilding in the The data collected could back of your property, we’re end up saving the county happy to let you do that,” money because it will elimi- Graff said, “or developers nate the cost of hiring sepa- that are putting in a new rate contractors for every subdivision, we’re going to project. work with them and share Otherwise, Graff said, the with them the data they cost of hiring surveyors for need. individual projects would “It helps them build a betbe millions of dollars. ter project, which results in “It’s kind of industry a better city.” STAFF WRITER
REBEKAH WEAVER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Henry Stern, a Holocaust survivor and Opelika resident, sits at the “Darkness into Life” art exhibit in Opelika Thursday.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS ART EXHIBIT COMES TO OPELIKA Jeremy Gerrard ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
“Never Again.” These are the key words that speak the message of the “Darkness Into Life” art exhibit featured at the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library in Opelika. The exhibit, which makes stops throughout the state of Alabama, features striking portraits that depict the spectrum of human emotion told through the faces of 20 Holocaust survivors who relocated to Alabama during and after World War II. Artist Mitzi Levin and photographer Becky Seitel began the project in 2006 after Seitel heard a Holocaust survivor speak at her husband’s synagogue. “It was such a revealing experience,” Seitel said. “At first, it made me think of two things. If I hadn’t heard this before, who else hasn’t, and second, how will my grandchildren hear about it?” The portraits that decorate the library walls reveal the survivors’ pain during their darkest times, but they also celebrate the lives of the survivors after the war. “The objective of it is mainly for the children, so they don’t forget what happened,” said Henry Stern, Opelika
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The objective of it is mainly for the children, so they don’t forget what happened.” —Henry Stern, OPELIKA RESIDENT AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
resident and Holocaust survivor featured in the exhibit. Now 79, Stern moved from Germany to Opelika with his family in 1937 on the last boat that allowed Jews to legally leave the nation. He later attended Auburn University, joined the military and went on to work at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. At the exhibit, which is broken down by country of origin, Stern’s portrait is the first. While his painting reflects the joy he had the first time he saw the Statue of Liberty, the photograph captures him at his computer where he spent hours trying to locate relatives. “Over 50 years I was trying to figure out if anyone survived,” Stern said. “When I traveled, I would always pick up a phone book and call anyone who shared my last name.”
After years of searching and possessing the last photograph taken at his family farm in Germany, Stern found a cousin in 2004 living in Durham, N.C. “He called me after I scanned him the picture I had,” Stern said. “He said, ‘Are you sitting down—because I am one of those boys in the picture’.” While Stern never spent time at a concentration camp, many of the survivors featured at the exhibit did, and their portraits now serve as a reminder, encouraging the viewer to never forget the events that happened some 70 years ago. “We’re very fortunate to have the exhibit here,” said Marsha Sanson, reference librarian in Opelika. “One of my favorite pieces is ‘Clean Sheets,’ but so many of the pieces are moving. In ‘Clean Sheets,’ one of the survivors is pictured gently clutching fresh linen, something she said they never had in the camps. Among all of the anguish that the resilient survivors faced during the Holocaust, Seitel said she was surprised to see many of them without any bitterness. “Every time we brought it up in an interview, they would each answer the same way: ‘If we were bitter, Hitler would have won,’” Seitel said.
Corporate sponsors bring Coaches’ Trophy to Walmart Liz Conn ASSOCIATE CAMPUS EDITOR
The Walmart on South College Street held more than clothes and groceries Sunday. It also housed the Coaches’ Trophy from the BCS National Championship. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Auburn fans had the chance to take a picture with the trophy the Tigers won Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz. Dr Pepper, the official sponsor of the trophy, partnered with Walmart for the second year to display the trophy in stores. The trophy made a threestop trip through Auburnarea stores and was displayed in Montgomery Friday; Columbus, Ga., Saturday; and Auburn Sunday. With lines snaking through the store’s aisles, fans began arriving at 5 a.m., said Walmart employee Dedrick Pace. Auburn resident and alumna Elizabeth Hodson was one of many fans decked in orange and blue from head to toe. “This is family—All In,” Hodson said. “I’m very enthused. I was 4 years old when we won our last
national championship.” Alumnus Kal Oravet was also 4 years old when the Tigers won the 1957 championship. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Oravet said. “If it takes 53 more years, I’ll be 110. Medicine’s getting better, but I’m not thinking I’ll be here.” The Coaches’ Trophy was the result of a season that was a perfect storm, Oravet said. “How often are you going to get a Cam Newton and a Nick Fairley?” he said. “Everything has to fall into place.” Hodson said watching the championship game was nerve-racking. “I don’t care if it’d been by one point or 40 points—as long as we came home with that trophy,” Hodson said. At 34 inches tall, the fully assembled trophy is valued at $30,000 and weighs 45 pounds, said Charley Green, manager of the Coaches’ Trophy. Green said the football on top of the trophy weighs 8 pounds and is made from handcrafted Waterford crystal from Ireland. A new trophy is made
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I don’t care if it’d been by one point or 40 points —as long as we came home with that trophy.” —Elizabeth Hodson, AUBURN ALUMNA
EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
Auburn graduate Michael Riggs and Rebecca Dobson, senior in biomedical science, have their photo taken with the Coaches’ Trophy at Walmart Sunday afternoon. each year, and its production takes three months. “No one’s allowed to touch it—that’s the main rule,” Green said. “We have
a lot of people keeping an eye on it to make sure that it gets safely back to Auburn.” The next stop for the trophy is the national
championship celebration, said A.J. Mills, graduate assistant for the Athletic Department. The national championship celebration
will take place Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Athletic Department has not decided where the trophy will reside after that. “That’s as far as the plan has gone,” Mills said. Kal’s wife, Bobbie, said she and her husband are thrilled for the Auburn family and the University. “We’re excited for Auburn,” she said. “This is the biggest thing that’s happened to us in many, many years. You can tell by the crowd that’s here.” Kal said the reality of the championship and seeing the trophy had not sunk in. “It’s an awe type thing,” he said. “Is it really happening to us?”
Community A4
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
New yoga studio opens in historic building Kala Bolton Writer
Child’s pose. Downwardfacing dog. Mountain pose. Now Auburn-Opelika residents can learn these yoga poses in a brand-new studio. Kimberly Sotelo, owner of Yoga Ananda on Gay Street, recently opened The White Lotus Heath and Wellness Center, located at 705 Ave. D in Opelika. The White Lotus has a number of rooms and provides more space than Yoga Ananda. With a larger work area, Sotelo plans to offer more classes and provide a comfortable environment to clients. “The idea is to build more of a community here,” Sotelo said. While Yoga Ananda is still open and offering classes, Sotelo said it was time to expand. “I needed more space,” Sotelo said. “There was no space for me to bring in any other teachers, so I needed some place where we could have smaller classes going on at the same time.” Although the new location is farther from campus, the White Lotus is located in a large, newly renovated building and is easily accessible. Susan Brinson has been taking classes with Sotelo for 18 months and is also a professor at Auburn. Brinson said she enjoys
Christen Harned / Assistant Photo Editor
The White Lotus Health and Wellness Center in Opelika offers yoga classes five days a week and Thai classes once a week. the new space. “I liked the Gay Street location, but it could be very noisy, especially in the evenings, and parking was troublesome,” Brinson said. “The new location has lots of parking and is in a very quiet part of Opelika.” While the White Lotus is a new operation, the building is not. Built in 1915, it was set to be demolished around the time Sotelo discovered it. “I have a thing for renovating places,” Sotelo said. “I can see potential.” Just months
after renovations began, the building looks polished and clean. “Renovations started in July, and we moved in by November,” Sotelo said. Karen Rogers, associate dean for graduate studies and external affairs in the College of Architecture, attends every evening class at the White Lotus. “I do Thai one day a week, and I do yoga five days a week,” Rogers said. Having been a student at Yoga Ananda for three years, Rogers said she loves the new location.
“It’s beautiful,” Rogers said. “Because Kimberly was so closely involved in the design and the remodeling of the new center, you can sense her in the building itself. “It’s a building that has been remade with a lot of thought and a lot of love, and you can sense that.” Although there are still a few finishing touches to be made, the White Lotus is up and running. “We are open,” Sotelo said. “I have been teaching and doing Thai. We were only closed for one week.”
With a variety of yoga and Thai classes, the White Lotus caters to all experience levels. “She has extensive training, helps everyone whatever their level of ability and has a great sense of humor,” Brinson said. “She is very supportive, in an understated way.” Another focus of the center is to help those with physical ailments cope with pain. Sotelo said the healing aspects of yoga are what initially drew her to the activity.
“I had fibromyalgia, and I needed to change something,” Sotelo said. “It was painful for me to lift my arms over my head, I sometimes couldn’t put my own jackets on, couldn’t put my hair up. “For some reason, I knew that yoga was something I needed to do.” So while on a family vacation, Sotelo decided she wanted to become a yoga instructor so she could help herself and others. “No one was doing it here locally, and I needed to build some community,” she said. After a month of training, Sotelo said she stopped taking her pain medications. This sense of healing through yoga is an aspect Sotelo strives to maintain through her classes. “I think she’s a very gifted healer,” Rogers said. “She really tries to understand any kind of physical problem that her students have and help them work with and through those problems. She’s really unique in that sense.” Sotelo said she loves her work and could not be more excited about the White Lotus and continuing to help others through yoga. “Not only does yoga make you physically fit, but it has an effect on the mind that is calming and subtle,” Sotelo said. “Yoga makes you happy, and who doesn’t want that?”
City Council discusses black representation Jeremy Gerrard Assistant News Editor
Maria Iampietro / associate photo editor
Zazu, located on East Magnolia Avenue, is changing its menu to add more variety and to include less expensive items.
Zazu changes menu, adds trivia to draw college crowd Crystal Cole Sports Editor
Many students struggle to decide where to go eat, and Zazu is trying to make that decision easier. The restaurant, located on East Magnolia Avenue, has been known as one of the ritzier places in Auburn since its opening in 2007. With a large part of the market in the city being college students, owner and executive chef Graham Hage said he wants to draw more of the college crowd. “I hope not to turn off some of our old customers who think that it would be more of a bar,” Hage said. “Hopefully, we keep those people, but also bring in more students and faculty to fill out our bar area. We have such a huge bar that can seat 40 or 50 people at a time, but just isn’t being utilized.” Many of the changes regular customers can expect will be menu-related. Hage said the new menu, which should be introduced sometime next week,
includes more entrees, an overhauled martini list and more sandwiches. He said sandwiches will be served all day, and more casual options like fajitas will be offered. In addition to menu changes, manager Scott Warren said the restaurant will also host trivia nights. Warren said fine dining in the current economy isn’t always practical, and bringing back elements from when the eatery was Buffalos will attract college customers. Warren added that a long-term goal would be to re-open the bar in the back room of the restaurant. “When it was Buffalos, they had the trivia nights, and a lot of the faculty would come in and participate,” Hage said. “It was kind of a place where grown-ups could come and get away from the 21- and 22-year-olds.” Alison Walker, graduate student in education, said she enjoys Zazu, but will be excited to see less
Maria Iampietro / Associate Photo Editor
Manager Scott Warren said he would eventually like to reopen the bar in the back of the restaurant. expensive options. “I generally eat there for special occasions, like a date with my boyfriend or going out for birthdays,” Walker said. “I think now I can start eating there more, which is nice because it’s close to everything downtown.” Hage said the front room will remain unchanged and will still offer a formal place for patrons to eat dinner. The owner added that the restaurant will not
change much aesthetically. “I want the back room to be a place where people want to bring their friends for parties and holidays,” Hage said. “We are also looking to expand our hours. Right now, we close from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., so we are looking to stay open all day for anyone who wants to come in and have a drink or something. “Eventually, we hope to be open until midnight or later.”
Tensions arose at a recent meeting of the Auburn City Council when Councilman Arthur L. Dowdell addressed the council with a list of challenges his constituents wanted to communicate to the city. “We want to challenge the city of Auburn and the administration to be a place for all ethnicities,” Dowdell said. The list included 10 specific items, of which he said his ward felt the need to make the council aware. These requests included the need for more black police and fireman within the city, more black schoolteachers, a predominantly black high school in his ward and a restructuring of the city’s wards to allow for more ethnic diversity on the Council. “It’s been more than 30 years since we had two blacks on the City Council,” Dowdell said. “We challenge the city to hire more blacks and minorities in these key positions.” While Dowdell was simply the messenger, the other council members along with surrounding Auburn community members and officials were visibly uncomfortable at the unexpected speech and requests. Tension in the room increased as Dowdell made the Council aware that one of the members in his ward would be filing a federal lawsuit within the next 30 days that would demand more black representation on the City Council. This demand would ask that the city be redistricted to make these accommodations. Dowdell added his ward feels steps should be taken to communicate better with the University. On a racial level, Dowdell mentioned a need for more minority teachers and
“
I want to see this city live up to its championship status and be champions for all of the citizens, black and white, rich and poor.” —Arthur Dowdell, Ward 1 Councilman
students. Fiscally, Dowdell encouraged increasing the income of some employees who have dedicated more than 10 years of work. “I want to see this city live up to its championship status and be champions for all of the citizens: black and white, rich and poor,” Dowdell said. While many of the council members remained silent following Dowdell’s speech, Councilman Brent Beard spoke up to address the requests. “Are they (Dowdell’s ward) actually saying that we should hire people based on race?” Beard said. Dowdell quickly denied this claim, but asked why other cities surrounding Auburn are able to find more black teachers while Auburn, according to him, has less than 15 percent. “If Loachapoka has found black teachers to hire, why can’t Auburn?” Dowdell said. Both men acknowledged they do not entirely know about the teacher selection process and agreed their discussion had been positive and nondiscriminatory. “I just hope that the teachers in Auburn are superior to the teachers elsewhere so that our children can have the best education possible,” Beard said.
Commentary
A5
www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Community
Our View
Work needed to realize the dream As the birthday of Civil Rights legend Martin Luther King Jr. came and went Monday, we were reminded of the troubled racial past of the South, the state we live in and the university we attend by our discovery of the Nov. 8, 2001 issue in the Plainsman archive. Four pages of the leading news section were devoted to coverage of a scandal that brought national attention to Auburn. On the front page were photographs from brothers of two fraternities who had their faces painted black and had donned Ku Klux Klan masks, with assault rifles in hand and even nooses around necks. The images are just as shocking 10 years later as they were in 2001. However, it prompted us to ask: How far have we come, and how much further do we have to go? A quick glance at the demographics of Auburn University is not encouraging. In 2001, the University had a black enrollment of 7 percent. In 2011, 7 percent of Auburn
students are black. Today, Auburn University still has an enrollment of white students that towering at 86 percent. The social factors and political decisions that lead to this number can and should be debated by those in the appropriate positions. This does not mean the student body that is here now cannot look in the mirror and perform the self-evaluation it should have 10 years ago. The sad truth is that Auburn University students still segregate themselves. The diversity initiatives and the efforts of the Multicultural Center can only go so far. Laws and policies are crucial, but they do not change hearts and minds. At some point, we must be willing to stand up and ask ourselves, “Why do so many of my friends look like me?” Perhaps it is a natural, sub-conscious culture of the South to gravitate toward people who are like us. Separation has been ingrained in the social fabric of
the South since colonial times. Perhaps it is a Greek system that values sameness and institutionally separates the races. Perhaps it is the churches we attend, which are statistically some of the most segregated communities in the nation. The ugly issue of race in America is not a simple problem and there are no simple answers. Regardless, if we are not willing to ask ourselves the tough questions and we continue to accept the status quo, there will be no change, and a repeat of the 2001 incident is not outside the realm of possibility. There are encouraging signs, though. Mixedrace step shows a n d diversity
initiatives are only a few of the many baby steps that are being taken to blend the yet-to-bemelted pot at our University. Even so, diversity and tolerance are not passive initiatives. They take never-ending work from all parties to foster a more diverse population. This Martin Luther King Jr. week, take time to reflect and ask yourself what you can do to make the Loveliest Village on the Plains just a little bit lovelier. Be bold. Call out intolerance when you see it. Embrace your fellow Auburn men and women. Live the dream.
“
This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity. If it takes 53 more years, I’ll be 110. Medicine’s getting better, but I’m not thinking I’ll be here.” —Cal Oravet, COACH’S TROPHY, A3
Last week’s question:
Should the student section keep throwing the football out of the stadium? Yes 69% No 31%
This week’s question:
Do Auburn students segregate themselves? ❍ Yes ❍ No
Vote at www.theplainsman.com
HELEN NORTHCUTT / GRAPHICS EDITOR
Staff Columns
FOOTBALL REFLECTIONS What to do now and what it all means
Take the offseason as a chance to discover Auburn Chelsea Harvey CAMPUS@ THEPLAINSMAN.COM
Don’t get me wrong: it’s not that I am not a football fan. Yes, I bought full season tickets this year; and yes, I went to the games. (At least, until I had to pay a towing fee and a parking ticket in the same month and found selling tickets necessary for survival.) I cheered hard for the Iron Bowl, harder for the SEC Championship and hardest for the BCS. Yes, I was at Toomer’s Corner, along with thousands of others, when we won.
Like I said, it’s not that I am not a football fan. It’s just that I am also a fan of many other things. Come on, admit it. Football is the very air we breathe around here. I don’t have a problem with passion by any stretch of the imagination. Take it from a person who believes apathy to be the root of all evil—I think passion is among the greatest traits a person can have. But I do have a problem with passion that eclipses EVERYTHING else. And the truth is, when people think of Auburn, you can safely bet they associate it with our football team and nothing else. At the very least, you can assume that our artistic and cultural organizations are furthest from
the minds of most people. I find this a bit depressing. Yeah, I know. It’s Auburn, Ala., not New York. So maybe our cultural resources are comparatively limited. But that doesn’t mean we should show a complete disinterest in what we do have. This is a university, after all, with so much more to offer than we give it credit for. We have choirs, theatre productions and art exhibits. We host speakers on every topic imaginable. We are home to organizations for any religion, hobby, interest or community outreach you can think of. We conduct research in every scientific field. We’re building our own satellite. With all due respect, I think any
of the projects or organizations at Auburn University should be equally as appreciated as our athletics department. Make sure you take this the right way: it’s not that I wish we valued our football team any less, but that we valued other aspects of our community more. It’s now the beginning of spring semester, and already I’m hearing the complaints that there will be nothing to do in Auburn without football. False. Go out into your community. Explore a little. You’ll probably surprise yourself with the things you’ll discover, even in a town as small as this one. Hit up a few concerts, support some local bands. Attend a poetry reading (I know where you can
find one). Go to lectures; there are plenty of them and they’re generally open to anyone who wishes to attend. I can almost guarantee you’ll find a topic that interests you. Do some volunteering and give a little back to the community. In short, do something. If you find that the end of football season leaves a hole in your life, fill it with other things. Learn to appreciate the diverse interests of our community, however small. Be passionate, but be passionate about many things. And when football season rolls back around next fall, celebrate with as much enthusiasm as you have. Like I said, it’s not that I’m not a football fan.
AU fans once again demonstrate Southern class, spirit Jeremy Gerrard CAMPUS@ THEPLAINSMAN.COM
“Family. All in.” Those were the only words in my head as I scraped the ice and snow off my car in West Chester, Pa. The past few weeks of football had served only as a warm up for the big game in Glendale, Ariz. The championship only two days away, I got in my car and started to make the 14-hour drive back to Auburn after the long winter break. Thankfully, I decided to break the trip up by stopping in Charlotte, N.C., so I could grab a flight to Phoenix for the game. In the long run, this proved to be the best decision I ever made on account of the crippling ice storm that swept through the Southeast over the next few days, stranding
some fans 2,000 miles away from their beloved Auburn Tigers. Because I never seem to have enough Auburn merchandise, I strategically planned my wardrobe for the next couple days to make sure anyone who saw me had no idea what team I cheered for. I decided to part with my bright Auburn basketball shorts as it was too cold outside to wear them, but stuck with my lucky hat that features the old school Aubie logo, which apparently looks like a Cincinnati Bengals hat to many people up North who are unfamiliar with the Loveliest Village on the Plains. Little did I know that proudly displaying my allegiance would not be a problem on this trip. From the moment I boarded the parking shuttle at the airport, I was greeted with a “War Eagle” from the only other person on the bus, which just happened to be an Auburn grad. From that point on, it was easy game of “I Spy,” as I
began to notice the tops of Auburn shakers stuffed into luggage and backpacks which fans seemed to remember at the last minute—not to mention the endless parade of people wearing orange and blue. At this point, I began to realize without a doubt that Auburn has the best fans in the world. It’s not just the big smiles and a casual “War Eagle” that let others know you’re part of the Auburn family, it’s the respect and camaraderie that we give opposing fans that leads us to bond over the common ground of sports. It’s hard for me to imagine a fan from another team able to politely sweet talk a stewardess into letting them use the intercom on the plane to lead the whole cabin in a round of “Bodda Getta,” as happened on my flight. It’s little moments like these that make it such a pleasure to be part of a family so rich in tradition, especially with such dedicated fans as “Mr. Penny,” whose
push-ups won him the attention of other Auburn fans who were able to raise enough money to send him and his wife to Glendale. On two separate occasions this season, I read in a student publication at South Carolina and in an article by a Portland, Ore., reporter for examiner.com that Auburn fans were the kindest and most courteous fan base they had ever come across. This is not a fluke. Clearly, the Auburn family is able to maintain this level of respect when traveling in large numbers across great distances. While the inside of the University of Phoenix Stadium looked like a 3–1 ratio of Auburn to Oregon fans, it was a different story outside, where orange and blue covered the desert landscape with fans who just wanted to be part of the experience, not minding that they didn’t have a ticket. As for Oregon fans, I have only the nicest things to say about them as well: great fans who were
there to support their team with as much pride as Auburn fans. Sure, there were a few bad ones in the bunch, but many were quick to offer congratulations and offer me free drinks as I waited for the infinite snaking line of cars to slither out of the parking lot back into the desert. While I can say that being at the game was one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime, one that I will always remember, I don’t want those who were unable to attend to feel like they missed out. I’m sure that many fans who were there with me would agree that after Wes Byrum kicked the final field goal, we would have loved to be down at Toomer’s Corner, celebrating with many more in the Auburn Family. And it is in this way that Auburn is so much like a family because, despite the great distances between us, you can’t help but get a little homesick and come back to experience a family reunion.
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Community A6
The Auburn Plainsman
Circuit Court Judge Chris Hughes is optimistic about justice system Molly Montgomery WRITER
Family, football and fairness—just a few of newly elected Circuit Court Judge Chris Hughes’ favorite things. Hughes was elected to the Lee County Circuit
Judge position in 2010 after a lengthy career in law. “I just found after practicing law for 20 years that the parts of the legal profession that I enjoy are the parts the judge does,” Hughes said. Hughes, Auburn native and Auburn University graduate, knows the community well. “I grew up in Auburn,” Hughes said. “My dad is a retired doctor, and my mom was a homemaker. They still live in the house in which I grew up.” In addition to growing up in Auburn, Hughes also has extended family in the area. “My sister grew up here too, and she’s a teacher in the civil engineering department,” Hughes said. “My sister-in-law now lives here; my wife’s aunt now lives here. So we have a lot
of family who has moved into the area and a lot of family who has always lived here.” Hughes and his wife, Kathy, have two children: Ivy, who is in the sixth grade, and Mary Kate, who is in the seventh grade. In 2011, Hughes said he is looking forward to “getting acclimated as quickly as possible on this job and to getting off to a good start and doing the best job I can.” Hughes has an optimistic outlook for the justice system. “I think that there are so many new judges and a new district attorney coming in this year that I hope we can all work in concert with Judge Walker, who is the veteran judge,” Hughes said. “And maybe work together
Thursday, January 20, 2011
and fine tune things and make sure that the new team, so to speak, works as well as the old one did, because they were terrific.” When Hughes is not in the courtroom, he enjoys being a football referee. “I do it for high school and the occasional college junior varsity game or scrimmage,” Hughes said. Like every Auburn fan, Hughes cheered on the Tigers in the BCS National Championship game. “I was here in Auburn, so we kind of made it a family affair,” Hughes said. “Everybody from my daughter to my grandparents were all together watching it. We had a great time.” Hughes has begun his term as circuit court judge and looks forward to serving Lee County.
EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
Circuit Court Judge Chris Hughes was elected last year after practicing law for 20 years. He grew up in Auburn and graduated from Auburn University.
CALENDAR: THURSDAY, JAN. 20 – SATURDAY, JAN. 29 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
20
Jule Collins Smith Museum Third Thursday: Late night
Women’s Basketball vs. Tennessee
■ Auburn Arena ■ 2 p.m.
24
26
25
Philosophy Club panel discussion
Undergrad research information session
■ Gnu’s Room ■ Student ■ 5 p.m.
Center Room 2216 ■ 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
21
■ Bourbon Street ■ 9 p.m.
National Championship Celebration
Stadium ■ 1 p.m.
■ Gnu’s Room Book reading ■ 9 p.m. ■ Gnu’s Room ■ 7 p.m. 27
Southern Outsiders Film Series presents Cool Hand Luke
■ JCSM ■ 6 p.m.
22
■ Jordan-Hare
Comedy Show
8 p.m.
28
Miss Auburn University Scholarship Pageant
■ Student
WEEK OF JAN. 20
SATURDAY
Music: Moon Taxi
■ JCSM ■ 5 p.m. to
23
AUBURN GAS MONITOR
Activities Center ■ 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
29
Location
Reg
Mid
Prem
Shell — Glenn and Gay
2.979
3.099
3.219
Walmart — South College
2.999
3.119
3.239
Circle K — Glenn and Gay
2.999
3.139
3.279
Shell — Wire
3.049
3.189
3.329
Tiger’s Den — N. Donahue
3.099
3.239
3.449
Exxon — Wire
3.099
3.199
3.299
Chevron — Wire
3.099
3.249
3.399
Chevron — Glenn
3.159
3.319
3.459
BP — Samford and Gay
3.159
3.259
3.599
Chevron — University
3.159
3.259
3.359
Average
3.080
3.207
3.363
$3.40 $3.15 $2.90 $2.65 $2.40 Nov. 11, 2010
Nov. 18, 2010
Regular
Dec. 2, 2010
Mid
Jan. 20, 2010
Premium
Campus Thursday, January 20, 2011
CWE counselors
Snow days
» PAGE B5
» PAGE B3
www.theplainsman.com
B Page B1
COMMEMORATING THE STRUGGLE Christina Santee WRITER
This week, Auburn University is hosting several events to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with the theme “Paying it Forward to Change the World: One Auburn, One Community.” Activities began Jan. 17 and will continue through Jan. 21. “I think it goes beyond just Auburn,” said Paulette Patterson Dilworth, assistant vice president for Access and Community Initiatives. Auburn University hosts
an MLK week every year, with different events intended to commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Much of the history that’s tied up with the civil rights movement is tied to Alabama’s history,” Dilworth said. “I think it’s something that our young people should know about, and I think that we should have a tradition of assuring that they are informed of this history.” Featured events include an oratory contest,
scholarship breakfast, guest speakers, lectures, student performances and community service projects, all of which are open to the public. “I think it’s very important,” said Marvin Price, graduate assistant in the Multicultural Center. “I think it’s needed, but at the same time I don’t think it should just be dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. “I truly feel like there were other civil rights leaders that served just as well as he did. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent figure, but
at the same time it should be a weeklong celebration for all the people that gave their lives to the civil rights struggle.” The weeklong tribute began at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center Monday at 7:30 a.m. with a scholarship breakfast, where Trooper Taylor, Auburn University assistant football coach, » See MLK, B2
Changes planned for scholarships Ellen Weathers WRITER
CONTRIBUTED
Jenna McClure, senior in nutrition, feeds one of the 35 children she helped in the Philippines during winter break.
Fighting malnutrition in the Phillipines Madeline Hall WRITER
Christmas is a time spent indoors with families and plenty of food, but Jenna McClure celebrated the holidays in Tacloban City, Philippines. McClure, senior in nutrition, volunteered for four weeks helping children ages 2 to 6 with nutrition. “Some of the kids are severely malnourished,” McClure said. “We guaranteed them at least one meal a day that was well balanced and full of nutrients.” McClure worked alongside Christopher Franks, projects coordinator of Volunteer for the Visayans. “Our project works on two fronts: first, we provide a six month supplementary feeding program for undernourished preschool children,” Franks said. “At the same time, we provide educational seminars for mothers’ groups in a number of different environments like schools and social welfare institutes.” Because the project was just beginning, McClure began by assessing
“
Of the 35 kids, 23 were in less than the third percentile for weight and less than the fifth percentile for height.” —Jenna McClure, SENIOR IN NUTRITION
the children and picking 35 that were most at risk. “Of the 35 kids, 23 were in less than the third percentile for weight and less than the fifth percentile for height,” McClure said. “Basically these kids that are 6 years old look like they are 3.” McClure was the only volunteer working on the nutrition project, so it was her job to prepare the meals. “I would plan the meals, go to the market and buy the food, cook it and then serve it to the children,” McClure said.
Other volunteers worked on projects with the orphanage or a program to keep children out of the streets. “Volunteers came from Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and there was one other American,” McClure said. “He was from Oregon, so that was pretty funny.” Although she traveled to the Philippines by herself, McClure said she never felt lonely. “Even though I was only there for a month, the friendships I made are stronger than a lot of the relationships I have made in college,” she said. “I think it was because we had a lot in common and were working toward the same goal. We spent the whole day together.” Volunteering overseas also gave McClure a chance to experience a new culture. “The people are so welcoming. Even though they don’t have a lot of money, they would do anything to make you happy,” McClure said. “Host parents » See JENNA, B2
This year, the Office of University Scholarships has restructured its outof-state academic scholarships to keep up with growing demand and to preserve funding for future academic recruits. There are three levels of academic scholarships offered to out-of-state students: presidential, heritage and charter. In the past, scholarships at the presidential level awarded full tuition. Beginning fall 2011, the scholarship will cover two-thirds of tuition. Up to $5,500 in additional benefits is also offered at this level. Scholarships at the heritage level will continue to award two-thirds of tuition. The only difference between the heritage and presidential levels is that only presidential scholars receive the $5,500 of additional benefits, including a technology stipend. Scholarships at the charter level award $5,000 per year. This amount was increased from $3,500. Velda Rooker, director of University scholarships, said these changes will help recruit out-of-state students because the awards are now
comparable to those given to in-state students. The academic scholarships Auburn awards to in-state students are known as Spirit of Auburn scholarships and also fall into three categories: presidential, founders and university. The requirements are the same for in-state and out-of-state applicants. “It leveled that playing field a little bit,” Rooker said. “We want out-ofstate students to be grateful that they got to that two-thirds mark which reduced their tuition rate to that of an in-state student.” These aren’t the first changes that have been made to these scholarships. Prior to 2008, Auburn did not offer full tuition scholarships to out-ofstate students. The presidential level scholarship for out-ofstate students was added in 2008. This created a boost in recruitment, but would not have been able to keep up as tuition continues to increase. “When we award those scholarships, we award them for four years so you’ve got to fund them for four years. They keep » See CHANGES, B2
New Village eatery invites patrons to ‘slam it up’ Destiny Brown WRITER
The newest addition to the Auburn dining experience, Denny’s has reached its expectations of being a huge hit. Denny’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner all day and most of the night. “The thing we look for most when opening a new dining facility at Auburn is the needs of the students,” said Tom Callahan, resident district manager. “We’ve heard from many students that they would like a good breakfast before class and after.” Kareta Purnell, director of retail and operations for the Village, said it is too early to tell students’ opinion of the newest addition to Village dining. “Right now we’re getting positive feedback from
sales, but we’ll really see how popular this place is when it’s not the newest thing on campus,” Purnell said. The newest dining facilities on campus tend to raise the most attention within their first few weeks of business. Sophomore in secondary education Jaclyn Waitz has been at Auburn University for two years and has had the pleasure of living next to both the student center and Village dining, eating in these dining halls for most of her meals. “It’s so convenient,” Waitz said. “I’ve told at least four people to eat there once I saw that they were building a Denny’s right by our dorms.” Behind the counter, skillets are popping, burgers » See DENNY’S, B2
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Thomas Stewart, freshman in engineering, and Cady Hobson, freshman in pre-civil engineering, eat dinner at Denny’s.
Campus B2
The Auburn Plainsman of speakers. “I think it does Dr. King’s legacy well to have a wide range of folks talking about not only his legacy, but the impact that the civil rights movement had on the United States. We’re very happy to have folks talking about everything from Auburn football to George Washington Carver being the first green scientist.” Thursday at 3 p.m., a Discover Auburn lecture will be held in the Special Collections and Archives section at the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. The associate provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Overtoun Jenda, will share commentary on the current condition of diversity and overall superiority concerning Auburn University. Jan. 21 at 11:45 a.m. in the Multicultural Center, finalists in the “Word from the Mountain Top” oratory contest will be presented. Participants’ speeches respond to the question, “How do we honor Dr. King’s legacy of uniting communities and paying it forward?” This year’s celebratory week was coordinated and planned by the Access and Community Initiatives and the Multicultural Center divisions of the Auburn University Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.
MLK
» From B1 addressed the crowd. Monday’s events also included the community service project, “A Day On and Not a Day Off.” Several different activities took place in Tuskegee, Montgomery and Macon, Ga. On Tuesday at 11:45 a.m., Dana Chandler, the university archivist at Tuskegee University, gave a speech titled, “George Washington Carver: The First Green Scientist,” in the student center. The talk was part of the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs’ ongoing Lunch and Learn series, which strives to educate people on different topics while they enjoy their lunch hour. Jan. 19 at 3 p.m., Jennifer Saffron, adjunct lecturer of film studies and English at the University of Pittsburgh, gave a lecture titled, “It Takes a Village: Youth Media Literacy and Service-Learning,” in the student center. The lecture, sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities and Access and Community Initiatives, explored some of the things it takes to raise children in today’s
CONTRIBUTED
Auburn assistant head football coach Trooper Taylor speaks at the scholarship breakfast for the weeklong MLK tribute Monday in the AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. communities, as well as the current status of diversity at Auburn University. “Well, one of the things that we like to do is we like to make sure that we have as
Thursday, January 20, 2011
diverse of a representation as possible for King Week,” said Shakeer A. Abdullah, director of the Multicultural Center, about his opinion on this week’s unique selection
DENNY’S » From B1
are flipping and the employees are in a rush to serve the hungry lunch crowd. Denny’s popular burgers are often ordered by customers, but the Denny’s famous Grand Slam is the menu choice favorite. This breakfast option—a combination of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon—is the most popular product on the Denny’s menu at the Village dining hall. While some students choose to order their food and head back to their dorms, most students choose a table at the Village dining hall for a sit-down meal. Gina Groome, marketing manager for Tiger Dining, said students were thrilled to have a venue option that provided them with a breakfast menu all day. “Anytime we have a chance to do something better for the students, we definitely want to jump on that and do everything we can,” Groome said. “The big driver was because students wanted it.” Free wireless Internet is available inside the restaurant, which features more than 25 menu items, all customizable, including veggie patties substitutable in all burger options.
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Carla Irene, sophomore in wildlife sciences, and Chris Landry, freshman in electrical engineering, eat breakfast for dinner Monday at Denny’s in the Village
JENNA » From B1
would sleep on couches and floors so the volunteers could have beds.” Her other unique experience was celebrating Christmas there. “It was different,” she said. “It was 85 degrees so it didn’t feel like Christmas. Christmas Eve is their main celebration day. Family and friends gather for big dinners and just spend the day together.” The Filipino traditions did help set the holiday mood, though. “Everyone puts up their decorations in August and the parties start Dec. 17,” McClure said. “From then until Christmas Eve, children go door to door singing carols.” Robin Fellers, associate professor of nutrition and
CHANGES » From B1
pace with whatever tuition is, and the expectation is that it’s going to increase every year,” Rooker said. Creating balance between in-state and out-ofstate scholarships will help Auburn continue to attract residents while encouraging outof-state students to give Auburn a second glance and a better chance to get their tuition paid. Calvin Davis, sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, decided to come to Auburn after being offered an Auburn academic scholarship at the
one of McClure’s professors, applauds her work. “I think it is very admirable,” Fellers said. “She is very enthusiastic about her chosen field. “This gave her a unique look at nutritional needs of people in poor countries.” Fellers said she supports student projects like McClure’s that are organized outside of class. “We encourage students to gain as much knowledge on nutrition issues, but we don’t have a structured component for it,” Fellers said. McClure is already planning her next trip and encourages other students to try international volunteering. “Anybody who wants to volunteer, even if they are not a nutrition major, should go,” McClure said. “It was the best experience I ever had.” presidential level. “I got the letter, and then I visited and knew it was cool and that I wanted to go,” Davis said. Kelsey Hayes, sophomore from Centre, was awarded a Spirit of Auburn scholarship at the founders level. “It’s cool because I’m going to be able to study abroad next spring,” Hayes said, “and I took karate class. I also took a class on hunger. I’ve been able to take classes that I wouldn’t have normally taken.” Taking classes for pleasure has hidden benefits. “I’m forced to work harder in classes I don’t want to be in,” Davis said.
CALENDAR: THURSDAY, JAN. 20 – SATURDAY, JAN. 29 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
20
Men’s basketball vs. Florida
24
Women’s basketball vs. Tennessee
Drawing on Alabama exhibition
Arena ■ 2 p.m.
Hall ■ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
■ Auburn
■ 101 Biggin
25
Camp War Eagle parent counselors info meeting
■ Student
Center Room 2225 ■ 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
26
21
Swim/dive vs. Florida
■ James E.
■ Auburn Arena ■ 6 p.m.
23
SATURDAY
Martin Aquatic Center ■ 4 p.m.
27
28
Drawing on Alabama exhibition
Lecture— Theodore Becker
Gymnastics vs. Arkansas
Hall ■ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Center Room 2310 ■ 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
■ 7 p.m.
■ 101 Biggin
■ Student
22
Men’s basketball vs. Alabama
■ Auburn Arena
■ 5 p.m.
29
■ Auburn Arena
AU View
DEREK LACEY / CAMPUS EDITOR
Tiger Transit buses line the curve in between Jordan-Hare Stadium and the AU Student Center. Recent closings of Mell Street because of a water main break have caused most routes to pick up and drop off outside the AUSC.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Campus B3
The Auburn Plainsman
Exploring the storied past of Alabama Kate Jones WRITER
Being an Alabamian is more than Southern accents and dirtstained jeans. The “Becoming Alabama: Who, What, When, Where and Why” symposium Jan. 21–22 will provide a unique angle on the past, present and future of the Alabama press. The symposium will be held at The Hotel at Auburn University and is presented by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities. The symposium was inspired by the statewide project to celebrate major anniversaries in Alabamian and American history, said Jay Lamar, director of the center. “The Creek War/War of 1812, the Civil War and Emancipation and major events of the Civil Rights movement will all celebrate anniversaries in the next five years,” Lamar said. “Many entities around the state will acknowledge the individual anniversaries, but we thought an interesting approach might be to think about them thematically.” Lamar said the conference will focus on analyzing the power and influence of the media on Alabama’s culture, history and image. “Of course, the press is crucial for a democracy, but we don’t
often have a chance to reflect on its importance through a historical lens,” he said. Speakers include Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Bragg, awardwinning reporter Rheta Grimsley Johnson, CBS sports journalist and Mr. College Football Tony Barnhart and National Public Radio’s Debbie Elliot. Bragg and Johnson will be “offering perspectives on writing and media representations of the state,” according to the website. Barnhart’s presentation will focus on Alabama’s love for sports. Elliot will speak about NPR’s coverage of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The remaining portions of the event will focus on the timeline of the press in Alabama. It will begin with “Native American Press in the Southeast: The Early Days” and will include everything from The Great Depression to the Civil Rights movement. The conference will conclude with a dialogue between Mary Helen Brown, Breeden Scholar in Residence, and Vickey Williams, project director of the Learning Newsroom at the American Press Institute, on the future of the press. Brown will discuss the current
“
Anyone looking to become a leader in the state needs to know the foundations of the press.” —Margaret Fitch-Hauser, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
environment of the newspaper industry. Brown said there are uncertainties facing today’s publications, and the faster the industry changes, the more uncertainty is present. According to Margaret FitchHauser, department chair and associate professor of communication and journalism, the workings of the state of Alabama are bound to an understanding of the press. “Anyone looking to become a leader in the state needs to know the foundations of the press,” Fitch-Hauser said. The conference is open to the public and is free for students who aren’t planning to eat. Registration can be completed online at http://www.auburn.edu/ cah. Students not eating may show up the day of the event.
Make-up weather days announced, explained Chelsea Harvey ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR
Snow days in the South mean only one thing: no school. While most people were outside enjoying the rare winter weather last week, John Winn, associate provost, was helping schedule make-up class days. Last spring, Auburn was closed for one day because of snow. The make-up day was scheduled on the University’s official reading day,
the day before spring finals. Winn said this year’s decision was easy to make. “Everything seemed to work very well last year,” Winn said. “We didn’t really receive any complaints, and so, you know, we just used that as our precedent, and we did it again this year.” This year, Auburn scheduled two reading days for spring finals. These two days will now be set aside as make-up days for professors. Although professors will
have the option of reserving classrooms on the reading days, they are not required to hold a make-up class. Alex Gallo, sophomore in business, said none of his professors held class on the reading day last spring. “I remember that day being nothing but a lot of homework and the flash mob,” he said. According to Winn, only a small percentage of professors actually reserved classrooms last spring. “Most of the faculty use
alternative ways,” he said. “You know, a lot of people are putting stuff online now; that’s much more common than it was just a few years ago, and so really what we hear from a lot of faculty is that they’re using these online options for posting different types of materials.” Kathryn Nickell, senior in horticulture, said she found out about this semester’s make-up days through one of her professors. She said the professor had not decided whether he would be
utilizing the make-up days. It was only by coincidence that the number of scheduled reading days equaled the number of weather days. Winn said if there had been more weather days than reading days, alternate plans would have to be made. “The general guideline is to try to avoid disrupting the students’ plans as much as possible,” Winn said. “And so what that would mean is, rather than using something like Spring
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
The trees at Toomer’s corner are covered with a blanket of snow on the 2010 snow day.
Break, we would probably try to do something like using a Saturday that’s during the semester.” The bottom line, however, is that weather-related closings are rare enough to not generally present a problem to the University. “I’ve been associated with Auburn for many, many years,” Winn said. “And in all I can only think of maybe five times we’ve had (weather-related closings), and two of those are the ones we just had.”
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
J&M bookstore gets a rare covering of snow on its storefront during the 2010 snow day.
Travelers’ Clas e l g a E r a W sic E urop ean
What: Informational Session Who: Seniors and recent grads
r Tou
Join your Auburn Alumni Association staff and travel operators for a brief presentation (with free pizza!) about our annual 17day War Eagle Travelers’ Classic European Graduation Tour designed just for our newest alumni. From the pomp and pageantry of London to the glamour of Paris, from ancient Roman ruins to the majesty of the Greek isles, Europe’s most famous cities and fabulous beaches provide the setting for a journey that celebrates and educates.
ua
n tio
interested in traveling abroad. Parents welcome too! When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 Where: Auburn Alumni Center RSVP: 334.844.1443 or wareagletravelers@auburn.edu
Gra d
Let this be your year for adventure Pizza provided by AESU Inc.
Campus B4
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Campus B5
The Auburn Plainsman
Camp War Eagle seeks dedicated parent counselors Jenna Moran ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR
Applications for becoming a Camp War Eagle parent counselor are currently available online and in 189 Foy Hall. Ella Weaver, assistant director of Camp War Eagle, said potential parent counselors should be available for all 10 Camp War Eagle sessions, starting May 26 and ending July 15. Potential parent counselors must also be full-time enrolled students and have an ungapped GPA of 2.2 or higher. But the attributes for a good parent counselor do not only include academics.
Head Parent Counselors Michel Fields and Drew Lowry named three important traits that every potential parent counselor should possess: patience, professionalism and a passion for Auburn. Fields explained patience plays a key role in successfully connecting and interacting with the parents. “The parents aren’t always going to understand what you are telling them the first time,” she said, “so you need to be patient and willing to keep explaining.” Lowry said profe ssionalism is important be-
cause the parent counselors are a direct reflection of Auburn. “The parent counselors are one of the first people the parents meet at Auburn,” he said. “(Parents) expect professionalism from the University they are giving money to and sending their student to.” Camp War Eagle could not be as successful as it is without counselors who possess a true love for Auburn, Fields said. “You are selling Auburn to the parents, and it would be hard to do so if you did not love Auburn yourself,” she said. Once the parent counselors are accepted, there will be mandatory training meetings every Tuesday—except during Spring Break—from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in 189 Foy Hall. Fields and Lowry said becoming a parent counselor was a decision that introduced them to people they never would have had the chance to meet otherwise
CONTRIBUTED
2010 Camp War Eagle parent counselors huddle together after a pep rally in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Parent counselors help parents become acquainted with the University. and prepared them for success after graduation. Becoming a parent counselor also gave them a new perspective on Auburn. “The more you know about something or
someone, typically, the more special it is to you,” Lowry said. “Being a parent counselor teaches one not only about the University, which we love, but it also teaches one how to be
successful in a professional setting through the unique experience that is Camp War Eagle.” The next information session will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in Student Center 225.
Swim, bike, run—class trains students for triathlons Jade Currid WRITER
You do not have to be a world-class athlete to join Auburn’s Triathlon Training class. Participation requires a willingness to try and a mindset of having fun. “I want my students to realize that they have the capabilities of completing a triathlon,” said James McDonald, director of TigerFit and one of the class instructors. McDonald said he wanted to interest his students in a sport in which they can compete for a lifetime. “The class is about enjoying exercise that is fun,” McDonald said. The course prepares students to participate in a sprint triathlon by the end of the semester. A sprint triathlon consists of a 300–600 yard swim, a 12–15 mile bike ride
and a 3–4 mile run. Students learn about triathlon events and equipment, how to train and perform workouts and how to transition from one discipline to another during a race. They also learn how to fuel themselves with proper nutrition before, during and after the race. Resources are also available to help the students find and enter triathlons. In preparation for their triathlons, the students complete individual workouts and train between three and six hours a week. McDonald said anyone could handle the training and complete a triathlon. He added students should have at least basic swimming skills before signing up for the course and recommended taking swimming classes at Auburn. “Once you get the basics
“
I want my students to realize that they have the capabilities of completing a triathlon.” —James McDonald, CLASS INSTRUCTOR
of swimming down, the rest is easy,” McDonald said. “It isn’t hugely intense. You can go at your own pace to complete a triathlon.” Students keep track of their workouts and mileage in their training logs, which are periodically turned in. The training log is a beneficial tool for the students to review their training, help them follow their goals and prepare them for their first
triathlon in a smart and healthy manner. McDonald also gives quizzes to reinforce the students’ knowledge of triathlons. For the final exam, students have the option of completing a simulated triathlon on campus or competing in an actual race. By the second class day, the students were seeking triathlons in which they could complete as a group. McDonald said this is the third semester Auburn has offered the course, and his first triathlon training class in spring 2009 filled up quickly. He said he has had a few students come back and tell him about races in which they are now competing. Justin Prior, junior in marine biology, took the class last spring and is now competing in Olympic-distance triathlons.
Prior is planning on running a Half Ironman, an event that takes place in April and consists of a 1.2mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. He is also a member of the Auburn Triathletes, a University club, and is taking the class for a second time to supplement his training. He said he liked the class dynamic last spring. “I met some good training friends,” Prior said. Amanda Ash, senior in radio, TV and film, is also taking the class this spring. “I swam in high school, and I like to run,” Ash said. McDonald is teaching the class along with Eric Smith, director of Health Promotion and Wellness Initiative at Auburn. Smith has raced every month out of the year since completing his first triathlon in 2005.
He is training for the Ford Ironman Florida, Powerman and Savageman triathlons. McDonald completed his first triathlon in 1986 while he was in the Air Force. He said he still likes to occasionally compete in triathlons when he has time to train properly. McDonald said students who are interested in triathlon training should consider joining the Auburn Triathletes, a team of students, faculty and community members who train, compete in and promote triathlons together. The club is USA Triathlon sanctioned and competes in the Southeastern Collegiate Triathlon Conference each year. Anyone interested in joining the Auburn Triathletes should visit http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/triathletes/about_us.htm.
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EMPLOYMENT Are you dating a college football player or have you dated one in the past? Our Los Angeles-based production company would love to hear from you! We are shooting a documentary at Auburn. Please e-mail your story and picture to: stacie@ slsentertainment.net
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
On the Concourse
Question:
How far do you think we’ve come since the time of MLK?
“I feel that we’ve come a very long way because we can have a diverse group of friends.”
“I wouldn’t say we’ve gone the right ways, but we’ve made mistakes and learned from them.”
“It depends where you are. On the national stage, I don’t think we’ve come far.”
—India Perryman, sophomore, zoology
—Alyssa Barrera, freshman, interior design
—Nicholas Bowman, junior, journalism
“Really far. People are considered equal in pretty much everyone’s eyes.”
“We’ve gotten farther on certain things, but there are some things we should still work on.”
“We’ve come pretty far. I think we still have some ways to go.”
—Jordan Klochney, freshman, political science
—Anita Wheat, junior, microbiology
—Lindsay Camp, senior, marketing
TARYN GREENE, 18 Starting 2011 off with a healthy dose of lovely, this week’s gal has taken no time at all in making her presence known on the Plains. A freshman in engineering, our loveliest seeks to help her fellow classmates as a member of the FACT Tiger Tuesdays group. While she excels in the classroom, the outdoors is her true calling. “It’s way more peaceful than being inside with everyone,” she says. Well said Taryn, but you can come in and tear at our hearts whenever you like. Think you know an Auburn woman who has what it takes to be the Loveliest Lady on the Plains? Send submissions, with names and contact information, to campus@theplainsman.com
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Intrigue
A Day in the Life
Post-football boredom
» PAGE C4
» PAGE C6
www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
C Page C1
Switching over Verizon welcomes the iPhone
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Kelsey Wall, junior in communications, picks between a meaty bacon cheeseburger and a fresh cyprus salad from Locos.
In one year, out the other New Year’s resolutions may fail because of unrealistic goals Alison McFerrin ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
Making resolutions is easy, but actually achieving those goals can be challenging. “A new year is the start of something new,” said Richard Penaskovic, area adviser for religious studies. “It would make sense for anyone—someone who is fed up with their past life, for example—to say, ‘Well I’m going to make a new start, and this year I’m not going to make the same mistakes I made in the past.’” According to www.usa. gov, some of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions include drinking
less alcohol, losing weight, managing debt and quitting smoking. “I think it’s just the hope of making changes,” said Jennifer Daniels, adjunct professor of psychology. Change doesn’t always come easy, though. “A lot of people say, ‘I’m getting too heavy; I need to work out; I need to go to the gym,’” Penaskovic said. “I work out at the health fitness center. You’ll notice that it’ll be filled in January, and then it will start falling off in February or March.” The practice of not keeping New Year’s Resolutions is probably as common as making them. “What happens is, at Christmastime we’re full— people eat too much, they drink too much, they smoke too much, they don’t sleep enough, they put off exercise, and so they’re not doing all those good behavioral changes,” Daniels said. “So when we’re in that mode, we can say, ‘We’ll do it.’ But once we stop doing
all those things, our body craves those things. So it doesn’t tend to last very long.” All hope is not lost, however. There are different ways to ensure that this year’s plans for “a better you” are successful. “Set attainable goals,” Daniels said. “Any behavioral change is difficult, so expect to mess up, but don’t give up. If you mess up and go back to old behaviors once, it doesn’t mean that you have failed at the program.” Barbara Struempler, extension nutritionist and professor of nutrition and dietetics, suggested that people often set unrealistic goals for achieving their health and weight loss objectives. “Like, ‘I’m going to lose ten pounds the month of January,’” Struempler said. “If you lose ten pounds in the month of January, most of it’s water, and you didn’t eat a thing all month, and you’re not going to survive
like that.” Rather than setting overly ambitious, unachievable goals, Struempler said people should focus on eating in moderation and adding more exercise to their lives, as well as seeing it as a lifestyle change. “The easiest thing to do is to do it short-term,” Struempler said. “But the hardest thing to do is to maintain all these habits that you’d like to have.” Reframing one’s resolution and looking at it in a positive light is another solution Daniels said can be effective. “Instead of saying, ‘Well, I can’t eat, I’m going to diet. I’m going to lose fifteen pounds,’ say, ‘I’m going to eat healthy. I’m going to choose goods foods,’” Daniels said. “If your body is craving cigarettes, instead of saying, ‘Oh, I want a cigarette,’ you can change the way that you think about it and say, ‘This is my body getting rid of the carcinogens.’” » See RESOLUTIONS, C2
Núñez, 21, said he was content with his Droid. “I feel like (the iPhone) is way overhyped for its capabilities and that the Droid offers a larger vaJordan Dale riety of features,” Núñez WRITER said. The long awaited release Núñez described his anof the iPhone for Verizon noyance with Verizon’s anWireless has been an- nouncement to discontinnounced for Feb. 10, with ue its popular “New Every pre-orders available for ex- Two” policy. isting customers as early The policy allowed Verias Feb. 3. zon customers to upgrade The iPhone, released ex- to a new phone every two clusively for AT&T in sum- years at a substantial dismer 2007, has been the count. world’s best-selling smart The policy will end phone. Jan. 16., weeks before the The two products will iPhone is available for prebe almost identical, with a order. few exceptions. Existing customers, With AT&T, data ap- however, will be provided plications like e-mail and a discount if they’re near text are still functional the end of their two years. during a phone call, some“Since Verizon is getting thing Verizon’s iPhone will the iPhone, their need to not be able to do. provide incentives goes Verizon’s will have the down,” Núñez said. “At ability to make the phone least current customers a mobile hot spot and link will be able to use their five additional devices to discount one more time.” the phone’s connection. Andy Mayes, 22, said With a Verizon kiosk he was sticking with his available in the Auburn AT&T iPhone despite VeriUniversity Student Cen- zon’s boasts about having ter and a sign advertising a more reliable network. discounts and benefits for Mayes admitted VeAuburn students, some rizon’s unlimited data consider the change posi- plan—something AT&T tive, while others do not. does not offer—was apMatt Nail, a 23-year- pealing, but it was not old AT&T cusenough to make tomer, said he him switch was “stoked” providers. when he “My iPhone heard about works great; the change. the benefits “All my Verizon offers friends use do not outVerizon, so it weigh the cost makes sense of buying anto switch,” he other phone,” said. he said. He said The 16GB his exciteiPhone 4 will ment deflated cost $199 somewhat, and the 32GB however, iPhone 4 will COURTESY OF APPLE when he heard cost $299 after that he would the two year serhave to buy Verizon’s ver- vice agreement. sion of the phone because Without a two year serof incompatibility issues. vice agreement, full retail Verizon customer Chris price is $599 and $699.
Local Subway employee gains national attention Colton Campbell WRITER
When she’s making a sandwich, two parts of Sherri Easley’s body never stop moving: her mouth and hands. She’s known as “the Subway Lady,” and she was recently featured on the CBS reality show “Undercover Boss” as the store manager of Auburn’s location. Don Fertman, the chief development officer of Subway, paid Easley a visit back in late September during the weekend of the Clemson football game. As per the show’s premise, he worked under the pretense that he was a regular guy training for a job, but he was really everyone’s boss. Fertman said he loved Easley’s attitude and her charisma when working with everyday customers.
At the end of the show, after revealing his true identity, he made her the star of a customer service training video. “Customer service makes people happy,” Easley said. “If I can make one person happy a day, I’ve done my job.” Easley said she enjoys time spent connecting with her customers. She tells stories about her mother and what she did over the weekend, all the while making every customer a beautiful sandwich. Greg Sumner, 17, has only been working at Subway for four months, but he’s already received plenty of lessons from his manager Easley. “She’s always telling us to greet people the second they walk in the door and to create a friendly
“
She is probably the best example of customer service we have here in Auburn.” —Daniel Cope, JUNIOR, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
atmosphere,” Sumner said. “She’s really sweet, and she can talk to anyone.” That friendly atmosphere was probably the reason the reality show picked the Auburn location as their place to shoot, Sumner said. “I think we have a good vibe here,” he said. Daniel Cope, junior in electrical engineering, goes to Easley’s Subway location just to see her and to hear
her talk to the customers. “She brings out the best in people,” Cope said. “She is probably the best example of customer service we have here in Auburn.” Easley, originally from New Jersey, is glad she left the “rudeness” behind. “I’m from up North, where people are rude,” Easley said. “I love everything about Auburn. I love the people. I love the atmosphere we have here.” In the episode, Easley tells Fertman that her children also work for Subway. Three of Easley’s four kids have become sandwich artists at local Subway locations. Easley was told that the film crews for “Undercover Boss” were actually filming a reality show about two people competing for the » See SUBWAY, C2
REBEKAH WEAVER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Subway employee Sherri Easley was featured on an episode of CBS’s “Undercover Boss” in November 2010.
Pre-med and piano performance majors find harmony Rachel Hampton WRITER
For Danielle Ruppenthal, a double major in pre-med and piano performance, the hours between 9 p.m. and midnight are not filled with dinner dates, drink specials and dozing off in class— they’re filled with playing piano. The Fayetteville, Ga.,
native can be found practicing piano on Auburn’s campus “between 9 p.m. and midnight, every night,” perfecting the skills that landed her a partial piano scholarship, which she won after preparing for a year. “Every time people ask what my major is I get a weird look,” Ruppenthal said. “They always look at
me, and they’re like ‘Are you insane for doing this?’ And sometimes I don’t really know because (the two majors) don’t make sense. “It’s not like business and finance where they kind of coincide. They’re completely different.” With a course load that boasts 18-hour semesters, Ruppenthal still has time
to give piano lessons via Skype. “I love piano, but I feel like there aren’t many job opportunities sometimes with piano,” Ruppenthal said. The niece of a general practitioner, Ruppenthal has ambitions to become a pediatric anesthesiologist. “I really want to be a
doctor,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be that since I was little. I enjoy playing piano as more of a hobby.” The 13-year piano veteran began giving lessons while in high school and doesn’t let the distance interfere with her teaching. “I have a piano in my dorm room, and I teach
piano out of there,” Ruppenthal said. Of the 10 piano performance majors on Auburn’s campus, Ruppenthal isn’t alone in having medical ambitions. Christina Fallows, a prenursing and piano performance major, said she finds that piano can be » See MAJORS, C2
Intrigue C2
The Auburn Plainsman
Blueberry Almond Crepes
Kerry’s recipe of the week
Ingredients: cooking spray 3 eggs 1 1/4 cups milk 3/4 cup all purpose flour pinch of salt 1 cup blueberry jam 1 lemon, juiced and zested 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup slivered almonds powdered sugar (optional) whipped cream (optional)
Directions: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk and vanilla together. Then, add the flour and salt. Beat until smooth. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberry jam, lemon juice and zest. Stir until combined and heated through. Spray a large skillet (about 10 inches) with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add a ¼ cup of batter and swirl around until the pan is evenly coated. Cook for one minute. Flip it over for an additional 30 seconds. Repeat this step until batter is gone. Spread 1 tablespoon of the jam around a crepe, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of almonds. Roll the crepe up and garnish with powdered sugar and whipped cream. Repeat this step for remaining crepes. Serve warm. Serves: 8
Contributed by Kerry Fannon
Joe Random Where is your hometown? Birmingham
Availability? Single
Any hobbies? Flying airplanes; wakeboarding
What will the National Championship title mean for Auburn? People will stop thinking of us as the “little bro” of Alabama.
What is a random fact about yourself? I had a girlfriend for two years, and we never kissed. What is your biggest fear? Not knowing what to do in an emergency
Have you ever won a trophy? Yes, for karate What inspires you? Happiness
Dylan Davis | sophomore, supply chain management Age: 21 Hometown: Town, State Greatest fear: Greatest fear Hobbies: Hobbies Random fact: Random fact Availability: Availability
Thursday, January 20, 2011
RESOLUTIONS » From C1
Penaskovic said to achieve whatever goal you set, you have to break the routines to which you are already accustomed. “I’d say about 95 percent of our lives is based on habit,” Penaskovic said. “It’s hard to break old habits. Habits become part of us, and we don’t realize it. We’re not conscious of it.” Auburn students have differing opinions on the value of New Year’s Resolutions for breaking those old habits. “I consciously make the decision to not make New Year’s Resolutions,” said Will Hodges, junior in computer engineering. “Most people, if they’re going to make a resolution at the new year, it’s probably going to be less likely to succeed
SUBWAY » From C1
same job and that Fertman was just one of the contestants competing. “I probably would’ve hired him,” Easley said. “He seemed reliable, and I could have worked with him on speeding everything up. ‘We gotta pick it up,’ I kept telling him.” Easley said the show ended up being a positive experience.
MAJORS » From C1
used to battle the pressure of a heavy course load. “I kind of find piano as a stress reliever to get away from homework and Honors College and to get my mind off of things,” Fallows said. “It is kind of stressful, but relaxing at the same time.” Graduating in the top five percent of her high school class, Fallows is no stranger to hard work. However, someone she said made her school work more bearable was her mentor, Auburn biology professor Roland Dute. “I had a wonderful biology professor, Dr. Dute, who was tremendously helpful and funny and made biology interesting and further
than a resolution that they made on their own, outside of peer pressure and social conformity and whatnot.” There are others who subscribe to this same philosophy. “I just got to the point where I quit keeping them,” said Breanna Heard-Pinho, freshman in pre-med, who also didn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions. “At different times of the year, you can make small goals instead of saying, ‘Oh, from January to December I’m going to do this, this and this.” Other students, however, think New Year’s resolutions can be an effective way to make changes. “I think it’s a good concept for people to have,” said Colton Stinson, junior in mechanical engineering. “You can get a fresh start to the year and have a goal to shoot for.” “It helps people get to know their business,” she said, “and owners get to know what their business is doing, too. And I couldn’t ask for better owners.” All of this attention has brought another film crew to the Subway where Easley works, this time to film a national television commercial focusing on good customer service at Subway. “I’m really nervous about it,” Easley said. “I’m not sure what it’s going to be like.” convinced me I wanted to pursue a science/health career,” Fallows said. Ruppenthal also credited Dute with helping her get through the woes of biology. “He went over and beyond to sit down with me and go over my notes and just go over anything I needed before tests,” Ruppenthal said. Dute, an Auburn professor for 28 years, also interviews students looking to go to medical school. For these two students, the medical field is probably where their careers await them. “I feel like I can make more of a difference with nursing,” Fallows said. “I’m definitely a people person. I just want to do something to help people with my job. I don’t want to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life.”
Campus residents partner with JCSM Jule Collins Smith Museum creates programs for Residents Blakeley Sisk WRITER
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and Auburn University Housing and Residence Life are creating programs directed at the residents that will also help the museum attract more student members. The first event will be held Feb. 8. Becky Bell, assistant director of housing and residence life, said she always wants to give the students learning experience outside of the classroom. Residence life and the museum are planning to have different special events every semester in hopes that students will learn about art. “If [students] have been here for residence life nights, then they know how to get to the museum and have already had that experience of
walking in for the first time,” said Scott Bishop, curator of education for the museum. JCSM has been in partnership with the University since its opening eight years ago. Membership is free for students, and it offers many activities in which to be involved as well as e-mail updates for members-only events. Bell said she hopes to find students who didn’t know they were interested in art. “I think this partnership will be an incredible idea,” said Leigh Veillette, junior in history. “I think the students that will benefit most are the academically-minded freshman.” Veillette has lived in oncampus housing for the past three years. Bell said she is hopeful the RAs will be able to get more students involved. “This partnership will help us fulfill our mission,” Bishop said. “We are trying to bring in an important part of the community.” The residence life nights at the museum will be directed solely at the residents and their interests. Guides will be present to show students the galleries and museum.
Technology
C3
www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Intrigue
Electronic readers: NOOKcolor and Kindle reviewed Amazon’s Kindle provides nice alternative, but doesn’t replace the printed book Emily Clever COPY EDITOR
When people find out I have a Kindle, I usually get one of two reactions: genuine curiosity or blatant horror, as though I am actively participating in the downfall of literature and the publishing industry with my e-reader, the electronic equivalent of burning books. Let me just say this: my Kindle will never replace books for me. Not all books were meant to be read digitally. But it is a great supplement to my library. Nothing will replace the feeling of holding in your hands the slim paperback version of “Perks of Being A Wallflower,” and I can’t imagine how the PowerPoint chapter of Jennifer Egan’s “A Visit From the Goon Squad” will be successfully rendered to electronic form (hint: it won’t). On the other hand, books like Stieg Larsson’s “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” are perfect reads for the Kindle. The paperback version, a gaudy neon yellow travesty, loses absolutely nothing when transferred to electronic form. Some books are less about the experience of reading them than the story itself—mass market paperback airplane novels with cheap ink that sticks to your fingers and dimea-dozen thrillers by James Patterson, for example. Of course, if I’m sitting on a New York subway reading Proust like every other hipster in the world, I’m going to be reading the paperback version. But if I’m reading a steamy Nora Roberts romance novel, I’ll be reading it on my Kindle. My point is this: some books, the ones where the plot is more important than the form, are perfectly acceptable Kindle books, and oftentimes cheaper (and occasionally free). The Kindle is light and feels bookish, too, something I wouldn’t say about the iPad. The Kindle’s capacity also makes it super convenient. My Kindle holds something like 1,500 books, while the lowest-end new ones ( for $139) hold something like 3,500. The “E-Ink Pearl” technology is probably my favorite feature. The Kindle,
unlike the NOOKcolor and the iPad, doesn’t use an LCD screen and isn’t backlit. Yes, this means you will need an external light source to read on your Kindle. But this is actually a good thing. While you can’t read in the dark (and with traditional books, you can’t do this either, so why would you want to?), you can read in bright sunlight without problem, so taking the Kindle to the beach is a viable option, as long as you don’t get it too wet. Furthermore, you can choose the free unlimited 3G option for $50 more, which I highly recommend. The 3G works globally, so you can get books instantly downloaded to your device even while studying abroad. No contracts or monthly payments are involved, no hooking up to a computer. The Kindle design is also superior to other e-readers out there. The charcoal look is a significant improvement from the creamy white (in my opinion) and the full keyboard isn’t too clunky or in the way, like I feared it might be. While it’s true that it’s not a touch screen, for me this is a positive feature. I’d be so bogged down w i t h distractions like
Facebook and Words With Friends, I don’t think I would ever get any serious reading done on an iPad. The Kindle doesn’t do as much as the iPad, and you can’t pay your taxes with it. But if you’re buying an ereader to read, then these extra features will be needless. While it’s true that you can put music on the Kindle and surf the Web in a basic form, these features take a backseat to the books. Amazon pared everything else away and gave us the best e-reader on the market with the best features that an e-reader needs: a light, bookish feel, an E-ink display that looks and feels like a page, a large library specifically for book content and the ability to download books from anywhere. And with the new Kindle, you can even loan certain e-books to other Kindle users for a 14-day period, although this feature flopped when introduced to the Nook and may do the same on the Kindle. E-books will never replace tactile books in my lifetime, unlike the way digital songs replaced albums and CDs. And I don’t believe they were meant to. That being said, the Kindle is a great addition to my growing shelf library.
Barnes & Noble’s successful, backlit NOOKcolor is bright, vibrant and fast Adam Bulgatz DESIGN EDITOR
The Barnes & Noble NOOKcolor (Nook) e-reader is Barnes & Noble’s next entry into the growing ereader market. It follows their successful NOOK ereader released in late 2009. The Nook has a backlit, full color touchscreen display and runs the Android operating system. This makes the Nook closer to an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab than to Amazon’s Kindle. This will please some users while alienating others.
The advantages of a backlit LCD display:
The screen displays bright, vibrant color, and you can use the device to browse the Web or listen to music in addition to reading books. The touchscreen makes navigation easy, and there is none of the clunkiness of having to use a directional pad. Barnes & Noble is also heavily pushing the Nook as a device for reading magazines and children’s books. Both work well and show off the Nook’s beautiful screen. You can also read in the dark without the need for a light.
The disadvantages of a backlit LCD Display:
Many prefer reading on a
Kindle to reading on their computers because of the former’s high-resolution E-ink display. While E-ink can’t display color, it displays text that is extremely crisp and clear. Some people complain that backlit displays strain their eyes, and E-ink screens alleviate this pain. E-ink screens are also easy to read outdoors and in bright light, while the Nook’s can become washed out and difficult to see. Battery life is also a problem. The Nook claims eight hours, which is about what I experienced. This is impressive for a tablet, but nowhere near the battery life of E-ink devices, which can go a month between charges. Using the device:
One of the first things I noticed about the Nook was its weight. At just over a pound, it is about twice the weight of a Kindle, although not nearly as heavy as an iPad. The Nook has a 7-inch screen, and the whole device is only slightly larger than a Kindle. The Nook runs the Android operating system, the same operating system that powers many of today’s top smart phones. However, Barnes & Noble has heavily customized the Android experience to tailor it toward
reading e-books. The front of the device has one button, a lowercase “n” that looks more like an upside down “u”. The bottom edge has a standard micro-USB port. There is a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack on top and volume buttons on the right. On my unit, the volume buttons regularly got stuck down, making it impossible to turn up the volume. Speaking of sound, the Nook has one speaker on the back of the device, and it is terrible. Sound from the built-in speaker is muddy, quiet and indistinct. Reading books on the device works well. Pages turn smoothly and quickly. There are also plenty of options for changing font and text size. Reading magazines and PDFs was an equally pleasant experience. The Nook starts to have problems when you want to do something other than reading books. The interface can be slow and laggy, navigation isn’t always intuitive and the software is littered with bugs. Barnes & Noble has also chosen not to include the Android Marketplace. This is a shame and severely cripples what could have been a fantastic, fullfledged Android tablet. The Web browser also has problems. The Nook is running an old version of Android and has an old version of the Web browser. Some Web pages don’t display correctly, and although the Nook’s screen supports multi-touch, there is no pinch-to-zoom in the browser.
Wrap up:
vs COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM, INC
COURTESY OF BARNES & NOBLE
The NOOKcolor is a very solid device. If you don’t mind its LCD screen or shorter battery life, then you get a lot for your money: a moderately fast device with a great screen that does an excellent job of reading books, magazines and can also be used to browse the Web and listen to music. Barnes & Noble has promised to release an upgrade to the Nook’s operating system that should fix many bugs and improve performance. An app store is also on the way. When these updates come, the Nook will be a full-fledged Android tablet at a great price of $250.
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Intrigue C4
The Auburn Plainsman
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
Thursday, January 20, 2011
GLORIA PARKER
KRISTINA SPILLERS / PHOTO STAFF
Kelly Tsaltas ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR
Affectionately called “Gloria, the Mail Lady” by many students, Gloria Parker has been working for the AU Mail Service for 20 years and working in the Quad mail room for three years. Without hesitation, Parker said her favorite
and the easiest thing about working in the mail room is talking to the students. “The students are my life,” Parker said. Students often show their appreciation for Parker’s hard work by bringing her cards or baked goods. “On my birthday, they
brought me cookies,” Parker said as she opened a drawer full of cards she has saved over the years. Parker’s positive attitude stays strong even during the difficulties in the mail room. She often has problems when the students’ packages have either no name or no room number.
Sorting and getting the packages out on time adds hardship to her day. Sometimes, though, the packages that come into the mail room add interest to the otherwise tedious task of sorting. “One of the students received one of those huge gym balls,” Parker said. The ball came without
any packaging, covered in the student’s name and little greeting messages. “It was really neat,” Parker said. When Parker isn’t sorting through packages or talking to students, she enjoys working in her yard and visiting with her friends and grandchildren. She also likes to
vacation in Foley. “We ate at Lambert’s Cafe,” Parker said. “It’s awesome. They make homemade rolls, and then they throw them at you across the restaurant.” After a day at work or a vacation in Foley, Parker drives to her home in Wadley, nearly an hour’s drive from Auburn.
Wasting Time
C5
www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Intrigue
HOROSCOPES
Written by Kelly Tsaltas / Assistant Intrigue Editor
Leo: Wake up a little late this morning? Don’t sweat it. That’s the least of your worries today. Pisces: You may feel like reaching for a bottle of soda today, but I think we both know that water would serve you best. Scorpio: Well somebody’s a little down in the dumps today. But all of your friends are too busy to listen, so you’ll have to resort to drowning your sorrows in a cupcake. Or four. Taurus: Watch out for those patches of uneven pavement on the concourse today. It’s your turn for an embarrassing fall. Aquarius: Facebook may not be the best idea today. Studying would make you feel like less of a failure. Cancer: You have a case of the Mondays. Unfortunately, it’s Thursday. Learn to let things go. Libra: You forgot to go to the gym again, didn’t you? Excuses will only get you so far.
ACROSS 1. 5. 10. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 22. 24. 25. 26. 33. 34. 36. 37. 39. 41. 42. 44. 46. 47. 49. 51. 52. 53. 56. 60. 61. 63. 64. 65. 66.
67. Safecracker 68. Common Market money 69. Wander
Play horseshoes Boy from Baja Crowds “Laugh-In” name Helicopter blade General vicinity Wolfish look Protozoan Dueler’s Pride Prize Sharer Japanese mat Blondie’s shrieks Candle lover Nitpicks AOL or Yahoo! Tricks Lyon’s river Mystique Do Latin homework Twilight Fountain in Rome Tree nymph Regret Racetrack Mouthed off Dapper Spock’s captain Tattered Ship’s compass housing Jai __ Part of LED Steel- __ boots Hartford’s st. An awful lot Director __ Kazan
DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21. 23. 25. 26.
Bath powder Layered cookie Goulash Weekly program Starts (2 wds.) Living quarters Route for Ben-Hur Kernel holder Eloquent speaker Newspaper’s ID Whale like Shamu Joist Hindu attire Poet’s contraction Off-road vehicles Rumpled Decrees
27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 35. 38. 40. 43. 45. 48. 50. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 62.
Capricorn: Today is the day to go for a long walk and take some time to figure things out. Like what you’re going to do about that gigantic pimple.
Grab the throne Buying frenzy Mason of whodunits Letter ender Follow upon Faked out the goalie Anwar __ of Egypt Getting even Simplicity __ fixe Mild expletive Duck’s gait Ice Capades performer Buster Suggestive Shampoo additive Urban threat Wild hog Wyo. neighbor Luke Skywalker’s sister Mellow cheese Debtor’s note
Aries: What on earth is that smell? Consider cleaning your room. Or your clothes. Or yourself. Sagittarius: You feel pretty. Oh so pretty. So pretty, in fact, that your confidence turns people off. Gemini: Good things come to those who wait. Too bad you’re so impatient. Virgo: Looks like you stayed up a bit too late last night. Your undereye circles are becoming abnormally large. Someone may soon mistake you for a raccoon.
MLK SCRAMBLER
Answers to last issue’s crossword
Clue 1:
G T S R H I
Clue 4:
R O T P S T E
Clue 2:
E C A P E
Clue 5:
Q A E L U
Clue 3: E M D R A
Bonus: Use circles to solve
SUDOKU
OCTO Instructions
5
1.
6
Place the numbers 1 to 8 in each of the octagons such that the numbers are not repeated in any row, column or diagonal.
3
7 1
9
2.
6 6
4
3
8
7
3
1
2
6
6
3.
2
The number in each diamond is the sum of the numbers of each of the four faces that border that diamond. The numbers that border the diamonds do not have to be unique.
4.
5
8
8
The numbers along the edges, top and bottom are the sums for the numbers in the diagonal that begins or ends at that number.
9
4
1
8
9
5
8
55 numbers are provided in this Octo
7
9
Answers to last issue’s puzzle
© 2009, Doug Gardner Patent Pending
Check www.theplainsman.com for the answers. For more OCTOs, go to home.comcast.net~douglasdgardner/site
CRYPTO A
B
C
D
E
7
F
G
H
21
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
9
P
Q
R
S
T
4
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
12
At the top there is a KEY that lists all the letters from A thru Z with a box below. Each of the letters has a corresponding number. The bottom part contains a secret phrase. Each of the blanks has a number underneath it. Fill in the letters that correspond to the numbers below the blanks to solve the phrase.
A 7
E 11
11
8
21
E 2
21
A 16
11
7
E 24
11
21
O 1
E 24
15
16
11
8
21
4
O 13
I 20
1
9
24
4
I 24
2
9
20
18
24
17
E
O
21
4
I
O
9
4
E 18
21
E 24
O 12
18
4
17
2
21
E
.
21
—MLK
Intrigue C6
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bowling, yoga cure post-football winter boredom Kelly Nicastro WRITER
Bowling leagues, flag football teams, yoga and pottery clubs are especially popular among the students this semester. Andrew Delaney, bowling instructor at Auburn University, said he noticed Auburn Lanes becomes more crowded in the winter after football season is over. “During the winter months, we see an increase in business,” Delaney said. “Generally we offer specials for every day of the week, the biggest days being Thursday night and Sunday night, which we call ‘college night,’ where students can get three games and shoes for only $10.” For those students who are looking to fit in exercise during their weekends, yoga
has become an increasingly popular hobby taken up around campus. Yoga is frequently used to reduce the amount of stress students acquire from tests and schoolwork. Along with yoga, meditation has also become an attractive hobby for students across campus. “The end of football season fit in with my New Year’s Resolution perfectly,” said Caroline Burr, junior in elementary school education. “I planned on starting yoga for the new year, and now I have much more time to practice over the weekends. It has already reduced my stress drastically; I would recommend it to everybody.” Yoga and meditation classes can be taken on and off campus. Yoga Ananda
“
Now that our exciting football season is over, I think that it’s a great time to put a little dedication into our community.” —Kendall Hartman, JUNIOR
is Auburn’s first traditional yoga studio that offers various practices in group and private lessons. In addition to new hobbies and after-school sports, some students have decided to get involved in
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
TJ Mack (left) and TJ Turkington joke around while bowling a competitive set of frames.
community activities this winter, such as The Boys and Girls Club. “I’ve been meaning to get involved in the Auburn community for some time now and have seemed to always put it off because I’ve been too busy,” said Kendall Hartman, junior in building sciences. “Now that our exciting football season is over, I think that it’s a great time to put a little dedication into our community. I joined The Boys and Girls Club this semester and find it to be an extremely rewarding outlet already.” Other community service activities students can get involved with include IMPACT, working with Project Uplift and volunteering with the Food Bank of East Alabama.
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
TJ Turkington takes his turn at the Auburn Lanes Bowling Center Sunday. The bowling alley becomes increasingly popular during slow winter months.
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Yoga participants at Yoga Ananda channel their inner peace with various yoga poses.
Sports
Coaches’ Corner
» PAGE D6
» PAGE D4
www.theplainsman.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011 Brian Woodham
Swimming preview
D Page D1
Aubie dances his way to a No. 2 trophy
SPORTS@ THEPLAINSMAN. COM
It’s no mirage, the BCS champ is here Has it sunk in for you yet? Has it sunk in that the 2010 Auburn Tigers are the national champions? Has it sunk in for all of the legends who wore the blue jersey and bled orange, but never reached the pinnacle of college football? Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley? Joe Cribbs, Bo Jackson and Brent Fullwood? Stan White and Frank Sanders, Jason Campbell and Courtney Taylor? How big is winning the national championship to the Auburn family? “Oh, man. That’s a simple question right there,” said former Auburn head coach Pat Dye to auburnsports. com after the Tigers defeated the Ducks 22–19 Jan. 10 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. “You know, bigger than this stadium—big as all that desert I crossed getting here.” It took 53 years for Auburn to cross the desert between national championships. Fifty-three long, frustrating years where at least three Tigers’ football teams were denied the BCS » See COLUMN, D2
This Week in Sports THURSDAY Men’s basketball 6 p.m. v. Florida
REBEKAH WEAVER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Aubie makes fun of NFL quarterback Brett Favre while dressed as YouTube phenomenon Antoine Dodson at the mascot championship in Orlando.
After putting together a national qualifying video and performing a skit for judges, Aubie finishes second at the UCA Mascot Championship Brian Woodham ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Aubie finished a whisker short of claiming first place in the College Mascot National Championship at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., Friday. Aubie entered the competition in a three-way tie for first place, but finished in second.
Fifteen mascots performed skits in front of judges and members of the audience at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. Aubie finished one point behind Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher, one of three mascots, including Aubie, that were tied for first after the video portion of the competition.
Aubie took his performances from the summer and the majority of the fall and compiled them into a national qualifying video. He then submitted the video to the qualifying committee in late October, according to Lindsey Gillen, SGA’s director of Aubie. The mascot competition also includes a
performance of a skit. “Aubie started to work on his skit right around winter finals time,” Gillen said. “He brainstormed it and built it and practiced it over Christmas break.” Gillen said the theme of the skit was “Aubie’s favorite YouTube videos,” which featured humorous vignettes that played off
Tigers look to avoid Georgia’s doghouse With one SEC win under its belt, the gymnastics team faces the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens Friday Morgan McKean
FRIDAY Swimming & diving 4 p.m. v. Florida
Saturday Men’s basketball 2 p.m. v. LSU
SUNDAY Women’s basketball 2 p.m. v. Tennessee
of well-known viral videos, including the Mobile leprechaun and Antoine Dodson bedroom intruder videos. “Aubie always takes a really good skit,” Gillen said. “We thought that this year, having first in the video—even though we were sharing that with two » See AUBIE, D2
WRITER
The No. 16 Auburn gymnastics team (1–1, 1–0 SEC) is looking for its second win of the season as it travels to fifth-ranked Georgia (2– 1, 0–0 SEC) tomorrow night. The meet begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be aired on ESPNU. Last year, Auburn’s women walked away with its first-ever win over Georgia’s “Gym Dogs.” The Bulldogs had beaten Auburn in 64 consecutive meets dating back to 1980 until the Tigers jumped ahead late in the final rotation. The Tigers are coming off their first win of the 2011 season after beating No. 11 LSU 194.775 –194.450 Friday night in the new Auburn Arena. Four members on Auburn’s team either tied or received a personal high score. Sophomore Petrina Yokay earned the top all-around score.
EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
Rachel Inniss performs on the floor, scoring a 9.9 against LSU Friday night. First-year head coach Jeff Graba said he hopes the team will continue to improve against Georgia. “Well, Georgia’s pretty good,” Graba said. “But for us, we just need to keep taking a step forward. We did a good job tonight (against LSU), but we still had some mistakes.”
Graba applauded his team for making mid-meet adjustments to overcome mistakes made earlier in the competition. “I think we’re on the right track now,” he said. “The next part of the goal is we want to become as good as we can be.” Georgia will be the second of six
SEC teams in a row that Auburn must face. Each one of those teams is currently ranked in the top 25. Graba said he thinks the reason why the SEC is so successful in gymnastics is because the sport is so popular in the South. “There’s a huge fan base down here, and people love gymnastics,” Graba said. “It’s also the fact that we compete against the best of all the time. I don’t think it’s a secret that when you compete against the best, you become better.” Cassidy McComb is one of Georgia’s strongest gymnasts. The senior earned the top all-around honors in Monday’s meet against West Virginia University, receiving a rare 9.925 on the floor. McComb also tied for third last year at NCAA regionals. “Our original goal was to get to know who they were and have them get to know who we are,” Graba said. “Now, we’re starting to settle in. We feel like we’re starting to get a good system and starting to figure things out. My philosophy is to have them take ownership of their gymnastics. I want them to be in charge and to help.” Auburn’s next home meet is Jan. 28 against Arkansas. All proceeds will benefit breast cancer research. Fans wearing pink will be given a raffle ticket to be entered into a drawing for a free iPod.
Sports D2
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
COLUMN » From D1
national championship. The 1983 team, featuring Jackson and fellow running backs Lionel James and Tommie Agee, finished the season 11–1, defeating four top-10 teams while losing only an early season matchup to the then third-ranked Texas Longhorns. The third-ranked Tigers played the eighth-ranked Wolverines in the Sugar Bowl, defeating Michigan on Al Del Greco’s field goal with 27 seconds left in the game. After the first and second ranked teams lost their bowl games, the Tigers went to sleep thinking they were champions, but the coaches and Associated Press voted the Miami Hurricanes national champions in their respective polls. The second snub came in 1993, when the best team on radio defied the odds of probation, finishing the season as college football’s only undefeated team at 11–0. The Tigers finished the season No. 4 in the AP poll, while national champion Florida State finished with one loss at 12–1.
EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
Fans in the University of Phoenix Stadium celebrate during the BCS championship game. The final snub came in 2004, when former coach Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers were shut out of the BCS National Championship game in favor of media darlings Southern California and Oklahoma. USC destroyed Oklahoma in the championship game, and the Tigers were, once again, left to ponder what could have been. The 2010 Auburn Tigers would have none of that, though. The Tigers refused to lose even when they were facing seemingly
insurmountable deficits. After defeating Oregon in the championship game, coach Gene Chizik said the win was for the fans and the Auburn family. The Auburn family includes the players who have fought for Auburn on the field for 53 years, but were denied. The Auburn family includes the adopted and the converted who have come to love Auburn through their spouses or their children, but have never walked across the stage to receive
an Auburn degree. The Auburn family includes those who are no longer with us—Dean Foy, Jim Fyffe, parents, grandparents, sons and daughters—those who passed on the Auburn Creed and their passion for Auburn football to the next generation, those who built the foundation, who dreamt every August of winning a national championship. When you gather Saturday in Jordan-Hare, cheer for this year’s team, but also cheer for those not there.
EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
Women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner talks on her radio show at Logan’s with Mix 96.7’s Andy Burcham.
Food and fun with Fortner Nell Fortner talked with fans Tuesday about her team’s success this season
We Deliver!
*
Crystal Cole SPORTS EDITOR
There’s now more to Logan’s Roadhouse than throwing peanut shells on the floor. Women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner kicked off her weekly radio show Tuesday night at the restaurant in TigerTown. The show is to be held every week at 6 p.m. on 96.7 FM and offers a way for the community to be kept up to date with the team. Fans not able to attend are encouraged to listen on the radio and have the option to call in to the show. The numbers to call in are 1-800-AU-CALLS or
Carry-Out Additional Toppings Available
Large Pizza Cheese or Pepperoni Order 3 or More, We’ll Deliver!
Two Large Orders of Baked Spaghetti Served with Fresh Baked Howie bread
*Delivery Extra
AUBURN
1409 S. College St.
1.5 Miles West of the University next to Acapulco’s Mexican Grille
DELIVERY • CARRY-OUT LUNCH • DINNER • LATE NIGHT
826-5555 OVER 550 LOCATIONS
334-321-2020. Fortner spent most of the start of the show discussing the upcoming match-ups against Mississippi State and No. 5 Tennessee. Fortner said she was happy to see so many games on the schedule held on Sundays since she considers Sunday the team’s lucky day. The women’s basketball team hosts Tennessee Sunday afternoon. Two years ago, the women set an attendance record during the Tennessee game. While Fortner doesn’t think the record will be broken this weekend, she encourages fans to pack the house. Fortner said the homecourt advantage is even greater in the new arena, and she feels blessed to be coaching at Auburn right now. The first 500 fans into the Auburn Arena Sunday will receive an Alli Smalley bobblehead doll and halftime entertainment will be Fletcher Runyan.
REBEKAH WEAVER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Aubie poses with his trophy at UCA Mascot Championship.
AUBIE ‑DUI
» From D1
‑Public Intoxication
other programs—we really thought that would give us the boost we have lacked in the past. “Everything went off without a hitch. The Minnesota mascot had a very different skit from what has been brought in the past, and so I think the judges really liked that different take on things.” Gillen said Aubie can still hold his head high because he is an icon and figurehead that programs around the country model themselves after. “One thing that I find unique about the program is I’m always getting e-mails from mascots—professionally, high school mascots, college mascots—and they want to know what we do and how we do it,” Gillen said. “They want to know how the program is run. They want to know how we make our Aubie calendar. They want to know the intricacies of the Aubie program.” Gillen said six professional mascots have gone through the Aubie program.
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I mean, everyone loves Aubie here, but they may not know what a national reputation for excellence (he has).” —Lindsey Gillen, SGA AUBIE DIRECTOR EMILY ADAMS / PHOTO EDITOR
“Not to toot Auburn’s own horn,” Gillen said, “but it is something that Auburn students and the Auburn family may not know—I mean, everyone loves Aubie here, but they may not know what a national reputation for excellence (he has).” Aubie was first named Universal Cheerleaders Association National Mascot Champion in 1991, an accomplishment which he has repeated four times, the latest in the 2005–2006 competition. Aubie has finished in second place three years in a row and in four out of the past five years.
Coach Gene Chizik looks on to game play during the game against Georgia at home Nov. 13.
Chizik wins the Bryant Award Crystal Cole SPORTS EDITOR
Head coach Gene Chizik beat out six other finalists to win the Paul “Bear” Bryant College Coach of the Year Award Tuesday night in Houston. “I’m extremely appreciative to win this prestigious award,” Chizik said.
“As a football coach, when you can have your name associated with an individual that’s done so much for the sport, it’s a blessing.” Chizik is the third Auburn coach to win the award, joining Tommy Tuberville (2004) and Terry Bowden (1993).
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sports D3
The Auburn Plainsman
2011 Home Baseball Schedule Date
Versus
Time
02/18
vs. Arkansas State
6 p.m.
02/19
vs. Virginia
1 p.m.
02/20
vs. UAB
3 p.m.
02/22
vs. Jacksonville State
3 p.m.
02/25
vs. Radford
3 p.m.
02/26
vs. Radford
3 p.m.
02/27
vs. Radford
1 p.m.
03/01
vs. Bethune Cookman
6 p.m.
03/02
vs. Bethune Cookman
6 p.m.
03/08
vs. Memphis
6 p.m.
03/09
vs. Memphis
6 p.m.
03/11
vs. Arizona State
6 p.m.
03/12
vs. Arizona State
3 p.m.
03/13
vs. Arizona State
1 p.m.
Junior pitcher Cole Nelson prepares his throw against Southeastern Missouri last year.
03/18
vs. Arkansas *
6 p.m.
Tigers ready for 2011 season
03/19
vs. Arkansas *
3 p.m.
03/20
vs. Arkansas *
1 p.m.
03/29
vs. Troy
6 p.m.
04/01
vs. Vanderbilt *
6 p.m.
04/02
vs. Vanderbilt *
1 p.m.
04/03
vs. Vanderbilt *
1 p.m.
04/19
vs. South Alabama
6 p.m.
04/21
vs. Ole Miss *
6:30 p.m.
04/22
vs. Ole Miss *
6 p.m.
04/23
vs. Ole Miss *
3 p.m.
04/26
vs. Samford
6 p.m.
04/27
vs. Texas Southern
6 p.m.
05/06
vs. Georgia *
6 p.m.
05/07
vs. Georgia *
3 p.m.
05/08
vs. Georgia *
1 p.m.
05/13
vs. Alabama *
6 p.m.
05/14
vs. Alabama *
3 p.m.
05/15
vs. Alabama *
1 p.m.
PLAINSMAN ARCHIVES
No. 25 Tigers finish up preparations for the 2011 season, which is less than a month away Nick Van Der Linden ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
With the start of the 2011 baseball season less than a month away, the No. 25 Auburn Tigers look to build on last year’s success after winning its first division title in 15 seasons. Auburn finished the 2010 season with a 43–20 record and one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses. For the first time in school history, the Tigers led the nation with 131 home runs, an average of 2.05 home runs per game and a .591 slugging percentage. The Tigers also had a school record of 11 players drafted, tying UCLA for a 2010 Major League Baseball Draft high. “We lost a lot of players,” said third year head coach John Pawlowski. “We had the most players drafted in the country, so we have to regroup. From a pitching stand point, you lose guys like Grant Dayton and Austin Hubbard. “So we’re going to have to do a good job replacing those guys, but I’m excited
about the experience we have coming back.” Because of safety reasons, the NCAA has decided to tone down the bats so they do not have as much carry on the ball, making them more similar to wooden bats. Because of these changes, Pawlowski said he believes home runs will be harder to come by, and they will have to be consistent in manufacturing runs and playing the short game. “I think the game is going to be played at a quicker rate because I don’t think offenses across the country will be as prolific as they have been over the last several years,” Pawlowski said. “The identity we have to take on and continue to take on is the way we manufacture runs.” Pawlowski said the program expects to see several recruits visit campus this weekend, as the University plans to celebrate the Tigers’ 2010 National Football Championship. “When you go out and win a national championship in football, people look
at your school in a different light,” Pawlowski said. “There seems to be a lot of attention on the program, which is good. This weekend will be a great weekend to be in town. It’s a great venue and a great opportunity to do some recruiting.” The Tigers will have 33 home games in 2011, including conference games against Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama. Auburn will start the season Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. against Arkansas State in the Auburn Classic. “We’re looking forward to the challenge,” Pawlowski said. “The biggest challenge for us is the team aspect. “When you have 17 new guys, you have to try and get them all going in the same direction and trying to mesh the personalities and different mind sets and trying to get these guys to perform. “It’ll be a great challenge, but hopefully, they will understand how we want them to play and how they have to play in order to be successful.”
Bahamian record breaker brings success to Auburn Miranda Dollarhide INTRIGUE EDITOR
After becoming the second Bahamian female swimmer to ever qualify for the Olympics in 2008, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace has continued to break records. Vanderpool-Wallace set records at the 2009 World Championship in Rome, Italy, received various honors at both the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Championship and won two gold medals at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games. However, she said her greatest accomplishment was winning the bronze medal at the 2010 FINA Short Course World Championships in Dubai. “It was my first international medal,” VanderpoolWallace said. “It was kind of a shock.” To the people around her, this accomplishment comes as no surprise. Frank Bradley, Auburn’s associate head coach, attributes Vanderpool-Wallace’s success to her dedication to the sport. “Her ability to train at a high level every day and her willingness to make adjustments puts her at the highest level of competition,” Bradley said. Aside from her
VANDERPOOL-WALLACE
determination, Vanderpool-Wallace said her inspiration to succeed well comes from her family. “My family has supported me throughout everything– through the ups and the downs,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. Her mom, who was also a swimmer, sparked her interest in swimming. She was 15 years old when she left the Bahamas to attend high school in Florida to continue swimming. “Swimming in the Bahamas isn’t as big as it is here,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. “I went to boarding school in Florida and came to Auburn just so I could have people to train with.” Despite her many accomplishments, the road to success has not been easily traveled. Vanderpool-Wallace said she sticks to a strict diet, gets very little free time and only visits her family twice
a year. When she does get a chance to go home, she visits with friends and family. “I try to get to see them as much as I can,” VanderpoolWallace said. Despite the strict lifestyle swimming has created, she never forgets to reward herself after a particularly strenuous meet. “I love ice cream,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. “I’m not a chocolate fan, I’m an ice cream person.” Bradley said VanderpoolWallace remains very balanced throughout it all her hard work. “[She] is a very complete package with room for improvement,” Bradley said. “She is what you look for in an athlete.” Va n d e r p o o l -Wa l l a c e looks forward to the Southeastern Conference, NCAA, International Championships and Pan American games and trying to qualify for the Olympics again. She said she even dreams of one day swimming in Australia. After she decides to retire from swimming, Vanderpool-Wallace said she hopes to try something different. “I would like to go into event planning,” Vanderpool-Wallace said.
* Southeastern Conference game
VANDERPOOL-WALLACE QUICK HITS
Sports D4
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Auburn looking to return to winning ways The Tigers return home to face a tough Gators team Nick Van Der Linden ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR
The Auburn Tigers (7–10, 0–3 SEC) will look to break a three-game losing streak against Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators (13–4, 2–1 SEC) as the Tigers return to the Arena for a twogame home stand. “It’ll be good to get back in the Auburn Arena on Thursday in front of our fans and have them cheering for us,” said head coach Tony Barbee. “It’ll be fun, but we’ve got to break the seal. We have to get our first win in conference play to get over the hump and get the momentum back.” Auburn leads Florida 87– 70 in the series and will look to end a regular season win drought against the Gators. Auburn’s last regular season win against the Gators was Jan. 16, 1999 in BeardEaves Memorial Coliseum when No. 8 Auburn defeated Florida 88–69. The Gators are coming off of a 72–69 loss to South Carolina, but have won eight of their last 10 games. “Florida is a very talented and very experienced team,” Barbee said. “They start three seniors for a very talented team with great inside players in Vernon Macklin
and Alex Tyus. “They are very talented inside-outside players, and Chandler Parsons is the other exceptional senior.” Macklin has scored an average of 10.9 points per game with 6.4 rebounds while Parsons adds an average of 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and is shooting 41.9 percent from the three-point range. “He (Parsons) is a bigtime shooter,” Barbee said. “He is known for making big shots in crunch time.” The Gators lead the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage (.469) and is second in scoring defense (61.8), rebound margin (+6.7) and assists (14.7). Junior guard Erving Walker has proven to be another weapon for the Gators, shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range, ranking third in the SEC. Walker averages 14.5 points and 3.2 assists per game. “Walker is a scoring point guard who can create a lot of problems for you because he can get into the lane,” Barbee said. “He has a NBA range on his jump shot.” Barbee said he believes the biggest reason for his team’s struggles lies within the offense and is looking for players to be more confident and competent. “Keys for the game are simple: we’ve got to make the shots,” Barbee said. “You’re not going to shoot 33 percent on average and
TODD VAN EMST / AUBURN MEDIA RELATIONS
Auburn’s Kenny Gabriel (left) and Earnest Ross (right) shoot against a Georgia Southern defender Dec. 29, 2010. be very successful. We want that to be in the 50 percent range or better.” Auburn’s stamina will be tested next week as they play three games in six days.
Auburn will face Florida Thursday, followed by Alabama Saturday before traveling to Arkansas Tuesday. Barbee said he believes this will only benefit his
team and his players enjoy the quick turnaround. “It is always tough, but we are in great condition,” Barbee said. “Our guys are mentally and physically strong
enough to do that. “It is just a matter of making sure we are prepared, and we will be.” The game will tip-off at 6 p.m., televised by ESPN.
Ryal’s experience leads Lady Tigers toward success Harrison Nichols WRITER
When Mark Ryal came to Auburn in 2008, he brought more than a decade of Major League Baseball experience with him. That experience has proven invaluable not only to Auburn’s softball team, but also to Ryal’s coaching philosophy. “My main goal as a coach on any level is just to try and give back some of the great experiences I had as a ball player and help our players get better,” Ryal said. “I want to pass down the things I learned when I played.” That experience is certainly not lost on his players. “We all know that Coach Ryal knows what he is talking about because of the years he spent playing in the majors,” said junior catcher Elizabeth Eisterhold. Originally from Dewar, Okla., Ryal was picked in the third round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft. He made his first major league appearance with the Kansas City Royals in 1982.
After a playing career spanning 16 years, which included stints with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, Ryal soon found himself back in the dugout, only this time as a coach. He started in 1995 as the hitting coach for the University of Oklahoma baseball team. After coaching baseball at several eastern Oklahoma high schools, Ryal switched over to softball. He took a job as the head coach of the Inola (Okla.) High School softball team in 2003. In 2007, Ryal left Inola to become the head coach of the Carl Albert State College softball team. Then, in the fall of 2008, he arrived at Auburn as an assistant coach working with hitters and outfielders. “The position at Auburn was open, and I was lucky enough to get hired,” Ryal said. So far, Ryal has been a key component to the Lady
Tigers’ success. In his first season with Auburn, Ryal helped the team improve in almost every offensive category, including team batting average, hits, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage, walks, on-base percentage and stolen bases. The Lady Tigers have also reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Ryal’s first two seasons with the team. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round, with a 1–2 record each time. “One of our goals this year is to improve our play in the tournament and go farther,” Ryal said. “That, and we want to finish higher in conference play to get a better seeding in the tournament.” Other goals include improving the team’s batting average and cutting down on strikeouts. Ryal also noted the importance of staying healthy this season. “We’ve got to avoid injuries this year,” Ryal said. “We need to be more consistent,
GETTING TO KNOW RYAL ■
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and we can’t do that if we aren’t healthy.” Ryal puts in the extra effort to provide guidance for his players.
“Coach Ryal is a great coach that is always willing to work extra with us at any time,” Eisterhold said. “We can call him up whenever
and he will always be there to help.” The team opens the 2011 season Feb. 12 against Alabama State in Birmingham.
Student rows 1 million meters into world record books Mackenzie Cogle WRITER
Edward Budimier, senior in electrical engineering, became the fourth person to break the world record in the Men’s Individual Heavyweight division for the Million Meter Row. Budimier has been a member of the rowing team for four years and is vice president of the men’s team. “We’re always impressed with him,” said Taylor Askew, senior in art and a member of the Auburn Rowing team. Using two Concept2 Indoor Rowers, Budimier spent eight and a half days rowing 1 million meters in 197 hours and 41 minutes. Concept2 ergometers, or “ergs,” consist of a flywheel connected to a chain and
handle and are used to simulate rowing on land. “You look at the machine, and you don’t think much about it, but once you get on it, it kicks your butt,” said Van Jones, senior in building science. “I felt motivated to motivate the rest of the team,” Budimier said. “I wanted to do something to show that just because we were a club team didn’t mean we couldn’t do great things.” Concept2 allows users to keep track of their rowing times on its website. While logging his times on the site one day, Budimier came across a page marked Ultra-Distance Individual Million Meter Row. Budimier contacted Concept2 by e-mail to ensure he met the requirements to
HELEN NORTHCUTT / GRAPHICS EDITOR
attempt the record. The 21-year-old set out to row 1 million meters Dec. 21. He kept a log of his times from start and finish for each rowing session. The ergometer also kept a record in the machine’s
computer. Starting at 8 a.m., Budimier rowed continuously, only stopping to take short 4–5 minute breaks every 55 minutes. He used these quick breaks to fuel up on pasta, water and Gatorade in
order to endure the long hours spent on the ergometer. After rowing an average of 115 kilometers each day, Budimier would refuel with plenty of carbohydrates, stretch and go to bed. During hours spent rowing, he would listen to his iPod or watch movies on a TV he set up in his garage. He also had family members check on his progress every few hours to make sure he was in good condition. Budimier completed the Million Meter Row Dec. 23, breaking the million meter world rowing record for his age division. “It’s a huge accomplishment.” Askew said. The record set by Budimier can be viewed on the
Concept2 website under Ultra-Distance World Records. “I would spend at least an hour or two on the erg every day,” Budimier said about preparation. Budimier, a member of Auburn University’s ROTC, spends three days a week in physical training. He also leads the rowing team’s hour-long practices every afternoon. He and the rowing team also practice at 4 a.m. twice a week on Lake Martin. “He’s a really hard worker,” Askew said, “probably one of the best on the team.” Budimier will be commissioned by the Marines when he graduates this May. “People can do great things if they put their minds to it,” Budimier said.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sports D5
The Auburn Plainsman
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Sports D6
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, January 20, 2011
CHRISTEN HARNED / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Freshman Zane Grothe swims the butterfly during Sunday’s meet against Texas. Grothe finished third in the men’s 1000-yard freestyle and finished fourth in the 500-yard freestyle.
Tigers look for big win against pool rival Florida Nicole Loggins WRITER
Nothing’s meaner than a wet cat. That statement was proven true last week when Auburn’s men swim team beat the 2010 National Champion Texas men with a 125.5– 117.5 win. The Tigers will take on the Florida Gators in its senior meet Friday at 4 p.m. at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center. The Florida women are
the reigning 2010 NCAA Champions and are currently holding down the No. 1 spot in the country, but that doesn’t intimidate freshmen swimmer Haley Krakoski. The meet against Texas has prepared the team for Florida’s arrival Friday. “We’re in a really good place,” Krakoski said. “We’re all excited for Florida. It’s our senior meet so I know all of our seniors are really excited. All of our parents
are going to be in the crowd cheering us on.” After the Florida game, the Tigers will compete in the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships which start Feb. 11. Kohlton Norys and Adam Klein are two standout swimmers that are making a name for themselves in the Auburn program. Klein is the current 2010 SEC champion in the 100breast and was one of four swimmers that finished first
against Texas with a 3:12.91 in the 400 medley relay. Norys is a nine-time AllAmerican and a three-time NCAA Champion in 100 back, 200 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle and also played a big part in the win against Texas, winning the 400 free relay in 2:57.12. “Florida is our biggest SEC rival and Texas is our biggest NCAA rival, so to come out and beat Florida will be great at our pool,” Norys said.
Dan Mazzaferro is a redshirt senior diver who has been making a comeback after a sidelining knee injury. Mazzaferro is a seventime All-American and three-time SEC Champion and an important part of Auburn’s competitive edge. “Divers, men and women swimmers, the whole team effort there is what really won the meet,” Mazzaferro said. “The team is coming together the last part of the
season, which is good in knowing that Florida’s coming in and the women are ranked No. 1 in the country, and there is a great, very impressive bunch of Florida guys as well. “It’s going to be the same exact effort, a combined team effort. Cohesiveness wins meets.” For the women, it is senior Caitlin Geary who has geared up to lead the women in sprint freestyle and individual medleys.
Women’s basketball beat LSU, prepare for ‘Dawgs Victoria Rodgers WRITER
Auburn’s women’s basketball team has been on a roll with big conference wins against Ole Miss and LSU. The women beat the Ole Miss Rebels 85–73 in Auburn Arena Thursday. Blanche Alverson had a career-high of 27 points and led the Tigers to a conference win. The Rebels never led after Auburn had a 13–3 scoring run early in the second half. “Everything just kind of came together tonight, and I am really happy with the results of the game,” said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. Eleven other players put up points for the Tigers, and their momentum carried over to the next game. The women defeated the LSU Lady Tigers 53–65 at home Sunday increasing their record to 11–7 (4–1 SEC). Auburn battled with LSU the first 15 minutes of the game with six different lead changes, but steadily increased the scoring margin. Senior guard Alli Smalley scored a layup with 3:42 left in the first and entered Auburn’s top-10 career-scoring list with 1,419 points. “It’s a really big honor to accomplish that knowing the great players who have played here before me
and even right now,” Smalley said. “It’s also a tribute to my teammates and our point guard and people who distribute the ball. You cannot do it without them.” The Auburn Tigers went up by 11 and ended the first half leading LSU 32–21. Alverson opened the second half with a three-pointer, which kept up Auburn’s intensity for the rest of the night. The Tigers played focused throughout the game. “The intensity and focus on a day-to-day basis and in practice has been a huge role in our improvement as well,” Fortner said. “Our hunger and intensity has continued to grow.” Auburn led by as much as 22 points in the second half when LSU responded in the final 2:30, scoring 13 points. Guarding Auburn seemed to be a challenge for LSU. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the field and had a total of 36 rebounds in the game. “We weren’t as mentally prepared as we should have been,” said LSU sophomore guard Adrienne Webb. “We came in here flat, not ready to play, and it showed in our play today.” The win gave the team a much needed confidence boost before hitting the road. “It was a great win,” said
“
The intensity and focus on a day-to-day basis and in practice has been a huge role in our improvement.” —Nell Fortner, HEAD COACH
Auburn forward Jordan Greenleaf. “It was another boost of confidence that we needed heading to Mississippi State on Thursday. We played probably the best defense we have played all year, knocked down some shots and came out with a ‘W.’” LSU’s head coach Van Chancellor credited Auburn’s success to Fortner. “Nell Fortner did a great job coaching,” Chancellor said. “She was 10,000 times a better coach then I was today. Auburn played good. They came out with fire and played hard.” The team travels to Starkville Jan. 20 for its first away game. “We seem to be getting better and better every game,” Fortner said. “We’re maturing into a pretty good defensive team.”
TIM SIMPSON / PHOTO STAFF
Junior guard Morgan Jennings pulls up for a jump shot against Ole Miss Thursday night.