Coverage of National Signing Day / A8
The Auburn Plainsman
A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
Thursday, February 5, 2015 Vol. 122, Issue 27, 12 Pages
First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.
football
Online
Jumbo changes to Jordan-Hare
ThePlainsman.com VIDEO: This Week in Sports inside campus
Contributed by kris McInnis
Illustration of what the scoreboard in Jordan-Hare Stadium could look like if the board of trustees approves it. Check ThePlainsman.com for updates.
Page A3
SGA candidate profiles
Board of Trustees to vote on new screen David McKinney
Assistant Sports Editor
Something big may be coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium. That something is a new scoreboard, and it will be the largest of its kind in all of college football if it is approved at the Auburn Board of rustees meeting. On Friday, Feb. 6, the board of trustees will vote on the proposed scoreboard, which will be approximately 200 feet wide and will replace the current scoreboard in JordanHare’s south end zone. Should the vote pass, the estimated $13.9 million screen could be in place by the Tigers’ first home game of 2015, a matchup against Jacksonville State on Sept. 12. That $13.9 million will be
community
Page A6
Moratorium delayed at City Council sports
covered by the University. The money will be then reimbursed by the athletic department, according to proposal documents on the University website. In order to claim the title of biggest scoreboard, Auburn’s new board must exceed the dimensions of the one at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, which is 47-by-163. The largest video board in all of sports is at Everbank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. That screen features dimensions of 362-by-60. The announcement of the vote comes just after the installation of a new 23-by-29 scoreboard at Jane B. Moore Field, home of Auburn softball.
becky hardy / editor-in-chief
SEC scoreboards ranked from largest to smallest in size.
Election over before it begins Student government
Top three SGA candidates to run unopposed
Page A10 Profile on Tim Irvin
Becky Hardy Editor-in-Chief
intrigue
Page A11
Student eats bugs for 30-day challenge index Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue
A1 A5 A6 A8 A11
The top three SGA candidates – president, vice president and treasurer – will run unopposed in the 2015 SGA elections for the first time in at least 10 years, according to Brad Smith, SGA adviser. Logan Powell, current SGA president, said he was not happy with the lack of competition. “We would like there to be competition, if nothing else than for the sharpening of ideas, and the fact that when you have to compete against someone’s platform, it typically elevates yours,” Powell said. “I think that these three guys are a good trio to run because I think they’ll meet those expectations. Hopefully moving forward, this doesn’t ever happen again.” Walker Byrd, Justin Mathews and Brett Walton will run for SGA president, vice president and treasurer, respectively. According to SGA Code of Laws, “Unless disqualified, the candidate who received the most votes for SGA president, SGA vice president and SGA trea-
raye may / contributing designer
The top three SGA candidates will run unopposed this year.There are no write-ins.
surer, respectively, will be certified as elected, provided that he/she obtain[s] 40 percent or more of the votes cast in their respective elections.”
Since there are no write-in options for any race, according to the SGA Code of Laws, all candidates only need one vote to win the election.
“We do stick to the code,” said Sloane Bell, executive director of elections. “It’s our bread and butter, and we go by what it says. If a senator were to sponsor a bill to call for (write-in) change, it would have to be voted on by the student senate.” In the 2014 SGA elections, only Richmond Gunter, current SGA treasurer, ran unopposed. “It’s a totally different experience,” Gunter said. “You get to do all the fun things and don’t have to do the not fun things during the campaign. I didn’t change a ton of things [in my campaign process], but I was able to say this wasn’t a necessary component in campaigning.” Bell said the elections council put out fliers, posted on social media and had multiple information sessions for both major and minor candidates in the fall to promote the elections. “I made my team aware that the only applications we got for those [races] were one candidate per race,” Bell said.
» See unopposed a2
Campus A2
“
The Auburn Plainsman
unopposed
DUI reports
» From A1
The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from Jan. 27-31: Jan. 27 - John Lewis Jackson, 52, Lee Road 12 at 12:52 a.m. - Police withheld name because male was charged with domestic violence during same incident, 21, at 9:55 p.m. Jan. 29 - Elissa Katrin Ingram, 32, South College Street at 7:08 p.m. Jan. 31 - Donald Joseph Eakes II, 25, East Samford Avenue and South Gay Street at 12:58 a.m. - Horace Willis Durr, 52, Martin Luther King Drive and Webster Road at 5:31 p.m. - Brandon Keith Smallwod; 40, 600 block of Shug Jordan Parkway at 6:52 p.m. - Gilmes Lopez, 27, East Glenn Avenue and North Ryan Street at 10:38 p.m. - Alan David Webster, 27, 300 block of North Donahue Drive at 3:32 a.m. - Denard Lee Stringer, 21, Shelton Mill Road and East University Drive at 3:43 a.m. - Shondria Anjenka McShan, 33, 1300 block of Opelika Road at 10:13 a.m. A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman.com. –Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety
The Auburn Plainsman Looking for people with graphic design skills to fill designer positions Email Editor@theplainsman.com
“As a whole, we always encourage as many people as possible to run, and that’s why my team really tried to promote this year. Not only letting students know how important these positions are, but how important voting is.” All top three candidates have been involved with SGA in the past. One candidate for vice president, John LeMaster, senior in chemical engineering, withdrew his SGA application in the fall. LeMaster said his reason for withdrawal was personal and had no further comment. With no one running against any of the candidates, Gunter said the campaign process is more focused on future plans than getting students to vote for a certain candidate. Byrd, senior in finance, said his campaign would not be in students’ faces on the concourse. “We are still trying to make people aware of what’s going on and make sure they understand that they have a voice through this and they can still vote,” Byrd said. “Even though all three races are unopposed, (students) still have a purpose in this whole plan. So we are really just trying to convey that message and make sure we meet students and hear their concerns over this next week.” Byrd said he thinks he would be a good represenative of the student body. “I’m not doing this because of any résumé, I’m not doing this because I’m trying to climb the ladder or get the next nametag,” Byrd said. “I’m doing this because I love Auburn, and I know that’s cliché to say, but I do.” A new addition to the ballot Byrd implemented will be the choice between three dining venues that will be a part of the new Mell Street Academic Suc-
Thursday, February 5, 2015
We would like there to be competition, if nothing else than for the sharpening of ideas and the fact that when you have to compete against someone’s platform, it typically elevates yours.”
S OFF-CAMPUG
N I S U O H
FAIR
—Logan Powell
sga president
cess Center. The three options are Plains to Plate, Einstein’s Bagels and Mell Street Café. Justin Mathews, junior in building science, said he was surprised when he found out he was running unopposed. “Obviously, that’s not the way I wanted to win,” Mathews said. “I was really looking forward to campaigning. I love the elections process, and I think that’s how people need to be put into positions. At the same time, I was extremely excited for this year to come.” Mathews said running unopposed gives him the chance to focus on his position and how he will implement his platform once he is sworn into office. Brett Walton, junior in accounting, said he is focusing on quality of votes over quantity of votes. “We can interact with students on a more personal level,” Walton said. “You aren’t feeling rushed to go talk to the next person, to get that next vote or to be as loud as you can on the concourse.” Byrd, Mathews and Walton’s campaigns are detailed on A3.
Explore off-campus residence options. Tuesday, February 10, 2015 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 2nd Floor Lobby, Student Center
For more information go to offcampushousing.auburn.edu
Additional reporting contributed by Nicole Fulkerson, campus reporter.
ADVERTISEMENT During Senate’s current term, the Student Senate has passed three referenda and as a result, three additional items will be placed on the Spring Election ballot. The Final Lecture is the most recent referendum concern. The Final Lecture program gives students the opportunity to recognize professors who’ve made extraordinary contributions to Auburn University, both inside and outside of the classroom. The student body nominated the following professors: Dr. Susan Brinson (Media Studies), Dr. Sophocleus (Economics), Dr. Steven Brown (Political Science), Dr. Dale Coleman (Animal Sciences), Dr. Bill Buskist (Psychology), Dr. Kathleen Hale (Political Science) Dr. Stuart Wentworth (Electrical Engineering), Ric Smith (Communications) Dr. Mike Milford (Communications). The second referendum in involves an amendment to the SGA constitution. On Tuesday, February 10th, the student body will have the chance to approve the adjustment of the required GPA for both elected and appointed SGA positions from a 2.25 to a 2.5. Lastly, in the upcoming election, students will decide the dining venue placed in the Academic Success Center, which will be built between Ralph Brown Draughon Library and Mell Street. This is a wonderful opportunity for Auburn students to have their voice heard in a meaningful and practical way. The Student Government Association has worked hand in hand with Tiger Dining and other administrators for the past several months and we are confident this could be the voting model for years to come. SGA wants to empower students to have their opinions heard, and we think this is one way we can help accomplish that. The choices will be Plains 2 Plate, EinB stein Brother’s Bagels and Mell Street Café, powered by Freshens. A description of what each venue would offer is below: • Plains 2 Plate focuses on local, fresh, and healthy food choices with a wide variety including wraps, pizzas, salads, flatbreads, and many other options. • Einstein Brother’s Bagels provide fresh-baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches, crisp salads and gourmet coffee. • Mell Street Café, powered by Freshens is a fast made-to-order concept, which offers crepes, salads, flatbreads, rice, bowls, smoothies, and frozen yogurt. Paid for by SGA
02 . 06 . 2015
FIRST FRIDAYS: COLLEGE NIGHT First Friday Specials in Historic Downtown Opelika Southern Crossing - 20% off one item* Fringe - 15% off entire purchase* Studio 3:19 - 15% off entire purchase Almost Anything - 20% off entire purchase* CyberZone - $6 Laser Tag* Niffers - free corn nuggets* (Opelika only) Heritage Gifts - 20% off entire purchase* Coveted Closet - 20% off entire purchase* (6-8 p.m. only) The Gallery - 20% off one item* Jeffersons - 10% off* Taylor Made Designs - 15% off entire purchase*
For more information, visit Facebook. com/First Fridays Opelika
* WITH VALID STUDENT ID
SAMFORD
Earn your graduate degree in education Samford offers NCATE-accredited graduate programs in education that blend theoretical concepts with practical, hands-on experience. Samford has traditional master's degree programs as well as flexible schedules for working professionals. Our postgraduation employment rate is nearly 100%. Degrees Offered M.S.E., Elementary Education M.S.E., Gifted Certification M.S.E., Instructional Leadership M.S.E., Educational Leadership: Policy, Organizations and Leadership 5th-year Alternative Graduate Program in Early Childhood/Elementary Education 5th-year Nontraditional Master's in Secondary Education Ed.S., Teacher Leader Ed.S., Instructional Leader Ed.D., Educational Leadership
samford.edu/go/education-AU
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Campus A3
The Auburn Plainsman
Large Pizza
Meet the SGA candidates elections
President
8
Walker Byrd
ANY ONE TOPPING
99
$
“Be Heard With Byrd” “There’s 25,000 students, and whether they realize this or not, they are all part of student government,” Byrd said. “I want every student to have an avenue to complain.”
AUBURN
Platform
Contributed by Walker Byrd
Byrd’s goals include improvements in academics, athletics, campus life, campus safety, international student life, student voice and transportation. Byrd said he wants to update the model for class registration, improve the overall game day experience, improve and expand the student center, improve road safety, improve the Auburn experience for international students, expand Auburn Answers and improve late-night transportation.
Vice President Justin Mathews
DELIVERY • CARRY-OUT LUNCH • DINNER • LATE NIGHT
826-5555 OVER 550 LOCATIONS
Lemans Square
A
P
A
R
T
M
E
N
T
S
MANAGED BY: DELVIEW PROPERTIES LLC
Come fall in love withinto savings Lemans Square!
Fall
Com i n t oAVAILABLE Q u i e t C o m fNOW! ort 1BR &e2BR
(334) 821-9192 560 North Perry St. Auburn, AL www.lemanssquare.com
Platform
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dates to remember: Thursday, Feb. 5 Contributed by Justin mathews
Treasurer Brett Walton “Bank on Brett” “It’s the job of me, as SGA treasurer, to stand in front of students and say ‘This is where your money is going, this is what it’s doing, this is how we are using your money to better Auburn,’” Walton said.
Platform
For more information about each candidate’s platform, visit auburn.edu/SGA.
1.5 Miles West of the University next to Acapulco’s Mexican Grille
WE LEASING SELL APARTMENTS, NOT BEDROOMS NOW FOR SUMMER & FALL!
“I want to stress the ways that students can make a difference,” Mathews said. “Auburn is a very student-empowered campus, and students have the ability to make a lot of change.”
Contributed by Brett walton
1409 S. College St.
Pet Friendly • Sparkling Pools • Spacious Floor Plans On-site Management • On Tiger Transit Route Water/Garbage included Only 4 blocks from Auburn University campus
“All In With Justin”
Mathews said he wants to bridge the gap between students and senators. Mathews said he also wants to improve the senate portion of the SGA website by focusing on current legislature and informing students about how they can get involved. Mathews said he wants to expand the Student Center to provide a better atmostphere for students.
Plus Tax & Delivery. Limited Time Offer. Premium toppings extra.
Walton said he wants to lead with integrity, utilize student financial experience, listen to the student body’s voice and ensure responsible use of the student reserve fund. Walton said he will use funds on initiatives, such as the creation of a student memorial, the renovation of the old Student Activity Center and the improvement of the current Student Center.
Compiled by Nicole Fulkerson
• UPC Self Defense Workshop in the Student Activity Center at 6 p.m. • Flirting with Death - Poetry Reading at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 • Auburn University Dance
Marathon in the Student Center Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 9
• SGA Elections Debate at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom • Young Americans for Liberty’s “End the Drug War” begins at 9 a.m. on the Haley Concourse
Tuesday, Feb. 10
• SGA voting ends at 9 p.m. • Chicken Salad Chick’s grand opening at 9:30 a.m. The store opens at 10 a.m.
Campus A4
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The Auburn Plainsman
Get to know the 2015 elections
Miss Auburn candidates Five candidates in the race to replace Caroline Stephens as Miss Auburn Caroline Beauchaine “Fire up with Caroline”
About Caroline:
Caroline Beauchaine, senior in public relations, is a College of Liberal Arts senator and president of Alpha Gamma Delta.
Platform:
Beauchaine said if she is elected Miss Auburn, she will bring awareness to student firefighters. “I will encourage our campus to support student firefighters, inspiring the student body to join with me as we advocate for these men and women, educate others through an awareness campaign and appreciate the loyal service of past and present Auburn-student firefighters,” Beauchaine said. contributed by Caroline Beauchaine
Mi’A Callens
“Capture confidence with Callens” About Mi’A:
Mi’A Callens, junior in journalism, serves on the Auburn University modeling board, is director of Miss Greek Week and is a member of the Panhellenic cabinet.
Platform:
Callens said if she is elected Miss Auburn, she will help to raise childhood self-esteem. “This is a confidence and character building initiative devoted to making a difference in every child’s life,” Callens said. “My platform’s worthy ambition is to build the self-esteem, confidence and character of our country’s youth.” contributed by Mi’a callens
Dae Jackson
“Build, rise, brighten day by Dae” About Dae:
Dae Jackson, junior in journalism, served as a Camp War Eagle counselor, the director of films for the University Program Council and the vice president of the College of Liberal Arts Student Eminent Society.
Platform:
Jackson said she was a victim of bullying, and if she is elected Miss Auburn, she will try to stop bullying from happening to someone else. “I promised myself after the fact that I would never make anyone feel the way I felt, that I would never treat anyone the way I was treated,” Jackson said. contributed by Dae Jackson
Research group hears a change Anna-Claire Terry Campus Writer
Students and faculty in the Auburn University department of communication disorders have conducted research in Guatemala and may be able to improve hearing-aid fitting in infants and young children. The Auburn research group discovered head circumference can be used to predict the necessary adjustments that need to be made to the hearing aids. According to members on the research team, sound must be adjusted to the size of each child’s ear for the hearing aids to work correctly. The Guatemala Outreach Program started in 2009. According to Kelli Watts, assistant clinical professor, this program is treated like a study abroad program, and doctorate students receive patient contact hours. Watts said the research team was invited to Guatemala by the former first lady, Patricia de Arzú. Watts said children are provided with hearing screenings and hearing aids donated by ReSound, a hearing aid manufacturing company. Some children receive checkups and others are evaluated for ear molds for hearing aids. “It’s wonderful to see not only how the kids have grown, but also to see how they’re doing with their new hearing aids,” Watts said. Watts said the Guatemala Outreach Program is important because it provides health care to those who otherwise could not afford it. Watts also said the program is valuable because most families in Guatemala live on one dollar per day or less. Sandra Clark-Lewis, professor emerita, was part of the group that started it all and is still involved with the program as a clinical faculty member after retirement. Clark-Lewis said she started this program because the students wanted to share their skills with less fortunate people in another country. Clark-Lewis started the program in 2008 by applying for a grant with the Office of Outreach.
“
It’s wonderful to see not only how the kids have grown, but also to see how they’re doing with their new hearing aids.” —Kelli Watts
assistant clinical professor
“The faith they took in this program was essential,” Clark-Lewis said. Clark-Lewis said she values the friendships she has made during the program throughout the years. “We are all working toward the same goal,” Clark-Lewis said. “It’s very uplifting. It makes you want to keep going.” Abby Agnew, second-year graduate student in audiology and graduate assistant of Guatemala Outreach Program, will make her first trip to Guatemala in May. Agnew said she anticipates a rush of emotions. Agnew also said she expects to gain real-world experience by working in a foreign country and experiencing the fast paced nature of examining one child after another. “This opportunity means a lot to me, and I am very excited to get to represent Auburn University and this amazing program,” Agnew said. “I can’t wait to help the Guatemalans and to be able to use everything I have learned.” Agnew said there will be an auction April 18 benefitting the Guatemala Outreach Program. Agnew said some of the items up for grabs are an autographed football and basketball by coaches Gus Malzhan and Bruce Pearl, respectively. “We’re looking forward to a great turnout,” Agnew said. This year, the research team will be in Guatemala from May 9-16. According to Clark-Lewis, the Guatemala Outreach Program would not be possible without the continued support of the College of Liberal Arts and the department of communication disorders.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SGA senate introduces
Lauren Jones
new dining options
“Branch out with Lauren Jones”
N icole F ulkerson
About Lauren:
Campus Reporter
Lauren Jones, junior in public relations, is a member of War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen, director of benevolence for Panhellenic and serves as the involvement chair of Chi Omega.
Platform:
Jones said if she is elected Miss Auburn, she will advocate for students with special needs. “My platform is all about challenging Auburn students to critically think and advocate the implementation of people with disabilities into our University,” Jones said. “This is not excluding and pointing out people with special needs.” contributed by Lauren Jones
Catherine Taylor
“Celebrate and create with Catherine Taylor” About Catherine:
Catherine Taylor, senior in Spanish, participated in Freshman Leadership Program during her freshman and sophomore years, has served with Panhellenic and is an active member of her church.
Platform:
contributed by Catherine Taylor
OUTREACH
Taylor said if she is elected Miss Auburn, she will be an advocate for the arts. “My platform is about promoting arts and music on campus,” Taylor said. “It’s not a big part of campus life, and I miss that, so I would love to be a part of creating a creative movement on campus - teaching people to use creativity as an outlet.”
Compiled by Kris Martins / campus writer
The student body has the chance to choose the newest dining venue on campus. Senators Walker Byrd and Elizabeth Moody introduced three options for students to vote on in the spring election at the SGA senate meeting Monday, Feb. 2. The three options to be voted on are Plains to Plate, Mell Street Café, powered by Freshens and Einstein’s Bagels. “You can spend your Tiger Card money anywhere on campus, so why not choose where to spend it?” Moody said. According to Moody, the new dining hall will be on the bottom floor of the Academic Success Center on Mell Street. Construction will begin in 2016. “Plains to Plate would turn into kind of a Plains to Plate 2.0,” Moody said. “It would be expanded and revamped to be better than it is now.” Byrd said the Mell Street Café Powered by Freshens would have more than smoothies.
“Mell Street Café would have tons of great options like salads, crepes, flatbreads and rice bowls, and the potential for the Freshens headquarters to test out new options,” Byrd said. In other Senate news: • Voted on and passed a referendum for the 2015 Final Lecture selection. The Final Lecture is given by a professor who has made contributions to the University. The Final Lecture will be held April 7. • Voted on and passed a referendum for a Constitutional Amendment Proposal to change the minimum GPA requirement for elected officials in SGA from 2.25 to 2.5. “This is something we have been leaning towards for a while,” said senator Abby Lemons. “We want to encourage people to still have a strong academic responsibility in addition to their extracurricular activities.” • Voted on and passed was a proposal to officially recognize Auburn as a Styrofoamfree campus.
Opinion
a5
Thursday, February 5, 2015
ThePlainsman.com
Opinion
our view
Step up to the platform, Auburn students Letter to the editor
Response to ‘War Equal’ editorial
Topic: Major candidates in SGA elections are running unopposed
Viewpoint: More students need to get involved with sga This year on the Auburn SGA’s ballot, the Auburn students will have one option for president, vice president and treasurer. The candidates are running unopposed and will probably step directly into office on March 1st. While the circumstances are unique, in the past 10 years the three major candidates have not all run unopposed at the same time, so it is expected to that there would be no precedents set in place to curb the situation. The lack of candidates shows an ongoing problem with student involvement in government. We are not placing the blame on SGA. It is the students of Auburn who need to become more invested in their government. Students need to step up and become more involved, whether it be through voting, running for elections or simply bringing attention to SGA elections. Unfortunately, even if the candidates currently running unopposed are the best possible options and would win a normal election, their lack of opposition makes the election seem unfair. There should always be at least two candidates running to give students a choice. Again, this is not SGA’s fault. In a campus of 25,912 students, are there really not two people available to run for each position? Perhaps students feel discouraged from running campaigns against candidates who have the backing of fraternities and connections with the SGA already, but there have
been students who have won who are not involved in fraternities or SGA previously. We should also encourage diversity in our SGA in order to represent the entirety of the student body. Since the 1980s we have had only two African-American presidents and two female presidents. More diverse candidates need to run to better represent the Auburn student body. Auburn is not a population made up of entirely white males, and our SGA candidates should reflect this. Currently, to win a seat in the SGA, one needs 40 percent of the vote, and there is no write in option. Because each candidate is running unopposed, a single vote is 40 percent, which is not exactly landslide material. While SGA does advertise about upcoming elections and turning in applications, SGA could advertise more about upcoming applications for SGA positions to encourage more people to apply. A few more fliers, tweets and Facebook posts could reach more of the student body and could encourage more applications. Students should retweet and share these posts as well to promote the spread of information. Auburn students, aside from becoming more invested in running for SGA, should
emily enfinger / photo editor
question of the week: Do you think Auburn students need to become more involved with SGA?
Yes, we need more students in SGA No, it’s fine how it is I don’t care; I don’t like politics Vote online at ThePlainsman.com vote in our student government elections. Voting is the basis of democracy and the foundation of this nation. It cannot be stressed enough how important voting is. Overall, change needs to happen. Students need to have more motivation and a willingness to participate in their student government.
Letter to the editor
Response to the ‘War Equal’ letter Mr. Puchner seems to have accidentally proven the exact point he set out to argue against. To quote, “The reality is, government and judges have no power to define what marriage is” Yep! That’s kind of the point there, Joe. Judge Granade’s argument hinges on the issue that the state has no power to limit what marriage is. In particular, that two pieces of legislation were unconstitutional in their definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. To be precise, the plaintiffs were not represented equally under the law because the state overstepped their bounds in defining what a marriage is. So you and Judge Granade agree there. But I don’t think Mr. Puchner understands that. Further, the “basic truth” that a marriage is a quote, “monogamous, exclusive and permanent union” is not thereafter made false by exchanging “between a man and a woman” for any other pairing, be it man and another man, or what have you. Again, Mr. Puchner seems to have a pretty good idea of what a marriage
should be, but not a clue why it shouldn’t be extended to gays. He goes on to say, for the second or third time in the article by this last paragraph, that “it’s not a question of equality, because the unions are intrinsically unequal.” He never comes close to explaining how those unions are intrinsically unequal. I think he just really enjoys the word intrinsically, but isn’t quite sure what it means. I’ve read his op-ed three times now and I still can’t see it. But what do I know? I’m just a political science and philosophy student. We don’t ever have to read anything dense and confusing. Even if you believe a marriage is a purely religious construct, in which the government has no grounds to interfere, you must then become comfortable with the fact that some churches will be willing to perform marriages between samesex couples. If you want to remove the government from it entirely, then under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, no marriages are legal, per se.
To that end, if no marriages are legal, then what are we even arguing about? Same-sex marriage must then be honored or dishonored in the same way that your different-sex marriage is just as legally bunk. If that’s what you really want, let the churches decide. With the scores of churches across the nation (and already in our state) saying they will bless same-sex unions, I think you might not like the results, Mr. Puchner. In conclusion, it seems, indeed, that Mr. Puchner absolutely wants the government to define what marriage is. As long as it’s what he thinks it is. The thought that the government has no place in defining marriage is only convenient insofar that it doesn’t grant freedom to those who don’t subscribe to Mr. Puchner’s personal definitions (admittedly shared by numbered hordes of ignorant Alabamians). Make up your mind, Mr. Puchner. Chris Evans is a senior in philosophy and political science at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
multimedia
Editor-in-Chief
Jim Little
Maddie Yerant
community
Kyle Nazario
Managing Editor
Eric Wallace
Intrigue
Emily Esleck
Sports
Online
Megan Barkdull
Corey Williams
Opinion
Jordan Hays copy
Emily Enfinger Photo
Submissions
Policy
The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students, as well as faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University.
The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages.
Letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification, though the name of the author may be withheld upon request. Submission may be edited for grammar and/or length. Please submit no more than 400 words.
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS Do you vote in Auburn’s SGA elections?
Editor-in-Chief - Becky Hardy
This editorial is the majority opinion of the Editorial Board and is the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.
Managing Editor - Maddie Yerant
NewSrooM CAMPuS editor - Corey williams reporter - Nicole Fulkerson reporter - tracy Awino writer - Kris Martins writer - rebecca oliver writer - Anna Claire terry writer - Sarah robinson
CoMMuNitY
Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Monday for publication.
Joe Puchner is a University of Alabama student.
255 heisman drive, Suite 1111, Au Student Center Auburn, AL 36849 Newsroom - (334) 844-9108 Advertising - (334) 844-4130
Kris Sims
campus
than just love or intense emotion. After all, intense feelings for one another is not an experience limited just to couples, and if marriage was simply based on consenting adult romance then the state would no interest in recognizing marriage at all. The reality is that governments or judges have no power to define what a marriage is, but have a responsibility to enact policy that reflects the basic truth of marriage as a monogamous, exclusive and permanent union between a man and a woman, or judging if a specific policy violates or upholds marriage equality. In any case, the basic question of what marriage is must be answered. Bringing a man and woman together, permanently and exclusively, for the purpose of creating and nurturing children, is a clear governmental interest. This is marriage. Same-sex unions do not have an equal public purpose. It’s not a question of equality, because the unions are intrinsically unequal. Marriage involves more than just contract law for consenting adult romance. Our state, and society in general, has a clear interest in preserving traditional marriage, and unelected and unaccountable judges should stop undermining this societally necessary institution.
The Auburn Plainsman
The Editorial Board Becky Hardy
I was disappointed, yet not surprised, that the opinions board of The Plainsman voiced their support of Judge Granade’s recent attempt to redefine marriage. The view of the staff reflected the popular sentiment that the movement to legalize gay marriage is grounded in equality, but, after just a bit of thought, one can clearly see that samesex “marriages” and marriages between one man and one woman are intrinsically, by the very essence of what they are, unequal. The disagreement on this issue is not over whether or not all marriages should be treated equally, but rather over what sort(s) of relationship(s) constitute(s) a marriage. Only by answering this first, most basic question, can we judge whether or not a policy is treating marriages equally. Even the proponents of same-sex marriage draw lines when they define marriage, with unions between more than two people as one example of an emotional union they exclude from their definition of marriage, thus making it imperative that we actually answer the question of what marriage is. Marriage is more than just companionship, and never in the history of humanity, save the past few decades, has marriage been reduced to such a vacuous definition. Clearly, marriage must be based on something more
editor - Jim Little reporter - Kailey Miller writer - rachel King writer - Kendyl hollingsworth writer - Pierce ostwalt writer - rachael taylor
SPortS editor - eric wallace Asst. editor - david McKinney reporter - derek thompson writer - Andrew Monson writer - Lauren Christopher writer - Patrick Lucas writer - C.J. holmes writer - Sam Butler
AdvertiSiNG Ad MANAGer
iNtriGue
Gerritt Keaton
editor - Kyle Nazario writer - Andria Moore writer - Ankil Patel writer - Anne dawson
Garrett Ponder Sam Jackson Claire woodall
Photo ANd GrAPhiCS
deSiGNerS
Photo Editor - Emily Enfinger Asst. Photo editor - Kenny Moss Photographer - ellen Jackson
oNLiNe
editor - emily esleck Asst. editor - rachel Sprouse Associate - Jessica Aston
CoPY deSK editor - Jordan hays Asst. editor - Maria Mcilwain Associate - Maya Ballard
MuLtiMediA
editor - Kris Sims
editoriAL AdviSer Austin Phillips (334) 844-9104 adviser@theplainsman.com
ACCouNt eXeCutiveS
Ann Gardner Srinath Gogineni Grant Peterson
diStriButioN Austin haisten Justin McCroskey derek Land
NetworK MANAGer wes Coker
MArKetiNG Jamarius (Stan) taylor
GeNerAL MANAGer & AdvertiSiNG direCtor Judy riedl (334) 844-9101 gm@theplainsman.com admanager@theplainsman.com
oFFiCe MANAGer Kim rape (334) 844-4130 kelleka@auburn.edu
Community Thursday, February 5, 2015
A6 ThePlainsman.com
Community
Environment
Sand Hill recycling leaves local farmer up a creek Kailey Miller
Community Reporter
Robert M. Ward knows his land well. He has been living on the same farm on Cecil Ward Road since his father bought it in 1950. In April 2011, Ward went before the Auburn City Council with a complaint regarding pollution from Sand Hill Recycling Center, located near his property. After seeing the problem had not been resolved, Ward went before the City Council again Jan. 6. “The city of Auburn’s trucks and other trucks go into this landfill and they come out,” Ward said. “They’ve got these dual tires, so all that mud cakes in between their tires and it just slings it all out on the road.” Ward said Sand Hill Recycling uses street sweepers to remove the mud from the roads and sweep it into two creeks, Parkerson Mill Creek and Chewacla Creek, that run through his land. Ward said there are federally protected mussels in Chewacla Creek that could be harmed by the mud. “They’re paying people, contractors, to sweep mud into city property, into the city drainage area that’s coming right down here and affecting federally protected wildlife,” Ward said. “The whole concept of having that place up there recycling is to better mankind and the environment, not to intentionally destroy it.” The federally protected mussels in Chewacla Creek are Hamiota altilis, according to James Stoeckel, associate professor in the School of Fisheries and Aquatic Science with a specialization in molluscan and crustacean ecology. Stoeckel said the mussels are upstream from the recycling plant. “They’re considered threatened in terms of the risk of extinction,” Stoeckel said. “Their populations are very low.” Stoeckel listed three ways excess sedimenta-
tion in the streams could harm the mussels: feeding patterns, reproduction and smothering. “Mussels are filter feeders, and so if you get too much mud in the creek for too long of a time, it can interfere with their feeding because they tend to filter food particles out of the water column,” Stoeckel said. “You’re just getting all this nastiness with that food.” Stoeckel said research shows mussel species can have trouble reproducing when the concentraction of suspended soils in the water column becomes too high. “When we did experiments in ponds and suspended solids levels got above about 15-20 milligrams per liter,” Stoeckel said. “We had severe reductions or even complete failure of reproduction for that year.” The third way the excess sedimentation can harm the mussels is by smothering them once the sediment settles in the bed of the stream, Stoeckel said. “Sedimentation is a big problem sometimes,” said Claude Boyd, professor of agriculture and water qualities specialist. “Some of it’s natural, but you know excess sedimentation in streams is considered ecologically undesirable.” Timothy Woody, director of environmental services in Auburn, said the city has been using Sand Hill Recycling for 15 years to dispose of construction and demolition debris along with yard waste. At the City Council meeting Jan. 20, the council renewed a three-year contract with them. Woody said their concern is if the facility has the appropriate permits through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. “Their facility is outside of the city limits, so it’s outside of our purview,” Woody said. “It’s up to those regulatory agencies to deal through those processing and disposal facilities in terms of making sure they adhere to those permits.” Ward said when he brought the issue in front
Kenny Moss / Assistant Photo Editor
Pollution is visible near the Sand Hill Recycling center in drainage ditches that flow down into Chewacla Creek.
of City Council for the second time, they told him it was a Lee County issue. Justin Hardee, Lee County engineer, said the county does not have the ability to police this type of activity, but that authority falls under the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Lynn Battle, spokeswoman for ADEM, said they sent someone to inspect Sand Hill Recycling, without giving the company any prior notice. The inspection report was not completed in time for the publication of this article, according to Battle. Ward said in his past experiences with ADEM, they did not use enforcement as part of their pro-
gram. “I don’t want to say anything bad about ADEM, but I’d almost call them a toothless tiger,” Ward said. Ward said an employee from Sand Hill Recycling gave him a tour of their property after learning of his complaints, showing Ward how they were cleaning up the mud that had been on the streets and replacing it with sand. “If they’re going to come pick me up and show me the improvements that they’ve done, then that in itself is an admission of guilt,” Ward said. “If they felt like they were 100 percent compliant, then they’d say, ‘Hell, I’ll see you in court.’” Sand Hill Recycling employees were unavailable for comment by publication time.
Local Government
City Council delays apartment moratorium ordinance Pierce Ostwalt Community Writer
A proposed apartment moratorium dominated the discussion at the Auburn City Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 3. A moratorium has been under discussion since Nov. 4, 2014 and has again been pushed to a future meeting Feb. 17. The ordinance needed unanimous consent to make it to a vote on its first reading, but was objected to by Councilman Dick Phelan of Ward 6. Citizens on each side of the debate spoke to the council and audience and made their opinions known. “It’s like a feeding frenzy around Auburn right now,” said Ray Huff, owner of Auburn Reality LLC. and proponent of the moratorium. “If it’s ignored, I’m afraid we’ll have a mess
that’s irreversible.” Huff said contractors from around the country have contacted him in the last week searching for real estate property to develop in the area. “It’s not every day that you have groups, whether they’re local or from California or whatever state they may be from, coming into town and wanting to invest their capital in your community,” said Nick Hayes, citizen opposed to the moratorium. “To take that for granted and to effectively run them off, I think, is a dangerous practice and something that (the council) may down the road regret.” Chris Kearns, owner of Badger Reality, said his contracts are on hold because of the proposed moratorium and argued his business would likely suffer if the moratorium were to pass. “Businessmen need to be able to
plan ahead, and also be able to depend on what the city tells us are the rules and regulations,” said local property owner Mike Williams, who spoke against the moratorium. Williams also said his property value would decline with the implementation of the moratorium. Proponents said because the University has said they are going to cap student enrollment at 25,000 students, there is no need to further build largescale multifamily developments, such as 160 Ross and Creekside. “We are in too big of a hurry,” said Sandy Toomer, who ran against Mike Hubbard in the 2014 Republican Primary. “We need to step back a little bit and to adapt the old zoning regulations to accommodate this future growth.” Other topics discussed at the meeting:
Pierce ostwalt / community writer
Residents listen to the City Council discuss the apartment moratorium Tuesday, Feb. 3.
• A development agreement with Orange-Auburn LLC. to construct Newk’s Eatery was passed after Councilwoman Lynda Tremaine of Ward 5 objected Jan. 20.
• A $5 million tax referendum was passed, setting up a city-wide vote April 28 to decide whether to allocate city funds for the construction of a new high school.
Business
Patrons will miss The Bank Vault Kailey Miller
Community Reporter
Emily Enfinger / Photo Editor
The Bank Vault will close its doors May 31 because of a rent increase.The owners do not plan to relocate the bar.
As word of The Bank Vault closing spread through Auburn, students and regulars of the bar gave their opinions on the closure of the historic space. The Bank Vault will be closing May 31 because of rent increase. It will not be relocating according to Ben Barley, general manager of The Bank Vault. Drew Goodner, one of the owners of the building, said he and the other owners had to raise the rent on the space because the rent was too low compared to the rest of the downtown Auburn market. “Obviously rent is important, but we want the right tenant for that space,” Goodner said. “We want something that students and locals and people that come down here are going to enjoy.” Brooke Rocholl, senior in nursing, said she was sad when she heard about it closing. Rocholl and her friends said they are fans of the Taco Tuesday event The Bank Vault has weekly. “It’s a fun place to kind of have a chill night at the bars rather than when everyone’s going crazy at the other plac-
es,” Rocholl said. “It’s a good time to just watch the game and have a great time with your friends.” Rocholl’s friend Shannon Rooker, senior in nursing, said she hopes they will replace it with something similar. “I feel like for the older crowd, like us that are of age, we’re not looking for craziness every night, so hopefully something similar,” Rooker said. “Hopefully another bar. It’s the only really relaxed place that a lot of the older people like to go.” Tom Sherburne, Auburn resident, said he goes to The Bank Vault almost every day with one of his friends, usually to watch “Jeopardy.” “I used to come here when it was The Coffee Bank,” Sherburne said. Sherburne said they would miss the staff as well. “All of them are wonderful,” Sherburne said. Jeffrey Robinson, employee at The Bank Vault, has been working there for two years. Robinson joked that his first thought when he heard about them closing was that he was going to need to find another job.
“There’s not going to be a bar for grad students and professors and people who don’t like crowded, rowdy bars,” Robinson said. “It’s just going to be a vacuum that needs to be filled.” Robinson said he imagines places such as Avondale and Mellow Mushroom will be the places The Bank Vault crowd starts to go to after they close. Goodner said the owners of the building don’t have right now for what will go in the space next. “We are actively looking for tenants right now,” Goodner said. “A restaurant or a bar is kind of natural there.” Goodner said a lot of people have shown interest in having a Starbucks put there, because all of their location are on the Auburn campus. However, Goodner said the owners haven’t heard anything directly from specific tenants. Goodner said whatever replaces The Bank Vault, they expect most of the features of the building to stay the same. “We like the history of the building,” Goodner said. “It’s one of the few in downtown Auburn that you can date back to the early 1900s.”
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Community A7
The Auburn Plainsman
Business
‘Full service is back’ as Saco gas station reopens Rachel King
“I love it, and I don’t think I’ll be missing my old job,” Jim Bo said. Rica Bogandy, Salmon’s daughter, was unwilling to sell the property for years. Any time a potential buyer surfaced, it was usually someone wanting to build a car lot, according to Mike, who also said Bogandy is the best landlady he could possibly have. “She’s excited about what we are doing,” Mike said. “This is what Dick worked for. It’s about continuing that legacy.” The gas station has several original features including pumps with non-digital displays, retro lights and a Saco sign. A tall, blue bell post stands to the right of the station. Built by Salmon, there was a long-standing tradition to ring the bell after every Auburn football win, and it’s a tradition Mike said will be carried on. The idea behind a full-service gas station is to be a convenience for customers. Drivers can pull forward and never have to leave their vehicle. “My dad taught me that it’s all about customer service,” Mike said. “We are even delivering a vehicle we worked on today to the person’s home. Whatever is convenient for the customer is what we do.” Chris Whately, Mike’s best friend, traveled
Community writer
A surprised customer rolled down his window Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 3, as Jim Bo Woodham asked how much gas he would like in his tank before proceeding to the pump. Jim Bo then washed the man’s windshield, and after giving a generous tip, the customer drove away with a smile on his face. Saco has been closed for nine years, after the murder of its previous owner, Dick Salmon, who was shot during a robbery in 2005. Now, after a three-month process, the gas station located on the corner of Dean and Opelika Roads has been reopened. Mike Woodham, Saco’s new operator, moved to the Auburn area from Montgomery five years ago with his two sons, Jim Bo and Jacob. What began as simple a move to a better school system led to a new appreciation for the Auburn community. “We love it here,” Mike said. “It’s an amazing place to raise kids. Stay here very long and you will never want to leave.” Mike’s father also ran a full-service gas station where he worked as a child. Now he is continuing his father’s legacy and putting his two high school boys to work as well.
INTRAMURAL GEAR HERE!
Rachel King / Community Writer
Jim Bo Woodham (left), Chris Whatley (center) and Mike Woodham (right) stand outside the newly reopend Saco.
from Montgomery to help with the opening of the station. “I’ve grown up with Mike and he’s a go-getter,” Whatley said. “Anything he’s ever put his hand — whether it was college baseball, busi-
ness, whatever — he’s done well, and I know he will succeed with this.” Mike said his family’s support has been extremely important in these past few months. “Full service is back” Mike said.
FAB FINDS at
STAMP
ANGEL’S Vintage RC Sign Coat Rack
custom design and print shop
Get Your Honey A Gift Certificate
TONS OF COLOR OPTIONS AND DESIGN CHOICES!
115 N. College St. Downtown 334.821.7196 stamplify.com
Open Everyday 10-7 • Sundays 1-5 www.angelsantiqueandfleamall.com
YOUR NAME
00 To Place an Ad, Call 334-844-4130 or E-mail Classifieds@theplainsman.com
Spring Break BAHAmAS SPrinG BreAK $189 for 5 Days. All prices include: roundtrip luxury party cruise. Accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018
For Rent Seeking female roommate for immediate occupancy. 3br,2ba. Furnished home located 5 minutes from campus. $450/month includes water and trash pickup. Pet friendly. For more info., call 678-680-9567,
ALMOST ANYTHING Buy . Sell . Trade - Phones, IPads, Digital Cameras - Laptops & Tablets - Vintage Video Games - Vinyl Records - Posters & Art - Comics & Collectibles
. 334 - 887 - 6774
221 S. 9th St. opelika, AL 36801
next to lee county courthouse
900 COLUMBUS PKWY. • OPELIKA, AL 36801
334-745-3221
Tigermarket
Line Classifieds
Display Classifieds
15 words................$6 Extra Words............40c Bold Outline.....$1 per ad
Local.......$11 per col inch National..$16 per col inch 1col x 4 min to 1col x 8” max
The Auburn Plainsman is not responsible for the content of the ads Ads that seem too good to be true usually are.
Print Deadline Noon three business days prior to publication
Sports Thursday, February 5, 2015
scoreboard M. basketball (10-11, 2-6)
A8 ThePlainsman.com
Cowart in fear
Sports
Football: recruiting
Auburn’s first No. 1 prospect headlines class David McKinney
Assistant sports editor
LAST WEEK Loss at Tennessee, 71-63 Loss vs. Texas A&M, 71--61 UPCOMING Feb. 5 at LSU Feb. 7 vs. Ole Miss
W. basketball (9-13, 0-9)
LAST WEEK Loss at Texas A&M, 78-45 Loss at Arkansas, 52-47 UPCOMING Feb. 5 vs. LSU Feb. 8 at Missouri
Wednesday, Feb. 4 was an eventful signing day for the Auburn Tigers. At 6:15 a.m., the first letter of intent rolled in. It was from three-star punter Ian Shannon. Two hours later, the centerpiece of the 2015 class, the top rated player in the country, defensive end Byron Cowart, made his commitment to the Tigers official. Or so they thought. Cowart’s official letter of intent didn’t arrive on the Plains until approximately 3 p.m. After that, the class was officially complete. “(I’m) very excited about this class,” Malzahn said. “I’m very proud of our staff. Our staff really worked great together, and we ended up having an excellent class.” That class consists of several talented players, some of which Malzahn said he believes can come in and make their presence felt immediately. “I really feel like we addressed our needs,” Malzahn said. “We needed some guys who could rush the passer, and we really feel like we did that. We also needed some guys who could cover, and we addressed that. We also needed a few wide receivers, and we needed some O-line depth, so I feel very good about that.” As far as pass rushing goes, Cowart will be looked at to fill that role. Over the last two years of his high school career, Cowart racked up 24 sacks. “We feel very good about him being able to come in immediately and help
us rushing the passer,” Malzahn said. “Our defensive staff did an excellent job recruiting that young man.” Malzahn and company also picked up three defensive backs, including four-star Carlton Davis, who Rivals. com lists as the 17th-best defensive back in the country. “Coach (Travaris Robinson) said we really need to try and go after this guy,” Malzahn said. “He was committed to another school, and that relationship really helped. When he came on a visit, he really felt at home. This guy has a chance to help us right off the bat.” In the backfield, Auburn adds two running backs. One, Kerryon Johnson, is Auburn’s third-straight signee to have been named Alabama’s Mr. Football. “He’s one of the more versatile players in the entire country,” Malzahn said. “With our offense, we can get very creative with him. We really think this young man has a chance to be an elite special type player.” The other, Jovon Robinson, enrolled early on the Plains and was the No. 1 overall junior college player in the country last year. “He’s a big physical guy that can run,” Malzahn said. “He really has chance to be an elite player.” While Malzahn is excited about the talent of his new players, he said he’s even prouder of the character they possess. “You see these guys are committed to us,” Malzahn said. “They didn’t do all this around-the-world stuff like you see a lot of other places doing.”
contributed by Wade Rackley / Auburn Athletics
The Auburn coaching staff (top) celebrates a top recruit. Will Muschamp (bottom, right) and Travaris Robinson (bottom, left) helped land Auburn’s first No. 1 recruit.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Sports A9
The Auburn Plainsman
emily enfinger / photo editor
LEFT: Tahj Shamsid-Deen (13) drives to the basket against South Carolina. RIGHT: Maxime Hinnisdaels hits a shot during Auburn’s doubleheader against Mercer.
This Week in Auburn Sports Gymnastics
No. 12 Auburn gymnastics defeated Air Force Academy 196.625 - 190.900 in the Tigers’ final non-conference dual meet Friday, Jan. 30 in Auburn Arena. Coming off a record meet against Arkansas, Auburn (3-1, 2-1 SEC) continued its strong performances in front of 5,881 fans on Military Appreciation Night. “We went 24-for-24, which was important to us,” said head coach Jeff Graba. “We tried to build in every event, and I felt like we did a good job with that.” Junior Caitlin Atkinson won her third-straight all-around title with a total score of 39.400 in the Tigers’ victory. Atkinson scored 9.825 on vault, 9.850 on bars, 9.825 on beam and 9.900 on floor. Auburn went into Friday’s meet focused on building on each event, according to Graba. “Each event is an entity in itself,” Graba said. “We are trying to start out strong and then build on that. It was nice to see that everyone settled down and got into a flow tonight.” Redshirt junior Lexus Demers opened up the meet with a career-high 9.925 on vault, and Auburn stayed consistent from there. Senior Megan Walker claimed her third event title of the year in bars to stick Auburn with their second-highest score, 49.175, on the event this season. The Tigers handled their nerves on the beam as they recorded another second-highest score (49.075) of the season and went 6-for-6 in the event for the first time this season. Auburn will turn their attention to No. 6 Ala-
bama this week to get ready for the road match in Tuscaloosa on Friday, Feb. 6. “It won’t be hard to motivate the girls this week,” Graba said. “They are really dialed-in. The danger was that we would look past this week at Alabama. I think we proved we weren’t doing that, and we got to get a lot sharper in order to go against them and to compete in their arena with their crowd.”
Women’s Basketball
Head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy announced Sunday, Feb. 1 senior forward Hasina Muhammad has been dismissed from the women’s basketball program for violating team rules. “Our student-athletes have to be held accountable for the choices they make,” WilliamsFlournoy said. “It is a privilege to represent Auburn University as a student-athlete, and we expect everyone that is part of our program to conduct themselves accordingly.” Muhammad led the team, averaging 13.7 points per game in SEC play. Muhammad’s 1,184 career points ranks 23rd all-time in Auburn history. She is fifth all-time in blocked shots (169) and seventh in steals (224). Muhammad will graduate in May with a degree in physical education and teacher education.
Men’s Tennis
The Auburn men’s tennis team stayed home for a doubleheader against Mercer and came out victorious in both meetings. The Tigers won both matches against the
Bears by a score of 6-1. Sophomore Maxime Hinnisdaels helped lead the Tigers by winning his first singles match 6-1, 6-1, and his second singles match 6-1, 6-3. Although he was unable to finish his first doubles match, Hinnisdaels won his second doubles match 6-2. After the match, Hinnisdaels said he thought he played well, but those types of matches are about focus more than anything else. “I feel like I took care of business,” Hinnisdaels said. “I feel like I didn’t spend too much unnecessary time on the court, and I didn’t expend too much energy. I did what I had to do, and won the points I had to win.” Hinnisdaels’ doubles partner, Joseph Van Dooren, also had a solid day. Van Dooren won singles 6-2, 6-2 in the first match, and he won 6-3, 6-1 in the second match, in addition to a doubles victory. Despite winning both matches, head coach Eric Shore said the team played sloppily, and although there were moments of good tennis, he still wants to see more. “I thought we were slow out of the gates in doubles first match,” Shore said. “I thought we played better in singles and picked it up, and then coming back, I thought we were better in doubles the second time around, and then I thought in singles we weren’t as sharp the second time around. So we’re a little inconsistent. This team is better than they were last year. They gave us a good battle here today.” Next on the Tigers’ schedule is a doubleheader against UAB on Friday, Feb. 6. The Tigers now
move to 5-1 on the season with their lone loss coming from Ohio State.
Men’s Basketball
Despite two bum shoulders and a cut on his hand, Tahj Shamsid-Deen had his best scoring game of SEC play Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Tigers’ 71-63 loss to Tennessee. The sophomore guard scored 14 points, going 6-for-12 from the floor and hitting two 3-pointers, despite nagging injuries that have forced him to leave many games early this season. “He’s got both shoulders separated,” said head coach Bruce Pearl. “He’s got a pretty big cut in his hand.” Shamsid-Deen has yet to miss a game against a Division I opponent this season and said he is determined to play through the injuries. “I’ve been all right,” Shamsid-Deen said. “I rehab every day, twice a day. I’m just trying to play through it.” While a conference-best performance was small consolation for Shamsid-Deen, Pearl said those who watched the game will leave with respect for the toughness and grit he is playing with. “From the standpoint of you walking away from the game, you say ‘[Tennessee forward] Armani Moore is a beast,’” Pearl said. “But you also walk away from the game knowing that little guy from Auburn plays hard, and he’s hard to keep in front.” Compiled by Eric Wallace, C.J. Holmes, Derek Thompson and Patrick Lucas
The Auburn 2015 Recruiting Class Byron Cowart (DE)
Seffner, Florida This 6-foot-4 strong side defensive end has recorded 24 sacks and is considered the No. 1 overall prospect according to the Rivals 100, the first such player to ever commit to Auburn.
Kerryon Johnson (RB)
Madison, Alabama With Johnson, the Tigers will have the last three Alabama Mr. Footballs on roster, as Racean Thomas and Jeremy Johnson won the previous two.
Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. (DE)
Perkinston, Mississippi Tega’s 6-foot-8 frame is normally best utilized on a basketball court. That said, he is an athletic addition to Muschamp’s first recruiting class at Auburn. Most recruiting experts believe he has high upside.
Jeffery Holland (LB)
Jacksonville, Florida A Top-10 linebacker according to 247Sports, Holland is yet another recruit that defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has pried away from the Florida Gators, his previous coaching job.
Darius Slayton (WR)
Marquell Harrell (OG)
Norcross, Georgia A late flip from Georgia last night won’t make Slayton any friends in Athens, Georgia, but Gus Malzahn will certainly be pleased to have this receiver in his arsenal.
Fairburn, Georgia A 6-foot-3, 295 pound prospect, Harrell was heavily recruited by offensive line coach J.B. Grimes and adds talent to an already solid unit.
Darrell Williams (LB)
Kaleb Kim (OC)
Hoover, Alabama Williams received offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss and several other schools. Williams measures at 6-foot2, 225 pounds, and runs a 4.69 second 40-yard dash.
Ryan Davis (WR)
St. Petersburg, Florida Davis is 5-foot-10, 161 pounds and is ranked by Rivals. com as the eighth best receiver in the country. He was recruited by Dameyune Craig and Rhett Lashlee, and received offers from several schools, including Alabama, Florida and Michigan.
Richard McBryde (OLB)
Troy, Alabama McBryde was recruited to Auburn by former secondary coach Charlie Harbison and special teams coach Scott Fountain. McBryde received offers from schools, including Alabama and Florida State.
Hoschton, Georgia Another Georgia native and J.B. Grimes recruit, Kim has been committed to Auburn since April 14, 2014.
Carlton Davis (CB)
Fairburn, Georgia Davis is listed by Rivals as the 17th-best CB in the country. Davis is 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, and received offers from several high-profile programs, including Texas, Florida, Miami, Alabama and Ohio State, a program he was committed to during his recruitment.
Montavious Atkinson (ILB)
Fairburn, Georgia Atkinson has been a solid commit to Auburn since March 17, 2014, even despite the firing of former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Atkinson was heavily recruited by Rodney Garner and Charlie Harbison.
Early Spring Enrollees Jovon Robinson (RB)
Memphis, Tennessee At Georgia Military College, Robinson recorded 2,387 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 198.9 yards per game and 8.8 yards per carry.
Tyler Carr (OG)
Perkinston, Mississippi Carr earned a 4-star rating and is the seventh best guard prospect according to Rivals.
Tim Irvin (ATH)
Miami, Florida Irvin played running back, receiver, safety and returned punts at Westminster Christian in Miami.
Mike Horton (OT)
Atlanta, Georgia Horton committed to Florida in July 2014, but flipped to the Tigers on Signing Day.
Jalen Harris (TE)
Montgomery, Alabama Harris could compete for a starting job with the graduation of former tight end C.J. Uzomah.
Jason Smith (ATH)
Olathe, Kansas While at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Smith completed 102 of his 165 pass attempts, racking up 1,566 yards with 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Chandler Cox (FB)
Apopka, Florida As a fullback for Apopka High School in Florida, Cox ran for 627 yards and eight touchdowns on 77 carries.
Tyler Queen (QB)
Kennesaw, Georgia In his senior year, Queen completed 136 of his 247
Jauntavious Johnson (DT)
Lincoln, Alabama Johnson was heavily recruited by both Rodney Garner and J.B. Grimes.
Ian Shannon (P)
Lincoln, Alabama Shannon is considered a Top-5 punter in the 2015 class by 247Sports.
pass attempts, totaling 1,914 yards with 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Bailey Sharp (OG)
Marietta, Georgia The tackle was recruited to the Plains by offensive line coach J.B. Grimes and running backs coach Tim Horton. His offer list included South Carolina, Florida and Georgia Tech.
Maurice Swain (DT)
LaGrange, Georgia Swain followed fellow Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College signees Derrick Moncrief and D’haquille Williams when he signed with Auburn.
Jeremiah Dinson (CB)
Lincoln, Alabama Dinson also received offers from other SEC schools such as Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky.
Late Additions Javarius Davis Jordan Colbert
Compiled by Eric Wallace
Sports A10
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Family over everything football: recruiting
NFL Hall of Famer’s nephew hopes to leave his own legacy Sam Butler Sports Writer
Tim Irvin celebrates making a play during his senior season at Westminister Christian. Irvin, the nephew of former Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, could be a good fit for Auburn, according to recruiting experts.
Ever since Tim Irvin was a boy, he’s had some high expectations to live up to. As the nephew of former Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Tim has dealt with the pressure of living up to his family name. Up until now, the 5-foot-9 athlete out of Miami has done more than enough to hold his own in the Irvin history book. Tim, the 19th-ranked athlete in the country, projects to play safety or cornerback in Will Muschamp’s defense for the foreseeable future. While he may not wow anybody with his size, his play on the field has left an impression on scouts. “I think he’s going to be a really good fit for what (Auburn) wants on defense,” said Jason Caldwell of AuburnTigers. com. “He’s got good cover skills and is physical enough that he can step in and help out on run defense in the box.” With Irvin’s family pedigree, being physical comes second nature. “He’s a football player, he likes to play big, he likes to hit big,” said Allie Davison of Rivals.com. “His uncle, Michael Irvin, had that legendary pop on the field, and he was Travaris Robinson’s number one guy that he wanted to flip because he had that same pop. He’s a little smaller, but he overcompensates for that with good speed and great ball-handling skills.”
men’s golf
softball
contributed by westminister christian
Tigers building on success Andrew Monson sports writer
Having not competed since October, the No. 8 Auburn men’s golf team is hungry to begin the spring season. The Tigers are hoping to improve on a successful fall, which included two second-place finishes, a third-place finish and a sixth-place finish. Head coach Nick Clinard said he was pleased with his team’s overall performance in 2014. “We played pretty well,” Clinard said. “We played the 11th-best tournament schedule in the country. We’re currently ranked eighth in the nation, so I thought we did a good job. We didn’t get the win that we wanted, but overall we did a very good job.” Despite his team’s Top-10 ranking, Clinard said he wants to see a few tournament wins. He said he is confident in his top two golfers, Matt Gilchrest and Michael Johnson, but the rest of the team needs to continue improving, according to Clinard. “Matt Gilchrest was a second-team All-SEC guy last year as a freshman, and now he’s the 10th-best player in the country, ranking-wise,” Clinard said. “He played great for us in the fall. Michael Johnson showed glimpses of how talented he is and what he can do. But we definitely need more than just those two guys, so we definitely need the other guys to step up their games.” Gilchrest saw some of that improvement in the fall, and said the team is determined to come away with a tournament victory next season.
“I would say we had a really good fall season, we had some real bright moments,” Gilchrest said. “We’ve been real close to winning, but in the spring we’ve got to be on the other side of that one or two-shot difference between first and second.” Auburn’s spring season begins Feb. 5-7 at the Amer Ari Invitational in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Though the team has not competed together in months, Gilchrest said he believes they will be ready. “I think we’re ready to play,” Gilchrest said. “Even though we’ve been off as a team, a lot of guys still play tournaments on their own. We’re competitive guys, we just love competing, so I think we’ll be ready to go. I think we should have all the rust knocked off by next week.” After playing in the Amer Ari Invitational the last two springs, Clinard said he thinks the prior experience could help the Tigers. “It’ll be a good event,” Clinard said. “We played there the last two years, so there’s a familiarity as far as where we practice and where we stay. We’re looking forward to it. It’s one of the best, if not the best tournament field we play in all year, so it should be a good challenge.” Gilchrest said he is excited to begin the new season, especially in an exotic locale. “It’s a blast and a privilege,” Gilchrest said. “It’s certainly not something everyone gets to do, so we love it. We get some time just enjoying the sights and sounds. There’s moments where it gets hard to play golf because it’s so beautiful there, but we’ll enjoy the trip and play some good golf.”
contributed by auburn athletics
Sophomore Matt Gilchrest reacts to a shot during the 2013 season. Head coach Nick Clinard hopes the Tigers will develop depth around top golfers Gilchrest and Michael Johnson.
If Robinson hadn’t come home to the Plains, Tim said he likely wouldn’t have considered Auburn. He nearly went to Florida, where Robinson was serving under Muschamp. But Texas swooped in late, gaining his commitment on national television during the U.S. Army All-America Bowl on Jan. 3. Robinson was officially announced as Auburn’s cornerbacks coach earlier that day, and during the telecast, an Auburn hat was among the selections on Irvin’s table. A few weeks later, Tim visited Auburn and flipped his commitment that weekend, enrolling in classes on that Wednesday. “The key to recruiting is building relationships,” said Westminster Christian head coach — and Tim’s uncle — Sedrick Irvin. “You get a kid that’s comfortable with you, and that’s the key. I told (Tim) that you need to go where you’re comfortable, and you need a person where you can close the door and talk to them. That guy for him throughout the entire recruiting process was (Robinson).” Now that Tim is on campus, he can participate in spring practice to get his feet wet, potentially giving him a better shot at earning early playing time this fall. While newer freshmen will be getting acquainted with the intricacies of Auburn’s system and playbook, Tim will have already
“
I told (Tim) that you need to go where you’re comfortable, and you need a person where you can close the door and talk to them.” —Sedrick Irvin
tim’s Uncle and westminister christian head coach
had a full set of spring practices under his belt, which could lead to increased opportunities, such as taking over for departed punt returner Quan Bray, later this year. “He’ll be on campus in the spring, but it’s tough to (earn reps) as a freshman when you’re learning the defense, and you’ve got to get adjusted and all those things, but he’ll have a chance to work on some of those things this spring,” Caldwell said. “I think he’ll have a chance to return some kicks as well, because it probably helps him out to have a head start.” Tim’s decision to leave his home in Miami and to flip from Texas, where his uncle Michael lives just up the road, led him to a new family in Auburn. Now it will be up to the members of that family to show him he belongs.
emily enfinger / assistant photo editor
The Auburn softball team waits to greet Jade Rhodes (8) following a home run during the 2014 season.The Tigers hope to improve on last season’s trip to a Super Regional in 2015.
Softball looks to World Series David McKinney
Assistant sports editor
One goal will be on the mind of Auburn’s softball team as they walk on to Jane B. Moore Field for the first time this season Thursday, Feb. 5: A trip to Oklahoma City and a berth in the College World Series. “Everybody understands,” said head coach Clint Meyers. “We’re on the same page with the same goal, and that’s to get to Oklahoma City and play for a national championship.” In year two under two-time national champion Meyers, the Tigers enter the season with all the confidence in the world. “We believe this year,” said returning All-American sophomore Kasey Cooper. “This year, everybody knew, ‘Hey, we’re going to Oklahoma City, so work your tail off in the beginning, ‘cause it’s going to happen this year.’ I believe our outlook on the game and way we approach the game has changed.” Even though the World Series is the ultimate goal, the team understands it has to take
things as they come and work through the season one game at a time. “Right now, we feel confident,” said fellow All-American senior Branndi Melero. “We’re ready to go. (Meyers) has prepared us mentally and physically to the best of his ability, and all it turns out to be is, ‘Are we ready for that first game?’ I believe we are.” That first game will come against Troy. Meyers pointed out before the first pitch of the 2015 campaign is thrown, the Tigers have already accomplished something no other Auburn softball team ever has, coming in at No. 19 in the preseason rankings. Even with the new season approaching and new goals set, there’s still a need for motivation. That motivation for the Tigers will likely come from some of the disappointments the team faced last year. “Getting deeper into SEC play really showed us how good we were and how good we could be,” Cooper said.
“I remember we faced some of the top teams that went to Oklahoma City and won the World Series. Just seeing that we competed with them, and if we would have done the little things right we would have won the games, taking that into consideration in practice, we focused more on the minute details and the little things so that won’t happen this year.” Melero said while last year may provide some motivation, the team also needs to realize the past is over. “It’ll always be in the back of my head, but as a player you’ve just got to flush it,” Melero said, speaking about the team’s final game last season, a loss in NCAA regionals. “You’ve got to let it go.” The first 13 games of the season will be at home for the Tigers, as they play host in the Plainsman and Tiger Invitationals. After that, they’ll head to Tampa, Florida, to take part in the USF Tournament. SEC play will begin with a series against Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, on March 15.
Intrigue Thursday, February 5, 2015
A11 ThePlainsman.com
student spotlight
Intrigue
Student challenges himself to eat
Thirty days of every meal with insects for a month
eating bugs
Kyle Nazario Intrigue Editor
Camren Brantley-Rios, senior in public relations, said he made tacos Jan. 30 slightly different from how most people do it. He took taco shells, added taco seasoning, lime, grilled onions, avocado queso fresco, refried beans, salsa and wax worms. “It didn’t taste bad at all,” Brantley-Rios said. “It was just the fact that I was eating worms was a little weird.” Jaimen Perez, one of Brantley-Rios’ friends and senior in economics, said he tried the same tacos and was surprised by them. “I couldn’t even really taste the worms,” Perez said. Brantley-Rios said his whole diet for the next 30 days will be a little weird. He’s challenged himself to eat every meal
photos by kris sims / multimedia editor
Camren Brantley-Rios said he has been reading books and websites about eating bugs in preparation for the challenge.
music
‘Papers, Please’ is boring fun intrigue@ theplainsman. com
ellen jackson / photographer
Singer Davis Little started Little Raine Band with Daniel Raine when they were in seventh grade.
Little Raine Band brings the heat Intrigue writer
The temperature dropped as low as 36 degrees Friday night, but Little Raine Band brought the heat to Bourbon Street Bar as students filled the bottom floor Jan. 30. Concertgoers could not keep still as the band played a mix of original songs and covers. The band is made up of four friends: Daniel Raine, rhythm guitar and piano; Davis Little, guitar and vocals; Isaiah Smith, bass; and DeVonte Hutchins, drums. All of the members of the band are originally from Birmingham, where the band started. Little Raine Band began when Raine and Little played acoustic gigs in the seventh and eighth grade. The band has kept its current lineup since 2013. The group plays music that crosses genres. Raine calls it hard to put within one individual genre.
online stores. Food made from insects is more of a specialty item, something he said he hasn’t been able to find locally. Two people interested in his challenge, Brantley-Rios said, were Scott Clem, second-year master’s student in entomology; and Simon Gregg, senior in biosystems engineering, who talked to him about buying locally grown bugs. Clem and Gregg said they were thinking about raising insects locally before reading Brantley-Rios’ blog announcing his challenge. “(The blog has) really given us more motivation to make something happen,” Gregg said. According to Gregg and Clem, bugs are an untapped market of food creation, something people will eat in the future if they can get over what Clem calls “the ick factor.” Clem said eating grasshoppers, which consume grass, is no more “gross” than eating shellfish, which feed at the bottom of oceans or rivers. “For thousands of years, humans have been eating insects,” Clem said. “They’re loaded with protein, they have calcium, they have good nutrients.” Clem said most people already eat insects without realizing. “The USDA allows a certain amount of insect matter into our food,” Clem said. “It’s a very minute amount, but it’s impossible to (make) things like grain and avoid having insects mixed in somewhere. It’s there, we’re already eating [it] and it doesn’t harm us at all.” Brantley-Rios, who is mixing more than minute amounts of bugs into his food, said he hopes to change people’s minds about bugs’ potential as food. “You gotta just look at it and say, ‘This is just food,’” Brantley-Rios said.
app of the week
Kyle Nazario
Anne Dawson
with some kind of bug or insect-based additive to raise awareness about bugs as a food source. Brantley-Rios said he researched cultures that consume bugs before starting his challenge. He said his findings challenged some of his previous beliefs about bugs. “I’ve always associated them with vermin for so long and being pests,” Brantley-Rios said. “I was never an outdoorsy kid who played with bugs and ate worms because I was dared to, so I think I’m just trying to get out of that.” According to Brantley-Rios, his challenge began Jan. 30 with an omelette seasoned with mealworms. Although he said he was nervous, he managed to eat the worm omelette. “I ate it, and then I started jumping up and down because I was so delighted,” BrantleyRios said. “It was a big relief because it tasted like popcorn and had a buttery taste, so it wasn’t that weird.” Not all of his meals have been as easy to eat, BrantleyRios said. “I’m not gonna claim to be used to it,” Brantley-Rios said. “I start off and think, ‘Oh, this is fine.’ I start off and I try to gauge the flavor and the flavor’s never bad. Halfway through the meal I start thinking about it. ‘Yep, these are bugs. You’re eating bugs.’ I kind of get grossed out, and I slow down. It’s a work in progress right now for sure.” Brantley-Rios said he’s found it easier to eat Exo protein bars, made with cricket flour, because they taste similar to regular protein bars. He said he also plans to make his breakfasts by blending bug-based ingredients into smoothies. For now, Brantley-Rios said he has to order bug foods from
The best way Raine said he could describe the band’s music was a mixture of jazz, blues, funk and electric infused with Latin beats. The band found its name from the last names of Raine and Little when the band first started, and they have kept it ever since. According to the band, they write their own songs, but also do a variety of covers. Smith said writing songs is “self-fulfilling,” and an enjoyable thing the band members do together. “It’s definitely a form of therapy,” Little said. Little Raine Band has played in Auburn before, but has also performed in Tuscaloosa; Birmingham; Jacksonville; Florida; Athens, Georgia; Asheville and other locations along the Southeast. The band’s Friday show began with with special guests Jonas Shultz and Rohan Prakash. Shultz played the saxophone
and Prakash played drums alongside Hutchins. According to Raine and Little, this was the band’s first time having two drummers playing on stage simultaneously. The opening act for the band was the Aquaducks from Nashville, Tennessee, who warmed up the crowd. The atmosphere of the concert was upbeat and intimate, according to crowd members. Local artist Josh Hanby was painting live throughout the concert. Raine said the band’s main goal for each show is to make their audience want to return. “I want our audience to leave feeling like they were positively impacted by our performance,” Raine said. Raine also said the band does everything they can to blow their audience away and satisfy their listeners. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to play in front of new people and new faces,” Raine said.
“Papers, Please” is the best boring game I’ve ever played. It is a game about doing repetitive, mind-numbing work, and it’s fascinating. The player takes the role of a lowly border guard for the fictional 1980s communist nation Arstotzka. They have to let in the legitimate immigrants, while barring spies, terrorists and criminals from entering the country.
Gameplay is simple. The player buzzes his or her station to call the next traveler in line. They hand over their immigration papers. The player quickly checks their passport and visa to make sure they’re valid and looks for fake IDs. The player is paid by the number of visitors processed, though income is docked for letting too many illegals through. I found myself racing against the clock, trying to process as many immigrants as possible without letting through a human trafficker or terrorist. Saving money is important too, as the player must pay a mounting set of debts
kyle nazario / intrigue editor
The iPad app uses a different interface than the original PC version of “Papers, Please.”
or the game ends. I often had to choose between feeding my virtual Arstotzkan family or giving them heat for the night. Earning the most money means processing immigrants as quickly as possible while still trying to check every detail. This is the real point of “Papers, Please” — forcing the player to make uncomfortable choices. One woman visited my booth and asked me to let her into the country to see her sick son who needed her help. Her papers were wrong. I thought about letting her through, knowing it would mean a citation. I considered detaining her — the guards get paid per the detainee and split the profits with me. Throwing this old lady in jail might buy my Arstotzkan son medicine for his own illness. Dilemmas such as this force the player to confront awkward choices about what is right. The most moral decision isn’t always clear in “Papers, Please.” The moment-to-moment gameplay of swiping papers around the iPad screen and checking details is secondary to the greater narrative of trying to survive in an oppressive country where doing the right thing is severely penalized. “Papers, Please” is available for $7.99, only on the App Store for iPad. Kyle Nazario is the intrigue editor for The Plainsman. He can be reached at intrigue@ theplainsman.com.
Intrigue A12
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The Auburn Plainsman
NEW STUDENT HOUSING OPENING FALL 2015
VISIT US AT THE
HOUSING FAIR FEB 10 • 11AM-2PM • AU STUDENT CENTER
PLUS TAKE A TOUR FEB 10-15 FOR A CHANCE AT A
$500
SPRING BREAK PACKAGE
APPLY ONLINE @ 160 ROSS.COM
15
E. GLENN AVE
NOW OPEN
W. MAGNOLIA AVE
E. MAGNOLIA AVE
AUBURN UNIVERSITY S. COLLEGE ST
MELL ST
E. THACH AVE
ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED
FULLY FURNISHED
LOCATED ON TIGER TRANSIT ROUTES
DESIGNER INTERIOR FINISHES
INDIVIDUAL LEASES E. SAMFORD AVE
PRIVATE BEDS & BATHS
RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES
ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE
S. DONAHUE DR
WALK TO CLASS
(ELECTRICITY UP TO A MONTHLY CAP)
LEASING CENTER: 200 W GLENN AVE • PROPERTY: 160 N ROSS ST • 334.332.9736
Amenities, utilities included & renderings subject to change.
N. ROSS ST
N. DONAHUE DR
w. GLENN AVE