The Auburn Plainsman 03.31.16 Issue

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The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Thursday, March 31, 2016 Vol. 123, Issue 25, 24 Pages

ALUMNI

James Owens, player to integrate Auburn football, dead at 65

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TRANSPORTATION

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JORDAN HAYS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

AUBURN ATHLETICS

James Owens played at Auburn from 1969–1972.

Sam Butler SPORTS EDITOR

James Owens, the first scholarship African-American football player at Auburn, passed away Saturday from heart and renal failure that stemmed from recurring heart issues, surrounded by family and friends at his home. He was 65.

“James Owens was the epitome of courage,” said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs.

“All of us at Auburn are forever indebted to him for the grace and courage he showed in being our first African-American player. It takes a special person to break down barriers and be first.

“My heart is broken, but I am inspired by what James meant to Auburn and to me. He did a lot more than make Au-

burn better. He taught those of us who played the game how to be courageous with quiet humility. My heart goes out to his family and friends. They are all in my prayers.”

Owens, who hailed from Fairfield, became the first African-American player to letter at Auburn in 1969. He played fullback from 1969–72 and gained 225 rushing yards, 119 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns while helping the Tigers to a 28-5 record in his three years with the team.

His first game — one of monumental importance — at Auburn was the Tigers’ home opener against Southern Mississippi in 1970. The sections of the bleachers designated for

» See OWENS, 2

City and student leaders seek Uber’s return Chip Brownlee

COMMUNITY REPORTER

It’s been over a year since the ride-hailing service Uber decided to discontinue its service in Auburn. In that time, city officials and council members have been working to ensure that Auburn is a welcoming environment for the company and a fair environment for the city's existing taxi companies.

According to Auburn City Manager Charles Duggan, city officials have contacted Uber in order to get their feedback about Auburn city ordinances.

“We’ve asked Uber to reply to us about how our current ordinance doesn’t suit their being able to work here in Auburn," Duggan said. “They haven’t replied to us.

It’s up to them whether they want to do business in Auburn. We certainly would welcome them.”

Taxi companies are required to maintain passenger liability insurance, perform employee background checks, display signage on the vehicles for hire and obtain city permits before operating in the city.

Current Auburn codes, approved by the City Council back in January 2015, dictate that Uber must abide by the same laws and regulations as other more typical taxi services.

“Some of the larger issues were that they wanted to do their own background check and not use anything prescribed by the city,” Duggan said. “They also did not want to meet the insurance requirements that the city has.”

In December 2015, following an article published by The Auburn Plainsman, Jeff Steiger, owner of KGM Auburn Trax Taxi and Transportation Service, went before the City Council to urge the council not to allow Uber.

“When you look at towns that Uber has been allowed back into, they’re very much different than Auburn,” Steiger said. “Auburn is a college town.”

During the 2016 SGA election season, two of the three candidates for SGA president touted bringing Uber back to Auburn as one of their main platform points. One of the key reasons, according to the candi-

dates, is the safety, security and cost-effectiveness Uber provides.

“It’s a great way for students to have a cheap ride, whether that’s late at night or during the day,” said Jesse Westerhouse, SGA president. “It’s very easily accessible and easily usable by students. It also provides a quick and easy job for students.

Students have it in high school and don’t have it in college. They deserve to have it in a lot of ways.”

Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile, among others, have adjusted their city codes to allow for Uber to operate in their respective cities. Tuscaloosa is currently researching and discussing the possibility of allowing Uber.

According to Westerhouse, he met with city staff, including Mayor Bill Ham, last week to push for the city to allow Uber.

But according to Steiger, if taxi services go out of business, Uber may not be available when students need it. “(Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

» See UBER, 2

POLITICS

Judge denies Hubbard’s motion to dismiss, ethics trial set for May Jim Little

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial is a step closer to happening.

Judge Jacob Walker issued an 18-page order Tuesday, March 29, setting the trial to begin the week of May 16, but ordered lawyers in the case to be ready as soon as May 9 if other cases on the docket are resolved.

Hubbard was charged with 23 felony counts of violating Alabama’s ethics law in October 2014.

The case was set to begin April 11, but the prosecution asked for a delay because special prosecutor Matt Hart will be recovering from knee surgery.

Walker also ruled on several pending motions, including a motion from Hubbard’s attorneys, that the case be dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct by Hart.

Walker denied the motion and said Hart’s actions did not rise to the level of prosecutorial misconduct, according to court documents.

Attorneys for Hubbard said Hart used a Lee County grand jury to threaten former Deputy Attorney General Sonny Reagan over disputed office space.

Reagan resigned from the attorney general’s office in 2014 after Attorney General Luther Strange said he would fire Reagan for giving legal advice to Hubbard about the Lee County grand jury.

The defense also accused Hart of leaking a sealed court document to Bill Britt, editor of the Alabama Political Reporter website, and they argued that Hart leaked information related to the grand jury.

Hart said he sent Britt the document without realizing the document was under seal and told Britt about the mistake as soon as he found out.

Britt had already published the document online, but he took it down after Hart told him it was under seal.

The incident caused Walker to issue a gag order to all of the attorneys in the case, prohibiting them from speaking to the media about the case.

“Though the incident involving Mr. Hart and Mr. Britt was regrettable, it occurred more than a year after (Hubbard) was indicted,” Walker said in his Tuesday order. “The defendant has failed to produce evidence that Mr. Hart was, in fact, ‘leaking’ information related to the Lee County Special Grand Jury, rather than sharing court filings with media contacts.”

Walker also said his order did not prevent Hubbard’s defense team from bringing up Hart’s handling of the case at trial.

Emails as evidence Hubbard said the case was a “political witch hunt” when he

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Speaker Mike Hubbard (center) leaves the Lee County Justice Center with his lawyer Lance Bell and wife Susan.

was indicted in 2014.

Prosecutors claim Hubbard used his office and his term as head of the Alabama Republican Party to personally benefit himself.

“Hubbard was motivated by his financial problems, includ-

ing the loss of his employment with IMG, to solicit lobbyists and principals for things of value (i.e, consulting contracts for Auburn Network, financial favors, etc.),” said W. Van Davis, acting attorney general in the case, in a 2015 court filing.

“Hubbard’s solicitation of persons with interests before the Alabama Legislature was also directly related to his service as a public official.”

Great Southern Wood CEO

» See HUBBARD, 2

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OWENS

DUI REPORTS

» From 1

African-American fans, which weren’t always occupied, were filled to the brim.

“We never looked at him as being the first African-American player,” Terry Henley, a running back for the team, told the Opelika-Auburn News on Saturday.

“We looked at James as our teammate.

James was another one of us. It didn’t matter what color his skin was; he was a teammate. He was a teammate, he was a friend, he was a competitor with high intensity — and what an athlete.”

Owens and Henley were members of the 1972 Auburn team commonly known

The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from March 22-28: March 22 - Christopher Ryan McDonough, 21 North Dean Road and Aspen Heights Lane at 1:43 a.m.

March 24 - Andrew Britton Lindell, 20 South Donahue Drive at 1:34 a.m.

March 25 - 29-year-old from Opelika at 1:57 a.m.

APD withheld name

UBER

March 26 - Tony Benjamin Frost, 23 Garden Drive at 2:51 a.m.

» From 1

nights are) our business window,” Steiger said. “For that, we pay 31 days of taxes and insurance, which is about four times as expensive as personal auto insurance.

With Uber in town, as we went through last fall, there was no business other than game days. When Uber comes into town, we lose the business that supports our cost.”

Uber service is patchy, Steiger said, and depends on peak hours, as drivers can choose when they share their rides.

“If Uber drivers feel like coming out,

- Christopher Michael Wilson, 21 North Dean Road at 3:53 a.m.

March 28 - William Moffett, 64 North Gay Street at 1:43 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

HUBBARD » From 1

(334) 329-7777 2059 S College St, Auburn

and Auburn Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Jimmy Rane paid $150,000 into a $1.5 million investment plan meant to save Hubbard’s printing business Craftmaster Printing, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Hubbard used his position as speaker to obtain investors in the deal with the help of Birmingham businessman and former congressional candidate Will Brooke.

Mark White, Hubbard’s former attorney, who left the case in February, said in 2015 the prosecution’s court filing filled with emails from Hubbard was improper.

“It is replete with false statements and empty rhetoric,” White said. “Apparently designed to further mislead the public, the filing demonstrates a basic lack of knowledge about the state ethics laws and the relevant facts in this matter.”

‘House of Cards’ Hubbard’s legal troubles drew Gov. Robert Bentley into

Thursday, March 31, 2016

as “The Amazins” that was coached by Ralph “Shug” Jordan to a 10-1 record.

The Tigers defeated then-No. 2 Alabama that year, 17-16, in a game that has become known as “Punt Bama Punt” before topping Colorado in the Gator Bowl to finish the season ranked No. 5 in the country.

Once his time on The Plains was up, Owens was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 11th round of the NFL Draft, but a knee injury derailed his professional playing career.

He suffered from a myriad of health issues, including Type II diabetes and was on the list for a heart transplant in 2012.

However, he was removed from the po-

tential donor list after being diagnosed with neuropathy.

In 2012, the James Owens Courage Award was established in his honor. It is given to a current or former Auburn football player who has displayed courage in the face of adversity, distinguishing himself while contributing to the betterment of Auburn University.

“James Owens was a trailblazer, a legend and a great Auburn man,” said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. “James changed Auburn for the better and opened doors for countless young men and women. We are deeply saddened by his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his entire family.”

then we’ll have rides,” Steiger said. “If they don’t feel like coming out, then there will be a lot more people driving and drinking in town.”

Duggan said the City of Auburn’s first concern is ensuring that when someone calls an Uber ride, the driver is safe and responsible.

“We’re willing to sit down and talk with them,” Duggan said.

According to Ward 3 Councilwoman Beth Witten, a freer and more competitive market works better.

“I want to see Uber come back,” Witten said. “Whether it’s Uber or Lyft, competi-

tion is always a good thing for everyone.”

Witten said she would like to see Uber and the city come to an agreement before fall. According to Witten, that agreement could possibly include a City Council ordinance designating Uber as a new category of “vehicle for hire” instead of a standard taxi service, essentially flipping the council’s January 2015 decision on its heels.

“I have a friend who has to pay $12 a day for a cab ride so that she can go work a minimum-wage job,” Witten said. “That’s really hard on her. If we can have another option, maybe she can grab something that only costs her $7.”

hot water after former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier revealed at a March 23 press conference in Montgomery that Bentley had an improper relationship with top adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason.

Bentley said he fired Collier for improper use of state funds.

Collier said he was fired for disobeying an order from Bentley related to the Hubbard case.

Baron Coleman, a political consultant, lawyer and radio talk show host, signed an affidavit in February claiming he had 50–100 detailed conversations with Hart about the Hubbard investigation in 2014. At the time, Coleman was a political operative for Sandy Toomer, Hubbard’s opponent in the 2014 Republican primary.

Coleman said he used the information from Hart to start a “whisper campaign” against Hubbard before the indictment was released, according to court documents.

Hart said Coleman was an informant used for the investigation, and he never told Hart

about anything related to the grand jury investigation.

Prosecutors asked ALEA for an affidavit stating there was no investigation into Hart and Coleman’s interactions, according to court documents.

Collier signed an affidavit that said Coleman visited him to discuss concerns about Hart.

Collier said he directed Coleman to Special Agent Jack Wilson for a formal interview.

Wilson signed an affidavit that said Coleman didn’t allege any violations of law, and ALEA was not investigating Hart.

“Matt Hart, I know, has the reputation of being a bulldog,” Collier said. “I can tell you [he] has been nothing but a gentleman to me.”

Bentley suggested Collier say the investigation was ongoing, according to Collier. When he didn’t, he was summoned to a meeting Feb. 16 with an angry Bentley and Mason, according to Collier. “(Mason) had a level of anger I’ve rarely seen as a law enforcement officer,” Collier said.

Collier also said attorney Joe Espy was present at the meeting. Espy represents Brooke and Rane, according to AL.com.

“This is not the way law enforcement should work,” Collier said. “Elected officials should not wield this much power over criminal investigations. The people of this state deserve better.”

Bentley’s office did not respond to The Auburn Plainsman’s request for a comment, but Bentley said, at press conference held after Collier’s, he fired Collier because of misuse of state funds in ALEA under Collier’s leadership.

Collier told AL.com he felt like he was in an episode of “House of Cards.”

Walker used Collier’s affidavit and other evidence, including recorded conversations between Hart and Coleman, to deny Hubbard’s motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for April 15 at 10 a.m.

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Tigers team up with NASA for research

SCIENCE

Andria Moore CAMPUS WRITER

“To infinity and beyond” has never seemed so tangible for Auburn Tigers.

Professors at Auburn are teaming up with NASA and Teledyne Brown Engineering to create hyperspectral imaging data.

NASA paid Teledyne Brown Engineering $15 million to create a platform, MUSE, that will be mounted on the International Space Station. The platform will hold a hyperspectral imaging instrument that will be able to photograph any area on Earth.

“We have been working on cube satellites for a while now,” said Jean-Marie Wersinger, associate professor in physics. “The idea was to be able to use hyperspectral technology and put it in something smaller: the cube satellites.”

Cube satellites are smaller and cheaper to build, according to Wersinger. Rather than having one giant satellite, they are hoping to put the same technology into multiple smaller cube satellites.

“Normally the human eye can see visible light in red, green and blue,” said Michael Ogle, research engineer for NASA programs for Auburn University. “With this type of data, it can capture visible light that we can’t normally see.”

The applications of the technology will greatly impact precision agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, geosciences and emergency management.

“As the satellite is going over a forest or pond, it will be able to pick up any diseases there that you couldn’t see from a plane,” Ogle said. “Then you can solve the problem before you lose the entire forest.”

The technology has other applications as well.

“It could manage natural disasters, monitor oil spills, water pollution, coast line deterioration, etcetera,” Ogle said.

Rodney Robertson, executive director of Auburn University’s Huntsville Research Center, said the faculty in Huntsville would mainly take the role of management.

“Our role here in Huntsville is to work with

NASA and Teledyne Brown to identify the opportunity and then see who of the Auburn faculty is interested,” Robertson said.

Auburn University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University are the only three universities in the country that will have access to the data collected through the International Space Station. The three universities are part of the Alabama Remote Sensing Consortium, created by Teledyne Brown as a way to give back to the community.

“Right now we are just focusing on [universities in] this state,” Ogle said. “It gives Auburn University a unique opportunity and advantage for us to have this type of data.”

Ogle said the access will soon open to other universities in the state and eventually the country.

Michael Fogle, associate professor in physics, said the consortium allows each university to collaborate and share research.

“The consortium was developed because Teledyne Brown and NASA wanted to do collabora-

tions and disseminate information to universities,” Fogle said. “It allows people who use landing imaging data for different purposes to provide members 450,000 square kilometers of data for free.”

In the physics department, Fogle, Wersinger and a number of students are working on building the different satellites.

“Imagine a camera that can see hundreds of wavelengths,” Fogle said. “Water quality, disaster situations, volcanoes, landslides, invasive species — we can see a lot of this with this type of imaging.”

Once the imaging systems are intact, data can be processed and sent back to universities within a week.

“The satellite will visit every location on Earth every three to five days,” Robertson said.

Some of the first imaging technology is expected to launch early 2017, and data should be received in the middle of 2017.

“It will even be able to tell trees apart and tell which football teams have real grass,” Ogle said.

MENTAL HEALTH

School of Kinesiology now offering mindfulness sessions Rachel sprouse CAMPUS WRITER

The School of Kinesiology is offering free mindfulness sessions to members of the Auburn community this semester.

Located in Room 156 in the kinesiology building, these sessions, offered at 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, are open to students, faculty and staff.

Reita Clanton, coordinator of performance and health optimization center, leads the sessions with graduate students Ford Dyke and Sarah Gascon. Clanton said they don’t try to define mindfulness because it can have different meanings for each person that comes to the sessions.

“Everybody is on that individual journey,” Clanton said. “It’s whatever resonates most with you, and then you just take that to build a practice of awareness that helps enhance your life.”

Clanton said they start with body awareness in the sessions because the most basic form of stress comes from not having physiological needs met.

“Most people come because life

ARMAND DE LAUREAL / PHOTOGRAPHER

Coordinator of Optimization Reita Clanton and graduate student Ford Dyke lead the mindfulness sessions in the School of Kinesiology.

is stressful,” Clanton said. “We offer practices to help come into alignment with all of those aspects of self and then tools for recovery.”

Dyke, graduate student in kinesiology, said he has worked with Clanton for almost 10 semesters and teaches a stress reduction course with her. He said the sessions devel-

oped because there was a need for mindfulness sessions on campus. “(The sessions) developed by way of our experiences together, with community outreach and whatnot,” Dyke said. “There was ... a need for it, so we came together, developed a free session open to the Auburn Family.”

In these sessions, Clanton said they focus on the five pillars, which are breathing, exercise, sleep, nutrition and hydration. Dyke calls this trying to achieve and maintain ideal performance state.

Human beings become performers every day when their feet hit the floor, according to Clanton.

“Through that awareness of our physical body and how it’s feeling and how it’s performing, then we can go into more of how am I feeling mentally [or] how am I feeling emotionally,” Clanton said.

Dyke said the biggest aspect for himself and Clanton is to cultivate awareness for mindfulness in individuals.

“We always mention that mindfulness is really the mortar to it all,” Dyke said. “You can apply it to anything in your life, whether you’re a 5-year-old or a retiree.”

Dyke said they provide individuals with techniques and make suggestions but do not try to change anything in their lives.

“As a student, it’s imperative to eat right, to hydrate properly, to sleep properly, to move or in other words exercise and to pay attention to your breath,” Dyke said. “It’s a stressful environment, being in school, so it’s directly applicable to students. But that being said, that’s not to negate anyone else.”

For more information about the sessions or questions, contact Kristin Roberts at kar0032@auburn.

IFC wins excellence award

OUTREACH

GREEK LIFE

Andria Moore CAMPUS REPORTER

STERLING WAITS / GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hunger statistics from AlabamaPossible.com.

Every Meal Matters aims to end child hunger Andria Moore CAMPUS WRITER

One in four children in Alabama are food insecure. That means one in four children have no idea where their next meal will come from or when they will eat again.

End Child Hunger in Alabama wants to change that. As a statewide initiative from the Hunger Solutions Institute, End Child Hunger has launched the Every Meal Matters campaign to educate the public on statewide hunger problems.

“We put together a task force of key state leaders from government, nonprofit organizations, individuals and academic institutions who wanted to address the issue of food insecurity,” said Harriet Giles, managing director of Every Meal Matters. “In a land of plenty, to have any child hungry is a tragedy.”

The task force was created in 2012.

“The first year we were just getting our goals in place,”

Giles said. “We came up with a set of goals that people of all different political persuasions could agree on.”

The campaign’s current focus has been on providing children food in the summers when they can’t receive free or reduced lunches at school.

“Kids can come to a certain location and get a lunch or breakfast,” Giles said. “We work closely with the food and nutrition service in Atlanta that is part of the United States Department of Agriculture.”

The biggest problem was many of sites were too far from children’s homes for them to be able to get lunches. Giles said they worked hard to improve upon that problem.

“We made a strategic effort to help the state Department of Education to be able to up more sites and have more people involved,” Giles said. “In three years, our summer feeding has doubled.”

Kayla Ackin, graduate assis-

tant for End Child Hunger in Alabama, said the campaign’s primary goal now is to rally others to get behind the cause.

“We want to build public will to end hunger,” Ackin said.

Ackin said she hopes they will lower the margin of food insecure children in Alabama.

“We want to move Alabama to the top 25 percent of food secure states,” Ackin said.

Giles said she believes many problems stem from a lack of proper nutrition in children.

“Some of the most obese kids are the ones that are the most food insecure,” Giles said.

Many Auburn University faculty and departments have come out in support of this issue.

“The athletics department and Jay Jacobs have made ending child hunger one of their directives,” Giles said.

Every Meal Matters is teaming up with the Jason Dufner Charitible Foundation to host a 5k run April 2.

Auburn University has some of the best fraternities in the Southeast, according to the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference. At the 50th annual conference, Auburn University’s Interfraternity Council was awarded the Fraternal Excellence Award.

The award is presented as an overall award to the fraternity that exceeds the standards.

Management, judicial processes, legal concerns, philanthropy, chapter services, recruitment and scholarships are taken into account, and fraternities must meet all requirements for each.

Auburn was one of seven schools to receive the award this year.

Chris Lucas, IFC adviser, said he is honored Auburn received this award.

“We don’t know how many other schools applied, but there were about 80 schools at the conference, and you have to assume most probably applied,” Lucas said.

Chris Walz, IFC president, said he believes Auburn has certain areas in which it excels.

“We stand out because we excel in recruitment,” Walz said. “Also, not many schools do self-government the way we do. We set standards and hold one another accountable.”

Lucas agrees Auburn’s unique style of governing helps propel them to the top.

“We get a lot of high marks for our Auburn Man Program

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTOGRAPHER

Auburn’s 2016 Fraternal Excellence Award sits in Greek Life office in the Student Center at Auburn University on Tuesday, March 29, 2016.

and our speaker services for new members,” Lucas said.

“The IFC throws a party with all of the rules that members are required to attend. That way no one can say they haven’t been to a party where all the rules are followed.”

Walz said Auburn has received the award four out of the past five years and is planning to apply next year as well.

“You apply in November and then the conference is in February,” Walz said. “Then you are recognized at the banquet and awarded a trophy.”

In order to receive the Frater-

nal Excellence Award, a council must have proper documentation and comply with 85 percent of the standards.

Gary Wiser, executive director of the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference, said he is proud of the standard Auburn is upholding.

“Auburn University Interfraternity Council is a model council for our schools in this region,” Wiser said. “The SEIFC is proud to recognize this group of men for their achievement and commitment to living out the ideals of fraternity at Auburn.”

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Opinion

OUR VIEW

Not just another call to action

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Response to “No. 1 Auburn equestrian captures SEC title” Faye Jones “Congrats to the team effort and thanks to the coaches - #1 WDE!”

Response to “James Owens, Auburn’s first AfricanAmerican football player, has died” Mack Krout “my condolences to family and friends of James Owens”

GURDEN SMITH / GRAPHICS EDITOR

Spring Editorial Board 2016

Unfortunately, calling for green initiatives has become a cliché.

Seldom passes a day where a college student is not directly exposed to a person or organization striving to preserve our Earth.

The inspiration these organizations attempt to instill is sometimes lost in the great green bog of environmental awareness.

Having so much exposure that its impact is reduced is a peculiar problem, and it’s one that we must all acknowledge in order to get past it. If acknowledged, we as a student body can work toward incorporating habits of environmental sustainability not only through sheer inspiration, which can be waning, but with an attitude of calculation.

Developing a sense of duty toward sustaining the Earth that isn’t contingent upon emotion is paramount in the collective human effort to preserve it.

That isn’t to say emotion doesn’t aid the effort. Emotion certainly can and does push

some people to put forth greater effort, but emotion should not be the deciding factor as to whether or not someone puts forth effort.

We must make a conscious decision as human beings to commit to this cause without the comfort of passion to act.

Passion can be fleeting; it’s human nature to let ourselves be enraptured by the present moment. Behavior derived from dispassionate analysis is much harder to kill.

A way to impress upon folks the importance of their individual actions in relation to the environment is to paint a picture spanning the length of their lives.

Yes, in the big picture, a single bottle being recycled does not mark a significant step toward preserving the environment. But when examined on a larger scale, all of the bottles an individual can save ends up being much more significant.

In addition to recycling products, reducing and reusing must be emphasized as well.

Reusing bottles and plastic bags may seem

like minor steps, but in conjunction with all of Auburn’s student body, change will be met. To reduce waste, we call on Auburn students to change our consumer culture.

Too often we buy food or drinks that we end up throwing away. To mitigate this, we must give more thought to how much we will consume. It sounds like common sense, but a little attention paid to minor habits can transform a person’s behavior and environmental footprint.

Auburn has made great steps in environmental preservation.There are water-filling stations that encourage reusing bottles, the lights in buildings automatically shut off after-hours, and there is a new bike system that encourages people to bike instead of driving around campus.

Coupled with efforts such as these, revising the way we approach issues such as environmental preservation will guarantee a stronger, more permanent resolve in combating them.

HER VIEW

Auburn, don’t stone me for this Lily Jackson COMMUNITY WRITER

In today’s society, it doesn’t take a philosophical discussion or a heartfelt conversation to dive into the topic of drug use.

To my surprise, the conversation is seemingly as common as a cliché mention of the weather or what a certain person is studying in school.

An unpopular opinion I hold is that smoking marijuana recreationally is bad.

I’ve heard a multitude of cases for the recreational use of marijuana, but I cannot advocate for something that played a part in destroying the ambition of my fellow friends.

I’ve noticed many who smoke marijuana illegally don’t have the knowledge to defend

their stance.

The conversation has been worn to the bone, so most Americans consider themselves knowledgable on at least one side of the argument.

Being politically uninformed is acceptable, but knowing your illegal substances is clearly common knowledge.We are in no need of any external forces making us lazier than we already are. We are given every outlet for procrastination that could possibly come to mind. So why do we need another chemical to reduce productivity?

Sidenote: I am aware that not all smokers are slackers. Not all alcohol drinkers are alcoholics.

It solely depends on the person and their level of self-control.

To be successful, one has to work. Dopamine is the chemical responsible for motivation.

After frequently smoking, the body comes to expect the increased levels of dopamine re-

leased while high.

The body simply can’t compensate for this lack of dopamine naturally. And so, people chase the high. A psychological dependency is formed.

Marijuana and its effects are not taken as seriously as they should be. I’ve never heard of a Pothead’s Anonymous, despite the fact that it can have an effect on someone’s job and personal life. I’ve heard proponents speak on marijuana’s innocence based on its herbal nature. Are you going to smoke poison ivy since you can find it on the forest floor? I would hope not.

Humans have the right to what nature offers and marijuana has proven valuable in some medical instances, but getting high for the heck of it is not a valuable use. I cannot stand behind something that saws away at the chances of living the “American Dream.” Marijuana has taken a toll on the lives

of many whom I consider close to me.

“I believe in work, hard work,” George Petrie wrote.

This line, taken from the Auburn Creed, made me fall for Auburn from the beginning. I would hate to see weed take away the passion of my fellow Auburn students.

In the end, you live the life you desire to live, and that includes what you decide to put in your body.

You are not in control of the boss who fires you for dropping the ball on an assignment.

You are not in control of law enforcement when they lock your wrists for lighting up and read you your rights.

You are in control of avoiding what leads you to disaster, and in my experience, marijuana is what will fail you.

Emily Esleck MANAGING EDITOR Kris Martins COPY Weston SimS OPINION

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Community

CONSTRUCTION

Auburn company faces possible $64,000 fine Chip Brownlee

COMMUNTY REPORTER

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed more than $64,000 in penalty fines for an Auburn-based contractor for violations along a construction site on Frederick Road in Opelika.

OSHA proposed $64,350 for two citations against D&J Enterprises Inc., a construction and contracting firm, on March 14. According to OSHA documents, one citation was a repeat offense after the company settled an October 2015 inspection that found similarly hazardous conditions.

The firm is based in Auburn and was installing water and sewer lines along Frederick Road when the citations were issued.

According to the citations, D&J did not properly mitigate cave-in hazards while digging a trench.

“On or about Jan. 14, 2016, the employer exposed employees to cave-in hazards in that employees were allowed to work inside of a trench,” the citation reads. “The employer had not complied with the standard in that employees were not protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system and the excavation was sloped at an angle (that was too steep).”

D&J won the contract to install the water, sewer, power and information technologies infrastructure for Auburn University’s Health Sciences Sector, home to the planned Harrison School of Pharmacy pharmaceutical research building and the new School of Nursing at the corner of South Donahue and Lem Morrison drives.

D&J did not respond to requests for comment.

The repeat violation issued in March is the

second time the company has been fined by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration, according to Joseph Roesler, OSHA’s area director in Mobile.

“It concerns us that, after settling an October 2015 inspection that found dangerous trench hazards, D&J Enterprises continues to put workers at risk of serious injury or death,” Roesler said.

“The employer has the responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthful job site.”

According to Lindsay Williams, a spokesperson for OSHA’s 4th Region, D&J had until Thursday, March 24, to comply with the violations or schedule to meet with OSHA to determine an abatement or payment schedule.

Williams said D&J scheduled an informal conference with OSHA by the deadline.

“The offenses are very serious, so the dollar amount reflects that,” Williams said. “It’s a pretty serious amount. Cave-ins and trench collapses are very deadly. If you can imagine, you’re 5 or 10 feet down in a hole and the sides collapse, you’re instantly buried. A lot of times that results in death.”

According to Williams, D&J also did not provide proper training and education for workers to avoid trench cave-ins and collapses.

“You can dig a trench or hole out a certain way that prevents the soil from collapsing,” Williams said.

According to the University’s February construction update, the Health Sciences Sector infrastructure project contracted to D&J Enterprises is 16 percent complete.

Bidding for the contract’s general works package will begin in April. The projected cost for the total project is $6 million.

CHIP BROWNLEE / COMMUNITY REPORTER

D&J Enterprises, the contractor building the infrastructure for Auburn’s new Health Sciences Sector, could be fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on March 14, 2016.

OUTDOORS

COURTS

Alumna runs race in every state Liz Maddux

COMMUNITY WRITER

Ashley Ahner pulls back her long blond hair into a braid to prepare for what might be considered the most exciting run of her life.

As she pushes her pink and blue Mizuno Waveriders into the pavement, she quickly puts a distance between herself and the starting line, running toward the 50-yard line at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Not only is this the finish line for this particular race, but it’s also the last race Ashley needs to complete her goal of running a race in all 50 states.

On Saturday, March 19, Ashley completed her goal by running in her 50th state, Alabama, at her alma mater, Auburn University.

Ann Ahner, Ashley’s mother, said her daughter knew since day one that she wanted her last race to be in Auburn.

“She always told me that she never had a bad day during her time at Auburn, so a race in Auburn would have to be her 50th one,” Ann said.

Ashley began her journey in 2012, and after running half marathons in Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida and Missouri, her home state, she asked herself, why not run a half marathon in all 50 states?

“I thought it would be cool to combine my love of travel with my love of staying in shape,” Ashley said. “It was actually supposed to be a lifelong goal, but it just sort of turned into this fun game for me, and I ended up advancing a lot faster than I realized I would.”

Ann said she knew her daughter would complete her goal quickly.

“I have always been so proud of Ashley,” Ann said. “She has been a goal setter her entire life, and she always achieves her goals.”

Anna McCarthy, senior in marketing, said she thinks Ashley is inspiring.

“The fact that Ashley completed her lifelong goal in such a short amount of time just shows how driven she is,” McCarthy said. “I need to be more driven, so it’s inspiring.”

Ashey started running on her school’s cross-country team in middle school and said she didn’t like it much.

“I really just joined the cross-country team because all of my friends did it, and it was a fun way to stay in shape while also getting to hang out with my friends after school,” Ashley said. “I honestly didn’t even really like running. I saw it purely as an activity to hang out with my friends.”

Ashley continued to run on the crosscountry team throughout high school, never leaving the junior varsity team.

“I honestly was never really that good at running,” Ashley said with a laugh.

During her undergraduate studies at Auburn University, Ashley ran recreationally but never competitively, until she started graduate school.

“During the years I was getting my master’s at Auburn, I started actually training for half marathons,” Ashley said.

“I had a strict schedule of certain numbers of miles I was supposed to run a day, and I had a strict diet. Then I got my tonsils out in 2012, and everything was ruined.”

Ashley said all her strength was gone after her tonsil surgery, but she pressed on.

Since 2013, Ashley has run a half marathon in a different state at least once a month.

Ashley said her favorite race was in Boise, Idaho.

“But that race literally personified what this goal was all about, which was getting to travel to a new place and discovering how much it has to offer,” Ashley said. “I went to Boise with no expectations, and as soon as I got there it had already blown me away. Downtown Boise was so gorgeous and surprisingly super hip and trendy. The

KRIS SIMS / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Gunshots broke a car window during the Tiger Lodge shooting on Dec. 14, 2014.

CONTRIBUTED BY ASHLEY AHNER

Ahner ran a race in every state.

race itself was probably one of the most beautiful runs I have ever experienced.

The route went from a canyon, through plateaus and neighborhoods. At the end, they gave out baked potatoes. Idaho was a great race for me, the scenery was great, the food was great and the people were so nice.”

As far as running rituals go, Ashley said she doesn’t have any.

“I don’t usually do anything before a race, but every time, before I travel, I have to get the No. 7 breakfast combo from Chick-fil-A,” Ashley said. “It’s a chicken, egg and cheese bagel, and it is delicious.”

Ashley said she still gets “the worst” anxiety before every race.

“It’s so funny to me because I have done so many races, but I still get so nervous,” Ashley said. “How I made it this far I will never know. I eat McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A on a regular basis, and I just had to think about what type of running shoes I wear, but I have loved this journey.”

COMMUNITY PHOTO OF THE WEEK

ELLEN JACKSON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A free-roaming animal reaches toward a vehicle at the Wild Animal Safari Park.To read more about the park, check out the Outdoor Guide.

Defense to argue for immunity for Tiger Lodge shooter Maria McIlwain COMMUNITY EDITOR

Markale Hart’s attorney is arguing Hart shot and killed freshman football player Jakell Mitchell in self-defense.

Hart killed Mitchell during an altercation at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex in December 2014. He was indicted by a grand jury in October 2015.

Members of both the Auburn and Opelika communities remembered Mitchell in a prayerful vigil in downtown Opelika on Dec. 15, two days after the shooting.

Mitchell, an Opelika native, was a standout athlete at Opelika High School.

“I lost my best friend,” said Mario Mitchell, Jakell’s father, at the vigil.

However, approximately a month after Mitchell’s death, police said he had a weapon.

Dustin Holt, Auburn Police Division detective, confirmed that Mitchell and Hart exchanged gunfire before Mitchell was killed.

Jerry Blevins, Hart’s attorney, said their defense is similar to that of George Zimmerman’s in 2013.

“This is what’s known as a Stand Your Ground law,” Blevins said.

Blevins said four or five witnesses saw the shooting.

“Mr. Mitchell had the hand-

HART gun and raised the handgun and pointed it at several people, including my client, and at that point, he was shot,” Blevins said.

Tiger Lodge was also the site of another shooting. Desmonte Leonard was convicted in 2014 of killing former football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian and Opelika resident Demario Pitts and wounding three other people at a party in 2012 when the property was called University Heights.

Leonard is currently serving life without parole.

Blevins said if Hart is granted immunity, then the prosecution will not be able to proceed with the case.

“If we establish probable cause, then Mr. Hart will get immunity from prosecution,” Blevins said.

There is an evidence hearing in the case set for April 6 at 9 a.m.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Community 7

The Auburn Plainsman

LEISURE

Staying inside the lines with the Adult Coloring Club Lily Jackson

COMMUNITY WRITER

Stress gets the best of us at times.

Stressed people often run to medication, habitual ticks and meditation for relief from the overbearing feeling of being utterly overwhelmed.

Adult coloring has recently become a trend for those who have fallen victim to stress caused by schoolwork, job responsibilities and financial issues.

The Auburn Public Library hosts Adult Coloring Club every Thursday from noon–1 p.m in the conference room.

Ashley Brown, engagement and outreach librarian, facilitates the group and colors while working.

Once adult coloring became popular, the library wanted to provide a calming environment for adults to color and engage with other club members, Brown said.

“Coloring is relaxing, and we know this because we give children coloring sheets and they sit, color and are quiet,” Brown said.

“It’s the same with adults.”

Brown said she feels an element of zen after an hour of coloring.

Music plays as those coloring select markers and colored pencils from the large assortment spread along the table.

People from all areas of the county come to release what stress has built up over the past couple days and speak with other coloring enthusiasts.

Numbers for the club have grown since the first meeting, and the library welcomes community members to join the table and grab a marker.

Kahlia Giles, at-home customer service agent, said she feels the same way as Brown after leaving the coloring club on Thursdays.

Giles has attended coloring club twice now and has been impressed with the environment and the relaxing results.

“I noticed a difference when I left — it gets rid of the stress from the day,” Giles said.

“It’s therapeutic to sit down and color.”

Giles enjoys coloring flowers with many different vibrant colors in no particular order.

Her favorite color is blue. Giles said people should join the group for conversation, relaxation and to meet others.

Cynthia Ledbetter, programming specialist for the Auburn Public Library, takes a

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTOGRAPHER

Members of the Auburn community participate in group coloring activities at the Auburn Public Library on March 24, 2016.

break in between storytimes to color with the group.

Ledbetter works with children every day and said she greatly enjoys time to color in peace with other adults.

Ledbetter has always loved coloring, because it is a chance for unartistic people to feel artistic.

“It’s relaxing,” Ledbetter said. “You don’t have to think. You just let you mind wander.”

WORLD

Auburn feels the impact of Brussels terror attack

Maria McIlwain COMMUNITY EDITOR

When she heard of the terrorist attack in Brussels, Valentina Hartarska, professor in agricultural economics, said her daughter was scared for her friends who live there.

“I have a young daughter who is horrified because she lived there for three months ... she asked me, ‘Why is ISIS so mean?’” Hartarska said.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks at an airport and subway station that killed 35 people on Monday, March 21.

Hartarska spent spring 2015 studying microfinance at the

Brussels Free Universities as the visiting Fulbright scholar and occasionally taught classes in rural development at the University of Mons-Hainaut in Belgium from 2008–11.

Hartarska was shocked when she heard about the bombings on the radio and rushed to check on her friends via Facebook.

“I know the places where this happened, and I imagined myself being there,” Hartarska said.

Hartarska spent most of the day emailing with friends and colleagues in Brussels to make sure everyone was all right. She said there was a tone of sadness

in the emails.

“They say, ‘We have to carry on,’” Hartarska said. “Frankly, I think they feel a little bit of helplessness.”

Hans van der Reijden, managing director of The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center and native of the Netherlands, said he was shocked, but not altogether surprised about the attack.

“It wasn’t a complete surprise, and that’s a sad state of reality today, especially in Europe,” van der Reijden said.

Van der Reijden said there is an underlying fear in Europe, but terrorists’ actions cannot be justified or tolerated. He said

Brussles is a historically diverse city in the center of Belgium.

“Everyone I speak to who lives in Europe says the same thing: It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” van der Reijden said.

Brussels is about a two-hour train ride from Paris, the site of a terrorist attack that killed 129 people in November.

Van der Reijden said the number of attacks in recent years in Europe is “mind-boggling.”

“It’s not an incident,” van der Reijden said. “It’s a coordinated ideological war that’s being waged.”

A friend of van der Reijden’s family took the day off the day of the attack. He works approximately 300 feet from the subway station that was bombed, according to van der Reijden.

“That was a chilling realization,” van der Reijden said.

However, van der Reijden believes there is a sense of resilience among the people.

Hartarska feels especially empathetic toward the students.

“The students, I can imagine that they are most vulnerable and scared because they have to use the most public transportation,” Hartarska said.

Hartarska thinks the attack will make people think twice

“

It’s not an incident.

It’s a coordinated ideological war that’s being waged.”

—Hans van der Reijden

MANAGING DIRECTOR AT THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND DIXON CONFERENCE CENTER

about traveling there. She has plans to go there soon, and she said her family doesn’t want her to.

“Brussels was a great place, and now I don’t know how to think about it,” Hartarska said.

Sports

8

Thursday, March 31, 2016

SCOREBOARD

ThePlainsman.com

Sports

GYMNASTICS

Leaving a legacy

EQUESTRIAN (13-1, 5-1)

ADAM SPARKS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER AUBURN ATHLETICS

LAST WEEK SEC Championships in Bishop, Georgia vs. South Carolina (W, 11-7) vs. Georgia (W, 11-7)

SWIMMING & DIVING

Auburn gymnastics ‘wouldn’t be here’ without trio of seniors

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR FILE PHOTO

Andrew Monson SPORTS WRITER

AUBURN ATHLETICS

LAST WEEK NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia Men: 10th overall

BASEBALL (12-13, 1-5)

It wasn’t long ago that the Auburn gymnastics team only dreamed of scoring a 197, competing in the night session at the SEC Championship or earning a top regional seed. But to this year’s seniors, those weren’t dreams any longer.

They were there to experience it.

“It’s just funny, the growth from my freshman year when we were happy to get a high 195,” said senior Caitlin Atkinson. “Now some of these girls, if we get a 195, they don’t know what that feels like. So to be a part of that is really something special.”

Atkinson, along with fellow seniors Kait Kluz and Lexus Demers, have helped make those days nothing but distant memories.

Since joining the Auburn program, they’ve seen it improve year by year, and before they knew it, the Tigers were breaking over 50 program records and competing in the 2015 Super Six at the NCAA Championships.

THIS WEEK April 1-3 vs. LSU (6 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 1 p.m.)

SOFTBALL (30-4, 6-3)

GYMNASTICS

Atkinson becomes fourth Auburn gymnast to be named SEC Gymnast of the Year Andrew Monson SPORTS WRITER

FILE PHOTO

LAST WEEK at Georgia State (W, 8-4) vs. South Carolina (W, 10-0 (5); W, 5-2; W, 4-3) THIS WEEK April 1-3 at Kentucky (4 p.m.; 1 p.m.; 11 a.m.)

“This class had as big a challenge, if not a bigger challenge in front of it,” Graba said. “Last year’s class was great because we were able to break all of those records. With this year’s group, the repeat is often difficult, and then they’ve also done some things that have never been done before. Beating Alabama was a big deal. Beating Georgia at Georgia is a big deal. So this class is going to go down as one of the most successful classes that we could have had.”

Graba knows saying goodbye to each of the seniors will not be easy with how much they’ve done to help build the program from the ground up.

“I guarantee we wouldn’t be where we are without them and what they’ve done for this program,” Graba said.

“When Lexus actually committed, I think we were ranked in the 20s at some point, so it just says a lot that we’ve come this far through her leadership and the other girls’ leadership.

Caitlin’s impact is pretty easy to look at when you look at the records that she’s

set. Then you add Kait Kluz on to that as well, and in the end we aren’t where we are without what Kait brings to the table. Now, you look at how many routines she’s done for us, along with the other ones, it’s going to be tough to say goodbye.”

Even with how much the team has done for the program, Demers said she will forever appreciate what her years at Auburn have done for her.

“It’s been a long journey since I began here,” Demers said. “I’ve really grown and developed into the person I am today. I can thank gymnastics for that and the coaching staff and really everyone here at Auburn.”

Though their careers are coming to a close, the class of 2016 will always be remembered, and Atkinson can’t wait to see what’s ahead for her team.

“It’ll be amazing to see where it goes after we’re gone and graduated,” Atkinson said. “I’ll always be a part of this team, this will always be my team and I’ll always be so proud of my girls when I’m gone.”

Gymnastics returns to Regionals

FILE PHOTO

LAST WEEK vs. Alabama State (W, 11-0) at Arkansas (L, 3-2; L, 14-7; L, 3-1) vs. Alabama (W, 10-1) MAX Capital City Classic in Montgomery

But their journey didn’t stop there.

They still had their senior year left, and they wanted to prove the previous year was not a fluke, that Auburn gymnastics was here to stay. They not only lived up to expectations.

They surpassed them.

They led Auburn to its first ever road win against Georgia, broke a 117-meet losing streak to Alabama and shattered even more records.

“I definitely think coming off of last year, we talked about what else can we give for this program after breaking so many records,” Kluz said. “We were just able to build off of that, being able to repeat things and setting records for ourselves, like beating Alabama and beating Georgia at Georgia for the first time. I think just being able to say we’ve done that as a class and as a team is really exciting for us and really tremendous.”

Coach Jeff Graba also acknowledged the feats this class has accomplished, as building off of a year like 2015 is a task not many could pull off.

Senior Caitlin Atkinson was named SEC Gymnast of the Year by the league office on Thursday, becoming the fourth Tiger ever to earn the annual honor.

Atkinson has served as anchor in all four events for the sixthranked Tigers virtually all year, and she led the team to its secondstraight appearance in the night session at the SEC Championship.

Atkinson was a difference-maker in historic wins over Alabama and Georgia.

Against Alabama, her 9.925 on floor clinched the program's first win over the Crimson Tide

SHOE ROOM

in 117 meets, and against Georgia, her 9.925 on beam pushed the Tigers to their first win ever in Athens.

She’s also helped Auburn earn its first No. 1 regional seed for the first time in program history, as well as achieve its highest RQS score in program history at 197.150, good for sixth nationally.

This season, Atkinson won 14 event titles and four all-around titles, and she is tied for fifth nationally in all-around with an average score of 39.570.

She also ranks seventh nationally on beam, while placing in the top 20 on vault and floor.

Along with Atkinson’s

honor, Auburn freshmen Taylor Krippner and Samantha Cerio earned spots on the SEC AllFreshman team.

Krippner has competed on vault, bars and beam for the Tigers, and she earned SEC honors with her 9.700 on beam at the SEC Championship.

Cerio competed on bars and beam for the Tigers this season, and her 9.850 on bars at the SEC Championship was tied for the top score by any freshman.

Auburn will compete in the NCAA Ann Arbor regional on Saturday, April 2, and the top two teams will advance to the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

Flashback to 2015 Regionals

FILE PHOTO

The 2015 Auburn gymnastics team hosted a regional for the first time since 2012.The Tigers finished second in their regional to advance to the NCAA Championships.

Sam Butler SPORTS EDITOR

A year ago, the Auburn gymnastics team was matched up with Alabama, Minnesota, Iowa, Maryland and George Washington in

the regional hosted at Auburn Arena.

The Tigers put in a program record for a regional with a 196.900 overall, good for second overall and a ticket to the Nation-

al Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, where they performed well enough to earn a trip to the Super Six. Auburn finished sixth to cap off a stellar season.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Sports 9

The Auburn Plainsman

FOOTBALL

Quarterbacks stand out in first scrimmage of spring Evan McCullers

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

In years past, preseason scrimmages have gone a long way in determining the outcome of Auburn’s quarterback competition.

In 2013, Nick Marshall separated himself when the non-contact jerseys were removed from the quarterbacks in fall scrimmages.

Last season, it was Jeremy Johnson who stood out in spring scrimmages and quickly claimed the starting job.

Auburn held its first scrimmage Saturday morning, March 26, marking the first time the quarterbacks have gone live in the team’s first eight spring practices.

“We learned a lot, so we’re hoping [the scrimmage provides separation],” said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. “After we see the film, it’d be great to have a really good feel for the guys. Like I said, we’ll learn more today from a quarterback standpoint than we did the first seven practices.”

The scrimmage was closed to media, but teammates said newcomer John Franklin III and Johnson made the biggest plays at the quarterback position.

Franklin, known as a dual-threat quarterback, broke off a run of about 70 yards, according to running back Jovon Robinson.

Though he didn’t score on the play, Robinson said the JUCO transfer showed his speed and shiftiness.

“That’s a quick person, man,” Robinson said. “When you can move laterally as quick as he can, you can do special things on the field.

You saw that today.”

Johnson, who is trying to regain his starting spot after struggling early last season, threw a 75-yard touchdown to Roc Thomas, according to the junior running back.

Sean White, who started six games last season, also received first-team snaps in the scrimmage, which Malzahn said he tried to divide evenly between the three competitors.

“We tried to give every quarterback equal reps with the ones, and then we got just about equal with the twos,” Malzahn said. “John Franklin got quite a bit of work, but that was by design just because we didn’t know as much

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Chandler Cox (27) carries the ball at Auburn’s indoor practice facility.The scrimmage was moved indoors after starting in Jordan-Hare Stadium because of rain.

about him as we do the other guys. It was good to see the quarterbacks. There were some designed quarterback runs too. We wanted to see how they reacted.”

The only quarterback who didn’t receive first-team reps was Tyler Queen, who is on a “pitch count” this spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery early last season.

Defensive back Jamel Dean said the quarterbacks did not throw any interceptions in the scrimmage, an encouraging sign after the Ti-

gers tossed 12 picks a year ago.

Franklin did, however, fumble the ball on a zone-read exchange, according to Malzahn.

The fourth-year coach didn’t specify if the quarterbacks would go live again in practice this spring.

Though Malzahn did not acknowledge any major change in the quarterback situation going forward, he and the offensive coaching staff have now seen the signal-callers in a live situation, something that has been a determin-

ing factor in past quarterback competitions under Malzahn.

“It’s very good to evaluate those guys in a live situation, and it’s very good for our defense to have a quarterback go live,” Malzahn said. “You can learn a lot about the pass rushing and everything that goes with that. I thought all three guys, Jeremy, John and Sean got some good work. … Overall, I thought it was a pretty productive day. We got some good information moving forward.”

SOFTBALL

Rhodes named SEC Player of the Week Nathan Deal SPORTS WRITER

Auburn senior first baseman Jade Rhodes has been named SEC Softball Player of the Week after her strong play helped the Tigers go 4-0 last week, including a sweep of SEC foe South Carolina.

Auburn (30-4, 6-3) also beat Georgia State, 8-4, on Tuesday before hosting the Gamecocks in the weekend series.

Rhodes is the second Auburn player to win SEC Player of the Week this season, as Kasey Cooper won the award in back-to-back weeks Feb. 29 and March 7.

Rhodes, who leads the SEC in home runs with 11, began the week by hitting

homers in three consecutive games.

She also had two RBIs in each of those games, bringing her season total of multiRBI games to 14, which ranks second on the team.

On the week, she batted .625 on 5-of-8 hitting.

She recorded all of her hitting stats in the first three games of the week, as she walked in all three of her plate appearances in the sweep-clinching win over the Gamecocks.

Rhodes has hit a home run in six of the Tigers’ last nine games.

She’ll look to continue her hot streak when the Tigers travel to No. 12 Kentucky this weekend.

MATTHEW BISHOP / PHOTOGRAPHER

The team huddles up to hear coach Gus Malzahn’s pre-practice instructions.

Observations from spring practice The Tigers hit the field for the first time after the Saturday scrimmage, and the media was allowed 20 minutes of viewing.

Here's what we saw in our time at the practice field.

•

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Running back Kerryon Johnson had been sidelined for spring practice, but Tuesday he dressed out — still in a non-contact jersey, however — in full gear. Johnson participated in stretches with the team.

Coach Gus Malzahn worked with the offensive linemen and quarterbacks in individual periods, and "snapped" footballs to quarterback John Franklin III as the group simulated their dropbacks.

As has been the case for most of spring, the quarterbacks were shuffled through the three units in the pace period. Sean White took first-team reps, Franklin han-

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Jade Rhodes capped off a stellar week by being named SEC Softball Player of the Week.

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dled second-team duties and Tyler Queen led the third team. Jeremy Johnson took reps in earlier practices, and he was preparing to rotate in as the media left.

Lineman Darius James sat out the practice for undisclosed reasons. He had been competing for a starting spot at left tackle this spring.

The first-team offensive line was LT Austin Golson, LG Alex Kozan, C Xavier Dampeer, RG Braden Smith and RT Robert Leff.

The first-team defensive was DEs Carl Lawson and Marlon Davidson, DTs Dontavius Russell and Montravius Adams, LBs Tre' Williams and Deshaun Davis, CBs Carlton Davis and Javaris Davis, safeties Nick Ruffin and Stephen Roberts and nickel corner Tim Irvin.

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Sports 10

The Auburn Plainsman

ADAM SPARKS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Makalya Martin fires a pitch in Auburn’s sweep of South Carolina on Saturday.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

The Auburn baseball team celebrates its 10-1 win over Alabama in the MAX Capital City Classic at Riverwalk Stadium on Tuesday.

This Week in Auburn Sports Softball

March 26 vs S. Carolina W, 5-2; 4-3 Neither of No. 3 Auburn’s performances against South Carolina in a Saturday doubleheader were as efficient as its 10-0 run-rule victory on Friday, but the Tigers were still too much for the Gamecocks to handle as they completed the sweep with a pair of victories. Auburn (304, 6-3 SEC) won the first game 5-2 and the second game 4-3.

Jade Rhodes continued her hot streak in the Tigers’ first win, hitting her team-leading 11th home run of the season to give her three consecutive games with a homer. She has hit a homer in six of the Tigers' last nine games. Rhodes also gave Auburn the lead for good with an RBI in the third inning to make it 3-2.

Whitney Jordan added a homer in the fourth to make it 4-2, and Madi Gipson hit an RBI double in the fifth to finish the scoring.

The Gamecocks (27-9, 2-7 SEC) threatened in the fifth, loading the bases, but relief pitcher Makayla Martin was able to get out of the jam.

A strong throw to the plate by Gipson prevented South Carolina from cutting into the lead. A running catch in center field by Victoria Draper ended the threat.

Rachael Walters (5-2) earned the win.

The nightcap was a stiffer test for the Tigers, as they were in a 3-3 deadlock in the fifth inning before an RBI groundout by Gipson produced what ultimately was the game-winning run.

The game was scoreless until the third, when RBI singles by Jenna Abbott and Jordan and an RBI groundout by Tiffany Howard gave Auburn a 3-0 lead. South Carolina stormed back, ultimately tying it in the fifth before Gipson's gamechanging groundout.

Kaylee Carlson (8-0) earned her second win of the series thanks to her effort in relief duties.

Auburn has now won five consecutive games and eight of its last nine, outscoring opponents 54-22 since losing its second game against No.1 Florida.

Baseball

March 29 vs Alabama W, 10-1 Auburn won its seventh MAX Capital City Classic in eight years over the Crimson Tide at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery on Tuesday.

Auburn’s 10 runs were the most scored in the history of the annual contest.

Auburn wasted no time putting the heat to its bats as the Tigers burned the Tide in the 10-1 victory. They scored runs in each of the first six innings.

A three-run home run by Blake Logan and a triple by Joshua Palacios helped give the Tigers a strong 4-0 lead after the first inning. Logan and

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Freshman Scott Lazeroff finished third in platform diving at the NCAA Championships.

Palacios combined with Jordan Ebert, who singled, and Niko Buentello, who doubled, to hit for the cycle in the first inning.

This was Logan’s first home run in over two years.

“I’m just glad we won,” Logan said. “Alabama’s a big rivalry for us and the fans, so it means a lot to come out with the win.”

The Tigers scored runs in each of the first six innings. Anfernee Grier had three hits, including his seventh home run of the season, which he nailed 400-plus feet off the scoreboard in leftcenter field. This gave the Tigers an 8-1 lead after the fourth inning.

Grier said this win is more special than others, given the deeply rooted Auburn and Alabama rivalry.

“It’s always fun to beat Alabama,” Grier said.

“I was always growing up an Auburn fan, never really liked Alabama growing up. Any time I get a chance to play against them it’s fun. And it’s even better when you win.”

Coach Butch Thompson was happy with the team effort after the Arkansas series, where the team had 31 hits in three games and left 38 men on base.

“I’ll continue to credit our whole staff for staying together,” Thompson said. “That’s good offense, when you just stay after it. The guys were really focused tonight, and I’m proud of that.”

Thompson, in his first year as head coach at Auburn, was similarly excited by the rivalry like his players.

“That’s what I dreamed of, that I’d get to play in that rivalry,” Thompson said. “That’s neat.”

Andrew Mitchell pitched six innings, striking out five and allowing one run, and earned the win for Auburn.

Gordon Cardenas threw three scoreless in-

nings to tack on his second save of the season.

Auburn improved to 12-13 on the season, while Alabama fell to 15-9.

The Capital City Classic does not factor into SEC standings, but Auburn returns to SEC play against No. 15 LSU this weekend at Plainsman Park beginning Friday at 6 p.m. LSU comes into the series having dropped its last two conference series.

Equestrian

SEC Championship W, 11-7 For the first time in the history of the program, the Auburn equestrian team is the champion of the SEC. The No. 1 Tigers clinched the title with a 11-7 win over No. 2 Georgia in Bishop, Georgia, on Saturday in the SEC title round.

The SEC didn’t sponsor the event until 2013, but prior to that Auburn had claimed three Southern Equestrian Championships: once in 2004, another in 2010 and again in 2011.

“Winning the SEC is such an honor that it’s hard to put in words,” said coach Greg Williams. “This team is so good, and I’m so proud of them. We have great senior leadership, and all the underclassmen have really bought into this program. Everyone has done an incredible job, and this is very special.”

Auburn advanced to the title round by defeating South Carolina on Friday, and Georgia reached the final match by topping Texas A&M. The Tigers started out the day with a strong performance in Horsemanship, where senior Griffin Knight keyed a 4-0 Auburn lead by

capturing her 12th win of the season — and the 35th of her career, which set an Auburn record in Horsemanship. Junior Hannah Stephens scored a 152 in the event — the highest score of the day — to bring home Most Outstanding Player honors.

Junior Ashley Foster and Boyle took home wins in Equitation over Fences.

Foster’s 166 points earned her MOP honors, and Boyle’s 174 were enough to notch her team-leading 13th win of the year.

Her efforts in the event were enough for Boyle to be named to the All-SEC Championship Team.

Auburn edged Georgia in Equitation on the Flat as Foster, Boyle and senior Elizabeth Benson each claimed wins, with Benson’s 13th win of the year setting an Auburn singleseason record.

In Reining, senior Allie Dusha and sophomore Alexa Rivard tacked on a pair of wins for the Tigers. Dusha’s victory earned her MOP honors.

Auburn will look to take home some more hardware as the Tigers will compete in the NCEA National Championships in Waco, Texas, April 14–16.

Swimming & Diving

NCAA Championships M: 10th overall Auburn wrapped up the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday, March 26.

The Tigers finished with three top-8 finishes and ranked 10th overall as a team.

Freshman diver Scott Lazeroff finished third on the platform and scored a personal best 436.75 in the finals after qualifying with a score of 399.25 during preliminaries.

Hugo Morris continued his impressive season, earning All-American honors by finishing eighth in the 200 fly, an incredible leap from last year, when Morris finished 35th in the same event.

With his performance today, Morris, became the first Auburn swimmer to reach the finals in an event since 2009.

“It’s always the expectation of the program and coaching staff to have the highest of standards,” Hawke said. “There were some swims out there that we’re super proud of, some school records, some personal bests. At the end of the day, we always want more. I’m proud that we fought back to get into the top 10. There are 20 great programs in the NCAA and any one of them can beat you on any given day. I’m proud of the top 10, and we’ll just keep fighting.”

Compiled by Nathan Deal, Bailey Rogers, Sam Butler and Liz Devita

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN ATHLETICS

The Auburn equestrian team poses with its first ever SEC Championship trophy after defeating No. 2 Georgia, 11-7.The Tigers will compete in the NCEA National Championships in Waco,Texas, on April 14-16.

Intrigue

Thursday, March 31, 2016

11 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

WANI named radio station of the year AWARD

A manda M yles INTRGUE WRITER

The Auburn radio station NewsTalk WANI, which broadcasts on 98.7 FM and 1400 AM, was named radio station of the year for 2015 by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

The award was presented at the annual ABBY Awards banquet in Birmingham on March 19.

NewsTalk WANI also won radio station of the year in 2009.

WANI is only the second station to win the award more than once in the 10 years it has been awarded by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

The station, owned by Auburn Network Inc., was represented at the awards ceremony by owner and President Mike Hubbard and General Sales Manager John Bodiford.

Hubbard — who founded Auburn Network, NewsTalk WANI’s parent company — also serves as the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.

In October 2014, the Auburn Republican was indicted on 23 felony ethics charges.

The charges allege that he used his government office to solicit money, services and contracts for his businesses, including Auburn Network.

Hubbard’s trial is set to begin in May. WANI Station Manager Andy Burcham said he was excited about NewsTalk WANI winning the top award especially since the award was not based off market size.

Burcham said WANI serves the commu-

CONTRIBUTED BY SHARON TINSLEY

Mike Hubbard accepts WANI’s ABBY Award for radio station of the year.

nity through the public affairs programming and the many guests who are brought on “Auburn-Opelika This Morning”.

Some of the guests on the show include Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Opelika Mayor

Gary Fuller and county executives.

Burcham said he believes focusing on local issues sets WANI apart from other radio stations.

“We have all three of the county school

superintendents on our radio station on a monthly basis,” Burcham said. “[Because of this] we really concentrate on the local angle and community service with our radio station. That’s very important to us, and I think it’s reflected in the station of the year award.”

WANI also won numerous awards for small-market radio stations.

“Auburn-Opelika This Morning”, hosted

by Burcham, won Best Morning Talk Show for the eighth time in 10 years.

Other awards include Best Sportscaster, Best Newscast and Best Sports Talk Show.

The sports show, “The Drive”, airs on ESPN 106.7 and is hosted by Bill Cameron, Zac Blackerby and Rich Perkins.

Sharon Tinsley, president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association, said WANI does a great job of providing information to people in the community, which demonstrates its commitment to being an important resource in the area.

“The fact that they do such a great job of providing local news, weather information and entertainment to their community was at the top of the list of the reasons they were chosen station of the year by a panel of judges,” Tinsley said.

Tinsley said WANI goes out of its wayay to make sure that important issues in the area have a forum to be heard to create transparency.

“They work really hard to provide a resource to the people of the area that they can count on every day,” Tinsley said.

CAREER

Nelda Lee reflects on career and first F-15 flight Ben Ruffin

INTRIGUE WRITER

Nelda Lee never set out to receive awards for her work in the engineering and aviation field.

Instead, she was focused on her education and applying such education to her field of work, and along the way she just so happened to land a number of awards and recognitions.

Lee, who grew up on a farm in Aliceville, Alabama, followed her father’s legacy and earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Auburn in 1969.

She then became the second woman to graduate from Auburn with such a degree, according to the engineering website.

After graduation, she began a career with McDonnell Douglas, now part of Boeing, a career that stretched over 45 years to her retirement in 2014.

With a list of accomplishments, such as earning the Boeing Pride Award 13 times and being inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2004, it seems it would be difficult to say one accomplishment is greater than an-

other.

However, that is not the case with Lee. Ask the retired Boeing design and flight-test engineer which accomplishment was the most memorable in her 45-year career in designing some of the most advanced jets in the world and there is no uncertainty.

“I got to grab the stick of an F-15, and under the watchful hand of Boeing test pilot Gary Jennings, a certified instructor, I got to fly the plane,” Lee said.

While a number of other women may have flown in the F-15 Eagle prior to her, Lee said she was certainly the first licensed woman to record flying time in an F-15.

Lee, who serves as inspiration to a new generation of women in aerospace, as she is a part of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s 100 Women Strong, left behind a lifetime of donations to aviation and the F-15 air superiority fighter program.

Beth Celli, Lee’s friend and Boeing F-15 systems engineer, said Lee is an inspiration to her and many others.

“Every time I think of flight tests, I think of her [Lee],” Celli said. “She

just really represents women well, that women are strong communicators and strong with their interactions with people.”

Joining the aerospace workforce and McDonnell Douglas at a time when there were fewer women aerospace engineers in the industry than there are today, Lee didn’t see herself as a trailblazer and was not going to let gender hold her back.

“I came here to work,” Lee said.

“Those guys did the same, so I figured let’s do this together, and I was accepted and that was great.”

While some would buckle under adversity, especially with a large company such as Boeing, Lee said she never considered the statistics when attending Auburn or in the work field upon graduation but merely set out to accomplish her goals as she was taught to do.

“I didn’t pay attention to the statistics,” Lee said. “I grew up in a family where if you wanted to be a truck driver, you could be a truck driver and do whatever you wanted. Therefore, I wanted to be an engineer, so I went to Auburn to be an engineer.”

CONTRIBUTED BY JAMES KILLIAN

Nelda Lee at her induction into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

LIFESTYLE

Easy spring cleaning hacks for adjusting from winter all over your floor.

Anne Dawson INTRIGUE EDITOR

Spring is officially here, and all of the clutter piled from winter is beginning to show itself.

Since we are transitioning from winter to spring, cleaning doesn’t just require tidying up ­— it requires switching to cooler clothes and organizing these clothes so you know where to find them.

Instead of stressing out about the piles of sweaters, boots and scarfs surrounding your floor, let me give you a few simple steps to help you clean up and change seasons in no time.

Step 1: Pick everything up The best way to overwhelm yourself is to walk into your room and find clothes everywhere on the floor. On the other hand, the easiest way to destress yourself is to pick everything up off the floor, and sort through it on the bed. Laying your clothes neatly on the bed so you can look through them piece by piece is way easier and less stressful than having clothes strung out

Step 2: Decide what stays and what goes Since we have now changed seasons, go through each piece of clothing individually and decide if it is winter or spring. If it’s spring, put it to the side to sort through later, and if it’s winter, put it in a bin to store until next winter. If you can’t decide what season it belongs to, see if you could picture yourself wearing it while doing your typical spring activities.

Step 3: Hang or fold Once you’ve decided what is staying for spring and what is going to be put away for next November, you need to determine if each article hangs in the closest or is folded and put in a drawer. Usually, I hang my nicer pieces in my closet and fold my more casual looks to go in my drawers. For example, blouses and dresses will hang, while T-shirts and pants or shorts will go neatly in a drawer. Wherever you decide to put your different types of clothes, make sure you group them correctly — put your shorts in a separate drawer than your pants or skirts, and so on. Also, be sure to separate dresses and shirts in the closet to pre-

EMILY MAY VIA FLICKR

Organizing your closet is a great way to get ready for the new season.

vent confusion.

Step 4: It’s up to you Now that your clothes are separated and put away, you can either leave it because you’re lucky you even made it this far, or if you’re like me, you want to go further in organizing what you’ve just sorted through. To real-

ly reduce stress, try organizing your hanging clothes by type. For example, in my closet I have my dresses to the left, short sleeves in the middle and long sleeves furthest to the right. In my drawers, I have my nice shorts separate from my lounge and active shorts, and same with pants. It may seem petty, but it comes in handy when trying

to decide what to wear based on activity and temperature.

Having a clean closet is the best way to start off the new season feeling fresh and organized, so use these steps to get your closet in good shape.

Anne can be reached at intrigue@ ThePlainsman.com.

Intrigue 12

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 31, 2016

ARTS

Film directors talk about memory loss Marissa Luckie INTRIGUE WRITER

The film “Embers,” deals with an interesting subject: What happens when the whole world, with the exception of two individuals, wake up each morning not knowing who they are, where they are, what they are doing or why they are doing it.

The film shows the aftermath of a global epidemic that effectively wipes out short-term and long-term memory.

Named for being the partially forgotten form of remember (lose the rem-), “Embers” features five different interwoven stories: a pair of lovers who have forgotten each other every morning upon waking, a little boy who wanders around alone trying to find a home, an angry young man trying to survive, a professor working to restore memory and a girl who grows restless in the quarantined bunker she shares with her father.

Each story shows a different side of memory and what its presence or absence means to humanity. Writers Charles Spano and Claire Carré, who also directed and edited the film, screened “Embers” on Thursday, March 24, at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art as part of the Southern Circuit Tour.

Q: When did you know this was the film that you wanted to make? Because I know you said you were writing one before and kind of decided that was not what you wanted to do. So what about this one made it something you know you wanted to pursue?

CC: I think part of it was that because it has the multiple stories, it seemed possible to make the film ourselves because we could start … with shooting part of it and then go from there.

I think that made it more approachable in a certain way. I also think just like it was probably five years since we had written the other script, so I think we both improved as writers and filmmakers during that time. And I think it had been percolating for years, and then it came together.

Q: Was there any character storyline that you liked more than the others?

CC: I liked them all for different reasons. The lover’s story and the bunker story are probably the strongest stories I think. They have the most narrative development, I feel like, and we spent the most time on screen with those characters.

CS: Yeah, and I think those two stories take a journey that the audience members put themselves in the position of the lovers or imagine they are in Miranda’s position … so I think those

CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE CARRÉ

Jason Ritter and Iva Gocheva play two lovers who forget each other each morning.

are the most compelling stories. My favorite is the violent character that we call Chaos. He always elicits very strong responses from the people who watch. I like him the best because of that moment when he is standing on the parking garage, and he is faced with this decision of whether to jump off or whether to keep on going.

CC: One thing I think was interesting was that the first draft of the script didn’t have the bunker story in it. It was just that all the characters in the world were without memory, and then after we wrote that and then read it back, we were like, ‘We need some characters that know what is going on, that aren’t affected, so that they can be a counterpoint to the other stories…’

Q: Just on a personal level, do you think you would be the girl who had to leave or more the one who would want to stay?

CC: I’ve been asked that before, and I really don’t know. I think … while it’s an interesting story to me … it is a real conflict because ... you have to choose between having your past and your memories and everything in your life up until that moment, but really no experiences. She’s just trapped in this bunker with her dad and then her dad is going to die, and she’s just

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going to be alone with her memories versus forgetting her past and all those precious memories ... and having new experiences even though she can’t remember them. So it’s kind of like freedom versus memory a little bit. And I really think it kind of depends on the day for me, because ... I want new experiences, but I want to remember my past experiences … It’s really hard to choose.

CS: I think that Miranda is making a really gutsy decision. She may be making a foolhardy decision also. I’m with her. I think she makes the right decision for her.

CC: What about for you?

CS: I don’t know. It’s hard to think about. It’s hard to answer. Even watching and putting yourself in her position, there are just so many variables ... I think most people would want to leave at the end like Miranda but would actually stay given the situation.

CC: I mean, bunker’s not that bad. It’s pretty nice.

CS: The bunker’s pretty posh.

Q: In the whole process of writing and editing and filming, were there any parts that you liked more than the others?

CS: I don’t know. They were all so hard while

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we were doing them. Writing is fun …Writing is the phase of making a film when it can become anything and your only constraints are your imagination.

CC: I think for me being on the set is the part I like the most and maybe also the least … A lot of logistics of it are really stressful, and everyone is looking to you to have answers. You know you’re the director so there is a lot of pressure on you. But in the moment, on the set looking at my monitor and seeing the actors doing a scene and experiencing it happening for the first time was my favorite moment. It’s really magical … You are in this space with people saying the stuff that you were just like drinking tea and in your pajamas and came up with …

It’s really cool.

CS: It is really exciting to see ideas you thought of, entire people the you invented and moments that you made up come to life before your eyes.

Q: And do you want to make another feature film?

CC: Yes. CS: Yes. CC: It hasn’t turned us off. I feel like there is a big divide between never having made a film and making a film, but the gap between making one film and making a second film doesn’t really seem that hard.

CS: It seems like a much smaller step. But you know, it takes a particular kind of personality and attitude to want to make a film because it can be very hard and spend all your money ... it can be really challenging for something that is less than an hour and a half. But at their best, films can make people think about their lives and ask questions about what is important to them in their lives, and I think that’s a neat thing to be able to ... show a group of people something and have them walk away thinking about like, ‘What’s important to me about memory, and what do I value?’

CC: And who would I be if I didn’t have my past that’s built me up to this point? If that just went away ... is there some core me-ness?

CS: We also hope that people watch this movie and see that even without memory or with a memory that is not functioning well that there is still value to experience that is just happening in a moment. That life has meaning even if you can’t remember it the next day and ... this is a sci-fi movie, but I think that’s something that affects people in their lives.

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