The Auburn Plainsman 07.15.15 issue

NEWS

SPORTS

Page 3 Unmanned aircraft system education program lifts off later this month

Page 5 A look inside 2015 SEC Media Days coverage of season expectations

INTRIGUE

Page 6 Student and graduate perform in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”

INDEX News Opinion Sports Intrigue

1 4 5 6

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID Thursday, July 16, 2015 Vol. 123 Issue 9, 6 Pages

First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

SWIMMING

Swimmers go for gold in PanAm Emily Esleck EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Swim team members Beatriz Travalon and Luis Martinez qualified to compete in the swimming portion of the Pan American Games in Toronto from Tuesday, July 14-Saturday, July 18.

According to the Pan American website, Pan Am is the world’s third largest international multi-sport competition with 41 countries from Latin America, North America, the Caribbean and South America.

Travalon is representing Brazil and Martinez swims for Guatemala.

“I’m really, really excited to be here,” Travalon said. “It’s my first big, international swim meet.”

» See SWIMMERS, 2 CONTRIBUTED BY LUIS MARTINEZ

Top: Martinez swims in a butterfly competition.

CONTRIBUTED BY BEATRIZ TRAVALON

Left: Travalon stands in front of flags of the countries competing. Right: Travalon dives into the water.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Student earns dream internship with Lilly Pulitzer Maria McIlwain NEWS EDITOR

Many girls spend summer months covered in Lilly Pulitzer designs, but Courtney Kennedy, junior in public relations, will be surrounded by Lilly.

Kennedy landed an internship with the company, a “dream come true” for her.

“It was always the internship I wanted,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy is a creative communications intern, and works with social media as part of her duties.

She also works with bloggers. She said she has learned a lot about analytics and fashion.

“How social media is used to promote a brand,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said one of her favorite parts so far was when she was chosen to attend a fashion presentation in New York City.

She said models were wearing pieces from the resort line. “[It was] very glamorous,” Kennedy said.

“Everyone was dressed up, drinking champagne.”

Kennedy said this internship is helping her

realize she is pursuing a career in the right field for her.

“It has taught me a lot more than I can just learn in a classroom,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy applied for the internship in January, and found out in March.

“I got up, [and was] running around my apartment, screaming,” Kennedy said.

Morgan Wood, junior in undeclared science and math and Kennedy’s close friend, has been with her every step of the way.

“We literally would stay up all night and come up with these different ideas,” Wood said. “So I kind of felt like I was there for her.”

Wood said she is happy to see Kennedy achieve her goal of interning with Lilly Pulitzer.

“I’m really happy for her because she worked so hard for it,” Wood said.

Wood said Kennedy’s personality is perfect for an internship at a place such as Lilly Pulitzer.

“She gets really excited about things, like she’s very hyper all the time,” Wood said.

“She would get an idea and just start bounc-

ing off the walls because she’s so excited about it.”

Wood said Kennedy has been a fan of Lilly Pulitzer for as long as they have known each other.

“I don’t think she ever wanted anything else besides Lilly,” Wood said.

Jess Wulkan, who was assistant store manager when Kennedy worked at her local Lilly

» See LILLY, 2

CONTRIBUTED BY COURTNEY KENNEDY

Top: The interns sit at the corporate office.

Bottom: Kennedy has loved her time at Lilly.

News 2

“

The Auburn Plainsman

Swimmers

DUI reports

» From 1

The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from July 7-13: July 7 - Patrick James Riley, 32 South Dean Road, 12:59 a.m.

- Andrew Kristan Morton, 24 E. University Drive, 11:34 p.m.

July 8 - Rudy Lopez Martinez, 38 Opelika Road, 11:05 p.m.

July 9 - Jaesung Park, 30 South Gay Street, 3:06 a.m.

- John Jewel Sumerel IV, 26 Wright Street,11:01 p.m.

July 11 - Ali Mushabbab Alhaydar, 22 Gay Street, 2:49 a.m.

July 12 - Kelsey Morgan Miller, 23 Pepperell Parkway, 2:42 a.m.

- Austin Tyler Fussell, 21 South College Street, 8:08 a.m.

A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman.com.

Other Auburn swimmers in the Games include: Arthur Mendes (Brazil), Breanna Roman (Jamaica), Annie Lazor (USA) and McKenna DeBever (Peru).

Travalon and Martinez did not start competing until Wednesday, July 15 at 9 a.m. for the preliminary competition.

“I [had] the first day to see the meet going on and see how everyone swims without having to swim, actually race,” Travalon said. “I really like not racing the first day.”

Travalon competes in the 100 meter breaststroke, 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay and Martinez swam in the 200 freestyle Wednesday, July 15, and 100 butterfly Thursday, July 16.

Brett Hawke, swimming and diving coach, said the Games are a “huge event.”

“It’s really nice to watch them compete on the international stage,” Hawke said.

“It’s something that we talk about with them when we’re recruiting them. It’s just the best feeling for a coach.”

After Martinez swam his event Wednesday morning, July 15, Hawke said he swam well on an event he doesn’t usually compete in.

“He did great,” Hawke said. “He took three seconds off his best time, one of his off events. He doesn’t usually swim the 200 freestyle, and he dropped three seconds.

(Thursday) he’s got the 100 butterfly, and

Thursday, July 16, 2015

It’s the pinnacle of our sport.

It’s just a small step down from the Olympics that everybody is aiming for next year, but ultimately the kids that come and swim in our program hopefully have dreams and visions of seeing themselves in international competition.”

—Brett Hawke

Swimming and diving coach

I think he’s got a great chance to get up on the podium, and that would be huge for his home country of Guatemala.”

Travalon said she came to Auburn because Brazil’s only Olympic swimming champion also went to Auburn. She also said it was an honor to be recruited by Auburn.

“For us, going to Auburn is a really big deal,” Travalon said. “The day Brett Hawke came talk to me at one of my nationals and he said, ‘Hey, you swim really good. Do you want to come to Auburn?’”

Travalon said in preparing for the

Games, she has matured in her swimming.

“You can’t be nervous,” Travalon said.

“You can’t be underprepared or over prepared. You need to be just on that perfect spot where you swim fast. So that’s what I’ve tried to learn.”

Martinez said it’s strange to be competing against his teammates and said one of his biggest rivals is Mendes.

“It’s the pinnacle of our sport,” coach Hawke said. “It’s just a small step down from the Olympics that everybody is aiming for next year, but ultimately the kids that come and swim in our program in college hopefully have dreams and visions of seeing themselves in international competition.”

Martinez said he has been preparing for the Games all year.

He said he trained Monday-Wednesday for four hours, Tuesday and Thursday for two hours and Saturday mornings for two and a half hours.

Travalon said swimming in Brazil is different than competing in the U.S. and said there isn’t a “family feeling” in Brazil.

“Auburn is not just a team, it’s a family,” Travalon said. “I didn’t know that before I came to Auburn. I learn how to be a family instead of just a teammate.”

Hawke said it isn’t unusual for members of the swim team to qualify for Pan Am. “This is kind of a rite of passage for a lot of the kids,” Hawke said. “It’s just nice to carry on that tradition of excellence and see them compete.”

–Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety

Lilly » From 1

Pulitzer store, said Kennedy has loved Lilly for a long time.

“People grow up loving Lilly, and I think Courtney is one of those girls,” Wulkan said.

Wulkan said she could see Kennedy’s dedication to Lilly early on.

“She has true love for the brand,” Wulkan said.

She said Kennedy also wanted to work for Lilly Pulitzer’s corporate office.

“Even early on in high school, you could see that she wanted to be s bigger part of the picture,” Wulkan said.

Wood said she sees Kennedy developing a love for her internship and her surround-

ings there.

“Every time I talk to her, she’s like, ‘I love Philly,’” Wood said. “And she’s like, ‘I want to live here, and work for Lilly,’ and so, I guess I’m kind of just seeing her grow up and make a big part of her life through this internship.”

Wood said Kennedy’s life is more “on-the-go” with her internship.

She said they text almost every day.

“I’m always like, ‘What kind of elaborate thing did you do today?’” Wood said.

Kennedy said she has enjoyed her time at Lilly Pulitzer.

“It’s been amazing,” Kennedy said. “They don’t treat me like an intern at all. It’s not like ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’”

Contributed by Courtney Kennedy

Kennedy stands in front of Lilly Pulitzer.

Contributed by Luis martinez

Left: The Auburn swimmers stand in front a competition pool in Toronto. Right: Martinez poses with fellow Guatemalan swimmers.

Appel named interim agriculture dean Emily Esleck Editor-in-chief

Arthur Appel, professor of entomology, was named interim dean for the College of Agriculture and director for Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station on Monday, July 6, according to Provost Timothy Boosinger.

Appel succeeded Paul Patterson, who served as acting dean and director for several weeks. Patterson said he has been the associate dean for six years.

The previous dean, William Batchelor, resigned in May, and according to Patterson, Boosinger appointed him to acting dean Monday, May 27.

Patterson said Batchelor’s resignation was sudden and Batchelor stated he stepped

down for personal and family reasons.

Batchelor declined to comment on his reasons behind resigning.

He also said he returned to the faculty Friday, May 22, for a teaching and research position.

The university began a process to search for an interim dean after Batchelor’s resignation.

Patterson served as the acting dean and director while the open search for the interim dean took place.

He also said Appel served as the interim associate dean for research before interim dean, so it gave the college continuity.

Appel said he submitted his résumé to a committee along

with a letter and went through an interview process before being selected as the interim dean.

He said it takes at least six months and sometimes longer to hire a permanent position.

“For faculty positions and for administrative, high-profile administrative positions you want to get the biggest pool of people,” Appel said. “You want to hire the best people in the country.”

According to Appel, the university has policies and rules regarding interim positions and he said he will not be considered for the permanent position.

“In our system people generally in interim positions are serving the university, serving their colleagues and are not eligible,” Appel said.

However, Appel said an interim employee could serve, resign and then re-apply.

“My goals are to keep the progress that we’ve had in the last several years going, and that’s hiring new faculty, encouraging our faculty and staff and students ... and to fine tune some of the processes we have,” Appel said. “It’s very difficult to coordinate everything and try to make it as efficient as possible.”

John Beasley, professor and head of department of crop, soil and environmental sciences, said Appel’s 30-year employment with the university gives him the knowledge and experience to lead the college.

Beasley said he expected the interim period to last one year at minimum..

calendar of events

thursday, july 16 -wednesday, july 22 Thursday

friday

saturday

sunday

The Market at Ag Heritage Park 3-6 P.M.

Art Museum: State of Create 1-2:30 P.M. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art

ArtyPants 10-11:30 A.M.

Bottomless Mimosas at Island Wing Company Noon

Medicinal Plant Garden Tour 5-6:30 P.M.Across from Plant Science Research Center

stART! 12:30-2 P.M. Jule Collins Smith Museum of FIne Art

monday

tuesday

Drink specials Opelika Main downtown Street until 9 Farmers Market Summer Swing Concert Series

wednesday A Little Art Talk Noon-12:30 P.M. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art

Thursday, July 16, 2015

News 3

The Auburn Plainsman

campus

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a ... drone

University to launch unmanned flight program later in July Maria McIlwain news editor

There will soon be something else flying through Auburn’s skies.

Auburn University will begin offering classes in, unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, as early as the end of July, according to Bill Hutto, director of Auburn University Regional Airport.

Hutto said classes will be open to students, faculty and community members and are not for class credit right now. He said certification in unmanned aircraft flight is a desirable skill and will make people more marketable in several job fields.

Hutto said practical applications include construction, where drones can be used to inspect buildings. He also said they could be used in agriculture, where someone can pinpoint delivery of fertilizer or water to be more efficient.

Christian Brodbeck, research engineer in the department of biosystems engineering, is using the drones to research precision agriculture, which is spraying fertilizer or nutrients only where needed.

“Rather than putting a blanket application across the whole field,” Brodbeck said.

Brodbeck said he is using drones with four types of cameras: true colors, or what something looks like from the naked eye, infrared, thermal or multispectral.

“The reason for all these ... we can actually detect plant stress before you can see it from a naked eye,” Brodbeck said.

Brodbeck said a practical application of UAS is using the thermal cameras to detect where there was a lack of water in a field, and then water only where it is needed. He said these drones would be cost-efficient for farmers by being more precise with using nutrients and resources and being able to detect problems early.

“We can really translate this into really po-

tential savings,” Brodbeck said.

Eldon Triggs, lecturer in the department of aerospace engineering, said drones are the next level for aerospace engineering.

“With more and more automation, we can use [drones] where pilots would be too risky of a choice,” Triggs said. “Very, very long duration type flights, hazardous flights ... basically using them as a safe way to get pilots in there.”

Triggs said drones can be used in many military operations and as a way to protect people.

“You’re risking a $200,000 drone, as opposed to a $10 million aircraft as a pilot,” Triggs said.

Triggs said drones can also be used across many disciplines, from law enforcement to public policy. He encouraged anyone who had an idea for a new way to use drones to suggest it.

“It’s very easy to go out and design a drone to go out and do something,” Triggs said. “Whether it’s surveillance, or re-supply, or hobby, whatever it is, it’s really kind of easy to design a drone to do that. But designing what to use it for sometimes can be the more challenging mission, and finding ways to use it.”

Triggs serves as a point of contact between the department of aerospace engineering, and outside entities. He also helps maintain the fleet.

Triggs said students can be involved through the Design, Build, Fly competition, which is held with the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. Students build a drone for a specific purpose.

“That gets the students looking at how to build [drones],” Triggs said. “We’re trying to get them into the mode of not just going out and build something for fun ... but actually to accomplish some series of tasks, some payload that it needs to carry.”

Triggs said drones are becoming widely used.

“We’re at a point right now where it’s really starting to blossom,” Triggs said. “I really see a

contributed by eldon triggs

Above: Students pose with a drone. Below: A drone takes off on a runway.

huge expansion coming.”

Triggs said Auburn is the first university to have Federal Aviation Administration clearances for drone training.

“When you stay in the forefront of this, when you stay in the lead, of course that brings in funding, that brings in new talent, it brings in new students in those areas, because they want to be where the technology and the research is in the lead,” Triggs said.

However, Brodbeck said they are still in the early stages of UAS use.

Hutto said UAS can be used across many disciplines.

“Application of UAS is really limited only by imagination,” Hutto said.

community

alumni

Triathletes sprint through Chewacla in first ever Auburn-based triathlon Maria McIlwain news editor

contributed by whit mitchell

The logo for Move Auburn, which started in 2011.

Company started by alumni grows throughout Southeast

Sommer Henry writer

Two Auburn graduates started “Move Auburn,” while in school, and have Auburn to thank for it.

Whit Mitchell and Will Forbes were just sophomores at Auburn when the idea of Move Auburn started to take shape.

Mitchell, a co-owner of Move Auburn, said he recalls noticing all of the sweaty and unhappy dads moving their child in during their freshman year, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year that he thought to do something about it.

“I knew some sorority girls that needed help with moving, and I had some guys that could do it,” Mitchell said. “About 30 or 40 parents got in touch with us after that saying that they needed help. It was then that I realized how many people actually do need help with moving.”

Forbes, the other co-owner of Move Auburn, gives credit of the initial idea to Mitchell, but said he immediately jumped on board.

“All of our friends needed help moving, so it was a solution to all of our friends’ struggles,” Forbes said.

The company formally started the next year, in 2011.

All of the workers for Move Auburn are students enrolled in the university.

Since 2011, Move Auburn has grown to eight different locations across the Southeast.

“Move Auburn has grown into being an all inclusive mov-

ing and storage provider from the time the students show up on campus to the time that they leave the campus after graduation, and we also can help them with everything in-between, as well as storing things for them,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell also said they aren’t through growing yet.

“Our vision is to continue growing,” Mitchell said. “We want to add schools every year.

We don’t want to just serve the Southeast, we want this to be a nationwide moving and storing service.”

Forbes said the success of the company means a lot.

“This company is our baby,” Forbes said. “It started in our fraternity house, just talking about the idea. It’s neat to see it come to life not only in Auburn, but in all of the other universities we’ve been able to plug into as well.”

Despite the hopes of becoming a nationwide moving service, Mitchell said Auburn is special to him.

“I would be lying if I said Auburn didn’t have a special place in our hearts,” Mitchell said. “We remember where we came from.”

Mitchell and Forbes both encouraged any college students who have ideas to start businesses to get out here and do it.

“If you have an idea for something, don’t be afraid to do it,” Forbes said. “Ask people their opinions, and ask successful people and entrepreneurs for all the advice you can get.”

Running, swimming and biking are all common at Chewacla. However, these sports were combined at the Tri Chewacla Sprint Trathlon on Sunday, July 12, the first triathlon hosted in Auburn.

Participants swam 500 meters, biked 12 miles and ran 3.1 miles in the triathlon, which was hosted by Tri Auburn. Seventy-one people finished the race.

Wes Hargrove came in first place overall, with a time of 58 minutes and 26.04 seconds. Justine Emge was the first-place woman overall with a time of one hour, three minutes and 58 seconds.

“I did real well, it was a fun day,” Hargrove said. “It hurt. Great race though.”

Hargrove said the course was wellmarked with plenty of volunteers. He said his favorite part of triathlons is the run. “[The] run course was very hilly, really tough, but it was a lot of fun,” Hargrove said.

Amanda James, one of the event organizers, said she was happy with the event.

“We’ve had great weather,” James said.

“The swim course was good, we didn’t have any issues. Bike course was beautiful, I think it’s been going really well.”

James said Tri Auburn members travel to compete in triathlons, and they wanted to have a local race.

“We are just a local group of triathletes ourselves, and we travel all over to do these events,” James said. “And we feel like we have a great town and a great area for triathletes, and we just wanted to make that available to people locally and be able to introduce people to the sport.”

James said sponsors are necessary to hold the event. She said sponsors provided everything from prizes to refreshments.

Ryan Kirk placed fourth overall, and was the third male to finish. He and his father, Tim Kirk, traveled from Birmingham, where Ryan is a junior at Mountain Brook High School.

“The swim was fun,” Ryan said. “I’ve never done a wave start before, so it was a lot of fun to go in with a lot of people at the same time.”

Brian Darr is a USA Triathlon referee. His job is to enforce rules such as safe passing, not littering and not riding next to someone. He is also a triathlete, and said he learns from both competing and officiating.

“I get to learn from what other people are doing, some of their mistakes and some of the good things too,” Darr said.

david topper / senior photographer

Above: Participants ran a 5K during the triathlon. Below: Everyone received a medal at the end of the race.

Darr said there were no penalties at the race.

Lauren Smith, associate professor of public relations and associate director of public relations, finished fourth overall.

She is a triathlete and said she wanted to support a local race.

She said she became interested in triathlons “by accident.” “ A couple years ago I picked up a road bike, and thought, ‘This is fun,’” Smith said, “and then I moved on to start doing

aqua bikes, which are swim bikes, then a couple years ago I started doing triathlons.”

Smith said she beat her personal goal, so she was happy with her race.

James said triathlon is a lifelong sport.

“Its a sport that you can take part in your whole life,” James said. “The atmosphere is great, the people you work with in triathlon and that you compete with are great. And we just think it’s a beautiful sport.”

Opinion

4

Thursday, July 16, 2015

ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

our view

Scalping the Auburn Family With the start of Auburn University’s 2015 football season less than two months away, the excitement of one of Auburn’s most beloved traditions is quickly escalating.

In addition to the usual buzz that seems to overwhelm the student body before the start of football season, this year we have a new defensive coordinator, as well as a new video board that is record breaking in size.

However, some students are not looking forward to the 2015 football season as much as others.

The reason for this is at least partly because these students were not able to purchase student tickets, but this is not where the issue lies.

The problem is many students will purchase student tickets, sometimes without any intention to go to the games, and attempt to sell them to others for a much higher price than they originally paid, making a profit off fellow Auburn Family members.

This process has become widespread, particularly for bigger games, such as the Iron Bowl and LSU. Because of this, it is oftentimes difficult, even exhausting, to find a student ticket for a decent price.

Making a profit off selling student football tickets may be economical from a business perspective, but concerning our peers, possible future students and Auburn Family members in general, it is simply not fair.

With regard to students who are guilty of partaking in this activity, what they often fail to realize or show compassion toward, is that they are robbing some students of the opportunity to experience

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Responses to “WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is it fair for students to purchase student football tickets and sell them to make a profit?”

Aaron Nette “The way I see it is the school makes a large profit from student tuition, meal plans, etc.. I believe that students who need the money should be able to sell their tickets to others to help pay for these costs.”

Bret Pippen “Absolutely. I think it’s unfair that students don’t automatically get a complete season ticket book.”

Crisitie Otwell Wiley

Gurden Smith / Contributing Designer

football in the South, at one of the greatest universities in the country.

In many cases, the difference between the original ticket office price and the mark up price may mean being able to afford attending the game or not.

At one point, we considered mentioning ideas concerning the implementation of a point system in which students who attend the highest amount of games should have first priority of student tickets the following year, or possibly even doing away with the option to transfer tickets to another Ignited card.

However, we ultimately feel the ticket office should be involved.

In addition, students should take into consideration Alabama Code Section 4012-167, which states, “Any person offering for sale or selling tickets at a price greater than the original price and who is commonly known as a ticket scalper shall pay a license tax of $100.”

We strongly believe the ticket office should put in place regulatory measures to help resolve this issue. If this still proves to be a problem, maybe the Auburn Police Division should be involved.

“Yes. They are students. They don’t get tickets for free. If company’s are making money , why shouldn’t a student?

Yes, as long as that section is full, on their feet, and screaming, I don’t care who is screaming War Eagle.”

Terry Rozum “Made my book money that way!”

his view

Racism is not inherently Southern Dakota Sumpter PHOTO EDITOR

I wasn’t fortunate enough to have been born in the South, but it has definitely become my home.

Having the opportunity to live in Texas and Alabama, I would like to say I have become a Southerner by choice.

Spending the majority of my 22 years in New England, I frequently heard stories of how racist the South is, and stuck in its bigoted ways.

I have traveled throughout what was once the Confederate States and was able to meet many people from all colors and backgrounds.

Therefore, I cannot accept this as fact.

Racism is not a uniquely Southern thing.

It is a perverse system that permeates all walks of life,

from the poor to the rich.

I can freely admit I know people who are racist, which I’m sure almost everyone can attest to.

But what speaks above racism is the kindness displayed

by Southerners.

There has never been a moment when I have witnessed someone blatantly speaking down or uttering a derogatory slur toward someone of a different color.

While a person may think something that is deemed racist, they don’t say it because of mutual respect for one another.

This respect for others transcends the racism I previously heard so much about.

I am not implying racism doesn’t exist, but I would like to think the good majority of Southerners have left that part of history behind and are looking ahead to a brighter future.

These virtues of respect, kindness and fellowship are more permeable and powerful than racism.

When I saw the news breaking about the Charleston shooting, I began to cry.

What kind of monster would murder innocent people in a house of worship, simply because of the color of their skin?

What I did know was the good people of Charleston, South Carolina and the rest of the South would stand together.

In such a fast-paced world, who has time to hate others because of a different skin color?

If we would like to prove to the rest of the United States we are not racist, then we must continue to embrace this sense of community, and stand together against this evil.

When Judge John J. Harper settled this region, he intended it to be a center of religion, temperance and education.

I firmly believe this idea he had sticks with us today.

Auburn is a center of tolerance, and a place where people from all over the world come to gain a world-class educa-

tion.

I certainly have never once seen open racism displayed in Auburn since I have lived here, although I am sure it occurs.

However, I also choose not to associate with those who are bigoted and close-minded.

What I would like for those not from the South to understand is racism is not particular to one region of the United States.

Maybe we’re sheltered here in Auburn, but I believe we hold ourselves to a higher standard.

We take it seriously to be members of the Auburn Family and hold fast to the sixth line of our creed: “I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.”

Raye May

Lauren Christopher

Maria McIlwain

Allison Phillips

Dakota Sumpter

Ashley Harris

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

opinion

Online

Sports

Photo

design

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 be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Monday for publication.

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.

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.

Matt Weiss “only if every student has a ticket to the game in the first place”

Burt Carter “Well, without student there would be no university, therefore no football, and no football tickets. Think about it.”

Andrew Gannon “of course it’s “fair.”

255 Heisman Drive, Suite 1111, AU Student Center Auburn, AL 36849

multimedia

news

“of course it is. When you purchase a ticket, or any item, it is yours to dispose as you please.”

The Auburn Plainsman

Kris Sims

Elizabeth Tiller

Kris Bradley

Dakota Sumpter is the photo editor for The Plainsman. He can be reached at photo@ThePlainsman.com

The Editorial Board Emily Esleck

Responses to “WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is it fair for students to purchase student football tickets and sell them to make a profit?”

Newsroom - (334) 844-9108

Editor-in-Chief - Emily Esleck

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Managing Editor - Raye May

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SPORTS

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Editor - Lauren Christopher Reporter - Emily Shoffit Reporter - Evan McCullers

Editor - Ashley Harris

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Sports

5

Thursday, July 16, 2015 ThePlainsman.com

Sports

football

Tigers take their turn at SEC Media Days Malzahn talks Jeremy Johnson, the Iron Bowl and the new video board

Emily Shoffit Sports Reporter

built around the quarterback’s strengths.

Quarterback, defense and transfers aren’t the only things new for the Tigers this season.

The addition of the largest video board in collegiate football to JordanHare Stadium will be “something else” for Auburn.

“It will do nothing but help our atmosphere, which is already off the charts,”

The Tigers arrived at the 2015 SEC Media Days in unrivaled style.

Coach Gus Malzahn was accompanied in Hoover by senior cornerback Jonathan Jones, senior linebacker Kris Frost and junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson.

Malzahn expressed his excitement about the 2015 Tigers, and said the team’s theme this year is “Count on me.”

“What that is, is just our players to be able to count on each other on and off the field,” Malzahn said. “They’ve done a very good job of that so far. Also our coaches to be able to count on our player, players to be able to count on our coaches.”

Auburn lost several players to the NFL draft at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Roc Thomas and Peyton Barber are expected to step up in the backfield in place of big names such as Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne.

Xavier Dempson and Ole Miss transfer Austin Golson are currently battling for the center position, which Malzahn has often referred to as the secondmost important position on the team.

“We ask a lot of our center,” Malzahn said. “We play fast. He’s got to make calls. He’s got to ID fonts and everything that goes with it.”

Johnson and the Auburn offense were a hot topic, specifically how the offense is geared toward the quarterback position.

“The offensive philosophy and foundation will remain the same as every year,” Malzahn said. “But the offense will be Gus Malzahn addresses the media at the SEC Media Days in Hoover.

Malzahn said.

“I know our players are going to enjoy it. Me, as a coach, there will be times I’ll look at the scoreboard either on a replay or during a certain play, especially if the ball’s in the middle. It will take me a little getting used to, but I’m really looking forward to having it.”

Following the 2010 championship season, Alabama coach Nick Saban posted the sign “never again” throughout the Alabama complex following the Iron

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Johnson ready to take reins Lauren Christopher Sports Editor

One of the largest question marks for Auburn’s 2015 season is still stamped on the Tigers’ offense.

Key players Sammie Coates, Cameron Artis-Payne and, of course, play-maker Nick Marshall have left the scene, so the pressure is high to fill their shoes.

According to coach Gus Malzahn, Jeremy Johnson has the quarterback position in the bag.

“I’m very excited about Jeremy,” Malzahn said. “Even in high school … he ran a similar offense. The fact is this will be his third year in our system, even though he’s the backup, he got a lot of reps with (Duke Williams, Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray) in practice. I feel very good about where he’s at. His coaches and his teammates have a lot of confidence in him, and he’s earned that.”

As far as taking the back seat goes, Malzahn said Johnson’s patience showed.

“I really appreciate the way that he responded to not being the starter the last couple of years, when he could of started for the majority of the teams,” Malzahn said. “The way he’s responded is something special.”

Currently at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Johnson said he’s ready to take the starting role.

“I’ve been in the system for three years now,” Johnson said. “Even when I wasn’t playing, I was competing as a starter. My time is here now and I’m blessed. I’ve been preparing for a start since I got to Auburn, so I felt like a starter, but I wasn’t playing, and now that my time is here I can release everything that I had inside me while I was sitting out those

two years.”

Malzahn compared the plan for this season’s offense to 2013, emphasizing a small change, but a stronger implementation of throwing the football.

“We’re going to have the same offensive philosophy and the foundation every year,” Malzahn said. “But we are going to build the offense around the quarterback’s strengths.

Jeremy has the ability. He can flat out throw it.

He can make every throw that you ask him to do, but he’s a better runner than people think, so he will allow us to call all of our offense.”

Johnson said he is confident in his offense’s ability to move the football.

“I have a lot of confidence,” Johnson said.

“We probably have the best wide receiver in the country right now (Williams), but not only him, we’ve got Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray. That’s three seniors, and then we’ve got Marcus Davis, a junior that’s been playing since he was a freshman. I’ve just got a lot of weapons around me, and like I said, those guys are going to make a lot of plays for me this year, so I feel very, very good about it.”

As far as the running back position goes, the favorite has been Roc Thomas, but Malzahn hasn’t officially named a starter.

“Of course, Roc has done an outstanding job,” Malzahn said. “The other two guys that we have, Peyton Barber and our junior college transfer that came in (Jovon Robinson), we think all three will have a chance to be very successful in our offense … We always like to have that one workhouse guy, but we have a habit of using multiple tailbacks. Hopefully, we’ll figure out who that workhouse guy is earlier rather than later.”

dakota sumpter / photo editor

Jeremy Johnson is interviewed by the press at SEC Media Days 2015 in Hoover.

“

We’re really just focused on playing better defense.”

—gus malzahn

football coach

Bowl loss.

Malzahn said revenge isn’t a part of the equation after the 2014 loss in Tuscaloosa.

“We’re really just focused on playing better defense,” Malzahn said. “We’re playing at home this year, and I like our chances.”

SEC West teams have won the conference title six seasons in a row.

Malzahn spoke on playing in the West and the journey the Tigers make every season.

“In my opinion, the West is the toughest conference in football,” Malzahn said. “It’s a man’s league. There’s no off weeks. Everybody asks about the SEC and all that, and the thing that really stands out to me is the grind. If you’re not in it, you don’t understand it. So the grind every week, week in and week out, and then you win the West, and you’ve got to play the champion of the East, and then you get into the four-team playoff. It’s just a matter of surviving the grind,” Malzahn said.

The Tigers will take on Bobby Petrino and the Louisville Cardinals in Atlanta on Saturday, Sept. 5.

“I know that they’re a top 25 team,” Malzahn said. “We’re going to have to play extremely well to have a chance to win that game.”

dakota sumpter / photo editor

Jonathan Jones sits for media interviews.

Muschamp brings effort and energy to defense Evan McCullers Sports Reporter

Auburn’s representatives at SEC Media Days spent a great amount of time discussing the defense fans will see on the field this fall.

Two senior defensive players, linebacker Kris Frost and cornerback Jonathan Jones, joined Gus Malzahn at SEC Media Days to discuss the defense, which is under the direction of new coordinator Will Muschamp.

Malzahn said Muschamp’s energy and approach has rejuvenated an Auburn defense that surrendered just under 400 yards per game in 2014. “(Muschamp) just has that presence around him that he gives all the coaches confidence,” Malzahn said. “He gives the players confidence.

And he’s got the it factor. So we’re very blessed to combine his defense with an offense that we’ve been running.”

Malzahn also said it has been valuable to have a former SEC head coach on staff.

“I’ve already used him at times to get his advice on some things and [he] really helps me, being a young head coach in this league,” Malzahn said. “He’s a true professional. That’s what really excites me. And he’s a lot of fun to be around.”

Frost decided to come back to school for his senior

season, and said Muschamp’s hiring was a huge factor.

“I was excited to have the opportunity to play for Coach Muschamp, anybody would,” Frost said. “I love what he brings to the table as far as the credentials he has. I feel like that was a major decision to come back. A lot of things played into it, and I definitely feel like I made the right decision.”

Jones said Muschamp brings energy to the defense every day, which motivates the players to be their best in return.

“Effort, that’s the biggest thing Coach Muschamp wants from us,” Jones said.

“He is going to expect that at every practice and every day, so he definitely brings effort and energy.”

Frost agreed with Jones when it comes to Muschamp’s energy.

“Really, it is the intensity that we bring each and every day,” Frost said. “It’s a different atmosphere at practice.”

Malzahn said the main problem last year was the inability to have a consistent pass rush, as the Tigers ranked 11th in the SEC with 21 sacks in 2014.

“It starts with the pass rush,” Malzahn said. “We didn’t have a pass rush. We had to take some chances. We put some [defensive

backs] on some islands.”

Jones said Muschamp has focused on pass coverage one year after Auburn finished with the third-worst pass defense in the league.

“Coach (Muschamp) has taught me to just be patient,” Jones said. “A lot of guys will panic when a deep ball is in the air, and the guys that don’t panic are the ones who make the plays.”

Frost said everyone is excited about the defense’s potential this year.

“We are all excited,” Frost said. “We feel like we have a new breath of life in us. Everything is so positive. I have never seen it so positive before, with everything circling around the team.”

Frost said the primary motivation for the defense is to match the level of offensive production from the past few seasons.

“Us as a defense, we know what we have to accomplish,” Frost said. “We know how much we have to step up to the plate and make a difference … We trust Coach Muschamp. We know that we have an opportunity to be a premier defense, and we are ready to do that.”

The Auburn defense will have its first opportunity to showcase its improvements Sept. 5, when the Tigers open the 2015 season in the Georgia Dome against Louisville.

Intrigue

6

Thursday, July 16, 2015 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

entertainment

Aumb under the sea

Auburn University Marching Band member shares his experience working in theater

photo contributed by alabama shakespeare festival

Emily Esleck Editor-In-Chief

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” debuted Friday, July 10, and will run until Sunday, Aug. 2, at the state theater in Montgomery.

Jacob Redden, sophomore in chemical engineering, plays percussion in the orchestra for “The Little Mermaid” production, and is a member of the Auburn University Marching Band.

“It’s a lot of different instruments that I have to cover,” Redden said.

Andi Martin, sales and marketing coordinator for ASF, said she knows Redden through her husband, Andy Martin, who worked with Redden’s drumline at Trinity Presbyterian High School.

Andy offered Redden the job with ASF. Redden works as a paid substitute in the orchestra, and said he plays some of the performances, but not all of them.

He said he started taking percussion lessons with Adam Blackstock, associate professor of percussion studies at Troy University.

Redden said Blackstock and Douglas Rosener, associate professor of music at Auburn, taught him almost everything he knows.

Redden and the orchestra started preparing two weeks ago for the show with three two-hour rehearsals before a one-week break followed by 4:30-9 p.m. sessions every night.

“It’s been very different than anything I’ve ever done before,” Redden said.

The run time for the show is two and a half hours, and according to Andi, ASF has been researching and planning for the performance since fall 2014.

The actors in the production are professional actors, including Ariel, who was an understudy on Broadway before performing for ASF. ASF is the only theater producing “The Little Mermaid” in the Southeastern region, according to Andi.

“You really forget you’re just watching people on a stage because they really transcend what’s going on in front of you,” Andi said. “Your mind will just ... it’s crazy to me how [the actors] have transformed floor and ceiling to sea and sky.”

There are 150 workers moving sets and props, including Prince Eric’s “massive” ship, which is 30 feet tall and 21 feet long, according to Andi.

She also said nine pounds of glitter and more than 35 gallons of paint went into building the set for the performance.

Marco Santiago, male ensemble member, graduated from Auburn with a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in theater performance in 2001.

Santiago, who has been acting for more than 15 years, said he grew up going on field trips to the ASF theater and auditioned for the festival in New York.

“It’s an emotional journey, so it’s not just light, yes, it’ll make you laugh,” Santiago said. “I saw people crying in the audience. It just made my jaw drop. When it’s done correctly and there’s emotional connection, emotional investment, it’s a great journey.”

He said he plays a chef, yellow fish, sailor and is an under-

study to King Triton.

“They have me running around and dancing and singing, throwing girls here, catching them,” Santiago said.

Santiago said he felt the first performance went “amazingly well.”

“It was actually a blast,” Santiago said. “The audience was on fire, they were very receptive, they were with us all the way.”

Before the opening show, Redden said he was excited, but nervous for the first performance.

“It’s very challenging music, and playing in a production like this is something that I’ve never done before,” Redden said.

Redden said he doesn’t interact much with the actors, but watches them perform. “[Watching the actors perform] has been really inspiring,” Redden said. “It’s very different than just doing something with just band players or an orchestra ... when you have to add singing and choreography and music all in the same thing. It’s been very interesting and a learning experience for me.”

Redden said he would work in a theater production again after his time working on “The Little Mermaid.”

“It’s been a lot of fun, just working with everybody and playing the shows is a lot of fun,” Redden said.

According to Redden, the show could open up another week and run until Aug. 8.

Upcoming shows are Thursday, July 16, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and the full schedule can be found at tickets.asf.net.

outreach

Auburn Youth Programs cook up culinary love Sommer Henry writer

Auburn Youth Programs started a new culinary camp hosted by chef Sydney of Atlanta and Auburn senior executive chef Emil Topel from July 5-10.

Ken Porter, camp manager of the Auburn Youth Programs, started out as a camp counselor in 2010.

Porter said 20 different camps were offered in the summer when he started, and, as of 2015, more than 65 camps are offered.

He said he has seen tremendous progress in his six summers working with Auburn Programs.

Porter commended Jeff Dyal, current camp director, and James Birdsong, former camp director, on their ability to expand the camps over the past few years and said Auburn University offers many different types of camps.

“They range anywhere from vet camps to aviation camps, to building construction

camps, forestry camps, cyber security camps, creative writing camps, dance and cheer camps, plus many more,” Porter said.

However, the new culinary camp, called Chef Tech Academy, has had a lot of success.

Lesley Hill, sophomore in interior design and counselor for Chef Tech Academy, said she loved the new camp.

“After doing two entire summers worth of a variety of camps, Chef Tech Academy is my absolute favorite,” Hill said. “The campers are here for six days but learn very important practical skills. They get to take home the knowledge they’ve gained about cooking and use it in their daily lives.”

Porter said the campers made a variety of things such as pizza, tacos, Asian cuisine, stuffed pork loin, Italian sautéed vegetables and gluten-free foods such as wraps and more.

Despite all the food, Hill said the determination of the campers was her favorite part.

“My favorite part of the camp was watching

Contributed by Ken porter

Chef Tech Academy camp counselors helped the campers learn culinary skills.

all of the campers reach past their limits,” Hill said. “A lot of times cooking is considered a woman’s job, but watching all of the boys take charge in the kitchen made me happy.”

Porter said the feedback from the camp was

also great.

“The kids and their parents loved it,” Porter said. “We want to continue to do this every summer and make it every week of the summer.”

opinion

10 foreign films to watch on Netflix 1. Amélie Rating: R Origin: French Genre: romance/comedy 2. Flu Rating: R Origin: Korean Genre: disaster/drama 3. Schlussmacher Rating: NR Origin: German Genre: romance/comedy

Compiled by Raye May, managing editor

4. Blue is the Warmest Color Rating: NC-17 Origin: French Genre: romance/drama

6. The Bicycle Thief Rating: NR Origin: Italian Genre: drama

5. Let the Right One In Rating: R Origin: Swedish Genre: horror/drama/romance

7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Rating: PG-13 Origin: Chinese (Mandarin) Genre: action/drama

8. Oldboy Rating: R Origin: Korean Genre: thriller/drama/mystery 9. Like Water for Chocolate Rating: R Origin: Spanish Genre: romance/drama 10. City of God Rating: R Origin: Brazilian (Portugese) Genre: drama