The Auburn Plainsman 07.23.15 issue

News

sports

intrigue index News Opinion Sports Intrigue

Page 3 New pub comes to downtown Auburn

Page 5 Global golfers get Auburn experience

1 4 5 6

Page 6 Jiu jitsu more than a martial art

The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

Thursday, July 23, 2015 Vol. 123, Issue 10, 6 Pages

Football

Never forgotten: ‘Lutzie Field’ to be dedicated Emily Esleck Editor-in-chief

Lassiter High School and the community have been planning the installation and dedication of Lutzie Field, a new turf football field, for about one year.

Work began June 29, one year after former Auburn football player Philip Lutzenkirchen passed away.

The Lutzie 43 Foundation was formed shortly after Lutzenkirchen’s death because of a desire to create a legacy to Philip and honoring that legacy in the Lassiter community, according to Bob Penter, Lutzie 43 Foundation board member.

Penter said his oldest son, Brian Penter, was

» See Lutzie, 2

Raye May / managing editor

Philip Lutzenkirchen’s jersey on display at his memorial July 2, 2014.

Golf

community

PGA TOUR provides positive economic impact Maria McIlwain news editor

The Barbasol Championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika brought many people to the Plains, despite scorching heat.

Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. said there were a lot of people in town the weeks leading up to the tournament, with players and caddies coming the week of the tournament.

“Restaurants and hotels were the biggest beneficiaries,” Ham said.

Ham said the estimated impact of the tournament was $25 million, but it is too soon to have an exact number.

John Wild, president of the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, said they will have exact numbers in approximately one week.

“We are eagerly awaiting to see that looks like,” Wild said.

Former Tigers’ men’s golfer

Blayne Barber made it the furthest in the Championship, but failed to run down the leaders in the final round on Sunday, July 19.

Despite his loss, Barber said he enjoyed the contingent of Auburn fans who came out to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National last week.

“The amount of people that came out and watched every day was just awesome,” Barber said. “[I’m] very thankful for everyone that came out, a lot of ‘War Eagle’ and saying ‘good shot.’”

According to Barber, the support he received from local fans was the key to his success.

“It was great,” Barber said.

“Such a great week to be at home and play in front of so many people that I love and friends and family and local

dakota sumpter / photo editor

Krispy Kreme is coming to Auburn by the end of the year.

[Doughnut] you want Krispy Kreme?

Maria McIlwain News editor

» See pGA, 2

dakota sumpter / photo editor

Former Auburn golfer Blayne Barber tees off on hole 10 during the Pro-Am event at the Barbasol championship.

Auburn students and residents don’t have to drive to Columbus, Georgia, or Montgomery for Krispy Kreme anymore.

The City Council approved a commercial development agreement so the owners of Auburn Mall can redevelop the former Sears building and front corner of the mall.

The Krispy Kreme will be at the front corner of the mall.

Phillip Dunlap, economic development director for the city of Auburn, said there has been a lot of positive buzz surrounding the doughnut shop.

“All you have to do is read Face-

book, everybody seems to be excited about it,” Dunlap said. “It is a very popular chain, and so people have wanted to see that come for a while, and they were able to put it together and out in front of the mall. It’s a good thing. It will draw patrons to the mall.”

Dunlap said it should be open in a few months.

“I think they’ll start fairly quickly, should be open before the end of the year,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap said a Walmart is also going to be built in that area. He said developers were not prepared to release other things being built there.

He said this is another positive step in redeveloping the mall area.

News 2

The Auburn Plainsman

Lutzie

DUI reports

» From 1

The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from July 14-20: July 16 - Rodriquez Lamar Collins, 30 Shug Jordan Parkway at Wire Road, 1: 04 a.m.

July 17 - Dicie Holland Webb, 30 South College Street, 2:59 a.m.

- Manuel Alejandro Valasquez, 28 Webster Road at McMillan Street,10:51 p.m.

July 19 - Gregory Clark Mitchell, 27 Webster Road, 1 a.m.

- Antwuan Vantriece Brackin, 25 South College Street,1:51 a.m.

July 20 - Jason Randall Stanley, 34 Interstate 85 North at Wrights Mill Road, 1:25 a.m.

- Hermitano Perez Ambrocio, 42 Bond Avenue at Overwood Court, 5:29 p.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

PGA

» From 1 support. It normally seems like when you play in front of a bunch of support that you play well. Maybe it’s a comfort level.

It can add pressure, for sure, but I think it just allowed me to enjoy the week.”

Wild said there was a huge impact, especially for the time of year.

“We definitely saw a huge impact compared to a typical July,” Wild said.

Wild said spouses and families of players enjoyed the area, while the players concentrated on the tournament. He said he believed Acre restaurant, specifically, benefitted.

The tourism bureau helped various people affiliated with the tournament find hotels for the tournament. They stayed at hotels across the area.

“Not everyone stayed at major franchises ... it really spread

best friends with Lutzenkirchen since he was 6 and was his roommate in Montgomery when he died.

“Philip was like a fifth son to me,” Bob said. “I have four boys ... Auburn is very close to our community and my family itself. It’s been a very unique relationship between the local community here and Auburn, certainly going back to the memorial last year and the role that Auburn played in that. Hopefully it will continue to be a integrated role on a more positive note as we move forward with the broader mission of the foundation.”

He said the board started thinking about resurfacing the field and dedicating the field to Lutzenkirchen in August 2014.

However, he said the foundation took on its own mission of character development and helping kids make good decisions by rewarding them with scholarships.

Penter said the field project is separate from the foundation’s donations, and funds for the field were gathered by individual donors and seven or eight booster groups.

He said Lutzie Field is a $350,000 project.

Sports Turf, a turf manufacturer and installer, provided a discount for the work they are doing to replace the field, according to Penter.

He said the unanimous vote from the

Cobb County school board approved the project Thursday, June 25, after working through challenges.

Penter said the approval was delayed two to four weeks, but they hope to have most of the project completed by the end of next week.

“It’s gone pretty smoothly,” Penter said. “Thankfully we’ve had good weather, which is one of the biggest worries, given the restricted time frame to do it.

They’ve been right on time with the progress.”

The field will be dedicated Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m.

Chris Richie, principal of Lassiter High School, said Friday night football games are always exciting, but the addition of the Lutzie Field will provide a tighter bond in the community.

“It’s more than just a field, it’s really about bringing the community together and the character education and development of all the student athletes in the East Cobb area,” Richie said.

He said he doesn’t expect the installation work or dedication to hinder school activities.

The hash marks on the 13th yard line, Lutzenkirchen’s high school number, and the 43rd yard line, his college number, will be outlined on the new field.

“That’d obviously be for purposes of reminding people about what’s behind it,” Penter said. “Really, the purpose of it is to do something in the community that was necessary. The high school needed a new

“

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Philip was like a fifth son to me. I have four boys.... Auburn is very close to our community and my family itself.”

—Bob Penter

lutzie 43 board member

field. And (Lutzie Field) provided a tangible reminder of the whole foundation and its mission. I think the community’s response to that has been tremendous.”

The rendering shows a Lutzie Field logo between the 20 and 30 yard lines on each side of the field.

Jep Irwin, Lassiter High School football coach, said he was not Lutzenkirchen’s football coach while he was at Lassiter, but said he left a tremendous legacy in how he lived.

“I think the Lutzie Foundation’s mission to help youth is right on point with the kind of life that Philip tried to live and lead,” Irwin said. “We’re really excited about it.”

The Lutzie 43 Foundation is partnering with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the first annual Lutzie 43 Road Race The race will begin at 8 a.m. at Lutzie Field on Aug. 15. .

Race fees of $35 will go to the Lutzie 43 Foundation and FCA East Cobb.

business throughout the area,” Wild said.

Bill Lang, director of public relations at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Resort Collection, said the Championship provided a way for locals to watch professional athletes from all over the world compete.

The athletes also got to experience Auburn. “[The tournament] showcased things specific to the area,” Lang said.

According to Ham, the Barbasol Championship will be on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail for the next four years. “[Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and I] are very hopeful that we’ll be successful in getting it all four years,” Ham said.

Lang said Grand National was designed for PGA TOUR events.

He said he would be surprised if there was not another one there.

Evan McCullers contributed to this report.

Contributed by bob penter dakota sumpter / photo editor

Athletic Director Jay Jacobs follows through a swing. at the Pro-Am event.

Top: A rendering of the finished Lutzie Field can be seen.

Bottom: A closer version of the field logos in between the 20 and 30 yard line,

thursday, july 23 -wednesday, july 29 Thursday The Market at Ag Heritage Park 3-6 p.m.

friday Indie/folk band Humming House performing with Andrew Combs, B.B. Palmer & Kudzu in concert The Railyard, Opelika 7-10:30 p.m.

saturday

sunday

monday

tuesday

wednesday

Science on Saturdays Kreher Preserve & Nature Center 10 a.m.

Bottomless Mimosas at Island Wing Company Noon

Live from New York screening Carmike Cinemas Tiger 13 Opelika 7 p.m.

Opelika Main Street Farmers Market

American Heart Association training course - Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers Fairfield Inn & Suites Conference Center 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Red Clay Beer Run Opelika 6 p.m.

Summer Swing Concert Series

Thursday, July 23, 2015

News 3

The Auburn Plainsman

campus

Professor speaks about Harper Lee

community

Rachael Taylor writer

On Monday, June 20, Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus at Auburn and good friend of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee spoke at the Auburn Public Library.

During his talk, he spoke about Lee and talked in detail about her newest novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” which came out July 14.

According to USA Today’s website, the book was No. 1 on Amazon and broke the record for first-day adult trade fiction sales at Barnes and Noble.

Lee is notoriously private, according to Flynt.

“Since she won’t tell her own story, and since she allows me to tell it,” Flynt said.

There were more than 240 people at Flynt’s talk, though the library expected approximately 100. While the library director was surprised at the turnout, Flynt was not.

“Everywhere I have gone for the last few months to speak publicly about this, the curiosity is just overwhelming, and she’s such a famously private person that what they want is somebody who knows her,” Flynt said.

Flynt said he met Lee years ago at an Auburn University history and heritage festival in Eufaula.

“She agreed to come down because her sister asked her to speak at our conference, and the way she hated to speak, it was one of the great gifts of love she ever gave her sister,” Flynt said.

Flynt’s son was celebrating his 14th birthday that day, and Lee signed his copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “[It] thrilled him to death, and I thought, ‘What a generous thing to do,’ people were throwing [books] around her, she went aside and signed his book,” Flynt said.

Flynt has visited her more than 100 times since 2007.

“She is famously private,” Flynt said.

maria mcilwain / news editor

Construction on the new TownePlace Suites started one month ago.

David topper / senior photographer

More than 240 peole attended Flynt’s lecture.

“She is not shy, she is not introverted, she is not a recluse, all words used about her, she is private, and I just think a person has a right to be private.”

While Lee is removed from the public eye, Flynt said she is aware of the success of “Go Set a Watchman.”

“She is sort of like she was with ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ because when they published 5,000 copies she said, ‘Who’s gonna buy 5,000 copies?’” Flynt said.

Lee’s lawyer and Flynt bring Lee most of her news.

“We were with her Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, she was delighted ... You got to remember that she is totally isolated, she’s got two security guards who won’t let people in or out unless they are on a list ... So she is pretty much protected from the public altogether,” Flynt said.

Flynt has read “To Kill a Mockingbird”

nine or 10 times, and “Go Set a Watchman” twice.

“The fun of reading (“To Kill a Mockingbird”) over and over again is, depending upon what stage of life you’re at, it’s a totally different book,” Flynt said. “I read it as a race book, and I never read it as a race book again after 1964, it’s a book about family, it’s a book about history, it’s a book about tolerance … and so the theme actually transcends race altogether, so what we made it in the 1960s is not what it’s about.”

He said he believes “To Kill a Mockingbird” has had a profound effect on people and history.

“She transformed more lives by writing ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ than probably the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ... She really made it possible for us to move much more quickly on race than would have been possible,” Flynt said.

New hotel on South College Maria McIlwain news editor

People visiting Auburn will soon have a new place to stay.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott, designed for people staying for a long time, is being built on South College Street near South Donahue Drive.

Art Bright, project manager, said construction started approximately one month ago.

“It will probably be as nice a property there is in Auburn,” Bright said.

Forrest Cotten, director of planning for the city of Auburn, said there will also be retail and restaurant spaces.

“It’s a significant development when you take all that into account,” Cotten said.

Cotten said he thinks the reasoning for the location is because of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine campus. He said people will be traveling to work there.

He said it would not affect people living at nearby apartments because there will be a buffer between the properties.

Cotten said there wouldn’t be traffic issues because there will be access points on South College Street and South Donahue Drive.

“I think they will be able to distribute traffic fairly efficiently,” Cotten said.

construction

Cater Hall exterior renovations and updates underway Rachael Taylor writer

With the start of the new school year, there will be big changes to Cater Hall.

The campus landmark, which turns 100 years old this year, began a twophase renovation process in June, according to Martha Koontz, communications and marketing specialist for Facilities Management.

She said the first phase of the building renovation is to repair the foundation and siding on the building.

Phase two will occur in the summer of 2016. Phase two will focus on the interior of the building.

“I think the milestone … is a lot of the reason why we are doing this maintenance,” said Sarah Smith, campus architect.

Smith said some of the changes currently being done to the building include replacing the aluminum siding with cementitious siding, installing installation and water proofing, replacing windows, fixing the trim on the porches and adding two accessible ramps.

The cementitious siding will help the building last longer.

The aluminum that was on the building was covering up the original wood siding, according to Smith.

While not all of the details on the interior renovation have been figured out, Smith said some of the changes will include replacing the flooring

and interior maintenance changes.

The construction will be wrapping up as students are returning to campus, so the construction is not supposed to impact students. Smith said by the time classes start again, they plan to be working on detailing and landscaping.

The first phase of the renovation

is scheduled to be completed in late September.

“We’re all excited that the renovations are occurring,” said Melissa Baumann, assistant provost for undergraduate studies and director of the Honors College.

Her office is currently in Cater Hall. Baumann said she will have to

dakota sumpter / photo editor

Left: The original wood siding is exposed. Right: Phase one of Cater Hall renovations is expected to be done in September.

move out of her office when the interior process begins in 2016.

She said there have been talks of renovations for the past couple of years.

According to Baumann, the project is a renovation, not a restoration. She said she hopes when the project is finished the building will reflect what it originally looked like.

lifestyle

New pub featuring burgers and beer coming to downtown Auburn Maria McIlwain news editor

There’s going to be a new kid on the block.

David Esposito, the current owner of Pizza Schmizza, is opening Drafthouse, a pub featuring more than 40 beers on tap, as well as burgers, fries, sandwiches and oysters.

He said he also plans to offer brunch on Sundays.

Esposito said Drafthouse will take half of what used to be Zazu Gastropub and will span into the old Southern Trails property on Magnolia Avenue.

Southern Trails moved next door.

Esposito said he will feature creations such as a doughnut burger and a chorizo burger.

“We’re going to have a very unique set of burgers,” Esposito said.

Esposito said he wants the food to

be affordable and high quality. He said there will be an extensive menu.

“I want it to be a pub atmosphere that delivers good food,” Esposito said. “That’s what we want to be known as. Great beer selection, but great food.”

Esposito said he also wanted a variety of entertainment at the pub. He suggested a comedy night as a possibility.

“We just want to be different than everybody else,” Esposito said.

Esposito said his local restaurant will have more freedom to create dishes than a chain.

“You’re going to taste the heart and soul that we put into our food,” Esposito said.

The atmosphere will be rustic and modern with “a touch” of industrial flair, according to Esposito.

Esposito said safety will also be a

priority at Drafthouse.

“We’re going to leave overdrinking at the door,” Esposito said.

Mark McClurg, manager of Little Italy, said he does not see Drafthouse as direct competition with Little Italy.

He said it was good to fill the vacant locations downtown between Magnolia Avenue and Gay Street.

“I think anything that comes to this end of the block is a good thing,” McClurg said.

David Adams, graduate student in public policy, said he was excited to hear a new pub is opening downtown.

He said he used to hang out at the Alehouse before it became The Hound.

“I will [go to the pub] as long as the beer is good,” Adams said.

Esposito said he did not want to

maria mcilwain / news editor

Drafthouse will be on Magnolia Avenue partially in the old Zazu location.

release an official opening day because he wanted to give his staff adequate time to train.

Esposito said he will close Pizza Schmizza after the lease on the prop-

erty is up next year.

However, he said pizza will be on the Drafthouse menu.

“We’re looking forward to just new adventure,” Esposito said.

Opinion

4

Thursday, July 23, 2015

ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

our view

Lack of gun control may hurt our citizens An unfortunate fact is people commit heinous crimes. For those who are clearly guilty, is it not uncommon for one to claim their actions were because of mental health issues.

James Holmes, who killed 12 people and injured 70 more in a Colorado movie theater in 2012, plead not guilty because of insanity, but was still found guilty last week.

In addition, Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez killed five and injured two others in a shooting last Thursday, July 16, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Friends and family members have already mentioned he suffered from depression.

Many people, Holmes possibly included, claim to have mental health problems in hopes of being found not guilty or attempting to obtain a lighter sentence.

In situations such as these, we strongly believe these people should stand up and take responsibility for their actions.

However, many people who harm others do have mental health issues, and have little or no problem obtaining a firearm to do so.

We cannot help but to believe this could easily be prevented.

A background check is required by most places before one may purchase a gun, unless

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Responses to “Racism is not inherently southern” Matt Diaz “Is someone actually painting Auburn as a magical post-racial utopia right now? Just because someone doesn’t happen to notice racism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Gurden Smith / Contributing Designer

he or she is buying from an individual. There are too many loopholes in this system and not enough regulations. While it would not account for stolen firearms, we believe some sort of psychiatric evaluation or similar method should be implemented in addition to background checks.

Background checks can only account for so much and will not necessarily recognize any sort of recent mental instability, unless one has a criminal record because of it or has seen a psychiatrist.

By requiring one to be evaluated by a mental health professional after requesting to purchase a firearm, we believe there would be a greater likelihood of recognizing the most recent mental health issues most accurately.

While guns can be dangerous, we do not think obtaining one should be made illegal, since they are also used for recreational purposes.

Mental health is where the issue lies, and to help prevent lives being lost or injuries, we must recognize this and strengthen our gun control laws.

Samantha Nicole Lee “Are we talking about the same Auburn that still has a building named after George Wallace...?”

“Seriously though, I totally agree that racism is not unique to the South by any means. But just because a white person has never personally seen racism here doesn’t mean POC don’t experience it. Actually, I think it’d be really awesome if the Plainsman would do a piece interviewing POC and asking about their experiences with racism in Auburn. People who aren’t as familiar with it could definitely learn something”

her view

To date or not to date, that is the question Lauren christopher sports editor

For most of my life, I’ve heard college is a time to go crazy before the real world begins.

This doesn’t just mean drinking. Boys are always in the picture.

When I moved from sunny Jacksonville, Florida, to Auburn, Alabama, I had a boyfriend at the time who I’d been with since my junior year of high school.

We had a good time together, but when I finally got settled in and started to meet new people, I knew a long distance relationship wasn’t in the cards for me, and we eventually ended it.

Thus began my single life after two years, and I threw myself into partying and living it up with the rest of my single friends.

This was a different stage for me, and it took me a while to meet someone new who I was

interested in and felt comfortable with.

In being on both sides of the situation, I will have to say that first, there is nothing wrong with being in a serious relationship in college.

Having someone there for you whenever you need them to give you a pat on the back or talk to if you’ve had a bad day is something I cherish in mine.

I never have to worry about finding a date to a social or a formal, and I’m guaranteed a good time no matter what. Plus we get to celebrate all of the gushy holidays together, which girls dream of doing once in their lives.

I know you can do most of these things with your best friends, but it’s just not the same.

With this being said, I will also say that there is nothing wrong with not having a significant other in college. Although the single life isn’t for me, the benefits of being on your own can be positively overwhelming.

For most people, it’s a time for self-growth, and finding out who you are and what you’re interested in. For others, it’s spending every ounce of time and energy into exploring what makes you happy on your own. College is the

perfect time for this, and if you don’t end up with an engagement ring on your finger right after graduation, that is perfectly OK. The good news is this great divide between being in a relationship or not doesn’t have to be so black and white.

It is possible to experience the advantages of both, but it all comes down to balance.

If you’re in a relationship, make sure to set aside time for your friends, so they don’t feel you’ve devoted your life to your significant other.

They’ll be the ones you need when you have that big, inevitable fight, waiting with ice cream and advice.

On the other end, if you aren’t in a relationship and want to be, don’t be afraid to ask that classmate you’ve been crushing on to hang out, or don’t reject everyone that comes your way.

Even if you think it won’t work out, give them a chance. You never know where one date will take you.

Lauren Christopher is sports editor of The Plainsman. She can be reached at sports@ThePlainsman.com

Responses to “WHAT DO YOU THINK? What are your thoughts on the process of obtaining a gun, especially in the wake of recent shootings?”

Daniel Mote “we need to make sure that local, state, and federal agencies are sharing data in order to keep the NICS system operational.”

JB “Gun-free zones attract gunmen. If those servicemen had been armed, things would have turned out differently.”

Response to “Krispy Kreme coming to Auburn” Macy Finck “Dear 180 lb. self: Nice knowing ya.”

John Mayhall “I’ve never seen a Plainsman article tweeted so much. This will be.. Interesting! Late night study spot!”

her view

There is more to volunteering than just boosting your résumé elizabeth tiller online editor

Volunteering is an extracurricular activity many college students feel required to do to be competitive candidates for their professional schools or jobs after Auburn.

I have volunteering experience with many different groups at Auburn, and I have learned a lot from my experiences.

Volunteering is work. It teaches you about time management and interacting with people from all walks of life.

Some volunteering is mundane work such as filing. Though it can be boring, it is imperative to help keep nonprofits running.

Volunteering also teaches patience and accountability. These are invaluable skills you don’t always learn in class.

The volunteer program which has most impacted me is Project Uplift.

It pairs you up with an underprivileged child from the Auburn community.

After you go through the training program, you schedule a time to meet with your child’s family.

Once you have met the family and decided on a day that works for all of you, you pick up your little brother or sister and hang out with them for three

hours per week.

It is your job to be their mentor and friend.

My little brother, Vincent, has been one of the biggest blessings I have received at Auburn. When I first started hanging out with Vincent, he had just turned 7.

I was so intimidated to meet his family, but as soon as I walked in, he was sprinting around in a Spiderman costume, telling me how excited he was.

It seemed like a lot of responsibility to be a big sister to someone I had just met, but I am better because of it.

Being a sister to Vincent has been so much fun.

We love to run around the Auburn

Kris Sims

Elizabeth Tiller

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.

Elizabeth Tiller is online editor of The Plainsman. She can be reached at online@ThePlainsman.com

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

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news

Volunteering with Project Uplift has taught me all of the qualities I have mentioned above, but more importantly, I have gained a family member.

Vincent has met my family, and loves my brother almost more than me.

I will never forget when he asked me to come eat lunch with him at school for grandparents’ day. I asked him if I was allowed to come, and he said, “Yes, all of my family is invited.”

I would urge everyone at Auburn to volunteer not just for the résumé boost, but for the life experience.

The Auburn Plainsman

The Editorial Board Emily Esleck

parks or kick the soccer ball at the intermural fields.

I help him with his homework and try to emphasize that if he works hard in school he can be whatever he wants when he grows up.

Though our time together is mostly laughs, there have been some hard conversations as well.

For example, he told me he was bullied at school, and he has had to deal with the loss of a family member.

I try to help him work through his problems and let him know I am always here for him.

I like to think I have taught Vincent a lot, but he has taught me more than I could ever teach him.

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Sports

5

Thursday, July 23, 2015 ThePlainsman.com

Sports

golf

Barbasol Championship goes global Golfers from around the world stop in for the Auburn experience Evan McCullers SPORTS REPORTER

While three players on the field at the Barbasol Championship were former or current Auburn players, there were many other golfers on the field who had never experienced Auburn, or even Alabama, before the event.

The tournament drew at least one golfer from every continent except Antarctica, and the majority of the international golfers were playing at Grand National for the first time.

The reviews of the course and the Auburn-Opelika area were nothing but positive.

Englishman Brian Davis said this was his first time playing in Alabama.

“I had heard nice things about the university, but actually being there now and driving around it, it’s pretty awesome,” Davis said.

The on-site Marriott Hotel and Convention Center was fully booked by the time Davis made reservations, so tournament officials recommended the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center in downtown Auburn.

“I was a bit worried because I thought, ‘Oh my God, it might be a dorm,’” Davis said. “I might be in with a bunch of other people with communal showers and all that at a college. But no, it’s an amazing hotel. I love it there, very nice.”

Australian Aaron Baddeley experi-

enced, literally, his first taste of the Auburn area during the tournament. Baddeley said he was shocked at how much Southerners love barbecue.

“I’ve been to Alabama before, but this is my first time in the Auburn area,” Baddeley said. “I went down to Auburn because everyone said it is a cool little town. Last night, we ate at Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que, and it was really good.

It was packed. I was surprised how busy it was with it being the summer and a weeknight.”

Carlos Ortiz of Mexico also experienced the Auburn area for the first time.

“It’s really nice,” Ortiz said. “I went around campus (on Wednesday), all around Auburn. This area is fantastic.

You have the lakes and trees, and other than it being really hot, it’s really pretty. All of the old buildings give it a different style.”

Several golfers said they were impressed by the size of Jordan-Hare Stadium on the Auburn campus.

Richard Sterne of South Africa said he was surprised by how large the stadium is.

“I went past that stadium,” Sterne said. “That thing looks pretty big, no doubt about that.”

Baddeley also commented on the stadium’s size.

“We drove past the football stadium because I wanted to see how big that

was,” Baddeley said. “It was very impressive.”

There was unanimous high praise for the state of the golf course among the players.

“It’s a fun golf course,” Davis said.

“Great practice facilities, and obviously the hospitality down here is great.”

Baddeley said he enjoyed his time on the course Thursday, July 16, as he posted a 2-under par 69 for the day.

“The condition of [the course] is unbelievable, it’s perfect,” Baddeley said.

“The greens have got some slopes in them, but that’s like a (Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail) trademark.”

Ortiz said the lake makes the course at Grand National a fun one to play. “[The course] is amazing, in great shape,” Ortiz said. “The views are spectacular because you have pretty much every hole looking back toward the lake, and that makes it a really scenic golf course.”

The experiences of the international golfers visiting the Auburn area for the first time have been memorable, and many said they would like to return to the event again in the future.

“It’s lovely,” Davis said. “It’s not normal America. You’ve got your chain stuff, but they try to keep it not as commercialized as most of America, keep it more local. It’s just a really beautiful place.”

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Top: Aaron Baddeley, a golfer of Australia, tees off on the final round of the Championship.

Bottom: International players at the Barbasol Championship included (left to right) Brian Davis of England, Richard Sterne of South Africa, Carlos Ortiz of Mexico and Andres Romero of Argentina.

Tigers In Action

david topper / senior photographer

Fomer Auburn golfer Blayne Barber lines up a putt during the Barbasol Championship at Grand National. Barber finished the tournament with the highest score of the Tigers at 12-under for a total of 272.

DAKOTA SUMPTER / PHOTO EDITOR

Left: Auburn sophomore Ben Schlottman finished the tournament at 2-under for a total of 144. This tournament was his first PGA TOUR appearance.

Right: Former Tiger Patton Kizzire tees off to start day one of the Championship. Kizzire missed the cut after he went even par Thursday.

Intrigue

6

Thursday, July 23, 2015 ThePlainsman.com

app of the week

Intrigue

community

Jiu jitsu brings grappling to Glenn Emily Esleck Editor-In-Chief

The MXO app is new to Auburn University’s campus.

Dating app caters to college students Sommer Henry Writer

MXO Interests is a new social network only for college students.

MXO Interests was started by Joy Kearney, co-founder and chief marketing officer, and E. West, the co-founder, CEO and entrepreneur.

This social network is exclusively for college students, and to make sure of that, the sign up process requires the user to have a campus email address.

Kearney said the app is a way for college students to meet each other.

“This app is a social network that allows students to meet others with similar interests or wanting similar things,” Kearney said. “The app will group students by how they answer the simplistic algorithm.”

West said MXO Interests version 1.0 launched July 3, but 1.1 will launch in August.

Kearney said the reason for the 1.1 version is because of feedback they received.

They will be changing and deleting some questions, along with making the signup process faster and easier.

West said this is a nationwide app.

“You can become friends

with other students from anywhere in the country just by changing your location,” West said. “No GPS needed.”

Kearney said this app is great because it eliminates the bombarding of messages from people someone may not want messages from.

Once a student receives a message from another, the student cannot receive another message from that person until he or she messages them back.

Kearney said she also feels this app is a good thing because it helps people meet others.

“Meeting someone new is a great thing to me,” Kearney said. “The more people you meet, the more you learn.

Sometimes, in college, you stay in your group of friends, but why not step out and meet someone else, as a romantic interest or just friends.”

The app is designed to help someone find a person to do a sports activity with, grab dinner with, go on a date or group date and more.

Kearney also said she and West aren’t doing any big advertisement schemes.

“We are planting small grassroots marketing, allowing the word to spread organically,” Kearney said.

To the average person, jiu jitsu might not ring any bells, but for Auburn Mixed Martial Arts and Auburn Jiu Jitsu owners, jiu jitsu is more than a martial art.

Randall Phillips said he has been practicing jiu jitsu for 31 years, starting in Brazil when he was 14.

Phillips said he studied for three years at the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in Brazil.

He moved to the United States when he was 17.

“Jiu Jitsu is mainly a self-defense that is based on leverage and technique,” Phillips said. “It helps a smaller opponent defeat a larger opponent.”

Phillips said he has been teaching jiu jitsu in Auburn for 25 years, and said most of jiu jitsu is ground work, or grappling.

“I fell in love with it from day one,” Phillips said. “I love the physical aspect of it, but also it’s like a chess game.”

According to Phillips, jiu jitsu is a realistic and proven martial art.

“It was proven when the first UFC came about,” Phillips said. “Folks realized that jiu jitsu was kind of like the real deal for self-defense. It was really the UFC and MMA which made jiu jitsu well-known.”

He also said real fighting isn’t like what’s on TV. “Folks always think of a real fight kind of like what you see in Hollywood, kind of like what you see in a Jackie Chan movie, and that’s just not reality,” Phillips said.

There are five levels in jiu jitsu: white, blue, purple, brown and black.

Phillips said it takes an average of 1012 years to achieve a black belt.

He also said grapples always start with a bow on and off the mat to show mutual respect.

Chad Morgan, another owner, said football player Montravius Adams came to the gym and was amazed.

“He could not do anything,” Morgan said. “He bench presses 500 pounds, now, granted he did push me up in the air, but when I came down, I was like, ‘OK, I have to take his arms out of the question.’”

Morgan said he taught self-defense classes with the university two years ago and works at Auburn now as an electrician in Facilities Management.

He also said Brazilian jiu jitsu will be introduced in the 2016 Olympics, since Brazil will be hosting.

Phillips and Andy Roberts, a third owner, are both black belts. Roberts has been practicing jiu jitsu for 10 years.

“An old famous guy had it in an inter-

“

kris sims / multimedia editor

Instructor Andy Roberts flips Scott Jennings, another instructor, at Auburn Jiu Jitsu.

Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations is the single most important thing for finding success in life.”

-Andy Roberts.

jiu jitsu instructor

view, he said, ‘There’s no bulls***ting in jiu jitsu,’ because no matter what you say, what you talk about, what you might think in your head, when you go out there and you slap hands, and you grapple, the truth comes out,” Roberts said.

He said jiu jitsu teaches more than selfdefense.

“It’s everything,” Roberts said. “Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations is the single most important thing for finding success in life. Overcoming adversity and dealing with struggles, that alone is huge.”

Phillips said jiu jitsu helps people with flexibility, strength and conditioning, and said it is a full body workout.

“Jiu jitsu is highly addictive,” Phillips said. “It’s not about fighting, it’s really

about loving the art. If you love something, you want to share it with others.”

Phillips also said jiu jitsu isn’t violent.

Instead of punching and kicking someone, a person practicing jiu jitsu can just get them on the ground and pin them.

“It’s a release of aggression in a healthy way,” Phillips said. “You never intentionally want to hurt somebody.”

Roberts said he enjoys using jiu jitsu to teach character development in kids, and said jiu jitsu provides camaraderie among opponents.

“Would you not rather say, ‘Man, my child is a hard-working, honest, good person,’ than to say, ‘My kid is a really tough fighter,’” Roberts said. “They’re lightyears apart.”

Auburn MMA placed first in Atlanta against 76 other teams this Spring in the North American Grappling Association Southeast Regional competition in jiu jitsu. The NAGA U.S. Nationals will be Saturday, July 25, in Orange Beach.

Roberts said they are taking 10 competitors.

“We’ve been training our butts off,” Roberts said.

campus

J oe & J ane R andom Maddy Bonifay

Stephen wiley

Junior Chemical Engineering

Junior Chemical Engineering If you had to sum up Auburn in one word, what would you say?

“One word? Oh, God. Friendly.”

What is your dream job?

“I guess be an enviornmental engineer.”

Are there any interesting, weird stories that have happened to you since you’ve been here?

“I, one time, fell down the physics auditorium. I got a call in the middle of class from the company I was co-oping with and so like, I walked out into the hall to answer the question and by the time I got off the phone class had ended and I tripped coming in on the stairs and fell down the full physics auditorium.

What is your favorite food?

“Spaghetti.”

Where are you from?

“Huntsville,Alabama.”

Are y’all dating?

“No.” -Bonifay “Join the line of people asking that question.” -Wiley Compiled by Emily Esleck, editor-in-chief

Are there any interesting, weird stories that have happened to you since you’ve been here?

“It was raining really hard, and a car was driving by on Donahue and splashed me on a puddle like a cartoon. I was walking back to my car, which is better than walking to class.”

What is your favorite food?

“Seafood.”

Have you ever been out of the counrty?

“Guatemala, for a mission trip.We built houses and had medical clinics and things like that for people.”

Are you guys best friends?

“Yes.” -Bonifay “We have, like, every class together basically.” -Wiley “Well, we are best friends, geez.” -Bonifay