The Auburn Plainsman 06.04.15 issue

Page 1

Recap of 2014-2015 baseball season, page 5

The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid

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

Thursday, June 4, 2015 Vol. 123, Issue 3, 8 Pages

campus

softball

SGA President to D.C.

Contributed by Walker Byrd

Campus student leaders gather in front of the Eisenhower Office Building.

NCLC holds summit for leaders

Legendary

Emily Esleck Editor-in-Chief

Adam Sparks / Photographer

Kasey Cooper runs to meet her teammates at home plate after hitting a 3-run home run. Dakota Sumpter / Photo Editor

Kimberlee Myers takes a selfie with Aubie.

Softball returns from first trip to WCWS Lauren Christopher Sports Editor

Following a 10th-inning, one-run win over UCLA Saturday night, May 30, the Tigers cut their season’s lifeline in the Women’s College World Series, losing to Florida, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon, May 31. Florida is currently ranked No. 1 in the series and is led by the 2015 National Player of the Year, Lauren Haeger. “I think I’ve got to tip my hat to her,” freshman catcher Carlee Wallace said. “She pitched a great game. I’d say that she is one of the hardest throwers that we’ve seen this year. I think she did a really good job of mixing speeds and hitting her spots.” The Gators also took the series trophy last year, beating Alabama 6-3 in the second game of the three-game series. Regardless of this loss, this “team of firsts” has made it a season to remember, claiming two All-Americans in Kasey Cooper and Emily Carosone on top of finishing in fifth for the most executed double plays (42) on defense, and ranking within the top 10 since March, eventually

These kids were picked to finish eighth in our conference, and yet they were one of four remaining teams in the College World Series.That says a lot about character ... It was a lot of fun. And we wil be back.” —clint myers

Softball Coach

climbing to No. 4 for the first time in program history. Not to mention this Auburn team is the first to ever make an appearance in the WCWS. But like all good things, the Tigers’ season had to come to an end. However this isn’t the end for the Tigers. In fact, they’re just getting started. In the post-Florida game press conference, coach Clint Myers made it clear the team is far from finished. “I’d like to say how very proud I am to be the coach at Auburn University,” Myers said. “These kids were picked to finish eighth in our conference, and yet they

were one of four remaining teams in the College World Series. That says a lot about character. It says a lot about drive, competitiveness. It was a lot of fun. And we will be back.” Myers is more than familiar when it comes to winning a WCWS, as he has two championship titles on his résumé during his career at Arizona State to prove it. “Our plan is now an expectation as it is with Florida and the other top schools that are here every year, to be at the College World Series each and every year, having a chance to play for that national championship,” Myers said. “And these girls

» See legendary, Page 2

The National Campus Leadership Council (NCLC) holds a presidential leadership summit for incoming and outgoing college student body presidents every year in May or June. This year, the conference began Saturday night, May 31, and ended Monday afternoon, June 1, in Washington, D.C. NCLC serves as a place for student leaders to confront national issues facing young students today, according to their website. SGA President Walker Byrd received an invitation from Andy MacCracken, executive director of NCLC, to participate in this year’s conference. MacCracken co-founded NCLC three and a half years ago. Byrd sent his application, along with 900 other student body presidents across the nation. However, only 120 schools, including Auburn, were given the opportunity to attend the conference representing more than $1.5 million students, according to Byrd. A welcome reception kicked off the weekend Saturday night followed by a day filled with programs and speakers who led discussions on campus issues. Some of these issues were creating inclusive communities, college to career transi-

tions and environmental sustainability. “It was pretty interesting to see that they were pretty similar across the nation,” Byrd said. This is the first time in a couple years Auburn has attended the conference, according to Byrd, who also said they discussed the need to keep college affordable for the average student with tuition increasing and state appropriations decreasing. Byrd met MacCracken when he travelled to D.C. for the confernece this past weekend. MacCracken said he was “definitely looking forward to working with [Byrd] this year.” He also said the conference offered an afternoon of skillsbased workshops which included sessions on project planning, fundraising, media training and speech writing. “I jumped in and I helped run a handful of those sessions,” MacCracken said. The student leaders gathered at the Eisenhower Office Building on White House grounds Monday to meet policy makers and people in the Obama administration. The Obama administration and several nonprofit organizations spearheaded a movement called It’s On Us a nation-wide sexual assault awareness campaign. The Auburn SGA passed the

» See SGA, Page 2

national

Student’s siblings on board Amtrak trains surrounding crash Emily Esleck Editor-in-Chief

Amtrak train 188 derailed Tuesday night, May 12, at 9:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time in Philadelphia, killing eight passengers and sending more than 200 others to area hospitals, according to an accident report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday, June 2. In the report, the NTSB noted “no anomalies” have been found in the investigation of train braking systems, signals and track geometry. Christopher A. Hart, chairman of the NTSB, delivered his testimony in Washington, D.C. highlighting the importance of positive train control (PTC), a safety issue included in their Most Wanted List of Transpor-

tation Safety Improvements for 2015. Positive train control is a system of functional requirements for monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety, according to Hart’s testimony. Hart concluded positive train control would have prevented the May 12 accident. “We run a safe railroad, and safety will continue to be our top priority,” Amtrak Chairman Joseph Boardman said in a press release. The northbound train departed from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station headed for New York’s Penn Station, according to a detailed report on NTSB’s website. Liz Willis, senior in communication with a minor in busi-

ness, had family members traveling to New York on the Amtrak trains before and after the 188 train that derailed. James Willis, 26, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, boarded an Amtrak train at 8 p.m. to visit his father who works for Ralph Lauren in Manhattan. James arrived in New York at 2 p.m. the next day. His brother, Hodges, and older sister, Rebecca, boarded a different Amtrak train in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 12 at 8 p.m., according to James. Hodges said they were supposed to meet James in New York. The train Hodges boarded was two hours behind the Amtrak train 188 that derailed in Philadelphia, according to James.

News

Raye May / Managing Editor

“I was actually supposed to go meet them at the train station, and I got a phone call from my mom telling me what had happened, and I had forgotten about it, and I showed up at

the train station, and there were FBI agents and military guys and police everywhere,” James said. “And the CNN guy was standing there, and I was like ‘What happened?’ I blanked

intrigue

Page 3 Former cheerleader creates Scarlet and Gold company

out for a second, it didn’t seem real. He told me what happened and I said, ‘Oh my God.’” James said they tried to call

» See amtrak, Page 2

index

Page 7 Student make hobby out of skydiving

News

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Opinon

4

Sports

5

Intrigue

7


, 2016 dminisagainst lement h Feinator of

News 2

The Auburn Plainsman

SGa

DUI reports

» From Page 1

- Justin Lamar Newton, 47 North Ross Street, 1:40 a.m.

The Auburn SGA passed the It’s On Us Sexual Assault Prevention resolution April 20th at their weekly meeting. Sexual assault policy was discussed at the conference in addition to mental health and how to get the rid of the stigma attached to it, according to Byrd. “I feel really good about where stand with a lot of the information that I’ve learned … so I definitely feel like I am more knowledgeable on all of these topics and have a better idea on how to attack some of them,” Byrd said. Byrd said he has gained a network of student body presidents who he can lean on for support. “If I have any questions about anything

May 30 - Brock Lorenz Pugh, 40 Moore’s Mill Road, 3:02 a.m.

Amtrak

The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division from May 27-June1: May 27 - Elliott Bryan Morris, 21 South College Street, 8:14 p.m. - Abby Michelle Allen, 22 East Glenn Avenue, 1:48 p.m. May 28 - Rachel Elizabeth Davis, 22 East Glenn Avenue, 3:27 a.m.

» From Page 1

- Stephen Russell Withee, 28 Greenwood Drive, 1:28 a.m. May 31 - Maurice Tucker, 51 Bragg Avenue, 1:35 a.m. A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman. com. –Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety

Hodges, but didn’t get an answer. According to Hodges, it was his first time on Amtrak. He said he was in the back of the train car playing cards around midnight when heard people saying a crash had happened. Hodges said they went to bed and that’s when James was trying to call. “We woke up in the morning, and they kicked us off in D.C.,” Hodges said. “And that’s it, so we hopped into a bus, and going the rest of the way, and we found out everything from the news.” Hodges finally got in touch with James

Thursday, June 4, 2015

or run through any hurdles, somebody else probably had to fight that same battle and had to deal with that same issue, so that I can rely on them and talk to them, just for help or for guidance,” Byrd said. Bradley Smith, SGA adviser, discussed attending the conference with Byrd and decided it was important Auburn was represented. “First, it was an opportunity to enhance our political affairs involvement,” Smith said. “Second, it would not look good for Auburn to be the only of our peer institutions not attending. So I registered Walker for the conference and we booked a flight for him.” MacCracken said the conference created a coalition of students that could work on these issues without boundaries. “I think if you look at the issues that our

I was like ‘What happened?’ I blanked out for a second, it didn’t seem real. He told me what happened and I said, ‘Oh my God.’ ” —James Willis and the rest of his family to let them know Rebecca and him were OK. “We were like, ‘Yeah, we’re fine, there’s nothin’ wrong with our train,’” Hodges said. He also said he felt everyone else was

generation is facing right now, we’re up against some really difficult challenges,” MacCracken said. “You know, we know that too many students on campus don’t feel safe. We obviously know the statistics around campus sexual assault. We know that too many students don’t get help for any sort of mental illness or any hard times they’re going through and suicide’s the second leading cause of death among college students, so we’re discussing these really difficult issues, and I think the most important thing is that, as we’re going into these discussions, that we’re able to connect the student leaders who can really help shape, not only what’s happening on their own campuses, but what’s happening on campuses around the country, so we can lean on each other and really start to drive the change we need to see on all these issues.” more worried about the situation than he was in the moment. “It’s terrible what happened, but at the same time, God definitely had his hand on my family by splitting them up on their way to New York, and you know, for whatever reason, they decided to take separate trains, and it happened to be the one right in the middle that had the accident,” Liz said. Hodges said the Willis family has not received a statement from Amtrak regarding the crash. They were given a number to call to get their money back, but have not heard back. The damage estimated by Amtrak in excess of $9.2 million, according to the report.

Legendary » From Page 1

at Jane B. Moore Field, the staff has emphasized Auburn needed prepare for the series from day one, because this team was going no matter what. “I mean, the moment he said that [we we’re going to the WCWS this year], I believed in him,” senior right fielder Branndi Melero said. “And I’m beyond blessed that he allowed me to stay on this field and to keep me on the team, to have this opportunity. He said he was going to bring us to the Women’s College World Series, and he did. So I couldn’t be happier, and I thank him very much for all that he’s done.” As Myers said before the team’s departure Monday, May 25, the girls would have to adjust to the setting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team’s week was characterized by what seemed like nonstop game play, including a day that lasted more than nine hours on the field. Extra-inning play turned two-hour games into four, something that the Tigers have become familiar with. “I don’t really feel like any of us got fatigued, per se,” starting pitcher Lexi Davis said. “Maybe towards the end where I got pulled out the last inning, I think maybe my arm was getting a little tight. But we played our hearts out no matter what. And I think fatigue or not, it was more a matter of character and how we wanted to go forward with it.” Melero said this kind of schedule is something that comes with the game. It’s a package deal. “It’s softball,” Melero said. “You’re going to play with cuts, bruises, breaks, you just have to go out there and continue to play. Yeah, right now I’ll be honest that my body is hurting a lot, but you’re not going to show that. Coach just stresses [to] play different than how you feel, and I feel like we did exactly that. Now that it’s done, you’ll probably hear a lot of girls tell you how tired they are. But before that, you’re not going to hear that from us.” Myers said he is proud of how his

Dakota Sumpter / Photo Editor

TOP: Morgan Estell is the first player to step onto Jane B. Moore Field as the team returns. BOTTOM LEFT: Christian Myers, Clint’s 6-year-old grandson, rides atop Haley Fagan’s shoulder. BOTTOM RIGHT: Sydne Waldrop signs a ball for fans Joey and Ellen Brooks of Auburn.

team toughed it out, even after such a demanding week of play. “I mean, I don’t think you saw anybody dog it anywhere on either team,” Myers said. “That was great competition. It was a hell of a game for only two runs being scored on both sides. True competitors don’t get tired, not until it’s over. So I’m very proud of their performance. I’m very proud of their dedication, and, again, now is the time we have to rest.”

Although coming home defeated, the Tigers are nothing but appreciative of the opportunity to make it this far with such a solid fan base behind them. “We came in with nobody really expecting us to do anything, and I think that kind of propelled us to want to prove people wrong and we knew, with the coaching and the talent we had, we knew within ourselves that we could do it,” Davis said. “And I think

that’s what we went out and did. That’s a testament to how hard we worked, how great of coaches we have. And it’s one that we’ll never forget.” Melero made her last statement with a touch of Auburn flair. “Ever to conquer, never to yield,” Melero said. “It’s in our fight song. That’s how I am going to end this year.” The Tigers returned home to the McWhorter Center and Jane B. Moore

Field on Monday afternoon, June 1, to open arms and warm welcomes from one proud Auburn Family. “It takes a while to establish your own identity,” Myers said. “The identity we have currently is a lot different than the identity that we had three years ago as far as a softball program. Because they’re sitting in the room, our legacy needs to be that of what Florida is now. And we’re moving towards that.”

calendar of events

thursday, june 4 -wednesday, june 10

Thursday

friday

Summer Ecology First Fridays Downtown Camp Opelika 8 a.m. Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

saturday

sunday

monday

Science on Saturdays Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

Service Industry night at Balcony Bar 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Korean Cooking Workshop Spidle Hall,Auburn University

Jack Sterns at The War Eagle Supper Club 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Summer Ecology Camp: Hunger Games 8 a.m. Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

tuesday Trivia at Locos Grill & Pub 8:30 p.m. 10 p.m.

wednesday Vintage musician jam at Spicer’s Music from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.


News

3

Thursday, June 4, 2015

ThePlainsman.com

Safety

News

alumni

From cheering the orange and blue on to printing in Scarlet and Gold

Former Auburn cheerleader’s uplifting company produces merchandise with an positive message Sommer Henry writer

contributed by auburn university

The decal for the campaign features both children and pets.

Campaign seeks to save human and animal lives Maria McIlwain news editor

It was an average day for Hollie Lee, lab technician in the College of Veterinary medicine, when she saw it. Lee said she was in the parking lot of a local business when she saw a dog in the backseat of a car in heat distress. She called the police and waited for them to arrive. However, she wondered what would happen if others didn’t know what to do in that situation. Lee teamed up with Sharron Barney, cardio research technician in the College of Veterniary Medicine, to launch the Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children and pets in cars. Barney said leaving pets in the car is an issue, but the campaign is especially concerned with leaving kids in the car. Lee said large amounts of saliva and heavy panting are indicators of heat distress, but leaving animals in a closed car is never acceptable. Barney said leaving children and pets in cars is a “life and death” issue. “We just want to help somebody that doesn’t have a voice,” Barney said. “We don’t want to see any more headlines about children being left in cars.” Lee said it takes 10 minutes for the temperature of a car to change 20 degrees, and cracking the windows does not change the temperature inside the car. Lee and Barney said they originally wanted decals that would change colors in different temperatures, but that was not in their budget. “I think we were trying to figure out a way to get the most attention and to get the word

out as quickly and effectively as we could,” Lee said. Barney said a car decal was the natural way to spread awareness because they are dealing with people and animals being left in cars. Lee said the campaign was sponsored by the Staff Council and funded by the Concessions Board, which allocates money to improve life for faculty, staff students and the community at Auburn, according to its website. Barney said the campaign is a “collective effort” to spread the message. She said the Office of Outreach helped design the decal and flyers. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones has supported the campaign. He said people should pay attention to their children and pets. “It’s all about awareness,” Jones said. Jones said this issue is especially dangerous in the South, because of the heat and humidity. “Just don’t subject anyone to that kind of circumstance,” Jones said. Lee and Barney said local incidents have helped them see the need for awareness. “If we can change the fate of one animal or one child, it’s completely worth it,” Lee said. Barney said the four things to do if someone sees an unattended child or animal in a car is to call the police, get the car’s information, notify the near business to try to find the car owners and stay with the vehicle until help arrives. Decals can be found at the Auburn University Bookstore and the Auburn and Opelika Chambers of Commerce. Donation checks to print more decals can be made out to and mailed to the Auburn University Foundation, with “Staff Council educational campaigns” in the memo line.

Megan Dixon Smalley, former Auburn cheerleader and alumni, said she had always wanted an online print shop, but had no idea what it would look like. During Smalley’s time as a cheerleader, she started taking pictures and learning about graphic design, along with her public relations major. Smalley launched her company, Scarlet & Gold, on Sept. 1, 2013. However, four short months after the launch of this online print shop, Smalley was laid off from her job as a pharmaceutical sales representative. It was then that Scarlet & Gold went from being a hobby to a company. Scarlet & Gold’s quick rise to fame stems from Smalley’s skill in public relations and marketing. Scarlet & Gold is constantly being promoted on Instagram by figures such as Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson and “Bachelor” stars such as Andi Dorfman, Whitney Bischoff, Desiree Hartsock and more. Smalley said she has Auburn cheerleading to thank for her public relations skills. “I was a shy person when I started cheering, but as an Auburn cheerleader, you are basically a PR rep for the University, always going around smiling and talking to people, and it really taught

Contributed by Megan Dixon Smalley

LEFT: A print from Scarlet & Gold. RIGHT: A case from Scarlet & Gold’s collegiate collection.

me all the skills I needed for what I am doing today with Scarlet & Gold,” Smalley said. Smalley also said teamwork she learned as a cheerleader has helped her at Scarlet & Gold. “Being a cheerleader at Auburn, you really learn to be part of a team,” Smalley said. “Win together, lose together, you’re a team. You are working for something that is much bigger than yourself.” Allison Dismukes, Scarlet & Gold wholesale representative, commended Smalley on the type of leader and boss she is. “Megan takes us all under her wings, she encourages us when we do something good, but gives grace when we do something bad,” Dismukes said. “I am so blessed to work for a company where faith

and family are the number one thing.” Dismukes also said the company’s Christian message is important to her. “Scarlet & Gold is a company where we know that what we are doing matters for eternity,” Dismukes said. “If we get one phone case or print to someone who isn’t a believer, and it plants a little seed, then it is all worth it. For that I am grateful.” Koral Dean, Auburn alumni and art director of Scarlet & Gold, also said the friendships and faith she shares at work are her favorite parts of working at Scarlet & Gold. “I look at my designing as worship, because as I am designing, I am glorifying God,” Dean said. “It is cool to think that a cute little phone case I’ve made can plant an eternal seed with someone.”

campus

‘Summertime in Alabama’ in a classroom near you Emily Esleck editor-in-chief

For more than 25 years, the summer enrichment program has taught early childhood education students valuable teaching skills and served as an outlet for children from preschool to age 8, according to Sean Durham, program director and coordinator for early childhood education in the College of Education. Starting June 8, as many as 45 children will come to a classroom in Haley Center that has been transformed by a cohort of 20 Auburn students. Durham said the students have waxed the floors, removed the tables and chairs to set up art and reading areas, which lasts two semesters. The summer program began as a way for students to complete their practicum in the summer since public schools are not open. T h i s y e a r ’s t h e m e , “Summertime in Alabama,” gives students the opportunity to teach children about different activities in Auburn such as going to Chewacla

and other parks, according to Hannah Deaver, junior in early childhood education with a Spanish minor. Deaver will be teaching the 5-7 age group and said she will let her children decide a project they want to work on centered on their interests. “I was interested in early childhood education from a really young age, I have really always wanted to be a teacher,” Deaver said. “I mean, everybody says they love kids, but I enjoy seeing how kids think and how they learn, and how they apply and develop knowledge.” A vital component in studying early childhood education is understanding how environment and classroom set up affect the learning ability of a young child, according to Durham. “About February of every year, we have parents who start calling who want to register their children, so it’s a very popular program,” Durham said. “I would say that it benefits children in that we provide an intellectual

Dakota Sumpter / Photo Editor

Sean Durham,program director, prepares the classroom for children.

environment for young children that allows them to create, explore, ask questions, conduct research and really begin to practice the types of skills that are gonna be really valuable in the 21st century.” Savannah Duke, senior in early childhood education and human development and family studies, said they prepared for this program in the spring by discussing the basics of functioning in the classroom and learned guidance approaches in their

summer classes. “I like our classroom a lot, it’s funny because you put 10 teachers in a classroom and you think you’re gonna have leadership problems … but we work really well together, our class is really mellow,” Duke said. “We’re all really encouraging towards one another, it’s a really good atmosphere, and I’m excited for the kids to come into that kind of atmosphere.” The program will end July 16. Spaces are still available.

city council

Citizen raises concerns about smoke from new high school site Maria McIlwain news editor

An Auburn citizen raised concerns about smoke from the fires used to clear land for the new Auburn High School at the June 2 City Council meeting. Hugh O’Donnell, who lives on Katie Lane near the planned site of the new school, said smoke from the burn piles is filling his neighborhood, making it hard to live and work there. “We were actually covered by smoke for the duration of a day,” O’Donnell said. “I work from home, and I was actually at the point where I was about to vacate my property, and my workplace, because I was unable to breathe any further because of the level of smoke

in the area.” O’Donnell said smoke damage would devastate him because he would have to dispose of all of his affected belongings, including clothes and furniture. O’Donnell said he called the fire department at least six times to report violations of the burn permit, including leaving the fires unattended overnight. “Chief Lankford and the Auburn Fire Department allowed these fires to continue after multiple notices that the fires were noncompliant with the burn permit,” O’Donnell said. O’Donnell said the burn permit was canceled after three weeks of complaints, but he is worried because the

Maria McIlwain / news editor

The Auburn City Council at the June 2 meeting.

fire department is planning to reinstate the burn permits. Bill James, public safety director, admitted a lack of monitoring at the site, though he said they would be more careful in monitoring new burn permits. James said they would issue permits to the contractor

on a daily basis, weather permitting. “I will admit that it did not have the appropriate oversight when they had the permit before,” James said, “and I have instructed the fire chief that if we do renew their permit it is going to be on a daily basis

and it will be after we go out there and look ... if it starts smoking up the neighborhoods, they will have to put it out and they will not be issued another permit.” The contractor cannot move the materials offsite to burn them, according to James. The only other feasible option is to grind them, which is expensive, according to Ward 8 Councilman Tommy Dawson. “Everyone should give them a chance,” Dawson said. Mayor Bill Ham said the City Council would not start reviewing burn permits because the people who review the permits are qualified to do so, and the Council reviewing the permits would “put the whole community in a tailspin.”

O’Donnell said other options, such as grinding should be evaluated. “I think for a $78 million project, there is enough funds to be able to evaluate at least the cost-benefit of grinding up or transporting the wood versus burning it, for the environmental effects and the effects upon the neighbors,” O’Donnell said. In other Council news: Several tracts of land were eased over to the City of Auburn for the North Donahue Drive widening project. Lee Dempsey was nominated and named to the Indian Pines Recreation Authority. Dempsey has served two previous terms on the board for the golf course.


Opinion Thursday, June 4, 2015

4 ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

our view

Every campus sport is worth it To say we care about sports at Auburn is an understatement. We love our football. We love our basketball. We love our baseball. So why do we as a fan base continue to neglect the remaining sports until they do something outstanding? It may be unknown to some Auburn fans that we do have more than just ballbased sports. Equestrian, track and field, volleyball and women’s golf are the first to take a back seat for support from the Auburn fanbase. Softball stands were nearly empty before the regionals and a trip to the Women’s College World Series became likelihoods. Seats in the Auburn Arena, especially student section seats, don’t begin to fill up for women’s basketball until near the end of the game—close to the start of the men’s game. So is the foundation of Auburn fandom solely based on performance? What happened to the undying support the Auburn Family used to give? To neglect these sports at Auburn is to neglect a huge chunk of athletics. These competitors reap the same benefits of all student-athletes by working just as hard toward thier respective sports. To only start really attending games when things are going exceptionally well is to say these athletes aren’t worth the time. Even in the worst seasons, baseball, bas-

Responses to “‘Team of firsts’ ends record-breaking season run” Cantrell Tyson “I’m a huge Gators, But I will say this: Auburn is a great softball team. The future is very bright there. I look forward to them competing against UF again for SEC and national championship next season! Great season by the lady tigers!” Brenda Truitt “We are just getting started!”

ketball and football games still have a decent attendance rate. Look how far softball was able to get this year with a middling amount of support. What could they have done if they had this kind of fandom and crowd energy present from the very beginning of this season? What could any sport have done? While it’s true players, not the fans, decide the game, the energy is undeniably a part of a team’s success. You only have to listen to post-game interviews to know it. It’s time we think about the message we’re sending to our ignored athletes here at Auburn when we don’t show up and show out for them as well. You never know how far support can take them.

question of the week: Do you think non-revenue sports at Auburn are neglected? Yes, they deserve more support.

No, they have plenty of support. Vote online at ThePlainsman.com

“WAR EAGLE, Ladies!!!! Well done!!!”

Responses to “Toomer’s Corner Construction slightly affects businesses” Drew Adkins “Slightly? If ever there was an understatement.” Tiffany Balcony Bar “Slightly? This was poorly planned on so many levels. You need a road map to navigate your way around. Good luck making the trek at night... all the street lights are gone.” Vaughn Street

GHB use a rape, not drug problem connection with a drug transaction. Message boards are filled with comments about drug use and its dangers, many opining blindly about drug use in general, others about the relative dangers of GHB in comparison with meth, heroin and other drugs. And the University’s public safety advisory focuses primarily, though not exclusively, on the use of drugs and giving drugs to others without their consent: “giving someone a drug without their [sic] knowledge or permission is a felony.” Indeed, giving someone a drug without her knowledge or permission is a felony. And it’s wrong. But to focus on drugs is to miss what is morally most important. GHB is a date rape drug.

Rita Spruiell Moore

No, but they aren’t as much fun to watch.

his view

It is not surprising that someone in the Auburn area was making and distributing the date rape drug GHB. We knew it was in use and that it had to come from somewhere. I say it is not surprising. It is certainly awful. Getting clear about why it is awful, getting clear about why producing and distributing GHB is morally heinous (spoiler alert: it is not primarily about drugs), allows us to see something quite surprising, and that is that we have largely missed what is truly awful. We suffer from a kind of moral myopia. Stephen Howard, a University employee, was arrested for distributing the date rape drug GHB, conspiring to possess and distribute GHB and possessing a firearm in

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS

Having sex with someone incapacitated by GHB is rape. A bartender putting GHB in someone’s drink is assisting rape. The drug is distributed first and foremost for that purpose. It is distributed first and foremost to aid in the rape of women. And so, with that purpose in mind, distributing the drug is to assist in the serial assault and rape of women, and to profit financially from doing so. It is to assist many to rape many. The use of GHB is not primarily a drug problem; it’s a rape problem. Michael Watkins is a professor and chair in the department of philosophy. He can be reached at Watkigm@auburn.edu.

“It is HUGELY affecting businesses. Some won’t make it through the month of June!” Wayne Partridge “I know this alumnus is skipping his annual visit to The Plains this summer.” Susan Wheeler Holt “Lol, umm yes, that is definitely slightly inconvenient”

Response to “VIDEO: Auburn fans celebrate Softball’s return from WCWS” @JRMFAN88 “this makes me shed tears of joy & pride! Great job @ Auburn_Softball #ProudAlumni hate I graduated B4 softball ‘91”

his view

Glomerata misrepresented in editorial On behalf of my students, the Glomerata staff, I would like to clarify many points made in your editorial “We Should Get What We Pay For.” I write for my students because you brazenly mischaracterized their work without understanding the issue you raise at all. For one, you list the wrong distribution dates; but that’s inconsequential. In the future, though, listing correct dates and times is suggested. More egregious is your cavalier narration of scanning TigerCards. We deliberately scanned TigerCards to ensure only students received copies. What you failed to discover (because you did not ask) was that many of the scanners malfunctioned.

If you had performed thorough research, you would have learned that, postmalfunction, we still asked students to show us their TigerCard. Indeed, we wrote down numbers on legal pads. In short, we made every effort to ensure that the 7,500 copies ended up in correct hands. To insinuate otherwise is careless. To boot, The Plainsman does not have to stand in the sun for seven hours passing out heavy books to students, so you should be less incendiary in your complaint since you have not lived the process. Last, you imply that the Glomerata staff intentionally jilted seniors by running out early.

We ran out early because we only had 7,500 copies. We do not arbitrarily select the number of copies. We order what we can based on the budget provided by the SGA senate. If your concern was altruistic, then your target should be SGA. A more productive use of your space could have read: “Those disappointed with the insufficient number of Glomerata copies should reach out to their SGA senator and request that additional funds be allocated to next year’s staff so that they may order more copies.”

Emily Esleck

Editor-in-Chief

multimedia

Lauren Christopher

Maria McIlwain

Dakota Sumpter

Ashley Harris

Raye May

Managing Editor

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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.

Yes, it was looking old.

25% No, but it’ll still be nice.

54% No, it’s inconvenient and unnecessary.

21%

The Auburn Plainsman

Kris Sims

Online

Sports

Do you think downtown Auburn needed this facelift?

Benjamin Arnberg is the graduate assistant for student media. He can be reached at Arnbebt@auburn.edu.

The Editorial Board Elizabeth Tiller

last week’s poll results:

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.

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Sports Thursday, June 4, 2015

5 ThePlainsman.com

Sports

baseball

Until next season

NCAA Regional play cut short in Tallahassee

College of Charleston ends season with one run Evan McCullers Sports Writer

Fans will have to wait until next spring to see another Auburn team run onto the diamond. Hours after the Tigers’ softball team was eliminated from the Women’s College World Series, Auburn’s baseball team fell to College of Charleston by a score of 3-2 on Sunday, May 31, in Tallahassee, Florida. The loss eliminated the Tigers from the NCAA Tournament. “I’m extremely proud of this group of young men this year,” said coach Sunny Golloway. “To get Auburn baseball back in a regional for the first time since 2010, and then before that it was 2005, so really in the last 10 years to have only been in a regional one time is really a great feat. They showed a lot of mental toughness all year and a lot of grit. They found ways to hang in there and compete.” Both teams went down in order in the first inning, and a rain delay halted the game before the second inning could begin. The teams resumed play after the six hour and 20 minute delay. Charleston didn’t take long to break the scoreless tie. In the Cougars’ first at-bat following the delay, Nick Pappas hit a home run off Auburn’s starting pitcher Dalton Rentz to give Charleston a 1-0 lead. Auburn fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Charleston starter Nathan Helvey issued a oneout walk to Daniel Robert, and Robert advanced to second on Anfernee Grier’s infield single. Damon Haecker singled to left field to score Robert and even the score. The Tigers were able to capture the lead in their next at-bat. Leadoff batter Jackson Burgreen walked and stole second with two outs. After Helvey issued a second consecutive walk to Melvin Gray, Jordan Ebert singled to drive in Burgreen.

Auburn reliever Robby Clements, who finished 5-1 on the year, kept the Cougars’ bats quiet until the top of the seventh. Blake Butler led off with a walk before Nick Pappas launched his second homer of the game to give Charleston a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. Chase Henry allowed one hit in two and onethird innings of relief to earn the win. Carter Love pitched one and two-thirds innings of hitless ball f to record his fourth save of the season for Charleston. Despite the loss, Golloway expressed confidence in the future of the program. “They are extremely disappointed,” Golloway said. “We all are extremely disappointed. We’re a young team. We’ve got a lot of guys that are coming back and a lot of guys that are still learning. I think we gained some very valuable experience through this process.” The Tigers will lose only three players to graduation, and all nine starting position players could return next year, looking to build on this year’s regional appearance. The Tigers finished the season with a record of 36-26.

David Topper / senior Photographer

TOP: Jordan Ebert is congratulated after scoring Auburn’s only run against Mercer on Saturday, May 30. TOP LEFT: Robby Clements waits in the dugout. BOTTOM RIGHT: Damon Haecker stands on base with Sam Gillikin.

golf

Local golf tournament brings talent to the Plains Lauren Christopher Sports Editor

This weekend of May 29-31, the Auburn University Club’s course hosted the Will Claxton Junior Tournament in partnership with the American Junior Golf Association. Only in its second year, tournament’s goal is to showcase talent from high school golfers training for the collegiate level. The tournament was a 36-hole stroke play event golfed by players around the country, including 13 Alabama natives out of 78 players in 20 states and two foreign countries. Six of the participants indicated their interest in committing to the Auburn men’s and women’s golf teams, three verbally, and two in print between the recruitment classes of 201518. The players are Graysen Huff from Eagle, Idaho, Brandon Mancheno from Jacksonville, Florida, Jake Milanowski from Peachtree City, Georgia, Kayley Marschke from Suwanee, Georgia, Brooke Sansom from Pike Road and Mai Dechathipat from Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

Huff finished the tournament in first place going 6-under-par for the win. “It was a good round,” Huff said. “I tried to stay patient and focus on just making some birdies coming through. This win is sweet because this is where I’ll be playing college golf. I’m excited to be here and represent the school.” Huff currently holds the No. 73 spot in the Polo Golf Rankings as an 18 year old. He will attend Auburn in the fall alongside Dechathipat. Milanowski finished in the next-highest ranking in a triple tie at 24th place with a score of 77 and 73 in rounds one and two for a total of 150. Mancheno missed the ranking, coming in last after being disqualified in the second round. In the women’s division, Sansom finished tied for sixth at 75-74-149. Marschke fell shortly behind at No. 12 with a score of 77 and 77 for a total of 155. Dechathipat, who is originally from Thailand, finished 20th at 84-75-159.

Player Profiles: Top four golfers headed to Auburn Graysen Huff

• First place in the Will Claxton Junior Tournament (Men’s) • Made verbal commitment Sept. 6, 2014 • 72.33 stroke average in 2014 • Ranked No. 54 overall prospect by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard

Jake Milanowski • Tied 24th place in Will Claxon Junior Tournament (Men’s) • Made verbal commitment April 24, 2015 • 74.3 stroke average in 2014 • Ranked No. 56 overall prospect by Golfweek

Brooke Sansom • Tied 6th place in the Will Claxton Junior Tournament (Women’s) • Made verbal commitment April 24, 2015 • 76.0 stroke average in 2014 • Ranked No. 12 overall prospect by Golfweek

Kayley Marschke

RAYE MAY/ managing editor

ABOVE: Trophies were awarded to the winners of each division concluding the Will Claxton Junior Tournament. Graysen Huff took the first place trophy in the men’s division. RIGHT: Player profile pictures contributed by the AJGA media department.

• 12th place in the Will Claxton Junior Tournament (Women’s) • Made verbal commitment April 24, 2014 • 74.3 stroke average in 2014 • Ranked No. 37 prospect in the country by Golfweek


Sports 6

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, June 4, 2015

sofTball

56-11: a season to remember

This Week in Auburn Sports track and field

Track and field concluded the final day of the NCAA East Preliminaries on Saturday, May 30, on a strong note after qualifying five individuals and one relay for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Tigers will send seven individuals and one relay to Nationals, June 10-13, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team earned its tickets to the NCAA Nationals, finishing ninth in a time of 39.66. Sophomore sprinters Khalil Henderson and Teray Smith also advanced with a sixth and 10th place finish in the men’s 200. Henderson posted a personal-best time of 20.33, while Smith ran a 20.60. “We had a really good final day,” coach Ralph Spry said. “Kahlil had a huge run in the 200, and Marshay was outstanding in the triple jump. Overall, we had great runs and marks during the final day, and I’m proud of our kids. I think we have a strong group that will represent Auburn well in Eugene. The [next] few weeks will be important preparation for a good showing at NCAAs.” Senior distance runner Ty McCormack finished 12th in the men’s 5,000 with a time of 14:02.62, also earning a trip to Eugene. Junior Shawn Johnson qualified for Nationals in his second field event by finishing seventh in the men’s triple jump with a jump of 15.88 meters. On the women’s team, sophomore Marshay Ryan qualified for Nationals in the triple jump with a leap of 13.35, the fourth-best mark in Auburn’s history. Junior Samantha Scarlett came up .01 of a second short of qualifying for the NCAAs in the women’s 100 hurdles, finishing in a time of 13.31. Sophomore Ebony Morrison was 18th in the event (13.37).

season by placing 12th in the NCAA Championship at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, on Monday, June 1. The finish was the fourth-best in school history at the NCAA Championship. Coach Nick Clinard said he was proud of the team effort. “It was another great year,” Clinard said. “We’ve had five in a row and had the fourth-best finish in school history today. Today, we started out great [on the back nine], made the turn great and we were rolling. The same thing happened yesterday. We kind of stalled out on the front nine, made some poor decisions and had some bad golf swings.” Clinard also said the individual accomplishments of team members were something to celebrate. “Overall, it was a great year with three wins and four individual medalists,” Clinard said. “All five guys who played here made the All-Southeast Region team so hats off to them.” The Tigers shot a cumulative 8-over-par 296 on Monday to bring their total score for the tournament to 31-over-par 1,183. All-SEC junior Michael Johnson finished at 3-over-291, good for 25th place in the tournament to lead Auburn. SEC Freshman of the Year Ben Schlottman finished the season with a stroke average of 70.96, the fourth-lowest single season stroke average in Auburn history.

Football

AuburnSports.com confirmed Saturday morning, May 30, that 6-foot, 180-pound Elijah Stove has committed to join the 2016 Auburn football roster during Big Cat Weekend. Stove is Auburn’s seventh commitment and first receiver for the 2016 class, among others such as Stephen Davis Jr., Tre Threat, Landon Rice, Quinnen Williams and David Marshall. He nearly locked in his decision after visiting The 8th-ranked men’s golf team finished its

Men’s golf

this year’s A-Day game but considered offers from Georgia, Florida, Michigan and Ohio State before fully committing.The Niceville, Florida, native is ranked on Rivals.com as the No. 4 receiver and No. 8 player from Florida with 719 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior year.

Men’s Basketball

Assistant coach Tony Jones has resigned to pursue other coaching opportunities, while current assistant coach Chuck Person, and staff members Todd Golden and Steven Pearl have been promoted. Person has been elevated to associate head coach and has been signed to a three-year contract. Golden, who was the director of basketball operations last season, has been promoted to assistant coach, while Steven will assume Golden’s operations position after serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. “Tony and I have been together for many years and accomplished a lot of great things together,” Steven said. “I am appreciative of Tony’s contributions and thank him and his family.” A 20-year college coaching veteran, Jones spent 11 seasons as an assistant to Bruce Pearl at Auburn, Tennessee and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “After much thought, careful consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided to pursue another coaching opportunity,” Jones said. “My family and I have enjoyed our time at Auburn and the way we were welcomed and embraced by the entire Auburn Family. I want to thank Coach Pearl for his friendship, loyalty and our longtime relationship coaching together.” The all-time leading scorer at Auburn with 2,311 points, Person was a two-time All-American at Auburn (1985-86) and a three-time firstteam All-SEC pick. A 13-year NBA veteran, Person joined Auburn’s staff last year after coaching 14 years pro-

fessionally, including 13 in the NBA. “There’s not a more qualified and capable assistant coach in the country than Chuck Person,” Bruce said. “He has tremendous ability to teach the game and communicate to players, and there’s not a person better than Chuck that knows what it takes to help me lead the Auburn program back to where it belongs.” A former standout at Saint Mary’s, Golden helped lead the Gaels to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and was second in the nation in assists to turnover ratio as a senior in 2007-08. Golden came to Auburn in 2014 from Columbia, where he was an assistant coach and director of basketball operations for two years. “When our season ended, Todd was pursued and offered coaching positions, yet he chose to stay at Auburn and help me build this program,” Bruce said. “One of my goals when I hired him was to have him on my coaching staff within two years.” As a former point guard at Saint Mary’s, he can now be more involved in recruiting and be on the floor with Auburn’s new point guards. Steven played four years at Tennessee from 2007-11, helping the Volunteers to four NCAA Tournament appearances, two SEC East championships and an Elite Eight appearance in 2010. Steven was a medical sales representative for Stryker Corporation for three years before joining the Auburn staff. “It’s been a blessing to be Steven’s father and watch him grow up, play basketball at the SEC level and be his coach,” Bruce said. “For him to give up a promising career outside of the game and join me when I came to Auburn is rewarding and significant. He has a great mind, and this is another valuable step necessary to be successful head coach.”

Compiled by Lauren Christopher, Evan McCullers and Staff Reports

adam sparks / Photographer

LEFT: Sprinters Joe Fisher and Teray Smith exchange the baton during the Tiger Track Classic on April 4. Smith will compete in the 2015 NCAA Nationals. RIGHT: The basketball coaching staff and players react to an offensive foul against Georgia in March.


Intrigue Thursday, June 4, 2015

7 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

Live like you were flying

Students skydive to relieve stresses of college life Maria McIlwain News Editor

Many people consider jumping out of airplanes a terrifying concept. However, for a few Auburn students, skydiving is the most relaxing part of the week. Chris Harris, senior in international business, started jumping while he was in the Marines. He said he usually jumps with others, and performs many safety checks before going in the air. “We just get on the bird and go up to altitude and touch some sky,” Harris said. Harris said he prefers free fall to static line jumping, which is jumping out of a plane while attached to a line that deploys the parachute. He said it was more stressful for him, because static line jumps are from a lower altitude, so there is less time to adjust. “I hated it,” Harris said. “I was always so nervous doing static line jumps.” Harris said his first free fall went quickly, and it was fun for him. “But now, it’s like you have all day up there,” Harris said. “Like you jump out of the plane, and it’s just really relaxing.” Harris said he doesn’t consider himself the typical “adrenaline junkie,” because skydiving is calming for him, although he said he likes the danger element. “You can wear your iPod or whatever, so you can listen to some music or whatever you want to listen to,” Harris said. Harris said he goes skydiving at least one Saturday per month and tries to have at least four jumps per trip. Harris said he wishes Auburn had a skydiving club, but he only knows two other students who jump. Justin Lovell, skydiving instructor at Skydive the South in Tuskegee and senior in software engineering, began skydiving in the Army. He began doing free fall jumping for fun in 2009. He said he goes skydiving almost every weekend, and the most jumps he has made in a day is seven. He said he usually jumps with a group of friends. They plan the jump they want to do before going in the air. “It’s all kind of like this synchronized flying, if you will,” Lovell said. “When everything goes to plan, that really is the best part of the day right there. And you can see the looks on everybody’s faces in the sky, when they finally hit that last point, it’s just smiles all around. It literally gives me chills just thinking about it.” Lovell said his first free fall was “exhilarating.” “It’s kind of a feeling you can’t associate with anything else,” Lovell said. “People ask me what it’s like, and at times you really feel like you’re flying.” Lovell said skydivers can do different tricks in the air as they gain more skydiving experience. He said it takes years to master different techniques. Though they enjoy skydiving, there have been some scary moments for Lovell and Harris. Harris said his most memorable moment was the time he landed on the roof of a hangar. He said he earned the nickname “Rooftop” that day when the winds picked up while he was landing, and he couldn’t move and ended up leaving a dent in the hangar roof. “I had a pretty good landing, I stood it up,” Harris said. “But it could have been pretty bad. You’re not supposed to hit

things like 50 feet off the ground.” Harris said he also had to cut away from his main parachute once while he was in the Marines. He said the time between cutting the chute away and the reserve deploying was his scariest moment in the air. “It was like the worst roller coaster ride ever,” Harris said. Lovell said he once fractured his femur while doing a highspeed maneuver called swooping. He said he was cut off in the air and crash-landed, breaking his femur into three pieces. “I was not at the experience level at that time to do that kind of stuff,” Lovell said. “And, of course, not having that experience, you make a mistake. It’s kind of like trying to drive when you’re 13.” Lovell said the injury gave him perspective. “Before I got hurt, I kind of felt invincible, like, ‘Oh I can do this, I got this, I can do this no problem,’” Lovell said. “After I got hurt, I kind of realized that I can definitely get hurt doing this, and I don’t want to do that again.” Lovell said skydiving is “outrageously safe.” “If one person wants to go up and do a tandem skydive, there’s almost a zero percent chance anything’s going to happen to them,” Lovell said. Joe Ozbolt, graduate student in mathematics, earns extra money at drop zones by packing peoples’ parachutes for them. He said he wishes he could skydive more but would rather save money. Ozbolt said skydiving is “a lot safer of a sport than people give it credit for.”

the plainsman picks playlist : “TALKING BODY” by tove lo

Emily Esleck, editor-in-chief

“CAN’T STOP” by red hot chili peppers

Raye May, managing editor

“PARTY IN THE USA” by miley cyrus

Maria McIlwain, news editor

“WHISKEY BENT & HELL BOUND” by hank williams, jr. Dakota Sumpter, photo editor

“This is the perfect song to chill out with downtown at the bars or at a pool party. It has a great sound but it’s still chilled out.”

“I don’t much care for rap or trap music or whatever kids call it these days, but rhcp will always get me in the mood to go out and party.”

“It’s a fun song that reminds me of my youth. it’s a carefree reminder to ignore the haters and put your hands up, they’re playing your song.”

“this is just the perfect outlaw country song for when the party starts to slow down.”

Photos by David Topper / Photographer

Top: Justin Lovell lands after he finishes a skydive. Background: A skydiver lands in a field.

the staff at the plainsman and our readers chose their favorite

party songs. to listen to their picks, follow the auburn plainsman at spotify.com.

“TROPHIES” by drake

“Anything by drake makes you feel awesome, but this song will make you feel like a winner.”

“BLESSINGS” by big sean, drake and kanye

“Going out to parties is fun but I can play this song anywhere and instantly feel like I’m at a party. “

Elizabeth Tiller, online editor

Kris Sims, multimedia editor

“G.D.F.R.” by flo rida

Ashley Harris, design editor

“WASTED” by tiesto

Lauren Christopher, Sports Editor

do you want to have your pick featured in next week’s issue?

“It has a very catchy beat that can get anyone on the dance floor. It’s used in a lot of remixes, which makes it even more baller.”

“This song has a really great beat that you can dance to on any occasion, and it’s fun to blast it in your car.”

watch facebook and twitter for the topic and send your pick, name, year and major with a few sentences to managing.editor@theplainsman.com.


Intrigue 8

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman

entertainment

Netflix original series in review

Ben Wallace Reporter

HOUSE OF CARDS

MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL

“House of Cards” is an hour-long episodic political drama starring Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood and Robin Wright as Claire Underwood. Throughout the show, Spacey portrays a power-hungry, manipulative, antihero alongside Wright’s character, the equally conniving wife who, like her husband, will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Set in Washington, D.C., “House of Cards” is about the darker side of Washington politics. It has been awarded two Golden Globes and seven Emmys.

“Marvel’s Daredevil” is created by Drew Goddard and is based on the Marvel comic book series of the same name by writer Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett. The show show features dark, exciting and gritty action performances and tells the story of Matt Murdock (Daredevil), played by Charlie Cox. Daredevil is a fictional character and American superhero who was blinded as a child but was given extraordinary senses. The modern day hero fights injustice in the fictitious Hell’s Kitchen, a towering cityscape much like New York City or Chicago.

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

“Orange is the New Black” is a comedic drama set in the fictional Litchfield Penitentiary starring Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman. The show, based on the memoir of Piper Kerman’s time in a women’s prison, features darker, deadpan comedy mixed with lighthearted, witty moments and raunchy drama. Piper Chapman, the main character, is a bisexual American woman sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of money laundering for her drug-dealing girlfriend.

Read the full article, including student interviews, on ThePlainsman.com.

“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is a creation by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and stars Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt. The series follows Schmidt, who has been a victim of kidnapping for 15 years. The show begins as Schmidt is being rescued from an underground bunker, held there by a reverend who claimed the rest of the world had fall into apocalyptic ruin. The series is set in New York City and features lighthearted comedy and goofy moment-to-moment interactions among its characters.

ashley harris / design editor

lifestyle

Red Clay Brewing Company opens in Opelika Sommer Henry writer

Red Clay Brewing Company is the first brewery to open in Opelika. The local brewery opened at the beginning of March and has been successful since. Owners John Corbin, Kerry McGinnis and Stephen Harle all have ties to the Auburn and Opelika area, and knew the need for a place like this in such a growing area. Kerry McGinnis, co-owner and head brewer, said there were no roadblocks in establishing the first brewery in Opelika. He said the only problem was people got tired of waiting because they were excited. “Word really got out that we were coming, and people even back in October, were getting tired of waiting,” McGinnis said. “No one was surprised when we started promoting.” Corbin said the Red Clay Brewing Company has been

received extremely well. “All of the locals that come in mention how its about time Opelika got a brewery,” Corbin said. Harle, third co-owner, and head of the financial side of the company, said they have been well received. “Everyone has been so excited and happy about our company,” Harle said. Along with Red Clay being the first Opelika brewery, it is also a Southern brewery. The name of the company, Red Clay Brewing Company, has its roots firmly entrenched in the South, according to their website. All of the names of the five craft beers the Red Clay Brewing Company have created have their own Southern meaning to each one. For example, Opelika is a Muskogee word meaning Big Swamp, and that is where they get the name for one of their first beers, “Big Swamp Stout.” Katarina Hong, Red Clay

Brewing Company intern and senior in public relations, said the three owners have made the first brewery in Opelika a success because of their community ties. “They have ties to this place, and they really wanted to start the first brewery here, because they are so passionate about their craft beers,” Hong said. Corbin said they sell to many area businesses. “I honestly don’t know how many,” Corbin said. “The number adds up every day.” Corbin mentioned Momma Goldberg’s Deli, specifically, as a place that likes the Red Clay Brewing Company’s craft beers. McGinnis also said how well the Red Clay Brewing Company has been received. “We get bar owners and restaurant owners in here all the time because people have been out requesting our beers so much, so that has really helped business,” McGinnis said.

contributed by red clay brewing company

The Red Clay Brewing Company brews and distributes original beer around Auburn and Opelika.

Dakota sumpter / photo editor

The Red Clay Brewing Company is now open in downtown Opelika at the railroad district.


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