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Opinion
| September 9, 2009
Student loans slashed after FDIC sells out American banks Laurence J.S.
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Courageous Kennedy brightened the corners John Liontos
jcliontos@mail.txwes.edu
ljsheehan@mail.txwes.edu
The first week of school is always filled with some sort of excitement -- not enough books, change of professors, a closed parking lot and a Texas-based bank seized by the FDIC. Guaranty Bank, an Austin-based institution, was closed by federal regulators Aug. 21, and all of its assets were sold to BBVA Compass. To the naked eye, Guaranty just seems like it’s another failed bank, and BBVA Compass is just another local bank growing in line with JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Compass Bank became relevant in North Texas in 1999 when Compass bought Texas Bank for $85 million. A legitimate sale before the downfall of the banking
system. However, in 2007, without much notice, Alabama-based Compass Bank sold out to the Spanish-held Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. for a $9.6 billion cash and stock deal. Why should this concern you? Compass Bank cut their student loan program in early 2009. To this editor, it shows me the Spaniards have no interest in assisting American students in their educational process, but they do enjoy counting our money. The acquisition of Guaranty moves BBVA Compass to the fourth largest bank in Texas. The FDIC is covering the initial 80 percent of the first $2.3 billion losses and then 95 percent of the losses above that. The good side of all this
could be that it will take BBVA Compass sometime to recoup its losses. Guaranty has been hurting from nearly $1.5 billion in mortgage write-offs, mostly based out of its California branches. So with a foreign investor, the money doesn’t come out of our pocket. If the plan fails all together, the FDIC can say, “Well, we tried,” and leave BBVA Compass holding the bag. My thought process is simple: We are experiencing a financial crisis in this country, and rather than let an American-held company have the bank or bail this bank out, we sell it to an overseas buyer. It’s the Wal-Mart syndrome all over again. If Wal-Mart sold Americanmade goods, we might not
be hurting so much, and unemployment wouldn’t still be going up. Like many people, I was a fan of Obama. I still am, but I just don’t like his politics or what he is allowing to occur in Washington. His administration, as well as the FDIC, is failing to protect the value of the American dollar. The Euro is still stronger then the dollar at about 1.43 to our $1, and only going up. Our country is slipping away as the Roman Empire did, but instead of invading hordes of barbarians, we have invading hordes of foreign capitalist. Don’t be surprised if another local bank is seized and sold off to a foreign investor.
Facebooked
Social networking sites can ruin your life Chuck Fain
cmfain@mail.txwes.edu
If you’re like most, you have a profile on Facebook … or Myspace or Bebo, and/or any number of Web sites that allow you to put personal information on the Web for the world to see – and the world is watching. This isn’t to say that one shouldn’t have an account on one of these sites. I have one myself and have found longlost friends, gained exposure for some of my writing, and it helps me keep in contact with those I care about. Used properly, these social networking sites can be a valuable tool to help keep one’s world connected. They also have the power to destroy one’s world. Has anyone on Facebook actually read their terms of use policies? Neither have I, not completely, anyway. Who has time for that? Well, if we would have taken the time to read what we were agreeing to, we might not have been so eager to post that drunken picture of ourselves … covered in shaving cream … wearing a dress … with phalluses crudely drawn all over our face in magic marker. According to CNN.com, Facebook’s current terms of use states that “an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, world-
“By law, employers can’t ask about
number of potential employers are accessing these profiles religious, political or sexual preference... — and using them to decide whom they hire.” but what’s to stop them from Sure, one can argue that employers have no right to access finding all this out on one of these sites? someone’s personal informawide license (to)...use, copy, ing, “We can do anything we tion. By law, employers can’t publish, stream, store, retain, want with your content. For- ask about religious, political or publicly perform or display, ever.” Keep that in mind the sexual preferences so that these transmit, scan, reformat, next time you post that funny personal matters don’t affect modify, edit, frame, translate, picture of yourself hitting a one’s chance of employment – excerpt, adapt, create defour-foot bong and flipping off but what’s to stop them from rivative works, and distribute the camera – you never know finding all of this out on one of material.” This is, of course, if who might end up seeing it, these sites? True, this information is personal, but it is posted you don’t have your account even if you deleted it. set to private. Employers, too, have been in a public forum. Even if one’s Facebook also reserves the known to troll these social account is set to private, there right to keep any informanetworking sites in search of are ways to access the information. Should your wild weekend at the club have any effect on the job you do during the sober hours of the week? Of course not. Do employers look for such things and make that judgment anyway? Of course they do. I’m not advocating that we all flee from networking sites, just that we’re cautious about what we post. Even if it is deleted, the information can still be retrieved, or copied somewhere or on someone else’s tion posted on the site (posts, personal information on curpage with your name attached photos, notes) after you have rent and perspective employees to it. Be smart about what you deleted them and/or you ac– and more are doing it every post, you never know who will count. The Consumerists, a day. CBS News corresponsee it – and what they’ll do consumer watchdog blog, said dent Sharyn Alfonsi recently with it. Facebook was basically sayreported that “an increasing
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The Rambler Founded in 1917 as The Handout Publisher: Harold G. Jeffcoat
Jonathan Resendez, news editor Laurence Sheehan, opinion editor Conner Howell, college life editor Joakim Soederbaum, sports editor Chuck Fain, entertainment editor Laura Rosser, photo editor Rachel Horton, multimedia editor Daniel Bravo, advertising manager LaShawnda Mayhorn, assistant editor Kelli Lamers, adviser Dr. Kay Colley, faculty liaison Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers,College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers, Student Press Law Center
Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of he Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.
Letters to the editor: The Rambler, a weekly
publication welcomes all letters. All submissions must have a full printed name, phone number and signature. While every consideration is
Edward “Ted” Kennedy was a man who was never scared of proclaiming himself a liberal. In the political arena he would stare his adversaries in the eyes while showing no fear in telling them they were wrong. Kennedy was often referred to as “The Lion of the Senate” and was known for having a heart on the Senate floor. Despite having personal setbacks during his reign in the senate seat, his goals were always in the best interests of the common man. Ted Kennedy was elected into the Senate in 1962 to fill the void his brother John F. Kennedy had left. He was senator of Massachusetts from 1962 until his unfortunate death Aug. 25. Looking past his flaws, I always find myself in awe of Ted Kennedy. He passed an estimated 3,000 bills throughout his career. Many of those bills became law. In 1965, the National Voting Rights was authored by Kennedy and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act strictly banned any kind of discriminatory voting practices. He would later expand on these acts and reform them. In 1986, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act was also authored by Kennedy. The act helped establish protection for those with significant mental illnesses against mistreatment from organizations. If you think that’s impressive, he also secured the release of many Jews in the Soviet Union. He rallied
to the bitter end and supported for a strong alliance with leaders in Poland. He expanded ideas for The Civil Rights Movement. Kennedy had a hard fight but managed to end the U.S. military support for death squads in South and Central America. Kennedy fought for peace in Northern Ireland, pushed for prisoner releases in Korea and continued to make a huge difference in the quality of life for all Americans. Kennedy saw an importance in the American people and had their best interests at heart. On the night of July 18, 1969, a fatal tragedy took place that would forever change how Americans would view Kennedy. He had reportedly been driving under the influence of alcohol while accompanied with a young woman named Mary Jo Kopechne who worked on his brother Robert’s presidential campaign. He lost control of the car and it flipped over into Poucha Pond on Chappaquiddick Island. Kennedy was fortunate to escape and find his way to safety. Sadly, Kopechne was not. It’s a crying shame that some will not forgive him for something he did more than 40 years ago. His life might have seemed like one of a Greek Tragedy with many personal foibles, but one thing remains that will never change -- his great courage. I hope we can all agree that his service for this country will not be forgotten. His legacy will continue to live on for future generations.
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“Worked on homework at home.”
“Hung out with friends”
3 Campus Convocation kicks off fall semester
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Miguel Arreguin Amanda Edmondson marreguin@mail.txwes.edu aedmondson@txwes.edu
|
“To them, the Green Giant has always
Students, faculty and trustees came together in the Polytechnic United Methodist Church sanctuary to officially open the school year with the 17th annual Academic Convocation Sept. 1. Amy Batheja, communications specialist for Texas Wesleyan University, said the purpose of the Convocation is to provide “an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to gather and reflect of the nature of their mission for the year … to receive, provide and support a comprehensive higher education.” The Convocation featured speeches from Dr. Pam Rast, chair of faculty council; Heath Scott, president of Student Government Association and guest speaker Dr. Judith Carrier, president of Tarrant County College’s Southeast Campus. Rast welcomed the students to a new year while encouraging them to “savor the experience” of Wesleyan. “Find a professor with
been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.”
Dr. Judith Carrier
President of TCC Southeast whom you connect and take advantage of their wisdom,” Rast said. Her remarks set the stage for Scott, who spoke from the perspective of a student still in the process of his Wesleyan experience and ready to support growth and change. He began by emphasizing his commitment to the university. “This year will be built on the tested formula of hard work, determination and perseverance,” he said. He also encouraged students to share his attitude and vision for the future of Wesleyan. “Summer has given us a chance to renew our determination, reignite our passion and consolidate our strength,” Scott said. “We all share a stake in the
Andie Massingill | Rambler Staff Faculty officially commence the school year at Convocation.
BREAK-IN
September 9, 2009
future and promise of Texas Wesleyan.” Finally, University President Dr. Harold Jeffcoat introduced Carrier as the keynote speaker, chosen not only because of her position as president of the TCC Southeast Campus but also because of her longstanding influence throughout the North Texas area. “Few people have had the opportunity to impact the community like Judith Carrier,” Jeffcoat said. The mood changed when Carrier took the stage. She poked fun at Jeffcoat and got the biggest laugh from the afternoon’s crowd. She spoke expressively to both faculty and students. Carrier began by talking about the Benoit College Mindset List, which was received with laughter by the older members of the crowd who understood its humor more personally. “To them, the Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables,” she said, speaking of the graduating class of 2013. She talked about the changes in the world and how the students of today were in the greatest position to facilitate change in the future. “Your parents affected change because they could; you will affect change because you have to,” Carrier said. She spoke of how today’s technology has changed rapidly from what it once was
Andie Massingill | Rambler Staff The 17th annual Convocation takes place in Polytechnic United Methodist Church.
and now people have the ability to not only impact their local community and even the country, but also the world
through their instant reach through the Internet. “Don’t be overwhelmed,” she said. “Every problem has
been solved one tiny piece at a time.”
continued from page 1
questions from security. “Gamma Phi Beta was having a recruitment practice for rush next week,” said Rebecca Moore, sophomore English major and member of the sorority. “And we called security to lock it up, and they never showed up, and they had left the SUB open. We didn’t even go out the SUB door, but now they’re trying to blame it on us.” Two student center employees said they were told to remain “hush-hush” about the break in and preferred not to speak. “It looks bad on campus, which is why no one talks about it,” Moore said. “It looks bad and transfers to the students and it makes less people want to come here.” Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance, said although there is always room for improvement, the crime at Wesleyan is no worse than other schools. “Our campus statistics are as good as any other schools’ in the Metroplex,” he said.
Christian author first to speak at fall Wilson Lecture Series Ashley Oldham
anoldham@mail.txwes.edu
Ice and 30-degree weather will not glaze the roads or whirl onto campus anytime soon. This means Josh McDowell, established Christian author and speaker, will make up his previously scheduled January lecture at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Polytechnic United Methodist Church. McDowell’s presentation is part of the annual Wilson Lecture Series that seeks to bring outstanding faith-based speakers to campus. In his lecture, McDowell will highlight the importance of relationships between young adults and their parents—using this concept as a basic foundation for an individual’s belief in Jesus Christ. “It is relationships that engender a person’s beliefs, that form our values, that drive behavior,” McDowell said in a previously recorded lecture. “Rules without relationships lead to rebellion,” he said. “Kids don’t respond to rules, they respond to rules in the context of a loving, intimate relationship.” Dr. Gladys Childs, visiting assistant professor and former chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University for six years, said
she booked McDowell because of his well-known reputation in Christian apologetics, the practice of defending, or proving, Christianity. Childs said McDowell will benefit those who are questioning their faith and the Bible because he is talented in explaining the questions people have and will provide fresh concepts that people may not have thought of before. “McDowell’s visit is a good opportunity for Wesleyan and the community and a big draw for people who apprewww.josh.org ciate Christian apologetics,” Josh McDowell said Elizabeth Crumpton, senior religion major and countries and is the author or secretary to the chaplain. “His co-author of 108 books. Mcministries do many wonder- Dowell is the founder of the ful things, and he does a lot to Josh McDowell Ministry, a bring the message of Christ to division of Campus Crusade a lot of different people.” for Christ, International. All varieties of individuals According to the Web site, are welcome to this event as the Josh McDowell Ministhe lecture is free and open to try “focuses on serving and the public. equipping churches, pastors, According to Crumpton, families and people every“no matter what end of the where in raising generations spectrum you fall on,” wheth- of purpose-driven Christians er you are a believer or not, who know what they believe, “it is always valuable to hear why it is true, and how to live from a respected voice of the out their Christian faith.” community.” More information about With 47 years of experience, McDowell and his ministry McDowell has given more can be found at www.josh. than 24, 000 lectures in 108 org.
$$Rams Stimulus $$ Package • Monday: Chick Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy • Tuesday: Two Enchiladas, Refried Beans & Rice • Wednesday: Hamburger, Fries & Small Drink • Thursday: Loaded Baked Potato • Friday: Grilled Chicken Club • Saturday Grilled Ham & Cheese, Small Salad
Only $3.99! Only @ the Sub: Located in the Brown-Lupton Student Center Hours of Operation Monday- Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday: closed
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College Life
September 9, 2009
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Weathering the storm
Three friends find refuge and opportunity at Texas Wesleyan University
Andie Massingill | Rambler Staff
Perry Banks Jr., Felisa Barnes, Chelsay Blake and LaDedrick Minnifield now call Wesleyan home. Andie Massingill
admassingill@mail.txwes.edu
On the four-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, three students embark on a new beginning at Texas Wesleyan this semester. In 2006, Chelsay Blake, 19, came to Texas with her parents from Alexandria, La., and she transferred to Texas Wesleyan. Blake’s parents both work on campus – her mother, Felisa Barnes, is head of security, and her father, Jo-
seph Barnes, is head of food services. Their family is growing. This summer, Blake brought two friends from Louisiana to attend Wesleyan. Perry Banks Jr., 23, and LaDedrick Minnifield, 20, are beginning their academic journey this semester after several years of working. Long-time friends with Banks’ and Minnifield’s parents, the Barnes’ are now their godparents. “We are thrilled to be able
to offer this opportunity to the boys,” Felisa said. Blake brought her friends Banks and Minnifield not only to a new state, but also into a new family. This is not a conventional family, but they have found refuge together since their move to Fort Worth after Hurricane Katrina. “There are not a lot of educational opportunities in northern Louisiana like there are here,” Felisa said. All full-time students this
Mentorship program helps students connect Conner Howell
mhowell@mail.txwes.edu
The Texas Wesleyan mentorship program wants mentors and mentees for this fall semester. The program pairs first year transfer students (mentees) with current Wesleyan student, faculty or staff (mentors) to help transfer students adjust to their new digs at Wesleyan. “The program offers transfer students [the chance] to meet people with common interests, to make friends and to learn about what Wesleyan has to offer,” said Blair Ensign, transfer liaison and coordinator of new student programs. The program matches mentors and mentees on different levels of compatibility, meaning that similar majors, classes, hobbies and even favorite foods are all criteria for pairing the right mentor with the right mentee. Ensign explained that once assigned, both participants schedule meetings with each other via e-mail or phone over the course of the semester. The students can meet for lunch, form a study group or do what works best for them. The school also provides incentives for students to meet such as free tickets to Wesleyan games, shows and even tickets to Bass Hall performances. Through the meetings mentors act as guides to their counterparts, providing information about the campus, organizations, classes, fields of study and their overall experience at Wesleyan. But the meetings are intended to build relationships as well. Paula Turnage, senior and mentor this semester, said she became involved with the
“If a student feels that someone knows
them it makes their experience [at Wesleyan] more memorable.” Blair Ensign Transfer Liaison
Andie Massingill | Rambler Staff Melody Fowler talks to new international transfer students about Wesleyan
program because she wanted to be there for a new student because she was once one too. “I want to be able to connect,” she said. According to Ensign, retention is one of the main focuses of the program, and through their connections, she hopes transfer students can feel more comfortable at Wesleyan. “If a student feels that someone knows them, it makes their experience [at Wesleyan] more memorable,” Ensign said. But mentees have their own reasons for joining the
program too. Craig Meeke, a junior transfer student, said the program was a networking opportunity. Meeke transferred from Tarrant County College’s northeast campus and said he wants to take advantage of the many student resources provided at Wesleyan. “Wesleyan has a good student ratio, lots of services, and I wanted to tap into everything possible,” Meeke said. For more information on the mentorship program contact Blair Ensign at bensign@ txwes.edu or 817-531-4923.
fall, Blake, Banks and Minnifield are seeking four-year degrees. “I want to be the next Will Smith,” Banks said. He is working toward a degree in theater and said he loves having his teacher, Joe Brown’s, cell phone number for when he has questions. Blake is on a similar path. She is planning to go into acting and screenwriting and wants to teach drama. “This semester is keeping me on my toes with four the-
ater classes,” Blake said. But she doesn’t stop there. “Working on the Wesleyan dance line keeps me very busy,” she said. Minnifield is pursuing a different course of study. He is studying exercise science while also playing shooting guard for the Wesleyan Rams on the junior varsity team. He hopes to be a college basketball coach when he completes his degree. The three students said they have enjoyed their first weeks
of this semester. All living in Wesleyan Village, they’re building a family. Minnifield likes the study groups that have formed with the cheerleaders, dancers and athletes. “The people are friendly and we have all been getting real close since Ram Camp,” he said. Felisa said she is thankful for the opportunity at her “kids” have at Wesleyan.
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Arts & Entertainment
Come fly with me Quidditch comes to college campuses Chuck Fain
cmfain@mail.txwes.edu
What sport combines cleats, safety goggles and brooms? Quidditch, the game played by wizards in the Harry Potter universe, which has now found its way onto college campuses. This isn’t just fanboy posturing in which obsessive geeks live out their escapism fantasies – not completely, anyway. An article in Paste magaPhoto by Kate Oleno zine said the sport attracts College kids battle it out on the Quidditch field. the obsessive and passive fans alike. It’s not your nor- are “chasers” who try to score tion, whose job is to find the mal geek sport, either. by tossing the “quaffle” (a “snitch.” “Snitches” are usuThe Quidditch phenom- semi-deflated volleyball) into ally cross-country or track enon isn’t played in a dark one of the other team’s three athletes, dressed in all yellow, basement with dice or dun- elevated hoops (usually hula who have free reign of the geons drawn on paper. It is hoops) on either side of the campus. They wear a sock “full contact Quidditch” and field. stuffed with a tennis ball in those brave broom-riding Each team also has the back of their waistband, souls have the scrapes, sprains two “beaters” who throw which is the object of deand broken bones to prove it.” “bludgers” (semi-deflated sire for the “seekers.” Once But how do muggles dodge balls) at opposing a “seeker” snatches the sock manage to execute a game team members trying to from the “snitch,” the game that involves magically fly- score. If a player is hit with a is over. ing around on brooms? Like “bludger,” he must drop his Sound fun? College stugeeks fulfill their fantasies, of “quaffle” and run around the dents from all over the councourse – they pretend. goal to simulate falling from try seem to think so. The game is played like one’s broom in mid-flight. “It’s good being that kid this: Each team has seven Both sides also have a who plays Quidditch because players on the field at a time. “seeker,” which is the infa- it’s so phenomenally ridicuThree of the team’s players mous Harry Potter’s posi- lous and yet so amazingly fun,” said Vassar’s team captain David Bridgman-Packer in the New York Daily News. “What Quidditch lets you do is get a great workout, have a great time and meet people who are just as nerdy as you are.” Renowned colleges from all over the country are participating in Quidditch matches. Princeton, LSU, Vassar and the reigning champions of the Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup (yes, you read that right) the Middlebury Photo by Kate Oleno Panthers are just a few of He shoots, he scores, he casts a spell on the other team. the 150 or so college teams
Upcoming Events:
Thursday
Event
Place
9th Annual Freedom Run
Dallas City Hall Plaza
CD James Patterson You’ve Been Warned
Friday
Memorial concert at TCU featuring the Wesleyan Chamber singers
TCU campus
National Championship Pow-wow
Traders Village
CD Jay-Z Blueprint 3
Saturday
7th annual Jazz by the Boulevard
Will Rogers Memorial Cntr.
Skin of Our Teeth
Stage West
Sunday Zestfest 2009
Monday
Tuesday
Dallas Wind Symphony: Carmina Burana
Will Rogers Memorial Cntr.
Meyerson Symphony Cntr.
CD The Black Dahila Murder Deflorate DVD X men Origins: Wolverine
Local retailers
Wednesday The Mars Volta in concert
Palladium Ballroom
around the United States. Even our neighbors to the north have caught Quidditch fever as Canada’s McGill University also has a team of brazen broom jockeys. The sport has become so big, there is now a (semi) organized governing body called the Intercollegiate Quidditch Association. It sanctions teams, organizes events, records wins and losses and even has an official rule book laying out all the finer details of the game. The rule book is only available online through special request – serious Quidditch inquiry only. The IQA also has a Web site, collegequidditch.com, with team profiles and pictures, news updates and a history of the sport. There is also a Facebook page for the IQA, and for just about every other college Quidditch team, providing more information that one can stand about college Quidditch. For all their sanctions, organized committees and rules, those involved in the
sport do realize they are playing out a fictional game from a children’s book while wearing capes and pretending to fly. “When you’re running around on a broom, it’s just so wonderfully silly that you can’t take the sport too seriously, so you can’t get too worked up about attacking other people,” BridgmanPacker said in Paste magazine. A mass collection of video is available online. Just a quick Google or You Tube search for “Quidditch” reveals more than the average muggle can handle – and it is definitely worth a look. Whether you’re laughing with them or at them, their numbers continue to increase, which would seem to indicate that Quidditch is here to stay. So get out your brooms, dust off that quaffle, and find yourself a snitch – it’s time to turn the mall into a Quidditch court. Dust your brooms off, Wesleyan - let’s fly.
Photo by Kate Oleno Quidditch players go for the gold...en snitch.
September 9, 2009
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5
Arlington tastes a lot like home Chuck Fain
cmfain@mail.txwes.edu
Loosen up your belts. The 27th annual Taste of Arlington rolls around again this year Oct. 6. The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way. There’s free parking, a silent auction, a Big Board auction, live music by local rock band Bentli and, of course, food as far as the eye can see. Taste of Arlington is an allyou-can-eat event with tasty wares from all over the city. Proceeds benefit youth programs for Arlington chapter YMCAs and Theatre Arlington. “It’s for such a good cause, and the food is always fantastic,” said Joleta Waldrop, local resident and supporter of the arts. “I have discovered several new restaurants there that have made their way into my regular rotation.” A complete list of restaurants on hand to dish out the goods is available online. These are but a few of the participants tempting your taste buds: Atlanta Bread Company, Birraparetti’s Colters, Freebirds, Fuzzy’s Taco, Hooters, PF Chang’s, Rockfish, Sweet Tomatoes and The Keg Steak House and Bar. Budweiser, Coors and Miller will all be on hand serving up suds, as will other local restaurants that cater to the drinking crowd. Visit www.tasteofarlington. info for ticket pricing. Tickets can also be purchased at Theatre Arlington and at any Arlington chapter YMCA. The event usually draws 2,000 to 3,000 people every year, attracting patrons to come out and eat like crazy, drink with reckless abandon, listen to live music and help kids all at the same time. Where else can you do all of these things in one evening, in one place?
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September 9, 2009
Sports
The Rambler | www.therambler.org
Men’s soccer returns to core: aiming high Joakim Soederbaum
jjsoederbaum@mail.txwes.edu
Losing just one senior from last year’s squad, head coach Josh Gibbs is carefully optimistic about the 2009 season. “Last year we were a collection of talented players,” Gibbs said. “This year the players have come together to create a stronger team feeling.” Returning sophomore forward Marcus Harris will try to cause much trouble for opponents this year. “He is one of the most electric players I have ever seen.,” Gibbs said. “He can change the game in a flash, and you seldom see a player that talented working as hard as Marcus does.” In addition to the players returning from last year, Gibbs hopes that junior transfer Ricardo Aguilera from University of the Incarnate Word, junior transfer Tyler Keith from UT-Permian Basin and freshman Clayton Herzog will be able to instantly further in-
crease the quality of the team. “Aguilera received good training at University of the Incarnate Word; Keith is a proven college player who provides a different element up top, and his hard work will allow his teammates to score. Herzog has a solid soccer background from playing with the Dallas Solar Soccer Club and is used to big situations,” Gibbs said. Freshman defender Henry Iraheta, defender/midfielder Roberto Campuzano and defender/forward Sean Maloney are also new additions. On the sideline, the returning coaching staff is joined by Matt Walusimbi who spent the last four years as an assistant coach at Nolan Catholic High School. Working with mostly the same squad that fell to UT Brownsville in the conference championship semi-final last year, Gibbs sees no need to change the team’s goal. “Our only motivation is to win a conference champion-
• The Lady Rams Soccer team beat Oklahoma Baptist University (1-0) after double over time Sept. 5 and Schreiner University (1-0) Sept. 5. The Lady Rams are now 4-0. Senior captain Jaimie Romaguera leads the Lady Rams with four goals. Goalkeeper Katy Houchin recorded three shutouts in four games. • The Rams Soccer team is off to its best start in school history (4-0) after beating Oklahoma Baptist University (2-1) Sept. 5 and Schreiner University (3-1) Sept. 6. Sophomore Marcus Harris (three) and junior Theo Nabassi (four)are the Rams’ leading goal scorers so far. • The Lady Rams Volleyball team (1-3) suffered a 3-0 loss at Tarleton State University Sept. 2. Junior Kristen Venhuizen leads the team with 28 kills and 40 digs.
The Weekly Sports Quote
Sophomore Marcus Harris
Courtesy of the athletic department
ship,” he said. “It is nationals or nothing.” This year’s Rams soccer features nine seniors, and Gibbs is confident they will leave it all on the field their last year.
“They have wanted it for a long time, and they are good enough to achieve their goal [nationals],” he said. “For them it is do or die.”
Lady Rams soccer team to build on success Joakim Soederbaum
jjsoederbaum@mail.txwes.edu
With the addition of Our Lady of the Lake University to the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), the Lady Rams will have to work harder to defend their regular and conference championship titles from last year. “We are looking to continue our tradition of excellence,” Coach Josh Gibbs said. After making their first ever national appearance last year, the Lady Rams have brought in a large group of new players to build on the success. Brandi Berrier, midfielder; Cara Lumpkin, midfielder;
Vanessa Lopez, midfielder; Meagan Williams, defender; Leah Valtman, defender; Jessica Watton, forward; Samantha Greer, midfielder; and Jordan Carrizales, forward, constitute the group of freshmen. In addition, sophomore transfer Alysia Kroger, a forward from Northwood University, and junior transfers Kayla Doherty (defender, Lynn University) and Heather Pagano (defender, Navarro College) will further increase the quality of the team. “I was nervous about the fact that the new players almost outnumbered the existing players,” Gibbs said. “A
Wesleyan Week-in-Sports
situation like that can be quite intimidating, but the returning players were very welcoming, and the new players still didn’t take anything for granted. The team came together as a group incredibly fast.” Further, senior Alejandra Barrera, RRAC Co-Player of the Year last year in her first season with the Lady Rams, is returning for her last year. Sophomore Katy Houchin will succeed graduated Honorable mention All-American Brittany O’Brien between the posts as the next in line of a proud tradition of successful goalkeepers at Texas Wesleyan. O’Brien stays with the Lady Rams as a goalkeeper
coach. The talented newcomers are mixing well with the already well-established tradition of success within the women’s soccer program. Having appeared on the national stage once, the Lady Rams are looking to establish themselves as regular competitors at the highest level. “The quality of our conference has improved, but so have we,” Gibbs said. According to Gibbs, the future looks very bright for the Lady Rams. “This group has the potential to build on last year’s success and be the best they have ever been,” he said.
“The lead car is absolutely, truly unique, except for the one behind it, which is exactly identical to the one in front of the similar one in back.” Grand Prix Race Announcer
Upcoming Sports
Game
Wednesday Volleyball vs.
Friday
Saturday
Tuesday
Texas Woman’s
7 p.m. Denton
Women’s Soccer vs. Texas Woman’s Volleyball vs. Concordia Volleyball vs. Lubbock Christian Men’s Soccer vs. Schreiner
1 p.m. Denton 3 p.m. Lubbock 7 p.m. Lubbock 7:30 p.m. Wesleyan
Volleyball vs. Howard Payne Volleyball vs. Wayland Baptist
1 p.m. Lubbock 4 p.m. Plainview
Volleyball vs. Souther Nazarene
7 p.m. Wesleyan
Willson Lecture Series Presents
Josh McDowell MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14 7:00 p.m.
POLYTECHNIC UMC SANCTUARY
Josh McDowell is a four time winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and his book, New Evidence Which Demands A Verdict, has been named as one of the most influential books of the century by World Magazine.
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For more information call Gladys Childs @ 817-531-4461