T h e
u n i v e r s i T y
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T e x a s
a T
a r l i n g T o n
Tuesday february 24, 2009
volume 90, no. 75 www.theshorthorn.com
since 1919
starting Over
WhAt BoSSeS WAnt Learn what employers want to see from prospective hires
Proven innocent after 16 years in prison, a student returns to freedom
career guide | Special Section
Scene | page 4
Student organizationS
Greeks to vote on change in recruitment regulations The proposal would allow students to rush only after completing nine credit hours. By Sohana KutuB Contributor to The Shorthorn
The university’s Greek chapter presidents will vote at 7 p.m.
Wednesday on whether incoming freshmen should be allowed to rush their first semester or if, to maintain their grades, they should have to wait until their second semester. If passed, the proposal will go into effect May 2009. All four Greek councils’ ex-
ecutive officers proposed the idea in January as a way to improve Greek community members’ grades. Greeks discussed the issue Feb. 11 in an open forum for the Greek community. Many voting presidents took polls from their chapters to decide their upcoming votes.
The councils’ executive officers wanted sustainable changes to keep the Greek community GPA at or above the university average, said Robert-Thomas Jones, Greek Life and University Events program coordinator. greek continues on page 3
On tHe MOUnd
Page 6 • Men’s basketball defeats Central Arkansas • Movin’ Mavs go 3-2 in Missouri • Baseball finishes opening weekend at 3-1 Page 8 • Men and women’s track bring home top 5 finishes • Softball goes 3-2 in home tournament Online • Women’s basketball trounce UCA
FacilitieS
SaFety
Donations expected for events center costs $10 million of the projected price tag is estimated to come from contributions, but no gifts have yet been secured. By Bryan BaStiBle The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Holland Sanders
economics sophomore Jonathan Hurd crashes Monday at the University Center Palo Duro lounge while experiencing the Save a Life Tour drunk driving simulator. The simulator shows students how their judgment and reaction time can be impaired when under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk driving simulator displays dangers Students participate in event National Save A Life Tour stopped University Center. allowing them to see through by the The tour used a three-screen the eyes of a drunk driver. computer simulator to demonstrate By caroline BaSile Contributor to The Shorthorn
Students experienced drunk driving firsthand Monday, when the
and teach the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. Health Services and University Police hosted the event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the University Center Palo Duro
Lounge. Posters promoting designated driving and displaying a casket with a sign reading “reserved for the next drunk driving victim” surrounded the simulation system. Health Services requested the simulator so students could witness alcohol’s effects on the body, like im-
For video coverage, visit
The ShorThorn .com paired vision and slowed reaction time, said Donielle Smith, Health Services health promotion and substance abuse educator and coordidriving continues on page 3
Around $10 million of the estimated $73 million cost of the special events center is expected to come from donations, with the rest from revenue bonds and university funds. “$10 million — that’s the number we’re working with. It may be lower, it may be higher when it’s all said and done,” said Jim Lewis, vice president for development. The university has none of the donations yet. “We will work to have the private funding committed — not necessarily all paid — by the time the SEC is constructed,” he said. “Some financial commitments would most likely be paid out over a three- to five-year pledge period.” The university will solicit gifts in a variety of ways, Lewis said. “We’re at the starting point right now, now that it has been approved,” he said. “We have to find a way to articulate that to alumni and friends.” The university plans on trying to attract donations with meetings explaining the project, seeking large and small donations to meet the goal. The university will consider individuals who have an interest in athletics and those who could get motivated by the facility’s importance to the university, Lewis said. gifts continues on page 3
‘a dream deferred’
let there Be light
Student-produced play addresses themes of racism, family By roBin Mcdavid Contributor to The Shorthorn
The lights shined bright in the University Center Rosebud Theatre as everyone took their seat for the student-produced and directed play, A Raisin in the Sun. Almost every seat in the house was occupied before the lights went down and the play started. Only one light source shined on a student who recited Langston Hughes’ poem, “A Dream Deferred,” which inspired the story in the play. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” he said. The play is about an AfricanAmerican family, the Youngers, who live in 1950s Chicago. The family lives paycheck-to-paycheck until the mother, Lena Younger, played by anthropology and bi-
ology senior Carla Christle, receives a $10,000 check from her late husband’s life insurance policy. The money helps keep their dreams for a better future alive, leading to the purchase of a new home. Lena allocates $6,500 to her son Walter Lee Jr., played by theatre arts senior Malik Ali, to start a business that would better the future for the Younger family. Later, Walter Lee blows the money on a poor business deal. He must then decide whether to sell his family’s house to recoup his losses. After a conflict between Walter Lee and his mother, he decides to keep the house, where the Younger family’s dreams are fulfilled. In one scene, Walter Lee discourages his sister’s desire to become a doctor. He tells her in a
loud, serious tone that she should instead become a nurse or wife. Women in the audience rolled their eyes and made disapproving noises like, “What?” and “I know he didn’t.” The audience let out an “Oh!” when the mother slapped Beneatha Younger, the daughter played by architecture sophomore Zaeria McKelvy, for denying there is a God. “In my mother’s house, there is still a God,” Lena Younger repeated until her daughter said the same. The gossiping, flamboyant Mrs. Johnson, played by broadcast sophomore Amber Harris, provided comical relief. She entered with a loud “Hallelujah! Bless God! You know something raisin continues on page 3
University electrician Jimmy smith fixes a light Monday in the Chemistry and Physics Building. Smith and a coworker had 75 light fixtures to repair.
The Shorthorn: Monica Lopez
Page 2
YOUR DAY
CALENDAR
THREE-DAY FORECAST Today
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Partly Sunny • High 79°F • Low 59°F
Mostly Sunny • High 81°F • Low 55°F — National Weather Service at www.weather.gov
EVENTS
Calendar submissions must be made by 4 p.m. two days prior to run date. To enter your event, call 817-272-3661 or log on to www.theshorthorn.com/calendar
TODAY
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
THE SHORTHORN
FEB
24
Human Race Machine: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., University Center Gallery. Free. For information, contact Aaron Resendez at 817-272-6052 or excel-specialevents@uta.edu.
Art Exhibition — Michelle Dizon/Vincent Valdez: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., The Gallery at UTA. Free. For information, contact Patricia Healy at 817-272-5658 or phealy@uta.edu. Matinee: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Chemistry and Physics Building. $3. For information, contact Levent Gurdemir at 817-272-0123 or planetarium@uta.edu. UTA Volunteers Meeting:: 12:153:15 p.m., UC Student Congress Chambers. Free. For information, contact Allison Bailey at 817-272-2963 or allison.bailey@ maves.uta.edu. Are You My Mom? Honors College Council Discussion Forum: 5:30-8 p.m., 101 College Hall. Free. For information, contact Cathy Pritchett at 817-272-5409 or hcc@uta.edu. Student Congress General Body Meeting: 6 p.m., UC Student Congress Chambers. Free. For information, contact Bess Alvarez at 817-272-0556 or scvpres@uta.edu. NAACP Tribute to Entertainment: 6:30 p.m., UC Rosebud Theatre. For information, contact Multicultural Affairs at 817272-2099 or multicultural_affairs@uta.edu. Mardi Gras Night: 7 p.m., Arlington Hall. For information, contact Multicultural Affairs at 817-272-2099 or multicultural_affairs@uta.edu.
Engineers Week finishes with fun Pie the Professor and a scavenger hunt were among the festivities and participants won prizes like backpacks and T-shirts. BY ERIKA RIZO Contributor to The Shorthorn
The College of Engineering wrapped up Engineers Week on Friday with events all day, including Pie the Professor, a scavenger hunt, Engineering Jeopardy and raffle prizes. Pie the Professor is an annual event conducted on the Friday of Engineers Week to raise money for Engineers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization. Throughout the week, students and faculty donated money in a particular professor’s name. The professor with the most money donated by Friday gets a pie thrown in his or her face by an engineering student, said Jamila Phillips, 2009 Engineers Week chair. “It’s just a fun way to end Engineers Week,” she said. Computer Science lecturer David Levine was the first-place winner with a $7,461 donation by 11:30 a.m. “I wasn’t expecting to win this, but I did want to get pied just for the fun,” he said. Civil engineering lecturer James Leininger won second place with a $54 donation. “I volunteered to be pied as second place, even though I found out later that I didn’t have to, because I misunderstood the rules,” he said. There was also a scavenger hunt Friday. Students ran around campus, asking questions about engineering at the university and other things. “This event encouraged students to find out more about the university,” said mechanical engineering senior George Teng. Questions included building locations, UTA history and what company was doing the construction of the new buildings, he said. Engineering assistant dean for student affairs Carter Tiernan won first place but gave up her prize to the next student, computer science sophomore Paul Sassaman. He won $30 and a backpack. “I learned a lot about the history of the College of Engineering and UTA, but most of this I already knew,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.” The third-place winner, Brandon Pugh, computer science and business senior, won a T-shirt.
CANNON FODDER by Isaac Erickson
Clavier Series Piano Recital: 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall. For information, contact the Music Department at 817-2723471 or music@uta.edu.
The Shorthorn: Monica Lopez
Carter Tiernan, College of Engineering assistant dean for student affairs, throws a pie at lecturer David Levine on Friday in the Nedderman Hall atrium. Pie the Professor, an Engineers Week event, let students vote for an unlucky professor through monetary donations. The proceeds went to Engineers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization, and the winning candidate got pied.
Engineering students and faculty congregated in 100 Nedderman Hall for Engineering Jeopardy and pizza. The game, played on a large projector, tested the students’ knowledge about the College of Engineering and the many people associated with it, Phillips said. Throughout the week, students also got raffle tickets for most of the events they attended. “The more events they participated in, the more tickets they collected and the greater their chances were of winning things,” Phillips said. On Friday, the College of Engineering gave out prizes like bags, hats, chairs, blankets and T-shirts.
MONDAY Injured person — medical assist Officers responded at 4:14 a.m. to a call at Maple Square apartments, 400 S. Oak St. Officers found a student complaining of severe abdominal pain. The student refused transport to an area hospital after being treated by paramedics.
THE SHORTHORN .com
CORRECTIONS Darin Thomas is the baseball head coach. Friday’s Baseball/ Softball Preview incorrectly printed his title.
Sunday Loud noise complaint Officers responded at 4:22 a.m. to a call at Centennial Court apartments, 700 W. Mitchell Circle, in regards to a loud noise complaint. The officer met with a resident who told him she had friends over. The student was issued a campus citation. Loud noise complaint Police responded at 1:05 a.m. to a call at Centennial Court apart-
For a crime map, visit
News Front Desk ......................... 817-272-3661 News after 5 p.m........................ 817-272-3205 Advertising ................................. 817-272-3188 Fax ............................................. 817-272-5009 UC Lower Level Box 19038, Arlington, TX 76019 Editor in Chief .............................. Joan Khalaf editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Managing Editor........................... Justin Rains
managing-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu News Editor ................................. Jason Boyd news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Assistant News Editor ................ Mark Bauer news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Design Editor .............................. Marissa Hall design-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Copy Desk Chief ............... Andrew Williamson copydesk-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports Editor ......................... Stephen Peters
ERIKA RIZO news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
POLICE REPORT This is a part of the daily activity log produced by the university’s Police Department. To report a criminal incident on campus, call 817-272-3381.
For the full calendar, visit
The National Society of Black Engineers won $150 for participating the most out of all organizations during Engineers Week. “Engineers Week was a success. There were parts that turned out better than I expected for a lot of the last-minute planning,” he said. “I’m expecting for next year to be even better, because we’ve gotten a lot of people interested in helping. So the more people we have invested in helping, the more fun things we can pull off.”
sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Scene Editor .............................Emily Toman features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Opinion Editor ................................ Cohe Bolin opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Photo Editor .................................... Rasy Ran photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Online Editor ...................... Jennifer Cudmore online-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Webmaster ........................... Troy Buchwalter
webmaster.shorthorn@uta.edu News Clerk ................................ Jeanne Lopez calendar.shorthorn@uta.edu Student Ad Manager .............. Colleen Hurtzig admanager@shorthorn.uta.edu Ad Representatives ........................ Dondria Bowman, Shannon Edwards, Matthew Harper, Eric Lara, Mike Love, Pax Salinas, Kasey Tomlinson Ad Artists ............................. Antonina
ments, 700 W. Mitchell Circle, after receiving a loud noise complaint. The officer located the resident causing the noise, who agreed to keep his guests quiet. Assault with bodily injury While responding to an earlier report of a domestic disturbance at Centennial Court apartments, 700 W. Mitchell Circle, an officer discovered a second victim who had been assaulted. The nonstudent told police she didn’t want to press charges.
THE SHORTHORN .com Doescher, Robert Harper, Benira Miller Receptionists ............................ Monica Barbery, Hillary Green Courier ................................. Taylor Frizzelle
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90TH YEAR, © THE SHORTHORN 2009 All rights reserved. All content is the property of The Shorthorn and may not be reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from UTA Student Publications. The Shorthorn is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Arlington and is published in the UTA Office of Student Publications. Opinions expressed in The Shorthorn are
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Page 7
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Shorthorn is currently accepting applications for the following positions for the Spring Semester; • Reporter • Ad Sales Rep Get a job description and an application TODAY! Student Publications Dept. University Center, lower level. Also available online at: www.TheShorthorn.com All are paid positions for UTA students. For more information call; 817-272-3188 Seeking person for live-in position at assisted living facility. Knowledge of work w/ mentally challenged, first aid, CPR, and nursing skills required. Send resumes to: joyefamily@yahoo.com SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com SELL AVON, $10 start Jen McCown (817)938-8539 YourAvon.com/JMCCOWN
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Office/Clerical The Shorthorn is seeking a Receptionist for the spring semester. Must be a UTA work-study student available to work MWF, 10-1 & T/Th Noon -1 Apply online at www.uta.edu/snapjob
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Roommates Need a roommate. $235/mo. 2bd/2ba house. UTA students welcome. 6407 Valleybrooke Ct. Cell 817-907-2927 E-mail jonnyrose26@gmail.com 2 rooms for rent, $550 ea. includes util, cable and internet. 7 mi. to UTA, in SW Arl. Nice area. Call 817-734-5730
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9 with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
Solution Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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The ShorThorn
eventS Science, medical research conference to feature North Texas universities Metroplex Day, an annual science and medical research conference for UT-Dallas, UT-Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and UTA, will be held on campus March 6. Robert J. Gatchel, psychology professor and department chairman, said the conference is a good place for students to network with future peers. “Students will be exposed to the most cuttingedge science being done in North Texas at three of the most prominent universities in the area,” he said. The conference is open to faculty, students, research staff and trainees at Dallas-Fort Worth colleges and universities, though registration is required. The presidents of each institution will also attend. “This is the third year
The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard
From left, criminal justice senior Debritu Alamrew, anthropology and biology senior Carla Christle and biochemistry freshman Timothy Johnson gather around a $10,000 check that just arrived in the mail during A Raisin in the Sun on Sunday night in the University Center Rosebud Theatre. The play illustrated racial issues families were forced to overcome in the 1950s.
Raisin continued from page 1
about God,” and often repeated it. “My favorite part was Amber Harris’ character Mrs. Johnson, she was re-
Driving continued from page 1
nator. “Our main goal is to raise awareness about binge drinking and to educate and prevent [it],” she said. Tour manager Chris Geysbeek said the simulator delays the reaction time so even if someone sober is operating the
Greek continued from page 1
“There are tons of schools in the nation that are doing this,” he said. “What I really like about this is that these are student-driven ideas, and I applaud them for trying to create positive change. This wasn’t an administrative kind of change.” The issue has generated differing opinions between members and chapters. Jenna Trussell, Zeta Tau Alpha president, said her organization is rooting against the rule. “We feel that when girls first come to college, it’s good to have that support coming in from the very beginning,” she said. “I don’t think it will affect freshmen as much because they won’t know what they’re missing, but I think it’ll affect chapters and the campus a lot more because everyone’s going to be recruiting for an entire semester instead of a week.” Sigma Chi President Chris Ledbetter said his organization supports the rule. “We want Greek life to have high grades,” he said. “I think it will be a learning process for all the chapters though. It’s going to be a whole new ball game because you have to keep in contact with potential members for a whole semester.” Sabrina Meharali, Delta Phi Omega vice president, said the majority of her sorority members rushed as freshmen, and it would be a different experience otherwise. “As far as grades go, you have your easiest classes when you first start, and then it only gets harder,” she said. Sigma Chi member Taylor Brewerton said he believes the rule is a good idea. “It gives freshmen a whole semester to get to know the fraternities instead of being lied to for a week,” he said. “Because a lot of the guys give them fluff facts.”
ally funny,” said kinesiology freshman Shannon Leidlein. Some students who had never seen the movie or read the book said they enjoyed the production. “This was like Broadway to me,” accounting junior Yasmine Thomas said. Director and theatre arts
senior Tim Brown said the main components for the play’s success were time management, communication between the cast and crew and lack of sleep. “I sleep when I die,” he said. Brown also found motivation throughout the play
from cast members and his assistant director Terry Smith, a marketing senior. “My co-director kept me humble and focused throughout the play,” Brown said.
it, the machine reacts as if the driver were drunk. “It accurately portrays how the human body reacts to alcohol,” he said. “We take the effects of that and use it for the car’s response time.” Before beginning the simulation, participants receive a rundown of how the program works. The simulation begins at an easy level and increases in difficulty as it progresses, Geysbeek said.
“There are no excuses when they crash in the game,” he said. “I tell them how the simulation works and there is a way to get through it, but it’s tough.” A major part in preventing drunk driving is being supportive of friends, including taking away keys if a friend has been drinking he said. Biology senior Yusuf Ajuwon said the simulator was interesting and more difficult than he anticipated.
“It was tough at first,” he said. “It was almost like learning how to drive again, but it got harder as you went through the game.” Philosophy junior J.D. Davis said he had to concentrate more than when he was driving his own car while sober. “It was a lot harder than I thought,” he said. “But it was a good experience.”
For a list of proposals to be voted on, visit
The ShorThorn .com Lisa Moran, Zeta Tau Alpha member, said the possible rule would change how groups prepare to recruit. “It’s going to be more work for us during the fall semester, especially since we do all of our rush training during the summer,” she said. “We’re prepared before school even starts.” Moran said she believes potential new members will lose interest because they’ll find other friends and other ways to get involved without Greek help and involvement. “In turn, they’ll realize they don’t have to join to hang out with us, so people might think, ‘Why do I have to pay if I can already hang out with them?’ ” she said. “So that might lower our membership and people that are interested in being a part of Greek life in general. And that will affect the amount of money going toward keeping the organization active, eventually making the whole Greek system fail.” Jones said campuses implementing similar rules have seen positive and negative effects, depending on if the chapters had a good adjustment plan. He said conversation about this rule shows Greek organizations’ commitment to scholarship and academic excellence, which is written into every group’s mission statement. “Greek life is much bigger than what you see on TV and the stereotypes you hear,” he said. “We are here to advance the academic mission of this university, and this is with any Greek community. And I hope these changes continue to promote learning on campus.” Sohana Kutub news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
robin MCDaviD news-editor.shorthorn.edu
Caroline baSile news.editor-shorthorn@uta.edu
of Metroplex Day, which was initiated by UTSouthwestern Medical Center, UT-Dallas, and UT Arlington,” Gatchel said, “These are the three major research institutions in North Texas, and the goal is to collaborate and stimulate more neuroscience, biomedical science and engineering research among them. This is a mandate that the UT System has given us in order to develop Tier One research status in North Texas.” The keynote lecture will be given by George Georgiou, Cockrell Family Regent’s Chair in Engineering No. 9 from UT-Austin. Those interested must register at www.uta.edu/ metroplexdays by Feb. 27.
— Ali Mustansir
Gifts
of Regents approved a proposal for the special events center Feb. 12. Construction is scheduled for completion continued from page 1 in 2012. The special events cen“Some folks will be identer is yet another accomtified based on their past history of support of the plishment for which alumni university, but there will be can be proud of their alma mater, said some we will Christina Milapproach who “We’re at the lion, Alumni haven’t been acAssociation extive supporters starting point ecutive director. in the past,” he right now, now “The more said. “We will great things also consider that it has been alumni have c o r p o r a t i o n s approved. We to talk about, and businesses the better for who may have have to find a the Alumni Asan interest in way to articulate sociation and a project like that to alumni and UT Arlington,” this.” she said. “Since Lewis said friends.” alumni received the center is word about the much more Jim lewis, special events vice president for than a place to center, the replay basketball. development sponse has been “We have to phenomenal. think about the case for it,” he said. “It’s really some- Alumni are truly excited thing that will reposition about the news.” the university.” bryan baStible The UT System Board news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Scene
about scene Emily Toman, editor features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Scene is published Tuesday. Page 4
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
remember
“Every day I was like, ‘When am I going to get out of here?’ Some days, I thought I’d never get out.”
Check out Thursday’s Pulse for a feature about area disc golf courses. Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The ShorThorn
Page 5
The ShorThorn
Patrick Waller, criminal justice junior recently exonerated through DnA evidence
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
Patrick Waller holds pictures taken by his family while they visited him in prison. In the center photo, Waller poses with his mother and aunt in 2003 after receiving his associate’s degree while incarcerated.
Beyond the Classroom Students gain professional experience, working to free the wrongfully convicted Emily Toman
S
Criminal justice junior Patrick Waller spent more than 16 years in prison for aggravated robbery and kidnapping — crimes he did not commit. He was freed through DNA evidence with the help of the Dallas District Attorney’s Office and the Innocence Project of Texas.
A CAse for JustiCe
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
One student appreciates life after exoneration By Emily Toman
F
The Shorthorn Scene editor
or 16 years, two months and 24 days, Patrick Waller waited. He waited in prison, fighting off violent inmates almost every day and seeing others killed. He worked as a cook in the kitchen and read books — fantasies, romances, biographies — anything to pass the time. Meanwhile, his children grew up and the world outside began to change. “every day I was like, ‘When am I going to get out of here?’ ” he said. “Some days, I thought I’d never get out.” Waller was serving two concurrent 30-year sentences for aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and violating probation. The Dallas District Attorney’s Office and the Innocence Project of Texas worked to exonerate him through DnA evidence. On July 3, 2008, Waller left prison a free man. “That was the best day of my life,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way again.” At 39 years old, Waller now attends the university as a criminal justice junior making up for the time he lost after his arrest 16 years ago.
The Arrest and Trial
On April 9, 1992, Waller had a routine meeting with his probation officer for cocaine possession. Police arrived and arrested him, repeatedly asking, “Who’d you rob?” “I couldn’t give him what he wanted because I didn’t know anything,” Waller said. A woman had identified him from a group of mug shots as one of
the men who robbed, kidnapped and raped her near the West end in Dallas. While he was never charged with the rape, the victim testified in court, convincing the jury to convict him of the robbery and kidnapping. Waller’s trial started on Dec. 7 and only lasted a day and a half. His attorney didn’t ask the right questions, not wanting to upset the rape victim. He even fell asleep in court. Waller received a life sentence and had to confess to the kidnapping to ever qualify for parole. On Jan. 27, 1993, he was transferred to Ferguson Prison Unit in Midway. On his first day, three inmates attacked him. “From that day forward, it was constant fighting,” he said.
Life Behind Bars
Prison has its own rules, Waller said. Inmates expect others to fight, and they prey on the weak. He did everything he could to avoid it. In 1994, he requested to attend college. Prisoners can do coursework and actually earn credit hours. Many of Waller’s transferred to the university. He went to class from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day before performing his kitchen duties at night. He studied psychology and sociology. “The more you stay busy, the faster the time goes by,” he said. He was granted one five-minute phone call every 90 days, and officers monitored it. In 1996, he moved to the Mcconnell Prison Unit in Beeville near corpus christi. He has a close relationship with his mom, who drove to visit him at least once a month. “She basically kept me a float while I was in prison, as far as emotionally,” Waller said. He has three children — twins who were 2 years old and a son
who was 1 year old when Waller entered prison. They visited, but it was hard building a relationship. “You can’t get to know them behind barbed wire and chain-linked fences,” he said. Waller learned of DnA testing, which was still new technology during his trial. The court denied his first test request in December 2001.
Path to Exoneration
In July 2007, Mike Ware received his position as Assistant District Attorney in Dallas and began working with the Innocence Project of Texas, reviewing old cases that had been denied DnA testing. They came upon Waller’s and did a post-conviction investigation. Waller received a DnA test that came back negative – but Ware said it wasn’t enough to prove his innocence. They had to identify the real perpetrators. “every case is unique, and every case is extraordinary,” Ware said. “It was a horrible crime. The worse a crime, the more likely a jury is to convict.” In June, Waller received a letter stating that the two men responsible for the crime had been identified. He had to take three polygraph tests to solidify his innocence. He was finally released from prison the next month. Surrounded by his family and overwhelmed with happiness, he kissed the ground.
Life After Prison
Since his release, Waller has put about 20,000 miles on his truck, traveling to Oklahoma to visit his son in college and to Hollywood, calif. for a Discovery channel special.
“I just fill up my tank and go,” he said. “You name it, I’m doing it. To be able to come and go as you please feels good. I take advantage of it.” John Stickels, criminal justice and criminology associate professor, introduced Waller to the university, and students in the Innocence Project at UTA showed him around campus. Undergraduate adviser Karel carpenter helped him get into classes since his financial aid process took longer than expected. “He was a humble man. You can always tell from their articulation and their demeanor whether they have what it takes,” she said about transfer students’ success. Waller got his first cell phone and is still learning how to use his laptop. He lives with his cousin in Richardson, and his family helps support him. He said it’s unclear what his life would be like if he hadn’t been wrongfully convicted. He never intended to go to college and at 20 years old, he was just “a young kid doing what young kids do.” “I wonder that all the time,” Waller said. “I wasn’t a normal American kid. I didn’t have direction in life before, and now I do.” He wants to finish his criminal justice degree and work for the Innocence Project of Texas, helping others like him. “When you’re in prison, you have a lot of time to think,” he said. “You can go one of two ways – ‘I want to live or I don’t.’ ” Emily Toman features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
PaTrick wallEr: TimElinE of EvEnTs September 2007 The new Dallas District Attorney reopened Waller’s case and granted his DNA test.
Dec. 7, 1992 Waller’s trial began — and lasted a day and a half.
Jan. 27, 1993 Officers transported Waller to the Ferguson Prison Unit in Midway, where he spent three years. Then he moved to the McConnell Prison Unit in Beeville near Corpus Christi.
Oct. 27, 2007 Waller took the DNA test, which came back negative in December.
June 2008 Waller received a letter in jail stating that the real perpetrators had been identified. He took three polygraph tests to solidify his innocence. July 3, 2008 Waller was released from prison, and Innocence Project of Texas members took him out to a steak dinner and gave him his first cell phone.
August 2001 Waller applied for DNA testing, and the courts denied it. He returned to prison for seven more years The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
Patrick Waller lives with his cousin in Richardson and sometimes with his aunt in Carrollton. He studies criminal justice at the university during the week, hangs out with friends and family on the weekends or travels across the country in his truck. The Shorthorn: Brad Borgerding
The Shorthorn Scene editor
tudents spend hours each week delving into trail transcripts, district attorney files and forensic evidence in hopes to save lives — those of the wrongfully convicted. “This is something that I live, eat, sleep and breathe,” criminal justice senior Julpa Dave said. “There’s so many people in the U.S. that don’t get the justice they deserve.” In the Innocence Project at UTA, students research old criminal cases and work to exonerate inmates through DnA tests, investigating identification errors and other discrepancies. It’s the state’s only student initiative that includes undergraduates, and it affiliates with the Innocence Project of Texas. Members work under the direction of John Stickels, criminal justice and criminology assistant professor. He said the project allows students to gain practical experience through service learning. “They have an opportunity here that undergraduates don’t have anywhere else,” he said. Stickels has more than 24 years of experience in the criminal justice system and serves on the Innocence Project of Texas board of directors. He said the project at UTA started small in Spring 2005 while students were still learning, and it didn’t become a student organization until last summer. college of Liberal Arts Dean Beth Wright, criminal Justice and criminology Department chair Alex del carmen and criminology associate professor Bob Bing made the organization possible, providing funding and support. “If it were not for them, we wouldn’t be here,” Stickels said. Students receive cases from the state board or through the Dallas District Attorney’s Office. Sometimes, they receive letters directly from inmates. Dave, the Innocence Project at UTA president, has one case waiting for DnA results. It involves a double homicide and a man who has spent 21 years in prison for one of the two murders. She started researching it last year and found that police ignored other suspects and had weak evidence. “It was one of those cases where you look at it and say, ‘Did they really convict him because of this?’ ” she said. The students research a case, decide if it has merit and then report to the Innocence Project of Texas how To GET board of directors, which grants or denies involvEd a DnA test. The Innocence ProjDave, who recently ect at UTA welcomes finished applying for all majors who comlaw school, said the plete an application project has opened her and devote time to eyes to misconceptions the organization. about the system. Officers expect “You actually get to members to work see the criminal jusregularly and treat it tice system and how it as more than just a works — and the mulresume booster. tiple errors,” she said. “There’s a lot you don’t The group meets at see going into it.” noon on second and Jason nauman, pofourth Wednesdays litical science junior monthly in 104 Uniand Innocence Projversity Hall. ect at UTA treasurer,
aBouT ThE innocEncE ProjEcT John Stickels, criminal justice and criminology assistant professor, gave a lecture Feb. 13 outlining flaws in the criminal justice system and the Innocence Project’s plans for reform. What Causes Wrongful Convictions? • eyewitness identification errors • false confessions due to police interrogators • informant and snitch testimonies where someone tied to the defendant testifies in exchange for benefits • unreliable science • forensic misconduct • prosecutorial misconduct • defendants’ ineffective attorneys What Needs to Change? • eyewitness identification and lineup procedures • prosecutors must receive penalties for misconduct • police should videotape all suspect interrogations • snitch and informant testimony should be eliminated By the Numbers • Texas leads the nation with 33 DNA exonerations. • Dallas County has seen 19, more than any other county. • The Innocence Project at UTA student volunteers have 63 cases open, 97 closed and 6 in testing.
joined the group in September, starting with small cases and working toward bigger ones. He devotes about 10 to 15 hours a week to the organization. After attending a conference and listening to inmates’ stories, he realized its importance. “We need to look at this as an example of what’s going on in the rest of the country,” he said. nauman said that while the United States has the best criminal justice system in the world, minor changes could strengthen it and prevent wrongful convictions. Holding prosecutors accountable and altering identification procedures are easy solutions. “We’re not out there trying to get guilty people out of jail on technicalities,” he said. The Innocence Project also handles nonDnA cases, which require much more time and research. nauman has one involving a drive-by shooting that has been under postinvestigation for about two years. He said that seeing his cases’ outcomes makes the project worthwhile. “It’s a feel good moment,” he said. nauman, 31, plans to attend law school and said the Innocence Project has given him early exposure to the criminal justice system. Dave planned to become an intellectual property lawyer but changed her mind after working with the project. She now wants to make a career out of freeing the wrongfully convicted. “Doing work with the Innocence Project, I would be more than happy eating out of soup cans — even if it meant no money,” she said. “even if it just means one more person getting out of jail for a crime they didn’t commit.” Emily Toman features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
about sports Stephen Peters, editor sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports publishes Tuesday through Friday. Page 6
SpoRTS
remember Check www.theshorthorn.com for a brief recap of the women’s basketball team blowout Central Arkansas on Saturday.
The ShorThorn
Chalk Talk
O O X X X
Uta spoRts CalendaR
Tuesday, February 24 2009
Men’s BasketBall
Mavericks win 5th straight A win from the men and losses from conference rivals gives UTA a chance at another conference championship.
Today Men’s tennis vs. Lamar Time: 2 p.m. Place: Beaumont Baseball vs. Texas Time: 3 p.m. Place: Austin
By RoBeRt Matson Contributor to The Shorthorn
Softball vs. Texas State Time: 4 p.m. Place: Allan Saxe Field Softball vs. Texas State Time: 6 p.m. Place: Allan Saxe Field Men’s golf at Rio Pinar Invitational Time: all day Place: Orlando, Fla. wednesday Softball vs. Texas State Time: 2 p.m. Place: Allan Saxe Field Women’s basketball vs. Lamar Time: 7 p.m. Place: Texas Hall Men’s basektball vs. Lamar Time: 7 p.m. Place: Beaumont Friday Baseball vs. Stephen F. Austin Time: 3 p.m. Place: Edinburg Men’s tennis vs. Wichita State Time: 5 p.m. Place: Wichita, Kan
BasketBall
Men’s SLC Standings East Stephen F. Austin Nicholls State McNeese State Southeastern Louisiana Northwestern State Central Arkansas
SLC 9-3 8-4 5-7 3-9 2-10 2-10
Overall 17-7 15-10 11-14 9-16 10-17 9-16
west Sam Houston State Texas A&M Corpus Christi UTA UTSA Lamar Texas State
SLC 9-3 9-3 8-4 7-5 5-7 5-7
Overall 15-10 15-12 15-10 16-9 14-12 12-13
women’s SLC Standings East Stephen F. Austin Northwestern State Southeastern Louisiana McNeese State Central Arkansas Nicholls State
SLC 8-4 7-5 7-5 4-8 2-10 1-11
Overall 13-11 15-10 15-10 12-13 6-19 1-22
west SLC UTA 10-2 UTSA 10-2 Lamar 9-3 Texas State 5-7 Texas A&M Corpus Christi 5-7 Sam Houston State 4-8
Overall 16-9 17-8 18-7 11-13 10-15 7-18
Guignard Named SLC Player of the week FRISCO, Texas – UT Arlington guard Rogér Guignard has been named the Southland Conference men’s basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday. It is the first time he has been honored this season. Guignard led the Mavericks to wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas last week as he scored a team-high 18 points against the Lions in Hammond, La., and at home vs. Central Arkansas while averaging 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest. The junior shot 61 percent from the field as he made 14-23 which included going 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) from 3-point range. Guignard played 65 minutes, had 11 assists with just two turnovers and tied a season-high with seven assists at Southeastern Louisiana. 2008-09 Southland Men’s Basketball Players of the Week Nov 17 — Warrell Span, Southeastern Louisiana; 24 — Kenny Dawkins, Lamar. Dec 1 — Kevin Palmer, Texas A&MCorpus Christi; 8 — Matt Kingsley, Stephen F. Austin; 15 — Jay Brown, Lamar; 22 — Anthony Vereen, UT Arlington and Devin White, Northwestern State; 29 — Kevin Palmer, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Jan 5 — Travis Gabbidon, UTSA; 12 — Ryan Bathie, Nicholls State; 19 — Kevin Palmer, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; 26 — Travis Gabbidon, UTSA. Feb 2 — Ashton Mitchell, Sam Houston State; 9 — John Pichon, McNeese State; 16 — Ryan Bathie, Nicholls State, and Anthony Vereen, UT Arlington; 23 — Rogér Guignard, UT Arlington. — Southland Conference
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
After a sluggish first half left the UTA men’s basketball team tied at 31 with the conference’s worst team, Central Arkansas, the Mavs dominated the rest of the game and cruised to an 87-73 fifth-straight win. Coming out to start the second half, the Mavs (15-10, 8-4) unleashed a 15-0 run on the Bears (9-16, 2-10) and never looked back, leading by as many as 24. Four players reached doubledigits for UTA, led by Rogér Guignard’s 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Head coach Scott Uta 87, UCa 73 Cross was pleased with the second half perforCentral Arkansas mance the Mavs put Player FG-FGA REB PTS MIN together, especially on Brown 1-3 2 4 21 Marks 2-3 8 6 24 the defensive end of the Taylor 7-16 4 16 28 floor. Clayborn 3-8 3 8 29 “We were great dePillow 9-15 1 30 36 fensively there for about Henson 0-2 1 0 8 eight or ten minutes Qahwash 1-3 0 3 21 when we made our run Brewer 2-5 4 6 21 Cannon 0-1 1 1 9 and put the game out of Silverman 0-0 0 0 7 reach,” Cross said. “We Totals 23-56 28 73 200 were able to get stops and then made plays on UTA the offensive end of the Player FG-FGA REB PTS MIN Moffitt 5-8 9 14 28 floor as well.” Reed III 6-9 3 16 25 For the game, the Vereen 2-6 4 6 26 Mavs shot 57 percent Haynes 5-8 3 14 32 from the field and domGuignard 7-12 5 18 32 inated inside play, outGentry II 2-2 0 6 7 scoring the Bears 38-17 Smith 1-2 1 2 12 in the paint. Davis 1-1 0 2 6 Dewalt 2-4 1 5 8 Helping provide Parker 1-1 4 2 14 a spark was redshirt Awange 1-2 0 2 6 freshman guard/forKinnear 0-2 1 0 4 ward LaMarcus Reed Totals 33-57 37 87 200 III. Reed, who stepped UCA (9-16, 2-10), UTA (15-10, 8-4 ) into a starter’s role for Brandon Long who missed the game due to a death in the family, scored a career-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Reed attributed his more productive play to an increase in focus on his game when he is on the court. “Coach let us know at halftime that we weren’t taking care of business the last five minutes,” Reed said. “He let us know we
Junior forward Tommy Moffitt battles defenders around the basket Saturday during the Mavericks’ 87-73 win over Central Arkansas at Texas Hall. Moffitt scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds.
bASKETbALL continues on page 8
wheelChaiR BasketBall
BaseBall
Movin’ Mavs finish weekend tuneup at 3-2
Mavs finish 2nd in home tournament
By stephen peteRs The Shorthorn sports editor
The wheelchair basketball team went 3-2 this weekend in a Northern Division tournament in Missouri, cementing the No. 3 seed for the national tournament. UTA’s two losses came at the hands of the Illinois, 72-62, and Wisconsin-Whitewater, 85-68 — two teams the Movin’ Mavs lost to earlier this year. Against Illinois, the Mavs led by four with seven minutes to play and then trailed by three with three minutes left when sophomore guard Ian pierson fouled out. Illinois shot 24 free throws compared to just six for the Mavs. “You never know how foul calls are going to determine a game,” head coach Doug Garner said. “But that’s a big discrepancy.” pierson finished with 16 points and nine assists. Junior forward David Wilkes led the Mavs with 24 points. For the tournament, Wilkes averaged close to
15 points a game. Garner said his team showed much improvement against Illinois and Whitewater compared to earlier in the season. “Their confidence is up right now,” he said. “We’re looking good heading into the national tournament.” For the three wins, UTA outscored its opponents by an average of 31.6 points a game, including a 40-point victory against Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. The last regular season game is Saturday as the Movin’ Mavs take on the defending national champion (Community Division) Dallas Mavericks. The game will mark the last regular season game for senior guards Tyler Garner and Aaron Gouge. The two are the lone members on the team with National Championship experience. The team travels to Wisconsin March 13 for the Intercollegiate National Tournament and seeks its eighth title.
Solid pitching and timely hitting against Siena propels the team to 3-1 weekend record as team prepares for Texas. stephen peteRs The Shorthorn sports editor
In its 2009 opening weekend, the baseball team finished second at the 16th annual UT Arlington/Hilton Invitational with a record of 3-1 at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks defeated the Siena Saints (1-3) 12-1, led by a four-RBI performance of sophomore outfielder Michael Choice in the tournament finale. Choice went 4-for-5 on the day and improved his batting average to a teamhigh .529. “I’m just getting back into the swing of things,” Choice said. “As a team, I feel we’re doing real good right now. Everybody’s on the same page and we know what we have to do.” In the season opener, the Mavericks defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves 5-4 thanks to a five-run fifth inning led by
Choice’s three-run homer. Head coach Darin Thomas was happy to see his team improve after a rough outing against Texas State on Saturday. “Besides the game against Texas State, I think we really played well,” Thomas said. “Since then we’ve given up one [run].” In the two games against Siena, Maverick pitchers allowed just seven hits and one run, while the offense posted 25 runs on 33 hits. on Saturday, sophomore pitcher Rett Varner pitched six innings, struck out five and allowed just two hits to claim his first victory of the season. on Monday, senior outfielder Blake Holt led the offensive attack as he belted a leadoff home run over the right field wall and the Mavs would tack on two more runs in the first inning. The Mavs would score in every inning batted except for the third and eighth innings. Senior Drew Clementz (1-0) pitched a solid game in an emergency situation after bASEbALL continues on page 8
stephen peteRs sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
whEELChAir bASKETbALL Team Illinois (men) Wisconsin-Whitewater UTA Arizona Alabama Southwest Minnesota State Edinboro Missouri Illinois (women)
w-L 18-0 16-0 15-5 11-4 10-10 7-14 5-11 5-15 0-18
Pct 1.000 1.000 .750 .733 .500 .333 .313 .250 .000
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
Second baseman Jay Pitschka leaps over sophomore outfielder Michael Choice as Choice catches a fly ball during the ninth inning against Texas State. The Mavs fell to the Bobcats 8-6 in the second day of the UT-Arlington/Hilton Invitational Tournament.
Page 8
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The ShorThorn
Baseball
tRaCk and Field
Teams show strong at Southland Indoors
continued from page 6
Men’s and women’s teams bring in six individual titles during indoor track meet in Houston. CoRy aRMstRong Contributor to The Shorthorn
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
Senior outfielder Blake Holt hits the ball Friday during the Mavericks’ 5-4 win over Arkansas State at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Mavericks were 3-1 in the UT Arlington/Hilton Invitational Tournament.
senior Matt Otteman was scratched from the start due to soreness. “I always come to the ballpark prepared,” Clementz said. “I felt pretty strong and was able to locate and get ahead early.” Clementz held the Saints to just one unearned run on four hits and had one strikeout. The quick lead allowed Clementz to settle into a groove early. “Our guys are swinging so well,” he added. “Their bats are popping and we have good defense, so it makes pitching that much easier.” UTA faces the Longhorns at 3 p.m. today.
Last year, the Mavs won 4-3 at Texas in mid April. “This tournament prepares us pretty well,” Choice said. “We got the first-game jitters out of the way. We just have to go down there and treat it like any other game and play them tough.” The next home game is March 3 against the TCU Horned Frogs at Clay Gould Ballpark.
Basketball
Texas Hall in the next two weeks. Cross is excited the gap has been closed, but won’t let himself or his team lose focus and get overwhelmed by not taking care of business on a game-to-game basis. “It’s kind of a daunting task to say we have got to win the next four games and we will win a conference championship,” Cross said. “But if we say we just have to beat Lamar on Wednesday, that’s a doable task.” The Mavs are the hottest team in the conference currently and look to extend their winning streak on the road at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday against Lamar.
continued from page 6
needed to pick it up or he was going to handle it in practice.” Central Arkansas guard Marcus Pillow gave the Mavs trouble throughout the game scoring a game-high 30 points which included a school record nine 3-pointers. The win, coupled with last week’s losses by West division leaders Sam Houston State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, leaving the Mavs just one game out of first place in the West. The remaining home schedule will give UTA the chance to avenge earlier season losses to both Sam Houston and Corpus as both come to
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The men’s track and field team captured second overall and the women placed fourth at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships in Houston this weekend. The men finished behind UTSA, which won its fourth consecutive indoor title, scoring 120.5 points overall. UTA scored 101, followed by third place Southeastern Louisiana with 81.5. “We were hoping for first with the men but came up a little short,” head coach John Sauerhage said. “All in all, it was an improvement from last year.” But Sauerhage was not satisfied with the results. “We have to have our best performance at the conference meet,” he said. Idilio Campos led the Mavericks in points, winning the 800-meter dash with a time of 1 minute, 52.91 seconds and placing second in the distance medley along with Ozie Hood, Takeshi Fujiwara and Darren Rous (10:09.26). UTA also took first place in both the pole vault and the 4-by-400-meter relay. Wade Hayes’ vault of 16 feet, 7 1/4 inches won him his third consecutive SLC title. “I got my 10 points, but I was real lucky, because the season has been horrible,” Hayes said, referring to struggles he has had off the track. Takeshi Fujiwara, Aundrea Williams, Isiah Clements and Eddie Beckwith won the UTA 4-by-400-meter relay team its second SLC indoor title as well, with a time of 3 minutes, 17.51 seconds.
Mavericks win three of five at tournament Home tournament prepares team for conference play beginning Tuesday against the Texas State Bobcats. by RobeRt Matson
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soFtball
Name your vote for the best of each category.
Please return this ballot to our office in the lower level of the University Center, or come by our booth upstairs in the UC on February 17 – 19 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Results will be published in the Readers’ Choice edition of The Shorthorn.
Coredero Gray finished second in the 200-meter dash (21.84 seconds) and fourth in the 60-meter dash (6.76 seconds). Just behind Gray in both races was senior Jarid Vaughan, with 22.18 seconds in the 200, placing third, and 6.77 seconds in the 60, placing fifth. Jasmine Walls contributed most to the women’s team’s point totals with first place wins in the 60-meter (7.62 seconds) and the 200-meter (24.43 seconds) dashes. Walls’ 200 time was the second best in Southland Conference Championships history. The women earned 76 team points, putting them in fourth place behind Stephen F. Austin (158), Texas State (113.66) and Sam Houston State (76). This was SFA’s third title. The 4-by-400-meter relay team, after breaking a school record recently, came in second with 3 minutes, 49.88 seconds. The relay team consisted of Antonia Hopkins, Clarissa Toomer, Megan Turner and Brittany Culbertson. The distance medley team, Christina Mose, Megan Turner, Perri Ford and Amanda McMahon, also placed second with 12 minutes, 17.03 seconds. McMahon finished third in the one-mile run (5 minutes, 04.42 seconds) and Caroline Erlingson came in fourth (5 minutes, 09.75 seconds). LaDoreal Thompson ran the 60 in 7.65 seconds, placing fourth. The UTA men have not won an indoor team title since 2000, but have won eight team indoor titles since 1980, the most in SLC history. The women’s team hasn’t won an indoor title since 2001, but also leads the SLC with seven team championships.
Contributor to The Shorthorn
The UTA softball team played host last weekend to schools from across the region at the UT Arlington Invitational, finishing with a 3-2 record at Allan Saxe Field. The tournament marked the first time this season the Mavs have played at home and was the final tune-up before conference play begins. The three wins for the Mavs came against The University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2-1, Texas Southern, 9-1, and Tennessee-Martin, 5-3. But UTA (4-8) couldn’t figure out Houston Baptist, which gave the Mavs both their losses by scores of 6-1 and 2-1 respectively. Mavs head coach Debbie Hedrick saw both positive things the team can build on and negative things it must remedy before starting conference action Tuesday. “Right now, we have a lot of young and new players, and we are trying to plug holes and find out what is going to be best for us,” she said. “It is a very talented team, we just have to find a way to come together and us to start clicking.”
For the Mavs, the weekend was highlighted by an extra-inning walk-off tworun home run by sophomore first baseman Rebecca Collom against TennesseeMartin. It was Collom’s first homer of the season and contributed to her team-high .353 batting average and seven RBIs on the season. Hedrick also stressed the importance of cleaning up the team’s defense. The Mavs have committed 15 errors in 12 games, which has proved costly thus far. Sloppy defense leads to extra base runners and doesn’t help your pitcher when they get in trouble she said. Hedrick knows the team’s next game against Texas State will be tough. The Bobcats have already knocked off No. 14 Houston this season and is playing good ball. “The kids know a good team is coming in, and I reminded them that this is exactly where we wanted to be,” she said. “We need to have the attitude that realizes we are a good team and we are talented and we have to refuse to lose.” Conference season begins when Texas State comes to Arlington for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday at Allan Saxe Field. RobeRt Matson sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
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The Shorthorn: Jacob Adkisson
Freshman infielder Courtney Zink makes the out at second base during the tournament over the weekend at Allan Saxe Field. The Lady Mavs defeated The University of Missouri at Kansas City 2-1.