The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
January 31, 2013
ON CAMPUS
Volume 97 Issue 34
BASKETBALL
Memphis game to require student wristbands Mary Margaret Halford Executive Editor
Kelly Price
Coach Scott Berry, right, answers a question asked by Mark Holland during the Southern Miss baseball team’s visit to the DuBard School on Tuesday.
TENNIS
Golden Eagles served with NCAA sanctions Ben Welch Printz Writer
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced the punishment for violations made four years ago by the Southern Miss men’s tennis team, including a former coach allegedly offering a car and $5,000 for a player to stay at USM who was considering a transfer. Former head coach, Teddy Viator, and an unnamed assistant coach were accused of offering $200 mid-match for a former player to come back and win the match and organizing an illegal tour to the Bahamas, in addition to the cash and a car incentives, according to the NCAA. On July 24, 2010, the Southern Miss Compliance Department self-reported infractions after several players reported receiving prohibited benefits and engaging in academic mis-
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
conduct. The a l legat ions came to light after those players were told by their coaches that their Teddy Viator scholarships would not be extended for the next season. One player even claimed being encouraged by one of the former coaches to lie during the investigation, according to a statement from the NCAA. The claim of academic misconduct occurred after Viator arranged for another studentathlete to write several papers for one of his players. This violation included a one-time payment of $150 for one of the papers. The unnamed assistant coach “continued the academic misconduct” by providing the student with essays to submit as his own work, according the NCAA.
After a surge of fan support for the 17-4 Golden Eagle basketball team this season, the Southern Miss Athletic Department has decided to issue student wristbands in preparation for a high turnout for the upcoming Memphis game. A total of 1,600 wristbands will be available to students for the Feb. 9 game in Reed Green Coliseum. Beginning Wednesday, Student Eagle Club members with a valid club card and student ID could pick up wristbands from the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The remaining wristbands will be available to the general student population on Thursday and Friday at the ticket office. “Looking at historical data from previous years, the Southern Miss vs. Memphis basket-
ball game is one of the most well-attended games of the year,” said Brent Jones, associate athletic director for marketing and communications. “Based on the success of the team and huge student crowds so far in the season, we wanted to make sure, as an athletic department, we are doing everything we could to provide the best atmosphere and chance to attend the game as possible.” Jones added that the attendance for basketball games this year is up 43 percent from this time last season. “Our students, as well as the community, have really rallied behind this great basketball team,” Jones said. “Our student athletes have made such a connection to our student body that after home games our basketball players have started to go into the student section to thank our students for showing up and supporting them. It truly is a wonderful sight.”
See Page 3 for times to pick up a wristband.
Jamie Gominger/Printz
Students cheer on the Golden Eagles during the men’s basketball game against UAB on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Reed Green Coliseum.
See TENNIS, 3
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
RAY LEWIS
WEATHER Thursday
62/36 Friday
61/32 Saturday
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The Golden Eagles currently hold the fifth longest home winning strength in the nation. The Memphis game, which falls on the Saturday before Mardi Gras break, has also been deemed the whiteout game for the season. Jones said because the game will be nationally televised, the department decided white shirts would stand out most on TV and the fans would match the team in their home uniforms. “When the basketball schedule was announced back in October and we were told that this game would be on national TV, we started making plans to make this a once-in-a-lifetime event at Reed Green,” Jones said. “It will truly be a sight to see inside Reed Green.” Jones said 6,500 free white Tshirts will be handed out to fans at the game.
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INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 News .............................. 3 Feature ...........................4 Opinion............................6 Sports...............................7