Presidential Primaries With Presidential primary season heating up, learn the process behind primaries and caucuses. Page 3
JAN. 10, 2012
Men’s Basketball UCO Men’s basketball team loses to Midwestern State in last year’s regional tournament final rematch. Page 5
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THE VISTA
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S student voice since 1903.
Football
ATHLETICS NAMES NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH By Chris Brannick / Contributing Writer
Nick Bobeck, a UCO graduate and former UCO football player, is announced head coach of the football team in a press conference at Wantland Stadium, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista
Nick Bobeck was named UCO’s new head football coach on Wednesday, ending the monthlong search. Athletic Director Joe Muller first thanked Coach Patterson, who has served as interim head coach since Dec.1, when former head coach Tracy Holland was fired. “We have been looking for someone who was established with a record of sustained success, experience at the Division II level and who understands the priorities of the school beyond the football field,” Muller said. Bobeck received a warm reception, several alumni and former teammates applauding him. Bobeck played at UCO from 19992002. He remained with UCO as an assistant for three more years before heading to Texas A&M to be an offensive line coach in 2006. The following season he moved to Navarro College, a junior college in Navarro, Texas. He would serve there as offensive coordinator for one season before taking over the reigns as head coach. There, the Bobeck-led Bulldogs won early and often. He put together a 42-5 record in his four years including a National Championship in 2010. “I’m floating,” Bobeck said about this opportunity. “I’m extremely excited about the new chapter.” Bobeck said that pride has much to do with his decision to return to UCO. “I’m proud to be back at my alma mater. I’m proud of my two degrees from UCO,” he said. Bobeck later mentioned the spirit of Oklahoma that has helped shape him. This, he says, will be the same spirit that drives
the team. “Everything will be built on effort,” Bobeck said. “Individuals not willing to give effort don’t belong here.” Bobeck will get right to work with recruiting but said, “I have to recruit these kids on campus first.” He added that he has built his career on recruiting. He will have one luxury Holland did not, as UCO will be probation-free this year. Bobeck’s emphasis will be to run the ball and have that explosive passing game ready. On defense will be a very tough team, with focus on turnovers. Bobeck said they will have turnover drills every day in practice and that in his National Championship run in 2010, his running backs did not fumble once. “We won’t turn the ball over,” Bobeck said. Bobeck likes to run a pro-style offense, saying, “I want to get out there and find some fullbacks.” He added that he likes to run a 4-3 defense and again emphasized turnovers. At the same time Bobeck is hesitant to parade around his style. “You have to play to the talents of the team,” he said. “Right now there isn’t a fullback on the roster.” UCO will compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association next fall after spending a year as an independent. Pittsburgh State won the conference championship last season on their way to a national title. Bobeck becomes only the 13th coach in 106 years of football at UCO. The university ranks among the leaders in Division II, with 593 all-time wins.
Volunteering
CITY RESCUE FEEDING THE HOLIDAY NEED While many Edmond and Oklahoma City residents were able to wrap themselves up with holiday cheer in the comfort of their own homes this holiday season, many others in the central Oklahoma area were not as fortunate. A 2010 count by the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City estimated there were more than 1,000 homeless people in the city. To help ensure the homeless and nearhomeless could enjoy the festive season, the City Rescue Mission in downtown Oklahoma City passed out free boxes of holiday food to all comers Thursday, Dec. 22 outside of the Mission building. Though the Mission is known for helping those without a place to go, Tom Jones, president and CEO of the City Rescue Mission, feels it is equally as important to help the near-homeless – those who may have an apartment or a job but are having a hard time making ends meet financially. “The holiday season is very special to everyone,” Jones said. “We feel that it is very important for those families that have a tendency to struggle during the year have a nice Christmas lunch.” More than 1,000 boxes of food were assembled for the event. The boxes contained a variety of traditional holiday foods like ham, real Russet potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables, and a variety of breads. Assuming each box feeds a family of four, Jones estimated that the Mission will have served meals to around 4,000 people in need. Cars began lining up for the boxes as early as 5:30 a.m. Robert Moore, director of the men’s shelter at the Mission, passed out boxes to many of the cars that came through the line. Moore said the holidays are a time he looks forward to every year as an opportunity to assist those in need. “It means a lot man, just to be able to serve, because it’s more than just in [the shelter], it’s a mission, and it starts out here,” Moore said. Moore, who is originally from California, graduated from a program similar to the City Rescue Mission’s Bridge to Life Program in his home state, before being offered
a job at the Rescue Mission by Jones. The Bridge to Life Program offers faith-based instruction that helps its clients transition from life on the streets to an independent and employed way of life. Moore has high praise for the Bridge of Life program and estimated that for every 10 people that graduate the program, eight will go on to be successful in life. In addition to passing out food boxes, the Mission did a variety of things to enrich the holiday experiences of the less fortunate. On Friday, Dec. 23, the Mission hosted a Christmas party for the 75-100 children living in the shelter on a daily basis. The Mission also provided a Christmas Wish Store, which allowed parents to shop for toys to give to their children. Though it is Jones’ goal to make the holidays a special time for all, he realizes the time to help those in need is not during one specific season but throughout the entire year. “City Rescue Mission is here 365 days a year, and we’re celebrating our 50th year,” he said. “We see thousands and thousands of homeless people come through here and it’s right here in our community. You don’t have to go to a foreign country to reach out and help somebody that’s in need.” Jones especially emphasizes the effect a volunteer experience at the mission can have on college-aged students. “When a college student touches this and experiences this, it changes the way they go through life as an adult. It’s okay to seek and pursue success, but on the journey don’t be so focused on yourself that you forget there’s a lot of people around you that find themselves in crisis and struggling and certain moments,” he said. “Just one little gesture of helping can make all the difference in the world for the rest of their lives.” To volunteer at the City Rescue Mission, fill out a volunteer application form available on the Mission’s web page, or call the Mission at 405-232-2709.
Robert Moore, a City Rescue Mission staff member, passes out free boxes of food at the City Rescue Mission’s Food Handout in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS By Brittany Dalton / Copy Editor Make any resolutions on New Year’s Eve? Did you stick to your decision to drink less soda? Has the exercise equipment in your garage already gone dusty with disuse? If so, don’t feel bad – you’re not the only one. And if you’re still on track, give it time. A bit of sobering research shows that after six months, fewer than half have stuck to their resolutions, and at the one-year mark, the number plummets to 10 percent. For many, this means simply smooching their sweetheart at midnight and abstaining altogether from resolutions they feel would just be broken.
WEATHER
By Ben Luschen / Staff Writer
TODAY H 44° L 31°
Jared Wilson, a guitar performance major at the ACM@UCO, has in the past chosen to forego New Year’s resolutions. This year, though, is different. “I used to make really dumb ones for comic reasons, but I felt in my gut that 2012 is going to be the year for me,” he said. “To keep myself in check I asked my girlfriend to hold me accountable. I really have to get myself in high gear this year.” Wilson’s resolution? Practice guitar, better and harder than in years past. Merely by making his resolution,
TOMORROW H 54° L 23°
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DID YOU KNOW? As a kid, Newt Gingrich wanted to be a zoo director.
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