the VISTA
ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista
Public Body or Not? Volume 115, Issue 10
“Our Words, Your Voice.”
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Kateleigh Mills @kateleighsuz Reporter
Remington Dean, center, speaks during a Fall 2017 UCOSA Congress meeting, sitting with Kalina Popova, left, and Mario Figueroa, right. UCOSA is currently under review on whether or not it is considered publically funded. (Austin Moseley/The Vista)
The debate on whether the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association is considered a public body under Oklahoma's Freedom of Information (FOI) Laws is still underway as attorneys question funding. UCO Legal Counsel and FOI attorneys have been disagreeing on whether student activity fees are considered "public funding" for the state. The UCOSA, the college's student government association, is a recommendation body to the Office of Student Affairs. See “UCOSA ” continued on page 8.
UCO Fraternity Goes Viral
Vy Luong
@TheVista1903 Reporter
Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity members at the University of Central Oklahoma are raising support for the Special Olympics after their winning Homecoming Cheer and Dance video went viral. “It is cool to see my face everywhere, see my brothers everywhere and read comments of other people,” said Cameron Golshani, president UCO’s Sigma Tau Gamma chapter. “The best thing about that is bringing a lot of attention to our Special Olympics.” Special Olympics is a sports training and competition program for people with disabilities. It is the traditional philanthropy of UCO Sigma Tau Gamma. Sigma Tau Gamma members set the goal of $5,000 for their fundraising. They got about $4,200 after a week. Golshani said they will use part of it for their Special Olympics promoting events and donate the rest straight to the program.
“We didn't know that we go viral. It’s extremely unexpected,” said Golshani. The video was posted on their Facebook page after the performance Oct. 13. It now has over 6.4 million views. “When we went to bed, it had about 7000 to 8000 views, which is normal,” said Golshani. “But at the middle of the next day, we had about one million views.” Multiple media outlets, including BuzzFeed, USA Today, ESPN and local news stations, have shared the video, written about it and interviewed members of the fraternity. Homecoming Adviser Ellen Engh said she has never seen any video go viral like this before. “I feel excited for them and hope they can raise enough for their philanthropy,” said Engh. “They also show fraternity and sorority life as a positive thing.”
See “Frat Goes Viral ” continued on page 9.
Members of Sigma Tau Gamma perform during Homecoming Cheer and Dance on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 in Hamilton Field House. The fraternity’s video of the performance has gone viral online, hoping to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. (Janessa Egler/The Vista)
October 24, 2017
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the
VISTA
CONTENTS
Little Rock Nine ....................................................................3 AroundCampus/ $1.3 Million Grant ......................................4-5 Recital/Fiscal Budget .........................................................6-7
Contents
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both classified, online and print ads. Email your questions to: ucovista.advertising@gmail.com
UCOSA/Shut Down...........................................................8-9 Humor Column....................................................................11 Football/Volleyball........................................................12-13 Soccer/Kelsie Eason........................................................14-15
STAFF Peter Agnitsch Faith Kelly Austin Moseley Cara Johnson
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor
Megan Thele Christian Tabak Nate Baldwin Jonathan Goudeau Dylan Brown
Copy Editor Reporter Sports Reporter Sports Reporter Humor Columnist
Michelle Pennza Ryan Naeve Hayden Barzditis Teddy Burch
Graphic Design Photographer Photographer Advisor
The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. ADDRESS LETTERS TO: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista1903@gmail.com.
UCO
October 24, 2017
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Carlotta Walls LaNier to Speak at UCO
Members of the Little Rock Nine shake hands with New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner in 1958. The Little Rock Nine were teenagers who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The nine include, left to right, Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Terrance Roberts, Carlotta Walls, Ernest Green, Melba Pattillo, Thelma Mothershed, Jefferson Thomas and Gloria Ray. (Provided/Wikimediacommons)
Travis Orcutt @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
One of the famed “Little Rock Nine,” will speak at the University of Central Oklahoma Thursday about her experiences in desegregating schools in the 1950s. In September 1957, Carlotta Walls LaNier and eight other African-American students took their first steps into a school that didn't want them. LaNier was the youngest of those students. “It's a talk you won't want to miss,” said UCO Student Body President Stockton Duvall. “We have a chance to hear from a monumental historical figure and get to see what it was like just 60 years ago here in America.” Sept. 25 was the 60th anniversary of the day the Nine entered Little Rock Central High School. Duvall hopes students will be more comfortable starting conversations
about difficult issues, using the recent Charlottesville attack as an example. “When I was searching for speakers there were many different events in front of the news cycle that led me to them. Once I heard Carlotta's name I couldn't think of a better speaker to begin the conversation about these tough issues on a college campus,” said Duvall. LaNier will give away 100 copies of her book, “A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock,” to students, with more for sale and a book signing after the show, according to Duvall. The steps taken by the Nine marked a significant milestone in the American civil rights movement. Statues have been erected in their honor. Beside a young LaNier at the Arkansas State Capitol are statues of the other eight: Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Moth-
“We have a chance to hear from a monumental historical figure and get to see what it was like just 60 years ago here in America.”
— UCO Student Body President Stockton Duvall. ershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals. “I don't know that we have ever brought in anyone that has created such a positive change in American culture," Duvall said. “Carlotta Walls LaNier has a unique perspective that only [a] few can tell about.” Today, LaNier owns a successful real estate business which she runs with her son. For her significant role in American history, LaNier was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton. LaNier is president of the Little
Rock Nine Foundation, which focuses on the improvement and equality of our education system. The event is open to the public and tickets are free, with priority seating given to UCO students and faculty. It will begin at 6 p.m. in Constitution Hall, but ticketed guests are requested to be in their seats by 5:45 p.m. Students may reserve their free tickets online, or pick up tickets at the UCO Student Association office, Room 148 of the Nigh University Center.
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Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Flash Mob Meditation: At 1:15 p.m. in the Quad Fitness Room, representatives from the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will offer meditation, tai chi, yoga and relaxation. UCO counselor Jeff Jones will lead the group every Tuesday. Lessons in Leadership: Melissa Houston,
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, will speak at the event. Lessons in Leadership is a speaker series that has global, metro, state, and national leaders talk to University of Central Oklahoma Students. The event is from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Constitution Hall.
Vietnam by Night: The event is to showcase
the Vietnamese culture to the University of Central Oklahoma and Edmond community. Vietnam Night will have a fashion show, musical performances and Vietnamese foods. The event is from 6-8 p.m. at UCO’s Constitution Hall.
Golf Cart Chauffer’s Day One: The University of Central Oklahoma’s Off-Campus Life is providing golf cart rides to shuttle students to where they need to go. The golf cart rides are from 1-5 p.m. the golf cart rides can be found across campus. SPB’s I Stand With/For: Students can
personalize a button about a social issue or philanthropy they stand for. The event is to let students create a daily reminder of something they are passionate about to show others. I Stand With/For is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Broncho Lake Clock Tower.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Power Nap: The Center for Counseling and
Well-Being is providing a place for students to take a nap from 1-2 p.m. in Room 104 of the Wellness Center.
Non-Traditional Student Support Group:
The group is hosted by the Center for Counseling and Well-Being to help non-traditional students find support at UCO. Attendees can talk and relate their life experiences with one another in order to help meet their personal needs. The group meets from 2 -3 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
Grub-to-Go: The University of Central Oklahoma’s Off Campus Life will hand out free snacks to commuter students at night classes. The event is from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Center for Transformative Learning.
Movie Night Through Deaf Eyes: Global and Cultural Competencies will show a documentary that covers the deaf culture over the past 200 years. It is meant to expose students to the struggles of the deaf culture. The documentary has six short documentaries produced by deaf media artists and film makers within the documentary. Movie Night Through Deaf Eyes is from 6:30-9 p.m. at Constitution Hall. OrgSync 101: The event is a training session to learn how organizations can use OrgSync. The workshop is from 11-12 a.m. in Room 101A of the Administration Building. SPB’s Let’s Be Real: The event allows students be able to participate in a simulation that they will be able to choose the scenario. SPB’s Let’s Be Real is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nigh University Center.
Thursday, October 26, 2017 Stress Paws: UCO offers students to take a
Around Campus
Family Night Out: Off-Campus Life hosts a screening of Hotel Transylvania 2. The event is the last of commuter student appreciation week. Everyone is welcome to the event and it’s from 7-9 p.m. in the Nigh University Center’s Constitution Hall. UCO Volleyball: The Bronchos play conference foe Missouri Southern at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Field House. Ferris Wheel with SPB: SPB is hosting outside games and more in downtown Oklahoma City. If people are wanting to go RSVP to SPB on OrgSync’s page and individuals get one ticket. The event is from 6-11 p.m. at the Wheeler Ferris Wheel.
Saturday, October 28, 2017 SPB Tailgating: SPB will hold a tailgate before the UCO football game from 12-2 p.m. at Wantland Stadium’s parking lot.
pause from their stress by seeing the therapy dogs. The dogs are going to be in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center from 3-5 p.m.
UCO Football: The Bronchos take on conference foe Central Missouri at 2 p.m. in Wantland stadium.
Trauma Recovery: This workshop address-
UCO Volleyball: The Bronchos face conference foe Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Field House.
es topics like self-soothing, the mind and body connection, effects of trauma on relationships, and healthy relationships. The event is from 2-3 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center.
Snack Break: The event is hosted by
Off-Campus Life and they will give out t-shirts and snacks. They will also have a drawing for a free yoga session. Snack Break is from 1-3 p.m. in Room 212 at the Nigh University Center.
CMS Fall Seminar: Dr. Troy Baird will speak at the CMS Fall 2017 Seminar. He will talk about his lessons learned from urbanized lizards about behavioral diversity: Resort dwelling Australian Dragons revisited. The event is from 4-5 p.m. in Room 201 at Howell Hall.
Friday, October 27, 2017 Grief Group: From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Center for Counseling and Well-Being is holding a grief group for anyone grieving. Group and individual session will be in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center. SPBoo Spooky: SPB will host an event to bring Halloween spirit by playing games like pumpkin bowling and spooky guessing games to win candy. The event is from 12-1 p.m. at the UCO Clock Tower.
Monday, October 30, 2017 Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Support:
The Center for Counseling and Well-Being and Mosaic Mental Health are teaming up to offer a gender affirming therapy group for UCO students. The group offers attendees to connect with others having similar experiences. The session is from 3-4:30 p.m. in Room 402 of the Nigh University Center
SPB and Fandoms Anonymous Halloween Bash: The two groups are collaborating to
put on an event for students to enjoy Halloween. The event will have a costume contest and snacks. Halloween Bash is from 7-10 p.m. in the International House.
Mind Strength: This is an open group for students to learn skills and activities on enhancing awareness. The group meets from 12-1 p.m. in Room 104 of the Wellness Center. Poppin for Purpose: This event is a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness and also promotes the Big Pink Tournament in February. They will give away items like pop rocks, pop tarts, and popcorn. Poppin for Purpose is from 11-1 p.m. at Broncho Lake Tower.
UCO
October 24, 2017
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Edmond’s Fall Festival
Mackensie Ferguson @TheVista1903 Contributing Writer
The Downtown Edmond Business Association is holding their 4th annual Downtown Edmond Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Festival Marketplace, where families are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy games, activities and candy. “It is a free, fun family event for people to get out and enjoy downtown Edmond. All of the organizations providing games and activities are local businesses or non-profits. It is just a great community event where everyone works together to put it on,” said Elena Listen, marketing manager for the Downtown Edmond Business Association (DEBA). At the Fall Festival, there is set to be many different games and activities for children and families to enjoy such as pumpkin painting, ring toss, giant Jenga, monster dice, a photo booth, lots of candy and much more. The festival will also be visited by local Dolese cement trucks and local fire trucks with a special appearance
Attendees of the September 2017 Heard on Hurd walk the street for food trucks, shopping and live music. For the fourth year, Edmond will host a Fall Festival in the same area of downtown for families and residents to attend in the community. (Ryan Naeve/ The Vista)
by Sparky the fire dog. “We wanted to provide a safe environment for families to enjoy a fall event in the downtown Edmond area. We love bringing people to downtown Edmond to see what we have to offer,” Listen said. The DEBA is a membership organization that was formed by the business owners in downtown Edmond.
This Fall Festival is one of the many family-friendly events the DEBA holds throughout the year to bring the Edmond community together. “We will also be taking donations for Fostering Sweet Dreams, a local non-profit. They will be there selling drinks and snacks,” Listen said. Fostering Sweet Dreams is a local non-profit that provides tangible
needs such as beds, car seats, high chairs and strollers to Kinship foster care placements, as well as unexpected traditional foster care placements in Oklahoma. The Downtown Edmond Fall Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Festival Marketplace in downtown Edmond.
UCO Awarded $1.3 Million Grant Alejandro Gonzalez @TheVista1903 Contributing Writer
The U.S. Department of Education awarded the University of Central Oklahoma with a five year $1.3 Million grant to invest in the education of upper bound veterans at UCO. The Student Transition Readiness Integration Program for Education Support, or STRIPES, focuses on assisting veterans in enrolling and completing postsecondary education. STRIPES targets Oklahoma counties that exhibit high poverty rates and low educational levels for veterans. Kennan Horn, the Project Director-SALUTE and TRIO student, describes what the veterans support services at UCO were three years ago as two small offices in the Nigh University Center. “Now we have our own space in the second floor of the Max Chambers Library with a very friendly fulltime staff employee and are mostly disabled veterans.” said Horn. “We have a SALUTE coaches and Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs Benefits Counselor.”
Currently there is an Army, Air Force and Navy Veteran conformed by three males and females. “We are the most diverse office that you are going to find,” said Horn. The room 226 of the Max Chambers Library is dedicated for all Veterans at UCO. Rather than all of the offices that are located there, there’s
a lounge for people to relax and enjoy of a cold drink that they get from the kitchen located right next to the lounge. Drinks and food are free as well as the usage of the lounge. With these new acquired funds, Horn said, “The team plans to hire the people that we need to hire in order to get into the community. We
will go to different events and talk to different organizations that veterans are involved in.” The rules of the grant state that the office must recruit or enroll at least 125 veterans per year. Horn affirms that finding those veterans should be pretty easy because all of its staff shares the same characteristics as the candidates for the program. In the Oklahoma City metro area, there are around 54,000 veterans. The community is more than welcome to do referrals encourage those veterans who are not pursuing a postsecondary education. “If you know of somebody that is not doing this, you should report him to us and see what we can do to help” said Harp. “In this office, we’ve all been through hard times and for sure we can relate to any veteran.”
Lisa Gray, BA, SSG(Ret.), right, shows President and CEO of Student Veterans of America, Jared Lyon around the Veterans Affairs office at the University of Central Oklahoma on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. (Janessa Egler/The Vista)
UCO
October 24, 2017
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UCO’s Homecoming King and Queen
Vy Luong @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
Cash Deitz and Kalen Russell were crowned as the 2017 Homecoming King and Queen at the Homecoming Game on Oct. 14. “I personally believe that [choosing the King and the Queen] is the way to celebrate seniors who has contribute a lot to the university,” Ellen Engh, Homecoming Activities Board adviser, said. Deitz, a Biomedical Science major, represented the Leaders of Tomorrow Council and Russell, a Strategic Communications major, represented the President’s Leadership Council. “We do not require them to do anything after they receive the title,” Engh said. "Their title is not like other pageants' titles." Homecoming Executive Director Glenn Elmore said the King and the Queen have a chance to meet and take pictures with UCO President Don Betz. They will attend events at the next year’s Homecoming, including riding in the parade and crowning the new King and Queen. Engh said based on the archive, the first queen was voted on in 1931 and the first king was voted on in 2000. “In the past, the football captain
usually brought the queen to the field,” Engh said, "so you may see a man in a football uniform in the old Homecoming photos." Elmore said about 20 candidates were nominated by their organizations to run for the King and the Queen this year. The candidates must be 4th or 5th year seniors, be enrolled full time and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. “The title is an honor that is reserved for 4th or 5th year seniors who have been involved on campus and made contributions to the university,” Elmore said. Engh said UCO has about 200 verified organizations. Each organization can nominate one candidate if they are male or female, or two candidates if they are co-ed. If they meet all requirements, they will go through an interview process with a panel of judges to choose the top five men and top five women. “We want the judges to have a fresh perspective, so we try to have a mix of men and women, faculty, staff and alumni,” Engh said. She said the judges also look at the résumé of each candidate to see their involvement.
Kalen Russell, left, and Cash Dietz pose for photos after being crowned 2017 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (Cara Johnson/ The Vista)
The top ten candidates will do some campaigning to the student body. The result will be based on the interview score and the vote from students on UCOnnect during Homecoming week. “Most of their campaigning is limited to social media and word of mouth,” Elmore said. The candidates cannot do any hard campaigns like giving away T-shirts,
buttons, stickers or hanging up posters. “We do not want them to spend a lot of money,” Engh said. “The most important part is getting their face out and talking to people.” Deitz and Russell will welcome in the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen at next year’s Homecoming football game.
The Radke Fine Arts Theatre is located in the Center for Transformative Learning building, on the east side of campus. The recital will begin at 7 p.m. and will last around an hour. “It is the rush [of performing live’ that makes it so much fun,” said Batty. “Getting to showcase all of the work you have done for friends, family and music lovers is what makes it worthwhile.”
“This event is one of the last steps for me to earn my master’s degree,”
Jose Batty Graduate Recital Alejandro Gonzalez @TheVista1903 Contributing Writer
A University of Central Oklahoma graduate student is hosting the Jose Batty Graduate Recital on Sunday in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre. Jose Batty, a UCO graduate student and the recital’s organizer, is holding the recital on Oct. 29 as one of the last parts of his master’s degree. The event is free and open to the public, but UCO students are encouraged to attend. “This performance is free for anyone who would like to attend, no ticket necessary and additionally there will be some great cake after the performance” said Batty. Batty earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance at UCO and is now working on a master’s degree in the music field. “This event is one of the last steps for me to earn my master’s degree,” said Batty “It is something like a capstone.”
A graduate recital is required for Batty’s degree. He has to program the recital, schedule the event, hire an accompanist, do rehearsals and fill out paperwork. “There’s quite a bit that goes into organizing and performing in a recital,” said Batty. In the recital, Batty will be performing a variety of music of different composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonín Dvořák, Benjamin Alard, and Max Bruch. Baroque music will be the main focus of the recital, as Batty believes it is relaxing and enjoyable. “The violin is my primary instrument and I enjoy it the most,” said Batty. He also plays baroque violin and viola, which are the same modern-day instruments, but with different arrangements and different physical characteristics that are suited to music of that time period. As the accompanist, Ali Fackler, a close friend of Batty, will be helping Batty playing the piano for some of the pieces in the recital.
– Jose Batty
Budget
October 24, 2017
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2018 Fiscal Budget Agreement Christian Tabak @TheVista1903 Reporter
House and Senate Republicans announced an agreement Monday for a proposal that would adjust the 2018 fiscal budget to provide pay increases for teachers and state employees, as well as address the $215 million deficit that resulted from last session’s failed cigarette tax. If passed by the legislature, the budget proposal would include measures to increase revenue, such as creating a $1.50 tax on cigarettes, provide a 6-cent increase for fuel taxes, revise taxes on alcoholic beverages and would also provide for a $3,000 pay increase for teachers effective Aug. 1, 2018, as well as $1,000 pay increase for state employees excluding those in higher education, legislators and constitutional officers. “This agreement makes more recurring revenue available, helps us stop balancing our budget with one-time funds and provides a teacher pay raise, as well as a raise for our hardworking state employees, who have not had an across-the-board pay increase in 11 years,” said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. “And, most importantly, it provides sufficient revenues to meet the basic responsibilities of state government, such as education, health and public safety. We must deliver services that work for the people, and put people over politics.” The plan would also provide recurring revenue for transportation infrastructure and restore the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income Oklahomans, which Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall said will more than offset any increased consumption costs for low-income earners. “We believe this plan gives us the best opportunity to pass the House and Senate, and provide the state with needed revenue to stabilize mental health and substance abuse programs, keep rural hospitals open and provide a pay raise that would make Oklahoma teachers the highest paid in the region for starting pay,” McCall said. The agreement came a week after both the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services announced significant cuts to multiple state programs. Included among the OSDH cuts that were announced to take place beginning Nov. 15 were funding for nine statewide child abuse prevention programs, as well as 25 community health centers across the state. Another measure announced late last month was a one-day unpaid furlough within a two-week timeframe beginning Oct. 30 for OSDH personnel with incomes over $35,000. As for the ODMHSAS, the agency announced last Wednesday that it would be forced to shut down almost all of its outpatient services by next year without additional funding. The agency would officially run out of funding beginning Dec. 1 and would reach a $75 million deficit by March, according to ODMHSAS Director Terri White. “Without additional appropriations for the 2018 current year budget, we have no choice but to begin talking about what the additional implementation of $75 million worth of cuts looks like,” White said. In response to both agencies’ announcements, McCall pledged last week that the House Republicans would work to prevent the agencies from having to make such cuts so as to absorb the deficit. While the first major breakthrough since Fallin convened the special session late last month, the Republican proposal still requires Democratic support to pass in the Oklahoma House. Tax increases such as what the proposal includes require 76 votes to pass in the House, a number barely outside of the 72 seats occupied by House Republicans. While Democrats have been supportive of reaching a solution for the budget crisis, they have criticized any plan that does not increase taxes on the state’s oil and gas industries as being too short-sighted for addressing the state’s budget. “[The proposal] shows the depths to which they'll [Republicans] go to protect big oil. They'll ask you to pay more at the pump, but won't ask O&G to pay 1 cent more. Their package fills the immediate hole but does nothing for next year’s budget short fall of 400-500 million. Completely irresponsible,”
Speaker of the Oklahoma House, Charles McCall, R-Atoka, center, shakes hands with Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, right, R-Altus, during a news conference to announce a deal to shore up the state budget and raise pay for teachers and some state workers with a series of tax increases during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, but it’s unclear if there is enough support to pass the plan, in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
State Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, wrote on Twitter Monday. While Fallin acknowledged that the proposal does not address all of the issues raised by both Democrats and Republicans, she said the proposal will provide a solution for the current $215 million deficit as well as address long-term solutions moving forward. “I said it a couple of weeks ago that we could not let the perfect be the enemy of the good, this package is not perfect but it is very good. And I think it is something that all parties should support; both the House and the Senate, the Republicans and Democrats. It contains a lot of what everyone has talked about,” Fallin said.
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October 24, 2017
UCO
Public Body or Not?
Continued From Page 1,
The organization is funded completely by UCO students' mandatory student activity fees (SAF), included in their tuition. This semester students are paying about $15 per credit hour. The average student taking 15 hours is paying about $225 in SAF. The determination of whether or not the UCOSA is a public body required by the state to follow FOI laws, such as the Open Meeting and Open Record Acts, comes down to the source of funding. FOI attorney Doug Dodd said that because the fees are mandatory for each and every student to pay, he and his colleague Mike Minnis agree that they should be considered public money. "I consider student activity funds public money," Dodd said. "In other words, student activity funds paid to the university become public money the minute it is paid." Others who agreed that SAF money were considered public funds included Oklahoma State University Associate Professor Joey Senat and UCO Media Law Professor Mark Hanebutt. Attorneys who believe that SAF should be public money are sourcing an Oklahoma attorney general opinion from 1979 (1979 OK AG 134) that determined OSU's Student Government Association was a public body by the definition of the OMA and ORA. The AG opinion concluded that all other student government associations and residence halls associations were considered public bodies under the laws because they were "sub-entities of a board of higher education." "After the legal issue, the questions becomes if the UCO student leaders
Students work in the UCOSA Office on the first floor of the Nigh University Center on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. (Cara Johnson/The Vista) want to tell the student body that they will meet and operate in secret," Senat wrote to the Vista in an email. "Is that a good government?" UCO Senior Legal Counselor Brad Morelli said this isn't the first time that the issue has been brought to him and his colleague Beth Kerr. However, this year, both Morelli and Kerr advised UCOSA President, Stockton Duvall, that the UCOSA was not a public body under the laws because they were funded purely by SAF. In other words, the UCO Legal Counsel determined that student activity fees were not considered public funding. Kerr said UCO Legal Counsel was using an Attorney General Opinion from 1982 (1982 OK AG 63) which determined organizations have to be looked at on a case by case basis because "such determination depends upon whether the Council exercises actual or de facto decision-making power."
"You can't come to a general conclusion about whether they are or whether they are not a public body that is going to be subject to these two laws," Morelli said. "Open Records and Open Meeting both seem to key off of this thing, are they operating on public money? And they don't, they operate off of student fee money." Both Kerr and Morelli agreed that since the UCO Student Congress purely acts as a recommendation body for the Office of Student Affairs they shouldn't need to follow the laws. As a recommendation body, the organization must first receive both signatures from the UCOSA advisor, Cole Stanley, and Vice President of Student Affairs, Myron Pope, in order to put SAF money towards organizations, events or projects. However, after the interview with Kerr and Morelli, they were both unaware that the UCO Student Congressional Bylaws, the rules
by which the organization governs themselves, had several mentions that the senators and congressional leadership were to abide by the laws. "If they didn't have to put it in their bylaws and they did, then that's my thought, they need to be following it," Kerr said. After taking a look at the bylaws, Kerr told the Vista in an email that having the requirements in the bylaws "put a different spin on things" and that she would be reaching out to Stanley for clarification. In Chapter 1, Section 6 of the UCO Congressional Bylaws, it states, "The UCO Student Congress a component of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, and as such it and its members shall abide by all Oklahoma State Laws. Specifically, the UCO Student Congress shall fully abide by both the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and Oklahoma Open Records Act." The new Congressional Leadership of the Student Congress includes Chair Remington Dean, Vice-Chair Kalina Popova and Secretary Mario Figueroa. This year there have been improvements to posting the agendas on time, both outside the UCOSA office in the Nigh University Center and online at OrgSync.com. Chair Dean said he wanted to be in compliance of the OMA and ORA since they are requirements in the congressional bylaws, but he also wants to increase the organization's transparency. Last semester, the Vista did a series of two investigative reports that the UCO Student Congress was in violation of the Open Meeting Act after they failed to post their agenda 24 hours in advance of their meeting. However, whether they have to follow the laws at the state level is still unclear.
Oklahoma
October 24, 2017
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Parent Promise Shut Down Dylan Brown @TheVista1903 Reporter
Oklahoma’s child abuse prevention programs were shut down last week due to budget constraints. The state revenue shortfall is to blame for the Oklahoma Health Departments cutoff of programs like Parent Promise, which helps strengthen families while helping prevent the neglect and abuse of
Oklahoma’s children. Parent Promise accomplishes its goals by keeping children safe and by teaching at-risk parents how to be parents. “The shutdown of our program alone, will impact 75 families,” said Executive Director of Parent Promise, Sherry Fair. “But if you look at all the contractors statewide and all the families they’re serving, then you’re looking at more like 650 families that were impacted by the
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, right, announces a deal to shore up the state budget and raise pay for teachers and some state workers with a series of tax increases during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, but it’s unclear if there is enough support to pass the plan. At left is state House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka and other members of the legislature. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
UCO Fraternity Goes Viral Continued From Page 1,
Golshani said winning first prize was enough for them at that point. However, with the viral video, they want to spread the message about their philanthropy to let people know what they care about. “Nowadays we can hear a lot of negative thing about fraternities,” said Golshani. “But a small group of a large group cannot define the large group. We are the ones who set a standard. We are different and people know about it." “We also dressed like dads with fanny packs,” said Golshani. “You do not see guys do entertaining things very often, so it might be also because we posted it right at the time people want to watch it.” Golshani said they started to practice one month ahead of the competition. They practiced four days a week from 9 p.m. to 12 p.m. “On the week of the competition, we practiced all week from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” said Golshani. Two student coaches, Ashlie Durao and Dylan Cargill, came up with the
choreography and dance steps for the 24 members that performed. “When we have a full room of men, everyone wants to be the biggest or strongest,” said Golshani. “But cheer and dance is more about entertaining.” He said practicing for cheer and dance is dangerous, especially lifting people. They had some injuries right before the competition. One member injured his knee and another injured his ankle, but their positions were not replaced. “We did everything seriously, but I think another important part is having a positive energy,” said Golshani. “We spent time together during the practice. We even played hide and seek on the days that our members got injured.” UCO’s Sigma Tau Gamma will have four events to promote Special Olympics, including a Suit and Tie event, a pancake-making event, a volunteer recruitment event and an informational speech about what they do.
decision of the health department.” “Our families come to depend on our services,” said Fair. “We have trained parent educators that come into the home. These educators are graduates with degrees. They develop a relationship with these families, because many of these families don’t have a support system of their own.” The program not only provides vulnerable families with support; it also provides them with diapers, books, and baby food. In 2016, 93% of children enrolled in the home visitation programs like Parent Promise have never had a confirmed child maltreatment case with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. “We’ve been around for over 30 years and have been with the state for over 20,” said Fair. “The state’s own statistics show that these programs are working perfectly. Over 90-percent is a good thing, we are trying to alleviate the stresses from other agencies like the Department of Human Services and the Department of Corrections.” The Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention Act was created in 1984 and
declares the prevention of child maltreatment as a priority in Oklahoma. However, it does not state directly the importance of prevention rather than “after-the-fact” intervention. “The cost of prevention on the front-end is far less than the fallout once children become victims,” said Fair. “If we can work with these families before-hand, it can lessen the chances of bad things happening later on. Which, in turn, helps the state save more money in the long run.” In the next few days, the board of Parent Promise will be working to determine the next steps to raise the nearly $300,000 needed to continue to serve their families. Programs like Parent Promise which have been shut down, continue to provide for those families in need. “In the future, I would like to see core programs like ours fully-funded,” said Fair. “They need to be fully-funded. Our board and our staff are passionate to continue to provide for the families that need it. We have got to do a better job as a state to fix our budget problem.”
10
October 24, 2017
U.S. News
What’s Up, America?
In this Sept. 27, 2017, file photo, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl leaves a motions hearing during a lunch break in Fort Bragg, N.C. The fate of Bergdahl rests in a judge’s hands now that the Army sergeant has pleaded guilty to endangering his comrades by leaving his post in Afghanistan in 2009. Sentencing for Bergdahl starts Monday, Oct. 23, at Fort Bragg and is expected to feature dramatic testimony about soldiers and a Navy SEAL badly hurt while they searched for the missing Bergdahl. (Andrew Craft/ The Fayetteville Observer via AP, File)
In this Jan. 8, 2017 file photo, Harvey Weinstein arrives at The Weinstein Company and Netflix Golden Globes afterparty in Beverly Hills, Calif. New York state’s top prosecutor has launched a civil rights investigation into The Weinstein Co. following sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the probe Monday. His office says it issued a subpoena seeking all company records (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
In this Sept. 28, 2017, file photo, debris scatters a destroyed community in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash but rejects requests from the powerful Texas and Florida congressional delegations for additional money to rebuild after hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The measure is sure to sail through a Monday, Oct. 23, procedural vote and a final vote is expected no later than Tuesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
In this July 7, 2015 file photo, Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, right, is led into the courtroom by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, left, and Assistant District Attorney Diana Garciaor, center, for his arraignment at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco. The murder trial started Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, for Garcia Zarate, a Mexican man who set off a national immigration debate after he shot and killed Kate Steinle on a San Francisco pier on July 1, 2015. Garcia Zarate has said the shooting was accidental. (Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, Pool, File)
In this Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, David Letterman speaks during the unveiling of a Peyton Manning statue outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis. Letterman is being honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He’ll receive the lifetime achievement award Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at Washington’s Kennedy Center. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
In this Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, file photo, Myeshia Johnson kisses the casket of her husband, Sgt. La David Johnson during his burial service at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens in Hollywood, Fla. Myeshia Johnson told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, that she has nothing to say to the president, adding that his phone call to her made “me cry even worse.” (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, File)
Humor Column
October 24, 2017
11
Nightmare in the Woods
Warning: This is a Fictional Column Intended for Satire Police responded to a 911-call Saturday after a group of local teenagers experienced what they call a “nightmare in the woods.” Eighteen-year-old Chad Barker was the one who made the call after witnessing a ‘masked man’ with a knife in the woods near the cabin they were staying at. “He was like a frighteningly dark shadow in the middle of the night,” said Barker. “We were trying to help him, that’s why I called the police. I mean, it was raining and he was drenched. That poor guy needed to find some shelter.” The ‘masked man’ the teenagers saw was a wanted fugitive who has been witnessed by many victims who have lost loved ones because of him. Seventeen-year-old Sarah Paige says she heard him breathing in her room one of the nights and will never forget it. “I remember waking up and seeing his shadow in the corner of the room,” said Paige. “But I wasn’t concerned until I heard him start wheezing in the corner. I have asthma, so I told him to hold on while I get him my inhaler. The next thing I know, he was gone. He might not have problems if he wasn’t running all over our cabin.” Officer James Robinson was the first to respond. “These kids have some problems with their brains,” said Robinson. “When I told them that this guy is a killer who goes after teenagers in the woods, they told me I wasn’t being politically correct. I just figured they were in shock or something. But nope, just not smart.” Written on one of the mirrors in the bathroom of the cabin was ‘Kill You Now.’ “He wrote ‘Kiss You Now’ in my bathroom,” said Paige. “What a sweetheart, unfortunately I already have a boyfriend. So, the next time I saw him, I made sure to tell him that. Some guys are just romantics at heart and those are the ones I hate turning down.” “There was a moment when I felt like my life was in danger,” said Barker. “He was using a chainsaw
and trying to saw through the front door of our cabin. But, after talking with Sarah, I realized he was just a poor heartbroken guy trying to break down the door of love.” “It was around two in the morning and he was trying to cut down some trees,” said Paige. “So, I figured that was the best time to go give him the bad news. I yelled out of my window and told him I have a boyfriend. He
did not take that news lightly.” Officer Robinson pulled up to the scene just before the ‘masked man’ could see through the front door. “I pull up and these kids started chasing after him,” said Robinson. “They were saying that he is just a misunderstood soul who is looking for love in all the wrong places. The man was trying to murder them.” “Just because someone wears a
mask and enjoys cutting down trees in the middle of the night, doesn’t make them a killer. they are misunderstood,” said Barker. “The heart wants what it wants and will break down every door to get it.” Five teenagers checked into the cabin that night. Barker and Paige were the only ones to make it out alive.
The ‘masked man’ poses for a photo with his favorite knife. The man supposedly used a chainsaw to cut through a cabin door in the woods where a group of local teenagers were staying. (Provided/Pixabay.com)
12
October 24, 2017
Sports
SPORTS
King of the Jungle Jonathan Goudeau @Goudeau_jdg
Sports Reporter
The University of Central Oklahoma’s offensive performance powered them to a 63-33 win over Missouri Southern on Saturday to improve to 4-4 on the season. "I'm glad we got a win today, because this game wasn't very pretty early on," UCO head coach Nick Bobeck said. "We didn't get off to a good start, but the guys did a good job cleaning up the effort and pulling away with this one." The Bronchos struck first as running back Jake Standlee punched it in from 2-yards out to cap off a 5-play 62-yard drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Missouri Southern responded with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Brock Renken to cut the Bronchos lead to 7-3. UCO fumbled the ensuing kickoff giving MSSU the ball at the UCO 24-yard line. Four plays later MSSU punched it in from 22-yards out to take a 9-7 lead after the extra point was blocked. The Bronchos quickly responded as backup quarterback Chandler Garrett sprinted 47-yards to the end zone giving UCO a 14-9 lead late in the first quarter. Following a stop, UCO capped off an 8-play 57-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chas Stallard to wide receiver J.T. Luper to increase the lead 21-9. MSSU responded as Renken hit a 48-yard field goal and intercepted Stallard on the following drive giving them the ball at the UCO 45yard line. Seven plays later MSSU punched it in from one yard out to make it a two-point game 21-19. Late in the second quarter, UCO went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard Standlee touchdown run to make it 28-19. On the next drive, Stallard found Dustin Basks for an 18-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career, to take a 35-19 lead into the half. The Bronchos started the second half strong as Stallard found wide receiver Josh Crockett for a 75-yard
Stephan Robinson, 4, returns an interception for a 98-yard touchdown in UCO’s 27-13 homecoming victory over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Last weekend, the Bronchos won 63-33 against Missouri Southern, bringing the season to 4-4. (Hayden Barzditis/The Vista)
gain to set up Standlee's third rushing touchdown of the day from 1-yard out to make it 42-19. After a series of stops, Crockett took a reverse rushing play 45-yards for a touchdown to take a commanding 49-19 lead late in the third quarter. The offense struck again at the start of the fourth quarter as Stallard connected with Luper for a 73-yard touchdown to make it 56-19. MSSU scored for the first time in the second half with 12 minutes left in the game on a 36-yard touchdown run by Josh Hadley to cut the lead to 56-29. Third-string quarterback Keats Calhoon found Basks for a 9-yard touchdown, the first of Calhoon's career to take a 63-29 lead with just under six minutes to go in the game. MSSU added a 2-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds left to make the final score 63-33. The offense finished with 649 total yards of offense, the third-most in school history. Stallard finished
with 355 yards and two touchdowns on 24-27 through the air and added eight carries for 48 yards. Garrett led in rushing with 79 yards and one touchdown on eight carries and Standlee finished with 42 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. "I'm proud of the way he has continued to become a more important figure for us,” Bobeck said about Standlee. "We're asking a lot of him right now and he just keeps putting his head down and doing his job." Luper led in receiving with 137 yards and one touchdown on 10 catches. Crockett finished with two catches for 89 yards and L'liott Curry had four catches for 69 yards. "J.T. is a really talented kid and he never quits playing,” Bobeck said. "You have to focus on him if you're the defense for the entire 60 minutes." Defensively the Broncho defense registered six tackles for loss and nine pass deflections. Free safety O'Shay Harris led with 12 tackles
and an interception. Linebackers Colton Lindsey and Alex Figueroa both finished with seven tackles. The Bronchos return home for the final home game of the season as they host Central Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.
“We didn’t get off to a good start, but the guys did a good job cleaning up the effort and pulling away with this one,” – Head Coach Nick Bobeck
Sports
October 24, 2017
13
Volleyball Falls in Rankings Kurtis Johnson @TheVista1903
Contributing Writer
The No. 10 ranked University of Central women’s volleyball team won one and lost one on a two game Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference road trip this weekend. “It’s probably one of the toughest road trips for us,” Head Coach Edgar Miraku said. The road trip started well for the Bronchos, as they defeated the Lindenwood Lions in a three set sweep (25-17) (25-23) (25-16) to claim their eighth consecutive road win Friday night. Midway through set one, it was a very tight affair with the score tied at 10. The Bronchos then grabbed control of the game making it 18-12 before Lindenwood rallied back and closed the deficit to just three at 1815, but that is as close as they would get. Set two was a back and forth game that went right to the wire 23-22, in favor of the Bronchos with a kill by Haley Deschenes and Taylor Bevis that closed it out. A fairly even set three saw a quick race to a 5-5 tie before the Bronchos scored five unanswered points and never surrendered the lead again. Offensively, the Bronchos we’re led once again by All-American Bevis who had 17 kills on 46 attempts. “She’s our leader,” Miraku said. “She’s very, very energized and aggressive on the offensive end.” Deschenes and Alexis Washington had seven and six apiece and the team overall hit .241 in the match. Libero Dominique Lipari had 18 digs while McKenzie Fyfe had 12 digs to go along with a game high 35 assists. The next night the Bronchos couldn’t build on their previous win, dropping a tough four set match (1325) (29-31) (26-24) (17-25) decision against the Central Missouri Jimmies on Saturday. The Bronchos fell behind early, suffering a second set loss and couldn’t force a fifth set after winning the third. After a slow start to the match, the Bronchos rallied back in set two but came up just short in a back and forth battle that had seven lead changes and 16 ties. The Bronchos led early in the set 10-4 before the Jennies turned it around and went ahead 13-11. The
Junior Jordan Spence, 8, returns the ball over the net during a match in Hamilton Field House on Oct. 13, 2017. (Provided/UCO Photo Services)
Senior outside hitter Alexis Washington, 10, hits the ball during a match on Oct. 13, 2017 in Hamilton Field House. (Provided/ UCO Photo Services)
score was tied at 15 and would go back and forth as neither team could gain an advantage and was tied again at 29 before Central Missouri closed it out with two straight points. The third set was another back and forth affair as the Bronchos rallied from being behind 7-4 early in the set to a 13-11 lead and once led 2016 before the Jennies had a 7-0 rally of their own to take control 23-20. The Bronchos rallied back, making
it 24-24 before kills by Bevis and Karyn Chrisman closed the set out. In the fourth, the Bronchos fell behind early 8-2 and couldn’t recover. The Jennies hit .311 in the match compared to .222 for the Bronchos. Bevis had a team high 22 kills to go along with 15 digs while Jordan Spence and Chrisman had nine kills apiece. Lipari also had a game high 23 digs in the match. The weekend results moved the
Bronchos record to 22-3 on the season and a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings with Central Missouri and Missouri Western. Nebraska Kearney is first with a conference record of 10-1. “Knowing we didn’t have our best day and best match and it being close it’s still a positive,” Miraku said. “We just take that and build upon it.” The team will play again Tuesday when they travel to Pittsburg State.
14
October 24, 2017
Sports
Soccer Stuck in the Middle Ryan Jackson
@TheVista1903 Contributing Writer
The University of Central Oklahoma soccer team won their final home game of the regular season on Sunday against Fort Hays State University, 4-1. They now have a record of 7-7-2. Soccer Head Coach Mike Cook said he was happy to get a win on the final home game, especially for Mikayla Lowery, who Cook thought played well. "It was her senior day. That’s something that she’ll remember," said Cook. Kelsie Eason, Katie Killion, Asha Haile, and Samantha Mickle all scored goals for the Bronchos on Sunday. UCO’s goal keeper, Ally Salls, had three saves in the game. UCO headed into the weekend with a loss at home against Nebraska-Kearney, 0-1. The Bronchos attempted 14 goals, seven which were on target, but they failed to secure a goal. Kaitlyn Ashler, UCO’s goal keeper for Friday’s game, had eight saves in the game. Cook said he felt much better about his team's performance in Sunday's game compared to Friday's with players like Katie Killion and Kelsi Eason. “Our upperclassmen came to play," said Cook. "They played harder, they led the way with effort, and then
Senior forward Mikayla Lowery, 13, gets ready to strike the ball during the Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 soccer game in Edmond, Okla. The Bronchos lost the game 0-1. (Provided/UCO Photo Services)
when you score goals, it sets a lot of pressure off of everybody.” “We’ve been preaching the same thing every single game," said Cook. "Work hard, make good decisions, keep passing, and put your chances away and we did that today." The Bronchos have not been able to find a rhythm this season. They
have been able to pull off a four game winning streak earlier in the season, but they also have had two games end in a tie, and have gone through a three game losing streak as well. "We are very inconsistent," Cook said. "We’re better than our record. We let teams punish us for silly
mistakes and we haven’t finished our chances. We handled the third best team in the conference quite easily today, but on Friday, a team that hadn’t won a conference game beat us. That’s the way soccer goes unfortunately. " The Bronchos have two games left in the regular season as they travel to face rival Northeastern State University on Friday Oct. 27 and their last game is against Missouri Southern State University on Oct. 29. Cook said that he was hoping to be in the top four of the conference because then his team would host a game in the playoffs, but since now that may not happen, he has his team focusing on the final two games and playing towards the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Conference tournament that starts on Nov. 1. “We’re just hoping to win and see where we end up," said Cook. "We got to take what we got because we put ourselves in this position and were going to have to play ourselves out of it."
Junior forward Katie Killion, 9, dribbles the ball past a Nebraska-Kearney defender during the Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 game in Edmond, Okla. (Provided/UCO Photo Services)
`
October 24, 2017
Sports
15
Soccer’s New Star Nate Baldwin
@nbaldwin05 Sports Reporter
The Women’s Soccer team at the University of Central Oklahoma is 7-7-2 and has been led by a player in her first season at the collegiate level. True freshman Midfielder Kelsie Eason was in high school just a year ago. Now, she shares the team-high in goals for the Lady Bronchos at the NCAA Division II level. “I wanted to make an impact coming into this year” Eason said. “But I didn’t know it would be like this.” Through 16 games of the regular season Eason has scored eight goals while also dishing out three assists. As a midfielder, Eason has the ball at her feet more than full backs or forwards. Whether it is defensively stopping a run or in transition making a long pass; she has to be prepared for either. “It’s a lot of back-and-forth running, but it’s all about the opportunity.” For Eason, she said she likes to set up on the opposite side of her leg, crossing her shot across the goal. She also stays at the top of the box allowing her to run up at the ball to give more power. “I just like to give my Forwards support, so I sit underneath them and wait.” On the defensive half of the field, Eason said she knows whether to attack or sit back. If she has a teammate making a push on the outside, she can make her run in the middle knowing two more defenders are behind her. The transition aspect of the game is one thing Eason said she looks to focusing on moving forward. “I would like to turn my body and be able to stretch the field better,” Eason
Kelsie Eason, 24, hits a header during the October 20, 2017 game against Nebraska-Kearney. (Provided/UCO Photo Services)
said. With less than a full season under her belt, Eason said she already recognizes where her game is and what she needs to improve upon each week. She added that moving forward she wants to step up and take a leadership role. Something uncommon coming from a true freshman. As a Business major and first semester in college, the adjustment isn’t only on the field. “It’s just about time management.” If she isn’t on
the field or in the classroom, Eason is resting or in study hall. The postseason begins Nov. 1, with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament. With that Eason said she feels the added pressure that comes with being a primary goal scorer. “I can’t let it get to my head,” Eason stated. “I just have to play and not worry about that.” The Lady Bronchos play their final two regular season games Oct. 27 and 29. Both of which are away.
“I wanted to make an impact coming into this year, but I didn’t know it would be like this,” – Kelsie Eason
Next Year’s FAFSA is Now Available! The 18-19 FAFSA is now available October 1. APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE for OTAG.
Beginning 18-19 Oklahoma Promise students must complete the FAFSA each year.
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