Volume 116, Issue 23
the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Train Severs UCO Athlete’s Foot Austin Moseley @Austin_Moseley Reporter
A University of Central Oklahoma football player’s foot was severed by a train early Sunday morning after he tried crossing train tracks in downtown Oklahoma City. Derek Loccident, a defensive back in his sophomore season, was at the Dollhouse on Saturday night celebrating a friend’s birthday. Alysha Webber, a UCO student who was with Loccident at the Dollhouse, said that as the night neared its end, everyone started to find a way home. “He just got left by everyone Ubered by themselves,” Webber said. “He doesn’t have a cell phone so he just started walking home.” On his way home, Loccident was walking near railroad tracks SouthSee pg. 14
Derek Loccident, redshirt sophomore defensive back, is the leading tackler for UCO this year. Loccident is going under surgery to have his leg amputated below the knee.(Provided/UCO Athletics Twitter).
Information Theft Under Investigation Vy Long
@vy169 Reporter
Police at the University of Central Oklahoma are continuing to investigate the theft of payroll information and paychecks involving two UCO employees that occurred in July. The university’s Payroll Office reported this issue to UCO Police and appropriate state agencies. UCO’s Information Technology team was also involved in the investigation and had discovered that those employees’ emails had been hacked because they clicked on a link. “There is nothing to indicate this
incident was a part of a broad data breach,” said Adrienne Nobles, UCO assistant vice president for university communications. “It was the result of individuals clicking on fraudulent links in an emailed phishing attempt.” UCO Police are still investigating this incident. The report shows that one of checks had the amount of over $9,000. According to Nobles, UCO’s Payroll office received requests to change direct deposit information from two separate UCO employee emails in July. Those requests came with the appropriate form and their
personal information. “It was discovered neither employee had initiated the change request,” Nobles said. “In both cases, the checks were stopped before any funds were stolen. “Once a person clicks on a link in an email, that likely appears to come from someone they may know, cyber criminals can gain access to personal information,” Nobles said. “There is no evidence [...] that this is a widespread issue with UCO employee emails.” Some faculty and staff have been warned to check the deposit of their paycheck and be careful with their
emails. To prevent the incident from happening again, UCO has adjusted the practices of changing employee information. A request should be hand-delivered with a photo ID. If a request is not hand-delivered, UCO Payroll office will call the employee at their campus extension and verify their personal information. “UCO Information Technology also regularly trains and reminds employees and students about cyber security issues such as phishing,” Nobles said. “UCO employees are also required to attend annual cyber security training.”
EDITORIAL
BRONCHO SPORTS
Nike’s New Kaepernick Ad Sparks Controversy
Bronchos Flounder in Home Opener
on pg. 11
on pg. 12
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the
Sept. 11, 2018
VISTA
Last year during the annual observance of 9/11, a University of Central Oklahoma student walks past the flags put out to remember those who were lost in 2001. (Vista Archives)
CONTENTS
Title IX.................................................................................3 Around Campus ...................................................................4 Incarceration/Veterans........................................................5 Musical Theatre....................................................................6 Florence....................................................................7 Preparation Academy...........................................................9 Nike..............................................................................11 Football..........................................................12 Volleyball..................................................................13 Loccident.................................................................14 Bucking Broncho .................................................................15
Contents
STAFF Christian Tabak Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Regan Rosson Megan Thele Austin Moseley Michelle Pennza Skyler Baldwin Vy Luong Elisabeth Slay Lauren Morris Austein Brown James Jackson Derek Parker Teddy Burch Alex Brown
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On the Cover: Left: Palm trees frame a large billboard on top of a Nike store that shows former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick at Union Square, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
by Skyler Baldwin
Right: University of Central Oklahoma Brochos try to stop an opposing touchdown on Sept. 6 against Nebraska Kearny. (Karyn Chrisman/The Vista)
Title IX
Sept. 11, 2018
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New Title IX Policies Under Consideration Christian Tabak @CaffeineWallace Editor-in-Chief
New policies from the U.S. Department of Education could change current rules on sexual harassment policies for colleges and universities, reducing the liability for incidents that occur off campus, as well as strengthen rights for students accused of assault, harassment or rape. The proposed rules, which were obtained and reported on by The New York Times, would limit university responsibility for handling only complaints made on campus. Incidents reported involving students at off-campus housing would not be their responsibility to address. Changes would also allow universities to choose between the “preponderance of evidence” or the “clear and convincing evidence” standards in establishing the likelihood of whether or not misconduct occurred, according to the Times. Additionally, the Times reported that the proposed rules would also redefine sexual harassment and limit a university’s accountability to only formal misconduct complaints filed through official institutional channels and official representatives. The Deprtment of Education has refused to comment on the details of the proposed changes, which Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said are in too early of a stage of work to discuss. “We are in the midst of a deliberative process,” Hill said. “Any information The New York Times claims to have is premature and speculative, and therefore we have no comment.” Discussion on changes to sexual harassment and assault policies hits right as major universities such as Michigan State University, Ohio State University and the University of Southern California grapple with charges against faculty and staff of serious sexual misconduct. Following changes made by the department to Title IX last September, universities and colleges across the nation have already been in the process of adapting policies and procedures to reflect the department’s changing stance. Minor changes and reevaluations have already occurred at the University of Central Oklahoma and while it may be difficult to anticipate future changes, UCO Title IX Coordinator Adrienne Martinez said that the university would be able to adapt to new policies. “While we may not be able to predict the final changes from the Department of Education at this time, we are confident that UCO will still be able to provide options for our community members and continue to fulfill our duty to address sexual harassment in a manner that is equitable for all involved,” Martinez said. Universities have been waiting since last year for more definitive guidelines after U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos rescinded several guidelines and policies that had been established under the Obama administration. DeVos had cited concerns that students accused of sexual misconduct were not receiving due
In this Feb. 2, 2018, file photo, Larry Nassar listens as Melissa Alexander Vigogne gives her victim statement in Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte, Mich. (Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal via AP)
process and, in some cases, were facing serious punishments from universities for crimes they did not commit. The most significant of guideline rescinded by DeVos was the 2011 “Dear Colleague” letter that clarified the responsibility of universities to respond promptly and impartially to reports of sexual violence. Also rescinded was a 2014 question-and-answer document that went into detail on how universities and colleges should update their policies to reflect compliance with Title IX and how the federal government would aggressively respond to violations. In place of, the Department of Education published interim guidelines that, while less comprehensive than the Obama-era policies, have served as the department’s current standard until new policies can be established. During this interim period, compliance staff at UCO have met with state officials to consider the impact of the rescinded policies and interim guidelines, according to Martinez. After reviewing the interim guidance as well as other federal, state and local laws involving Title IX including Title VII, the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, the university had established compliance in those areas. “Ultimately, we determined that no substantive changes were needed, or desired, to our current discrimination and harassment policies for gender-based harassment and sexual misconduct involving students or employees,” Martinez said. UCO already applies a “preponderance of the evidence standard,” which Martinez said is consistent with best and common practices for addressing matters of sexual harassment and violence. Under the interim guidance, Martinez also said that the university was permitted flexibility if necessary to consider relaxing the 60-day maximum window for investigations and appeals. “UCO considers appeals to be a right of any directly involved party,” Martinez said. “We have no plans to remove this right for any party as a demonstration of our commitment to equity, transparency and integrity in the process.” Any policy changes by the Department of Education must still undergo a notice and comment period before any formal rulemaking, a phase that the department has yet to announce.
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Sept. 11, 2018
Around Campus
At the first home game of the season, students cheer on the UCO Bronchos at Wantland Stadium on Sept. 6. (Karyn Chrisman/The Vista)
All Week: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 SPB Member Open Meeting: The University of Central Oklahoma Student Programming Boards will hold an open meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room (NUC 326) of the Nigh University Center. This meeting is open to all students, with the purpose being to introduce prospective members to what SPB is, the events they host and how it is beneficial. UCO vs. Midwestern State: The women’s soccer team plays the Midwestern State Mustangs at 7 p.m. on UCO’s soccer field. BSA Bake Sale: The Black Student Association will have a bake sale from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the food court. Students can learn about what BSA is doing on campus and grab a treat. Queer & Questioning Q & A: The Student Alliance for Equality will host a meeting in the Clara Luper Room from 7-8:30 p.m. where they will discuss the first ever Edmond Pride Celebration on Oct. 20 and how students can get involved. Homecoming Tabling/Dream Team T-shirt Sales: The Homecoming Activities Board will be selling the Homecoming T-shirts on the second floor of the
Passport UCO Online Film Festival: Students can take part in an online film festival for STLR credit by watching a featured film from Israel and writing a short response to the film. For each five films a student watches, they are entered for a chance to win a free iPad. Email jdaro@uco.edu for details on signing up. The festival is STLR tagged in Global and Cultural Competencies. Nigh University Center from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shirts are $12 with the proceeds going toward Ally’s House, the 2018 Homecoming Philanthropy.
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 Dr. Allen Rice on Israel in Christian Tradition: University of Central Oklahoma Professor and an Elder at Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Dr. Allen Rice will discuss the relationship of Christianity and Judaism in the Holy Land from noon-1:15 in the Center for Transformative Lerning's Radke Fine Arts Theater. The event is free and open to everyone. Hispanic Heritage Month KickOff: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month in Ballroom A of the Nigh University Center from noon-1:30. Suicide Prevention Training: From 1-2 p.m. in room 343 of Thatcher Hall, students can learn how to help someone who is thinking about suicide. African Students Association General Meeting: The University of Central Oklahoma's African Student Association will
host a general meeting from 4-6 p.m. in room 314 of the Nigh University Center. The group will discuss plans for the semester and how they can improve as an association.
that are common in Native culture. The event is from 6-7 p.m. in the Nigh University Center room 320B. Materials will be provided and given to the first 20 people.
Robotics SIG Meeting: The Robotics SIG, a CS Special Interest Group that builds robots and competes in competition, will meet from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in room 126 of the Math and Computer Science building.
Homecoming Tabling/Dream Team T-shirt Sales: The Homecoming Activities Board will be selling the Homecoming T-shirts on the second floor of the Nigh University Center from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Shirts are $12 with the proceeds going toward Ally’s House, the 2018 Homecoming Philanthropy.
Weekly Day of Play!: The Recreational Ultimate Frisbee Club will be playing at 5 p.m. at Plunkett Park. The club asks that you bring water and a dark and light colored shirt.
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 Stress Paws: Therapy dogs will be on the 4th floor of the Nigh University Center from 3-5 p.m. for students looking to relieve some stress. Homecoming Activities Board Meeting: The University of Central Oklahoma Homecoming Activities Board will meet from 7:30-10 p.m. to discuss plans for the 2018 homecoming festivities. Native Beading Lesson: Learn how to create beaded designs
Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 LGBTQ Support: From 1-2 p.m. those who need a safe place to talk and meet about sexuality, gender, and other life issues can go to room 322 of the Nigh University Center. Connections Group: From 2-3 p.m. in Room 322 of the Nigh University Center, students can learn how to get involved with various groups around campus. This meeting aims to increase social skills, where you learn how to connect with others. Volleyball: The No. 18 UCO Bronchos play Southwest Baptist in their first MIAA matchup of the year at 6 p.m. in Hamilton Field House.
Incarceration/Veterans
Sept. 11, 2018
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OK Earns Highest Incarceration Rate Elisabeth Slay @ESlaySlay Reporter
Oklahoma now has the highest incarceration rate worldwide Recently the Oklahoma Department of Corrections announced the state’s new rate, claiming it knocked out Louisiana from it’s long-held position as the world’s crime capital. Oklahoma has an incarceration rate of 1,079 per 100,000 people well over the total rate for Louisiana which as of June is 712 per 100,000 residents. “[We have] 27,240 [inmates] as of now, with 953 in county jails awaiting transfer into our system,” said Matthew Elliott, ODOC public information manager. Founded in 1967, the ODOC's job is to house inmates who have been convicted and sentenced in a court of law. “We’re required by law to enforce the sentences that are set by the courts. We have to watch, feed, clothe, house and care for thousands of inmates 24/7,” Elliott said. “But in general, we are an incarceration-heavy state.” According to Elliott, the main hardship of such a high incarceration rate is the financial impact it has on the agency and the state. “We are the state’s fifth-largest agency by appropriations. Nearly a half billion dollar agency,” Elliott said.“The impact is significant." The ODOC manages those who
A view of the inside of a cell of where inmates are heald to wait to be seen by the judge at the Edmond Police Department. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)
have been convicted and uphold the law as any other government organization would. However, nearly three-fourths of those arrested in Oklahoma in 2015 were convicted for nonviolent crimes such as drug possession. “We at ODOC are very good at
locking up and looking after the people who belong in prison – your murderers, rapists, child abusers, etc,” Elliott said. “[However,] those in prison due to a drug crime frequently need programming and treatment that they don’t get in our system because we’re so chronically overcrowded
and underfunded.” According to Elliott, many inmates return to prison because of a lack of programming and this issue can only be resolved with change. “We need to change our law with regard to 85 percent of crimes,” Elliott said. “We need more resources for public mental health, addiction and substance abuse treatment. We need more resources devoted to modernizing our justice system so that it can operate more efficiently.” The incarceration rate and its consequences seem to not only affect the state as a whole, but students at the University of Central Oklahoma. UCO has one of the oldest Criminal Justice and Forensic Science major programs in the state and many of its students may potentially be impacted by this issue. “[Students] will always have job security,” Elliott said. “[However,] it means they may enter a system that, at least on the corrections side, is woefully understaffed but overstuffed with inmates.” According to Elliott, unless current and future judicial officials offer programming, more funding and proper resources, the cycle of incarceration will continue. “We send people to prison who don’t belong here along with the people who do,” Elliott said. “Those who don’t belong don’t get better. They just get better at being criminals. Then, they get out and they get right back in our system.”
Lamb Honors UCO Student Veterans Lauren Morris @TheVista1903 Reporter
In honor of veteran students at the University of Central Oklahoma, last week Edmond Mayor Charles Lamb proclaimed Sept. 4, 2018 as UCO Student Veterans Appreciation Day. The document said the city would “join the University of Central Oklahoma, an institution that seeks to promote the academic and professional success of these brave and selfless heroes, in recognizing student veterans.” “It’s kind of a cool thing…it wasn’t even originated by the university. A proclamation was presented to us on behalf of the city,” said Cole Stanley, assistant vice presi-
dent of Student Affairs. “So it was something that the city organized, to just kind of raise awareness about that we have student veterans here on campus.” To establish recognized events such as this, a proclamation needs to be requested by someone within the community. Student Veterans Appreciation Day was requested by UCO alumnus and State Director of Veteran Education for the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs, Bradley Ward. Ward called UCO a “proud home” to a large military community and said it is consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the state and country for veterans. “This was just a small way to show my appreciation and give
back to a community that has done so much, not just for me, but for also for my military peers,” Ward said. He also said he helped work with Lamb in drafting the language for the proclamation as well as with setting the date. “I selected UCO because, as an alumnus and former staff member, I understand firsthand the efforts UCO goes through to understand, recognize and support their military-connected community,” Ward said. “When I returned from Afghanistan, UCO was there to assist me in transitioning back into society.” He also said he hopes for the day to become an annual day of recognition for UCO. Edmond Public Information Officer Casey Moore
said while that subject has not been discussed, if requested again, it could become one. Ward received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in public administration and he was also the coordinator for UCO’s veteran support system, VetHERO, and the Central Veterans advisor over two years. “I am hoping to lay the foundation for an annual day at UCO to pause and recognize our proud military-connected students on campus,” Ward said. “UCO has some events and ceremonies that recognize their military-connected students, but I strongly believe there is always something more we can do to support our proud military community.”
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Sept. 11, 2018
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Ranked Top 10 in Nation Megan Thele
@1bigtimenicole Copy Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Musical Theatre program has been named among the top 10 programs in the nation by OnStage Blog, a blog featuring international theater coverage. “I was thrilled, but not surprised that our Musical Theatre program was recognized for this distinction,” said Steven Hansen, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design. “Every aspect of the program, students, staff and faculty is exemplary.” Director of Musical Theatre, Greg White said this is the first list the program has been listed on. “I’m incredibly proud of this acknowledgement,” White said. “We’ve been carefully crafting this program, and growing over the past 15 years. It’s a beautiful testament to our collaborative faculty and to our graduates.” UCO was ranked eighth on the list, with the “availability of scholarships” and UCO being “identified as one for the great value colleges for undergraduate music majors” in 2018 cited as highlights of the program and factors in its place on the list. “The list cited [these factors]...but I am certain the selection comes from the unified commitment to excellence from our exceptional students, our world class faculty and our incredible professional staff,” White said. This year’s rankings were separated by program types, with UCO falling under the Bachelor of Music category; schools with only Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts programs are listed separately. OnStage Blog said the separation came from a realization that the two degrees are completely different. Bachelor of Music Musical Theatre programs are a more intensive study of theory where students study music history, instrumental performance, ear training, composition, music theory and all other music concentrations, according to OnStage columnist Gretchen Midgely. Musical theatre artists must be proficient as triple threats (singers, dancers and actors), but special and careful consideration is given to their musical training, White said. UCO’s Musical Theatre program trains students to be triple threats, according to White, which gives them
The musical “Chicago,” presented and performed by the UCO School of Music’s Musical Theatre. The musical premiered last Oct. at the Mitchell Hall Theatre on the UCO campus. (Provided by Wendy Mutz)
the ability to go into multiple areas of the industry. Graduates have gone on to perform in local, national and touring shows or teach up and coming artists. White cited graduate Erin Clemons as an example, as she is currently in Hamilton on Broadway. “I’m very proud of the fact that our students are working artists,” White said. “We’ve got students on Broadway, off-Broadway, Broadway national tours, regional productions, children’s theatre companies, Disney, cruise ships, teaching artists… You name it, our graduates are out there doing it!” The program has received rare accolades over the years, including performing at the Kennedy Center in New York City, according to White. “The quality of our program in musical theatre is driven by the professional expertise of our faculty,” Hansen said. “Anyone who has been to one of the recent productions understands the high standards we maintain in music, choreography and acting. The success of our graduates in professional theater companies is further evidence of the quality of the program.” Rankings were based on quality of facilities, cost and scholarship opportunities, quality of faculty, admissions/auditions/selectivity, career and alumni support, quality of curriculum and performance opportunities. OnStage Blog’s team begin research for their lists on May 1, which consists of reading school websites, talking to alumni and professors, calling theatre
and admissions departments and, in some cases, taking campus tours. “I think [the ranking is] very accurate,” White said. “Our graduates
meet with fantastic success because of their talent, hard work and exceptional training. We’ve earned this one.”
Florence
Sept. 11, 2018
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Florence Grows to Category 4 Carolinans Brace for Direct Hit, Potential Flooding RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Florence exploded into a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane Monday as it closed in on North and South Carolina, carrying winds up to 130 mph and water that could wreak havoc over a wide stretch of the eastern United States later this week. The South Carolina governor ordered the state’s entire coastline to be evacuated starting at noon Tuesday and predicted that 1 million people would flee. The storm’s first effects were already being seen on barrier islands as dangerous rip currents hit beaches and seawater flowed over a state highway. Communities along a stretch of coastline that is vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change
Walker Townsend, at right, from the Isle of Palms, S.C., fills a sand bag while Dalton Trout, in center, holds the bag at the Isle of Palms municipal lot where the city was giving away free sand in preparation for Hurricane Florence at the Isle of Palms S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
prepared to evacuate. For many people, the challenge could be finding a safe refuge: If Florence slows to a crawl just off the coast, it could bring torrential rains
to the Appalachian mountains and as far away as West Virginia, causing flash floods, mudslides and other dangerous conditions. The storm’s potential path also
includes half a dozen nuclear power plants, pits holding coal-ash and other industrial waste, and numerous eastern hog farms that store animal waste in massive open-air lagoons.
Preparation Academy
Sept. 11, 2018
9
Potential Teacher Preparation Academy Katie Standlee
@katiestandlee Managing Editor
A grant of $1.2 million could fund the immediate start of the Native American Teacher Preparation Academy for the University of Central Oklahoma if the United States Department of Education approves the grant by the end of September. A lack of indigenization in the classroom and the current teacher shortage are what Bryan Duke, assistant dean of the UCO College of Education and Professional Studies, said are some of the reasons NATPA would come to UCO. “The focus of this is indigenizing the classroom...," Duke said. "...this academy will help those who participate in it to indigenize or bring the Native American perspective into the curriculum, and the approach in how they interact with students to make sure they are culturally appropriate." During the 2017-18 academic year there were 2,303 Native American teachers in Oklahoma out of 40,851 teachers in the state, according to the Teacher Personnel Report from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Timothy Petete, associate professor of English at UCO and co-primary investigator in the grant, said these numbers reflected that only five percent in Oklahoma identify as Native American, and nationwide that number is one percent. “There are additional obstacles that native students have to overcome, now I don’t see these as deficits, I see these as opportunities,” Petete said. “For me, if I can do this then anyone else can do this; so for indigenization, the presence of native faculty is important for native and non-native kids.” NATPA is modeled after the Ur-
ban Teacher Preparation Academy, according to Duke. This program assists a student starting in their junior year and supports them in their last two years of college. After graduation, the individual continues to receive assistance in their first two years of teaching. “The way we have designed it is we plan to have two cohorts that we admit," Duke said. "The first cohort would be about eight students and the second one would be about eight students, so we would be serving about 16 students in total if we get the full funds." Duke said the project team will start recruiting UCO sophomores and juniors in October and November. Once the 16 native participants are identified, they will begin receiving support in January 2019. “The timeline with the grant forces us to have a small window [of] who we can serve, because we have to be able to not only prepare with those teachers in the last two years, but then we also follow them into their career as they're teaching for the next two years, so it’s a very quick timeline,” Duke said. The grant proposal reads that NATPA participants will be required to meet UCO’s admission to teacher education requirements in order to be accepted. The program will assist a student in college by providing support, mentoring and financial support such as funding tuition, books and a living stipend. If the participant obtains an Oklahoma teacher certification in one of the seventeen federally recognized Oklahoma teacher shortage areas, they will continue to receive assistance in their first two years of teaching. "The end result is for the people who participate to have to make the commitment to teach in a P-12
Bryan Duke, Assistant Dean for the College of Education and Professional Studies, is the primary investigator and main writer for a 1.2 million dollar grant for the Native American Teacher Preparation Academy. (Regan Rosson/The Vista)
school, but the school has to serve a high population of Native American students," Duke said. "So, anyone who participates in this grant would have to teach in that school for at least two years." The grant was sent in July to the U.S. Department of Education with Duke as the primary investigator and main writer. It was a collaboration with Petete, co-primary investigator, who will also be a Native American Specialist if the grant is funded. Included in the collaboration is Meredith Seagraves, adjunct professor of English at UCO; Nina Coerver, coordinator for school partnerships; and David Macey, assistant vice president for Global and Cultural Competencies. “I think [NATPA] sounds like a great idea and it is something we have been missing in the native community; I feel like we are a little unrepresented at UCO,” said Terance Fields, vice president for the Native American Student Association. “I definitely think this would be a great attribution for the native students.” If NATPA is funded, there is already an advisory board prepared that consists of: Seagraves, Native
American Success Initiative adjunct instructor; Julian Guerrero Jr., executive director for American Indian Education; Linda Hulbutta, Indian Education director; Regina Riley, education specialist; Kimberly Shook, 2017 NIEA Teacher of the Year; Carrie Whitlow, executive director; Star Yellowfish, director of Native American Student Services; and Sydna Yellowfish, Indian Education director. In these partnerships, Duke said that the advisory board consists of educators representing several different tribes, including: Cheyenne-Arapaho, Comanche, Iowa, Keetoowah Cherokee, Kiowa, Osage and Otoe-Missouria. “I hope to see more Native educators in Oklahoma schools. Oklahoma has such a high population of Native students, but we don’t see a high number of Native teachers in the classroom,” Seagraves said. “It is important that our Native children have the opportunity to learn from professionals who have similar cultural backgrounds, an acute awareness of these backgrounds, and, as trivial as it might sound, to learn from teachers who look like them.”
Nike
Sept. 11, 2018
11
EDITORIAL:
Nike, Just Did It Katie Standlee @katiestandlee
Managing Editor
It has been almost impossible to escape the controversy surrounding the recent Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback. Nike aired the campaign ad last week just before the start of the NFL Season to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their slogan “Just Do It.” The ad appeared to be a nod to the protest Kaepernick started last year where NFL football players began kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality against African-Americans. Quickly after the ad came out, many people took to burning Nike products, tearing the swoosh logo off of clothing, protesting on social media, boycotting the stores, and/or creating endless memes that mock the ad. Refusing to back down even after protests had started Nike instead aired a TV commercial several days
later during the NFL’s regular season kick off game giving the ad and controversy prime-time exposure and adding fuel to the inferno on social media. The commercial was voiced by Kaepernick, but mainly focused on athletes that had overcome diversities and who had refused to give up even when the odds were stacked against them. The ad was very inspirational, calling all athletes to continue their dreams even if people say they are crazy and even if people laugh, “because what nonbelievers fail to understand is calling a dream crazy isn’t an insult; it’s a complement.” This ad pushes people to believe in themselves, to believe in their dreams, and to believe in something greater than themselves to unite us together, for equality, freedom and the right to dream and speak up. The United States is a country that embodies this very spirit by striving to overcome diversities and refusing to give up especially in the name of freedom. We are a country that
This image taken from the Twitter account of the former National Football League player Colin Kaepernick shows a Nike advertisement featuring him that was posted Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. Kaepernick already had a deal with Nike that was set to expire, but it was renegotiated into a multi-year deal to make him one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign, according to a person familiar with the contract. (Twitter via AP)
stands united under one nation. The American spirit is how our country has survived and prospered and is the very fabric of our democracy, it is why we fight for freedom. It is important to recognize that while America should be this great place that stands united under one nation we are becoming ever more divided, and that is not a nation that stands strong. That is a nation that is breaking the legs of others and standing on top of them for their own benefit. Living in this country where racism, inequality, sexism and hatred are still so very rampant, it is important to continue to fight for equality for all, and to recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities, even though they should. Even if you don’t agree with how Kaepernick expressed his freedom of speech, or his freedom to protest against something he felt was unjust, it is still his right as an American to do both. It is the very essence of what makes America so great because we have the freedom and the right to express our beliefs. It is upsetting that this greatness is being diminished, with people like our political leaders, who want to sensor what people do and do not have a right to say. That is not a great America.
Watching the back and forth arguments that have ensued as a result of this ad, though, is enough to make anyone dizzy, and brings forth the question, “Have we truly lost our humanity for each other?” Do we no longer have the tact or ability to argue a point with dignity and respect? Or are we so protected by the falseness of our screens that provide a steady stream of social media outlets that we no longer possess the ability to have a good conversation with each other? Regardless of where you stand with this issue, if you can’t hear the other side’s opinion or point of view without interrupting or casting judgement then how can change ever occur? If we as a society continue to blast each other in ways that hold no boundaries, that give little to no regard to how our words affect others, we will continue to hurt one another. This ugly back and forth will linger and the decay of our society will proceed. Yet, if we merely stop and listen to one another and learn to respect each other and are willing to have conversations that are open for discussion, then we will be able to work together, united, to find solutions to our problems.
In this Sept. 25, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle. Kaepernick has a new deal with Nike, even though the NFL does not want him. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
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Sept. 11, 2018
Football
SPORTS
Lopers Buck the Bronchos
Nebraska-Kearny defensive back Malik Webb (18) deflects on an Sept. 6 game against Nebraska Kearny at Wantland Stadium. Webb’s deflection on fourth down sealed the Lopers 31-27 win. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)
James Jackson
@JamesDJackson15 Sports Reporter
The University of Central Oklahoma fell late to the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers 31-27 in a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matchup in Thursday’s home opener at Wantland Stadium, after coming up short on the final drive. “There were multiple opportunities for us to separate where we didn’t separate,” said UCO head football coach Nick Bobeck. “Ball security is huge in football games like that. We had an opportunity to score a touchdown and we had to kick a field goal. It’s not one thing, it’s a combination of things that get you beat.” After the Lopers fumbled on the snap in the red zone, UCO took the ball with 7:43 on the clock. Keats Calhoon completed four passes to get within striking distance. Chandler Garrett would then score on a 2-yard run with
3:18 left on the clock. Nebraska-Kearney would strike back as the Lopers drove 82 yards on seven plays, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Luke Quinn, who leaped into the end zone to give the Lopers a 30-27 lead with 1:11 to go. The Bronchos tried to battle back, taking the ball all the way to the Lopers’ 30-yard line after Dustin Basks broke two tackles near midfield to make a 25-yard play on his 11th catch of the game. UCO’s last four plays were all for no gain. On 4th down, Calhoon tried to target Basks again but the ball fell off his fingertips after first being deflected by a Loper defender. The play would have given the Bronchos a first down. “Field goals get you beat,” Bobek said. “We had to kick two field goals inside the red zone, and those were opportunities we missed in those situations and that’s really the crux of the game.” UCO kicker Alex Quevedo was 2-2 on the night, connecting once
from 30 yards out and then again from 31. The first field goal came on the heel of a kick return that gave the Bronchos 1st and 10 at the Lopers’ 28 yard line, and the second on a 14 play, 61-yard drive that resulted in a dropped pass in the end zone. “They did what we thought they were going to do, they just did it really well,” Bobeck said. “We didn’t do a great job of getting off
blocks on the defensive side of the ball and on the offensive side of the football you know it just comes back to just growing pains. You can’t win that way against good football teams.” With the loss, UCO drops to 0-2 on the season. The Bronchos play again on Saturday as they travel to Lindenwood to take on the Lions at 7 p.m.
University of Central Oklahoma quarterback Chandler Garrett breaks a tackle on his way to the endzone during a Sep. 6 game against Nebrasks-Kearny at Wantland Stadium. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)
a
Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2018
13
Bronchos Block Out The Sun
The University of Central Oklahoma celebrates during a match against Southern Arkansas University on Sep. 1. The Bronchos improved to 7-2 on the season after winning all four gmaes in the South Central Classic. (Sharon Chrisman/For the Vista)
Devyn Base
@TheVista1903 Reporter
The UCO volleyball team is 11-2 after winning a match 3-0 against Arkansas Tech University on Saturday night. The No. 18 ranked team has now won 10 straight matches, four of which were won Friday and Saturday during the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and Great American Conference Crossover Tournament. “It’s a good win,” said head coach Edgar Miraku. “I mean, Arkansas Tech is a great program. They’ve won their conference the last several years. It’s nice to beat a team of their caliber.” Arkansas Tech head coach, Kera Dukic, was formerly the assistant coach for UCO under Miraku. Senior All-American hitter Taylor Bevis led the Bronchos with 13 kills total, getting five in each of the first two sets. Bevis had only two errors in 33 attempts for the match. Senior Jordan Spence had eight kills total and three assisted blocks. Bevis led in digs with 14 for the match, followed by 12 digs from junior libero Dominique Lipari. Sophomores Malia Kaaiohelo and
Haley Deschenes contributed 6 kills each for the Bronchos. “I think we did well this weekend playing teams we usually don’t get to play,” said senior Karyn Chrisman.“We stayed calm when we were down and were able to compete at our high level throughout all four games.” Chrisman had three kills this match, but has 73 so far this season. The Bronchos started off strong by getting ahead early in the first set. Arkansas Tech tied it 8-8, but UCO worked to regain the lead, where they stayed for the rest of the set. Spence had an ace and Bevis had five kills to get the Bronchos ahead after the first set and come out with the win, 25-16. The second set started off with four lead changes before the Bronchos broke the 8-8 tie, with Bevis adding five kills the set. UCO’s slow start proved to not be a hindrance as they won the set 26-17. Arkansas Tech started in the lead in the third set, with the Bronchos came back to tie the set at 15-15 before gaining the lead. The set ended at 25-20. The Bronchos next home game is Sept. 14 against Southwest Baptist University at 6 p.m.
The University of Central Oklahoma hudles during a match against Wayne State University on Sep. 1. The Bronchos improved to 7-2 on the season after winning all four gmaes in the South Central Classic. (Sharon Chrisman/For The Vista)
14
Sep. 11, 2018
Loccident
Train Severs UCO Athlete’s Foot continued from pg 1. west 4th Street and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard just before 3 a.m. on Sunday. Loccident crawled underneath the stopped train, but then train started to move. The train severed his left foot, but Loccident told others the damage could have been much worse. “He told a couple of the guys today, that he could’ve been cut in half if he didn’t move faster,” Webber said. OKC police said Loccident made it a few hundred yards away from the tracks before he found someone who helped him. Loccident was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is being treated for his injury. Loccident’s foot was brought to the hospital shortly after, but OKC police were unclear on who found it. Webber said that Loccident was preparing to have his leg amputated just below the knee on Monday. UCO released a statement regarding Loccident’s accident. “The University of Central Oklahoma athletics department wishes to extend its full support to the Loccident family following an accident involving Derek Loccident Sunday morning,” the university said in a statement. Loccident has appeared in nine career games, making two starts this season. He posted a career-high nine tackles in the Bronchos loss to University of Nebraska-Kearny last Thursday and leads the team in tackles with 15.
“The only thing that matters right now is that Derek knows he has our full support,” head coach Nick Bobeck said. “We are here for him. It’s important for his family to know that too. This isn’t about him being a football player right now, it’s about him being a young man that we are here for.” Just a few hours after Loccident’s accident, there was another incident involving a train. A truck was hit by a train near Southeast 29th Street and South Shields Boulevard. OKC police said there were no serious injuries.
Derek Loccident (8) runs to make a tackle during a Sep. 6 game against Nebraska-Kearny. Loccident lost his foot in a train accident Sunday morning.(Gerald Leong, The Vista)
Derrick Loccident (8) makes a tackle against Nebraska-Kearny running back Darrius Webb (10) during a Sep. 6 game at Wantlamd Stadium. Loccident finished the game with nine tackles, a career high. (Gerald Leong/The Vista)
Bucking Broncho
Sep. 11, 2018
15
Patriots Aim to Remain Favorites With the NFL season underway, several teams are primed and ready to make their Super Bowl run. This is the way-too-early predictions for the teams with the best chance of winning it all. New England Patriots: The league is patiently waiting on five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to descend from his throne atop the NFL. At the age of 41, he has shown no signs of slowing down yet. Brady and the Patriots have dominated not only their division, but the conference for years. The Patriots have won the AFC championship three out of the last four years, and have won it all in two of those. They lost a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles in last year’s Super Bowl, but should be ready to bounce back this year. The receiving core is less than adequate, but with Brady at the helm, they shouldn’t be too worried. With future hall of famer Rob Gronkowski, and a solid defense led by Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots should be in a great position to make another run at the championship. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings could very well have the best defense in the league. Every unit on the defense is loaded with talent, starting with the secondary. Allpro cornerback Xavier Rhodes has inserted himself into the top cor-
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes under pressure from the Houston Texans defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) ners in the league. Safety Harrison Smith also earned all-pro honors, and the two of them combined should make it a tough time for the opposition. On offense, the Vikings are good enough to win a lot of games. After suffering a knee injury in his rookie season, the Vikings second-year running back, Dalvin Cook, should make a huge impact in the run game this year. Perhaps the most important move made by Minnesota this offseason was getting quarterback Kirk Cousins. While Case Keenum was good enough to take the Vikings to the NFC champion-
ship, Cousins should be just what the Vikings need to propel them to a championship. Los Angeles Rams: The Rams surprised everyone last year by winning their division. After claiming the NFC West and their bid to a wild-card game, the Rams promptly lost to the Atlanta Falcons 26-13. Despite their quick playoff exit, the future is bright for Los Angeles. The Rams have one of the best running backs in the league in Todd Gurley. He finished with 1,305 yards in 2017 and should produce again this year. At quarterback for the Rams is Jared Goff, who has improved tremendously since his rookie year. With Brandin Cooks added to an already stacked recieving core, Goff and the Rams offense should continue to trend upwards. On defense, the Rams are led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who certainly has made his case to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks. (AP Photo/ Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
be the best player in the national football league. With some help from Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib and Michael Brockers, the Rams should have an excellent chance to compete for the Super Bowl this season. Philadelpiha Eagles: The defending champs are sitting pretty right now. Coming off their first ever Super Bowl win, the Eagles are in great position for a return trip. The Eagles defense should be the best unit on the field at all times. The stellar defense from a year ago that won them a championship might have improved this year, which is scary for the NFL. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox leads the way for the Eagles, and has set his sights on earning the Defensive Player of the Year award. On offense, the Eagles are anxiously awaiting the return of quarterback Carson Wentz. Before going down with an ACL injury, Wentz was performing at an MVP level. Nick Foles came in in relief of Wentz, and went on to win the Super Bowl. While Foles is good enough to get the job done, Carson Wentz is on a whole other level.