The Oracle- February 13, 2015

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Friday, February 13, 2015

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Tech graduate students and represents TTU professors are doing >>Page 3 on PGA Tour > Find out what

for Valentine’s Day

>>Page 6

Student mailboxes to be removed from University Center by Fall 2015

DEVELOPING STORY

By KELSEY TACK Beat Reporter

ONE LAST RODEO

Drake Fenlon | The Oracle THE LAST RIDE- The dance floor of Rodeo Bobs was filled Saturday night for one final night of socializing, dancing and making memories. The establishment was a favorite among the college-age crowd in the Cookeville area.

Cookeville nightlife hot spot closes after five years of business, students react

By ADAM WEBB Staff Writer

After being in business for five years, local nightlife hot spot Rodeo Bobs has closed its doors. The location was a favorite among Tech students and citizens of Cookeville on Thursday nights and weekends.

On Friday, Feb. 6, the club announced that Saturday, Feb. 7 would be its last night of business, much to the chagrin of regular patrons and students alike.

“It was a sanctuary for college kids, and the last night was no different. Lots of music, dancing and beers flowing. It was the perfect end to the perfect college spot,” said marketing major David Jester.

Rodeo Bobs had more business than usual Saturday night as people were lining up earlier than normal. The parking lot featured a car for club-goers to leave their final thoughts and messages with the staff and management of one of Cookeville’s favorite party bars.

“It was pretty packed, everybody realized it was the last night so everybody was trying to get their last hoorah in,” said Rhen Hughey, junior general health studies major. “We got there at about 8:30 and there was a line already. We had to wait in line for about five or 10 minutes but it was definitely the most packed I had seen it in a long time that early.”

Hughey said he went to Rodeo Bobs every Thursday night and went with some of his fellow SigEp brothers Saturday for the bar’s last night.

“It was pretty live, the atmosphere going good. They started playing some old-school music like back when they started in 2010. They played some songs from then and then up to current songs,” Hughey said.

Hughey and other members of the fraternity said they would start going to other Cookeville bars, like Spankies and Vinnie T’s, to compensate for Rodeo Bobs’ absence.

There might be a silver lining for dance club fans in town: Rodeo Bobs’ disc jockey Nathan Allen said the location could

Drake Fenlon | The Oracle RODEO BOB- Robert Knight, owner and namesake of Rodeo Bobs mans the DJ booth during the last night of business for Rodeo Bobs Saturday night. reopen within the coming weeks and get right back into the swing of things.

“It’s closed down till mid-March with a new name and new look,” Allen said.

Attempts were made to contact management and staff of Rodeo Bobs, but as of press time, none were successful so nothing can be confirmed on the location’s future.

Though a new club might be in the location’s future, some people will still miss the nightclub known as Rodeo Bobs.

“Rodeo Bobs, is a special part of several marriages, more than a few children, I’m certain at least a few divorces and many friendships,” Justin Jonez wrote on the Rodeo Bobs Facebook page after its closure was announced. “The building may change, but the memories will remain.”

By the fall semester, students will no longer find their on-campus mailboxes on the ground floor of Roaden University Center because student mailboxes are being moved into the different resident halls. According to Claire Stinson, vice president for Planning and Finance, they are looking for ways to create more student-oriented space in the UC. “What we’re finding is that our students are receiving less mail. At one time, the University did a lot of mailers and would stuff the students’ boxes, but now almost everything is electronic,” said Stinson. “It just seemed like it was time to take a look at how do we handle mail on campus.”

While the committee in charge of the plans has not made final decisions yet, they are looking at two possible options for the space. Some of the space could be used as a copy center, and the other part could become an IT station for students who need computer help.

“The thought is that we would take some of that space and make a copy center, similar to a Kinko’s,” Stinson said. “We’ve asked ourselves ‘Where do students go to get a project bound or if they need copies for a class?

How can we make it more convenient for students to get these services?’ In order to do that, we have to look at what’s there and see what we can do more efficiently.”

There were rumors of a computer store filling the space, but according to Stinson they are looking into creating a location for students to go if they need something for their computer or if they need a computer worked on. The post office, however, will remain in the same place.

“I’ve never opened my mailbox on campus. I don’t

even know the combination,” said Oscar Diaz, a sociology major at Tech. “I think that space is kind of wasted, and they could do more with it, but I’ll be graduating before I see any of the changes.”

There are still decisions to be made about the final setup for the new mailboxes as the school is currently looking into mail services and electronic service systems.

“There is a concept where some schools don’t have mailboxes but mail services. If you got a letter today, it would be filed in a folder for you, and you would receive an email that says you have a letter or a package,” said Stinson. “Then when you come to the post office, you would slide your student ID in a machine similar to an ATM, and it would tell the post office personnel that you were there to pick up whatever they have for you.”

Privacy precautions are also under consideration.

“I don’t know this for a fact,” said Stinson, “but I’ve had people tell me that they graduated here in say 1960 and that they could still go up to their mailbox and open it. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know, but I don’t like the idea that it’s a possibility.”

Stinson’s goal is to be able to provide U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS Inc. on campus. Depending on what decision is made, there will still be mail service or extra mailboxes available to students who live off campus but wish to send and receive mail on campus.

“I think they should move the mailboxes or at least make them only for students that live on campus,” said Jacob Tyler, Tech sociology major. “I haven’t lived on campus since I was a freshman, but I still have to pay $16 a semester for that mailbox that I don’t use.”

Stinson said they hope to have a decision pretty quickly, and she hopes it will be in effect by Fall 2015.

Campus construction continues, weather affecting progress

By ADAM WEBB Staff Writer & HAYLEY GREENHOUSE Beat Reporter

The Centennial Plaza construction project continues this semester as the health of the plaza trees comes into question.

“Arborists are monitoring the construction that pertains to the well being of the trees,” said Director of Horticulture and Grounds Kevin Tucker the director of grounds, roads and walks. “In two weeks the (arborists) are treating the trees with growth hormones to ensure they are in good health.”

While the arborists oversee the well being of the trees, W&O Construction has been working on improvements since the completion of the demolition phase last November.

Tucker confirmed that progress is being made, “The contractor, despite the weather, has made improvements.”

Tucker confirmed that brick is being placed for the concrete sidewalks, the electrical wiring for the walkway lights are complete, and the steep walls are being constructed.

“The steep walls are the little short walls that you can see. They (steep walls) are where people can Read More Online

@

tntechoracle.com

Rebecca Finley | The Oracle SEND IN THE MACHINES- Pieces of heavy machinery sit on the Centennial Plaza construction site. Inclement weather has slowed progress on the project causing the completion date to be unknown at this time. sit. More information will be available in the coming months,” said Tucker.

The Centennial Plaza Committee has met with an artist who is providing a sculpture.

Despite the improvements of Centennial Plaza’s construction, the completion date has not yet been decided. Last November the completion date was set for late spring.

In addition to the construction of Centennial Plaza, resident’s halls

CONTACT:

Jobe and Murphy are being remolded. The renovations caused the 200 students who lived there to move to other buildings according to resiRebecca Finley | The Oracle dent assistant Aaron Webb.

“They were placed in Ellington/ PROGRESS- A construction worker faces the cold while spending his day Warf or MS Cooper/Pinkerton or a on the work site. This will become the future home of Centennial Plaza.

New Hall which are actually nicer than what Jobe/Murphy was,” this coming fall semester with to delay the progress. He explained Webb said, “So a lot of them were Murphy being completed in Spring that when the contractor is not able put in places that were even nicer 2016. to work on the construction, the than where they were.”

Tucker noted that the weather contractor gets additional time to Jobe is expected to be finished is an ongoing issue that continues work on the project.

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Friday, February 13, 2015

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>> Campus

Guest speakers present on campus safety to SGA events @ tech

By CHARLI BRAY Beat Reporter

The Student Government Association hosted several guest speakers during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Marc Burnett, vice president of Student affairs; Ed Boucher, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and Title IX investigator; and Marlene Hall, Coordinator for Clery Compliance and Title IX came to the meeting to speak about sexual assault and relationship violence on Tech’s campus.

Title IX is a section of the Education Amendments of 1972 that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The Clery Act requires universities to disclose safety information and impose basic requirements for handling

Cookeville man arrested in Jere Whitson Building bathroom while napping

By HARLEY DAVIDSON Beat Reporter On Friday Feb. 6, a Cookeville man who had been released from jail earlier in the day decided to have a drink and take a nap in a bathroom in Jere Whitson Building.

Around 4 p.m. Tech police arrived at Jere Whitson after receiving a complaint from English instructor Nicholas Ryan. Ryan told police that when he entered the bathroom, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol and hear snores coming from the handicap stall.

When Lt. Thompson and Officer Nichols attempted to enter the stall, the door was locked. Nichols said he climbed up and peered into the stall and saw a white male sitting on the toilet, passed out. He also saw a can of beer next to the man. Using his baton to hit the latch, Nichols was able to gain access to the stall. Once inside, they attempted to wake the man by shouting at him. When that failed, Nichols shook the man’s shoulder to bring him into consciousness.

Police identified the man as 47-year-old Terry James Hare. Hare had a previous criminal trespass notice forbidding him from being on University property. As Nichols searched Hare, he became violent and started calling the officer obscene names, according to the police report. At one point, Hare told Nichols he was going to “whip” him.

When Hare was arrested, he had a pearl handled knife, a six-pack of Steele Reserve beer and a duffle bag with a modem, two cable boxes, a phone and an assortment of cables. Hare claimed the items belonged to him. Police ran the serial numbers on the items and found, at the time of arrest, none of the items had been reported stolen.

They also contacted Charter Communications to see if they could find out to whom the items belonged.

Hare was transferred to the Putnam Country Sheriff’s Office jail and will be charged with criminal trespassing, public intoxication and resisting arrest.

incidents of sexual violence and emergency situations.

According to Burnett, there is a lot of misinformation on campus regarding sexual assault and violence.

His goal is to clear up the misconception.

“We are trying to get away from hearsay; we are trying to gather facts and get students to follow through with their claims,” said Burnett.

Boucher then took to the podium to speak about what is happening on campus and what is being done to ensure the safety of students.

“What we are facing now is acquaintance rape,” said Boucher.

“The measures we took in the past to protect students, e.g., extra lightning on campus, emergency buttons, escorting students to their cars at night, are not as effective now. We are trying to

make a change to deal with acquaintance rape.”

Boucher and his colleagues are working on ways to partner with students to gain a better understanding of what is going on in order to create a comfortable and safe environment for everyone on campus. According to Boucher, there are ways to deal with acquaintance rape, but only if the problem is made known to authorities.

In 2014, there was one reported sexual assault in a residence hall on campus, three reports of dating violence on campus, six reports of domestic violence on campus, and one report of stalking on campus, according to Hall.

“I have to say that Tech did a really good job over the last few months. … The thing that I was impressed by was how well the people were coming forward to us,” said Hall.

Hall said that, a lot of times, students do not think situations like those listed above are a “big deal.”

Students believe that no one will be interested to hear about the problem or that someone else will report the problem. However, this assumption is false, according to Hall.

“We need to get students to report these things,” Hall said. “There is no such thing as a ‘cookie-cutter’ solution, especially when you are talking about issues as sensitive as these.”

The SGA is prepared to partner with Hall, Boucher and Burnett to educate students on sexual violence in order to make campus as safe as possible.

“We have talked to Marlene about having a panel open to all students,” said SGA President Emily McDonald. “There are a lot of

misconceptions on campus, and we want to make sure students are well-informed and know what to do and who to contact if a situation arises.”

DPhiE representatives Lindsey Carp and Andrea Alhadari also spoke at the SGA meeting. Carp and Alhadari shared information regarding DPhiE recruitment, which is going on this week, and the pair encouraged women in leadership in SGA who are not already affiliated with a Greek organization to come out to DPhiE recruitment.

Shabir Bhegani, a civil engineering major at Tech, also announced that the Minority President’s Council would be hosting a panel-style forum Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in conjunction with the Multicultural Affairs Office.

All students are invited to attend.

Tech to host American Spiritual Ensemble On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the American Spiritual Ensemble will perform in Wattenbarger Auditorium during dead hour. The ASE is a professional group of musicians performing across the globe. During the performance on Feb. 17, the Tennessee Tech University Chorale will join the ASE in singing “Keep Marchin’ ‘Til I Make It Home.”

By SARAH TATE Copy Editor The American Spiritual Ensemble is coming to Tennessee Tech Tuesday, Feb. 17 to perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. and a master class during dead hour, both in Wattenbarger Auditorium.

The ASE is a group of professional musicians who perform all over the world singing spirituals, an important part of American musical heritage, according to Everett McCorvey, director and founder of the ASE. “We must keep this music alive,” said McCorvey, who is also a professor of voice at the University of Kentucky.

“The best way to do that is to transmit it, not only on the concert stages, but through the universities and through students who can experience this music and take the music forward.”

Craig Zamer, director of choral activities at Tech, played an instrumental role in bringing the ASE to Tech. He said he was blown away after hearing the ensemble at a convention years ago and has been trying to bring the group to Tech ever since.

“Any opportunity that we can have to bring professional choirs is going to do great things for our music department, for all of the students that sing in our

choirs to see another kind of choir perform and gain perspective on the genre,” said Zamer. “So sometimes when I talk about spirituals, and I’m trying to get a specific sound, they’re going to hear that choir and they’re going to now have a deeper understanding of what I’m looking for in the sound.”

A few songs the ASE will perform include “Walk Together Children,” “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” and “This Little Light of Mine.” The Tech Chorale will then join the ASE to perform “Keep Marchin’ ‘Til I Make It Home.” The concert will conclude with an arrangement of “Circle of Life.”

The ASE will also conduct a master class open to all students at 11 a.m.

Feb. 17 in Wattenbarger Auditorium.

Members of the group will explain the history and origins of the American spiritual and how the genre has evolved into today’s “concert spiritual,” an arrangement of traditional spirituals with a western music influence.

While at Tech, the ASE will work with the choirs, voice students and other music majors. Zamer said it’s a great opportunity because “we benefit, not only from their performance but from what they’ll say to us, their interaction with our students.”

The ensemble performs at church-

es, concert halls and universities while on tour. The ASE sings at colleges because McCorvey said the group sees music students as “young colleagues,” so it is important to make connections with the “young artists and future administrators.”

Kristina Bunting is a junior music business major and a member of the Tech Chorale. She was selected to be a part of a small ensemble within the combined song the Tech Chorale and American Spiritual Ensemble will perform. Bunting said she is more excited than intimidated to sing with the ASE. “I really like observing people who know what they’re doing … and how they are able to put into practice the techniques we always learn,” said Bunting.

The concert will be free but tickets are required for admission. Students can bring their ID to Bryan Fine Arts Building 204 to pick up a ticket. Tickets for the general public will be available Monday, Feb. 16, but remaining tickets will be available at the door.

“Even if (students) are not musically-inclined or choir isn’t necessarily their thing, I still think this will be appealing to anybody that would come because they’re such an engaging choir,” said Zamer. “This experience will be great for anybody that attends the concert.”

February

13 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Festival of Winds and Percussion Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Baseball vs. Longwood University Bush Stadium

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Symphony Band Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

14 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Festival of Winds and Percussion Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building 10 a.m. - 11: 55 a.m.

Hyder Burks Winter Classics Main Arena

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Rugby vs. Covenant College Soaring Park

2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Baseball vs. Longwood University Bush Stadium

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Festival of Winds and Percussion Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

15 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Festival of Winds and Percussion Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

International Business Association Meeting Johnson Hall 220

1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Baseball vs. Longwood University Bush Stadium

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

16

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Suspect apprehended displaying voyeuristic behavior

By LUCAS MCCOY Beat Reporter Tennessee Tech police have apprehended a suspect who has been causing disturbances since last semester.

TTU News sent out a campus safety alert message last Friday stating: “The university recently received delayed reports about a series of instances during last semester and in late January of a man peering into men’s restroom shower stalls in Maddux/ McCord and possibly other residence halls.”

According to the police report, Officer Tony Nelson went to speak with Marc Burnett, vice president of Student Affairs, about the incident, which occurred in the residence halls on Jan. 23.

Burnett identified the individual as Nicholas Hamby.

Nelson then returned to the police station and contacted Hamby. Nelson advised Hamby to come to the University Police Department and speak with him concerning the incident, according to the police report.

Hamby arrived at the police

department at 3:10 p.m. and was interviewed by both Nelson and Officer Sandy Thompson. Hamby said he entered the residence hall to visit friends but couldn’t recall their full names. He also said he “walked the stairs for exercise.”

According to the TTU News email, on one occurrence, Hamby entered the dorms behind a student who had used their Eagle Card to enter the hall.

The police report also states Hamby said he would enter the Tech Fitness Center

with his wife.

Hamby was advised by police not to enter any of the residence halls or the Fitness Center because he didn’t live in the halls nor did he have a membership to the Fitness Center, according to the report. He was given a criminal trespass warning and told he will be arrested if he is found in these areas.

The TTU News email said, “Delayed reporting is valuable, but timely reports to police increase law enforcement’s ability to apprehend suspects.”

Jon McMillan Clay Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Jeremy Hansen, Horn, Faculty Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

17

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Jon McMillan Clay Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

11 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.

Career Fair Tips Workshop RUC Tech Pride Room

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

CORRECTION FEB. 6, 2015

T

he story “One Billion Rising to stand against violence” ended abruptly. The final sentence of the story should read “All proceeds will benefit local organizations that work to end violence against women.”

The Oracle regrets the error.

American Spiritual Ensemble Wattenbarger Auditorium

18

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Jon McMillan Clay Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

19 A student bought this Ad. You can buy one too.

Call Phil @ (931)372-3031

11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Student Success Workshop RUC Tech Pride Room

www.tntech.edu/calendar

Friday, February 13, 2015

COOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 3

Features <<

LIVING

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Faculty

By SHELBEY ASHBURN Beat Reporter The Valentine’s Day feels are hitting Tennessee Tech this semester but students aren’t the only ones getting into the sweet holiday spirit. Some professors are preparing to celebrate the special day in their own unique way with yearly traditions and casual evenings.

It’s no secret that many students on campus already have Valentine’s Day plans with their significant others or close friends.

A favorite tradition amongst students and professors both is to enjoy a night out in Cookeville.

“Valentine’s Day for me will probably include taking in a play at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center and maybe having dinner at one of the historical restaurants downtown,” said Joy McCaleb, theater instructor. McCaleb said these are two of the greatest things to do on a Saturday night in Cookeville.

While many enjoy the busy atmosphere Valentine’s Day has to offer in Cookeville, some prefer to celebrate in different ways.

Assistant professor of communication, Scott Christen, has a unique approach to celebrating Valentine’s Day with his wife.

“We normally wait until the day after Valentine’s Day to celebrate. Then we are able to get candy half off,” said Christen.

Many couples make reservations for upscale restaurants, but Christen and his wife hold a sentimental value for Waffle House.

“It’s where we had our first meal as a married couple. We aren’t the only ones who go there to celebrate. You’d be surprised at how many people have sentimental stories tied to Waffle House,” said Christen.

Christen also said that one year, instead of purchasing pricey chocolate covered strawberries for his wife, he bought the supplies to make them at home for much cheaper.

“My wife came home and asked what everything on the table was for. I explained to her that we could make our own chocolate covered strawberries for half of the price of buying them already made. She looked at me and said ‘I like that idea.’”

With all of the crowded restaurants and busy traffic surrounding Valentine’s Day, professor of communication, Halina Ablamowicz, prefers to keep the day simple.

“I’m not really doing anything, I guess I can blame my husband,” said Ablamowicz.

Regardless of the typical Valentine’s Day cliches, each professor has their own unique way of celebrating the holiday.

LEARN. EARN. SERVE.

HELP WANTED Opportunity Available in the Tennessee National Guard. x x x

vs. Students

Student Loan Repayment ROTC Scholarships Monthly Paycheck

All while remaining a full time student.

By KELLY MILLS Beat Reporter Love is in the air on Tennessee Tech’s campus.

Students will be indulging themselves in chocolates and love this Saturday.

Valentines will be passed out and valentines might even be made this weekend as students make plans with their loved ones and friends.

“My boyfriend and I are going out to eat at Olive Garden, well hopefully,” said Victoria Green, an animal science major. “We are going to get all dressed up and make our way to Olive Garden just like the rest of the population in Cookeville.”

Green has been dating her boyfriend, Daniel Arnette, for a little over a year. This will be their second Valentine’s Day together.

“I painted him a canvas of a hunting scene,”

@615.426.5307

We just like to spend time together,” said Ashburn.

“Every year we stay in and cook, he makes dessert and I make the main meal. No need to stand at a restaurant and wait for two hours when you can have it ready in 45 minutes.”

Most students in Cookeville go out to dinner and then go see a movie for Valentine’s Day or at least most the students I interviewed said. However, for Madison Chumley, she is going to order Sakura and settle in with some friends at her apartment and watch movies.

“We are going to be watching, ‘The Other Woman’ and ‘Crazy. Stupid.

Love.,’” said Chumley, a sociology major. “It’s going to be really chill. I think that the best way to spend Valentine’s Day is with your friends anyways.”

Phi Delta Theta brings back All-Sing

By HOLLY MORGAN Beat Reporter The second oldest student organization competition is returning to Tennessee Tech thanks to Phi Delta Theta.

The Tennessee Delta chapter of PhiDelt is hosting All-Sing Thursday Feb. 26 in Derryberry Auditorium at 8 p.m. as part of their philanthropy week.

The theme of the competition is Disney a capella. Each student group must pick one Disney movie and will have 10 minutes to perform a song or a medley of songs. Costumes are encouraged.

All-Sing started on Tech’s campus in 1968 and is our second oldest student organization contest aside from Homecoming. The brothers of PhiDelt felt it was important to revamp the competition during our Centennial year.

They plan to make All-Sing a yearly event and hope it grows in popularity the same way

Step Show has. When All-Sing was an event on campus, it was not only popular with Tech students but with the Cookeville community as well. Phi Delta Theta Philanthropy chair, Matthew Phillips, said they are ready to take the challenge of bringing it back to its former glory.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Chattanooga both have successful AllSing competitions each year with great student participation. Phillips encourages students to participate to help make All-Sing first year back a successful one.

“Who doesn’t love Disney? It’s a great way for people to spend a Thursday night, singing along to their favorite songs and reminiscing about the first time they heard it,” said Phillips.

“Plus, all proceeds raised will benefit the ALS Association, our national philanthropy.”

Phi Delta Theta’s philanthropy week events include a penny drop Feb. 25 and 26 in the Roaden University Center lobby, Chickfil-a night on the Feb. 25, and will end with All-

TAB says Halo to video game tournament

By KAYLEE GENTRY Beat Reporter

TEXT/CALL TTU CAMPUS RECRUITER JEREMIAH BORRAJO

said Green. “He likes hunting and I wanted to make something personal for Valentine’s Day.” The canvas is painted with a sunset landscape; yellows, oranges and reds paving the way for a beautiful picture. A black duck flies in the sky while a hunter holding a rifle stands at the bottom, pointing the gun in the air.

“He doesn’t know that I painted it for him. It’s going to be a surprise,” Green said.

With many students passing out chocolates and enjoying the small gifts that others give them, Shelbey Ashburn, a communication major, will be giving her boyfriend a Valentine’s Day card.

“Will and I usually just exchange Valentine’s Day cards or a small gift like candy, nothing extravagant.

Nothing like a Michael Kors watch or a Coach purse.

The Tech Activities Board will be having a video game tournament on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room on the second floor of the Roaden University Center.

“Teams of two can play ‘Halo 3,’ and that will be on the Xbox 360 … We’re doing Madden 15 as a single player and there will also be prizes for it,” said Nickole Anderson, Tech Activities Board Adviser.

There will be four big screens for the tournament.

There will also be free play available to those who don’t want to compete in the tournament, and there will be at least two smaller TVs for free play.

Free play will be Super Smash Bros., but students are welcome to bring their own consoles and games to play as well.

Food will be provided by Chartwells.

“When we had the video game tournament, we had

chicken wings, chips and dip … We just try to get stuff that goes along with what we’re doing,” said Anderson.

Several students attended the tournament last semester, with 300 to 350 students over the course of the night, according to Katie Williams, director of Student Activities.

Last semester, almost $1,000 worth of prizes was given away at the tournament, and there will be several prizes given away at this tournament as well.

“We’re hoping to do $100 gift card plus a game for the first place; second place, maybe just a game; and third is … some kind of Call of Duty addon. It gives extra maps and does extra things for the game if you already have the game,” said Anderson.

TAB also has an agreement with GameStop for those that already have the games they receive as prizes or can’t use them.

“All of this stuff you can take in and return for, like, store credit if you don’t have that particular game system,” said Anderson.

Those wanting to participate will need to sign up before they come and bring their TechID card to the tournament. Signups will run for a week.

“They can still sign up on the day of, we’ll probably cut it off at five or so,” said Anderson.

Check TAB’s Facebook for links.

Bobby Adams, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, attended the tournament last year and plans on attending this year as well.

“I like watching people get into it. It was cool, the teams cheering for each other,” said Adams.

The video game tournament will start at 7 p.m. and will last until 12 a.m.

“Anyone’s welcome to come,” said Anderson. “It’s free to all students, and even if they don’t want to play games, if they just want to hang out and watch people play games and eat free food, then they’re more than welcome to come.”

Page 4 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN

OPINION

Friday, February 13, 2015

>> Think Free

Send letters to the editor to oracle@tntech.edu oracle@tntech.edu.. Include your name, email address and limit letters to 300 words. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

We reserve the right to edit grammar, length and clarity.

Put their matter over your mind KIMMY WHITTINGTON Opinion Editor During the controversial movie “American Sniper,” Chris Kyle, played by Bradley Cooper, says something along the lines of, “While you guys are out here shopping and minding your own business, there’s a war out there.”

And it stuck with me.

My problem here is we continue to keep minding our own business, while the fact of the matter is there’s a war outside, and we’re playing indoors.

We get so wrapped up in our one-track society that we forget life is happening.

We are so used to our busy 9 to 5 schedules that we don’t even realize ISIS has kidnapped our next-door neighbor, our other neighbor does not know where their next meal is coming from, and our brothers and sisters are orphaned by disease.

This world is cruel, yet I make ice cream dates and

Kimmy Whittington | The Oracle

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: Pictured is a young Kenyan girl, Mary, who saw an iPhone for the very first time. After her and her friends all touched the device, she began to kiss it because it was the most expensive thing she had seen. power lunches.

Why is this OK? Why can they hurt, but I am bored because my favorite show didn’t record last night?

Why can they starve, while I use lunch dates just for my social gain?

Why can they be neglected, while I stay home today because I’ve spent too much time with people?

Why. Why. Why. What makes me special?

We all started play-

ing a mind game where our house and the 100-mile range around it were the only things to be considered.

We have started to believe in strict mind over matter, which simply means the use of willpower to overcome physical problems.

Except our willpower is ignorance, apathy or just lack of knowledge.

I’ve seen with my bare eyes children in tattered shirts, digging through trash and eating mud. Alternately,

I have also seen well-dressed kids digging through their bags to find their iPhones and gluten-free snacks. Why must it be so contrasting?

Why can’t we all have gluten-free snacks and iPhones?

What we have come down to is a society so used to comfort and too used to excess. I know so many of my articles boil on this issue, but it’s a big one. Until we have all shaken hands with a Third World victim, our purpose is

incomplete. For humanity to exist and survive, we need to take care of each other.

In the same way Kyle expressed this serious problem in “American Sniper,” we must address it as well.

We can’t be so focused on today’s plans and how to manage until Friday. We need to focus on how half the world is surviving until pay day. I don’t mean surviving in the saltine crackers and Ramen noodle soup way. I mean life or death survival.

My challenge to everyone, especially myself, is to make time an issue. In those moments of monotony or empty hours, we really should seek out how we could be better spending our time. There are millions of charities and opportunities to which we can reach out. We just have to make sure our hand is there. In our times of excess, we need to let go. For every five shirts you never wear, there are five people without one. For every step you take into a church, marks you make on a voter registration card and status you make about politicians, remember your freedom. All of these things came at a price in which many of us have never seen the price tag.

Let’s go outdoors and stop minding our own business. We can give help just as much as it is needed.

Matter over mind; let’s start making awareness.

Kimmy Whittington is a senior in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. She can be reached at kemanning42@students.tntech.edu

Is Facebook dying out on us?

DRAKE FENLON Managing Editor

Has Facebook died? I’ve noticed people in the past few months people who have gathered an unnatural hatred for Facebook. When in comparison to other social media outlets available in this day and age, college students in certain social demographics tend to be swaying away from Facebook and moving to other media.

Specifically, this realization occurred to me when I was attending a recent SGA meeting. At the Feb. 3 meeting of the senate, it was brought to the group’s attention that the TTU Student Government’s social media accounts were now under the control of a new Public Relations director.

It was made clear to the senate that as senators it is our responsibility to favorite and retweet all of the posts that were produced so the page builds more of a fan base. It was also said there are plans for an Instagram to be made for the SGA. To me, I felt like the SGA was missing a vital audience: the average college Facebook user. Come on. It’s Facebook, the only social media site so far to have a major motion picture made about it, but yet no mention of Facebook..

THE

Artwork: Kimmy Whittington | Photo courtesy: Facebook GOODBYE - Currently, many millennials are claiming that Facebook has seen its better days and is targeting a different generation. These people are moving away from Facebook to use other social media sites designed for a younger crowd.

Being the crotchety old man I apparently have become, I asked what had happened to the SGA Facebook page and my question was met with hushed chuckles and murmurs throughout the senate.

I was told that the new PR direction of the SGA was to focus more on newer, hipper media such as Twitter and Instagram.

I was a little confused

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when trying to grasp what was being said.

To me, excluding sites such as Facebook from a social media plan ignores a group of students and users who will not be reached by the information being put out.

For those of us fogeys who still use the old wooden ship that is Facebook, it should be noted that the site has grown since its humble

start in the mid 2000s. Some people may not like this aspect of the 2015 Facebook dynamic.

Over the years, Facebook has grown from a site that was fully designed for American college students to connect with to something now that is used by people of all ages from all over the world to connect with. Facebook went from being the thing to have to becoming a site where

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your grandmother can poke you and write happy birthday on your wall.

I don’t see the problem here though. It’s not like I’m suggesting we use MySpace or Friendster. Based on my personal experience, when trying to reach people on social media sites, I always have the highest amount of hits on Facebook. That is the point of groups like SGA being online, reaching the high-

est number of people you can. Although it isn’t perfect, I think Facebook is a wonderful website for sharing information with larger, more diverse groups of people.

Facebook is basically the gateway social media for the rest of the social media sites. Most people generally start off making a Facebook account before they even join Twitter or Instagram.

There are Tech students on campus who haven’t even joined Facebook yet. These people could still be years away from receiving these updates if social media is the main way of exporting the information.

The upcoming generations under our college generation might be in a different situation, regarding how information is shared and received, but that is something to build up for in the future. I think it is great that we are even using social media at all to try and connect to students. It shows the SGA is trying to inform and help students. We might need to take some other avenues to reach our goals more effectively.

Drake Fenlon is a senior in Communication with a concentration in News Editorial. He can be reached at ddfenlon42@students.tntech.edu

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Friday, February 13, 2015

Reviews <<

ENTERTAINMENT

“Empire” top new 2015 show “Jupiter Ascending” falls flat

By JAKE THREET Entertainment Edior

By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic

It’s been quite a while since I’ve liked a new show on Fox. For that, I’d have to go back to the last years of “That ‘70s Show.” I’m always hesitant with Fox shows, but when the promos for “Empire” began airing, I knew this was going to be a different kind of animal, and I decided to give it a chance. It was a wise decision. “Empire” is easily the best new show of 2015, and one of the top new shows of the 2014-2015 TV season.

The show centers around Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), head of Empire Records, who is about to take his company public when he is diagnosed with ALS and is given only three years to live.

He keeps his medical condition hidden, while also trying to find a successor for his company by way of his three sons – Andre, Jamal and Hakeem. At the same time, Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) is released from jail after 17 years and demands her half of Empire.

That’s just the half of it.

This show is packed with juicy goodness and cheesy melodrama, but it also has very powerful and genuine moments. It rings true like a modern-day night soap in essence of those like “Dallas” and “Dynasty.” Besides the main plot, there are multiple subplots going on, and each episode is nonstop action. The nice thing about “Empire” is that it’s not afraid to push the envelope and devolve into controversial topics. It’s refreshing.

The cast works wonderfully together, both main and supporting, and the string of guest stars has not disappointed. However, make no mistake about it, Taraji P. Henson is the captain of this ship and she is carrying

Rarely does a film exist that is so terrible it is good. “Jupiter Ascending” exceeded all of my expectations with a plot that seems like “Star Wars” and “The Matrix” combined. Starring Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean and Oscarnominated Eddie Redmayne, this star-studded cast is not exactly a quality guarantee.

In downtown Chicago, Jupiter Jones (Kunis) lives a boring life cleaning homes for wealthy people when she decides to sell her eggs to buy a telescope. When aliens try to kill her at her doctor’s appointment, a genetically spliced half-wolf and halfhuman named Caine (Tatum) saves her and changes her life forever.

Jupiter is the genetic reincarnation of the dead matriarch of the Abrasax dynasty, a family that has ruled the universe for millennia by harvesting humans on planets for a magical serum that keeps them young and in perfect health. With her newfound royalty, Jupiter must reclaim her title as the leader of this dynasty, outwit the evil, scheming Abrasax children and save the future of the earth. I cannot make this up.

For obvious reasons, the writing is the most difficult thing to stomach about “Jupiter Ascending.” The sci-fi lingo in the dialogue combined with intense special effects try too hard to pull off a groundbreaking new universe, but ultimately audiences have seen this gimmick before. The movie borrows cliches from just about every sci-fi movie ever, and the royal sibling rivalry

Courtesy of TheBoomBox.com

GIVE ME MY EMPIRE- In its latest showing, “Empire” rose in the ratings with a series high 11.9 million viewers. the momentum on her back.

Her character Cookie is one of most brass, hardnosed women I have ever seen on a series. Henson’s work and portrayal of the character is simply magical and captivating. Emmy voters, take note, because she deserves some recognition for her work.

Terrance Howard is also really great. He’s not a nice guy on this show, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s terrific in this leading role.

Another great aspect of this show is that it is centered on a record company, and because of that, music is being created and performed. The series is not a musical by a long shot, but music and the dream of being a successful artist is the core of the series.

So far, there has been some quality music to come from the show – if anything else, it’s catchy as hell.

With 15 episodes ordered for this first season, only six have aired, all of which are not to be missed. Fox recently released a report to confirm the show’s success in the ratings as it being the only show in over 30 years to add viewership in its first five weeks of airing. The network quickly noticed the hit they had on their hands and quickly renewed the series for a second season after only two episodes.

I hadn’t expected to add any new TV shows to my schedule this season, especially one on Fox. However, this show has garnered a slot on my esteemed DVR series recordings. “Empire” is chock-full of explosive writing, dramatic performances and likable music.

“Empire” airs on Wednesdays 8 p.m. CDT on Fox.

Kendrick Lamar releases new single plan is to terminate my culture,” Lamar says in the song’s first verse.

From here the song blames society for the blackon-black violence and intolerance prevalent on the streets.

In comparison to his softer, almost innocent sound from “good kid, m.A.A.d. city,” this track feels a lot heavier.

Lamar mentioned violence and gang wars in the album but nothing that hits you in the ears like this.

The production gives the track a harder edge too.

Where “i” and most of his last album had mellow, groovy beats with Lamar crooning into the mic, “The Blacker the Berry” has sharp snares, pulsing bass and rapper-producer Assassin singing the chorus in his native Jamaican accent.

Though it is a sharp juxtaposition from his more recent work, it is still classic Lamar. The rhymes are sharp and the scheme ever changing while the flow stays tight.

Alissa Nutting, author of the controversial satirical novel “Tampa,” will visit Tennessee Tech to read selections from two of her books Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Backdoor Playhouse.

Nutting’s 2013 novel, “Tampa,” about a middle school teacher who seduces her students, received acclaim for its satirical look at gender expectations and was met with controversy for its sexually explicit content. The fictional best-seller was inspired by Debra Lafave, a middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to lewd or lascivious battery after having sex with a 14-year-old student in 2005. Lafave was a high school classmate of Nutting, which brought Nutting’s attention to the issue more closely.

“She has more presence than any contemporary writer her age,” said English chairman Ted

The day after winning Grammys for his single “i,” Compton based rapper Kendrick Lamar released his second single, “The Blacker the Berry.”

This track is a departure from “i” and his acclaimed 2012 album “good kid, m.A.A.d. city.” The closest Lamar has come to this sound on his last album was the final verse to “Backseat Freestyle” where he talks up his big game and gives a shoutout to his hometown of Compton. Here, Lamar raps through gritted teeth about the Trayvon Martin killing and the racism he finds still prevalent in America today.

“You hate me don’t you?

You hate my people, your

Follow on Twitter @TNTECHORA @ @TNT @T TNT NTEC NTEC ECHO CHO HORA O CLE

The chorus is the part of the song that takes the most to get used to, however. Upon first listen, the Jamaican accent of Assassin can be a little jarring and take some getting used to, but after the second listen, it makes sense and fits into the rest of the song even though it’s not a spitfire flow like Lamar.

The beat is also very simplistic and though it helps make the song sound more powerful and make its message clearer, its sharp tone makes it rougher around the edges than his previous work.

Though this is a very racially charged song, it displays some of Lamar’s hungriest sounding lyrics and production to date. If this and “i” are the kinds of tracks we can come to expect from Lamar’s yet-untitled third album, it might just rival “good kid, m.A.A.d city” as one of the best hip-hop albums of the second decade of the 2000s.

seems a little too “Game of Thrones.” However, while this is not Mila Kunis’ best performance by any means, the way her character pursues a romance with Caine is one of the highlights of the script. Their romance is not immediate and he flat out rejects her from the beginning, making for an interesting twist on the average action movie relationship. The film doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously and manages to make some real comedy, especially when the Space DMV is worse than any other DMV on Earth.

Other than the painfully weird storyline, the special effects are elaborate and the costuming is impressive.

While it lacks substance, it is beautiful to look at. This film would be worth the extra money for a 3-D ticket.

“Jupiter Ascending” was actually supposed to debut last

July, but it took an extra seven months to work on over 2,000 special effect shots.

“Jupiter Ascending” sadly placed third in the box office this weekend, behind “American Sniper” which came out almost a month ago. It also only grossed $50.9 million globally, hardly a fraction of its $175 million budget. The only way most audiences will enjoy “Jupiter Ascending” is if they admit the movie’s faults and actively choose to like it anyway. The film is campy and cliche but still tells an epic story worth paying attention to. At the very least, in a few years we can say “Remember that weird movie where Channing Tatum was a half wolf dude?”

“Jupiter Ascending” is rated PG-13 for some violence, sequences of sci-fi action, some suggestive content and partial nudity.

Best-selling author comes to Tech

By SHELBEY ASBURN Guest Critic

By ADAM WEBB Staff Writer

Courtesy of RantAboutFilm.com

JUPITER COMES CRASHING DOWN- Variety reported that the film could lose as much as $85 million in revenue.

Courtesy of alissanutting.com

TABOO BREAKING- The Daily Beast wrote “Tampa” is “impeccably written” and “full of smart cultural observations.”

Pelton. “She’s a smart and witty writer and it was a no-brainer for me to bring her to Tennessee Tech.”

“Tampa” received criticism for its explicit sex scenes and was even banned from some bookstores in Australia. Despite the controversy following the novel, it has received praise from reviewers at “The New York Times,” “The Washington Post” and “The Guardian” and went on to be a 2013 best-seller in 2013.

Nutting’s first short story collection, “Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls” was published in 2010 and went on to receive the Starcherone Prize for Innovative Fiction.

Nutting currently lives in Ohio and is an assistant professor of creative writing at John Carroll University. Nutting’s readings will take place at Tech’s Backdoor Playhouse in the Jere Whitson Memorial Building. The event will be free and open to the public.

Page 6 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN

SPORTS

Friday, February 13, 2015

>> Inside the Game

MEN’S GOLF

Former Tech golfer receives national attention

By JORDAN PACE Asst. Sports Editor PGA Tour golfer and former Tennessee Tech AllAmerican Scott Stallings finished in a three-way tie for second place at last weekend’s Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Stallings entered the tournament Thursday as the defending champion after winning the open in 2014.

The former Golden Eagle attempted to become the first repeat winner of the Open since Tiger Woods’ fourstraight wins from 2005 to 2008. His chances for a repeat appeared slim early on, though, after falling to a three-consecutive-bogey, 3-over stretch on the North Course during the tournament’s first day of play.

Stallings then birdied three of his last five holes to complete the first round at 2-under.

The end of the second round was not as kind to Stallings as the end of the first. After a pair of birdies in the front nine, he finished 2-under but completed the back nine with a trio of bogeys and an even score for the round.

Down but not out,

the Tech alum inched his way back into the leaderboard after a two-birdie front nine in the third round. Also adding an eagle on the sixth hole, Stallings carried a 4-under score into the back nine, which he kept after an even finish for the third round.

Key to Stallings’ successful third round comeback attempt was his birdie on the par-5 13th hole. After hitting the 116-yard approach shot to the top of the putting green, the ball rolled back, giving Stallings the opportunity to sink a 9-foot putt for birdie. On the following hole, he dropped another birdie, helping him to a 4-under round total. He entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead at 68.

The final round gave the former Tech golfer the chance he needed for a potential repeat. Despite hitting a bogey on the first hole, Stallings dropped a pair of birdies at the end of the front nine to carry a 1-under score into the final nine holes.

After sinking birdies in the previous two rounds on the 13th hole, the often-unlucky number was anything but for the Tech graduate as he chipped in a 32-foot roll for eagle on the par-5 13th hole of the final round.

TTU Sports Information GOLDEN DRIVE- Tennessee Tech alumnus Scott Stallings examines his shot’s follow through during his collegiate days on the Golden Eagles’ golf team.

Finishing at par in each of the final five holes, Stallings etched his way into a fourway tie for the lead.

Just like his 2014 finish, Stallings ended regulation with the lowest score through four rounds. Unlike last year’s open win, however, the golfer entered a four-man playoff with Jason Day, J.B. Holmes and Harris English. After parring on the first playoff hole, Stallings was eliminated, along with English. On the second hole, Jason Day edged Holmes after shooting a par-3 and took the win.

An All-American golfer in 2006 and a two-time OVC Player of the Year, Stallings rounded out a prolific career at Tech before going pro in the summer of 2007. While in Cookeville, Stallings golfed alongside teammate and current head coach of the Tech men’s and women’s golf teams, Polk Brown. Brown, a fifth year senior during Stallings’ junior year, said he’s enjoyed keeping up with his former teammate’s professional journey.

“It’s been a pretty remarkable ride just to see how far he has come,” said

Brown. “With all the hard work he has put in to pay off, it’s been really great to see.

I’m super proud of the guy.

He’s earned everything he’s got.”

In his fifth year competing in the PGA Tour, Stallings has added three wins: The Greenbrier Classic in 2011, the True South Classic in 2012 and the Farmers Insurance Open in 2014. Tying for second after last weekend’s playoff, the golfer took home $470,400 in winnings, increasing his total on the year to $796,156.

“The money, that’s nice

SOFTBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Men’s basketball starts February with two OVC victories

Softball goes to Georgia for season opening Kickoff Classic, picks up one win

By SHEA HAILE Sports Editor

By WILLIAM WEBB Beat Reporter

The Golden Eagles’ men’s basketball center Charles Jackson has been able to inflict 326 points and 233 rebounds on the Golden Eagles’ opponents so far this season.

Jackson was dominant Saturday night against the visiting Gamecocks of Jacksonville State. The junior owned the paint, earning 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds off the boards. The performance marked the 15th double-double of the year for Jackson and warranted his fifth adidas Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honor. His success on the court has lead to the creation of the new Twitter page @DidChuckDouble (DidChuckDoubleDouble).

“I got a Twitter (account) and it (@DidChuckDouble) followed me and I looked and I was like ‘What is going on?’” said Jackson. “It is kind of exciting. I am happy that I could bring something to this community; it is kind of an honor.”

Dwan Caldwell, Torrance Rowe and DeOndre Haynes had double figure performances against Jacksonville. Haynes’ 12 points was a season high for the sophomore.

The Golden Eagles wasted little time in taking control of the contest, stretching their lead to 14-5 near the 12:50 mark of the first half. Tech’s lead would be as much as 16 points before halftime.

At the break, Jackson and Caldwell lead the team with eight points each. The Golden Eagles had good ball control in the first half outrebounding the Gamecocks 25-13.

The dominance continued into the final half. Tech reached their largest lead of the night, 20 points, with 7:18 remaining. The Golden Eagles utilized free throws to finish off their OVC rival in a 72-59 win.

The Hooper Eblen Center was decked in gold when the Tennessee State University Tigers made the 80mile trip to Cookeville Thursday. The Tigers were looking to end a twogame losing streak while the Golden Eagles wanted to avenge an 8-point loss to TSU earlier in the season.

The game was similar to a heavyweight fight early on, with nei-

and everything, but (Scott) would tell you that it’s all about the wins,” said Brown.

“He’s been able to play in every major – that’s a big deal.

I’ve been able to watch him at the Masters twice. To see somebody you became very close with and know on a personal level, to see the success he’s had, that’s been the most impressive thing.”

On top of Stallings’ money and wins, Brown added that his former teammate’s impressive performance puts him with even more impressive competition.

“The elite company he’s put himself in – I mean he’s sitting on the couch with Jason Day, waiting to see how J.B. Holmes does, to see if they’re going to the playoff. I mean how cool is that?”

Also in elite company is Stallings’ FedExCup ranking, which now places him above PGA Tour greats Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Tiger Woods. Through seven events, the former Golden Eagle now ranks 24th in the 2015 standings with 386 total cup points.

Stallings’ pursuit to the top rolls on as he prepares for the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

The tournament is set for the weekend of Feb. 19-22.

Shea Haile | The Oracle CHARLES IN CHARGE- Junior Charles Jackson battles for the tipoff against Jacksonville State in the Golden Eagles’ 72-59 victory. ther team taking a convincing advantage. The break came for Tech in the form of a Josiah Moore layup, which began a 4-4 run for the Golden Eagles to end the half. The 12-point lead had little effect on the game plan for Head Coach Steve Payne.

“I did not think the game was over,” said Payne. “We always talk about the most inconsequential thing in all of sports is the halftime score.”

Like their outing against Jacksonville State, Tech was successful in controlling the ball and limited second chance shots for the Tigers.

“They did not bother us tonight. Their traps especially did not bother us,” said Payne. “We did a much better job of handling the basketball and had some easy (shots) on the back of it. We did a lot of things better tonight than we did in Nashville.”

Ball control has been the main theme for the Golden Eagles throughout the year. In their last two games, Tech has outrebounded their opponents 92-to-61 and has owned their opponents in the assist category 31-to-10 on their way to a 71-52 victory. Tech has had one of the better back-to-back game performances of the season. The Golden Eagles appear to be heating up at the right time with the OVC tournament around the corner.

Break out the gloves, the bats, and the cleats because the 2015 softball season is officially in full swing.

Tech ended their 2014 campaign with a 25-34 record. However, their Ohio Valley Conference record was above .500 at 15-12 and the team made a deep run into the OVC tournament.

The Golden Eagles kicked off the season this past weekend with the Kennesaw State University Kickoff Classic. The two-day tournament pitted Tech against Northern Kentucky University, Ohio University, Dayton University, and of course, Kennesaw State University. Tech opened day one of the event with a 10-0 rout of Northern Kentucky University, but fell later in the day to Ohio University 4-3. Day two of the event saw Tech lose a blowout to Dayton University by a score of 8-3 and lose a close one to Kennesaw State by a score of 1-0.

Even with leaving the weekend with a 1-3 record, head coach Bonnie Bynum wasn’t too disappointed with what she saw from her team.

“I thought we played three solid ballgames,” said Bynum. “There was only one game where I don’t feel like we showed up and really did our job the way we should have.”

Next up on the Golden Eagles’ plate is a three-day tournament in Statesboro, Georgia, for the Georgia Southern Invitational. The Golden Eagles will take on four teams over the course of the five-game tournament. Tech will play Georgia Southern (0-4) twice.

Bynum said her ladies are in for a test this week-

end, but they aren’t too worried about the team in the other dugout.

“Georgia Southern is a good team that is constantly in the postseason, so we know they’re going to be solid,” said Bynum. “We just worry about playing our game. As long as we play the game that we practice and work on every day, we know that we’ll be successful.”

The first two weekends Bynum of the Golden Eagles’ schedule aren’t the only weekends that will require the girls to travel. After the two trips to the state of Georgia, the ladies will still have a trip to the state of South Carolina to make before they finish the month of February. This team will not see any home action until March 21.

The team gained some experience on the road during the Fall semester. Their fall ball schedule included trips to the University of Tennessee and the University of Mississippi. The Golden Eagles suited up against the Lady Vols and Rebels.While in Knoxville, they also faced the University of Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Bynum acknowledged the tough road schedule that the team has before them, but she said that the Golden Eagles aren’t fazed by it.

“Not being able to get four or five days’ worth of practice in is a little tough, so we’ve got to make sure that we are focusing and working on things from the past weekend in the practices that we do get,” said Bynum. “It is a little bit challenging being on the road so much, but I don’t think that it’s something we need to use as an excuse.”

With the long road trips and the tough opponents Tech will face this season, it won’t be an easy path for the Golden Eagles, but it should be interesting.

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