The Oracle - 02/14/17

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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

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> John Wick: Chapter 2

fullfills requiremnets for a PAGE 3 great action flick

Ruzinsky named director of Appalachain Center for Craft

By ASA COSTELLO Beat Reporter Glass artist Debra Ruzinsky took office this semester as the new director of the Appalachian Center for Craft at Tech’s satellite campus in Smithville.

As director, Ruzinsky works in collaboration with the director of the School of Art, Craft and Design, its faculty and staff to support ceramics, fiber, blacksmithing, metals, woodworking and glass studios.

She also conducts public workshops, youth programs, two-year certificate and bachelor’s degree programs.

Ruzinsky, who previously supervised an exhibit for design, fabrication and installation studio in Maryland, succeeds interim director Kimberly Winkle.

Ruzinsky was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she said she moved often during her childhood, living in cities from coast to coast. She primarily grew up in California where she attended the University of California, Los Angeles to pursue a bachelor’s degree in design. She later earned a master’s degree of fine arts in glass from the Rochester Institute of Technology School of American Craft.

She said she wanted to be an artist since childhood and likely inherited her technical and creative talents from her parents. Her mother is a writer and a photographer. Her father worked as an engineer.

“Glass is my particular focus, and I think it appeals to me because it has demanding technical constraints and the ability to really sing when worked with skill and a strong creative vision,” Ruzinsky said.

“I’ve always felt most like myself in a studio environment making things and supporting others as makers. My path was not methodical, but I have always pushed myself and looked toward opportunities that speak to me in an essential way.”

During her career, Ruzinsky said she

pursued her interests and opportunities in Rhode Island, New York and Maryland as well as traveled to cities in France, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Denmark.

When she was 19, she traveled by car across the United States – across the southern states and up the East Coast; across the northern states and down the West Coast; diagonally across the middle -- for fun and to learn more about the country.

“I’ve been fortunate to gain a broad perspective and deep appreciation for people from many walks of life,” Ruzinsky said. “ I have learned the value of kindness, patience, being open to new ideas, and new perspectives. I have also learned to appreciate how fortunate I’ve been in my own life.”

Ruzinsky’s work has been recognized with the Excellence in Social Impact Design 2016 Project Award for demonstrating passion, leadership and excellence in the field of social impact design for the greater Washington, D.C. region. Her work also was selected for the 2015 Flow Exhibition at the American Center for Physics in Maryland and she was an invited artist at the Glass Factory Museum in Boda glasbruk, Sweden.

The director said she also has enjoyed doing volunteer work for public radio, Habitat for Humanity, the Glass Art Society and the Board of Education in Calvert County, Maryland.

She’s also been a pastry chef, a museum curator, a maker of models and props for films and commercials, designer of handcrafted glass art objects and designed architectural glass installations, signage and graphic elements for Walt Disney Imagineering. She specialized in researching and developing ideas for Disney theme parks worldwide, she said.

Ruzinsky was a visiting professor of glass in Rochester. She taught multiple workshops in glass making throughout the U.S. and internationally, with a particular focus on lost wax processes, molding, cast-

First female MBA to speak during COB lecture series

By ALEXIS MACALLISTER Beat Reporter

Ann Massey, Tech’s first female master of business administration graduate, plans to share her educational experience in hopes of inspiring other students at 11 a.m Thursday in the Johnson Hall auditorium.

Massey is scheduled to speak as a part of the College of Business Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is open to students, staff and alumni.

“She’s going to talk about working for a multinational organization and what it’s like to be a woman in a predominantly male field. She will also touch on the importance of understanding a balance sheet and how this can propel you to new heights,” Cheryl Montgomery, vice president for university advancement, said.

Massey graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in geology in 1977 and received her MBA in 1989 Montgomery said. Massey is now president of global environment and infrastructure at Amec Foster Wheeler, a multinational engineering Read More Online

@

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and project management company.

“After she received her degree, she went to work in the oil fields to determine where they should be drilling. This was a predominantly male field and she knew the best way to advance her career was to earn an MBA,” Montgomery said.

The College of Business lecture series involves events throughout the year. ”We like to bring back individuals who are alumni of the university and the College of Business as well as other individuals who would not otherwise come to our campus. In the past, we have had a columnist from the Wall Street Journal come in to talk about the presidential election. We’ve also had Jerry from Ben and Jerry’s ice cream come to speak,” Montgomery said.

An endowment established by donors, alumni and friends of the College of Business help to assist in paying for events, she said.

Montgomery said she would like students to suggest speakers for the fall series.

Suggestions can be sent by email to cobdevelopment@tntech.edu.

CONTACT:

Photo Provided

CENTER FOR CRAFT: Glass artist Debra Ruzinsky working on a project.

Ruzinsky is the new director of the Appalachian Center for Craft. ing, craft business skills, and the history of glassmaking.

“Everything I’ve done plays a role in how I approach things now. I employ a maker’s mindset and craft focused sensibility, not only when making objects, but also when managing facilities and education programs,” she said. “I enjoy the solitary work of being a maker steeped in craft, but I also value the collaborative process essential to leading a fine arts facility with a passionate group of staff and faculty, and an active roster of programs.”

She said she believes the most rewarding part of her job is creating exciting learning opportunities and opening doors for people to experiment with new directions.

She also said she supports an environment that engages people in constructive, immersive play and experimenting while discovering their talents.

“Never be afraid to pursue your passions, and take time to explore what you care about most,” she said. “Be willing to dig deep and learn all that you can, and always share what you learn with others.”

Lego League Championship

Kayla Lehman | The Oracle

LEGO LEAGUE: Satish Mahajan, Director of Center for Energy Systems Research and Tech Professor, second from the left, and his student, Stephen Shephard, left, assist teammates, Addie and Jake, from the Atomic Peppers at the First Lego Leauge Campionship competition Saturday at Tech.

Deadline approaches for poetry contest

By JAZMEN MARTIN Beat Reporter The deadline for the English Endowment Lora A. Printz Memorial Poetry Prize is 4 p.m.

Feb. 20.

The Lora A. Printz Memorial Poetry Prize is an annual contest acknowledging the poetry writing successes of Tech students.

Junior communication student Baylie Bodiford said she is

looking forward to entering the contest.

“I have always written a little bit of poetry just for fun, and I thought it would be a great idea to submit one and possibly win.

I am not the best, but I don’t have anything to lose by trying,” Bodiford said.

The contest winner receives $400 and their work is published in Tech’s student literary magazine, Aerie. The honorable mention winner receives $100.

“There is at least one winner every year and an honorable mention since the contest’s inception circa 1970,” Tom Saya, professor of English, said.

Any student interested in submitting a poem can find the contest rules in the English department’s office, located in Henderson Hall 320, or on the department’s website.

The winner will be announced on the department’s website in April.

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OPINION

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

>> Think Freely

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. Friday.

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Country music speaks to our roots KATE TREBING Opinions Editor T h i s time of year the typical sunshinestarved, stressed college student is dreaming of the summer with each 5 p.m. sunset and gust of frigid air. This holds true regardless of unusually mild temperatures. It is the utopian ideal of summer that we long for each year.

We dream of long, carefree days, the baking heat of the sun, green plant life growing on every available surface, and the frigid cold of a swim in the river. Although we may not actually experience a summer full of these perfect days, they will nevertheless fuel our daydreams and help us survive the arduous months of school, work and blustery weather.

Each year, my subconscious alerts me when to prepare for the summer. Like a tree unfolding its leaves at the turn of spring, I find myself returning to my roots, to the very stuff I was raised on, the soundtrack of my childhood summers. I shut down the part of my brain that scoffs at the music of wannabe cowboys overcompensating for their urban roots, and I open my ears again to country music.

Country music has changed. A watereddown version of pop music, a mockery of the great music giants of the past.

It has morphed to adapt to the changing times. And, true to my typical fashion, I am clinging to the ways of old. After all, if something isn’t broken, why try to fix it? The great country music legends are legends for a reason. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton's voices are sincere, raw, and natural.

In comparison, today’s vocals sound almost robotic – too smooth, too similar, unoriginal. The very genre of music that was meant to represent the humble, salt-of-theearth average person has morphed into the main stream – plus a few more guitars and an overdone southern drawl.

So why do I return every year? Like a bird flying south for the winter, I migrate to the soundtrack of summer.

I’m reminded of a bygone era in my life, an era in which summer simply meant endless days of freedom.

I may not suddenly feel the urge to “shake it” in cutoff jeans with cowboy boots (no offense to those who do that – you do your thing). But I will tolerate the not-sosubtle lascivious banter just so that I can hear Deana Carter reminisce over strawberry wine, or

Kenny Chesney praise the advantages of a Yoohoo bottle rolling on the floorboard. These are images that just cannot happen in any season other than the summer -they tell of an ideal past that is most likely more perfect in memories than in reality.

Country music may fit its stereotype in many ways – its lyrics often reflect the broken-hearted drunk at the bar, the incomprehensible love of an old pickup truck, and the spontaneous hookup.

But beyond the superficial songs are deep messages and heartfelt ballads.

Tim McGraw’s admonition to “Always Stay Humble and Kind,” Dolly Parton’s contemplation of “When I Get Where I’m Going,” Miranda Lambert reflecting on “The House That Built Me.” These songs have stories worth hearing.

Country music reminds me to always remember my upbringing.

John Denver may have straddled the line between country music and the folk trend of the '70s, but “Take Me Home, Country Roads” will forever remain the soundtrack of my compass pointing home.

Such is the best and brightest of country music. It does not pass with the changing of trends. Instead, a good song lodges in your heart, encapsulates a memory, and shapes your life in

Photo courtesy of Craig O'Neal BORN AND RAISED IN TENNESSEE - Knoxville native Kenny Chesney sings to a crowd of fans in Jacksonville, Florida. surprising ways.

As a communication major and English nerd, I have not always been particularly keen to give full rein to my Southern accent. I want others from all corners of the world to notice my personality before they notice my drawl. But in this sentiment I think I may have been wrong.

My accent is the mark of a life well-lived in the heart of the land that made me who I am. It is an indelible indicator of

my heritage, and I can bring it with me no matter how far I travel from the South. And while I don’t take back what I said about Southern drawls being comically overemphasized in many of today’s country songs, I also refuse to apologize for the twang that marks us by our home.

For that is what country music is: it is home. Like the slow, lazy speech of a Southern child, country music is tangible proof of a different mindset.

Just because we are fully capable of living the fastpaced, high-achieving life does not mean that we should choose that lifestyle. Slow down, enjoy the little things, and remember your roots.

That is what country music means.

Those are lifestyle choices that shouldn’t be restricted to the summer.

Kate Trebing is a senior in communication with a concentration in public relations.

She can be reached at kdtrebing42@students.tntech.edu.

How introverts survive life in college SAMANTHA CANEER Guest Critic

If you are an introvert in college, you have probably said the following phrases to people in your life: “I’d love to come to your party, but I have plans!”

Plans is synonymous with ‘Netflix and pajamas’ for introverts. “Sorry, I can’t go. I have tons of homework.” That might be true, but what’s more probable is that I have Sherlock on DVD, plus an unopened roll of cookie dough that I’ve been hiding from my roommate. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, you might be an introvert.

As a freshman three years ago, I was very worried about how well I was going to do in the college environment. After all, the go-to statement for everyone welcoming students on campus is, “Get involved!” After which they go into the following word vomit, “You need to get into clubs, Greek life, research, MY sorority, etc., etc., etc.”

You get the point. And as they say these things, they kind of imply that

THE

having down time to rest is a sign that you have failed at becoming a successful college student. You get the impression that everybody on this campus thinks that the worst thing you can be is an introvert.

Let me debunk that insinuation right now. Focus on your classes, get to know your professors, enjoy finding a major (You. Do. Not. Have. To. Know. Right.

Now.), and focus on doing a good job if you work. Chances are, you’ll make friends there and getting involved will happen naturally. You’ll end up meeting plenty of people through work, and through your classes. No sorority, no club required.

So, seriously, stop worrying about what your resume is going to look like without a sorority or fraternity or clubs.

It will look fine with a recommendation from your boss, good grades, a co-op experience, and recommendations from your professors. Stop beating yourself up because you aren’t out partying every weekend and blowing Instagram up with pictures of you and friends. You are

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Tennessee Tech University TTU Box 5072 Cookeville, TN 38505 Managing Editor - HAYLEE EATON Asst. Managing Editor - MALLORY ENGLAND Business Manager - BRIANA SMITH Copy Editor - ASHTON BREEDEN Opinions Editor - KATE TREBING Sports Editor - MARCUS HANSON Asst. Sports Editor - ROBYN HANSON Entertainment Editor - CAMERON FOWLER Entertainment Critic - HANNAH BARGER Circulation Manager - AALIYAH SYMLAR Faculty Adviser - VANESSA CURRY Thanks for reading The Oracle Read more @ tntechoracle.com

investing your time and energy where it belongs: in yourself.

Now that we’ve dealt with that, let’s talk about some things that are necessities for introverts in college. Earplugs and earbuds. Nope, I’m not kidding about the earplugs. Get the kind that people use when shooting or hanging out at the fair, the heavy duty kind. They are miracle workers at the library during dead week or at coffee shops during rush time. As much as I love music, sometimes, I need silence. It really is golden. You know, unless you babysit. Then it gets scary.

But back to the point. You’ll likely find that you will make use of at least one of these items.

If you like going to coffee shops but don’t want to be there when everyone you know is there, Google the shop’s name and Cookeville, Tennessee.

Google has a section beneath the shop’s description called, ‘Popular times’ which is a fairly accurate read on how many people will be there.

You can do this with the gym, the grocery store, whatever! I find it

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tremendously helpful. This makes me sound anti-social, but it makes grocery shopping easier because less people means less traffic in Kroger’s aisles. And yes, I am living proof that road rage applies to driving a grocery cart. I’m an introvert, not a push-over. I need that on a T-shirt.

Also, I have found that self-checkout to be amazing. After spending a day of being a social chameleon, I don’t want to have to talk to the cashier about the weather or how I’m doing. It’s not that I don’t care, I’m just tired.

As a fellow introvert, you probably understand that. And hopefully, my opinion has relieved some of the pressure from the well-meaning people around you and some of the internal standards you hold yourself too.

But seriously, get the earplugs. I promise, you will thank me and whoever designed those little suckers.

Samantha Caneer is a junior in computer science and chemistry. She can be reached at slcaneer42@students.tntech.edu.

2. Originality is required.

Plagiarized works will not be considered.

3. For verification, letters and commentaries MUST include your name, e-mail address, FIND AN ERROR? home town and Contact the Managing Editor 1. Letters should not classification or title. exceed 300 words.

Haylee Eaton heeaton42@students.tntech.edu Commentaries should 4. Letters may not run (931)-409-7066 be around 500 words in every edition due to and include a picture space. of the writer.

5. The Oracle reserves the right to edit for style, grammar, length and clarity.

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7. Your thoughts are free. Think often, think free.

News content for The Oracle is provided by the Journalism 2220, Journalism 4820 and Journalism 4930 classes.

Journalism 3370 provides a majority of the photographs used.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of Tennessee Tech University’s employees or of its administration.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Reviews <<

COOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT

‘The Vagina Monologues’ honors V-Day

By JAZMEN MARTIN Beat Reporter Professor Mark Creter, who has produced the edgy “The Vagina Monologues” twice, is passing the torch to colleague Prudence Van Aalten this year.

“She is a very talented actress and professor who performed in the production in 2015,” Creter said.

“The Vagina Monologues” is a compilation of essays read by various women touching on all aspects of the feminine experience.

“Each year the production is brought back to Tech, the monologues and actors change to attract more

audience members. Even though it is titled after a female body part, the presentation is not just for a female audience,” Creter said.

Student Katia Guzman said she has seen the production before and is eager to see it again.

“I enjoyed it. I think it made the audience step outside of their comfort zone. It also makes you think about situations that women have to go through that some people might not have the nerve to bring up themselves,” Guzman said.

The production is scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 15, 16, and 17 in Derryberry Auditorium. Admission is $10.

Performances benefit women’s health organizations.

Photo Courtesy of Jazmin Martin V-DAY - This year marks Tech’s 10th production of the play by Eve Ensler.

‘Rings’ bores, fails to move series forward The horror series’ return is marred by a convoluted plot, poor writing and lazy direction.

By HANNAH BARGER Entertainment Critic

Photo Courtesy of ComingSoon.net WOAH - The film reunites Keanu Reeves and Lawrence Fishburn, who both starred in the ‘Matrix’ series.

‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ turns the page

By CAMERON FOWLER Entertainment Editor There’s a scene in “John W i c k : Chapter 2” where our fabled assassin browses a secret arsenal, picking each gun up and asking questions about the specifications and, well, if it does a good job killing people.

Wick is asking for a gun with a “full body,” for something “robust,” and a knife that would qualify as “dessert.”

The Boogeyman, or so the prey in this film series call him, is treating this like a wine tasting or perhaps a four-course meal.

It is a profoundly silly but precise homage to the operatic pomp of, say, a John Woo movie that belongs to a bevy of well-executed worldbuilding instances throughout the film.

“John Wick: Chapter 2” builds and builds on the ground laid in the first film, amplifying not only its world, but delivering technically masterful action scenes which are brutally fun

to watch.

It is in every way a larger, expanded statement of the first film that blossoms into something bigger, brighter and better.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is retired, or so it seems. The onceassassin is now living at home with his new dog (a pit bull, by the way), still mourning the death of his wife.

One evening an old acquaintance, Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio), shows up and asks him for a favor, for the two are bound by blood to a mysterious device called a “marker.” Wick refuses and his house is torched in the process, forcing him to depart to Rome and accept the favor.

Over the course of the film, we see Wick go from untouchable to hunted as D’Antonio puts a price on Wick’s head, making him a target for every assassin out there.

This element gives each scene higher stakes; we know Wick will eventually kill everyone in his way, but we want to know how.

Part of the film’s fun

is watching the chaos Wick and his opponents create as they shoot and fistfight their way through Rome.

Each action scene in the movie seems like its own entity.

There are memorable elements to each one, such as Wick and D’Antonio’s bodyguard, Cassian (Common), attempting to have a secret shootout in a crowded subway station.

The powerful and realistic shootouts which defined the first film return more pronounced as they are mixed with fistfights that showcase martial arts expertise.

In this way, the action falls into a rhythm between fists and bullets.

It takes a while for the action to become consistent, as the middle section of the film slows down the pacing considerably. Although tension is built through that pacing, having a drought of action after the film’s explosive opening sequence leaves it feeling unbalanced.

F o r t u n a t e l y, “Chapter 2” explores the series’ mythology to a larger degree.

We see a greater range of assassins, from homeless men to street side violin players, deepening just how far this society of assassins goes and leading the mind to wonder what else there is in store.

Mysterious coins featured in the first film return and act as both currency and a member’s card of sorts.

It also continues some of the same dialogue flourishes from the distant Wick, where his conversations seem almost like a necessary evil that he must endure, leading to hilariously brief conversations between Wick and others throughout.

“John Wick: Chapter 2” is as merciless as it is boisterous. It’s a bold movement in the right direction for action movies to come, and as a franchise it is just getting started.

The more it explores the fascinating universe it’s built, the more it will remain fresh and exciting.

Everything here is assumedly just a taste, but while it’s simply a dip in the water, it is a tighter action movie than anything around.

I t ’ s a wellk n o w n precedent t h a t studios tend to release their worst horror movies early in the year.

There’s a reason “The Bye-Bye Man” became a meme as soon as its trailer aired.

This season’s “Rings” was essentially set up to fail -- it’s a reboot of a bonus short film on the DVD release of the first movie of a popular franchise that was already a reboot of another popular franchise (stay with me here).

It was also poorly advertised, and its Rotten Tomatoes critical score currently sits at a solid 5 percent (which is lower than the last time I checked -- for reference, Birdemic has a 20 percent rating).

No one had very high hopes for this movie, myself included.

But when you’re not expecting much, you can only be pleasantly surprised. “Rings” is not exactly a terrible movie.

The plot follows a girl named Julia whose boyfriend, the unfortunately named Holt, has made the mistake of watching the cursed film featured in the previous movies.

The basic idea is the same: the movie’s main character (Julia and Holt, in this case) watches a spooky film clip that looks more like a bad Bansky exhibit than anything.

The character then realizes they’ll die in a week’s time unless they force someone else to watch the aforementioned spooky film clip.

All of this is the

result of a murdered child who became the series’ Big Bad Villain (she kills her victims by crawling through the TV while growling ominously).

But wait, there’s a bit of a twist in “Rings,” one that Julia discovers when she decides to take one for the team and save her boyfriend -- there’s a bonus spooky film clip within the original, one that makes the curse extra strong... or something.

Somehow, everyone missed this in 2002. And 2005. And in the original Japanese franchise. But sure, why not?

What follows is a slow, convoluted plot full of PG-13 deaths, grave digging, bad lighting, and pandering to millennials as if we’d honestly be impressed by the villain crawling out of an iPhone screen (we get it, movie. You take place in the 21st century. Don’t be extra weird about it).

The special effects are good, but nothing that couldn’t be easily done by any other production company worth its salt.

Like I said, “Rings” is not a terrible movie, just one that was destined to fail.

It isn’t offensively bad, but it’s not so bad it’s good, either.

For the most part, it’s just boring. It’s the kind of movie that will probably end up on Netflix in a month or so, doomed to the bowels of the horror section.

It’s also the kind of movie that, with better writing, could have been a pretty good continuation of a memorable franchise.

And that’s the real tragedy here -- the movie is lazy. As a horror fan, it felt like getting a Christmas stocking full of butterscotch candy.

Not exactly awful, but vaguely insulting.

Please recycle your copy of The Oracle once finished.

Thank you!

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN || PAGE 4

SPORTS

>> Inside the Game

Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby Club looking for a repeat championship

By BEN WHEELER

Beat Reporter

Coming off the best season in club history, Tech Rugby Club players hope to repeat as the southeast division champions in the National Small College Rugby Organization this season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We still have a strong shot at winning our district and we need to finish up strong in order to look at repeating,â&#x20AC;?

Noah Stansfield, team captain and club president, said.

The team record stands at 6-2. Tech Rugby plays 15-player sides style of rugby, rather than seven-man sides.

The team has about 19

players but Stanfield said members are actively recruiting more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We picked up a good group but we just have to always keep up recruiting and try to introduce the game to new faces,â&#x20AC;? Stanfield said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are hoping to get an Introduction to Rugby course added to the EXPW classes in order to garner new interest and hopefully gain some players.â&#x20AC;?

Miguel Lastres, a team captain, said injuries have depleted their ranks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personally it motivates myself to try and pick up the slack because of injuries, and try to help us as much as I can.

At the moment we just got a new kit (jersey),

picked up a lot of new freshman. In my opinion (the future) is very bright,â&#x20AC;? Lastres said.

Tech rugby routed Sewannee: The University of the South 38-7 Feb. 4 at home. Tech Rugbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next home game is scheduled against University of North Alabama on Feb. 25. The game is scheduled to be played on the rugby pitch next to Foundation Hall.

Tech Rugby is a club sport, and is not governed by NCAA like most varsity athletics.

Club sports are governed by their own overseeing body.

For more information on the Tech Rugby Club, visit www.tntechrugby.com.

Christian Oliver | The Oracle TECH UPSETS BELMONTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 14 GAME WIN STREAK - Micaiah Henry (11) scores against TSU near the beginning of the second half of the Feb. 9 game.

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball wins against Belmont 83-70

By MARCUS HANSON

Sports Editor

Senior night for the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team ended in a huge victory for the Golden Eagles. The team managed to upend Belmontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 14 game streak, with a 83-70 win.

Hakeem Rogers was the only senior to be honored, but he was sent out with a 2-0 mark in the Hooper Eblen Center against Belmont.

He finished his home game career with seven points, five rebounds, and two steals.

However, the night belonged to Kajon Mack, a transfer from Tulane

University. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA for next season. He shot a game-high and career-best 24 points, 12 rebounds and had 6 assists.

Junior forward Curtis Phillips Jr. also assisted in this victory over the Bruins, scoring a seasonhigh 19 points, three of which were three pointers.

Not wanting to be left behind, sophomore point guard Stephaun Adams also set a career-high 11 points in 17 minutes of court time. In this game Tech had five doubledigit scorers with Aleksa Jugovic and Mason Ramsey finishing with 10 points each.

During the matchup, the Golden Eagles never allowed Belmont to pull away with more than a few points.

The end of the first half the score was sitting at 34-32 with Tech leading, and hitting 57.1 percent.

Meanwhile Belmont struggled in the first half only hitting 21.1 percent.

During the second half, Tech soared away with 49 points with the Bruins only scoring 38.

During the game Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense forced 16 turnovers, scoring 23 points, while making just 11 of its own.

The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next matchup will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Jacksonville State.

Master at Basketball

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MACK CONTINUES CAREER: Golden Eagles guard Kajon Mack attempts to break away from Tennessee Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defender Delano Spencer in Thursday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game. Tech lost 72-59.

Mack is at Tech pursuing a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in professional studies. He earned his bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in management from Tulane University in May 2016.

Mack was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA for next season at Tech.