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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505

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RACLE

Volume 93 | Issue 3 | Free in single copy | February 19, 2010

SGA urges students to vote on SOLO Fund Money would be used for on-campus concerts, student organizations

By BRANDON STEPHENSON Staff Writer The campus-wide student vote on the Student Organization Life Opportunity Fund will be held Thursday.

SOLO, championed by SGA administrators and executive officers, proposed a $20 tuition hike per semester for students.

This money, for students and by students, would be placed into two accounts. A superfund containing 75 percent of the money will be used to bring marquee artists to campus each semester.

The remaining 25 percent will be placed in a general operating fund, allocating money to student organizations.

“SOLO will enhance student life on campus in many aspects, some including entertainment, extra-curricular activities, meeting new people, and living a well-balanced life as a Tech student,” said Sean Ochsenbein, SGA president.

The eight-page SOLO bill will increase the size of the SGA Constitution by 50 percent. The extensive framework ensures that the fund can be operated correctly and efficiently by students.

“With any great idea, there has to be a good foundation – that is what this document is,” Ochsenbein said. “Students get

to run the nuts and bolts of the operation, and that is why SOLO is unique. It is truly for the students, by the students because they control how we can better benefit our University.”

The major campus events staged by the superfund will be subjective to student vote. SOLO will operate on a rotating-genre basis. Each semester, a list of top entertainers in the chosen genre

Organizations would be able to request up to $1,000 at a time, with a $2,000 cap for the semester.

“This bill will give a truly cultural experience to Tech.” Ochsenbein said, “Between the events that student organizations will be able to put on and the major concerts, the atmosphere here will improve greatly.”

An SGA commission has already been promoting the bill; a Facebook group, “VOTE TTU Solo Bill,” has been created.

Ochsenbein said the idea for SOLO came at a Nashville convention while speaking with East Tennessee State University’s SGA President, Brian Bowman. ETSU has a similar fund in place called the Buc Fund.

“Because ETSU is in a slower town, the Buc Ochsenbein explains the SOLO Fund. Fund allows us to have Watch at tntechoracle.com. stuff to do on-campus with the university,” said Matt Dean, ETSU will be compiled and sent to senior. “It’s just part of what we do student vote to select who will here, and it makes campus fun for perform. Students will be able to everyone.” attend these concerts and events Access to the voting site can be free of charge. found on the Tech homepage and The smaller account will be be accessed through the commisavailable to all student organi- sion’s Facebook page on the day of zations. It will allow for $3000 the vote. per year to help put on events and promote each organization.

BEFORE YOU VOTE on Feb. 25

THE DEVELOPING

ORACLE

STORY

Six responsible for newspaper disappearance

By WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor Tech police have confirmed that six men are responsible for the disappearance of the Feb. 5 issue of The Oracle.

According to a Tech police report filed on Feb. 12, six men, one of whom was wearing Kappa Sigma letters, were captured by video surveillance on Feb. 7 at 3:03 p.m., remov- INSIDE ing The Oracle from its distribution bins Oracle on the ground floor of the RUC. editor The following morning, Feb. 8, a Kappa Sigma representative delivered a responds to request for retraction to Brandon Good- ongoing win, sports editor for The Oracle, request- investigation ing the retraction of an opinion piece on On page 2 the sports page.

On Feb. 10, Eva Dingwall, journalism department secretary, reported to police that the entire edition of the newspaper had been removed. The papers had been delivered to distribution bins at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning and were first noticed missing on Sunday, Feb. 7, by Chuck Acheson, entertainment editor for The Oracle, who then notified the managing editor.

Lt. Donald Frazier then went to Mark Ochsenbein, director of student activites, to view surveillance footage.

According to the police report, Dingwall estimated the cost of production to be at least $3,490.80. That includes paper, delivery, advertising, and staff salaries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Here’s what you should know For official campus crime updates, visit www.tntech.edu/police/police-crimelogs

• A $20 fee will be collected from each student who is enrolled full time in the fall and spring.

Privacy question can hinder students

• 75% of money collected goes into a superfund used to bring major concerts to Tech • 25% goes into a general operating fund, used to help Tech clubs and organizations host events that everyone can enjoy

By JONATHAN PIERCE Staff Writer

• Student body will be polled to decide what major convert will take place on campus.

Students hoping to use the dean’s list as proof of their academic standing for auto insurance discounts could be out of luck because of one yes or no question answered when they applied at Tech or moved off-campus.

The answer to the question, asked when filling out address information forms, determines if the student’s record information can be released to individuals, employers or media. Circling no ensures that records won’t be released by the school to employers or publications like the phone book. However, the school can’t release that grade information through the dean’s list.

“There was a student who needed to prove he was on the dean’s list for something outside of the University, but because he checked no, we couldn’t release the information,” said Valeri Oliver, Public Relations writer. “We can’t release the information even if it is for something positive.”

Other options exist for students trying to prove their standing, but using the dean’s list is the least revealing way to do so.

The dean’s list is released after each semester to recognize those students with a 3.1 or higher for the semester. This list is sent off to each student’s hometown newspaper for publication and uploaded to the Tech website. The website version allows users to sort the list by city, county or name.

• Questions about the bill may be posted on the Facebook group and will be answered by SGA members.

IN THIS EDITION Should sex sell?

- Page 3

EDITORIAL & OPINION

Spring golf season opens - Page 7 Fisk Jubilee Singers visit Wattenbarger - Page 6

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins Sunday - Page 4

OPINION

www.tntechoracle.com

Page 2 | February 19, 2010

Games serve idealistic distraction EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor

Last week, the Olympics opened with a dynamic performance honoring the native tribes of western Canada followed by the parade of participating nations. The athletes looked excited to be there, the center of the world’s attention for 16 days, the support of their country behind them.

I’ve always enjoyed watching the Olympics. While onlookers can apply political undertones to the games, they are still just games. The athletes compete for personal victory. Their victory becomes a source of national victory in the overall score.

It is friendly, well-meaning competition—the best of national pride and international cooperation.

China even lets Taiwan compete as its own team under the name Chinese Taipei.

Every two years, the Olympic Games fill us with warm, happy feelings of good sportsmanship and common goals across all nations.

One would think there is nothing wrong in the world for 16 days.

On the same day as the opening ceremony, approximately 15,000 troops took the Afghan city of Marja—the largest offensive since the beginning of the war.

Some declared it the DDay of this war, though it involved less troops and much less American attention. The men and women competing there are not seeking personal triumphs but personal survival. The Americans want Afghan stability, the Taliban want to keep control of the people and resources, and the Afghans want to be left alone.

There is no mutual sportsmanship here.

Marja is a Taliban stronghold and a large drug trading post. By controlling Marja, the U.S. can better control the course of the war and give Afghans their Taliban-free, American-free country. To do that, the American military will have to set up a stable Afghan government in a city with no municipal building, win over the local population with handouts worth more than opium money, and rid the city of insurgents laying low until the U.S. finally decides to leave. If successful, the military will deserve at least a silver medal.

To go for gold, so to speak, Afghanistan will have to step up, proving itself strong enough and willing enough to be self-sufficient and prevent fundamentalist hotbeds from forming there. The lo-

cal population discussed the troops moving into Marja long before it actually happened. Being prepared for the offensive will hopefully mean being prepared for when the offensive ends and Taliban leaders seek to reestablish what our military is trying so valiantly to quash.

Trying to rank and tally how the U.S. is doing in Afghanistan is difficult.

Political, religious and personal feelings get in the way of looking objectively, and a rising body count makes the attempt more somber and more desperate.

It’s going to be many more months before allied troops leave, and we see how strong the U.S. is. It’s going to be even longer before the U.S. leaves, and we see the final result of years spent working and building there. It’s going to be even more years before we see if Afghanistan will change into a freestanding democracy or go back to the status quo.

It’s a grueling, sometimes heart wrenching and guilt inducing, but important process. Not only Afghanistan, but also the U.S., will be shaped by how this plays out.

And it will take much longer than 16 days. But it is worth the time, attention and patience we give it.

In the meantime, I’m going to watch some curling and pretend we live in the cooperative place the Olympic Games aim for the world to be.

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Sports!

Polls!

Poll of the Week >> Did you think this year’s Super Bowl ads were sexist?

Yes, I thought they were really sexist. 14%

I thought they were as sexist as most commercials today. 43%

No, I thought they were fine. 36%

I didn’t watch the Super Bowl. 7%

This week: Should the U.S. spend money and resources to help Haiti?

Go to tntechoracle.com to vote!

Editor responds to ongoing investigation CHRISTINE SEIBER Managing Editor

In response to this week’s front page story by Will Housley (“Six responsible for newspaper disappearance”), I regret the omission of the names of the individuals responsible for the missing Oracles on Feb. 7. This omission was not a choice on behalf of The Oracle staff, but rather the decision of certain Tech employees in high positions of power.

When The Oracle staff members met with these employees for an explanation concerning the omission of names, we were met with resistance.

I began to write this article with every intention of criticizing certain University powers for withholding the six names. However, I realized that my concern shouldn’t focus on good-‘olboy University politics. I understand that the administrators who withheld the names are bound by student privacy laws. Instead, I write this article to those responsible for taking The Oracle.

I will remind the readers that one of the men was wearing a Kappa Sigma shirt in the

THE

surveillance footage. I am not implying that the unnamed six who walked out of the RUC on Sunday afternoon with bundles of The Oracle were all Kappa Sigmas. It is true that anyone can wear Kappa Sigma apparel, but the painful fact remains that the Kappa Sigma letters are clearly displayed on the surveillance footage.

That fact alone could generate a negative spin upon the entire Kappa Sigma fraternity.

According to the Kappa Mu chapter of Kappa Sigma Web site, “The Fraternity is focused on being the top organization in the nation through building an educated brotherhood of young men with the leadership skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of life.”

An aspect of being a leader is taking responsibility for one’s actions, regardless of the consequence. I am certain that the individuals responsible for taking The Oracle would not have done so if they realized that the act would affect a fellow Greek organization.

Page six of the stolen edi-

tion of The Oracle displayed an advertisement that was funded by the Kappa Delta sorority. The thoughtful, congratulatory ad listed the names of Kappa Deltas who had made dean’s list. Unfortunately, when Kappa Deltas went to the main Oracle distribution bins in the RUC for a copy of The Oracle, there were none to be found.

I regret not having access to the names of the responsible individuals. It is unfortunate that the actions of the six individuals might negatively reflect upon the entire Kappa Sigma fraternity because they are more concerned with protecting themselves instead of the reputation of the organization.

I ask the six individuals responsible for the disappearance to consent for the release of their names to the public.

Prove your devotion to Kappa Sigma. After all, one of you was willing to wear its letters. Shouldn’t you be willing to live by the Kappa Sigma value of “building an educated brotherhood of young men with the leadership skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of life”?

As of press time, the investigation surrounding the Oracle theft is still in progress.

O RACLE

Weekly. Student operated. | P.O. Box 5072 Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505

CHRISTINE SEIBER Managing Editor

SARAH TOWNSEND Asst. Editorial Editor

WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor

BRANDON GOODWIN Sports Editor

SARA BOHANNON Ad Manager

JAMES SCHIERMEYER Asst. Sports Editor

ALLISON WHEELER DIANA CARSON Ad Assistants

CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor

EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor

TALLULAH GILLIAM BAILEY DARROW Copy Editors

Tennessee Technological University--nondiscriminatory on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities including employment and admission of students to the University as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and regulations based therein and published in CFR, part 86.

Tennessee Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.

BRENDA WILSON, Faculty Adviser BEAT REPORTERS: Erica Betschart, Ellie Boles, Courtney Clifford, Matt Davis,

www.tntechoracle.com

Justin Duke, Casey Elrod, Jordan Farrell, Darrel Ferris, Christina Gillim, Kayla Gulley, Karla Hammac, Hannah Harris, Ross Harvey, Lauren Huxford, Brandon Jelson, Christopher Jones, Dhir Joshi, Jonathan Kaulay, Samantha Kendall, David Lane, Gerilyn Lemons, Leasa McCall, Amber McCarty, Amanda Miller, Bailey Morgan, Aleksandr Peterson, Jonathan Pierce, Ashlee Polk, Brittney Robinson, Nicholas Rollins, Jessica Smith, Brandon Stephenson, Evan Taylor, Laura Vaught, Dakota Weatherford, Geri Anna Wilson, Jenda Wilson

OPINION

www.tntechoracle.com

Page 3 | February 19, 2010

Stereotypes, sexism didn’t sell at Super Bowl People may laugh about these stereotypes, but when do advertisers cross the line? men are supposed to be thinking imply that he is the bread winner, probably SARAH TOWNSEND the person who bought the car. I don’t know any guys who ask to drive their Asst. Editorial Editor own cars, and why would any man stay in such an awful relationship? The ad reflects badly on both sexes.

The Bridgestone/Firestone commercial includes a man trading his wife for a set of tires. It is pretty obvious why You could argue that the ad is directYou, like the majority of America, some people would consider this ad to ed toward men, but the theme is deprobably sat down and watched the be offensive. The main theme of the clip meaning to both genders regardless.

Super Bowl. Sports fans watch for the is objectifying women. Did I mention The ad, titled “Man’s Last Stand”, game, while some watch for the original the wife being traded looks like a super consists of several closecommercials. I don’t know about you, model? up shots of different but I sensed a lot of sexism in some of It might seem that Flo TV’s ad the ads this year. producers were looking for an easy I realize that if you try hard way to offend females. The whole clip enough you can turn anything takes place in a women’s underwear into something sexist, racist, or department and a sports announcer perverse. A lot of people I know, comments that the man in view had women and men, make sexist his spine removed by his girlfriend. jokes about both genders, and Literally calling the man spineless and I can understand light-hearted implying that the woman was over-bearbanter among friends. ing and forcing him to shop with her inHowever, when compastead of watching the game. At the end of nies invest money in sexist ads, it the clip the announcer says, “Change out does bother me. The Super Bowl is of that skirt Jason” which is basically imviewed by much of the American plying that he’s a woman. population and costs advertisers The slogan from the Dockers’s ad was millions of dollars. Why then did I pretty straight forward as well, “calling all and many others see a number of elemen, it’s time to wear the pants.” This is ments in these ads that were offensive? referring to the old metaphor about who Men were portrayed as stupid, should “wear the pants”, or who should spineless, whipped idiots and women be “in charge”. Though I admit a herd of were shown as overbearing, harping middle-aged, slightly over-weight men nags or oversexed harlots, both stereomarching around a field in their underwear typical views of gender. People may singing about being pants-less is comical, I laugh about these stereotypes, but when think it only adds more emphasis on what do advertisers cross the line? many of the Super Bowl commercials were Firstly, there was a series of Go aiming for and shouted “men are spineless and Daddy commercials that exhibited need to take the control back from the female heavily made-up women with norpopulation!” mal work attire on and then shows According to channel nine news, the one of them ripping off her work Docker’s ad was at the bottom of the ad meter clothes in a sexual manner to list along with Go Daddy’s repetitive shirt ripping show a Go Daddy tank top. commercials. In this case, sex didn’t sell and neiWho really knows that www. ther did misogyny. godaddy.com is a site for regAre advertisers running out of ideas or istering domain names? do they think these images of gender are These ads aren’t “too harmless? hot for TV”; they just look Along with some offensive ads, like commercials for a pornothere were plenty of examples of fungraphic website. I don’t think ny ads that got their point across objectifying women is the only If this without belittling either sex. For way to get people to visit your image example, the Google.com comwebsite. In fact, according to offends mercial was simple and easy to Reporter Laura Petrecca for understand. The Dorito’s chips you, I’ve USA Today, Go Daddy failed ad featured a man and women proved to capture interest and endin traditional gender roles (goed up low on the Ad Meter my point. ing out on a first date), howlist. ever it wasn’t sexist.

The thing that annoys The VW commercial and me more about this comthe homeaway.com ad both mercial than the other adult men. One voice presented entertaining clips sexist advertisements speaks throughout the without misogyny or a stab I saw on Super Bowl advertisement, implying at men.

Above all they efSunday is the women in that all men share these fectively sold their product, the commercial actually thoughts. The main idea is not a stereotypical gimwanted to participate in that the man getting to drive mick that people rememthe ad and lend themthe car is the last thing his sigber instead of the product. selves to the idea that it nificant other will let him do.

Even for a TV event is acceptable material for In the beginning, the men or channel that people asa company to use. are complaining about cleaning sume is generally directed The worst part up their own messes, going to toward men, advertisers about the Go Daddy work on time, and basically doshould keep in mind that ads, including the ing tasks that every functional women and men alike one aired during the member of society does. This elmay be offended Super Bowl, other ement makes women look like by the material. than less-than-par nags, and men look like disobediNearly 40 peracting, is that a feent children who don’t want to go cent of Super male race car driver, to school or eat their vegetables.

Bowl viewers Danica Patrick, is the On the last few close-ups, the men were women this main star. Being a fego through a laundry list of things they year, according to forbes.com. For male in a career usually filled by don’t like to do for their significant other some reason, advertisers still assume men is cool, and it disappoints or things they have to put up with from that portraying women as nagging, me that she would take part in such a their wives or girlfriends. Women and man-abusers and implying that men commercial. Seeing Megan Fox in the men in relationships both put up with can’t stand up for themselves as a bath tub doesn’t make me want to buy a things they don’t necessarily like. This good marketing tool.

Motorola phone, but it doesn’t surprise part of the ad makes their spouses (ahem, It isn’t funny, it isn’t effective, me that she’d submit to that kind of women in general) look like evil, air- and it shouldn’t be acceptable on advertising. headed tyrants. such a large scale.

Another ad that I found offensive The most obnoxious thing about the was the Dodge Charger commercial. whole commercial is that the thoughts the

BLUNDERGRADS

by Phil Flickinger (www.blundergrads.com)

CONTACT US

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• Send Letters to the Editor to oracle@tntech.edu, TTU Box 5072 or tntechoracle.com/home/ lettertotheeditor.

• Letters are edited for grammar but not for content. Please limit letters to 300 words in length. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I was appalled at how many inaccuracies there were in Assistant Editorial Editor Sarah Townsend’s article in the February 12th, 2010 edition of the Oracle titled “Green renovations cost students more green backs” and wish for you to consider this letter a formal request for the article’s complete retraction.

As a scientist I am trained to support my statements with fact and I thought journalists were too, however, Townsend did not do this. I understand that this was an opinion article; however, this does not mean you can print obvious untruths as fact.

The first inaccuracy I discovered is Townsend’s statement of that The Tennessee Safety Department (which is actually called Tennessee Department of Safety) had deemed the Tech Village apartments to be structurally unsound. I talked with the Director of Residential Life Charles Mackie, who stated that Townsend’s statement about the Tech Village apartments being deemed structur-

So while I was living at Tech Village, I was apparently thinking of ways to make the place look bad, like saying that there was a weed bust last week. Except there was, and Tech Village is still a mess.

I stated that there were no RAs and no one checked on the place. In comparison to living in a dorm, I was correct. While living there, none of my apartment mates or other Tech Village residents I knew ever met an RA. So perhaps someone has the title of Resident Advisor, but if anyone from K1 E was being mauled by a rabid bear in Tech Village, none of us would know which door to knock on. As freshmen, we shouldn’t be expected to just know where people are.

The reason I said that no one checks on Tech Village is because I have been to several Tech Village parties. The music was loud, there were a lot

CORRECTIONS

ally unsound was completely untrue. Another inaccuracy I discovered is that Townsend stated that there were no resident assistants (RAs) in Tech Village. This is not true, there are three RAs assigned to Tech Village and you can find their contact information on the Residential Life website (http://tntech.edu/reslife).

The last inaccuracy I discovered is that Townsend stated “no one really checks on” Tech Village. I talked to Nikki, a Tech police dispatcher, and found that all Tech Police shifts perform multiple checks of the entire campus including Tech Village while on patrol.

In conclusion, I hope you consider my request for retraction of these inaccuracies seriously. In the future I hope that you and your staff carefully review articles more closely in the future in order to prevent the spread of false rumors.

Thank you for your time, Michael Beck mwbeck21@tntech.edu

of people at each of them and not once did a Tech police officer check to see if there was underage drinking or to tell us to be quieter. If we were in a dorm, we’d be busted before 11 p.m. However, since Tech Village doesn’t get the same attention we could have and probably did get away with who-knows-what-all.

Also, if you read the first issue of the Oracle this semester you’d know that the Tennessee Department of Safety has found need for a new sprinkler system, and deemed Tech Village unsafe, though not structurally.

Looking back, I should have went into more detail about the cockroaches mating in my cupboard or the white liquid covering the screen of our front door instead of mentioning anything about the TDS. Sarah Townsend Asst. Editorial Editor

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• In “Green renovations cost students more greenbacks,“ the Tennessee Department of Safety was incorrectly identified as the Tennessee Safety Department. It made recommendations for Tech Village but did not declare it structually unsafe.

• In “Boucher to raise college alcohol abuse awareness on public access TV show,“ WCTE-DT was incorrectly identified as a public access television station. WCTE is apart of a public broadcasting system and is not owned

by Tech. The grant funding the college alcohol abuse programs is funded by a combined effort with Tech, Mediation Services of Putnam County, and WCTE.

NEWS

www.tntechoracle.com

Page 4 | February 19, 2010

Tech’s counseling center to host NEDA Week

By ASHLEE POLK Staff Writer Eating Disorders Awareness Week will be hosted by Tech from Sunday to next Saturday.

“We say stop, take a breath, and for one week in the year, let’s only weigh the size of our hearts, not the size of our hips,” said Lynn Grefe, CEO National Eating Disorders Association.

In conjunction with NEDA, Tech will host a week of events dedicated to the awareness and prevention of eating disorders.

“I hope for people to become more aware, to get help if needed, and to just have fun,” said Cynthia Bryant, Counseling Center assistant director.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a campus-wide effort involving several departments: the Counseling Center, the Women’s Center,

Greek Life, Residential Life, Health Services, the Fitness Center, the Ecology Department, and the School of Agriculture.

“I like putting different departments together. We hope to have fun and get

some people involved,” Bryant said.

The main event is the EveryBODY fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23 in the RUC Multipurpose Room. The fair will include information ta-

bles, dancing demonstrations, food samples, and recipes for healthy living.

The School of Agriculture’s Waters Organic Farm will have some of their organic vegetables available to sample. Ruby Tuesday’s has

also partnered with Tech, donating free food samples during the fair.

The Fitness Center will host a fact-or-fiction section about eating disorders, such

as anorexia and bulimia, and their harmful effects.

“Batman and Robin used to be skinny. Now they wear muscular costumes,” Bryant said. “If we are aspiring to people in the media, not only have they maybe been

worked on, but the airbrushing can’t be replicated.”

Eating disorders are a very serious problem and manifest in a variety of ways.

The EveryBODY fair is a great way to learn more about eat-

ing disorders, warning signs and the risks involved.

The Counseling Center will offer free eating disorder screenings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. on Feb. 25 in RUC Room 307. The screenings are also available on the Counseling Center’s page of Tech’s website.

“One thing we are trying to promote this week is ‘do just one thing.’ Come to the fair, send an anonymous operation beautiful note, help a friend, refer a friend, or take a screening,” Bryant said.

Operation beautiful’s slogan is “ending fat talk one anonymous post-it at a time,” and that sums it up well. For more information, go to operationbeautiful.com.

For more information about the EveryBODY fair, go to the Counseling Center in RUC Room 307 or email cbryant@tntech.edu. For more information about eating disorders go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Tech alumnus helps needy children New grant open to serviceBy CHRISTINA GILLIM Staff Writer Tech’s Outstanding Alumni Award winner shares his school pride with the children of Knoxville.

Kent Johnson works as a mentor to about 80 children at the Cecil Webb Center in Knoxville where he also serves as center director for the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department.

He started working there in 2001 because he felt “it was something that needed to be done.” The center also works in other areas of the community with all ages, but Johnson’s main focus is on the children because he feels that is where the biggest need is.

In mentoring these kids, Johnson is trying to instill a sense of family and belonging in them. They come from different economic backgrounds, but this center brings them all together as one. The main tool Johnson uses in fulfilling this need is Tech pride.

“I believe in our school. I believe in our school’s ability to help everyone reach their full potential,” Johnson said.

Through this sense of family, Johnson is also giving many of them a sense of direction in their lives.

“We take kids with no ties to a university and no expectations of going to college, except through sports, and give them a family,” Johnson told Karen Lykins, news bureau director at Tech.

One of the kids has already been accepted to Tech and will be here in the fall.

Johnson says, “I honestly believe that when someone comes to our school they will leave better for it.”

The main principles Johnson tries to teach kids are simple, yet profound: “Be better today than you were yesterday.”

“You are only truly strong if you protect and take care of people who are not.”

“Excellence is a habit.”

“Greatness has a price.”

“Success is easy, you just outwork everyone else.”

“Do everything the right way every time.”

Johnson fully believes in the ripple effect.

“You make the world a better place one person at a time,” he said.

When talking about the kids he said he may not see the immediate effect that the

center is having on the kids, but it is one that will show up later and last. What they are doing is something that could affect generations to come.

Johnson gets the kids excited about Tech in many different ways. The entire center is decorated in purple and gold. He also bases quizzes, contests, and rewards around Tech. Occasionally he is even able to bring the kids on field trips to the campus.

On their latest visit in the fall the kids had the opportunity to meet with President Bell and the First Lady. Dr. Susan Elkins, Vice President for Extended Programs and Regional Development, talked about how excited the kids were to meet the president and first lady.

Elkins also said the kids really enjoyed showing off all the fun facts they knew about Tech, some of which she and the president did not even know.

Johnson said the kids always get really excited when they see the golden eagle atop Derryberry Hall.

“The Golden Eagle lets them know they are where they need be and shows them the direction they need to go,” Johnson said.

minded honors students

By ROSS HARVEY Staff Writer The Associated Scholars Guild Steering Committee has announced the creation of a new grant at Tech for current honors students and honors alumni.

The Ginkgo Grant was created specifically for those who place the same emphasis on service, community and growth as the honors program. The project must be related to the student’s field of study.

The grant can be awarded to those working at home or abroad who are enhancing communities or doing other forms of service work. The grant can also be used for travel expenses to or from a fellowship or internship.

If you intend to apply,

you must submit a brief summary of your project by Feb. 25. A full application is due April 25.

Inspired by an honors alumna, the Ginkgo Grant was able to be created due to record enrollment in the Honors Program this semester. It received its’ name from the Ginkgo trees behind T.J. Farr building, where the Honors Program is housed.

The grant is funded solely by the Steering Committee, a student organization, and will be available to a few people on a regular basis. The amount of the grant was not released.

For more information, please contact Jeremy Crow, ASG Steering Committee chair at jncrow21@tntech. edu, or Rita Barnes, Honors Program director at ritambarnes@gmail.com.

Mattingly brings conservation plan to Upper Cumberland

By JORDAN FARRELL Staff Writer A Habitat Conservation Plan for the Upper Cumberland area is taking shape thanks to the work of Hayden Mattingly, Tech biology professor.

An HCP is a plan that allows the Upper Cumberland’s to still use the resources while still conserving the habitat for endangered or threatened species.

Mattingly is working to organize species information for the HCP. As a conservation biologist, he is the leader of the Science Advisory Committee.

Sean Blomquist, an associate of Mattingly, helps

him to achieve this data.

Blomquist’s involvement in the project is to take information from the past and use it to predict the future for a particular species given its current habitat. With this information, Mattingly and Blomquist can help develop a plan for companies to follow so they do not overuse limited resources.

Two HCP’s are currently underway in the Upper Cumberland area: the water resources HCP and the forest resources HCP. According to the Cumberland Habitat Conservation Plan website, the purpose of these two HCPs is to produce greater conservation of rare wildlife and plants on state-owned wildlife management areas.

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22 Until Feb. 25 Sigma Chi Derby Days

23

All day Nashville Area College to Career Fair All day Nashville Area Teacher Recruitment Fair 11 a.m.

XBOX Tournament RUC, 1st floor 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball v.

SIU Edwardsville 7 p.m.

Showing of The Hangover Derryberry Auditorium

24 1 p.m.

Softball v. MTSU

25 All day Health care Professionals Career Fair

26 3 p.m.

Baseball v.

Cleveland State

-- tntech.edu/calendar

2010 Golden Eagle Prose Writing Competition Short Story & Narrative Essay First prize: $100 Second prize: $50 Deadline: March 7 Visit the English Department for more details

Contact

Sara Bohannon, Advertising Manager 931-372-3031

ENTERTAINMENT www.tntechoracle.com

Page 5 | February 19, 2010

Core Ensemble prepares musical following four influential women

By BAILEY MORGAN Staff Writer

“Ain’t I a Woman!,” a music theatre piece performed by the Core Ensemble, is scheduled 7 p.m. on Mar. 1 in the Wattenbarger Auditorium.

The production celebrates the lives of four influential African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer.

“I have a poster of Sojourner Truth in my living room,” said Diana Lalani of the Women’s Center. “I have admired her ever since I read her daring Ain’t I a Woman speech delivered at an early

Women’s Rights Convention in the 1800s. I admire her strength and her conviction and look forward to what will no doubt be an inspiring evening.”

The musical score varies from heartfelt spirituals and blues from the deep south, to urban vitality of the jazz age, and contemporary concert music of African Americans.

“The Core Ensemble grabs the attention of the audience from the first note and doesn’t let go,” said Karen Burdette, associate professor of Spanish.

The core Ensemble is composed of Tahirah Whittington on cello, Hugh Hinton on piano, and Michael Parola on percussion.

“It’s a musical performance, but it’s not a concert,” Burdette explained. “It’s a dramatic performance, but

it’s not a play. It’s musical theater with dramatic movement and dance, but it’s not a musical.”

While there are several musicians performing, only one actress will portray all of the characters. Taylore Mahogany Scott has performed in film and television, including the nationally televised PBS show African American Lives with Oprah Winfrey.

The work is the latest in a series of multicultural and feminist performance pieces produced by the ensemble over the past ten years. The show tours throughout the U.S during Black History and Women’s History Month.

This is a Center Stage Event hosted by the Women’s Center in collaboration with Karen Burdette. There is no charge, and the performance is open to the public.

Derryberry Art Gallery showing various artists throughout the Spring semester

By KAYLE GULLEY Staff Writer The Joan Derryberry Art Gallery allows Tech students and faculty as well as the community to experience different kinds of art. It enriches the lives of the people who take full advantage of the art gallery.

Artists come in from all over the country to show Cookeville’s community their works. Each month Tech brings in a new artist from around the country, ranging from photographers to environmentalist artist and even paper cutters.

The professional artists displaying their work, also host a gallery talk. This allows the students and the community to come and listen to the artist talk about how they make their work, where they make it, and what inspires them.

“The artists who come to Tech provide an opportunity for the students to think deeply,” Arthur LaBar, chair of the music and art department said.

All works of art are so different from each other and having artist come to Tech says a lot about Tech’s belief that all students should be offered cultural enrichment.

“We have tons of media options; Facebook, TV, and the students are all so busy with their work, but sitting down and studying art is a window in the soul,” LaBar said.

Art can teach us a new way to think, listen, and even believe. That is why it is important to take advantage of what is offered here at Tech.

The artists coming to the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery in the Spring semester are: Jack Girard’s Collage/Mixed from Feb. 16 to March 20, Jennifer Torres’s Sculpture work from March 22 to April 9, and Sami Lange’s Printmaking from April 12 to May 7.

Comics that should be on your radar: Daytripper and Mice Templar

By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor Daytripper, the brain child of Brazilian twins Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon, is full of imagination and creative storytelling. In addition, the visual aspect of the book is above and beyond most others on the rack.

The art in the book oozes style, which Bá perfected through his work on various other comics, including both series of Gerard Way’s Umbrella Academy. Moon, who really cut his teeth on Casanova, while working with Bá, is co-artist on this project.

The storytelling flows seamlessly and the twins sacrificed no substance for style. The story follows a Brazilian man reliving the most important moments of his life after a tragic twist at the end of the first issue. From that moment, the meat of the story begins to unfold.

The series is slated for 10 issues published by Vertigo.

This comic definitely falls into the “buy it now” category. Do yourself a favor though, make sure to pick up the second issue while you’re there.

The second book you need to check out is Mice Templar, which is written by Bryan J. L. Glass and drawn by Michael Avon Oeming.

The book just finished its second sixissue series, with the first already in one-bound volume.

Mice Templar tells the story of Karic, a young mouse separated from his family after a raid enslaves or kills the remaining villagers.

From that point, Karic sets off on a quest to save his family and friends.

He soon learns that Wotan, the god of the night, has much more for Karic to do.

The book has a style all to its own in both story and art. While comparisons to Brian Jacques’ classic teen-novel series Redwall are unavoidable, Mice Templar pulls away and creates a unique atmosphere.

The story is far darker in nature and the art style reflects the story well.

The art changed slightly from the first series to the second, becoming a bit more cartoony than the previous. Despite that it, the visual element of the book is still well done.

This book is still fairly new so anyone looking to get into it will only need to make a minimal investment, an investment you should make. There has not been any word on when the next series will begin, but it can’t come soon enough.

If you have the extra scratch, go check these books out, they are worth your time and money.

This is the cover of the first issue of Daytripper by Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon. Courtesy of Vertigo

The sixth issue in the second series of Mice Templar written

by Bryan J. L. Glass. Courtesy of Image

Events on the Horizon February 19th Fisk Jubilee Singers - 7 p.m. in Wattenbarger Auditorium The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 8 p.m. in the Backdoor Playhouse Stephen James / Otherwize / Andrew Buckner - 7 p.m. at First and Cedar February 20th The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) 2 & 8 p.m. in the Backdoor Playhouse Servant Advocate / Above / Diesel and Dust / Knee Deep in Stereo - 7:30 at First and Cedar ($5 Admission) February 21st Auditions for Round Dance Begin - 2 & 6 p.m. in the Backdoor Playhouse February 22nd Sigma Chi Derby Days Begins - All Day in various locations February 23rd TAB Xbox Tournament - 11 p.m. on RUC 1st Floor

ENTERTAINMENT

www.tntechoracle.com

Page 6 | February 19, 2010

The Fisk Jubilee Singers to perform tonight at Tech

By LEASA McCALL Staff Writer The Fisk Jubilee Singers are scheduled to perform in Wattenbarger Auditorium in the Bryan Fine Arts Building at 7 p.m. Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, the group is from Fisk University in Nashville and performs worldwide.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers have performed slave songs since 1871, when the group was established. The current group continues the tradition, performing negro spirituals that have served to break racial barriers, raise money for their school, and open the hearts and minds of audiences.

Bringing the Fisk Jubilee Singers to Tech was proposed

by Robert Owens, Minority

Affairs director.

“The performance is a Center Stage event paid for from Student Activity Fees, said Susan Maddux, coordinator of general education events. The Policy and Oversight Committee for the General Education Fund has final approval on the Center Stage events that have been proposed by people in the Tech community.”

The concert will be free and open to the public.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers travel the world regularly.

Future performance locations include Jackson on Feb.26, Nashville on March 11and Washington D.C. on April 22.

In May, the Fisk Jubilee Singers will travel to The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall in New York before coming back to Nashville to begin their 2011 season.

By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor

The Wolfman

The Fisk Jubilee Singers started in 1871 with a tour spanning the United States as a means to raise money for the university. The group has several famous alumni, including Mandisa Lynn Hundley who made it to the final 10 on American Idol. Photo courtesy of Bill Steber

Go inside the booth: Andy “The Teacher” Smith

By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor Recently, The Oracle had a chance to sit down with Andy Smith, one of WTTU 88.5 FM’s DJs. Smith hosts “Teacher on the Radio,”one of WTTU’s longest running shows.

In addition to hosting his show on Monday nights at 9 p.m., Smith is an English professor at Tech.

Q: Do you have any special DJ names you use on the radio?

AS: I’ve used the names “The Teacher,” “The Frog,” “The Professor,” “Mr. Andy,” and just “Andy.”

Q: What can you tell us about your show, “Teacher on the Radio?”

Andy Smith takes some time to talk to his listeners during his show, “Teacher on the Radio.” Photos taken by Chuck Acheson

AS: We do themed shows of an eclectic, eccentric and educated nature. Once I have a theme, I research for the show: sampling songs, reading up on artists and taking requests.

Q: How long have you been

with WTTU 88.5 FM? AS: I’ve been a DJ since Fall semester 2007 at the invitation of Kassi Thomas and recent alumni Joe Greek.

Q: Did you host any other shows before “Teacher on the Radio?”

AS: In 1985 and 86, I hosted a weekly show on 88.3 FM WSTU in Southfield, Mich. The first was called “Music for Thinking People” followed by “United Underground.”

I also was on the air briefly at WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1987.

Q: What courses do you teach here at Tech?

AS: I teach American Literature, Writing 1010 and 1020, University 1020, and Women and Gender Studies.

Smith wrapped up the interview with some very flattering words about the show, “Titus Electronicus!,” which follows “Teacher on the Radio.”

“Teacher on the Radio” airs at 9 p.m. on WTTU 88.5 FM

W

ing atch

Movie Talk

The Wolfman follows the plot you expect to see after watching the previews and trailers. While investigating the mysterious death of his brother, Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) is bitten by a werewolf. From there, the plot follows him as he adapts to his new condition as it brings up memories from his troubled past he thought he buried. Compounding his problem, some creative twists about his family keep the audience guessing throughout the film. However, this film does have some issues concerning the plot and the acting.

It’s only fitting that a movie about a werewolf would have an identity crisis. The Wolfman tries to be a drama, action movie and thriller in one package, but fails to excel as a hybrid of these genres.

The movie as a whole feels disjointed as it jumps from genre to genre.

However, with that being said, the movie performs admirably within each genre. As a drama, the relationship between Talbot and his father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins) sparks interest and takes the audience through a few revealing curves.

The action sequences are intermittent and not especially grandiose, but fit the feel of the movie well. A movie set in turn-of-thecentury London doesn’t need Michael Bay-esque special effects.

The effects in the movie played well into the thriller aspect. The sets especially gave the movie a murky and mysterious feel. Add quite a few shocking moments throughout the film and you have a solid thriller.

But, when put all together, something about the film just doesn’t seem right.

Del Toro delivers a so-so performance with some great moments and some laughable ones.

The real highlight of the film was Hopkins who blends in just enough Hannibal Lecter to make his character familial but not repetitive. Hopkins fits the role wonderfully. Emily Blunt, playing Gwen Conliffe, does a decent job but really doesn’t stand out from the background.

Despite the confusion on what type of movie this film wants to be and some flat acting, it’s an overall decent film. It’s definitely an enjoyable way to spend two hours and you won’t be bored.

MPAA Rating: R

Final Grade: B

next week: Shutter Island

Cosmos Bar & Grill

By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor Cosmos Bar & Grill is one of the few restuarants in town to offer breaded chicken wings and none make them as well as Cosmos does.

Cosmos offers the standard variety of flavors, but the one really worth checking out is their “Cosmic” flavor. “Cosmic” is drier than the other sauces and comes in a red hue, the perfect warning for anyone bold enough to try it. Unlike other sauces where they just try to blow you away with heat and no flavor, “Cosmic” balances a great deal of heat with abundent flavor.

Of the other flavors I tried, “Hot” was the most appealing. While not as hot as “Cosmic,” “Hot” blended more flavor in lieu of the heat. But, don’t get caught off guard, there is a delayed kick that can creep up on you. “Mild” was the last flavor I tried. It had decent flavor and no kick to it. So, it wasn’t really what I was looking for, but there are plenty of people who prefer it that way.

Cosmos’ wing night is Wednesdays and wings cost $.45 per wing when you buy a drink. Wings cost $.55 without a beverage or for take

out. When it’s not Wednesday, wings are still available, just for a slightly higher price. The prices have increased over the years, but that’s accountable to rising prices in the food sector.

And, for the size of the wings, the price is more than fair. Of the wings I’ve had in Cookeville, Cosmos’ are definitely on the larger side.

On top of the wing special, Wednesday night is $.50 off Mexican beers in addition to any other specials running.

The restaurant isn’t the newest building, but great service will make you feel at home regardless.

Cosmos is a great place for the wing newbie and the connoisseur alike. I highly reccomend a stop by Cosmos whether it’s wing night or not.

Cosmos is just past Tech, located at 931 Shipley Road. The easiest way to find the restaurant is just follow Willow Avenue past the Hooper Eblen Center. Cosmos will be on your left after a short drive.

You can also find Cosmos on Facebook or reach them at (931)3722081.

Score: 4.5 / 5

“Wing Watch” is an opinion column focusing on restaurants in the Cookeville area that offer wing specials during the week.

By Matt Knieling / Voyage of the Clementide is a weekly comic exclusive to The Oracle.

Wilford Catley wants you to visit The Oracle online at TNTechOracle.com

SPORTS www.tntechoracle.com

Page 7 | February 19, 2010

Front row, from left: Wes Korth, Jake Heatherly, Greg Kitts, Tyler Cassetty and Jared Dunn. Back row, from left: Coach Craig King, Josh Simer, Lee Maxwell, Preston Marshall, Travis Ramsey and Blake Garrison.

Courtesy of Sports Information

From left to right: Katie Brown, Megan Bradford, Diana Carson, Assistant Coach Kylie Crouch, Head Coach Brandy Stout, Lindsay Spradlen, Carley Rhyne, Katherine Bell, Amanda Randolph.

Courtesy of Sports Information

Men’s golf opens in Mississippi Women’s golf swings into spring Up to 15 teams could participate in Frito Lay-AT&T Invitational

Two seniors lead the way at Birmingham Southern Invitational

PRESS RELEASE

By ERIKA BETSCHART Staff Writer

Second-year Tennessee Tech men’s golf coach Craig King will take his team to Mississippi this weekend to open the spring schedule at the Frito Lay-AT&T Invitational at the Azaleas Course of the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, part of the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw.

A field as large as 15 teams could be on hand for the tournament, hosted by Jackson State University. After a practice round Saturday, the teams will play 18 holes each on Sunday and Monday.

Five seniors will represent Tech in the tournament, led by Josh Simer who posted a 72.3 average during play in the fall season. Simer tied for fourth place and earned all-tournament honors at the Murray State Invitational in October, posting a careerbest round of 68 in the opening round. He

also carded a 69 during the fall at the APSU Invitational.

The Golden Eagle lineup will also feature Wes Korth (73.4 average), Preston Marshall (75.3), Blake Garrison (75.8) and Jake Heatherly (76.0). Korth and Garrison shot Tech’s only other sub-70 rounds during the fall.

Korth fashioned a 69 in the second round of the Skyhawk Classic on October 12, and Garrison (shown in photo) shot a 69 in the second round of the Austin Peay event on October 19.

Junior Travis Ramsey, who averaged 77.3 during the fall, will compete on an individual basis for the Golden Eagles.

“We have a very experienced lineup, and every one of our players is capable of posting a low score every round,” King said. “I’m looking forward to watching these guys play this spring, and I know they’re excited about getting back into competition.”

The Tennessee Tech women’s golf team kicks off its spring season this weekend at the Birmingham Southern Invitational, the 36 hole event will be held at Timberline Golf Course.

Tech will join 10 other teams to play 18 holes Sunday and a final round on Monday.

Tech’s five player lineup for the tournament will include seniors Diana Carson and Megan Bradford, juniors Lindsay Spradlen and Carley Rhyne, and freshman Amanda Randolph.

“Playing and practicing are very different,” said senior Diana Carson. “You can practice every day and still go out and not break 80 because it’s so crucial to play different shots around the course.

“Even though we haven’t gotten to play this semester, hopefully we can take what we’ve been practicing and use it to come in with low scores. “ The weather has not hindered the team from practicing.

“The weather has been rough this semester, so it’s left us practicing inside quite a bit. We haven’t gotten any rounds in, but we make sure

Women’s basketball keeps OVC dream alive

By JAMES SCHIERMEYER Assistant Sports Editor The Tech women’s basketball team will travel to Clarksville this weekend in an attempt to sweep the regular season series from the Lady Governors. Winners of their last three in a row, the Golden Eagles currently reside a half-game out of fourth place in the Ohio Valley Conference with two conference matchups left.

Clinching fourth would give Tech a home game in the first round of the OVC tournament.

“It’s very important we win these final conference games and earn a home tournament game,” head coach Sytia Messer said.

“We’ve got to finish each game strong and compete for 40 solid minutes.”

Tech blew out the Lady Governors in their first meeting by 21 points.

Sophomores Tacarra Hayes and Krystal Stirrup led the

Golden Eagles with 39 and 21 points respectively.

Tech will conclude the regular season at home in the Eblen Center against SIU-Edwardsville Feb. 23 and Jacksonville State Feb. 27. All students are encouraged to attend and show their support. The loudest student group will again win a cash prize for their organization’s use.

“The students have given us a big boost being our sixth man,” Messer said.

“I’ve been at four different universities as a player or coach, and the students here are some of the best fans in the country.”

Think Pink night against Murray State started the winning streak for the Golden Eagles as they cruised to an 80-67 victory earlier this month. A blowout victory over Tennessee-Martin made the day before Valentine’s Day that much sweeter thanks to 15 three-pointers. Tech needed overtime Monday, but

finally put away Tennessee State 76-73. Hayes scored a career high 41 in the victory.

“Forty points is insane,” Hayes said. “I’m speechless.

I had 22 in the first half so I knew I had to focus and I couldn’t let them get me off my game.”

“We’ve really started to jell as a coaching staff and the players are really buying into the system,” Messer said. “The biggest thing now is making sure we take care of business at both ends of the floor. I also want to invite everyone to be our sixth man and help us take care of business in our last two home games.”

The top eight teams qualify for the OVC tournament which starts March 2 at campus locations. The tournament concludes March 5-6 at the Sommet Center in Nashville. Nine of the Golden Eagles’ 12 wins have come at home this season, compared to 2-6 on the road against conference opponents.

Just a Bit Outside

By JAMES SCHIERMEYER

Assistant Sports Editor

We got called out. The Tennessee Tech University student body as a whole got called out, and it wasn’t by a rival or conference nemesis. It was by our own administration when a cash bounty was offered to the loudest student group because of our inability to support our own student athletes.

We have neglected the faces of our university in an unforgivable manner and I’m ashamed and embarrassed. “The contest” was created because as a student body, we had better things to do than support our fellow classmates.

There’s a reason people talk about things like home court advantage. Unlike Santa Claus, home court advantage does exist and makes an impact on every contest. It makes a tremendous difference in every player when there are hundreds of classmates cheering for them from the stands. You hustle that much harder, fight that much deeper and are will-

ing to do anything possible to win because of the energy and strength an athlete receives from the crowd. Opponents feel that negative energy, that hatred and crumble.

We need to come together as a campus and support our athletic teams. We need to meet the spirit of “the contest” and raise the ante ourselves. If every organization on campus does their part we can make the atmosphere in the Eblen Center the best part of our college experience.

College is where leaders are forged and examples are set for future generations.

Every action or lack thereof makes an impact whether we admit it or not. It is time for us to make a statement that Cookeville is our town and the Eblen Center our home.

It’s time for us to meet the administrations challenge and issue one of our own to the OVC. It’s time to turn up the volume and let everyone know we are here.

to practice at least six days a week. Whether it’s hitting on the range or in nets, Coach keeps us swinging,” Carson said.

This being Carson and other seniors’ last season to play they hope to make it the best yet. “This is our big season,” said Carson. “We have the OVC tournament coming up in April, so that’s obviously our biggest goal is to win.

“Our coaches make sure first and foremost that we are having a good time but with a competitive seriousness behind it. We have big hopes for a lot of victories this season,” said Carson.

4th and Long

BY BRANDON GOODWIN

Sports Editor bagoodwin21@tntech.edu

Fitness center overcrowding needs to slim down The Tech fitness center says on its website that it offers programs for a ‘diverse population of students, their spouses and children, faculty / staff, alumni, and their spouses and children under the age of 22.’

This doesn’t mean all of you at once.

Overcrowding at the fitness center has become increasingly worse since the beginning of this semester, probably due to New Year’s Resolutions. Stop it.

Seriously, I have seen some things at the fit that I never thought I’d see. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a guy lifting weights wearing slacks, leather shoes, a button-down shirt and a fedora.

Really? Fashion doesn’t belong in the gym.

The next week, I was trying to run on the track, but kept having to stop because five girls were walking shoulder to shoulder, blocking the entire track. One of these girls was wearing a North Face jacket and those fuzzy boot things that serve no functional purpose. Again, fashion has no place in the gym.

I’m all for people trying to get in shape, but some of this is just ridiculous.

Guys, if your girlfriend works out with you, more power to you. If she just stands in the way to talk on her phone and watch you, don’t bring her. The same thing applies to

Who’s Hot?

other guys. If you are in the weight room you should be working out, not socializing.

Another issue that I have with the overcrowding situation lies with Tech athletes. I see at least a couple of Tech athletes working out or playing basketball in the Fit every time I go. Most of these athletes have mandatory team workouts in their own weight rooms.

Something needs to be done to clear up the hoards that flood the Fit every weekday evening. Perhaps the fitness center should convert one of its two multipurpose rooms into another weight room or cardio room.

Another change I would like to see is an outdoor workout area. I have only seen the patio at the Fit used a couple of times.

During the warmer months, a temporary outdoor area could be set up with dumbbells, benches, and a cable station.

10,800 students, 600 faculty members and a handful of treadmills just don’t add up.

“It’s about 90 percent strength and 40 percent technique.” - Johnny Walker, who gives 130 percent in arm-wrestling

Who’s Not?

Tech Baseball The Golden Eagles look to defend their Ohio Valley Conference title this season, kicking off this weekend a Georgia Southern.

Tech returns eight fielding starters and nine pitchers from its 31-24-1 season a year ago. Couple that with 12 freshmen and four Ju-Co transfers and the Golden Eagles are sure to be feared in the OVC this year.

Picked to finish third in the conference, look for Tech to exceed expectations and compete for the OVC championship in Jackson, Tenn.

Kevin Murphy. The sophomore leads Tech in scoring on the season, but has struggled as of late, making twice as many fouls as shots.

Murphy shot just 3-17 from the field and missed all nine attempted threepointers in the games against UT-Martin and Tennessee State.

Look for him to turn it around quickly as the OVC tournament approaches.

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