HOW ABOUT ABOUT A BOY? | PAGE 7
LYDIA ISN'T A FAN OF CAMPFIELD | PAGE 6
BASEBALL TAKES TWO WITH MSU | PAGE 8
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THE
Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505 | Est. 1924
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Volume 98 | Issue 15 | Free in single copy | March 21, 2014
Senators say “goodnight” to nap room bill SGA senators vote against bill to build a napping room. The vote on the bill failed with seven for, 23 against and one senator abstaining.
By ADAM WEBB & JORDAN BLAIR Beat Reporters
SGA presented a bill to designate a specific napping area on campus at their meeting on Mar. 18. The name of the bill presented was ”Creation of Napping Space Act of 2014.” The bill proposed that an unused room on campus would be transformed into a napping area for students. The room would be filled with beanbags, pillows, and couches for the comfort of students. SGA Senator Billy Hutton opposed the idea and said, “I mostly thought the idea sounded u n s a n i t a r y, and unnecessary. I feel that if a nap is a top priority and an urHutton gent thing for a student during the week, a 10-minute (most of the time less) drive home would not be a huge problem. “I do like the thought behind the bill that encourages students to live healthy lifestyles by getting the proper amount of sleep,” Hutton said. “However, the cons just simply outweigh the pros in this situation.” A student “monitor” would stay in the designated napping area to keep control of the room. Students would be required to swipe their Eagle Card to access the room. Students would be able to access the napping area for 30 minutes at a time to make sure all students have time to nap if needed. Lydia Brown and Drake Fenlon, the SGA senators that
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proposed the bill, dressed in their pajamas to pitch it. Brown said her inspiration for the bill came from an illness. “About a month ago, I got sick, and I was so tired that I ended up taking a nap every day on the Green Room couch between obligations for between half an hour and an hour,” Brown said. “After taking a little nap, I felt good Brown enough to go on with the rest of the day.” Previous studies have proven that naps increase focus and efficiency and do not prevent a good sleep at night. Large corporations such as Nike and Google provide their employees with designated napping areas and encourage naps to increase productivity. Tennessee Tech is not the first university to propose a napping area for students. Several universities, including Harvard, have provided napping areas of which students can take advantage. “I find it hard to believe that other universities have found a real need for a napping area on campus,” said Tennessee Tech student Holly Trice. “I don’t feel that an area like this would be used very much.” When asked if Tech would benefit from a nap room, computer science major, John Campbell said, “Yes. I see people napping in the library frequently.” Campbell said that he would only use the room if he had privacy. “Since the bill failed, I
I feel that if a nap is a top priority and an urgent thing for a student during the week, a 10-minute (most of the time less) drive home would not be a huge problem.
,,
— Billy Hutton, SGA Senator
Drake Fenlon | The Oracle CATCHING Z’S- Sophomore secondary education major Houston Fehrman catches a quick nap on a couch Thursday in the green room of the Backdoor Playhouse. Houston fit this nap in between a day of classes and rehearsal for the Playhouse production of “She Kills Monsters.” have heard from several students that they would indeed vote for and use a room for napping,” Brown said. “And considering how many students do not live on campus, Drake and I agreed that this would be the way to provide space for those students to pursue a healthy nap as convenient for them.” “I don’t think a napping room would benefit our university. As stated, there are many more cons than pros that come with this idea,” Hutton said. “If a student needs a peaceful and quiet place to relax or study during their time on campus, that is already established- our third floor of Volpe Library.” The vote on the bill failed with seven for, 23 against and one senator abstaining.
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Drake Fenlon | The Oracle NAP SACK- The giant bean bag sophomore music education major Torey Hart is napping on is similar to the ones that would have been made available by the rejected bill, which was voted down Tuesday night at the SGA meeting.
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I find it hard to believe that Since the bill failed, I have heard from several students that other universities have found a they would indeed vote for and use real need for a napping area on a room for napping. campus,”
—Lydia Brown,
,,
Nap Bill Sponsor
— Holly Trice,
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TTU Student
Chorale travels to Jacksonville, Fla. to attempt “choral suicide” By JORDAN PACE Guest Contributor
Just before Spring Break, the Tennessee Tech University Chorale embarked on a 5-day trip to Jacksonville, Fla. to perform at the annual Southern Division American Choral Directors Association convention. While away, the University’s premiere choir sang as members of the Collegiate Combined Chorus, collaborating with choirs from the University
of North Florida and Georgia State University, with accompaniment from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for the convention’s final performance. The performance included works composed and arranged by musicians from the mother country, Great Britain, such as the royal coronation anthems “Zadok the Priest” and “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me,” and the 40-minute cantata “Belshazzar’s Feast.”
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The Collegiate Combined Chorus took direction from maestro Simon Halsey, conductor of the London Symphony Chorus and 3-time Grammy winner, for the convention’s final performance. His choice to perform the final piece, “Belshazzar’s Feast,” was described by Dr. Craig Zamer, director of Tennessee Tech Choral Activities and Program Chair for the convention, as “the most challenging piece I’ve
ever handed the ensemble to prepare and perform.” Additionally, y Halseyadmittedto the combined chorus during one of the convention’s rehearsals that the task Zamer of performing the piece was “choral suicide.” After completing over 15 hours of rehearsal during the convention combined with additional previous
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preparation, the Chorale performed a combined set of five works in roughly an hour and a half for fellow singers, choral directors, and the general public at the Jacoby Concert Hall. The Chorale’s participation in the convention drew regional visibility to the University’s choral program while potentially opening doors to opportunities and experiences in which the program aspires to achieve.
Omnicon to return to campus By SHANE FOLEY & MELISSA EDWARDS Beat Reporters
The Alpha Psi Phi club will host its annual Omnicon event in the STEM Center from Mar. 28 - 30. The event is a large free convention that pays tribute to fans of science fiction/fantasy related interests. The free event has guests from several different forms of media and entertainment scheduled to appear, including cosplay and art contests, anime, as well as several other celebrations of nerd culture. This will be the first time that the convention is free to the public. “The goal of the event is to be a social gathering full of awesome and nerdy things that everyone who finds interest in it can participate in,” event chair Cyril Focht said. James Campbell has been the Omnicon Chairman for the last two years. “Up until this point, we always charged an entry fee. However, thanks to the generous support of the SGA S.O.L.O. fund, we are able to host the event free of charge, while still upping the standards of the event,” Campbell said. In order to promote a larger crowd, several changes have been made in comparison to previous years when it was hosted in the RUC. The STEM Center was chosen for a more condensed setting. Campbell said that the University Center had enough room for the event, but it’s size made it difficult to navigate for guests who were unacquainted with the building. The STEM Center’s proximity to Sherlock Park enables Omnicon to have outdoor events, as well. “We’ve also got an outdoor Quidditch demonstration being put on by the TTU Golden Hippogriffs. More events are being added as we close in on the event,” Campbell said. “This will be my third year attending Omnicon,” senior Andrea Brys said. “Last year’s attendance wasn’t as high as it’s been in the past due to the event being scheduled on the tail end of Spring Break. But, there have been some changes to the con this year that’ll make it bigger and better than ever.” Omnicon will be bringing in a variety of guests to TTU, including comic book artists, musicians, and voice actors. “I’m always excited for all our guests because they all bring something different. We’re especially excited for Dameon Clarke,” Campbell said. “He’s a voice over artist that recently provided the voice and face of the character Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2. Still, all the guests bring something different to the table, whether they’re locals or big stars.”
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NEWS Page 2 | March 21, 2014
CRIME BRIEFS: - Mar. 19- Not Available Classification: Open theft Location: Cooper & 7th Street Disposition: Closed. Referred to Dean of Students Notes: A cone was stolen. Stop and frisk was administered. - Mar. 18- Not Available Classification: Attempted Breaking and Entering Location: Hooper Eblen Center Disposition: Open case Notes: None. - Mar. 18- 7:45 Classification: Theft from Building Location: Volpe Library & Media Center Disposition: Open case Notes: None. - Mar. 17- 7:30 Classification: Theft from Motor Vehicle Location: Matthews Hall Disposition: Open case Notes: None. - Mar. 15- 7:00 Classification: Open Theft Location: Pinkerton Disposition: Closed. Subject has option to prosecute Notes: None. - Mar. 14- Not Available Classification: Burglary/Breaking & Entering Location: Bruner Hall Disposition: Open case Notes: Five different offices were burglarized over the week end. - Mar. 13- 12:32 Classification: Suspicious person Location: Tech Village West Disposition: Open case Notes: Subject was evasive to officer’s questions. When another started to arrive, subject ran off campus, but was not caught. Identity of the subject could not be confirmed as the same subject wanted by Cookeville Police Department. Investigation continues.
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Able Body Community sets precedent for other universities By SHANE FOLEY Beat Reporter The success of the Able Body Community, or ABC, has prompted other colleges to begin looking into the creation of similar clubs. The ABC is a club focused on disability awareness and outreach for Tennessee Tech, local high schools, and the Cookeville area. It has seen nearly tenfold growth since its creation last October. Sophomore Josh Hunter is the president of the ABC. “Lipscomb University, MTSU, and UT have people interested in building ABC chapters,” Hunter said. “There really aren’t any other organizations that are structured like ABC.” ABC is open to all students, both those with disabilities and those without. “There are people here who don’t have disabilities who want to work and help,”
Hunter said. “It’s why we chose our name the way we did. We’re all able bodies no matter if we have disabilities or not.” Tech Student Butch Price came up with the idea for the club, and is the founder of the organization, as well as the vice president of public relations. “My first semester, I got looking into to different organizations to see if there was any that a person with a disability wouldn’t still feel like an outsider,” Price said. “Because when you have a disability, no matter what group you’re in, you always feel like you’re on the outside,” said Price. “I started looking into how to get one going, and started gathering people around me that I knew could make that happen.” The club had 11 founding members, and currently has over 120 active members on its Facebook group.
“The growth is phenomenal,” Price said. “It’s a reflection of something that’s needed.” The club is closely related with the Office of Disability Services. “The disabled members of our community have told me that our ODS program is wonderful,” Hunter said. ”They’re very involved with everyone who goes through their program.” Price and Hunter said that the ABC is aiming to improve its relationship with Tech and Cookeville communities this semester. Hunter also said he has big goals for future semesters. “If we can get a couple chapters in other colleges by the time I graduate, then that would be a great achievement,” Hunter said. The ABC meets every Thursday on the first floor of the Volpe Library at 9:30 p.m. Meetings are open to anyone interested.
- Mar. 7- 6:29 Classification: Driving Under the Influence Location: Mahler Avenue Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested Notes: None. - Mar. 7- 6:47 Classification: Drunkeness Location: North Whitney Avenue Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested Notes: None. - Mar. 7- Not Available Classification: Burglary/Breaking & Entering Location: Bruner Hall Disposition: Open case Notes: None. - Mar. 6- 12:55 Classification: Drug/Narcotic Violation Location: McCord Residential Hall Disposition: Closed. Referred to the Dean of Students Notes: None. - Feb. 25- Not Available Classification: Burglary/Breaking & Entering Location: Bruner Hall Disposition: Open case Notes: None. - Feb. 23- 3: 00 Classification: Driving Under the IInfluence Location: Dixie and Jere Whitson Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested Notes: Subject was also cited for implied consent, speeding, violation of seat belt law, no insurance, and failure to possess auto registration. - Feb. 21- Not Available Classification: Open Theft Location: Hooper Eblen Center Disposition: Open case Notes: A Tech flag was stolen from the flag pole. - Feb. 20- Not Available Classification: Theft from building Location: Nursing & Health Sciences Building Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested Notes: None. - Not Available- Not Available Classification: Burglary/Breaking & Entering Location: Bruner Hall Disposition: Open case Notes: None.
For up-to-date crime information, visit tntechoracle.com
21 All Day
Yoshiko Shimano, printmaking exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Men’s Baseball hosts the University of Tennessee at Martin Bush Stadium
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Studio Voice Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
22 All Day
Yoshiko Shimano, printmaking exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
60th Annual Cumberland Plateau Regional Science & Engineering Fair STEM Center Women’s Softball hosts Southern Illionois University Edwardsville Tech Softball Field
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Chelsey Poole, voice, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
- Mar. 11- Not Available Classification: Burglary/Breaking & Entering Location: Pennebaker Disposition: Open case Notes: None.
- Mar. 7- 2:36 Classification: Liquor Law Violation Location: New Hall North Parking Lot Disposition: Closed. Subject arrested Notes: None.
March
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Mar. 12- Not Available Classification: Intimidation Location: On & off campus Disposition: Closed. Victim has option to prosecute Notes: None.
- Mar. 10- 12:01 Classification: Drug Narcotic Violation Location: West parking lot Disposition: Closed. No identifiable suspect Notes: Hypodermic needle containing minimal amount of Meth found in parking lot of West Dorm.
events @ tech
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Men’s Baseball hosts the University of Tennessee at Martin Bush Stadium
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sarah Dingwall | The Oracle Brett Windrow, freshman history major, accepts his WTTU DJ Diploma from Programming Director Drake Fenlon and Music Director Patrick Ward. Windrow underwent a six week program to pass the DJ class.
WTTU hatches new DJs
By SARAH DINGWALL Beat Reporter
WTTU-88.5 The Nest hosted its second biannual Hatching Ceremony during dead hour on Tuesday, Mar. 18, ushering in 13 newly trained DJs. The new DJs went through a six-week training program. Four weeks taught the students all about the radio station and the “do’s and don’ts” of being a radio DJ. The final two were all about watching or “shadowing” other veteran DJs. Drake Fenlon, the stations program manager, prepped the stage for this
newest installment of DJs. “The training program was informative and really brief,” said Jordan Pace, a new “hatchling” DJ. “Drake made it really fun.” “I am extremely excited, so excited,” said Fenlon about this second installation. “I’m stoked about adding more DJ’s.” The presentation of certificates included swearing in on an LP of Jimmy Hendrix. Fenlon gave some last minute advice to the new DJs to make sure they are signing in and not eating or drinking in the booth. Fenlon said The Nest is home to between 50 and 60
DJs now. Most are currently inactive, but many still are working for the station. Phil Davis hosts the “Phil Davis Show” on WTTU-88.5 The Nest Thursdays at 5 p.m. and has been apart of the group since 2010. “The new Hatching ceremony is some brain-child of Drake’s,” Davis said. The Hatching Ceremony came about with the new release of WTTU’s latest marketing campaign in the fall of 2013, and accompanied the rebranding of the radio station when it became WTTU-88.5 The Nest. WTTU-88.5 The Nest staff host DJ classes every semester.
Women’s Softball hosts Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Tech Softball Field
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Diane Pulte, soprano, Senior Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Alex Handley, trombone, Sophomore Student Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
5 p.m.
Cookeville High FFA Chili Supper & Auction Fundraiser Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
23
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Yoshiko Shimano, printmaking exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
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Women’s Softball hosts Eastern Illinois University Tech Softball Field The Bryan Symphony Orchestra Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
24
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Kathryn Pearson, “Women’s Involvement in Politics” Derryberry Auditorium
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Phil Barham, saxophone, Faculty Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
NEWS tntechoracle.com
Page 3 | March 21, 2014
Students begin to sell invention in bookstore By ADAM WEBB Beat Reporter
Mechanical engineering majors Kyle Bieze and Scott Hill have invented a solution to space issues affecting residential life residents on campus. It’s a small wooden table with a metal arm that hangs off the frame of the beds found in Tech’s dorms. Bieze and Hill call it The Tech Table. Bieze made a prototype with iron vice, pipes and wood. After this, Hill became involved and made a product close to what is being sold now. The current Tech Table has a metal arm with three screws holding it to the wooden frame. The metal arm has a hook so it can be safely attached to the bed frame utilized in the dorms on campus. “When sleeping on an elevated bed, it becomes a challenge to find a decent area to leave an alarm clock or set down a pair of glasses before falling asleep,” said Bieze. “The first draft of the soon to be Tech Table solved practically all of the problems I had while sleeping on a lofted bed.” Bieze and Hill aren’t limiting themselves to Tech’s campus. “We identified schools that had the same bedframes that our school has so that the tables would work on
Matthew Phillips | The Oracle OH, HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED- Mechanical engineering students Scott Hill (left) and Kyle Bieze (right) pose with their invention. The Tech Table is available for purchase in the campus bookstore for $30. them and pretty much across the board,” said Hill. “Most states schools have them.” The pair claims they have sold models to Austin Peay and Middle Tennessee State University and have their sights set on other schools
within the state. The Tech Table is designed to be a night stand without losing the floor space and can hold up to 20 pounds. “They can hold anything you want to put by a bed,”
said Bieze. “You can’t hold a mini fridge on it but you can hold anything from a smart phone to a laptop to a lamp.” The Tech Table is currently for sale in the campus bookstore for around $30.
financially aid critically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, according to the program’s website. Honaker, who is now home and a sophomore at Tech, is preparing to give back to the program that helped him during his time of need. He is hosting the Help Our Heroes Golf Scramble and Silent Auction. “The Semper Fi Fund itself was my inspiration [for hosting the event],” Honaker said. “I spent a year at Walter Reed Military Hospital, and they were always there for me and my family.” The celebrity silent auction and 18-hole golf scramble will take place at Sparta Country Club in Kevin’s hometown of Sparta, Tenn. from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 19. The golf scramble will
consist of four-player teams. Honaker said admission is $60 per player, which includes golf and a cart, and a $100 deposit is required at registration. Honaker said he had been looking for a way to give back to the Semper Fi Fund when Greg Gaynor, vice president of Sparta Country Club and tournament director, mentioned the idea of the event to him. “I jumped on board instantly,” Honaker said. When Gaynor first approached Honaker with the idea, he offered to donate the proceeds directly to him and his family, but Honaker wanted the money to go elsewhere. “Without hesitation, Kevin said that the Semper Fi Fund had helped him and his family the most after his injury and that he wanted to help
Semper Fi Fund in return,” Gaynor said. Honaker said his goal is to raise as much money for America’s Fund and the Semper Fi Fund as possible. He added that he wants this to remind people that military personnel are still getting critically injured every day, even though the war is coming to a close. “Hopefully, this golf tournament can become an annual occurrence,” Honaker said. Signups for the tournament are located at the Sparta Country Club at 129 Lester Flatt Rd. To sponsor, donate, or volunteer, contact Greg Gaynor at 931-252-0397 or at greg_gaynor@hotmail.com. More information on Honaker and the charity event can be found at semperfifund.org.
Student veteran organizes charity golf benefit
By JESSICA WILSON Beat Reporter
On Sept. 13, 2011, Lance Corporal Kevin Honaker of the U.S. Marines was performing his mission of locating and deactivating IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in Afghanistan when one unexpectedly exploded beneath him, causing irreversible damage and forcing doctors to amputate both of his legs. Following the explosion, Honaker received care in Walter Reed Military Hospital in Maryland where he endured 10 surgeries, a year of rehab and was fitted with prosthetic legs. During his time at Walter Reed Hospital, Honaker said he and his family received support from a program called America’s Fund. It is a program of the Semper Fi Fund and was created to
Scammers take advantage of Flight 370 hype By CHANDLER PECORA Beat Reporter Watch out – if you come across a link involving shocking information regarding missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 on social media websites, you might be walking right into a scam. Online scammers have been taking advantage of the buzz involving the missing jet to create untrue stories about it, and posting the imaginary information – along with unrelated links to another web page – onto popular sites like Facebook and Twitter. False info and misleading links are expertly designed by scammers to trick users into clicking on them, which can make the scammers money and, sometimes, result in unintended consequences for their victims. “Video of Malaysia MH370 Plane found in Bermuda Triangle! Passengers alive!” one headline on Facebook reads. When clicked on, the resulting website forces users to share the link with their friends to gain access to the page with
Tyler Randolph PLANE TO SEE- Junior Matthew Phillips searches for news on the missing Malaysian flight that has dominated news coverage for the past few weeks. the alleged video, and once there, tells them to complete an undetermined amount of surveys to watch it. Of course, the video in question does not actually exist, and the information stated in the headline is pure speculation.
Links to the surveys have been known to carry malware and spyware that could potentially harm victims’ computers, and personal information users share in surveys may lead to undesired contact and charges to their phones or credit cards. “The fact that something like that is happening is sad,” Wes Kennedy, mechanical engineering major, said. “There is no reason to fabricate false information like that.” “Them posting false stories and lies is flat out wrong,” Alex Hill, music education major, said. “It makes me mad that they would post fake articles like that, because they’re obviously misleading the public.” Students are encouraged to practice caution when choosing links to click on. “We can’t do much about the individuals happy to trade on someone else’s misery, but we can certainly contribute towards putting a dent in their moneymaking ambitions,” Christopher Boyd, writer for Malwarebytes, said.
A G u i de t o a B e t t e r S e me s t e r
1. L i s t e n t o WTT U. 2 . B e H a pp i e r. 3. D re am s C o me Tr u e .
BUTTERY BREW
Sarah Dingwall | The Oracle Landon Smith stirs up some frothiness for butterbeer. The quidditch team is selling butterbeer as one of many fundraisers for its trip to the Quidditch World Cup in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
SALUTE TO THE SENIORS
Elissa Longfellow | The Oracle Tennessee Tech senior Sarah Gray prepares to get her cap and gown picture taken at the Senior Salute Tuesday in the Tech Pride Room.
KICKING BUTTS
Richard Mosley | The Oracle Students Justin Sweatman, Wade Dickerson, Victoria Emrich, and Jada Fox sell barbecue in honor of Nation Kick Butts Day. This was all in attempt to raise awareness of the health dangers caused from smoking cigarettes.
Please recycle your copy of The Oracle once finished.
Thank you
LIVING Page 4 | March 21, 2014
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Making it up as they Paul Campanis: An older generation shares philosophy go along: Tech players to host improv night By DRAKE FENLON Managing Editor
By KIMBERLY MANNING and even creating TV shows about presidents who live in Beat Reporter The Tech Players will host an improvisation event tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Backdoor Playhouse. “Our goal is to first, have fun. It’s what we love doing,” Tech Player Braden Wahl said. “And two, to make it entertaining for everyone in the building.” The Players have been practicing a few improv techniques to get accustomed to the games they will be playing, “but the substance of the show won’t be made until the performance itself,” Wahl said. Alex Wilson, vice president of the Tech Players, said, “We are using the iconic games from ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ and just flying by the seat of our pants.” “Our dynamics as friends will be quite evident when you see us at our improv night,” Wilson said. “We are always doing something wild, whether it be cracking jokes, interpretive dancing
a frat house. “We also love involving the audience, so embrace the spirit of improv.” Student and fan Andrea Brys said, “It’s fun knowing that anything can happen. I enjoy getting to see my friends perform and laughing along with others.” “Look forward to the spontaneity of the show,” Wahl said. “It’s fun, it’s improv, can really go in any direction and it’s usually hilarious.” “Our energy combined is combustible, and I know we’ll set fire to the stage,” Wilson said. “TTU students need a night to laugh, eat popcorn, hang out with friends and, most importantly, take a break from classes and studying,” Wilson said. “Also, it’s free.” The concession stands will be open at the Playhouse, and the Players suggested those attending should arrive early to guarantee seats.
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As a breezy Saturday afternoon rehearsal for the Backdoor Playhouse’s production of “She Kills Monsters” begins, the actors on the stage notice something out of the ordinary walk into the theater from the back of the auditorium and make himself at home in the back row. The main thing that makes this small 77-year-old man so out of the ordinary is that, along with his multicolor cable-net sweater and authentic southwestern turquoise bolo, this man is wearing an oversized leprechaun hat atop his head a full two days before St. Patrick’s Day. This man’s name is Paul Campanis, a Boston native with Greek heritage, an admiring love for the Irish and a compassionate heart for service. Upon complimenting Campanis on his hat, conversation began with the happy older gentleman. He said that his love for the Irish began when he lived in an Irish Catholic neighborhood while growing up in Boston, Mass. “I grew up in a Greek conclave surrounded by a sea of Irish Catholics,” Campanis said. “I loved and loved the Irish. They were wonderful people.” Being a native Greek speaker in an all Irish neighborhood, Campanis said that several of his earliest memories are of working with the Irish people, most notably helping James Michael Curley with his election to mayor of the city of Boston the 1940s. Campanis said that he remembers the campaign staff paying him with candy and sweets rather than with money. A few years later, Campanis stayed in Boston to go to college at Harvard University. Graduating in only two years with a degree in social relations, Campanis worked his way through school cleaning toilets. He said he enjoyed to work. “I’m devoted to the
Drake Fenlon | The Oracle GOOD LUCK- Paul Campanis poses for a picture with his St. Patrick’s Day hat. He has had a deeply rooted love for the Irish culture since childhood. working class,” Campanis said. “That’s my class. Why would I want to leave my class? Plus, I thought Harvard with all the status, and jobs and fancy clothes and cars; I thought that was a bunch of [expletive].” Paul said that the Greeks live in a village culture made up of different classes and that his calling was to always be in the peddler class.
It didn’t matter that he was earning a degree from one of the most prestigious schools in the world. What mattered was that he was fulfilling his class structure by helping other people. Campanis said that his Greek upbringing inspired him to do more with his life than just try to make it big in the business world. He claimed that want-
ed to be a “Road Scholar.” Campanis said that as long as you are successful as a human being and help other people, then, and only then, will you have a fruitful and prosperous life. Upon graduation from Harvard, Campanis took to the road to begin to help people in his quest to fulfill his lifelong philosophy. Taking a job at Polaroid, Campanis worked standing up for underdog minority employees’ rights as a company union steward. Campanis held this job for the final two years of his 13 year stint at Polaroid. This job of defending minorities would foreshadow one of the most influential and heartbreaking moments in Campanis’ life. After leaving his job at Polaroid, Campanis began teaching college classes, first at Syracuse University and then in his hometown at Boston University. While at BU, Campanis defended the tenure case of an African American professor who had applied for tenure, but whose application and papers had disappeared the night before the hearing. Campanis claims that this event was intentional and refers to the situation as “racist.” Because of the events leading from this situation, both Campanis and the African American professor were fired from the university. In protest, Campanis began to sell apples on campus in front of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr., who was a graduate of BU. He said the apple was reprehensive of the tree of life from which we all come from. Since wife passed away eight years ago, Campanis has dedicated his life to volunteer work and service. He said that this all goes back to his role in his social class of a peddler. He said that he was born into the working class and is determined to make a difference as a volunteer.
Trade in funds for fashion By JESSICA WILSON Beat Reporter `Fashion Me Fabulous is a clothing re-sale event that will be hosted by Tech’s Merchandising Association from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 3 and 4 on South Patio. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the organization and its members. Merchandising Association President Lacey Givens said, “We sell donated gently-used women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and accessories.” Catherine Fitzpatrick is a co-chair for Fashion Me Fabulous. “The overall goal of the event is to sell gently-used clothing to students, faculty members and staff at greatly reduced prices,” Fitzpatrick
said, “and to be able to fund study tours that the Merchandising Association takes throughout the year.” Givens said the group is headed to New York City this May to meet with designers, see showrooms of major brands, and gain more exposure to the fashion industry in the city. Fitzpatrick said, “These [trips] allow us to get our names out there for future internship opportunities.” The Merchandising Association encourages everyone on campus, including students, faculty and staff, to donate any gently-used clothing items or accessories they have in order to make the sale a success. “The most stressful part of Fashion Me Fabulous is always whether or not we
will have enough donations to have a successful event,” Chloe Travis, co-chair of Fashion Me Fabulous, said. Fitzpatrick added, “Items can be clothes, ties, hats, belts, coats – we’ll take anything and everything.” For those interested in donating items for the sale, the deadline is April 1. All donations should be dropped off in the main office in Foundation Hall. In the event that weather does not permit the event to be held outside on South Patio, the sale will take place in the Tech Pride Room in the R.U.C. For more information, contact the School of Human Ecology in Foundation Hall, or visit the Merchandising Association’s page on the Tech website.
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Page 5 | March 21, 2014
Talks of hammock club circulating among students on campus By KIMMY MANNING Beat Reporter Have a love for the outdoors, napping and suspending yourself several feet off the ground? You’re not alone. As it turns out, there is a group of students who all have a similar goal: to start a hammocking group on Tech’s campus. Student Joey Blankenship said the day is considered a good one if the sun is directly above, the air has a slight chill and you’re hanging from a tree limb. “I had an interest in starting a hammock club at my old college,” Blankenship said. “There were about 15 of us who would hammock together on a daily basis. “But, here I haven’t quite found my sweet spot yet.” Students like Blankenship are scattered on campus, but are looking for others to join them in an effort to unify a hammocking club. Student Charlie Jordan also has interest in the club. “I would so join in on all the action,” Jordan said. “‘Action’ defined as laying in my hammock.” Jordan said he thinks there were would be a great deal of interest in the club. “I do think others would join the group because why not?” Jordan said. Blankenships’ wife Brontë is an avid hammocker, as well. “People would join a club like that,” Brontë Blankenship said. “You can see tons of hammocks around campus on a pretty day.” “Hammocking is the
Kim Biggs | The Oracle HANGIN’ OUT- Chris Sipe, sophomore computer science major, relaxes in his hammock in front of New Hall South during a ResLife program. greatest,” Joey Blankenship said. “It’s rivaled only by hammocking with cool people.” Student Kevin Kimbro said he hadn’t put much thought into starting a club, but believes joining one would be fun. He said that “if there were an abundance of trees in a cluster,” students would have all they need to start one up. When it comes to activities for this prospective group, students had numerous attention-grabbing ideas. “Group activities would consist of making four tier hammock relaxation stations,” Jordan said, “and do-
L AW E NFORCEMENT I NNOVATION C ENTER
ing crazy things like filling a tree full of hammockers.” “We would play Frisbee golf, ultimate Frisbee, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing,” Joey Blankenship said. “Anything with nature and plastic discs, basically.” Kimbro suggested going to Bee Rock or other nature sites. Few strict rules have been mentioned in the planning stages of the organization. “A love for the outdoors, some spare time and a willingness to explore,” Joey Blankenship said. “You must have a love for hammocking and relaxing,” Brontë Blankenship said.
Jordan said an obvious obligation would be the basic equipment. “A hammock,” Jordan said. “I like my eno. They are incredibly well-made hammocks. I recommend the double nest so that there is always room for one more!” If you’re interested in joining this prospective club, the odds are in your favor. Joey Blankenship is still on the lookout for members. “Given enough demand, I will [start the club],” Joey Blankenship said. To get involved, check out Facebook where a Tech group is forming to create hammock interest on campus.
Laurel Barret | Guest Contributor SWINGIN’ DUDES- David Whillhite, Corey Lamb, Andrew Jones, and Michael Denn hang out in their own hammocks during a break on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic.
OPINION
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Tech’s new look is turning heads and raising questions SARAH DINGWALL Opinion Editor This campus has always been beautiful and one of the greenest campuses around the state. Well, at least it did until this past year. I left for Florida just before Spring Break, looked over at the Bryan Fine Arts building and had flashbacks from my childhood about the beautiful trees that surround the building. Those trees were there when my family moved here in the 1990s. I love those trees. Well, now I have to say “loved.” Those trees are now gone. I have to admit to being really angry with the new grounds keeper for this destruction. When I returned to campus from my trip, I saw that the trees were missing. Not just missing, but totally gone. The only remnants left were a few wood chips. Everyone who was with me started asking “why?” Well, Tech Times actually released a statement from the new grounds keeper. Kevin Tucker, director of horticulture and grounds, or, simply said, head grounds keeper, has been making decisions about which trees are
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The Tech Chorale poses for a publicity shoot in front of the Bryan Fine Arts Building in the fall of 2012.
to go and which will stay, all in the name of progress. Tucker said, “Please understand that such removal does not occur before diligent evaluation occurs. Prior to a decision for removal, a plant material is carefully scrutinized.” Well, as much as one can understand how hard a decision it can be, the least
you could do is post up flyers on buildings where students study or spend a lot of time explaining why the trees around their buildings are being removed. A little common courtesy would be much appreciated. An email only to the people who occupy the building isn’t enough. Tucker, I believe, really does have the best interest of
the campus at heart, but to see a tree that you grew up with there one day and gone the next is very hard. I am very nostalgic about this campus. I remember when they cut the Bradford Pear trees that lined the driveway to the President’s house down. I honestly wanted to cry. That was the most beautiful driveway in
town to me. I thought that they might plant a set of more sturdy trees along the drive, but they didn’t. It is just another empty lane. I still think they should plant Dogwood trees down both sides of the lane. Tucker said they ask five questions to determine if the trees need to be cut down: is it healthy, does it cause a security threat, is it in a logical place, does it contribute to the aesthetics of the campus, and finally, has it overgrown it’s environment? I understand all of these questions and can see where any trees that are right up against a building can possibly cause foundational issues, but, beyond that, why cut it down? Some of the trees around BFA could have been causing this particular issues, but what about the others? The only trees that remain in front of the building are only pretty in spring and fall. During the winter, they are naked and not growing. That makes for a starkly ugly building. Joan Derryberry called our walls (buildings) “russet brown.” Well, the buildings now look barren. I miss the warmth that the trees gave the campus and the buildings. “Campus green” is an-
Letter to the Editor
Sex Week and state senators: TTU caught in the crossfire? LYDIE-CLAIRE BROWN Assistant Opinion Editor I am very grateful for Knoxville, Tenn. It has a great library, tons of delicious and exotic food, and a lot of the plays and movies that we simply can’t bring to Cookeville. They once had Nightwish there! All the way from Finland! And it’s not an unreasonable distance away from us. I’m quite fond of Knoxville. But, sometimes, Knoxville can infuriate me. Sometimes, it’s UTK. Sometimes, it’s the traffic. Most of the time, it’s the city’s state senator Stacey Campfield. He is the author of such unfortunate legislation as the “Merry Christmas” bill, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and Senate Bill 0132, which ties the amount of welfare a family can receive to their child’s performance in school. That’s not stressful or harmful to the child AT ALL. Give me a break. Seriously, rolling my eyes this much is giving me migraines. The latest bee in Stacey Campfield’s bonnet is Sex Week, hosted by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. This year marks the second annual occurrence of Sex Week, a weeklong series of panels and activities educating students and the community about healthy sexual relationships, regardless of orientation. It’s a wonderful occurrence and a boon to the students in our eastern neighborhood. To be
THE
Sex Week Facebook page
University of Tennessee - Knoxville students promote safe sex by handing out condom roses on Valentine’s.
honest, I think we should follow suit and have our own TTU Sex Week! Apparently enraged, however, that last year’s legislative pressures have not deterred UTK student groups from holding Sex Week, Senator Campfield has decided to take measures into his own hands. On February 5, he submitted Senate Bill 2493, which would prohibit the use of institutional revenues, including student fees, to pay for visiting or guest lecturers on university campuses. This still permits the hiring of temporary faculty who would teach classes. Campfield argues that he has the legal authority to write the bill as public schools receive funding from the State. Student fees, however, do NOT come from the State — how then, does he have the legal right to tell universities how to spend that money? As reported by Huffington Post and the
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Knoxville News Sentinel, several people associated with Sex Week at UTK believe they are the deliberate targets of this bill. I’m inclined to agree, BUT - and it is a big BUT - this bill affects all public universities in Tennessee, including TTU. I am not convinced that Senator Campfield or the University of Tennessee system have looked up from their political revenge match long enough to spare a thought for the rest of the state. What about Tennessee Tech University in little ol’ Cookeville? Well, we can say farewell to the great names our CenterStage program has brought - including Maya Angelou and Eve Ensler, all departmental guest lecturers, and any guests sponsored by student organizations using SOLO money. Whether or not the SOLO concert itself would become illegal, I do not know, but
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highly suspect that it would. I urge you, Tech students, faculty, and staff, to therefore stand up against this legislative bully. Remind him and the whole state capital that TTU is a valuable part of this state and that we will not sit idly by while lawmakers compromise our education. Stacey Campfield and his bill are currently cooling their heels in committee. Personally, I hope the bill dies there and Senator Campfield is forced to reevaluate the maturity and gravitas required by his position. Targeting universities for engaging in the transmission of ideas that one individual finds distasteful is morally reprehensible, immature, and undeserving of authority. Senator Campfield’s behavior leads me to believe that Sex Week causes him to pace uncontrollably in his bedroom, thinking, “How dare people have sex for fun and not be divinely punished with diseases or abusive partners!” Grow up, Senator Campfield, or get out of our state legislature.
other way Joan saw the campus. That is the way I have always seen this place, beautiful and covered in green. Maybe not always because of the grass, but definitely because of the trees. Tucker has said that he wants to hear from the students, faculty, alumni, and community about the changes. So, here is my input. Please, let us know when you are going to take away another tree so we can go take pictures before it is gone. One more thing - when are you going to plant more trees to replace the ones you have cut down? I am not asking you to plant trees that would eventually have to be cut down because they could cause more damage to roads, buildings and sidewalks. What about some more Dogwoods or something similar? I love this campus more than most and I hate seeing it change in ways that feel more like destruction than beautification. So, please, Mr. Tucker, please talk to the students before you make a change so we understand why something has to go away. Just like a doctor, tell us the diagnosis before you start the treatment.
Sarah Dingwall’s string of articles, at least as long as I’ve been reading it, has been nothing but radical Christian rhetoric and thinly veiled fundamentalist proselytizing. Her latest article, a nonstory about a man banned on Facebook for homophobic comments, only confirms this while further ingraining negative stereotypes about her religion, state, and nation. The crux of Ms. Dingwall’s article is that Christianity, the most followed, influential, and politically connected religion in the U.S., is somehow in danger of being unconstitutionally persecuted to extinction. For one thing, she makes the mistake as those devotees of the reactionary Phil Robertson. The freedom of speech and expression doesn’t mean they are entitled to a platform for those opinions, particularly if said opinions resemble those of a particularly homophobic 5-year-old, for Phil, the man on Facebook, or even Sarah. But the real reason for articles like Ms. Dingwall’s
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is to simply feed some sense of righteous persecution. If getting kicked off a website and having your opinions called stupid is grounds to claim persecution, everyone from Playstation fanboys to black mask anarchists could (and do) claim the same. It seems that the Christian right, since the age of Reagan, has become so powerful that those included have to magnify the most minuscule slight to fulfill the sense of hardship required to be a real Christian. On a more local level, her unobjective, anti-intellectual articles threaten to discredit the entire newspaper. The newspaper obviously needs balance but, honestly, I’d be ashamed if someone like her was representing my ideology. There are conservatives on campus several times smarter and more articulate than she. I recommend she debate real issues in a logical way or the newspaper find another columnist.
Brett Windrow btwindrow42@students. tntech.edu Freshman History Major
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VOICE YOUR OPINION Opinion 931.372.3285 sarah.dingwall07@gmail.com
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Page 7 | March 21, 2014
‘About a Boy’ absolutely delights
‘Need for Speed’ is nothing original
By JAKE THREET Entertainment Editor
By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic
I told myself I wasn’t going to get wrapped up in another television show this TV season. We’ve almost made it to the ending stretch of the year, but last week, I ate my words. I had seen commercials about NBC’s new comedy ‘About a Boy’ multiple times previewing it to come on after the Olympics. I was halfway turned off then because the Winter Olympics just do no interest me and I have no time for it. Color me unpatriotic, but I don’t care. Nonetheless, last week I got through catching up on a few shows on Hulu and, what do you know, the next recommendation to watch was the pilot episode of ‘About a Boy’. Most of the time, I ignore the urge to listen to these recommendations, but this time was different. I found a place in my closed off, television latent heart. I am glad that I had this momentary lapse in judgment because I absolutely fell for this show. It is the first comedy on NBC that has given me some hope in years and gave me optimism in its potential to still provide great sitcoms. Oh, how I long for the days of ‘Friends’ and ‘Will & Grace’. Side note: I thought ‘The Michael J. Fox Show’ was the answer and was mistaken. Whoopsie, my bad! Back to the show at hand, though. ‘About a Boy’ is smart, funny, and heartwarming. I hate using the word “heartwarming,” because it’s so habitually used but, in this case, it’s the correct term. The show stars Will (David Walton) as a successful songwriter and
Based on the widely p o p u l a r video game by EA, ‘Need for Speed’ is an exciting racing movie that falls short of being a blockbuster hit. Starring Aaron Paul of ‘Breaking Bad’ and Imogen Poots, ‘Need for Speed’ avoids CGI and uses real cars and real stunts to pull off an impressive racing movie. The story follows Tobey Marshall (Paul), a struggling mechanic trying to save his father’s garage from foreclosure. He agrees to a dangerous race with an ex-friend and ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) that ends with him being framed for manslaughter. After serving two years in jail, Tobey enters the ultimate race for revenge against Dino and redemption for his criminal record. With help from his loyal friends and Julia Bonet (Poots), a car broker interested in his work, Tobey engages in a cross-country race to California for the big competition. ‘Need for Speed’ captures America’s love of racing and nice cars while creating a fun story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Some of the racing scenes are intense, but the lines aren’t too cheesy or overdramatic like most popular car movies can be. Aaron Paul proves that he is more than just Jesse Pinkman and gives audiences a performance that transcends the thuggish archetype. Of course, ‘Need for Speed’ lacked serious character and plot development. The audience has trouble
Courtesy of Zap2It
Averaging just under 8 million viewers per episode, ‘About a Boy’ is primed to be renewed for the 2014-2015 TV season.
bachelor living a carefree life as the “ultimate manchild”. His perfect world is turned upside down when single mom Fiona (Minnie Driver) and her 11-yearold son Marcus (Benjamin Stockaham) move in next door. The heart and soul of the show is the relationship between David and Marcus and how each help one another through life’s many obstacles and navigate its adventures. Sure, the idea of a grown man and a teenage boy hanging out all the time and being best friends is odd and maybe even unbelievable in some ways. After you throw away the initial idea of any creepiness, you’ll soon find that this show is so much more real than you think. It’s about how two people who don’t have anyone else who really gets them in life. They’re the ying to each other’s yang. David provides the confident, outgoing, and typical guy personality. Marcus, on the other hand, is like an old soul. He’s kooky, he’s quite, and he’s really unsure of life. Together, these two create some pretty awesome chemistry on screen. There’s only been
four episodes to air, so far, but each one has provided moments of laugh out loud laughter mixed in with those that will make most any person’s heart a little warmer or, at least, unthaw it a bit. The two main leads are not alone in adding to the mix that makes this show work so well. Driver really intertwines Fiona’s character into the story in way that is lovely and funny. She doesn’t have the biggest part in every episode, but her presence is needed and is so welcoming. Playing the part of David’s married friends, Andy (Al Madrigal) and Laurie (Annie Mumolo), provide some of the best laughter the show offers. Only four episodes into the season, there is plenty of time to watch them quickly before it airs again next week. With solid ratings for the network, chances are great for a renewal. And, for those of you who are like me and think, “God I can’t start another one”, at least try it. Trust me, it’s worth the chance. ‘About a Boy’ airs Tuesday nights on NBC at 8/7 central.
New ‘Divergent’ readings ‘She Kills Monsters’ preview By KIMMY MANNING Entertainment Critic “Divergent” fever is rampant around the nation as readers are frantically finishing the trilogy from cover to cover before the film counterpart is released today. However, it appears the dystopianloving fan base has a couple more readings to finish. Author Veronica Roth has added on a compendium of five short stories told from Four’s perspective called “Four: A Divergent Story Collection.” “Readers will find more of this charismatic character’s backstory told from his own perspective,” manufacturer Harper Collins publishers said. The five stories are as follows: “The Transfer,” “The Initiate,” “The Son,” “The Traitor” and “Free Four.” The collection
“explores the world of the ‘Divergent’ series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, backstory and relationships,” according to GoodReads.com. “The Transfer” was released last year, and the rest of the series will be released July 8, as well as the hardcover compendium. “The hardcover includes pre-Divergent stories told from Tobias’s point of view, along with two exclusive scenes, also told from his point of view,” according to Entertainment Weekly. “Each of the stories will be available separately in electronic format.” As a die-hard “Divergent” fan, this addon series seems to make a good complement to the story, considering most fans ended the series rather annoyed with its finale. If you are already a “Divergent” fan who wants some clarity and a book to thumb through, you should give this collection a try.
By ADAM WEBB Guest Critic Te c h ’ s Backdoor Playhouse will host a different kind of play for its spring production. “She Kills Monsters” is a comedydrama about a woman who finds her recently deceased sister’s Dungeons and Dragons notebook and sets on a journey in the imaginary world of the game. “I read the play and immediately fell in love with it,” director of the play Mark Creter said. “The dialogue is smart, the characters are rich and funny, and the central message of how often we don’t know our family and the importance of finding the tribe we need really speaks to me.” Creter said he was more interested in the play because of his own experience with comic books and pencil and paper
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role-playing games. In the late 1970s, he played Empire of the Petal Throne, then graduated to Dungeons and Dragons in the 80s. “I drifted away from D&D in adulthood so it has been fun getting reacquainted with that world by working on this play,” said Creter. Creter is confident that anyone can enjoy the production, though. “This play is about family and friends and the importance of finding your place in the world,” Creter said. “The play is tremendously funny and smart. I think it will be a fun evening for everyone. “The success of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ allows me to take chances on producing less well known works such as ‘She Kills Monsters,’ so I hope we see big crowds for this as well,” said Creter. “She Kills Monsters,” written by Qui Nguyen, will be shown at the Backdoor Playhouse April 3-12 and is free to all Tech students.
Courtesy of Daily Mail UK
‘Need for Speed’ opened in third place at the weekend box office with over $17.8 million in revenue.
understanding the backstory of most of major players and will miss key points by not paying attention to the dialogue. The idea that Dino and Tobey used to be friends is dropped in the very beginning and is not revisited until one of the last scenes. The film is completely unrealistic in most of the stunts and racing situations, exemplified by the lack of a real police presence for most of the movie. The film also lacks in the romance department, but this could be considered a plus for some moviegoers. Tobey and Julia share one sweet kiss before his final race,
but other than that the two don’t spend much time developing their relationship other than cute flirtations tossed in here or there. Overall, ‘Need for Speed’ is a cool racing movie with awesome stunts but a not so original storyline. It’s fun to watch but won’t be winning any awards anytime soon. ‘Need for Speed’ is rated PG-13 for sequences of reckless street racing, disturbing crash scenes, nudity, and crude language. The stunts in the movie are performed by professionals on closed courses and should not be attempted or recreated at home.
SPORTS
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Page 8 | March 21, 2014
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BASEBALL
Battling back to take series Henderson, Golden Eagles bounced early
By ALLISON BOSHEARS
Beat Reporter The Golden Eagles baseball team (17-4, 4-2) rallied back to take the series 2-1 against Morehead State after losing the first game of Saturday’s double-header. Tech dominated early in Friday’s matchup against the Eagles, taking a devastating 15-0 win. Jake Rowland, Brandon Thomasson and Dylan Bosheers all cranked out home runs for the Golden Eagles. “I feel great about our offense,” said Bosheers. “We are starting to click and I think this is great momentum for us going into our next few conference games.” While the offense of the Golden Eagles put runs on the board, starting pitcher David Hess and relief pitcher John Gora kept the Morehead tally at nil through nine innings. “We have a great pitching
staff,” said Hess. “We have a lot of talent and a great mixture of types of pitchers.” Due to weather predictions, Saturday turned into a doubleheader in Bush Stadium. The Golden Eagles fell in extra innings in the first game. In the top of the 10th, Daniel Miles hit a solo home run, but Morehead rallied back, scoring two runs and the win. Tech wasted no time avenging the loss, as they scored a devastating 10 runs, on seven hits, in the first inning of the second game. Zach Stephens homered in his second at-bat of the inning. Bosheers would knock another solo shot to lead off the second inning for the Golden Eagles as they cruised to a 17-8 win. Tech returns to action at 6:00 p.m. at Bush Stadium March 21 against in-state rival UT-Martin. All home games are free of charge.
GOLF
Tech hosts Bobby Nichols By SHEA HAILE
Assistant Sports Editor The Tech Golf team hosted the second annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate at Sevierville Golf Course. Tech’s women’s golf team earned a 10th place finish after the first day on Monday. They improved slightly Tuesday, finishing in ninth place with 654 shots. Freshman Whitney Robertson led Tech after finishing with an 81 on Tuesday. Tech’s men’s team had an
impressive performance in the tournament. After the first day of play, Polk Brown’s squad claimed eighth place. The Golden Eagles leapt past four teams to finish the tournament in fourth place. Among the impressive performances Tuesday was the dazzling 69 put up by Golden Eagle Bryce Kendrick. Tech senior Tanner Garland competed as an individual and ended with a total of 261.
By SAM OMACHONU Beat Reporter
The Golden Eagles women’s basketball team (12-18, 9-7) ended its season on March 6 in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament against Jacksonville State. The loss came on a game winning layup from the Gamecocks in the closing seconds. The 57-56 loss abruptly finished the women’s up and down season.
Junior guard Diamond Henderson finished the game with 21 points and six assists, capping off her stellar third year. Though the season did not finish the way she and the team expected it to, next year holds great prospect for them. “Things went much unexpected in the tournament,” said Henderson. “I don’t think anyone was prepared for losing by a buzzer beater. I feel good about this group for next year; we have a lot
Weekly Roundup This week’s sports stories at a glance Softball drops two at JSU The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles softball team (8-21, 0-3) fell to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks over the weekend in its first OVC matchup of the season. Early deficits were to be the Golden Eagles’ downfall in Saturday’s doubleheader. In both matches, the Golden Eagles allowed five runs within just the first inning The Golden Eagles were only able to notch two hits in game one, one by senior Kendall Hooper, the other by sophomore Courtney Fry, but never got on the board. The contest ended 9-0. Two Golden Eagles errors helped the Gamecocks
to go up 5-0 in the first inning of game two. Fighting back, the Golden Eagles managed four runs in the third but that was all they would earn. The Gamecocks dominated the remaining innings and finished the game 17-4. On Sunday, the Golden Eagles looked much better. In the top of the sixth, with the score tied at one, junior Angi Sakamoro and Hooper hit back-to-back solo home runs. The Gamecocks, however, spoiled the party in the seventh with a walk-off 3-run home run. “We will win this weekend, I’m sure of it. We just need to play seven full innings of offense and defense,” said Hooper. “I expect us to go nowhere but up from here.”
of hard workers and great recruits coming in.” Henderson’s 19.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game average helped her garner First Team All-OVC honors. This is her second year in a row receiving this honor. “For me, making OVC First-Team is just proving people wrong,” said Henderson. “It’s another stepping stone in my career that’s getting me ready for what’s next in my life. Not
The Golden Eagles will return to Cookeville to take on SIU Edwardsville on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Eastern Illinois on March 23 at noon. Both days are doubleheader matchups.
Men’s basketball downed in second round The men’s Basketball team (17-6, 9-7) ended its season after a loss to Morehead State in the second round of the OVC tournament. “Overall, we had a good year. More than doubling last year’s conference wins was big for the returning guys going into next season,” said player Jeremiah Samarrippas. The Golden Eagles won their first game of the OVC tournament against SIU Edwardsville on March 5. Seniors Javon McKay, Dennis Ogbe, Jeremiah Samarrippas finished in double figures. Junior Dwan Caldwell also added 10
many people have the work ethic to be able to score 1,000 points in two years. I’m really blessed to be a part of this.” Along with the return of Henderson, the team’s leading post player, Candace Parson, will be returning for her senior year. Also, returning next season after injuries are T’Keyah Williams and Shunice Herron. Expect the Golden Eagles to be very competitive in the OVC next year.
points as the Golden Eagles defeated the Panthers 74-67 and moved on to the second round. The very next night, the Golden Eagles took on Morehead State. Early first half deficits caused problems for the Golden Eagles. They would trail by as much as 15 points in the half. Towards the end of the first, the Golden Eagles brought the Morehead lead down to two after a jumper by Dwan Caldwell with 1:42 left to play. Morehead State would stretch the lead back to five before the halftime buzzer. The Golden Eagles were never able to pull back into contention as the Eagles led the entire second half by no less than double digits. Josiah Moore led Tech with 18 points on night. This week’s Weekly Roundup features stories by beat reporter Allison Boshears.
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ATTEND A COMMUNITY MEETING
MAR 26 at 12 p.m. Leslie Town Centre One W. First St. Cookeville, TN 38501
To find more community meetings in your area, visit bcbst.com/KnowNow
Deadline for enrollment is March 31
©BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a Qualified Health Plan issuer in the Health Insurance Marketplace.