Highlights from Homecoming 2018

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018

P.2

1 1 .

P

VOLUME 60, ISSUE 9

P.7

l l a b t o o f UAB e m a g t h g wins ti North against s Texa

PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR

Punk R o Market ck Flea r Avondaocks le

Highlights from Homecoming 2018 PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR

PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

PAGE 2

HOMECOMING

Sparks that remain from Blazers in the Magic City Lea McMillian Staff Reporter leaamcm@uab.edu

PHOTO BY AMY LAWHON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Bella Tylicki Staff Reporter btylicki@uab.edu PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

On the night of Oct 14, UAB held the annual Blazer Showdown.

The annual “stomp” show rallies Panhellenic Council sororities and Interfraternity Council fraternities around members of their chapters who write, choreograph and perform dance routines incorporating skits. Alpha Omicron Pi’s Stranger Things theme secured the win in the women’s category. Tau Kappa Epsilon, for the third consecutive year, topped the men’s.

For years, Blazers have continued the tradition of the Spirit Display competition every homecoming week. On the night of Oct 16, teams in the contest showcased their school pride by making 2D or 3D displays that incorporate this year’s theme, called “Blazers in the Magic City.”

Mallorie Turner Staff Reporter maturn31@uab. edu PHOTO BYLAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR

Tuesday, October 16, marked the third day of UAB’s Homecoming 2018 festivities and the cheer continued to spread throughout campus. Students and faculty have been showing their UAB spirit through music and decorations.

Bella Tylicki Staff Reporter btylicki@uab.edu PHOTO BY AMY LAWHON/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

On October 17, students, faculty, staff and administration crowded the sidewalks along 13th St to cheer on UAB’s 28th annual Gurney Derby competition.

In the event sponsored by the National Alumni Society, teams of students and alumni decorate gurneys and race them down 13th Street in between University Blvd and 10th Ave S.

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

BLAZER NEWS

PAGE 3

Lea McMillian Staff Reporter leaamcm@uab.edu PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/STAFF PHOTOTOGRAPHER

Loud shouts of Blazer pride echoed in the Hill Student Center Amphitheater for the annual Fight Song competition on the evening of Oct 17.

Groups of students competed against one another to see which group could perform the best song connected to the homecoming theme. After the performances were finished, three winners were announced. Delta Gamma won in the Co-Ed division, Tau Kappa Epsilon won in the men’s and Alpha Omicron Pi in the women’s.

Mallorie Turner Staff Reporter maturn31@uab.edu

PHOTO BYLAKYN SHEPARD/ ART EDITOR

The Homecoming parade took place at noon, October 19, with a crowd of spectators looking on the sidelines. Starting on 14th Street, parade floats made their way around campus, circling back to the starting point at the end. Campus departments, student organizations, and affiliates of the UAB community waved and tossed treats to the crowd to help continue the excitement.

Micheal Atiyeh Sports Reporter atiyehma@uab.edu

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BOOZ/SPORTS REPORTER

UAB basketball tipped off on Thursday, Oct 18 at Bartow Arena during the season Tip-Off event.

The Blazers took on the Georgia Bulldogs, both teams playing strong and ready to get their individual seasons started with a win. The game ended with a close score of 54-56 Blazers to Bulldogs.

PAGE 4

DISEASE RESEARCH

Using genes to guide treatment UAB takes initiative in groundbreaking new DNA research Brian Spurlock Science Reporter bspurgbs@uab.edu

The typical difference between two humans is 0.6 percent of all of our DNA. Along with chance and our environment it is that 0.6 percent that decides everything which makes us unique.

That 0.6 percent can mean redheads are less responsive to anesthesia. Subtle DNA changes in a tumor can decide whether a patient responds to chemotherapy. Some people’s 0.6 percent has given them a disease no one has ever seen before.

Enter precision medicine.

The Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute (PMI) was founded in 2014 with a $7 million grant from the Hugh Kaul Foundation. Its goal is to identify treatments based on every individual’s need, reading it from their DNA. Matthew Might’s, director of PMI, journey in precision medicine began when his son Bertrand became the first person in the world diagnosed with a rare genetic disease which caused him to start losing his vision, have seizures and experience developmental delay.

Might has made his life’s work helping others with rare diseases find that same relief as his son.

“It...took a person like Matt to have done this journey as a driven parent, but to also have come from science and academia to sort of bridge the gap,” said Andy Crouse, director of Research and Operations at PMI. “What’s been great about this team with Matt is, it’s taking that next step. Not just saying what’s wrong, which is important, but how we can help after that.”

Word of mouth is crucial. Patients from all over the world hear about the Rare Diseases program and reach out to Might’s team.

“I had a case from Norway this

ART BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR summer,” said Jordan Barnham, Precision Medicine Specialist on Might’s team. “People just find us.”

From there they enter a “pipeline” to identify how the team can best help them.

Part of the team’s mission is to connect patients with mutations in the same gene or pathway with each other and with scientists who might be able to help.

Another part is examining the research for everything that is written about that gene or variant, said Lindsay Jenkins, Precision Medicine Specialist and senior in genetic and genomics sciences and neuroscience.

Jenkins and Barnham are part of a team of three undergraduate students who, along with an artificial intelligence developed by the institute’s computer scientists, search databases and Google for hints of a drug, treatment or pathway that might offer relief

to patients.

“I think the trust that is put into us as undergraduates in this position is not something you’re going to find anywhere else,” said Jenkins. “We’re the ones who find a treatment for our patients and propose it in a meeting.”

One of the program’s aspirations, according to Barnham, is to be a major leading center in drug repurposing and therapeutics for undiagnosed diseases.

“Our goal is to hopefully take a patient from when they first come to us to some kind of therapeutic or treatment within a year,” Barnham said.

Specialists do not have a maximum case load, though Crouse said he admits that may have to change as they grow.

“This group loves doing this,” Crouse said. “It’s not like ‘I only dedicate my three hours.’ It’s something they think about all the time. If we gave

them more, they would just do more.”

All three used the word “rewarding” when talking about their work. They get to see the difference they make in real people’s lives, and they come across as immensely grateful.

The institute also boasts branches for pharmacogenomics, which are interactions between the 0.6 percent, medicines used to treat a variety of diseases, and precision cancer research.

“We have several more patients starting or nearing treatment, and we’ve asked them to let us follow their stories,” Might said. “I’m hoping we’ll have more shareable success stories in the next few months.”

In the meantime the institute is actively encouraging people to reach out if they want to get involved or if they know patients who may benefit from one of these programs, Barnham said.

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

BLAZER NEWS

PAGE 5

GOVERNMENT

A scientific approach to politics Two researchers use their field to prioritize science in policy Brian Spurlock Science Reporter bspurgbs@uab.edu Since Paula Abdul left American Idol, there have only been two institutions that Americans trust: The United States Military and science.

But in the wake of Donald J. Trump’s 2016 election, scientists could already feel the tide turning against them. One of Trump’s first acts as President was to endorse sweeping reductions to research funding according to Washington Post.

“There was now a credible threat to scientific progress and scientific thought,” said Cortez Bowlin, graduate in biomedical sciences student and one of the organizers for the Birmingham March for Science.

Other scientists said they shared Bowlin’s concern.

“That was the last straw,” said Randy Wadkins, biochemistry professor at the University of Mississippi and Democratic candidate for Congress for the first district of Mississippi. “It wasn’t the only thing, but that’s when I decided ‘maybe this is my time.’ As a scientist, you have a different sort of vision and toolset, and it is irresponsible not to get involved when you look around and see what is going on.”

Many candidates for local, state and national office in 2018 have touted their STEM credentials.

“Several of my friends decided to run and asked me to run as well,” said Gannon Ray, a medical student at South Alabama and former research intern at UAB who ran to join the Alabama GOP Executive Committee. “[We wanted] to root out some of the so-called establishment in Alabama politics.”

Wadkins and Ray said that they may disagree on policy, but they

PHOTO COURTESY BY GANNON RAY

Gannon Ray, a medical student at South Alabama and former research intern at UAB who ran to join the Alabama GOP Executive Committee. agree that policy decisions could benefit from being tackled with the scientific method, the way in which scientists form and test a hypothesis.

Wadkins said U.S. policy should advance like science, by building on what has worked in other places and seeing if we can go one step further.

Even if STEM training would help politicians, it seems to hurt candidates who are running. In 2018, scientists performed an average of a 3 percent lower than other candidates in the polls, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight and Ballotpedia.

Ray lost his June 2018 race to Jerry Lathan, husband of Terry Lathan

PHOTO COURTESY BY RANDY WADKINS

Randy Wadkins, biochemistry professor at the University of Mississippi and Democratic candidate for Congress for the first district of Mississippi.

who chairs the Alabama Republican Party. Wadkins is the underdog in his race against GOP incumbent Trent Kelly.

Ray and Wadkins said they both worry that scientists may come across as standoffish to the average voter. Bowlin said scientists are at a disadvantage because they defend the data without considering what is politically convenient.

“There is a point where doing what is right and doing what is political is not the same thing,” Bowlin said. “As scientists we know that if the data says this and the field says the opposite, you have to defend the data.”

The fix for this, according to Wad-

As scientists we know that if the data says this and the field says the opposite, you have to defend the data.

- Cortez Bowlin

kins, one needs to have deep ties to the community where one runs.

“If you don’t live there, if people don’t know you, they’re just going to assume the worst about you,” Wadkins said.

Still, with scientists running and losing, Bowling said he fears that science itself will become political, and not objective. “[AL Rep.] Mo Brooks argued rocks falling into the ocean could be causing sea level rise,” Bowlin said. “[Phil Duffy], the scientist testifying, said that effect is miniscule compared to what we are seeing. [He] was not trying to say ‘vote blue,’ but he is now considered a political operative because he disagreed.”

“Most of the time when you think of a political act, its endpoint is some form of political change,” Bowlin said.

“Unfortunately, science has become something like that. I do not think anyone wants it that way.”

PAGE 6

citylifestyle

Housing artistic expression

PHOTOS BY DREW CRENSHAW/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Myles Womack Staff Reporter mjw3@uab.edu Curating an authentic art and music display for those who appreciate genuine artistic talent can be difficult with many smaller venues on the rise. The new art and culture project Yellow House helps bring a new and unique form of showcasing art to the Birmingham community.

The work Yellow House does consists of communication with each artist, creative content and managing social media.

Yellow House has four main curators who get together once a month to discuss upcoming exhibitions.

Their job is to find new artists and review their work and to partner them with other complementary artists.

The venue owners, who did not want to be named, said the purpose of the project is to showcase the art scene of Birmingham.

“We are just brothers wanting to help contribute to the ever-present art community in Birmingham,” they said.

Yellow House describes itself as an ‘underground art gallery’ due to their interest in showcasing underappreciated and underserved artists, giving them a platform for their work, authenticity and creativity.

Moe Kite, photographer, moved to Birmingham from Pennsylvania two months before Yellow House started.

“I didn’t know much about anything in the community,” Kite said. “This was the first thing I’ve been a part of here. The environment was full of positivity and people who genuinely cared about art. It was fun, relaxed and carefree. It was more than just an art show.”

Yellow House began preparing for its first show in June of 2018 and officially showcased in September. Yellow House serves as a canvas in which artists can express their work.

The environment of Yellow House is slightly louder than other venues due to the compact and

It was fun, relaxed and carefree.

It was more than just an art show.

- Moe Kite

intimate space, allowing people to form a small community rather than the sometimes-exclusionary environment at other art shows. The crowd is mostly comprised of college students, though all ages are encouraged to enjoy their events.

Michael Shackelford, guitarist for Galactic Engineers of Magnetic Sounds, said he heard about the Yellow House after performing at a SoFar sounds event in Birmingham.

“When I met one of the artists of the Yellow House we exchanged numbers,” Shackelford said.

“He mentioned that Yellow House was a mixture

PAGE 7

PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET

ART & CULTURE SPOTLIGHT

New private venue exhibits underground craftmanship

CITYLIFESTYLE

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

Art displayed at one of Yellow House’s exhibitions, Sunday, October 21.

between a house party and an artist showcase. We were all about it.”

Shackelford said that the environment had an open and welcoming feel to it.

“It was packed with the right kind of people, artists and appreciators of art,” Shackelford said.

“There were burgers, beers and friendly faces. It was decorated with some of the best local art in Birmingham.”

Shackelford said that playing house shows can have its benefits.

“The audience felt very close and intimate with us,” Shackelford said. “Like we were on the same level. I enjoyed that. It was a tight squeeze and it rained on us as we were loading our gear in so we were soaking wet. It didn’t stop us from having a good show.”

The Punks are back in town

Tattoos, garage tunes and unique collectibles fill Avondale for annual alternative festival

Lea McMillian Staff Reporter leaamcm@uab.edu Raquel Duplin, event coordinator of Punk Rock Festival, said she noticed around three years ago that there were no platforms in Birmingham that was only dedicated to the Punk Rock scene. For the fringe community to have a place solely dedicated to them, Duplin decided to hold a festival for those who only live in the world of punk rock.

Duplin said she organized the event through Facebook inviting Punk Rock bands to perform.

This year, Duplin said four bands reached out to her. Two Punk Rock Festivals every year and each are hosted at different locations.

“This event is made to bring everyone together and it’s also put in place to inspire other people,” said Duplin. “People traveled over six hours just to participate and witness the event.”

Many people saw this event as a way to connect with the community they felt as though they were surrounded by family, Duplin said.

Along with bands and artists, vendors were also present to sell and share their artwork. Rachel Strain, owner of Apothecary’s Daughter and Catch the Fox Art, included a company that sold original small portraits and only natural beauty products such as soaps and lip balm.

“My mom would always tell me to go to church so that you could develop a family,” said Rachel Strain owner of Apothecary’s Daughter and Catch the Fox Art. “Punk Rock is my family, and everyone becomes friends and with that is great exposure.”

Strain started off selling peppermint lip balm around campus.

Making soap out of natural products was Strain’s way of paying for her college education. Since Strain was a child, she said she knew that she had a passion for art and so she had been drawing ever since.

Another vendor catered toward the fringe community, was a local business selling unique art.

Amber Kirby, owner of Bella Belial said she since the seventh grade she knew she loved insects.

After a while, she said she finally used art to intergrade her creativity with her artistic skills. Kirby said she feels that the consistency of the event allows her art to be appreciated.

“I believe that this event gives artist a home,” Kirby said.

Meg Golding, owner of Meg Has Issues, said she appreciates the event not just for the exposure but

PHOTOS BY DREW CRENSHAW/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Creators of “Hey Buddy,” Cory Anchors and Dustin Grandchant, have been preparing for the festival for months. also allows for Golding to be herself. After working for comic companies for years as an illustrator, she decided to start her own business.

“The community is strong and receptive,” Golding said. “At this festival I don’t have to censor my work, we do our own thing.”

Cory Anchors and Dustin Grandchant created a company called Hey Buddy.

“The name creates a positive message for friends and family,” said Grandchant.

Anchors and Grandchant started their own business of graphic T-shirts, buttons and other accessories after getting tired of their previous work schedules.

According to the pair, the two had been planning for the event for a while and after months of preparation they made their way to the festival.

While many were presenting their musical talents and t-shirt designs, Jonna Stevens, owner of Early July, said she has devoted her business to handpicking clothing and accessories that she said you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

“Everyone needs that one rare clothing item that you can’t find anywhere else and many don’t like to shop,” said Stevens. “This event is amazing for makers; they all get to come together. While everyone came with different items to display, they all had the same goal and many even had the same passion.”

Punk Rock is my family.

- Rachel Strain

Rachel Strain, owner of Apothecary’s Daughter and Catch the Fox Art, started out her business by selling peppermint balm on campus in order to pay for her education.

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

FALL CELEBRATIONS

B’ham does the ‘time warp’ again Alabama Theatre hosts yearly Rocky Horror Picture Show event Lauren Moore Blazer News Editor lrm33@uab.edu

When The Rocky Horror Picture Show first hit the movie theatres in 1975, TheAtlantic.com said that the film was quickly written off by critics as a flop. The musical production, which was created as a parody tribute to the cheesy science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930’s - 1960’s, did not seem it would ever reach true levels of success.

But, due to a loyal fanbase and midnight screenings all over the country, the film became a cult-classic and is the longest running film in movie history over 40 years later, according to TheAtlantic. com.

According to Medium. com, to this day, the story of Brad and Janet stumbling upon Dr. FrankN-Furter’s mystical castle is one that is celebrated through screenings all over the country every year, especially around Halloween. The movie’s themes of sexuality and self-acceptance provide a place where those who might feel outcasted by society feel that they belong.

“It feels very wholesome being in a theatre full of people dressed up in costumes and throwing things into the air,” said Jacqueline Le, senior in English. “Everyone is so friendly and is here to have a good time.”

On the night of Oct 19, The

Alabama Theatre hosted The Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball.

“I started the Rocky Horror Masquerade in 1993 at Sloss Furnaces,” said Kaery Lane, event organizer for the Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball in Birmingham. “It is one of my favorite events to put on because of the energy in the theatre, the participation of the cast, the amazing costumes and just the overall fun.”

Masquerade goers dressed up in an assortment of costumes, some from the movie and some from elsewhere.

“We come here every year for a family thing,” said Breezy Tucker, who was dressed as Gamora and accompanied by her mom and siblings. “It’s the whole experience that keeps us coming back. The fun is also in bringing people who haven’t seen the movie before.”

There was a costume contest before the film, where moviegoers strutted on stage to show off their looks.

Costumes included characters from the movie along with Maleficent, Eleven from Stranger things, Mario and Luigi and a man dressed as Vulcan who was the night’s winner.

After the contest, actors came to the stage to act out the movie while it was also being played on a large screen behind them.

People were encouraged to bring certain items for audience participation throughout the movie. These items included a piece of toast to throw in the air when the line “a toast” is heard and holding a newspaper over their heads just like Janet does to keep herself out of the rain near the beginning of the film.

It feels very wholesome being in a theatre full of people dressed up in costumes and throwing things into the air.

- Jacqueline Le

PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR

Moviegoers strutted on stage to show off their costume looks during the costume contest.

“Rocky Horror is so special because people come just to have fun, wear creative costumes and throw things in the air like kids,” said Holland Nguyen, junior in public health “The movie is also about getting into touch with yourself, emotions and

sexuality, which are always important and interesting topics. The vintage feeling of the movie combined with the Alabama Theatre makes me feel connected to this event as an annual October tradition.”

PAGE 9

CELEBRITY INFLUENCE

opinion

Kanye loves Trump like Kanye loves Kanye

said. “We are one unit. We are one country. We are one moment in history and time. We might have been here before, but right now we’re here together. And our greatest value that people have are other people according to USAToday.

And while I don’t agree with the side that West has picked, and most of what he said essentially made a mockery out of our democracy, I do like the idealized picture of unity which he presents here. Even if it does not exist,and will never exist so long as we give such powerful voice to people such as himself.

But perhaps we can look at this little piece of wisdom as a lesson when dealing with the current administration. Even among the rubble, we can find reasons to hope in humanity.

Even if that humanity happens to be Kanye West wearing a “make America great again” hat, which he claims to be the source of his superpowers. It’s like when a child, with no awareness of what the adults are saying, announces the most brilliant of revelations. Or when you open a fortune cookie that makes you feel as though the universe is truly listening.

This administration will continue to give us things like meetings with Kanye West, nominations of sexual predators to the Supreme Court and many others. We can either let it break us, or we can laugh and carry on. Lack of intrinsic value does not equal lack of value altogether.

ILLUSTRATION BY SAVANNAH DONALD/ STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

the population, and therefore a large portion of the voter Parker Rose base. Imagine how you would Opinion Columnist feel, as a young woman or pdrose@uab.edu man, if your role model did not speak out against injustice? It is the duty of those Recently, Kanye West had with such power to lunch with President Trump and give a voice to those Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-inwho haven’t been law, at the White House. Befortunate enough to forehand, West, Trump, Kushhave access to such ner and former NFL star Jim a platform.

Brown met in the Oval Office to But the man who had discuss some pressing social isunfiltered access to the ear of sues such as violence in Chicago, the president for an entire afterRose where West is from. The four were noon did not represent anyone also accompanied by swarms of press. but himself, and a lot of the rhetoric If you watched the video coverage focused on his own personal experiof the meeting or read the transcript, ences and political views. you will likely relate to the very inThe original intention of the depth description of it that I am about meeting was supposedly to provide: it was weird. to discuss reducing It has long been an issue of debate crime rates as to whether celebrities should be in Chicainvolved in politics, and there are good go, but arguments for either side. On the one somehand, most celebrities do not have a how background in politics or even have a there good grasp on the social issues which was affect everyday Americans. Most of only a the time, this is through no fault of their couple own – it’s simply the celebrity culture comthat they have found themselves in. ments But at the same time, aren’t we made frustrated when celebrities do not take rea political stand on issues we consider gardto be important? After all, they do have ing access to an incredibly large portion of this

issue, and a lot of them did not even involve addressing the institutional issues which have caused the crime culture itself. So, in essence, the only thing that Kanye West was actually qualified to address ended up being just one incoherent bullet point among many.

But there were a lot of strange comments from West about the importance of Trumps appearance saying “he has to be the freshest, the flyest, the flyest planes, the best factories according to USA today.

While I get where West is coming from, perhaps we should start with making sure every word that comes out of Trump’s mouth isn’t racist, misogynistic, xenophobic or just downright offensive. Or, in other words, the stuff that actually matters and doesn’t cost the American people billions of dollars.

But shockingly, not all of what West said was entirely wrong or stupefying.

“And we aren’t a side,” West

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

OPINION

PAGE 10

NAMING OF UAB PROPERTY

George Wallace now, George Wallace forever?

PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR Located on 6th Avenue South, this building commemorates the 45th Governer of Alabama who also was one of the biggest campaigners of segregation.

Kameryn Thigpen Opinion Columnist cchs2017@uab.edu

There is a building actually named after George Wallace and the name is still there and has not been removed - UAB’s Athletics Gymnasium.

It is located on 6th Avenue South The city of Birmingham is known and close to the new football facility. for its rich history, both good and The name is also on the Humanities bad. On one side, it has stood for Building. love for hardworking iron and steel I wonder if this is something workers. On the other side, it that UAB has just ignored or if has stood for segregation. this is just One of Alabama’s most a misnotorious natives is the take that infamous George Wallace, they have who was one of the nation’s forgotten biggest and most forceful about. segregationists during the Civil Letha Rights Movement.

Thigpen Daniel, FaIn one of his most famous cilities Manager at speeches, which also was his Inauthe Wallace/Bell gural address in 1963, he said: “I say PE Complex, said segregation now, segregation tomor- she was present row, segregation forever.” during the time the Now, George Wallace has been building received dead and gone for years, but his leg- the name of George Wallace. acy still lingers in this state in a few “It’s just a name of a building,” subtle ways, such as on one of UAB’s Daniel said. “It doesn’t hold any buildings. weight.”

Daniel said the naming was appropriate at the time, as he was the governor of Alabama and UAB was state-funded.

It needs to be removed from any building that represents UAB, a school that represents equity and diversity for all its students.

From a student’s perspective it speaks to me as a way preserving at least of the southern tradition.

That name is not just an ordinary name at least not in the history books.

Here’s why it needs to removed: his name represents the dark past of Birmingham and Alabama as a whole.

As the city is moving past it history and trying to forge a new future and name for itself, it needs to shy away from what it was once famous for.

If UAB wants to push this message of equity and preserving a

It’s just a name of a building.

It doesn’t hold any weight.

- Letha Daniel

diverse culture on campus grounds then why have a building named after someone who represents the greatest division of all which is segregation?

I don’t know if this is intentional as an attempt to try and uphold even the slightest feeling of Confederacy, but if this city is wanting to be this melting pot then his name needs to be removed.

If a student or a faculty member walks by it everyday, there is no excuse of one not seeing it or not having thought about it at least once.

To resolve this issue, it can be brought to our President of UAB as a concern issue that UAB is not holding its word of equity and the importance of inclusion.

If many of these confederate monuments can be broken down all across the country, it should not be anything to remove a name off of a building unless there is something UAB is trying to hold onto.

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

PAGE 11

sports

FOOTBALL

Blazers defend to bowl eligibility One of the reasons we win is because we’re so obsessed with ball security.

- Bill Clark

PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/ART EDITOR

Blazers react to their victory against North Texas, Saturday 20 at Legion Field.

UAB defeats North Texas 29 - 21, winning their homecoming game Micheal Atiyeh Sports Reporter atiyehma@uab.edu Bill Clark, UAB Football Coach, said he prides himself on how defensive his team is this season, and for good reason. This season the Blazers are defensive, and Clark said he credits this to the hard work they put in during the off-season.

“We’re ball obsessed,” Clark said.

“One of the reasons we win is because we’re so obsessed with ball security.”

Blazers secured a narrow win against North Texas 29 - 21, Saturday, October 20. With 28,014 in attendance, the crowd’s presence was well noticed during the game, particularly after halftime, Clark said.

“What a great crowd we had, es-

pecially the second half,” Clark said. “I really noticed them. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them louder than that, and when we really needed them.”

Garrett Marino, who sacked North Texas’ quarterback, putting UAB on track to making a comeback and eventually winning the game, said the fans played a big role in keeping the team energized.

“Last week, when we played Rice, there were about a 100 people there,” Marino said. “Now, there were thousands. It makes a big difference.”

From the comeback the team made against North Texas in the final 15 minutes of the game, the strategy the coach and his staff used was effective in keeping the team ready for anything, Clark said.

Clark also attributed the difference in play to how hard the team has been working the past week in

preparation for this game. Clark said that a key part to making sure the team stays prepared week to week is maintaining the same energy during practice, as they have during the game.

During the first half of the game, however, Clark said the offense was not showing full potential and needed more work.

“We were disappointed, offensively we hadn’t taken advantage of some things,” Clark said. “Defensively we’ve got high standards for ourselves.”

When looking over the statistics of the North Texas game, it is apparent that Coach Clark is correct in saying that UAB is obsessed with ball security. Even though North Texas was in charge for the majority of the first half, in the end, UAB still ended up with almost ten minutes more of

possession time with the ball.

This game was a great motivation for UAB as a team and the student body, “We’ve embraced what it takes defensively,” Clark said at his weekly press conference on October 15.

“Which is great effort focus concentration and playing every play it’s the last play of the game.”

See the full image gallery from the game at uab.edu/ studentmedia/kaleidoscope

TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2018

PAGE 12

CROSSWORD

Editorial Board

1.

Fall 2018

2.

Kristina Balciunaite Editor-in-Chief kribal@uab.edu

3.

4.

Sufia Alam Managing Editor sufia@uab.edu

5.

6.

7.

Lakyn Shepard Art Editor layshep@uab.edu

8.

9.

1.. _____ hospitality.

last week was from North _____.

2. Last week, Alabama Theatre hosted

7. Six-legged, tiny animal.

the annual ______ Horror Show.

8. A Birmingham venue that hosts ex-

3. Right-wing party in the US.

hibitions of local, underground artists:

4. Kim Kardashian’s current husband.

Yellow _____.

5. Rock music sub-genre that devel-

9. Characteristic apparel, oftentimes

oped in the mid-1970’s.

used during the Halloween season.

Lauren Moore Blazer News Editor lrm33@uab.edu

Previous issue’s crossword solutions: 1. Amendment.

2. Homecoming.

3. Carving.

4. Burke.

5. Tampon.

6. Judgment..

7. Momotaro.

Ceri-Lune Renneboog CityLifestyle Editor cerilune@uab.edu

6. The team UAB football defeated

EVENTS CALENDAR Fall Oohlala!

Lantern Parade and Harvest Party Chez Lulu 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Design Thinking Work: Why Context is King UAB Commercialization Accelerator 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Vintage Blacklight Poster Show, Electro-Ambient Performance Manitou Supply 6 - 8 p.m.

Community conversation: Awaken Birmingham Birmingham Crossplex 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Loft Show MAKEbhm 7 p.m.

Henna at BOO Halloween Party MAKEbhm 7 p.m.

Twerk Camp Alabama Ballet 7 - 9 p.m.

Misfit Masquerade Brennan's Irish Pub 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Halloween Party Mom's Basement 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Halloween Party TrimTab Brewing Company 7:30 - 11:55 p.m.

Lakeview Halloween Horror Crawl Tin Roof Birmingham 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Concert: Gucci Mane Legion Field Postgame (game: 2:30 p.m.)

Five Points South Historic Home Tour & Fall Festival Anderson Place Historic District 1 - 5 p.m.

Movie screening Iron City Fright Club Ghost Train Brewing Co. 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.

The Phantom of the Opera Alabama Theatre 2 p.m.

Ghostland Observatory with Gibbz at Saturn Saturn 9 p.m.

Fall Festival The Pizitz 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.