Sep. 30, 2009

Page 1

VOL. 104, NO. 7 | Single Issue Free

Lifestyles Laugh with UA grad on “Chelsea Lately” page 1B Sports Arkansas renews rivalry with Aggies page 7B

WEATHER

6

Page 1A |WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Campus career center aids job seekers

University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, Ark.

HIGH

LOW

73

63

Mostly sunny.

WWW.UATRAV.COM

About you. For you. For 104 years.

Job market is uncertain for 2010 graduates Companies project 7 percent decrease in hiring

Kimber Wenzelburger Managing Editor

As seniors begin to face a still-uncertain job market and underclassmen look to optimize their career potential early, UA Career Development Center representatives are seeing office traffic pick up – and they’re working to ensure students reach their career goals, despite the economic slump. CDC Director Barbara Batson even said she thinks this year’s graduates will be more likely to find a job than last year’s – though the search may still prove tough. “I anticipate spring 2010 graduates will have more job opportunities in more areas,” she said. “I like for our graduates to have choices when it comes to accepting a job – however, the choices may be more limited in some fields for a year or so.” But that’s why the CDC is available – to help students make the best of the job market as is. Celebrating its 60th year on campus next fall, the CDC, in Batson’s words, “assists all students, all majors, all degree plans in exploring their career interests and developing a plan to reach their career goals.” And it’s not just for seniors, she said. The CDC helps all students find experience to benefit – and complement – their degree. “There is not just ‘one way’ to plan for a successful career,” Batson said. “Some students find study abroad, work abroad, internships, research and volunteering to help point them in the direction of a meaningful career.” Batson and other CDC officials work with UA students

Jaclyn Johnson

Assistant Managing Editor Whatever experts might forecast about the 2010 job market, there’s no guarantee they’ll be right: Last year, hiring was expected to increase by 6 percent, but it actually decreased by 21 percent, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Perhaps that’s why economists and career development officials are hesitant to offer radical predictions now. “Everybody is really unsure,” said Becky Vianden, associate director of program development for the Career Development Center. “This time last year, the market turned on a dime and, boom, things went bad.” 2010 graduates might have a slightly easier time finding a job than 2009 graduates, said CDC Director Barbara Batson, but economics professor Javier Reyes said he expects the job market to be as difficult as ever. “There are a lot of people out there with no jobs, but with experience. It will be harder for graduates because they’re competing with people graduating and people with real experience,” Reyes said. “Companies might be stopping their hiring freezes, but it will still be challenging to find a job.” Arkansas has an unemployment rate of about 8 percent right now, and it’s not expected to drop in 2010, he said.

Recruiting Most recruiting will happen in the fall this year, according to the NACE report, but employers plan to attend fewer career fairs and shift their focus to social networkLARRY ASH Staff Photographer

See

CDC on Page 5A

See

Blaine Mosley is beginning his post-graduation career working at the Flying Burrito on Spring Street. Mosley graduated from the UA with a degree in English.

MARKET on Page 2A

Area libraries remember once-banned books Samuel Letchworth Staff Writer

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Books that were banned at some time in the past are displayed in the University Bookstore at the Arkansas Union.

During the last week of September every year, hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the country draw attention to the issue of censorship by mounting displays of challenged and banned books and hosting a variety of events. The 2009 celebration of Banned Books Week ends Oct. 3. The University Bookstore has a display of various banned books on the second floor of the Arkansas Union, with titles from William S. Burroughs’ “The Naked Lunch” to Ernest Hemmingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” The Fayetteville Public Library is also celebrating Banned Books week in conjunction with the Banished Book Lunch Club. The group will meet noon to 1 p.m. through Friday to discuss classic books banned for political, social, sexual and religious

reasons, with each session focusing on one of the four themes and featuring a title that was banned for that reason. Below is an abbreviated list of some books that have been banned in the United States, some of which students might find on their own bookshelf: “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain The “N-word,” which appears many times in the novel, was the cause for the removal of this classic from an eighthgrade reading list. In the 1950s, the NAACP objected to the book’s perceived racist tone. In 1984, the book was removed from a public high school reading list in Waukegan, Ill., because a black alderman found the book’s language offensive. American Heritage Dictionary In 1978, an Eldon, Mo., li-

brary banned the dictionary because it contained 39 “objectionable” words. And, in 1987, the Anchorage School Board banned the dictionary for similar reasons. ler

“Catch-22” by Joseph Hel-

This book was banned and challenged more than once. It was banned in Srongsville, Ohio, in 1972 and that decision was overturned in 1976. It was also challenged in Dallas, Texas (1974), and again in Snoqualmie, Wash. (1979). “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding The Toronto School Board banned this classic from all its schools, claiming it was racist for use of the “N-word.” Even Golding’s Nobel Prize in literature did See

BOOKS on Page 3A

MORE NEWS. LESS PAPER. UATrav.com

Page 2A | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

BRIEFLY speaking

NEWS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM How they do will affect how NWA will do.” Nationwide, education and medicine are strong fields, Batson said. Students need to be willing to relocate, she said, because that flexibility increases their chances of finding a good job. Students with work experiences, such as internships, will also have an easier time with the job search, Batson said. Some other top jobs across the country include public accounting, software design, engineering, nursing, teaching, sales and research, according to Job Choices: Diversity Edition 2010.

COUNTING UP THE CASH

Make a Difference Day sign-up available now Make A Difference Day engages more than 500 students each year in service projects that provide assistance to the community. The day is intended to give students an opportunity to learn about the various non-profit agencies in Northwest Arkansas, as well as to provide a venue for civic engagement. Volunteer sign-up has begun. Students can join a project by logging on to Volunteer.uark.edu.

Students can voice opinions about bike policy Thursday

Green Companies

Gary Smith, director of the UA Transit and Parking Department, will host a public input session with UA students and citizens of Fayetteville regarding the new UA bicycle policy at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Union Theater. For more information, contact Smith at 575-3304.

Auditions open for UATV’s Kung Fu Karaoke Love to sing? Kung Fu Karaoke is back. UATV 14 will host the student competition Tuesday, Oct. 13. The Asian-themed musical throwdown will pit wanna-be superstars against each other on live television. The event is sponsored by Danceenhance Entertainment. Auditions are required. E-mail uatravmain@gmail.com to schedule a tryout.

Be a part of a field study in Egypt UA students studying archaeology and/or anthropology may consider an opportunity to analyze skeletal material at the commoners’ cemetery at Tell Amarna, Egypt, the city built by Pharaoh Akhenaton. The monthlong program is tentatively set for May 9 to June 15. The application deadline is Oct. 15, and early applications are encouraged. For an application or more information, contact the Office of Study Abroad at Studyabroad.uark.edu/Egypt or studyabroad.uark.edu.

Dance workshop to be hosted in October Dance Coalition, a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit group of choreographers and dancers, has paired up with the THEA Foundation and Arkansas Dance Network to present “A Modern Dance Workshop with Broadway Star Bill Hastings” in Room 220 of the HPER Building Sunday, Oct. 18. Workshop classes begin at 12:30 p.m. and finish at 6 p.m. Tuition for the afternoon workshop is $20 and includes a snack and THEA Foundation T-shirt when participants register online at THEAfoundation.org. For more information, contact Sally Ashcraft, the executive director of dance coalition, at 479422-6132 or info@dancecoalition.com.

CORRECTIONS The Arkansas Traveler strives for accuracy in its reporting and will correct all matters of fact. If you believe the paper has printed an error, please notify the editor at 575.8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.

CONTACT INFORMATION 119 Kimpel Hall ! University of Arkansas ! Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.575.3406 [main line] ! 479.575.3306 [fax] traveler@uark.edu ! www.uatrav.com TINA KORBE

Editor traveler@uark.edu KIMBER WENZELBURGER

JIMMY CARTER

Managing Editor travmgr@uark.edu

Assistant Sports Editor for New Media

JACLYN JOHNSON

CHERI FREELAND

Assistant Managing Editor for New Media BAILEY MCBRIDE

News Editor travnews@uark.edu LANA HAZEL

Business Manager freeland@uark.edu EMILY HARBUCK

Marketing Manager travad5@uark.edu CANNON MCNAIR

Asst. News Editor

Advertising Manager travad@uark.edu

TANIAH TUDOR

ROSALYN TAYLOR

Assistant News Editor for New Media BRIAN WASHBURN

Campus Advertising Representative travad4@uark.edu TYLER BROWN

Lifestyles Editor travlife@uark.edu

travad2@uark.edu

LINDSEY PRUITT

travad6@uark.edu

MATT WATSON

travad3@uark.edu Advertising Account Executives

HAROLD MCILVAIN

KALEY POWELL JESSICA RAMIREZ

Asst. Lifestyles Editor Sports Editor travsprt@uark.edu Assistant Sports Editor

BEN STARNES

ABBIE WEAVER

Advertising Graphics travart@uark.edu

The Arkansas Traveler is a member of the Arkansas College Media Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Arkansas Traveler, the student newspaper at the University of Arkansas, is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring academic sessions except during exam periods and university holidays. Opinions expressed in signed columns are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Traveler. The editorial that appears on the left side of the opinion page is the opinion of this newspaper. The editor makes all final content decisions.

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Adam Whelan, manager of Town and Country Liquor on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, shows off lottery tickets. The State Lottery Commission reported it sold $600,000 worth of tickets on the first day and paid out more than $450,000 in prizes.

MARKET

from Page 1A ing instead. At the UA, though, a healthy 60 companies turned out for the engineering career fair and 34 companies for the all majors fair, Vianden said. “This was much more than we had projected,” she said. As this solid turnout suggests, NWA didn’t really experience the economic downturn as severely as the rest of the country, Vianden said. Even in NWA, though, companies might not have quite as much to offer new recruits as they once did. “Students will have to understand that salary and wages

might not be what they once were,” said Rashad Delph, Tyson Foods, Inc., manager of corporate recruiting. Given that, students might want to consider graduate school instead, Reyes said. If students know what city they want to work in, they should look at graduate programs in that city, he said. By the time they graduate and are looking for a job again, the market will have had time to recover, he said. The intrepid who insist on looking for a job now will have to prove how they can contribute to a company, Delph said. “When hiring, we look at our shortfalls (as a company) and where we need improvement,” he said. “(Applicants)

have to establish (themselves) within a good foundation and prove (their) worth to that foundation.”

Sectors Earning a job is easier or harder, though, depending on what sector it falls under. NWA is a good market for service, medical, education, technical and finance positions, Batson said. And, of course, Wal-Mart makes a significant difference in the local economy, as well. “We’re in a unique situation with respect to Wal-Mart,” Reyes said. “The NWA (economy) follows the sales side of companies like Wal-Mart. Our market, then, is very much dependent on the consumer.

And, of course, any picture of the 2010 job market would be incomplete without a few words devoted to the green sector. Newsweek has recently released the first major list of the “greenest” companies in America. Hewlett-Packard was awarded the No. 1 slot as the greenest company in America. Dell, Johnson & Johnson, Intel and IBM followed to fill the top five rankings. The Bentonville-based WalMart has spot 59 in the overall rankings and sixth within the Industry sector, according to Newsweek. Creating zero waste, operating entirely on renewable energy and selling products that help conserve resources are the company’s top three objectives. Another local company, J.B. Hunt Transport Services is listed as 429 of the top 500 ranked companies. Tyson Foods Inc. follows closely at 479, according to the Newsweek list. The rankings were created with the help of environmental researchers, who based the rankings on a combination of environmental policies, performance and overall reputation. The “greening” of U.S. companies might help them compete financially in the future – and alleviate long-term costs to the public – because the controversial cap-andtrade system proposed by President Barack Obama would make companies pay for their carbon footprint, rather than pass the environmental cost onto the public, according to the latest Newsweek.

GRADS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

Students look to internships for job experience April Robertson

Contributing Writer

Reality sets in for recent UA graduates

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Matt Hudson of Springdale graduated from the Walton College of Business last May. Hudson now works as a computer engineer in the Washington D.C. area.

Samuel Letchworth Staff Writer

While education is important, it’s no secret why most students have come to college: They want that diploma ticket to a better job, to the bigger money. But as that graduation date inevitably creeps up, it might be easy for students to give in to the consternation about what happens after they toss the cap and gown into the air and are thrust headlong into the real world. Economic woes aren’t helping to abate anxieties, and the career field seems to loom before students like the gaping maw of a slumbering dragon. There also seems to be a popular sentiment in this day and age that a bachelor’s degree doesn’t hold the same weight that it used to. “The most important thing is what you do in addition to your de-

BOOKS

from Page 1A not protect this author’s book. “Catcher in the Rye� by J. D. Salinger This is a classic favorite of censors and has been banned in the United States and Australia. In 1960, a Tulsa, Okla., teacher was fired for putting the book on

gree,� said Angela Williams, associate director of career education at the UA Career Development Center. “Work experience, coupled with a bachelor’s degree, is what employers are looking for. Students always do well to involve themselves in any activities and organizations that will look good on a resume.� The CDC, located in the Arkansas Union, offers a variety of services for post-graduate preparation, including practice interviews, resume editing and counseling on how students should present themselves professionally in the business world. “There are a lot of tricks of the trade,� Williams said. “It is a competitive market out there. Every employer is looking for someone who can think on their feet. That, in essence, is the interview process. Students who know what they want and how to job search will be successful. Those skills are what we try

to equip people with.� Success after graduation, though, is varied. Sam Burns, a UA graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, found a job doing research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences after he graduated. “It pays surprisingly well,� Burns said, “and it has inspired me to go to medical school. I didn’t know I wanted to be a doctor before I took this job.� Stephen Coger, another UA graduate with a degree in English, has also found work in his field of interest. He currently teaches English in Argentina. But some other UA graduates have had a rather different experience finding jobs after college. Blaine Mosley graduated from the UA in 2008 with a degree in English and emphasis in creative writing, and his job search proved difficult.

the 11th grade reading list. The teacher was reinstated, but the book was permanently removed from teaching programs.

the required reading list of the West Marion High School in Foxworth, Miss. A parent complained of the use of curse words in the book. Subsequently, the superintendent instructed the teacher to remove the book from the required reading list.

“Fahrenheit 451� by Ray Bradbury This book, ironically, is about censorship and those who ban books for fear of creating too much individualism and independent thought. In late 1998, this book was removed from

“Grapes of Wrath� by John Steinbeck Several months after the book’s publication, a St. Louis

“For six months after graduation I was on the Internet, looking in the paper, going all around town applying for work. I sent out probably 2,000 resumes all across the country,� Mosley said. “‘I am a marketable commodity with a degree,’ I thought to myself. I applied for every kind of job, from forest ranger to manager of a corrugated cardboard box factory. Whether I was underqualified or overqualified for the job, I applied, anyway.� Mosley received hardly any callbacks from the places to which he applied. “Mostly, the only people who contacted me were from scams or pyramid schemes,� he said. The job he settled for was cooking at the Flying Burrito, where he is currently employed. “Truly, it is not what you know but who you know,� Mosley said. “I concluded that I have a B.A. in B.S. I feel like a castaway. I’m on the verge of making friends with a volleyball named Wilson.� Kyle Wasser, who double-majored in South American Studies and Spanish, did find work in his field but decided against it. “I make more money delivering pizza than I could make being a translator,� Wasser said. “I learned a lot at the university, but for all the good my diploma has done for me I might as well have rolled it up and smoked it. I’m just going to save up money and ride a bike across South America.� But while life after graduation remains a toss-up mystery for some, not many students seemed to regret the experience and accomplishment of earning a degree. As far as students finding a job they love after graduation, Williams said, “If there’s a will, there’s a way. Know what you want and pursue it consistently. And if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.� library ordered three copies to be burned for the vulgar words used by its characters. It was also once banned in Kansas City and in Oklahoma. Even books that have been published recently, like the “Harry Potter� series and Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,� have been banned from various libraries and schools across the country.

do your part. please recycle this paper.

With the state of the job market still in doubt, some students are turning to internships, which not only provide valuable experience and career contacts, but can also take students in unexpected directions, they said. UA student Jessica Powviriya interned last year at University Relations, where she wrote press releases, learned the basics of videography, wrote for local magazines and conducted interviews on TV. Through her experience at the on-campus internship, Powviriya said she was provided opportunities and advantages that other students might not receive. “The position gave me free reign on projects, and it was a very open environment that was comfortable enough for me to ask questions,� she said. The nature of the internship helped shape her writing abilities, and also gave her experience working with various supervisors. Powviriya said that each of her superiors had differing viewpoints, and this allowed for a more broad education about the same basic principles. Powviriya is now working on her master’s degree, but she said the University Relations internship taught her more than any of her classes did. “They gave us responsibilities and expected us to finish them,� she said. For some students, internships are not limited to those listed on Web sites and connected to colleges. Eurostuma, a company that produces household items, needed a business position filled, so an internship position was created for chemistry major Courtney Peterson. During her six weeks with TCT, the Eurostuma company share in Portugal, Peterson’s main objective was to introduce a new product – but she was also allowed to see the actual production process and the professional technology after spending weeks on re-

search and working on scaleddown versions. “It definitely had the feeling of a business trip, since I had to smile constantly and be on my best behavior,� Peterson said. Her biggest challenge, she said, was working in a country where she didn’t know the language and worked closely with two women who didn’t know any English. But when Peterson’s workload was completed in four weeks, she felt the experience was well worth the difficulty of a language barrier, particularly because the remaining two weeks were filled with travel to surrounding Portugal cities. However, not all internships lack the comfort of an on-campus position or the excitement of an international summer job. Architecture major Kayla Freeman dreaded the telemarketing internship that her father arranged for her. Eventually, though, Freeman turned the job into a creative opportunity, expressing her boredom and frustration through journal-like Facebook notes that detailed her avoidance of daily internship activities. “I tried out different accents and used many aliases when calling prospective clients, I brushed up on my Spanish watching Mexican soap operas while hanging out with my friends Juanita and Jorge in the break room, and I wrote a children’s story, ‘Little Larry and the Big Scary,’ potty training at its finest,� Freeman wrote. “I switched the decaf and regular coffee and later skipped out at noon to catch a baseball game with the boys.� Even though Freeman clearly didn’t enjoy her internship, she encourages other students to choose internships and work experience wisely. “Any internship is a step in the right direction,� she said. At the UA Career Development Center, officials help students find internships through listings on the eRecruiting feature of the CDC Web site, Career.uark.edu.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 | Page 3A

BN BN .PO 'SJ BN BN 4BU BN .JEOJUF 4VO

$FOUFS 4U 4QSJOH 4U t &VSFLB 4QSJOHT 42 6* %"/%8)"-&16# $0.

)&' , ( %" ) ' , ( %" # ' , ( %" )&' , ( %"

> Get your tickets at the University Theatre Box Office, M-F, 12pm-3pm. 575.4752. $5 student tickets are also available for all shows Oct. 2-11.

& ( ' ) % #$

!"

&4$&" # ' ( ! # %5 ( 5($# &(' 2 #( &.' # 1 )" 3() $' ( 0/0 3%& # 3( , (( * 55

')%%$&( %&$* , $&# # +' &! #' ' "$ & ( - (( $&( + '( &! #' ' " ' #

OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Page 4A | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Remember to check out UATrav.com for daily updates.

Editor: Kimber Wenzelburger | Managing Editor: Tina Korbe

Phone: 575.8455 | E-mail: traveler@uark.edu

Letter from the Editor

The sun will come out We’re not sure there’s a less sure field than journalism right now. Last year alone, The New York Times grew perilously thin, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer discontinued its print edition and The Rocky Mountain News folded entirely. At The Traveler, we shivered at these stories – but only for a second. Then, we remembered we weren’t seniors. Now, the cushion is gone. Many of us are seniors. And we’re a little antsy about the 2010 job market. So antsy, in fact, that most of us have either taken or plan to take the LSAT. Not that a career in law is any surer: According to an e-mail from Smith Publicity, a firm that promotes the book “The Law School Admission Game,” law students are competing for half as many openings at big firms as they were last year. The real point is, we’re as uncertain about the future as anyone we know. But our careers as student journalists, at least, aren’t over yet – and, this week, we made it our job to find out what the job market will look like by the time we – and many of you – graduate this spring. If it seems a little early to consider “Life After Graduation,” check out the deadlines for popular post-graduation programs. October and November don’t sound nearly as distant as May, do they? If we don’t plan now, we won’t be prepared then. And that’s as true for freshmen, sophomores and juniors as it is for seniors. Internship deadlines are inevitably earlier than they ought to be – and, of course, as our advisers say, “you have to have had an internship to get one.” So, check out the job forecast on the front page. Find out what the Career Development Center and the Honors College have to offer you. Read UA graduate success stories in both News and Lifestyles. We think you’ll feel a little bit better after you do. After all, as our new Web site has taught us, the best way to face the future is to embrace it. UATrav.com represents our simultaneous commitment to timeless journalistic principles (Is there anything more journalistic than reporting news daily?) and effective innovation (Why insist on delivering news only in print when readers really want it online?). The nearly 10,000 unique visitors and more than 43,000 page views we’ve received tell us we must be doing something right. In fact, now that we think about it, we’re not sure there’s a more sure field than journalism: The Internet’s not going anywhere soon. We bet your future’s surer than you think, too. Cheers, Tina Korbe Editor

ROMAN POLANSKI AND THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW GUEST EDITORIAL

The Dallas Morning News Fugitive film director Roman Polanski learned over the weekend that you can’t outrun the long arm of the law. Swiss police nabbed the confessed sex criminal as he arrived in Zurich to accept a film festival award. Now Polanski, 76, faces extradition to Los Angeles County, where prosecutors have waited more than 30 years for the rapist to show up for sentencing. Polanski, who has been gallivanting around Europe scot-free since fleeing sentencing on his 1978 sex conviction, never saw it coming, but he certainly had it coming. Anyone who feels sorry for Polanski should understand what Polanski did to land in this mess. He drugged, raped and sodomized a frightened 13-year-old girl. Polanski eventually pleaded guilty to having had unlawful sex with a minor but skipped the country before his sentencing. Since then, he has lived primarily in France. Not long ago, his victim, now married with children, reached a civil settlement with Polanski and publicly forgave him. But that doesn’t settle Polanski’s debt with the law. Earlier this year, ruling on a petition to dismiss the initial charges against Polanski, a Los Angeles judge said the director might have a case based on judicial misconduct – but that the filmmaker first would have to return to the United States and turn himself in. Polanski refused. Now, assuming that the U.S. files a formal extradition request and that the Swiss court does the right thing and honors it, that decision may have been made for Polanski. The cultural elite in Hollywood and in Europe are screaming bloody murder over the arrest. The Zurich Film Festival jury even released a statement accusing the Swiss government of “philistine collusion” with American authorities. That’s a stomach-turning judgment, betraying a belief that Polanski’s status as an artist puts him above the law. Somehow, one doubts they would have reached this conclusion were Polanski a cleric and his victim an altar boy. How fortunate are the people of Los Angeles County that their district attorney’s office believes celebrity and artistic accomplishment doesn’t give one the right to rape a child with impunity – and that it has a memory as long as its reach.

EDITORIAL BOARD TINA KORBE | Editor KIMBER WENZELBURGER| Managing Editor BAILEY MCBRIDE | News Editor The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor from all interested readers. Letters should be at most 300 words and should include your name, student classification and major or title with the university and a day-time telephone number for verification. Letters should be sent to traveler@uark.edu. Letters appear in the order they were submitted as space permits. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse letters on the basis of length, accuracy, fairness, liability and sensibility.

Give the president a break

Is President Obama a terrorist? Since Obama’s election, our country has been flooded with rumors, speculations and even accusations about a multitude of his policies. Not only is Obama consistently accused of being a socialist, communist, Muslim, (you name it), conservative extremists have even gone so far as to accuse him of being a terrorist. During the election, then candidate-Obama promised, among many other things, to shift the focus of the War on Terrorism from Iraq to Afghanistan. Most conservatives assumed this to be more Obama rhetoric. This was talk specifically geared to give Obama the appearance of being dedicated and ready to fulfill his future role as “commander-in-chief.” Certainly, in an election against a war hero, Obama needed to say something to express readiness to handle the militaristic responsibilities that come with being president of the United States. The question is: In his eight months in office, has Obama actually followed up on his promises to fight terrorism and to keep us safe? Obama has stated four main problems with the situation in Iraq: inadequate security and political progress, strains on the military, the regrouping of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and a strategy that is too old to be effective. Each of these points is mostly valid. That’s not to say President Bush was a failure in his effort in Iraq. To say the world is less safe now than it was before we invaded Iraq is not justifiable – after all, the question of motives for invasion aside, Saddam Hussein is no longer in control and Iraq is heading in the direction of a democracy, however slowly. But there does come a point when it is time to consider how to turn over the reigns. The surprising thing about this is that most liberal-leaning Americans have been in favor of leaving Iraq for some time, while most conservative-leaning Americans believe we should remain. It seems ironic that conservatives, who

In My Humble Opinion

CARTER FORD pcford@uark.edu

value the principles of hard work and ownership when it comes to domestic economic issues, would believe just the opposite when it comes to running the government of another country. While a small business or corporation is not necessarily comparable to the government of a country, the principle is unchanged. It’s the core belief that people are better able to help themselves versus a government or, in this case, a larger government trying to do it for them. Then comes the issue of Iraq versus Afghanistan. As previously stated, Obama heavily campaigned on refocusing our energies in Afghanistan and also believes that our attention in Iraq has significantly hindered our ability to fight Al Qaeda, which is continuously working to reorganize in Afghanistan. To shift focus from Iraq to Afghanistan seems like a pretty logical plan of action considering Sept. 11 and the fact that the terror and devastation brought to American soil all stems back to Al Qaeda. To this effect, Obama is increasing the troops located in Afghanistan by 17,000. This is against the will of many in Obama’s own party who want anything but more troops and more war. Obama has looked beyond simple politics and partisanship because he knows that the War on Terrorism, specifically defeating Al Quada, is essential to the safety of the American people. Even for an issue as complicated as

this country’s continuous War on Terrorism, it is easy to see that Obama has stepped up and made a firm commitment to fighting terrorism. Further, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have made a sincere effort to improve political ties within the government of Iraq. Believing that the U.S. needs to responsibly remove troops from Iraq, Obama and Biden have ensured progress in removing our troops from Iraq and have done so in a way that best allows the Iraqi government to successfully retain control. Regardless of whether you agree with their plan, they are unquestionably executing it just as they outlined it in their campaign – and that kind of follow-through is rare. The bottom line is that Obama is working to ensure the safety of the American people. He is working regularly with Gen. Petraeus, Gen. McChrystal and other military leaders to take the best course of action in our quest to defeat those who wish to destroy this country. It would be nothing short of a miracle if every last one of us agreed with every detail of every plan of action to take. Lastly, we have to remember we really don’t know everything that is happening. Sure, we can get online and research all we want, but most of what the military does on a daily basis is not broadcasted on live television or tweeted online. It doesn’t matter if it’s Obama or Bush – we just do not and will not have the ability to give a fully educated dissertation on how to solve the issue of the War on Terrorism. So, let’s look at the facts that we have, believe in our military and our president, and stop all of the unnecessary bickering and name-calling. And just in case you’re still wondering, the answer is no, Obama is not a terrorist, in my humble opinion. Carter Ford is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler.

Constructing new parking deck is a mistake I saw Groucho Marx the other day. I was on campus getting my bicycle permit just before it happened. Actually, that’s a lie. I was on campus with my bicycle talking to the people who were handing out the bicycle permits and explaining to them why campus bicycle registration was not only unnecessary but a dubiously surreptitious ploy to make money off student cyclists in the future. Give a mouse a cookie and he’ll want to start charging for bicycle permits, as the saying goes. I hopped on my bike and rode across campus to Oakland Street, past the sorority houses, crossing Douglas Street and straight on ‘til morning. It was a route I had taken a hundred times before. Now I want it to be known, for the record, that I wasn’t riding my Specialized Hardrock down that break-neck hill like a bat out of hell. More like a squirrel out of purgatory. And then this squirrel hit a raised patch of freshly dried concrete in the middle of the road that had spilled out of a construction truck from the close-by parking deck site and flew over his bicycle handlebars, clanging his unprotected head on the ground. And that’s when I saw him. Old Groucho. He was in the sky, reclined on a cloud, his caterpillar eyebrows curled around his black frame glasses. He had a cigar between his bared teeth and he was laughing at me in his patented “Meh-meh-meh-meh” cachinnation.

The Laughing Cavalier

SAMUEL LETCHWORTH sletchw@uark.edu

We exchanged a gaze and then he disappeared in a wisp of cumulus smoke. I stood up, grabbed my bike, and walked it straight up the road to where my friend Alex Cogbill lives. He was on his front deck playing the guitar. “Holy crap, what happened to you?” he said. He must have seen the blood on my face. “I think I suffered a concussion,” I informed him. “I saw Groucho Marx in the clouds. We might need to play 20 questions for the next few hours.” And that we did as I attempted to re-orient myself with the world. This proved to be a tall and confounding chore, because all the while the only thing I could hear was the beep-beepbeep THRASH-BANG-THRASH from the parking deck construction site two streets over. “They do that crap at 4:30 in the morning sometimes,” my friend Alex said. “Those blackguards made me wreck my

bike. They should be more careful where they spill their cement,” I said. “Why don’t they just build more bike racks instead of spending $26 million on a new parking deck when we already have two?” “Why do you think?” I said. “David Byrne from the Talking Heads has been designing bike racks all across New York City. There’s one on Wall Street shaped like a dollar sign. I’m a welder and an artist. I’ll design a damn Razorback bike rack and put it on campus. Hell, I’ll do the labor for free.” And he will. Alex Cogbill, welder extraordinaire and art student, will design and build bike racks for solely the cost of materials for any business, including and especially the University of Arkansas. You can reach him at acogbi@uark. edu. So what’s the point, aside from shamelessly plugging my friend’s practically artistic endeavors? I guess it’s this: The superfluous and annoying new parking deck construction, which we are paying $26 million to build, is a categorical misallocation of serious monetary and resources. It is causing unnecessary unrest for the Garland neighborhood at large and, lest we forget, they made me wreck my bicycle. But, like Groucho Marx said, “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them ... well, I have others.” Samuel Letchworth is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER | UATRAV.COM

Honors College provides unique opportunities for UA students Elizabeth Bostwick Contributing Writer

Many UA students are unaware of the academic opportunities at their fingertips. Amid the chaos of extracurricular activities, social engagements and educational responsibilities, students frequently fail to recognize one of the university’s academic goldmines: the UA Honors College. The benefits of enrolling in the Honors College are numerous, program officials said. Participants have access to Honors sections of core courses and specialized Honors courses in all majors. Also, honors students enjoy the scheduling advantages of priority registration. If participants are able to satisfy established GPA and Honors course completion requirements, they are eligible to apply for Honors College study abroad and research grants. Honors College opportunities vary within the different colleges on campus. Students in Fulbright and Walton colleges can enroll in Honors courses specific to their majors. The Honors College fundamentally serves to unite Honors programs available through various colleges through funding and scholarship options. For instance, the program provides entering freshmen the opportunity to apply for an Honors College Fellowship. More than 2,000 students are currently enrolled in the Honors College, and the program is expanding. The majority of those enrolling in the Honors College this fall were freshmen. Over the past three years, the retention rate for Honors College freshmen has ranged from 93 percent to 91 percent. The Honors College often influences the college selection decision of prospective students. On Monday, Sept. 21, about 300

high school students attended the Honors College Convocation. The Convocation is an event designed to introduce potential students to the UA and the Honors program. Many honors students say they don’t regret their decision to fulfill the rigorous Honors requirements. “There was never really any doubt about participating in the Honors College for me,” chemical engineering major Jill Ivey said. Honors nursing student Lauren Bosch said she chose to be a part of the Honors program because she wants something on her resume and transcript to set her apart when she applies for jobs after graduation. “Especially in today’s job market, I think it is so important to have that little something extra that puts you above and beyond the others, and I think that being an Honors student lets employers know that you are a dedicated hard-worker who is passionate and focused about what you do,” Bosch said. Honors College administrators are proud of the way the college has developed and optimistic about its future, they said. “I expect that enrollment in the Honors College and Honors program will continue to grow in proportion to the overall growth in the undergraduate student body,” said Honors College Dean Bob McMath, regarding the future of the Honors program. “We are continuing to emphasize not just the perks but also the opportunities and responsibilities of participation in Honors. “In communicating with new and current Honors students, we are using ‘discovery, creativity and service’ as a shorthand way of expressing both our expectations of them and the opportunities which they can enjoy if they apply themselves to their studies.”

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 | Page 5A

COURTESY PHOTO

CDC

from Page 1 throughout their college career, beginning with the most basic element: choosing a major. At the CDC, this is established by not only students’ natural abilities, but also their everyday interests and work values. From there, the CDC helps students develop skills to accompany their degree programs – and the Professional Development Institute, with more than 1,600 UA students as members, “is maybe one of (the CDC’s) best features,” said Kevin Jones, a CDC career ambassador. “I definitely encourage students to use it.” Through internships, study abroad, community service, research opportunities and more, PDI “helps students develop the professional skills needed to compete in the job search and/or graduate school application,” Batson said. PDI “career coaches” determine the best experiences for

individual students and guide them through workshops and presentations, like “Diversity in the Workplace” and “Professional Interview Skills.” “These are invaluable resources to job-seeking students, and they’re free,” said Madalyn Watkins, a CDC career ambassador. “(Signing up for PDI) was one of the best decisions I’ve made at the UA.” Marshall Carter, CDC career counselor, agreed that the job search strategies learned through PDI give students an edge out of college. “Their application materials are usually going to be in better shape, and their interview and job search skills are going to be better,” he said. “This counts in the ‘real world.’” For students, the ultimate purpose of this work is to secure a job, preferably one that pays well and is in their field of interest. But Batson said soonto-be-graduates might have to shift their thinking, at least for a little while. “Students need to adjust their expectations to be real-

istic about the job market and the economic environment,” she said. “No. 1, it may take longer to find a job. No. 2, a graduate may have to relocate or be willing to within a few years. And No. 3, salary expectations need to be realistic – signing bonuses are rare these days.” Greg Renick, a CDC career ambassador, said it’s vital that students take advantage of the CDC’s services – and because of his own experience at the CDC, Renick said he’ll be able to find a good job, even in a competitive market. “Today’s economy is the

toughest we have seen in years,” he said. “It is essential that students have a strong, tailored resume, great interview skills and the relevant experience needed to land a job in such a tough market.” The CDC is located in the Arkansas Union 607, Bell Engineering 3158 and 3188, and Old Main 518. Students who want to set up a meeting with CDC officials can visit Career. uark.edu or call 479-575-2805. “Students need to visit the career center – they’re missing an important part of their college education if they don’t,” Batson said.

The Big Event The UA Career Development Center will host The Big Event 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, on the fifth floor of the Arkansas Union. The event will include a panel discussion with employers and a choice of presentations like “Your Personal Brand” and “Gut Check – Questions for the Entrepreneur Wannabe.” Register online at Career.uark.edu/students/ events/bigevent.aspx.

Page 6A | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENT

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER | UATRAV.COM

#! '"! %'!&%!'

! )! '"! ($#

$! %(% (!- ))& )((! -! )+- ! "")+ ! % ' ! '" % $ % "

) ! # % & % & & " " ) % ' " ) ! ! % % ( ) # )& & * ! ' &# ""

( ()/ %- , )( 0 /%-$ ) % ! +) ( * (, "+)' ')(-$ 0 !,, 0&2 0&,+ #""/ 0 4"/ ,0%". % .$"/ --)5 9

:5. -.& " )"// * &):&+ ." 0" !" &0 .! 3&0% :5. 0&2 0&,+ ,+ , &)" ., ! +! -) +

/%- $ -) '!+% , +#!,- ( ),- ! % ! %+! !,, !-/)+&

% & .!+%1)(/%+! !,, )' %,%- (0 ,-)+! VERIZON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS STORES

% $ ( ' " $! ! $ !# # & # & # &! $

' (

( && !## &

* Our Surcharges (incl. Fed. Univ. Svc. of 12.9% of interstate & int’l telecom charges (varies quarterly), 7¢ Regulatory & 92¢ Administrative/line/mo., & others by area) are not taxes (details: 1-888-684-1888); gov’t taxes & our surcharges could add 7% - 27% to your bill. Activation fee/line: $35. IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: 1 '" 0 0, 1/0,*". $*0 0 ) + ."!&0 --.,2 ) ." 0" #,.* - 0,

" .)5 0".*&+ 0&,+ #"" 1- 0, #0". )),3 + " , &)" ., ! +! &/ 2 &) )" 0, *,." 0% + *&))&,+ -",-)" &+ 0%" &+ * ',. *"0.,/ 7"./ ,2". $" +,0 2 &) )" "2".53%"." " 0" !" &0 .! 0 ("/ 1- 0, 3(/ "4- &+ *,/ "03,.( !"0 &)/ ,2". $" * -/ 0 2".&6,+3&.")"// ,* 8 ".&6,+ &.")"//

Family and football Bring hype to the Hill Wednesday in Lifestyles

LIFESTYLES THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Page 1B | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Lifestyles Editor: Brian Washburn | Assistant Lifestyles Editor: Lindsey Pruitt

Farmington native, UA grad makes it big on ‘Chelsea Lately’

E-mail: travlife@uark.edu|Phone: 575.7540

Traveler Top 5 Books we wish were banned

1.big textbooks...

because books that cost an arm and kill our legs should be half the size and paperback.

2. anything by faulkner... COURTESY PHOTO

Sarah Colonna, a writer for “Chelsea Lately” on the E! Network, graduated from the University of Arkansas and stays close to her Arkansas roots, she said.

Erin Robertson Staff Writer

Sarah Colonna has traveled quite a distance from her hometown of Farmington to her current position as a comedy writer for the “Chelsea Lately” show on the E! Network. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Colonna received her bachelor’s of art degree in drama and studied theater under such instructors as Kent Brown, Amy Herzberg, Pat Romanoff and

Michael Riha. She remembers her time in Fayetteville with fondness, and cited a summer trip to New York with classmates to see plays on Broadway and acting at a writer’s retreat at Mount Sequoyah as some of her favorite experiences with the UA drama program. After graduating from the UA, Colonna moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and comedy. Just like anyone trying to make it big in the world of show business, Colonna spent most of

her time waitressing and bartending at first, and she looked for as many stand-up comedy opportunities and commercial gigs as she could get. “Anything to get a foot in the door,” Colonna said. The move from Farmington to L.A. wasn’t a rocky shift, as might be expected for a smalltown girl making the switch to big-city life. “I had a little easier transition because my dad has lived in California a good portion of my life,”

Colonna said. “So I basically graduated and moved right afterward. Everyone knows it’s hard to go to school and save money, so I stayed with him and worked at a restaurant and stashed all my money to get my own apartment in L.A. “Once I did live in L.A. and live by myself, it was kind of weird,” she said. Starting out on her own See

‘LATELY’ on Page 4B

HUG IT OUT: ENTOURAGE MIXES GLAMOUR WITH IRONY Listen Up!

BRIAN WASHBURN dwashbur@uark.edu

People want the good life. They want to live the Hollywood lifestyle with an abundance of leisure, gigantic houses, fast cars, faster women and instant fame. This could very well be the reason viewers are drawn to the popular HBO dramedy “Entourage.” The show has gained an almost cult following and has earned some critical acclaim, including multiple Golden Globes for Supporting Actor for Jeremy Piven. But despite Piven’s hilarious and often profanity-laced tirades, it is completely dumbfounding how this little show became a gigantic hit. For those of you who have never seen or heard about

“Entourage” (which I find a bit unlikely, even though it is on HBO), it focuses on the ups and downs of mega-movie star Vincent Chase and his (yeah, you guessed it) entourage, consisting of his actor older brother Johnny “Drama” Chase, his manager/best friend Eric Murphy and his driver/ friend Turtle. The show, created by Doug Ellin, is based on Academy Award-nominated actor/former rap mogul Mark Wahlber’s ladder-climbing experience in the entertainment business. This might sound like an enticing premise for a premium cable-network TV show, but it’s the acting of a supposed movie star that makes the success of “Entourage” so ironic. Adrian Grenier (who portrays Vincent Chase on the show) does, as stated in a season one episode about his character’s movie, make walking and talking look difficult. But even though Grenier doesn’t have the acting chops to even persuade the most gullible viewer that he’s up to the standards of a Leo or Pitt,

it’s Kevin Connolly (who portrays Eric Murphy) who makes some scenes a bit unwatchable. Connolly’s overdramatic acting should maybe even give “Entourage” the title of a melodrama. So it’s the acting ability of Piven, along with the comic relief of Kevin Dillon (who plays Drama – and yes, he is Matt Dillon’s brother), who save the show from completely plunging off a cliff and into a realm of terrible acting inhabited by such stars as Paul Walker, Freddie Prinze Jr., Hayden Christensen, and so on. But that’s another time, another column. This week’s season finale of “Entourage” will see the gang take a step away from each other and on to their own personal ambitions. But though the plot lines are intriguing and the toys and girls are definitely addicting, it’s still confusing how a show revolving around a movie star’s ability to run his famous life was built upon a line of cringe-worthy acting (and the over-the-top

storyline that suggests Jamie Lynn Sigler would consider dating a leech like Turtle). “Entourage” might only have a couple of seasons left in it. It’s not known what direction the writers plan to take the show, but one thing is certain to those who have watched recent episodes: They’re setting up Vincent to win an Academy Award. Vincent as an Oscar-winning actor would add punch to the finale, but it’s laughable when you watch Grenier act. “Entourage” has left viewers with the taste of Hollywood on the tip of their tongue. It’s by far not the best – or even the most enjoyable – show on TV, but it will hook viewers and leave them wanting more. And for future reference, for those who have caught the Hollywood bug from the show, maybe you should mimic the path of Ellin and take a show about a movie star, add glitz, glamour and girls, hire mediocre-at-best actors and persuade viewers that with a little luck, charm and charisma, anything is possible.

because sentences shouldn’t be half a page: We have to breathe.

3.wuthering heights...

because here’s to the most depressing romance ever. Where’s the love?

4.anything about vampires... because we get it. Vampires are hot.

5. Anything too dense... because, if we have to look up more words than we don’t, we’re wasting our time.

Check Traveler Top 5 next week for most memorable football moments. “Seven years of college down the drain.” -John Belushi in “Animal House”

MOVIE REVIEW

“Pandorum” will entertain sci-fi fans Adam Roberts

Contributing Writer

COURTESY PHOTO

Ben Foster wakes up, naked and alone. He has no idea where he is, what his name is or why everything is so dark. I’m reluctant to explain anything else because the real power of the movie comes from unfolding this mystery. But if you saw the trailer, you already know that Foster has been in hyper-sleep for a long time. He’s part of an interstellar voyage that has gone horribly wrong.

If any of this sounds familiar, note that “Event Horizon” director Paul W. S. Anderson is involved. Thankfully, Anderson is just a producer and Christian Alvart is behind the camera in “Pandorum.” That doesn’t spare the movie from a certain amount of tedium, however. Just as in “The Bourne Identity,” the more our amnesiac recovers, the less

interesting the story turns out to be. The movie’s high point? When Foster starts to regain some memories, he meets Dennis Quaid, and the two set out to discover where they are, what happened to the rest of the crew and what is making those scary See

PANDORUM on Page 4B

Page 2B | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

LIFESTYLES

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

Honey, I’m home ... with a movie Mille Appleton

Contributing Writer

COURTESY PHOTOS

Movies relax, entertain and bring people together – three things college students strive for every weekend. And growing technology has made this beloved pastime easier than ever to enjoy: Though traditional movie rental galleries still exist, some students now prefer cheaper, more convenient ways to watch movies. Less than a year ago, “redbox” was a foreign term with the connotation of a colorful cardboard box. It has quickly turned into a household name and is considered by many students to be the best choice for renting movies. “Redbox makes more sense (than Blockbuster) because I’m only going to watch this movie once,” junior Lindsey Camp said. “Also, I don’t have to be a Redbox member or anything, and it’s at Walmart.” The convenience of Redbox is a huge perk for students, they said. “Redbox is only a dollar,” sophomore Brittany Williams said. “It’s also really easy to work, and conveniently placed in places I would be going to, anyway.” Nine Redbox locations are scattered throughout Fayetteville, including at Walmart, Walgreens and E-Z Mart. Customers browse DVD titles on the Redbox screen, and then the chosen DVD is vended. The $1 DVDs are due back at 9 p.m. the following night at any Redbox location – but because customers pay with a credit card, Redbox will charge $1 each night the DVD is not returned. Despite the Redbox trend, Blockbuster still has ardent followers. “Whenever I rent movies, I usually go to

Blockbuster because that’s where I used to get movies back home,” junior Robert Rembert said. “Blockbuster is better, in my opinion, because there’s more of a selection and they don’t really enforce late fees.” Though Blockbuster’s prices are considerably higher than Redbox – $4.09 for new releases and $1.99 for old releases – the selection is immensely greater and customers can keep movies for up to a week. Blockbuster’s latest endeavor is an online rental service similar to Netflix. The customer creates a queue of movies online, receives the movies in the mail and has the option of either mailing them back or exchanging them in the store, according to Blockbuster’s Web site. There are no due dates, late fees or extra cost for Blu-ray DVDs. The pricing is the same as Netflix’s basic package – $8.99 a month for unlimited movies. “I would rather just buy movies or rent them when I want rather than paying a fee every month,” junior Jessica McNair said. “I can see how Netflix would be good for large families, though.” Netflix is the world’s largest online movie rental service with 10 million subscribers, according to its Web site. With the basic package, subscribers receive unlimited movies and TV shows streamed onto their computer, as well as unlimited mailed DVDs, with one DVD out at a time. Subscribers create a queue of movies online, and Netflix sends the movies in the mail, with no due dates or late fees. Subscribers then return movies in a postage paid return envelope to receive new ones on their list. Pricing plans begin at $4.99 a month for

one DVD out at a time with a limit of two a month and range as high as $47.99 a month with the option of having eight DVDs out at a time. Many UA students – and movie connoisseurs – praise Netflix. Junior Samantha Herrera’s favorite pastime is watching movies, and though she admits she watches them too often, she said she feels like she is getting a good deal using Netflix. “You can get a ton of movies instantly on your computer, or if you order them, then it only takes a day to get here,” she said. “I don’t have to leave my house to go get them and it lets me set up a queue of movies, because usually when I go to Blockbuster I forget what I want.” With the growing popularity of portable devices, online rental programs are also offering streaming from the Internet. Though free with a Netflix plan, Blockbuster charges separately for online streaming. Even Apple has provided iTunes users with the option to buy or rent movies and watch them in minutes. Movies, available in standard or high definition, can be instantly downloaded to a computer, iPhone, iPod touch or a television through an Apple TV. Users have 30 days to begin watching the movie and 24 hours after that to complete the movie. Newer releases cost $3.99 while older releases are priced at $2.99. The possibilities and opportunities to watch movies are endless in today’s society, but the ability to entertain will never fade. As Walt Disney said, “Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.”

FREE

Classified Student Ads Send to travclas@uark.edu

Lunch Today! Soup in a Bread Bowl GRILL @ MAPLE HILL

W/ FOUNTAIN DRINK JUST 6.49

LIFESTYLES UNIVERSITY THEATRE SEASON KICKS OFF WITH ‘DEATH OF A SALESMAN’

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009| Page 3B

player for his high school, but, after high school, Biff struggles in life. He works hard at his The UA Drama Department job, but gets nowhere. Enraged will kick off its fall season with at his dad, Biff returns home to a play that is both classic and figure out what went wrong. “‘Death of a Salesman’ is timely. Arthur Miller’s “Death a family drama exploring the of a Salesman� both captures the essential joys and hopes of pain of unfulfilled expectations, the American dream and mir- especially between fathers and rors the current economic cri- sons,� Landman said. That kind of emotion and sis, director Michael Landman self-denial said. are at the “It is a heart of the fantastic It is a fantastic play abstract explay that can reach every- that can reach everyone.� p r e s s i o n i s t — Gabe Templin art moveone. At some ment – which point or an“Death of a other, everySalesman� one has expeexemplifies. rienced some of the feelings in Those involved in the prothis play,� leading actor Gabe duction of the play have exTemplin said. Written in the 1940s, “Death perienced that emotion themof a Salesman� explores the selves – and hope to evoke it in belief that America is a frontier their audience, as well. “The play is going fantasfilled with opportunities for those who are willing to work tically well!� Landman said. hard – but it does that on the “We’re having a great time working on the show, findlevel of the family. “The play shows how our ing the family dynamics, their personal values and dreams joys and frustrations and the can be warped by societal and quirky aspects of some of the familial expectations,� Land- characters. “The show will be preman said. Protagonist Willy Loman sented in an intimate space, believes being well-liked is the the Nadine Baum Studios at foundation of business suc- the Walton Arts Center. In that cess: He mistakes appearances theater, the audience is just a for substance. Loman raises his few feet from the actors, so everyone can feel like a part of son, Biff, to believe the same. Biff is the star football the action.�

Kelsey McQueary Staff Writer

“

COURTESY PHOTO

10 QUESTIONS WITH THE SOUND DESIGNER ment or a fully realized set.

Ana Dragic

Contributing Writer University Theatre opens its 2009-10 season with Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning drama “Death of a Salesman,� directed by Michael Landman. It’s been 30 years since this play was last performed for Fayetteville residents, but, now, the Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studio will revive this famous interpretation of the rise and fall of the American dream that has touched thousands of theatergoers since it debuted in New York in 1949. In an intimate new production by the university’s most creative team, Death of a Salesman will begin Thursday, Oct. 1. I caught up with sound designer Michael Riha to find out what’s in store for those who go. 1.Why was this play chosen to be the season opener? It was a struggle for us because we had a number of great titles on the table that we wanted to do. But we perform in collaboration with the Walton Arts Center, and they felt that this show will attract their patrons more than any other. 2. How did Bikes, Blues & BBQ affect rehearsals? Well, we weren’t able to do sound checks because we couldn’t hear over the roar of the motorcycles until Sunday (laugh). The show had its final technical rehearsal yesterday, and today is the final dress rehearsal. Although it was difficult to hear each other during BBB, we managed, and we’re in pretty good shape now. 3. How many times has this play shown in Fayetteville? “Death of a Salesman� debuted in Fayetteville in 1954 and, then, it was done again in 1979. So it’s been exactly 30 years since it was performed here last time. It’s perfect timing to perform it again! 4. What does the scenery for the play look like ? Traditionally, “Death of a Salesman� is a fairly long-standing script that is done in very similar ways throughout the country. It usually has Willy Loman’s home represented in someway – either with an architectural frage-

IF YOU GO

5. What distinguishes the approach of director Michael Landman from the traditional one? It’s a realistic script that has a lot of flashbacks scenes. The dialogue is fairly realistic and the characters are real people, but Michael has taken a very expressionistic view on the show and really wanted the audience to get inside the head of Willy and the turmoil that he is feeling. 6. How is that reflected on the stage? There aren’t a whole lot of props, but what props there are, are real – real cups from which they are drinking, real pillows on the constructed bad. So, it really strips it back to the essence of the scenes. 7. What kind of set will you use to make the main character as understandable as possible for the audience? Christina (an undergraduate design student) designed the set to be kind of nightmarish, emphasizing how everything seemed to be closing in on Willy. 8. Special effects? Lighting will play a big part. In the flashback scenes, characters are on the stage but not visible until light reveals them dramatically through a screen so the audience will see them as a part of Willy’s memory. 9. Who are the cast members in the play? All the cast members are current students at the UA, but it’s the first time we’ve ever had so many international students on a program. We have 4 graduate directing students, and three of the four are international students. It adds another richness to their previous experiences and helps them to learn the American style of directing and communicating with actors. 10. How do they contribute to that American style of directing? Its certainly expanding our scope to see how someone from Italy, Colombia or Korea works with American actors and technicians. Now they are directing, but, hopefully, in the future, we’ll have that kind of expansion with design, too. Hurry up because seats are very limited!

When Five special students-only shows: Oct. 1, 6- 8 Six shows for the public: Oct. 2-4, 10-11 Where Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios

Price Free tickets for students for student shows at the box office on campus 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. $5 tickets for students for public shows at the Walton Arts Center box office.

2"46 7 204 7

0 ; = 0 = : ; = ? 5 (+(*( ; ;

7

0 @ "7 7 @ 3 #/ @ 0 = 0 9 1 @ 8 / @ 9 7 = @

4 4821 84 2 7 204 7 8 8404 8463 0 84 67 /2 9 ; > ; =

22 = = > = < < " ),+"-'-) " 5 A; <A 3 < ! " ((&"+**' " 5 A >B < > " -**"('($ " 5 A < ; B

" )&%",&-- " 5 A B

7 ! " ((&"(',( " 5 A B 7 = 4 44 444! " (('"**-, " 5 A = B

8 < " (('"-,$( " 5 A <B

; > ; =

22 = = > = < 0 = 4 44! " )&%"*,-) " 5 A = A

0 > 8 " (('"-+*+ " 5 A0 > B 2 < # < " (('"+&+, " 5 A < B

! = = > ! . /= = !0 7 ! 6 !7 : < = = ; > ! ; : 0 4

LIFESTYLES

Page 4B | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

‘LATELY’

from Page 1B wasn’t immediately successful. But Colonna recognized that her struggles and the hard work she put in to achieve her goals were meaningful to her experience. “Every time I started to get frustrated, something would come along ‌ like working on ‘The United States of Tara’ with Toni Collette,â€? she said. Other credits to her acting experience include a guest appearance on the USA hit show “Monkâ€? with Tony Shalhoub, work on BBC’s comedy show “The World Stands Up,â€? a regular spot on SciFi’s “Scare Tactics,â€? a semifinalist position on “Last Comic Standingâ€? and appearances on various other Comedy Central shows. Colonna cemented her place on “Chelsea Latelyâ€? after appearing as a guest comedian on the Round Table. In May, she was hired as a full-time writer, and she continues to do stand-up comedy for the show. “It’s a great job and it’s a lot of fun,â€? Colonna said. “It’s a great group of people, and I’ve been really lucky to be able to morph into that after 10 years of trying to get into the business.â€? And fully into the business she is. Colonna recalled how “coolâ€? it was to be at a restaurant recently with Al Pacino nearby. “I was kind of in shock, like,

‘Wow, that’s Al Pacino,’â€? she said. Colonna described similar experiences with other stars, like when Jennifer Aniston appeared on the “Chelsea Latelyâ€? show for an interview or when James Gandolfini came into a bar she was working at. “Even at a grocery store, you’ll see someone randomly,â€? Colonna said. Yet Colonna is reluctant to abandon her Arkansas roots. She usually comes home to visit family at Christmas and during the summer, and still remains a loyal Hogs fan. Colonna spoke highly of her Arkansas background, and recalled getting together with fellow UA alums working in California for the occasional dinner out. “You know, anytime anyone asks me about school, (I tell them) I loved going to the UA,â€? she said. “I had so many great professors and so many friends ‌ (and) a few of them are even working out here now. It’s great to have this camaraderie from back home.â€? And though L.A. is a diverse city, made up of people from around the country and world, Colonna doubts her California peers will be able to let go of her association with the South. “Yeah, I don’t think people will ever stop the ‘Did you marry your cousin?’ jokes,â€? she said. “But the few of us just usually make fun of them right back.â€?

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

BIKES, BLUES & BBQ

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

The 10th annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ festival was hosted in Fayetteville last weekend and attracted thousands of people to Dickson Street. Barbecue contests were hosted as part of the festivities.

Vinyl records making a comeback Brady Tackett

Assistant Lifestyles Editor It’s the Technicolor canvas, the floppy weight and, most of all, the vast sound: The vinyl record is a singular relic of music history. As CD sales continue to nosedive, the medium has taken the music industry by surprise, with vinyl sales nearly doubling from about .9 million units sold in 2007 to 1.88 million units sold last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. While all of the major labels are frantically remastering and reissuing their classics (Abbey Road, The Dark Side of the

Moon and OK Computer are among the top vinyl sellers), online retailers like eBay and Insound are enjoying abnormally high record sales. Even Best Buy is selling them again. So why are LPs back? “I love the historical aspect of records,� said Buck Brady, a UA graduate student. “I love the process of taking out the record and dropping the needle. It’s a ritual.� Brady is a follower of the Grateful Dead, a band with a notoriously large catalog, and he rummages through garage sales and local record stores, like Sound Warehouse, searching for rare finds.

“I’m really excited about this one,� he said, holding up a worn copy of Grateful Dead from the Mars Hotel on vinyl. “I grew up with my parents listening to records like (the Rolling Stones’) Sticky Fingers. But I didn’t start collecting them until a few years ago.� Vinyl has always been the commodity for audiophiles and collectors alike, and, for the past two decades, records have become something of a folk art. A remnant of another time, discovered in attics and garages, dusted off and recycled. “The artwork of vinyl is kind of like a lost art form,� said Jesse Clark, a student

PANDORUM

Over 1,700 shirts are on display as a unified campus voice speaking out against sexual violence.

Oct. 5th-7th, ARKU Courtyard 9 am – 4 pm (weather permitting) Sponsored by RESPECT (a program of the STAR Central Office of the Pat Walker Health Center)

respect.uark.edu

from Page 1B

noises they hear in the dark. I almost wish Foster would never have figured anything out. He could just run around dark corridors fighting off strange creatures for 90 minutes. Having no answers might be more horrifying, like in 1997’s “Cube.� But, eventually, of course, Foster does figure everything out. Slowly enough to keep viewers from leaving the theater, but not quickly enough to keep the reveals from being disap-

at Fayetteville High School. “It’s cool to know that you’re preserving something so old, with all this tradition.� Nostalgia is only one cause for the resurgence of vinyl. In a 2002 interview with The New York Times, David Bowie predicted that music would become “like running water or electricity,� a seemingly limitless commodity. He was right. MP3s are readily accessible and usually available for free. They do not exist in a practical, physical sense, so they are easily exchanged. They are small packets of data, compressed and portable.

“Vinyl is how music was meant to be heard,� said Bo LeMastus, president of Crosley Radio, in a phone interview last week. “But in the 1970s, that disappeared with the 8-track tape and, eventually, the MP3.� It’s likely that the vinyl’s comeback is actually a reaction to MP3s. Vinyl records are detailed, colorful, painstakingly created pieces of art. They are the antithesis of the MP3 format. Records store analog sound, so they sound warmer than tinny-sounding MP3s, and they come in ornate packaging, complete with liner notes and lyric sheets. But who would wait outside

a music store (of the very few left) on the night prior to an album’s release when they could simply download it for free, several months prior? By the time an album is physically released, it’s largely irrelevant to its tech-savvy target demographic. Now, though, the record is no longer a symbol of obsolescence. Labels recently began including MP3 download cards with newer vinyl releases. Instead of paying $10 on iTunes for the Dodos’ new record, Time to Die, buyers could purchase

pointing. We waited too long to be rewarded with nothing more than “Twilight Zoneâ€? clichĂŠs and video-game characters. German actress Antje Traue, for example, plays a tough, sexy scientist with a working knowledge of martial arts, an indeterminate accent and a sensitive side that only shows after she warms up to the main male character. There needs to be some sort of industry standard that says screenwriters are never allowed to be within 20 yards of an Xbox 360. On the plus side, the action sequences are made up of quick cuts and a constantly moving

camera, and the frenzied pace fits with Foster’s paranoia and confusion. We only get glimpses of the creatures, at first, but, when they are finally revealed in full, we don’t feel cheated – these are some scary-looking dudes. The early scenes of Foster running through the ship is where “Pandorum� really earns my kudos. It would have been very easy to frighten the audience through surprise. It could have just had the creatures suddenly jump out around corners and make loud noises. Going for the cheap scream is what most horror movies

seem to do now. But “Pandorum� sets up atmosphere and suspense. The audience is afraid of what might happen to the characters and not simply dreading the next startling bang or shriek. “Pandorum� isn’t a work of great science-fiction, and there are plenty of flaws, but it’s a good, solid addition to the space horror genre. It entertained me, at least. “Pandorum� is playing in Fayetteville at both AMC Fiesta Square 16 and at Malco Razorback Cinema. It is rated ‘R’ for strong horror violence and language.

See

RECORDS on Page 5B

The

Tra v

ele

! * ,

r

"& & - "& * # & "& ')+ "& + , * , "& * '*% + ,

) '*$ ) ' * + , # * # )' . #( ( '*% * % - (

LIFESTYLES UA graduate student publishes first graphic novel, ‘Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer’

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

Justine Harrington

Contributing Writer Many people across the nation know and love the tale of Pinocchio, the wooden boy whose rapidly growing nose prevents him from telling a lie. It’s a story full of lessons in morality – namely, the importance of telling the truth and the negative consequences that can arise from lying. But what would happen if the beloved, ultimately moral Pinocchio encountered the undead? That’s the question that inspired UA graduate Dusty Higgins to create “Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer,� a graphic novel detailing Pinoc-

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009| Page 5B

chio’s quest to destroy vampires who have overrun his town. Higgins, along with writer Van Jensen, created the novel based on the original story by Carlo Collodi, but it takes a much different route than the fluffier Disney film. In Higgins and Jensen’s novel, Pinocchio’s wooden nose isn’t a simple truth barometer: It’s used to impale vampires. “We approached the story as if maybe Pinocchio wasn’t meant to live happily ever after. With a continual supply of wooden stakes and no flesh or blood to worry about, he’s really the perfect weapon against the undead bloodsucking menace,� Higgins said, according to a press release from Slave Labor Graphics Publishing, which will publish the novel.

Higgins, who received his bachelor’s degree of art in 2003 and is pursuing a master’s in journalism at the UA, is a former cartoonist for The Traveler. He credits his time at the paper with helping him “develop a professional attitude� and acquire “real world skills� to advance his craft. And it’s a craft that happened almost by chance. Higgins said it was his friends in high school who encouraged him to continue his drawing hobby in college, and once he arrived at the UA, Patsy Watkins, chair of the journalism department, also was a source of support. “After I showed her some of my drawings, she said that I could make money doing what I loved,� Higgins said. Watkins’ advice turned out to be quite pro-

phetic: Higgins’ novel is set to hit stores in late October. But it wasn’t without effort. “It’s very difficult to get published in the comic world,� Higgins said. But, after exploring their options, Higgins and Jensen settled on SLG, a company whose work they “respected and liked.� Most importantly, SLG also gave them more creative control than other comic book publishers, Higgins said. Higgins’ plans for the future include publishing two sequels to Pinocchio’s dark tale, as well as two other unnamed projects. “Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer� will be available in October through Amazon and at major bookstores.

RECORDS

LARPING ON THE LAWN

Students engage in live action role play on the Arkansas Union Mall. The sport includes fantasy fighting with homemade weapons.

from Page 4B

ALEX LANIS Staff Photographer

a vinyl copy with an included MP3 copy for roughly $13 from Insound. “If I can find a new album on vinyl, and it comes with an MP3 download, of course that’s a great deal,� Brady said. Even iTunes, the top music seller, bowed to the trend with the recent release of iTunes LP, a feature that seeks to recreate the visual experience of vinyl with animated liner notes, photos, lyrics and artwork. However, many find it strange to include MP3 downloads with the vintage vinyl collection. Instead of replacing vinyl, the MP3 has bonded with the antiquated format. It’s a strange synthesis and a hard sell for retailers like iTunes. “Our customer base is split between an older demographic that likes old wooden turntables and a younger demographic that wants good performance,� LeMastus said. “Over the past three or four years, the younger demographic has really picked up.� That demographic has changed the music industry into a more diverse marketplace, resurrecting an outdated medium and reinventing the current one. This hybrid of fidelity and portability could serve as a new kind of medium that unites seasoned crate-diggers with the iPod generation.

479.575.SAFE

Wed-Sat, 11pm-3am

EGGS Now on Dickson St

New Sunrise Cafe 1/2 block off Dickson at 326 N West Ave.

%0-.! 3 -&! 3 /0-! 3 *! 0*! 3 Sunrise Slam.....$3.97 - "$$. +* +- . 0. $" , * '". Blueplate Special......$3.97 - " /(+ # -&"! %& '"* +-' %+, ) 0-$"- /" ' +- ) /" ' (++!3 -3 -"2 -&1"-. ")+.&. +*(3

% $ () & *' # !

# !

"

READ THIS ONLINE @ UATrav.com

SAFE RIDE PROGRAM

BETCHA WE CAN BEAT YA HOME! ((

((

FAYETTEVILLE 518 W. DICKSON ~ 479.571.0600 BENTONVILLE 805 S. WALTON ~ 479.254.6700 SPRINGDALE 4276 W. SUNSET AVE. ~ 479.927.0399

FREAKY FAST DELIVERY! 3?2.8F 3.@A 1296C2?F • % 76::F 7<5;´@ 3?.;056@2 990 .99 ?645A@ ?2@2?C21

Page 6B |WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

CLASSIFIEDS TRAVCLAS@UARK.EDU PHONE: 479-575-3406 FAX 479-575-3306 UA STUDENTS and RSOs Free: 30 or fewer words. Up to four insertions per ad. Personal use only not for commercial use. CAMPUS (faculty and departments) $3: 30 or fewer words, 20¢ per word thereafter per insertion. COMMERCIAL OFF CAMPUS $7: 30 or fewer words, 50¢ per word thereafter per insertion. CLASSIFIED DISPLAY $7.50 per column inch LOST AND FOUND Four times free. 30 word maximum. Regular rates apply for additional insertions. Classified deadlines are 11 a.m. two days before publication date. The Arkansas Traveler is published Mondays,Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the academic year except holidays and examination periods. A publication schedule and rate card are available upon request.

VISA and MASTERCARD accepted.

DOWNTIME

Before you do business with a company you don’t know, check them out with the Better Business Bureau by calling the BBB at 501-664-7274 or online at www. bbb.org.

FOR SALE

Rockford Fosgate coaxial speakers. New. In boxes. Two T1682C, two T162C. Cost $500; Sell for $250. Ladies PINK cruiser bicycle with rattan basket on front; new; never ridden. $350. 445-2212 ‘97 white Lumina in excellent condition. 4 dr., auto, A/C, 172,736 actual miles, never had an accident. Asking $1,900. Please call 479-200-1922 if seriously interested.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER | UATRAV.COM

125, great condition. Call or text for price. John 501-5197337

# # t t & # # '$%! t # " ! $

br e c k e n r i dge

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wanted: Basic Web Site built. My project requires five basic pages of programming. Good pay, in cash. Call 901315-7646 to discuss.

20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price.

plus t/s

FOR RENT

1-800 -SKI-WILD t 1-800-754-9453

Two bedroom apartment in quiet, woodsy neighborhood near university. Recently remodeled, 1400 sq. ft. with garage. $800 per month includes utilities. Call 479283-4266.

1997 Nissan Sentra, 140,000 miles, asking $1,100. Call 479283-5772. 2007 Black Yamaha Vino

GIRLS AND SPORTS

WONDERMARK | David Malki

ALL CHARACTERS ÂŽ Š GIRLS & SPORTS COMICS, ANY REPRODUCTION OF GIRLS & SPORTS INCLUDING IT’S CHARACTERS OR LIKENESS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO GIRLS & SPORTS COMICS

BLISS | Harry Bliss

HOROSCOPES | Linda Black ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) TODAY IS A 7.

CROSSWORD

The work will get done. You’ll make sure that happens. Get help from a partner who already knows how to do the job.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) TODAY IS A 5.

Let a partner deal with some of your worries. Settle back into your regular routine; it’ll be relaxing. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21) TODAY IS AN 8.

You’re doing well at keeping the details together. If you don’t feel up to the challenge, hide out and wait. CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) TODAY IS A 6.

More family time is required. Listen to a shy person. It’ll take a while, but you’ll learn a lot about this person. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) TODAY IS A 8.

Your genial attitude makes you easy to be around. If you really want them to mind you, however, be a bit more strict. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) TODAY IS A 6.

SUDOKU

Continue to proceed with caution. Follow through with the things on your list. It’s OK to start new projects, too. LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) TODAY IS AN 8.

Whatever worked yesterday won’t work today.Take a practical view. By the end of the day you’ll be back on top.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) TODAY IS A 5.

You thought you knew exactly what the score was ... and you were wrong. Now, take charge and fix your mistakes. SAGITTARIUS (NOV.22-DEC.21) TODAY ISA 6.

Make a plan, but also determine the plans that others have made.That should be easy to figure out, because they’re trying to convince you to change. Keep your own objectives in mind.

CAPRICORN (DEC.22-JAN.19) TODAY ISA 5.

LEVEL: MEDIUM

You tune right into what others need. Once you get started, helping them is easy. Assert yourself as needed. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) TODAY IS A 7.

COMPLETE THIS GRID SO EVERY ROW, COLUMN, AND 3X3 BOX CONTAINS EVERY DIGIT FROM 1 TO 9 INCLUSIVELY

WEDNESDAY’S SOLUTION

If you’re sure that you’ll care about the issues next week, hold your ground. If you don’t care, don’t cry.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) TODAY IS A 5.

Look into your heart before you make a commitment. You’ll waffle during the day. By tonight you’ll have decided.

WEDNESDAY’S SOLUTION

Southwest Classic Razorbacks try to end losing streak on the big stage in Texas

SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Phone: 575.7051 | E-mail: travsprt@uark.edu Sports Editor: Matt Watson | Assistant Sports Editor: Harold McIlvain II GUEST COMMENTARY

Did you know? Razorback defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard averages 1.5 tackles for loss per game, second-best in the SEC

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 |Page 7B

FOOTBALL

A&M rivalry SOUTHWEST SPOTLIGHT a tribute to ‘Classic’ a strategic showcase for recruiting the past Matt Watson Sports Editor

David Lanier

Special to The Traveler Editor’s Note: David was the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler from 1974-75, when he published his column “Ramblin’ On.” “Every tradition grows ever more venerable. The reverence due to it increases from generation to generation. The tradition finally becomes holy and inspires awe.” - Friedrich Nietsche The renewal of the Arkansas-Texas A&M football rivalry spawns awe-inspiring reminiscences. One of the most storied victories the Razorbacks ever reveled in occurred on Dec. 6, 1975, when the underHogs shellacked the Aggies, 31-6, and earned their first Cotton Bowl appearance in ten years. “The reverence due to it increases from generation to generation.” Indeed, anyone not holding reverence for the Razorbacks needs to reflect on the odds against the Hogs that day in Little Rock. Texas A&M boasted the No. 1 defense in the nation and had just triumphed over Texas, 20-10. Following the monumental conquest Arkansas ended up in a three-way tie with A&M and Texas for the Southwest Conference title with identical 6-1 records, but since A&M went to the Cotton Bowl in 1967 and Texas in 1974, Arkansas garnered a berth to face Georgia. Prior to the tussle, Arkansas’ offensive coordinator Bo Rein quipped, “Personally this is the best defense I’ve seen since Michigan State in 1966 with Bubba Smith and George Webster.” After the victory became self-evident a spine-tingling cheer erupted from the Hogs faithful in War Memorial Stadium. “Hey, hey, ho, ho. Arkansas to the Cotton Bowl.” As chronicled in the Arkansas Democrat sports section the next day, some Arkansas fans chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Texas A&M to the toilet bowl,” as the disconsolate Aggies trudged to their dressing room. The signature, game-breaking play occurred on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Arkansas quarterback Scott Bull to diminutive 5-9 wide receiver Teddy Barnes, who soared to out-leap Lester Hayes, future great Oakland Raiders’ defensive back, with 34 seconds remaining in the first half to propel the Razorbacks’ momentum-smashing conquest. Bull remarked, “I never saw Teddy on that pass. I had an idea where he was supposed to be. I was flat on my back and I never saw him catch it. I have a black eye from that game but it was worth it.” Meanwhile in the woebegone Aggies’ dressing room, two All-American linebackers exchanged a highly emotional conversation, which I overheard while writing a sidebar on the game in my first year as a professional sports writer for the Springdale News. I had just graduated from the University of Arkansas in journalism after a year’s sojourn as The Traveler sports editor. See

TRIBUTE on Page 8B

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has been a media-hype machine for quite some time now. Its hefty price tag, gargantuan features and the prominent events and figures associated with it have made the new home of the Dallas Cowboys out to be a Colosseum of sorts, a spectacle in itself to draw thousands upon thousands of fans out to the greatest show on Astroturf. Whether or not the stage itself is enough to upstage the games played upon it is a moot point for Cowboy owner Jerry Jones, who said he built the stadium so the Razorbacks, his alma mater, would come play there. “My dream when I was building Cowboys Stadium was that that stadium could become Razorback Stadium-West.

I think that’s what it is,” Jones said at a press conference in Northwest Arkansas. The setting provided at Cowboys Stadium just outside of Dallas will give Arkansas a chance to play in one of the most heavily-recruited areas in the country for high school football players. “This is all about our school,” said Jones, who co-captained the 1964 Arkansas squad that won the national championships. “This is all about the Razorbacks are far as I’m concerned. But you also say to that whole north Texas area – which is the greatest recruiting area in the country today, not to demean my North Little Rock alumni and all of the people around the state – but it’s critical for the University of Arkansas, for our future, that the grandmothers and

the mothers of the athletes, of the high school players, know that they’re going to get to see their sons and grandsons play in Razorback Stadium-West.” There are currently more than 20 players from the state of Texas who suit up for the Hogs every Saturday. Other college teams have agreed to play in the Cowboys Stadium for the exposure, including a marquee match-up between two top 25 teams, Oklahoma and Brigham Young, earlier this season. “This is a strategic move for Arkansas. A strategic move for our fans to support the Razorbacks playing in Dallas, because that’s how you’re going to get the attention of some of the finest athletes in the country that play football, to come up to Northwest Arkansas and See

RECRUITING on Page 8B

RON JENKINS Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

The video board at Cowboys Stadium is the largest high-definition TV in the world, an estimated 80 yards in width.

Excitement for ‘Palace in Dallas’ Harold McIlvain II

Assistant Sports Editor Senior safety Matt Harris said he wouldn’t know what to think when he enters Cowboys Stadium for the first time. It’s a stadium Harris said he is looking forward to seeing when Arkansas has a walk-through before the game. But as a Richardson, Texas, native, Harris knows everything is supposed to be bigger in Texas. And so is the $1.1 billion stadium the Razorbacks will play in against Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. “It’s going to be huge and colossal,” Harris said of the venue. “It’s just like going into the Romans. I’ve never seen it before. But (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones went all out.” When Harris finally walks into the stadium, he said it might be difficult to ignore the largest high-definition television in the world that features 25,000 square feet of display. “The scoreboard looks fake because it is so unbelievable,” Harris said. “It looks unreal on television.” Harris said the game would be even more meaningful for him since his father Cliff Harris played for the Cowboys and appeared in five Super Bowls for the franchise.

“I’m proud of my dad and the accomplishment he has had,” Harris said. “And to play on the field for the same franchise he played for is a big deal for me.” But with more than 25 players on roster from Texas, Harris won’t be the only player looking forward to the debut at the Southwest Classic. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said the whole team is looking forward to the match up. “We are looking forward to going to Dallas and playing A&M,” Petrino said. “I think it is exiting for our players and our program. I think it’s great for the tradition for the old Southwest Conference days.” But Petrino said he couldn’t contain his excitement either. “We can’t wait,” Petrino said smiling. “I’m never been in the Taj Mahal before.” Quarterback Ryan Mallett said all the enthusiasm before the game reminded him of postseason play during high school. See

EXCITEMENT on Page 8B

OLYMPIC SPORTS NOTEBOOK

Soccer looks to improve execution under pressure Jimmy Carter

Assistant Sports Editor Arkansas may have lost to Tennessee 1-0 in its Southeastern Conference opener Friday night, but Razorbacks coach Erin Aubry couldn’t have been happier. The Razorbacks didn’t score, but recorded 18 shots, including nine on goal. “We walked away from Friday’s game and we were ecstatic,” Aubry said. “We were ecstatic in our style of play, (but) we didn’t win. That’s part of it, unfortunately. We got more out of Friday night losing and playing that caliber of soccer than we did all nonconference winning.” Aubry said winning will come, but the most important thing is for the team to play its style of soccer. “Of course we want to win and there’s been no doubt about that,” Aubry said. “You ask any one of the players, you ask anyone on the staff, that’s the first thing out of our mouth, we want to win. It’s

important for us to get back on the winning side of it, but it’s not our focus. “Our focus is to play our style of soccer and do it very, very well.” Arkansas (6-2-2, 0-2 SEC) will look to pick up its first SEC win this weekend at Auburn on Friday and at Alabama on Sunday. The Razorbacks were shut out in the losses to Tennessee and No. 8 Georgia (2-0), and Aubry said the team is still adjusting to the step up in competition in conference play. “Undoubtedly (not scoring) was the pressure of the game that we hadn’t faced yet in our nonconference schedule” Aubry said. “This is one thing that we’ve certainly vowed to change is to make sure that our nonconference schedule has some tougher challenges in it. (Games) where our players know when they’re in front of the goal, they might only have one or two opportunities a game and they have to finish them.” Despite the 0-2 start in conference

play, Aubry said the team has responded well and is looking to improve in areas they struggled with in their first weekend of conference action. “The mentality of the team, the chemistry of the team, is all very, very good right now,” Aubry said. “We are still trying to change a bit of a psychological culture, though. Our focus is to get better and do the things that we were struggling in this weekend, do them better next weekend. Finishing under pressure, that’s something that we’ve got to overcome. That’s going to be our focus.” Men, women’s cross country head to Wisconsin The Arkansas men and women’s cross country teams won the Arkansas Invitational and MSSU Stampede with ease in the opening meets of their 2009 seasons. Both squads will face much stiffer tests at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational Saturday in Madison, Wisc. “We’re looking forward to this meet

this weekend up in Wisconsin,” Bucknam said. “The competition looks to be stiff, it’s going to give us a real challenge. Some outstanding teams are going to be there, traditional powers. We get a wide cross-section from schools from out east and out west and in the Midwest. “It’s a good meet on our schedule. It’ll give us some preparation for the Chili Pepper race, which we expect to have a good field for as well.” The race will be the first big event for freshmen Solomon Haile and Cameron Efurd. Haile won the Arkansas Invitational and Efurd finished 19th in his collegiate debut at the MSSU Stampede. “(They need to) get up in front and run, literally,” Bucknam said. “You’ve got to test your mettle, you’ve got to see where you’re at. We need to experience a big race. We need to step up to the plate and find out where we’re at fitness-wise and where we’re at mentally.” See

OLYMPIC on Page 8B

COMMENTARY

Hogs must rise above the show Leave it to Jerry Jones, the only University of Arkansas alumnus with both the resources and the influence, to strike a deal to bring his alma mater’s football team across state lines to play in his backyard every year for the next decade.

Swinging for the Fences

MATT WATSON travsprt@uark.edu

The highly-visible Dallas Cowboys owner and self-made billionaire will get his wish Saturday when the Razorbacks restart their annual rivalry with Texas A&M, a ten-game series to be played at the newest and grandest football stage on the planet. Mr. Jones and I have a lot in common. We are both North Little Rock natives, we are both Razorbacks, and we would both like to be the billionaire owner of the Cowboys. He’s a little ahead of me in realizing that last item, but nevertheless, great minds think alike. He just thought of it first. I digress. Call it Jerry World, call it Texas Stadium Twice as Nice, or call it the most expensive inoperable spaceship on the planet if you want to. Jones built a 1.5 billion-dollar football fiefdom in the middle of an economic recession, and we might as well enjoy the spectacle in case someone can’t pay the mortgage a few years down the line. The series with A&M will also be something to appreciate, as the Hogs don’t have too many rivals – Arkansas and LSU play for a trophy every year, but it’s not like the Hog game is circled on the Tigers’ schedule each year. It’s a game between border states while the Alabama teams and Mississippi schools battle each other during Rivalry Week. Arkansas fans certainly love to hate the Texas Longhorns too, and now there’s a bigger rivalry with Ole Miss for some crazy reason. But you can never have enough rivalries. You’ve probably heard a few times now about ‘now-defunct’ Southwest Conference and how the Aggies and Piggies used to play each other every year, and how people used to do research in libraries and watch black-and-white television and make fire. There is a dueling column on the far left of this page about the rich tradition that once existed between the two schools, and it’s exciting to see these two teams to get together on a regular basis again. But beyond the trip to Arlington, the Next-Wonder-of-the-World Dome (with a retractable roof “so the biggest Cowboy fan of all can watch from above,” as they say), the renewed rivalry and even the Texas State fair currently in session, there is a football game being played Saturday. The Razorbacks have lost two in a row and looked really bad in their last game against a really good team. There’s no shame in losing to a top-five team on the road in the Southeastern Conference, but the Hogs looked like they had already lost the game in the first quarter. After a tough loss in a shootout in Fayetteville the week before, Arkansas went to Tuscaloosa and played with Georgia on its mind. The Hogs now step out of conference to play an undefeated Texas A&M team, and with a two-game losing streak and a terrible threesome of Auburn-Florida-Ole Miss waiting when Arkansas gets back to SEC play, the Razorbacks need to get back on track in a hurry unless they want their current misfortune to snowball into six straight losses. Matt Watson is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Wednesday.

SPORTS

Page 8B | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 COMMENTARY

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER | UATRAV.COM

Ranking the playoffs: It’s the season of postseason It will be hard to avoid anything that isn’t related to the playoffs during the next few weeks. Baseball will be starting up postseason soon and will be dominating television sets for a while. Golf just finished up last week while NASCAR is still racing for a champion. But not all playoff systems are created equal. Some are more exciting than others while some are just confusing and long. Mark your colander for these postseason events that are better than others. 10. PGA Tour: No one understands the system, but Tiger Woods was able to win the FedEx Cup and $10 million dollar prize last weekend. The system has been tweaked every year of its existence, but the PGA Tour actually received positive results from the four tournaments in five-week format this year. Once they stick with the system and fans understand it, golf could have a playoff system fans really

RECRUITING from Page 7B

play football,� Jones said. Not only does Arkansas playing in north Texas provide the Razorbacks with exposure in front of prospective prep players, but the lure of playing in an NFL stadium will be a selling point for

OLYMPIC

from Page 7B The 17th-ranked Razorbacks will face a highly competitive field that includes seven other ranked teams, led by fourthranked Wisconsin, No. 7 Iona and No. 10 Georgetown. “Michigan is third in the Great Lakes region, obviously Wisconsin (is good),� Bucknam said. “Marquette is always a good team. Iowa has a good team, (they) always run well in cross country and they’re regular qualifiers for the national championships out of a tough region. They’ll provide us plenty of competition. “Iona, another top-10 ranked team. Plenty of competition, we’re looking forward to it.� Bucknam said the decision on whether All-American Dorian Ulrey races will be made Saturday. The junior ran in the World Championships over the summer and sat out the Hogs first two meets. “He’s climbing in his volume (of his workouts) and we certainly don’t want to overdue it,� Bucknam said. “He won’t hold back and that’s kind of what we’re afraid of. He wanted to race two weeks ago, he wanted to race at Missouri Southern. (We’ve had to) cool his jets a little bit.� Women’s coach Lance Harter said Saturday’s meet will be a balancing act between wanting to finish well and not overworking the team before the SEC Championships on Oct. 31. The field features six nationally ranked teams, besides Arkansas. “We’re kind of in a catch-22,� Harter said. “We want to do well in the SEC meet, strictly because of the pride of so many championships that we have won in the SEC. As far as this weekend goes, we definitely want to try to show some good early season poise

Deuces Wild

HAROLD MCILVAIN II hmcilvai@uark.edu

want to see. But it still is strange for Phil Mickelson to win the last event and it be somewhat meaningless. 9. NASCAR: The nice element from the chase for the Sprint Cup is viewers actually know who can win it, as the field is eliminated down to 12 drivers rather than leaving 30 or more golfers in the FedEx Cup field. There have been a couple tweaks to the system that Jimmie Johnson has dominated lately, but fans of the sport know what to expect. However, the driver with the most points tends to protect the lead, which doesn’t seem right.

high schoolers to come to Fayetteville, he said. “Over 70 percent of the players we have in the NFL don’t have a father-figure. They listen to their grandmothers and their mommas. Those mommas and grandmothers want them to play where they can come see them, so north Texas players want to come out and know if they’re Razorbacks, they’ll be able to go out and look and competitiveness. But, at the same we don’t want to sacrifice everything for the end of the season. “As a coach, it’s a fine line and we’re kind of walking on a razor’s edge. Harter said Arkansas freshmen Alyssa Allison, Taylor Johnson and Keri Wood need to be tested and must use the event as an opportunity to acclimate themselves to big college meets. “We have to (test the younger runners) because the season is short,� Harter said. “We’re only four and a half weeks away from the conference championships. It’s time to get it done. We’re going to be unfortunately testing by fire, but hopefully we won’t get burned. Maybe just a good sunburn.� Freshman Stephanie Brown and junior Jillian Rosen won’t run in the meet, Harter said. Brown has recovered from mononucleosis is working her way back into shape, while Rosen continues to recover from a stress fracture and torn MCL and is a redshirt candidate, Harter said. Pulliza, volleyball team look for first SEC road win The young Arkansas volleyball team got its first taste of the road last weekend in a pair of 3-0 losses, at Tennessee and at 17thranked Kentucky. But, coach Robert Pulliza said the Razorbacks (7-8, 1-3 SEC) showed growth in the losses and will look to pick up their first conference road wins Friday at Georgia (10-4, 1-2) and at Auburn (9-5, 1-2). “Definitely a tough weekend on the road,� Pulliza said. “But, every weekend on the SEC (that) you’re on the road is a tough weekend. This is probably (Arkansas’) toughest swing in the SEC right now. Tennessee and Kentucky are very physical, very good. “But I think we got better throughout the weekend.�

8. NBA and NHL: Both leagues send 16 teams to the postseason while having 30 overall teams. And for those fellow journalism majors who can’t do math, that’s more than 50 percent of each league. It’s actually 53.3 percent. Both sports are saved from the quality of play toward the end of the playoffs. But the NBA playoffs are literally another two-month season of their own. No one wants to wait that long for the Finals. 7. Fantasy sports: Although this isn’t a sport, fantasy playoff weeks can’t get much better when it comes to sports like baseball, football and basketball. After a long season of positioning your team for a postseason run, the season can come down to something as minute as a double play turned by a second baseman named Clint Barmes. And I know because it happened to me. 6. NCAA baseball: This event at Omaha, Neb., has a charm of its own.

at them in Cowboys Stadium,� Jones said. “And they’d also like to know that Cowboys Stadium has a relationship with the NFL, which there’s not a momma or grandmomma that doesn’t envision their son maybe being in the NFL some day. Let’s use it for the Arkansas Razorbacks.� “It’s a big deal. It’s not just an ‘arm-waving’ deal. It’s the real deal,� Jones said.

TRIBUTE

from Page 7B First-team All-American linebacker Ed Simonini asked second-team All-American linebacker Garth Ten Napel what the final score was. “31-6,� said Ten Napel, “unless they scored another one after the game was over.� Then Ten Napel remarked, “Well, at least we lived up to tradition. We choked.� The Aggies’ tradition as playing second fiddle to arch-rival Texas Longhorns had just ended a week prior to that, and Arkansas had not and still hasn’t fully recovered from its historic 15-14 loss to Texas in the Great Shootout of 1969. So, what does this have to do with this Saturday’s renewal of the Arkansas-Texas A&M rivalry? Lessons learned in the past distinguish tradition and invoke reverent moments of awe. Just because the Razorbacks are mired in a two-game losing streak in humiliating fashion to powerhouses Georgia and Alabama doesn’t mean they are doomed to another horrendous season. An emotional victory over Texas A&M could be the magic elixir the Razorbacks need to turn around their fortunes and propel them to a much more palatable season. All they have to do is look back at the 1975 game and keep their faith in the future. Those of us who witnessed that SWC shootout learned to never underestimate the Razorbacks when they’re seven-point underdogs. That’s what makes sports so fascinating. Arkansas could renew its storied tradition of venerable success with another awe-inspiring victory in the house that one of its proudest alumni Jerry Jones built.

There is a right amount of teams with eight in the double elimination format with the winners of each bracket playing a best-of-three series. And the format has proven ground for great stories like Fresno State winning it all. And it can be an event Razorback fans might be able to attend again during the last year at Rosenblatt Stadium. 5. MLB: Drama, drama, drama. It’s all about the small moments of tension that create memorable game series. And there are too many great moments to remember. The Red Sox overcoming the Yankees in 2004 was storybook. And the classics home runs of Joe Carter and Kirk Gibson make the World Series great. 4. NCAA basketball: Everyone becomes a fan of college basketball when March Madness rolls around. It’s the only time of the year other than the Super Bowl where everyone is a sports fan. And a weak regular season makes this event better.

EXCITEMENT from Page 7B

“It feels like the playoffs in Texas because of the neutral site,� Mallett said. “That is what it feels like for me. I think it is going to be a big deal.� But as much as the team is ready to play at Cowboys Stadium, Mallett said the team is ready to produce while there. “We are looking to go down

3. NFL: There are negatives like the Wild Card weekend. But there is a reason advertisers spent millions of dollars for ad space: the Super Bowl. It’s another sport that transcends our culture. 2. NCAA football: With no true postseason, the whole regular season is pretty much a giant, complicated playoff system – expect for smaller schools, which don’t get that benefit. Bowel season is great, too. But I’m on record of supporting the BCS. It creates the best regular season in all of sports. And it makes the ‘postseason’ – the whole season –great. 1. World Cup: Nothing compares to the size and popularity of the World Cup. It perhaps should be on a list of its own. South Africa in 2010 should be another special event. Harold McIlvain II is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every other Wednesday.

there and put on a show,� said Mallett, who is a Cowboy fan. “We excited to go down there and play in that stadium. But we are not going to let that distract us from going down there and executing. This is a business trip.� Harris said the players from Texas are looking forward to the opportunity to play in their home state. “It’s a huge deal,� Harris said. “We are really excited to play with emotion and passion

TRAVELER SPORTS SEC POWER RANKINGS 1. FLORIDA SEC POWER RANKINGS 2. ALABAMA 1. 3. LSU 4. GEORGIA 2. 5. SOUTH CAROLINA 6. MISSISSIPPI 3. 7. AUBURN 8. TENNESSEE 9. MISSISSIPPI STATE 10. ARKANSAS 11. KENTUCKY 12. VANDERBILT

Wednesday, Oct. 7th, starting at 6 p.m. The one mile march will begin at the Union Mall. Events will conclude at the Greek Theater at the University of Arkansas. Wear your girlfriend’s pumps, your sister’s track shoes, your mother’s fuzzy pink slippers, or the shoes representing the women you care about and step out to make a difference! Sponsored by RESPECT, SARPA, White Ribbon, Greek Life

this week. We are looking to go down there against a Texas team in the Big 12 to show off the Southeastern Conference.� Freshman defensive end Tenarius Wright hasn’t been to stadium. But Wright said he was amazed by the capacity of the 73-acre venue, which can hold more than 100,000 people. “I see it on TV and it gives me goose bumps,� Wright said. “It’s crazy to see that many people watching a game at one time.�

Student-Run Television For The University of Arkansas

SPORTS First look at Texas A&M THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |UATRAV.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 | Page 9B

FOOTBALL

Clint Linder Staff Writer

Passing Offense:

After being a rush-first offense for the majority of the team’s 115-year history, Texas A&M has transformed its play-calling behind 6-5, 243-pound dual-threat junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Johnson supplemented incumbent starter and fan-favorite Stephen McGee towards the end of last season and has not slowed down in his development this season as he has led the Aggies to the best total offense in the Big 12 with 574.3 yards per game. In the team’s first three games of the 2009 season, Johnson has been near perfect with 961 passing yards and a 67.6 percent completion while averaging 320.3 yards per game complemented by nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. His passing yards per game ranks only behind the perennial pass-first offense of Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts in the Big 12. Thus far, his favorite targets have been to tight end Jamie McCoy and receivers Jeff Fuller and Ryan Tannehill. Each of those receivers has caught over ten passes in the first games for averages over 55 yards per game. Fourth string receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu has hauled in the most touchdowns with three. The only major negative behind the team’s early success has been their opponents’ (New Mexico, Utah State and UAB) overall records of 2-9. GRADE:

B+

Rushing Offense:

The Aggies have not completely done away with their traditional roots of hard-nose rushing football. Although no longer an option-oriented offense as in years past, their 244 rushing yards per game ranks the team number one in the Big 12 - 30 yards per game higher than the next highest team (Kansas). Sophomore starting running back Cyrus Gray ranks second in the rushing attack with 213 total rushing yards behind quarterback Jerrod Johnson’s 239 rushing yards. Gray has rushed for two scores on 44 carries, while Johnson has run 38 times for four touchdowns. Backup Christine Michael has accumulated 187 yards on 28 carries with one touchdown. GRADE:

A-

Pass Defense:

Although in the middle of the pack in the Big 12, Texas A&M’s pass defense has struggled noticeably in the team’s first three games while allowing just over 200 yards per game on 5.5 yards per pass. The team allowed 334 yards (13.9 yards per catch) through the air against an inferior Utah State team in College Station and 210

yards against a winless New Mexico squad in the home opener. Veteran cornerbacks Trent Hunter, Terrence Frederick and Jordan Pugh lead the secondary in tackles while true freshman Dustin Harris has also corralled over ten tackles. The team has also failed to produce an interception. GRADE:

C

Rush Defense:

Stopping the run has proven to be a detriment to the Aggies as the team has allowed 145.7 rushing yards per game and five scores including 229 rushing yards by UAB last weekend. The average yards per rush allowed (4.2) ranks the team second to last in the Big 12 behind only Colorado. 6-3, 240-pound starting linebacker Von Miller has been the most active on defense with 11 solo tackles, but cornerback Trent Hunter and linebacker Kyle Mangan lead the team in total tackles with 20 and 19, respectively. Miller’s former high school teammate and opposite side starting linebacker, Garrick Williams, has also produced nine solo tackles and 18 overall. Miller leads the team with in an impressive eight sacks and the team has 14 overall for second-best in the Big 12. The team has only managed to cause four fumbles but maintains a plus-three turnover margin. GRADE:

GRADE:

B

THE STAGE

Thus far, the Aggies have been fairly quiet on special teams. The Aggies have not been able to produce a touchdown on either a kickoff or punt return. When not performing as a corner on the defense, Dustin Harris averages 12.7 yards per punt return and Christine Michael leads the team on kick returns with 170 yards on 24.3 yards per return. Kicker Randy Bullock has gone 3-of-4 on field goals (long of 34 yards) and has connected on all 18 PAT opportunities.

VOLLEYBALL Arkansas vs. Georgia Friday at 6 p.m. Athens, Ga. Arkansas vs. Auburn Saturday at 11 a.m. Auburn, Ala.

Arkansas vs. Auburn Friday at 7:30 p.m. Auburn, Ala. Arkansas vs. Alabama

MEN’S GOLF Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic Monday and Tuesday South Bend, Ind. MAX FAULKNER Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

Today Show reporter Jenna Bush Hager gets a pre-season tour of the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

CROSS COUNTRY Wisconsin Invitational Saturday at 11 a.m. Madison, Wisc.

FOOTBALL

C+

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Arlington, Texas

Coaching:

Head coach Mike Sherman finds himself operating a team very similar to Bobby Petrino’s Arkansas squad. After taking over the team last season, Sherman went 4-8 overall and 2-6 in conference including an unheard of 18-14 loss to Arkansas State to begin the season at home, an embarrassing 41-21 loss to Baylor and a 49-9 shellacking from arch-rival Texas. Sherman, a former Green Bay Packers head coach, has worked hard to build up the program within the state (only three players are from outside Texas). But despite the 3-0 start to

WEEKLY CALENDAR

SOCCER

C+

Special teams:

GRADE:

begin the 2009 season, the team still has some work to do to catch up with multiple teams in the Big 12. The team hasn’t boasted a winning record since 2006 and has gone 3-12 in the team’s last 15 bowl games with the last win in 2001. The Aggies face their first real opponent of the season against Arkansas in the new outlandishly lavish Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

RAZORBACK

SWIMMING MAX FAULKNER Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones led the building of the $1.5 billion Cowboys Stadium for the 2009 season. Jones played for the Arkansas football team in the 1960s.

Red and White Meet Saturday at 9:00 a.m. FAYETTEVILLE

Page 10B | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 Razorbacks safety Matt Harris sat down with Arkansas Traveler assistant sports editor Jimmy Carter to discuss his hall-of-fame father and his bar fight backup. The senior has started the first three games of the 2009 season at free safety after earning four starts and racking up 57 tackles and an interception in 2008. How does the defense react when they hear the criticism about your performance? We obviously know, it’s not a blind fact that we’re going to get some criticism. Stuff like that, we’ve got to let it roll of our backs and know that this week that we’re going to come out and not play scared and not be timid to get beat. Do you feel like the defense’s struggles are just a case of there being a few little things being done incorrectly? Yeah. Ten people probably did their job, but one person slacked off by one step or one person did it wrong and then they got exposed. With your dad being in the ring of honor and the Texas A&M game being in the new Cowboys Stadium, how special is that for you? It’s going to be pretty cool. I always tease (my dad), I got to do something he didn’t do: play in this stadium. He’s in the ring of honor, (won a) Super Bowl, was an All-Pro, Pro-Bowler. It’s kind of cool that, me being his son, it’s like a generation thing. He was the past in the old stadium and now I get to play in the first year of that new Cowboys Stadium, so I’m pretty excited. Hopefully we can go down there and beat these Aggies. (Editor’s Note: Harris’ father, Cliff, was an four-time first-team All-Pro safety for the Dallas Cowboys and was a part of their Super Bowl XII victory in 1978. Harris was a six-time Pro Bowler and a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. In the same year, he was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.) Is your dad pretty involved, does he give you a lot of advice? Yeah, he gives me advice week-to-week. He asks me how the films went. He comes to every game and watches and gives me tips about what I can do better. But, it’s little subtle things. He doesn’t try to change my whole game up, because he knows if I’m playing at this level, I’m doing something right. He helps me mentally and (gives me) pointers to help me incorporate it into my game. He’s good at it. I welcome it. He understands that I have coaches. He doesn’t tell me to go tell Coach Robinson, ‘I need to play this coverage better because my dad says so.’ It’s never been like that in junior high, high school or college. What type of advice does he give? A lot of (his advice) is mental. He says to read the quarterback, kind of mess with the quarterback. Get an emotion out of the quarterback, see who his favorites are, where he’s doing, know his body language kind of stuff. It’s not a coverage thing as it a ‘take one step left and then go right’ kind of thing, mess with people. Being from Richardson, Texas are you getting a lot of phone calls wanting tickets to the game? Yeah, I always joke with my family, I was like ‘I’m going to turn my phone off the week I play A&M because everyone’s probably going to call.’ People were already asking for A&M (tickets) in the summertime. It’s going to be a crazy game. Did you grow up watching a lot of Cowboys game footage of your dad? I was raised watching his films and NFL Films and greatest games and stuff, so I know all about it. Have you had the opportunity to be around some of his teammates growing up? Oh yeah. Roger Staubach lived down the street from us and he would have little Cowboy basketball games. (I’ve been around) him, Tony Dorsett and when I was really little Coach (Tom) Landry. I met him when I was really little. But a bunch (of players), you’ve got Bob Lilly,

SPORTS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER | UATRAV.COM

One-on-One

Lee Roy Jordan, Drew Pearson. I know a bunch of the guys, they also stay in touch. Charlie Waters and (my dad) still work together today, so I’m pretty involved with a bunch of the old guys like that. Was there a Cowboy, other than your dad that was your favorite player growing up? Well my brother’s named after Drew Pearson and I always liked that “Hail Mary” catch and the story of it, when Roger Staubach’s Catholic and he said the Hail Mary and threw it up. Charlie (Waters) was probably the closest Cowboy (to the family). I ran track and I ran with his son, Cliff, who was born on my dad’s birthday. Charlie and Roger are probably my two that I was closest with growing up. If you get into a bar fight, which teammate do you want to have your back? Lavunce Askew. He’s got some golden gloves. He used to box when he was a little kid and he’s a defensive lineman, and strong. He can throw those things around. (Editor’s Note: Askew is a 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle.) Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi, because when I was little my grandpa raised me on Pepsi over Coke. Who does Coach Robinson tend to yell at the most during practice? Elton Ford. He’s just young and (Coach Robinson) likes to mess with Elton. What is your dream vacation destination? Probably Costa Rica. Everyone would probably say Hawaii, but (Costa Rica) is tropical and it’s a little more exclusive if you want to get away and have a good time privately. If you can invite any three people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would you invite? Geeze. Uh…George Washington…Tom Landry and George Bush. Who is the best offensive player that you’ve faced while at Arkansas? (Georgia All-American receiver) A.J. Green might be up there as one of the best…or…yeah, probably A.J. Green. What music are you listening to right now? Well, I listen to everything, but the last thing I listened to was something by the Eagles. I will literally listen to everything, classical, classic rock, rap, rock, country. Who is Arkansas’ biggest rival? LSU, because it’s the Battle of the Boot. If you ruin someone’s national championship hopes, you might have a good rivalry going.

with a Razorback

matt harris

Richardson, Texas 6’2” 192 lbs 2009: 19 tackles in three games

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.