Basketball Preview 2011
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Vol. 106, NO. 44 UATRAV.COM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Opening of Union Fitness Center Delayed
by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer
Poor planning and crowded classrooms in the Arkansas Union delayed the opening of the University Recreation Fitness Center to early Spring 2012, UA officials said. “Certain things come up in construction,” said Kristin
Durant, associate director of Fitness Facilities. The fitness center was originally scheduled to open in early November, said Bob Beeler, director of design and construction services. But progress has been continuously delayed because the construction crew cannot work during scheduled class
times. “We didn’t know that there would be major classes in the Union,” Beeler said. “The drilling noise and other things couldn’t be tolerated in construction.” Both Don Pederson, vice chancellor for finance and administration, and Lynne Williams, director of the student
union, said the delay isn’t expected to cost the UA any more money. There “would have to be extenuating circumstances” for the delay to cost extra, Pederson said. The contract for construction sets a certain amount of money for the cost of the project.The circumstances that
forced the delay did not break that contract, he said. Construction planning underestimated how “massive” the project was, Pederson said. Construction crews did not know what to expect until they got into the project and got behind the walls, he said. Every day, up to 2,000 people use the Donna Axum Fit-
ness Center in the HPER, Durant said. Record enrollment has pushed that facility to capacity. Students said that the new fitness center needs to open soon.
see FITNESS on page 2
Non-Resident Tuition Increases 32 Percent
Pep It Up to the 90’s
by CHAD WOODARD Asst. News Editor
JACKI FROST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of Pi Beta Phi rally for their favorite candidate in the homecoming pep rally.
State and Federal Legislators Economy Top Issue in 2012 Work to Contain Textbook Costs by JACK SUNTRUP Staff Writer
by LANDON REEVES Staff Writer
The senate committee on state agencies and governmental affairs in higher education discussed the enforcement of deadlines for university professors to make class book lists public, officials said. Under Act 175 of 2007, which sets deadlines for text-
book adoption, UA professors are obligated to release information about required texts by Nov. 1 for the spring term and April 1 for summer and fall, according a message from Ali Sadeghi, bookstore director, posted on the UA bookstore’s website. Since 2009, 88 percent of UA professors were able to meet these deadlines, accord-
ing to information gathered by the Department of Higher Education. Sen. Sue Madison, DArk., district 7 and committee chair, said that rate isn’t high enough. “It obviously wasn’t very
see LEGISLATORS on page 2
Academic Advisor Switches Jobs, Students React by JANNEE SULLIVAN Staff Writer
Jason Blankenship, associate director and academic advisor for the Fulbright Honors College, spent his last day with the Honors College on Friday, Nov. 4. Blankenship will now be working in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. His new job will consist of assisting students in applying for scholarships and awards such as Rhodes, Mar-
shall, Truman, Goldwater, Udall and more, according to an email Blankenship sent to Fulbright Honors students. Blankenship won the University of Arkansas Outstanding Advisor award for Outstanding Professional Advisor in the 2010-2011 school year due to “overwhelming evidence of qualities and practices that distinguished them as outstanding advisors,” according to University Relations. Many of the four-year honor students advised by Blan-
In This Issue:
News
Students Prepare for Taste of Africa
The African Student Organization prepare for the annual Taste of Africa.
Page 3
kenship said they were sorry to see him leave the honors college. “I’m super disappointed,” said sophomore Shannon Harris, international relations and Spanish major and fouryear honor student. “This semester was actually the only semester I worked with him, but he definitely went above and beyond just picking classes,” she said.
News
see BLANKENSHIP on page 2
The economy is overwhelmingly the number one issue facing Arkansas this election. As an issue, the economy has been on the rise since 2007, from a low point of less than 10 percent in 2003, according to the 2011 Arkansas Poll directed by a UA professor. “The economy is so overwhelming of an issue,” said Janine Parry, poll director and UA professor. “It’s not uncommon around the country and certainly not in Arkansas, but the magnitude is 70 percent.” The Gallup Poll also found that 68 percent of Americans think the economy is getting worse. Also reflected the in the Arkansas Poll’s newest edition is a shift toward republicanism, Parry said. “This year Republicans and Democrats are back to regular levels and independents are back to regular levels,” Parry said. “But independents are much more likely to lean to-
Features
Ultra Studios: Don’t Call it a Boutique
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011 VOL. 106, NO. 44 10 PAGES UATRAV.COM
As more students use motorized scooters, Pat Walker Health Center is seeing a jump in injuries.
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WEATHER FORECAST
TODAY 53°
THURSDAY 54°
Ultra Studios carries high fashion pieces created by local designers.
FRIDAY 61°
Sports
Anderson Era Begins Arkansas and new coach Mike Anderson start the 2011-12 season Friday.
SUNDAY 66°
Opinion
Following Kardashian Divorce, Lets Repriortize Americans cannot be angry with the Kardashian hoopla as long as the fascination with celebrities continues.
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Page 7 SATURDAY 63°
see TUITION on page 3
see ELECTION on page 2
Features
Eccomy the Top Issue in Increased Use of Scooters Leads to Arkansas The Arkansas Poll has the Rise in Injuries economy as the top issue on the minds of Arkansans.
ward Republicans so that’s the significant thing.” Other issues, like education and health care, are always important, she said. “In the past there’s really the big three: the economy, education and health care,” Parry said. “It’s the same nationally as well. That’s moved around a little bit but those are always the big three.” As a nation, 44 percent of Democrats are enthusiastic about voting while 58 percent of Republicans are. Democrat enthusiasm has reached a decade low, Gallup found. Gauging UA voter excitement is a different story. While the Arkansas Poll’s margin of error would not allow for an accurate estimation around the UA campus, Parry predicts voter turnout to be low among young voters. “I wish I had a more encouraging answer, but I think once again, much will be hoped for on college campuses but little will emerge,” she said.
Starting a new life is not always an easy thing, but Casandra Guarino was determined to do it; by herself. She is from Kansas City, Mo., and her main goal since she moved to Fayetteville has been to graduate from medical school. But, there is one problem: she can’t afford to attend the UA. Guarino attended the UA for one year before the walls came crashing down. “My first year I had all scholarships, but most of them were one-year scholarships, and I wasn’t aware of that at the time,” she said. She had to pay for tuition almost entirely out-of-pocket after her freshman scholarships expired. Guarino does not have to pay full out-of-state tuition, because she is from a state contiguous to Arkansas. The price of tuition for students who live in contiguous states is more than $1,000 a year more than in-state tuition, said Steve Voorhies, manager of news and media relations. During a four-year period students from contiguous states could pay more than $4,000 in tuition. Annual tuition cost in fall 2011 was $17,606 for out-ofstate students and when room and board are added the total is more than $25,000 for one year at the UA, according to College Board. In-state tuition, however, was $7,174 in the same year and when room and board are added the cost is a little more than $15,000. The difference between in-state cost and out-of-state cost can be about $10,000 for one year at the UA and during a four-year period the cost could be more than $40,000 difference. Tuition also has increased with the student population since at least 2000, according to College Board.
MONDAY 65°
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
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ABOUT THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER The Arkansas Traveler, the student newspaper of the University of Arkansas, is published every day 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 editor makes all final content decisions. One copy of The Arkansas Traveler is free to every member of the UA community. Additional copies can be purchased for 50 cents each. Mail subscriptions for delivery within the continental United States can be purchased for $125.00 per semester. Contact the Traveler Business Manager to arrange.
Construction is still underway in the Union for the up and coming Fitness Center as of November 8.
FITNESS from page 1
“We need a new center just because of the amount
TUITION
from page 1 In 2000 tuition and fees were $4,778 for in-state students, $12,427 for out-of-state students with an undergraduate total of 12,501 students. In 2010 tuition and fees were $6,960 for in-state students and $16,455 for out-of-state students with an undergraduate total of 17,247, according to UA enrollment records and College Board. This was a more than 45 percent increase in tuition and fees for in-state students, a little more than 32 percent increase for out-of-state students and an increase of nearly 40 percent in undergraduate student population. Student loan debt has increased with tuition. Student loan debt is more than $900 billion and will
CONTACT
JACKI FROST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
of people that use the HPER,” said Sean Williams, a junior kinesiology major who uses the fitness center daily. “People can’t get a full workout in
without having to stop and wait on equipment.” The students being forced out of the HPER are finding alternatives.
“A lot of students are taking their business to other gyms,” Williams said.
continue to increase, according to finaid.org. However, President Obama made an attempt to help student borrowers. In Obama’s plan, he announced Oct. 25, new steps will be taken to make college more affordable and easier to pay back for students, according to the White House website. Borrowers will be able to cap student loan payments at 10 percent of discretionary income. Obama plans to implement the changes in 2012, which could reduce monthly payments for more than 1.6 million students. For example if a nurse earns $45,000 and has $60,000 in federal loans the repayment under the current plan would be $690, however, under the new plan the borrowers payment would be $119, a sav-
ings of a little more than $450 a month, according to the website. Average debt after graduation at the UA is about $20,000, which is lower than the national average of $23,000, according to College Board and finaid.org. Guarino will exceed the average of $20,000, because she is an out-of-state student and will rely mostly on student loans to finish her undergraduate degree. In fact, Gaurino will not be able to attend the UA until next year at the earliest, because she is working to save money. She plans to save at least $1,000 before the spring semester. Gaurino will have to attend Northwest Arkansas Community College where tuition is less expensive. NWACC tuition is $2,748 for full-time
in-state students and $5,598 for full-time out-of-state students for 2011 to 2012, according to College Board. At those prices, an in-state student could save more than $2,000 and an out-of-state student could save nearly $7,000 by attending NWACC as opposed to the UA. Guarino is facing difficulties financially, but this is not the first time she has motivated herself to accomplish a goal, she said. “I have done this on my own, my parents didn’t really encourage me to go to college, they never said they would help me go to college,” she said. Not only will Guarino be the first doctor in her family, but she will also be the first graduate from a four-year university in her family.
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PAGE 3
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Students Prepare for the Annual Taste of Africa Banquet by MATILDE BONIFAZ Staff Writer
Every year the African Students Organization has hosted its annual Taste of Africa Banquet, which provides lots of African food, dance and music. Students are to expect a variety of African dishes prepared by African people within the Northwest Arkansas Community. “This is our biggest event of the fall semester. We are hoping through our silent auction to raise money to support a charity organization based in Africa. We have no doubt it will be a success this year, we have a great team of executive officers and great active members” said Denis Rugira, president of African Student Organization. The African Student Organization is an International cultural student organization in the UA. It represents 54 nations of Africa, according to the website. “As a member of the Af-
ELECTION from page 1
“If you look at political participation, for most people, it’s a function of wealth and education, and most people on college campuses don’t have a whole lot of either yet.” Across campus, students had a host of reasons for the decline in enthusiasm. “There’s not as much hype this election,” said Adriel Paradise, senior. “This year’s voting, it won’t be a ‘first time in history’ election. There’s not any female candidates out front.” For Paradise, compared
LEGISLATORS from page 1
well enforced. Bookstores told me some faculty were chronically late adopting in August every year,” Madison said. “It’s meaningless to pass a law if there is not some kind of enforcement mechanism.” The goal of the act is save students money by putting more used books into the market, Madison said. “If [bookstores] know a book is going to be used again, they will give more for it when students go to sell their book back,” Madison said. Rep. Johnnie Roebuck D-
BLANKENSHIP from page 1
“He advised me on my study abroad program and possible internships. He’s definitely one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve talked to at the University,” Harris said. Grant Bodiford, a freshman honor student majoring in political science and prelaw, said Blankenship was a helpful advisor. “It was a struggle to get advised because he was so busy. I tried for approximately a month,” Bodiford said. “I’m sad that will be the only time I will ever be advised by Blankenship. He seemed really knowledgeable and dedicated to his job. He came off as very dedicated to the students, too.”
rican Student Organization, I love the fact that we have this event because it gives us an opportunity to share our culture with others. The main thing is the food, hence the taste in the name, so many people from various countries make so many different types of food. I think its amazing that we have all these students working hard to provide the guests with some of the best meals from their respective countries of origin,” said Adeolo Yusuf, junior in industrial engineering. ASO strives to create awareness within the University community, as well as the Northwest Arkansas region about the rich and diverse cultures of Africa and its people. The student organization is committed to the integration of African students at the UA, as well as showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Africa. The membership for the RSO is available and open to anyone interested in the country, according to the website.
“The event provides such a wonderful experience and delicious food. It’s amazing how much one can say about someone’s culture with only their food”, said Juan Torres Goitia, civil engineering major. There will be cultural dances, music, a poetry competition and a silent auction. African artifacts and clothing will be auctioned off at the event, Rugira said. “All in all, I hope those that attend really enjoy the show and leave having had some of the best meals of their lives. Equally as important, I hope they leave feeling like they’ve acquired more knowledge about various African cultures. I strongly encourage everyone to attend the Taste of Africa,” Yusuf said. The program is open for anyone who wishes to learn more about African culture. The event will take place Sunday November 20th at 6 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Centre.
to 2008, the biggest issue has changed. Republicans and Democrats not being able to work together to solve tough problems will not help with voter turnout, said senior Blake Rogers. “A lot of what I’ve heard is frustration that both sides can’t work together,” he said. “I would hope people will try to get people in office who agree with each other but I don’t know if people are going to try to elect people who can work together or just split things again.” However, interest in na-
tional politics this year has been high for a non-election year. Though only 14 percent of respondents aged 18-29 in a Gallup poll followed the news “very closely,” while 35 percent of the general public did. Gallup attributed the heightened interest to the economy, unfavorable views of the direction of our country, and dissatisfaction with the way the country is being governed. “I have all white friends and most of them are Republican,” freshman Austin Booth said. “As soon as they start talking about politics I just tune-out.”
Ark, and co-committee chair, said legislators have worked to lower textbook costs for the past two terms. “Textbook costs have escalated so out of control that it makes it unaffordable to attend a university or college,” Roebuck said. The act does nothing to regulate the frequency of change for textbooks or prohibit the selling of sample books, which are often provided to faculty to help them shop around, he said. Several members of the subcommittee agreed that it was unethical to make a profit from these gratis samples.
One UA Fort Smith policy requires all textbooks to be used for a minimum of three years, and another prohibits the sale of sample books, said Mark Horn, vice chancellor for University Relations for UA Fort Smith. “I think most of the institutions are taking [Act 175] seriously,” said Shane Broadway, interim director of the Department of Higher Education. There is no penalty for missing deadline, nor is there a designated official to constantly monitor compliance, Broadway said.
To express their gratitude, students Suzanne Schenewerk and Emily Chase began a Facebook group dedicated to sending thank-you notes to Blakenship. “For years he has answered our panicked emails, told us things we probably could have figured out if we looked them up on ISIS, told us things ISIS refused to tell us, listened to us complain about our classes and our majors and our requirements, given sensible advice, and worn really, really nice outfits,” Schenewerk said. Some students said they were wary of possible changes in the honors program in Blankenship’s absence. “I think the program is definitely going to change without him. I’m not sure to
what extent though,” Harris said. Future honor students may be missing out on the personal advising relationship Blankenship provided, Harris said. Some students think the Honors Advising team will suffer from Blankenship’s departure. “It seems like there already needs to be more faculty advising in the Honors College,” Bodiford said, “The Honors program will have lost a great advisor, and hopefully he is replaced by someone as professional and as caring and intelligent as he is.” “I’m happy for him if he’s going to a better job,” Harris said. “But I’m really disappointed I won’t get to work with him again."
OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
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EDITOR: SABA NASEEM MANAGING EDITOR: MATTIE QUINN
PAGE 4 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
MCT CAMPUS
FROM THE BOARD Remember To Thank A Veteran Veteran’s Day is Friday. To lead up to the national holiday, UA organizations have been holding events throughout the week, as part of the UA’s first Veteran’s Week. Though some of might think of the word “veterans” and think of our grandparents or older family relatives, with the U.S. military involved with wars on two fronts and recruiting starting as early as high school—and the maximum enlistment age being 42— the title of “veterans” belongs to students that we see every day across campus. The UA administration has a Veteran’s Center to help student veterans readjust to campus life, but the UA administration should do everything it can to help student veterans who have given everything they can to help defend our country. Almost 4,500 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq War, according to the Associated Press. More than 1,000 members of the U.S. military have died in the conflict in Afghanistan. In a time when it is all too easy to forget things that the media doesn’t constantly put in our face—thanks information overload— including that every day men and women are risking their lives for our country. We should never forget to remember those who make our way of life possible. Take time on Veteran’s Day to thank a veteran; it might be as easy as turning to the person sitting next to you in class.
Thanks for the Details Chancellor G. David Gearhart spoke to members of the Associated Student Government Senate members Tuesday night. We were glad to hear specific thing that the UA officials are looking at to help students, faculty and staff to deal with the student increase. UA officials are thinking about adding another academic building or residence hall. What worried us though, was the idea that we might void our 25,000 student population limit that administrators have been discussing, and include possibly as many as 28,000 students on campus. Given the current campus crunch, we couldn’t imagine increasing our student cap without having some of the expansions Gearhart spoke about. Also, we commend Gearhart for continuously supporting the DREAM Act despite its unpopularity across the state
Traveler Quote of the Day
Following Kardashian Divorce, Monday Lets Reprioritize Column
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
From the Managing Editor
by MATTIE QUINN
Traveler Managing Editor trvmgr@uark.edu
Nothing brings me joy quite like when the entire social media universe comes together to talk about one thing. In the past year, I will admit to being glued to my phone or computer reading updates from my friends, relatives and favorite celebrities for their take on huge stories. These stories include the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the notguilty verdict of Casey Anthony and…..Kim Kardashian’s surprise divorce. During the course of the day, the only thing that was getting me to crack a smile in an otherwise arduous day were people poking fun at the fact that a marriage that was
- Bob Beeler, director of design and construction services “Opening of Union Fitness Center Delayed,” page one
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR OPINION EDITOR ENTERPRISE EDITOR
Saba Naseem Mattie Quinn Jordain Carney Samantha Williams
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.
that the American public does care, at least at this current moment in time, about the girl. America is in a huge transitional period. A movement is building across the nation with no real insight into what it will become, but it is not slowing down. This time next year, we might have a completely new president. The economy remains as bleak as ever. We are using this socialite as a way to forget about our own problems for a little bit, unbeknownst to ourselves and probably unbeknownst to her. We are not getting angry for the right reasons. Is it unfair that a girl with no discernible talent is a top story on CNN.com? Yes. But instead of getting angry about that, let’s start having a real discussion about what is going on in America, and why we are so obsessed. As long as we continue to let ourselves “Keep Up with the Kardashians,” we cannot get angry when a celebrity divorce is a more read news story than a real pressing news story. Mattie Quinn is the 20112012 managing editor of The Traveler.
More Consistency Needed for Game Day Bicycling Rules by DANIEL BLACK
Guest Columnist
“We didn’t know that there would be major classes in the union. ”
so highly publicized was over in 72 days. #ThingsLongerThanKimsMarriage was easily one of funniest trending topics I’ve seen in a while. These “roasts” on the celebrity went on for about a day, and then just like that, the tides turned. Kim Kardashian is the reason marriage isn’t sacred anymore. She planned this out just so she could receive millions of dollars from the E! Television network. If we were still burning people at the stake, I am pretty sure Kim Kardashian would be a convicted witch. While I am troubled by the fact that a woman received $18 million to seemingly just stand around looking pretty while cameras followed her, the outcry from her divorce was more puzzling to me. Reuters reported that 4.4 million people watched the two-hour “fairy tale” wedding. Her wedding album is one of People magazine’s highest bought issues, right behind the royal wedding issue earlier this year. Her “marriage” would undoubtedly be less disgusting had we not paid so much attention. While we are quick to be angry about the situation, we don’t realize
I am an alumnus of the UA, and employee of the Athletic Department. I just wanted to describe the events that took place Saturday that lead to a confrontation with the game-day police while I attempted to ride my bike to work. Hopefully talking about my experience with the Athletic Department, the university and the Traveler can start a dialogue to establish the rights of bicyclists on campus. While traveling west on Maple Street, I attempted to make a left-hand turn on Razorback Road, and was stopped by police. Police informed me that I am not allowed down Razorback Road heading south on a bike. I ask if I may join the pedestrians walking south while walking my bicycle, police said no and offered no explanation. I tried to find out how to get to work but was threatened that I wouldn’t like it if I asked any more questions. Continued west on Maple Street past Hembree Alumni House. Traveled through neighborhoods west of Razorback Road. I dismounted from bicycle and tried to cross Razorback Road at Markham to enter stadium at ramp. Police refused and informed me
that I am not allowed on Razorback Road. I attempted to ask officer a better route to get to work. He got frustrated with me and told me to leave and go up the hill with my bicycle. I went back up the hill on Markham and traveled further south through parking lots where tailgating was going on. I was still dismounted from my bike when I joined foot traffic on the east side of Razorback Road by crossing at the crosswalk near the HPER. As I walked north on sidewalk with bicycle the same officer as before approached me and was obviously upset that I was walking with my bicycle . I was legally detained, asked for my id, threatened with a ticket , my bike being impounded and eventually arrest. The officer was not with UAPD. During the detention I tried ( in what I thought was a reasonable and respectful manner) to attain information as to how to get to work. Each attempt I made to ask a question was met with hostility and eventually I was told that if I “say one more word and you are going to jail.” Before the situation escalated any further Lt. Gary Crain from UAPD came by to see what was going on. Crain informed me that bikes were not allowed in the stadium perimeter or the area surround-
ing. He informed me that from Cleveland Street to Sixth Street no bicycles were allowed. I thanked Crain for his patience in helping me get to work I left to lock my bike up outside of the area described. The confusing part of this ordeal was the non-consistency of information I got from each different officer. To my understanding what I was first informed was that I was not allowed to ride down Razorback, then I was informed I was not allowed on Razorback Road with my bicycle regardless, then I was told I cannot walk up the side walk along Razorback Road with my bicycle. Finally I was informed that bicycles were not allowed within a certain proximity of the stadium. This is my fifth year at the Athletic Department and I have consistently ridden my bike to work , parking at Gate A for all five years. I have never had this problem and was unaware that such a policy existed. Further the attitude of police towards me left something to be desired from a person that is espoused to be a civil servant. I do not believe I violated any state, city , or federal law in my actions and yet was threatened with arrest for trying to obtain information from police in how I could go to work. Thanks for your time.
Response
Apparently, my last column regarding school spirit hit a nerve with some people. The headline might as well have been “UA student hates the UA.” If my prior experience had been at one of the other 1,598 colleges, I do not think there would be this kind of vitriol spewing on the comments section for my Monday column on the Traveler website. I used my personal experiences as a frame of reference. Occasionally I see schools from California to North Carolina represented on campus. This is a good thing. To clarify: For the most part, my experiences here have been positive and I have enjoyed my interactions with my professors and fellow students. I have made friends, even wearing my hat. People who were so upset by my column, which was about expansive thinking and overcoming silly prejudices, have made my point with their personal attacks. An extension of the narrow-mindedness has been the emphasis in the commentary on old sports rivalries, which misses the point of my column entirely. Students seem upset by football games that happened in a conference that was dissolved before most of them were even born. Get over it, already—life is too short. Most disturbing is the lack of argumentative ability some people who responded to my column exhibited in their comments. Rather than formulating cogent arguments, some chose to jeer and call me names, resorting to the ad hominem fallacy that ancient rhetoricians cautioned Western philosophers to avoid. It is incredibly disappointing to see people who are supposedly seeking a higher degree of education resort to such simplistic and juvenile measures. In the spirit in which I have been attacked, I assume that Razorback students, fans and alumni, upon arriving at the doorstep of any another college campus, should immediately perform the following acts of absolution. They should remove their Razorback license plate, tear off their Razorback decals and right there on the side of the road set fire to all other Razorback paraphernalia. Then they should immediately run to the nearest campus store and buy products that represent the school that they are about to enter. You certainly do not want to stand out by being proud of your alma mater. I am not a chameleon who changes colors at every state line. Emily Hilley-Sierzchula is majoring in journalism. She is a Traveler columnist. Her column appears bimonthly, every other Monday.
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THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
FEATURES
FEATURES EDITOR: LAUREN LEATHERBY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: KELSI FORD
PAGE 5 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Increased Use of Scooters Leads to Rise in Injuries
Local Group Creates Network for Artists by ZACH WILSON Staff Writer
CHAD WOODARD ASST. NEWS EDITOR Scooters outside of Brough Commons as seen through the mirror of another scooter. The scooter parking area outside of Brough Commons is a popular place for students to park their scooters during the day.
by SHELBY GILL Staff Writer
They are not as big as cars, not as threatening as motorcycles, but faster than bicycles. The scooter has gained massive popularity on the UA campus, but at what expense? Pat Walker Health Center had about three to four scooter-related injuries a day in the first four weeks of school, and the injuries keep coming. “These are bright, sharp and great people, but they are making unwise safety decisions while on scooters,” said Mary Alice Serafini, executive director of Pat Walker Health Center. The increase in students at the UA has put more traffic on campus roads. In addition, scooter dealers are now offering a deal in which they will buy back scooters after the school year for a large portion of the original cost, which has boosted scooter popularity across campus, Serafini said. In Arkansas, everyone under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet and protective eye gear on a scooter. “We rarely see anyone with a helmet,” said Lyn Edington, nurse manager at the Pat Walker Health Center. “We’ve already sent three or four students to the hospital to get CT scans of their heads after falling off without a
by ROSALYN TAYLOR Staff Writer
For a few years now, I’ve always driven by a little store on South School Avenue while on
helmet.” By wearing a helmet, scooter riders increase their survival rate in a crash by 37 percent and by refraining from wearing a helmet, riders increase their chance of mortality by 40 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Helmets also decrease wind noise and the chance of getting debris in a rider’s face or eyes. Riders want to make sure that helmets have an authentic Department of Transportation sticker. That means the helmet was originally designed to meet the department and standards, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). It’s not rare to drive down maple and see three or four people shoved onto a scooter, barely holding on, and racing down the road. Arkansas Law states that scooters are only allowed to have one additional passenger besides the driver. “I am very pleased to see so many of them wearing head and eye protection, but I am equally concerned when I see load issues associated with carrying one or more passengers on a scooter,” said Danny Pugh, vice provost of student affairs. “Clearly, scooters are not designed to ride three people. Just because the seat holds three smaller folks doesn’t mean you should do it.
my way to various destinations. The sign reading “Ultra Studios” looked bright and inviting, but I never took the plunge and check it out. But after walking in, looking around and
MELEAH GROSS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER An original design is displayed on a mannequin in Ultra Studios, a local design house located in south Fayetteville.
It might seem expedient at the time, but the risks far outweigh the convenience.” The extra weight on the scooter will affect its handling. If a scooter is equipped to handle another passenger, tire pressure and suspension should be adjusted to account for the other person’s added weight. Although slipping on a pair of flip-flops might seem like quick and easy way to run to class, wearing them while riding a scooter can cause serious injuries. “One student who came into the office knew he was going to wreck and put his feet down on the pavement,” Edington said. “He was wearing flip-flops and they fell off. When he got to Pat Walker he didn’t have any skin on the bottom of his feet.” The MSF recommends boots because they come up higher on the leg, they can protect riders from lower leg abrasions. They also suggest avoiding shoes with slippery soles and heading straight for rubber soles instead. That way, if students do have to stop quickly, they can avoid any injury or embarrassment. A lot of wrecks have also been caused because of lack of education on how to ride a scooter. “We have a lot of students who come in here and say ‘Oh I just didn’t know what I was doing,’” Serafini said.
meeting owner and designer, Brooke Benham, I would never regret it. Ultra Studios is a clothing shop, hair and make-up salon and fabric store rolled up in one. Benham originally opened the store in 2008 as a way to sell her custom designs and jewelry as well as the designs of other local artists. Ultra Studios is all about embracing the local flavor of Fayetteville and all it has to offer. “I aspired to help other designers. I wanted to have a local community store,” Benham said. With the beautiful custom designs and services that Ultra Studios has to offer, Benham is well on her way to accomplishing that. As I walked around the store I became more impressed by the minute. There are some pieces that come from market and others that Brooke has made herself, including jewelry. Pieces in the store include funky, futuristic tops with vivid colors and unique patterns and trendy sweaters and tunics that would make any girl feel fabulous. The hand-crafted jewelry made of stone, the hand-woven bags made from recycled duvet, the designer denims of Jennings Jeans and the several other fashionable items bring nothing short of a breath of fresh-fashion air to the south
People only have to be 14 years old in the state of Arkansas to obtain a motorcycle license, which could imply to students that it is easier than operating a car. Unfortunately, this lack of knowledge about the dangers of riding a scooter is what is leading to many of the accidents around campus. “Riding on two wheels is not as simple as people believe,” Pugh said. “I myself ride a Harley Davidson and take riding safety very seriously. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation does a phenomenal job in rider education, including scooters. I am a strong proponent for greater education for those who ride.” Check your owner’s manual; not all scooters are exactly alike. There are large scooters (engine displacements of 650cc and over), small scooters (50cc) and all sizes in between. The scooter owner’s manual gives many specifics that are helpful in understanding and maintaining your scooter, according to the MSF Across Northwest Arkansas, there are several scooter training courses that specialize in teaching riders the basic mechanics of their vehicle and how to properly maintain, operate and drive their scooters. By taking an hour-long course or reading up on scooter safety, a rider can save themselves money in damage costs or even their life.
side of Fayetteville. The aesthetic feel of Ultra Studios stands out as well. Hand painted, abstract murals dress the walls of the shop and small pieces of Razorback-themed artwork adorn the brightly painted walls, all of which make for eclecticism beyond the Fayetteville norm. Although impressed with the clothes and store design, the best surprise was yet to come. I then discovered the back room, a huge space filled with discounted items, fabric, craft items like belt buckles, metal for jewelry making and plethora of other things. Benham makes all of her designs in house. I rounded the curtain to the left of the room and that’s when I saw the fabric tables, the sewing machines and the mannequins - all of it, right there. The raw materials, ready to be used to make something beautiful. Brooke Benham spoke on her other inspiration, her Kiowa heritage Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the 18th annual Native American Symposium held in Giffels Auditorium. Members of the UA Native American Student Association modeled her designs. With its personally crafted clothes and Native American influences, Ultra Studios separates itself from any other shop in Fayetteville because
Artists are arguably among the more misunderstood, underpaid and underappreciated members of a community. In a society often focused on business and economics, art and its creators can be all but shoved to the side in favor of professions and projects considered to be more practical. The city of Fayetteville, however, is not one of the places that has fallen prey to this idea. The Fayetteville Forward Creative Economy Action Group, or FFCEAC, is dedicated to promoting artistic creativity throughout the city. “Our main goal is to work towards creating economic opportunities for creative people throughout Fayetteville,” said Christopher Spencer, group coordinator. “We participate in and create a number of projects throughout the city to do just that and to promote artistic involvement within the community.” “To join FFCEAC, we don’t require any membership forms or dues. The only thing we want out of people is the determination necessary to make Fayetteville a community that can be creative, vibrant, and artistic,” Spencer said. According the group’s website, it is involved in many activities and projects, including Last Night Fayetteville, a New Year’s Eve celebration held at the city square, That Fayetteville Sound, a program working to give greater access to local music in collaboration with the Fayetteville Public Library, and a type of local encyclopedia known as The Arts
to really be appreciated by those who they see and interact with everyday.” In addition to promoting artistic creativity through and for its members, FFCEAC also has a strong online base for members to connect and network with others interested in promoting their artistic talents. The site currently has 71 active members who share events, advice or their own work with the fellow artists. The site features a blog on which users give feedback, and it also contains a forum in which the artists can directly interact with one another and communicate about their art. The site also provides a way for outside organizations interested in helping artists or needing them to help with a project can find willing volunteers, which can aid many artists in gaining experience or even job opportunities. “I started using the site just for fun mostly, to see if I could find any cool art events or pieces of art that people had posted, since that interests me as an art major. I never expected to actually find opportunities for me to promote my own art and get awesome feedback from people who know my field and goals of my art as well as I do,” said Mariah Tasker, a sophomore. “The FFCEAC really helped me get out there and into the local artistic community, something I probably could never have done otherwise.” The group formed in 2009, emerging from the Fayetteville Forward Initiative begun by Mayor Lionel Jordan in the same year,
“Our main goal is to work towards creating economic opportunities for creative people throughout Fayetteville”
-Christopher Spencer, FFCEAC Group Coordinator
Guide, a print guide cataloguing all public art and art galleries within the community. “I’m not necessarily an artist myself, but I appreciate its beauty, especially when created by people right here in Fayetteville. I have been to a few events put on by the FFCEAC, and it’s been so inspiring to see the breathtaking art that people from our own community have created,” said Jack Rothwell, a junior. “It makes me so glad for them that they have the chance for their talents
and it has been active ever since. Meetings are at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at the New Design School in Fayetteville, where the group is also headquartered. After the regular monthly meeting, a Creative Spirits social meeting providing food and drink is often held to encourage discussion of fresh, new ideas within the community. The meetings are not private, so anyone from the community can attend.
MELEAH GROSS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Owner Brooke Benham works with some fabrics in the back of Ultra Studios, where she does a lot of her designing. She spends a lot of time perfecting her designs before they go into the store.
of the originality and personality it has to offer. Ultra Studios is truly a place where a girl can come and get dressed from head to toe in unique, local designs. Benham specifically noted that she wanted customers of Ultra Studios to come in and be able to embrace their individual sense of style freely with no confinement of trendiness. Though this is her main goal, she admits “I have to tone it down a bit. If the clothes are too out there, they won’t sell.” Despite this fact, Brooke is determined to never lose sight
of her inspiration for her fashion and Ultra Studios. “We want to be a fashion store. Not a style store. There is a difference,” Benham said. It is rare to have something so particular and customized as a shop that caters to the individualism of its market—at least not to this extent. So, Fayetteville, I challenge you to tap into your inner-artiste, step into Ultra Studios and immerse yourself in the spunk and funk that this fashion oasis brings you. There is nothing to lose, and incredible things to find.
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
DOWNTIME Comics, Games, & Much Much More!
PAGE 6 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
LAUGH IT UP
SUDOKU
Q: What do you call a running chicken? A: Poultry in motion. Q: Why couldn’t Batman go fishing? A: Robin ate all the worms... Q: Why didn’t Count Dracula get married? A: He wanted to remain a bat-chelor.
Difficulty:
TODAY’S SOLUTION
Q: Where is tennis mentioned in the Bible? A: When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.
WELCOME TO FALLING ROCK
Josh Shalek
THAT MONKEY TUNE
Michael A. Kandalaft
BREWSTER ROCKIT
Tim Rickard
BLISS
Harry Bliss
CALAMITIES OF NATURE
CROSSWORD ACROSS
DOWN
1 Photo finish 6 Turned right 10 Caen cleric 14 Meet the need 15 Chorus girl 16 Catch with the goods, maybe 17 Digs 20 Amateur ending 21 Sgt. maj., e.g. 22 Uncle Sam feature 23 “A Dog of Flanders” author 26 Trading place 27 Angled joint 28 Digs 32 Textbook unit 33 “Air Music” composer 34 Alberta native 35 Limited number, with “the” 36 Mosul’s land 40 Not hide 43 Country with six time zones 45 Digs 49 Syst. of sound syllables 50 Mil. ranks 51 Very peculiar 52 1997 Nicolas Cage hairraiser 54 First name in objectivism 55 Overseas denial 58 Digs 62 Bus sched. data 63 Leap for Scott Hamilton 64 Reunion group 65 __ speak 66 Banks on the tube 67 Rapper’s crew
1 When repeated, a fish 2 Name on an airport shuttle 3 British tavern 4 Service reward 5 Priest in I Samuel 6 Garage container 7 Cockney greeting 8 WWII command 9 More evasive 10 Spotlit solo 11 Teasing 12 Omaha chief who was an ally of the U.S. in the War of 1812 13 1950s bombs 18 Conclude with 19 “I haven’t the foggiest!” 24 Open, in a way 25 Simpson judge 26 Bow 28 Mom’s skill, briefly 29 Flying prefix 30 “On the Record” host Van Susteren 31 Key with no sharps or flats 35 Whopper juniors? 37 Famished 38 Ending for lime 39 __ in Quebec 41 Screenwriter Ephron 42 Big spender’s offer 43 Held on 44 Qty. 45 Anglican priests 46 Wine city north of Lisbon 47 Surgeon’s tool 48 Common Jesuit school name 53 Semi-serious “I see” 54 One of the Sox, e.g. 56 Silo contents: Abbr. 57 Latin 101 verb 59 Acne treatment brand 60 You may be told to shut yours 61 “Out of Sight” co-star, familiarly
Crossword provided by MCT Campus
SOLUTION
Tony Piro
SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
PAGE 7 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
Scan here to go to the Sports section on uatrav.com:
SPORTS EDITOR: JIMMY CARTER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: ZACH TURNER
Team image and graphic– Logan Webster, Mike Anderson image– UA Media Relations
Hogs Like Mike by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
The red SUV pulled inconspicuously into in the War Memorial Stadium parking lot in Little Rock on a warm, sunny September afternoon. Mike Anderson opened the door and stepped out. It didn’t take long for the crowd to gather. First it was a few fans.
Fans, state enthused for Anderson’s return.
Then it was a mob. Everyone wanted a handshake from or picture with Arkansas’ new basketball coach. He couldn’t walk 10 feet without being stopped. Eventually, Anderson made it to a tailgate and later the stadium to watch the football Razorbacks dismantle New Mexico. Being greeted by swarms of fans while touring the state for speaking engage-
ments became the norm during the summer and early fall for Anderson, a Nolan Richardson assistant during the program’s glory years. “I know they are hungry,” Anderson said. “Coach Richardson said he created a monster. Well, the monster is hungry and hopefully we can create a product that helps feed that. I sense around the state that people are excited and there’s hope again.”
Anderson is tasked with rebuilding what he helped build – a once proud, nationally elite program that has just one NCAA Tournament win in the nine years since he left for the head coaching job at Alabama-Birmingham following Richardson’s firing. The level Anderson is trying to raise the program back up to is a lofty one. The Hogs won 390 games in 17 seasons under Richard-
son, with Anderson also on the bench for each season. The tenure included a stretch of three Final Fours and back-to-back national championship game appearances in a five-year span, including Arkansas’ only national title in 1994. The Razorbacks were the winningest program in college basketball for the first half of the 1990s. The Hogs have fallen
from the ranks of the basketball elite, though. Arkansas hasn’t won the SEC West since 1995. Anderson turned around struggling programs at UAB and Missouri. Now he’s charged with making the Razorbacks a winner once again. “What took place here the last few years - that happened,”
see ANDERSON on page 10
Forgetting the Hype Junior Marshawn Powell is getting back to basics. by ZACH TURNER
Asst. Sports Editor
Marshawn Powell entered last season with high expectations and a lot of hype. The junior forward struggled to live up to the preseason firstteam All-Southeastern Conference accolades he earned. “One thing I have learned from last season is to never hype myself up,” Powell said. “Never expect a lot from a lot of people. To be honest, all of last season was a learning experience. I took it all as a learning experience.” Powell managed to finish second on the team in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Newport News, Va., native got off to a slow start for the 18-13 Razorbacks, though, missing the first two games of the season, while recovering from a broken foot. He played in 28 games with 18 starts, but said he was never at 100 percent health last year. “I can’t even sit here and lie to you and say I was well the whole
season,” Powell said. “I wasn’t. My play showed it, my attitude showed it and everything. It wasn’t one of my best years. I hate to look back on it to be honest.” With coach Mike Anderson entering his first season at Arkansas, a new system and style different from former coach John Pelphrey is being implemented. Anderson is known for his up-tempo offense and pressure defense from his days as an assistant for former Razorback coach Nolan Richardson and as a head coach at UAB and Missouri. “I think Marshawn can be a tough matchup,” Anderson said. “He’s got his weight down and this can be his coming out party again. He is in the best shape he has ever been in. He hasn’t complained about anything and he is doing well.” Powell played last season at a weight of 245 pounds, but is down to 219. Powell played at 230 pounds during his freshman season when he was named SEC AllFreshman team, but said he prefers his current weight. “Especially in the system I am
in now,” Powell said. “I get to run and take the ball off the rim and push it if I want. I can’t do that if I am too big.” Part of those offseason workouts included running up the famed Cleveland Hill. Running the steep hill located near the campus of Arkansas was part of the workout regimen Richardson used for his teams during his tenure, while becoming the alltime winningest coach in school history. “It is Cleveland Hill man, it is hard,” Powell said. “It is possibly the hardest thing I have ever done since I have been in college. I feel like I achieved a lot making it through that.” Powell is an undersized power forward and is part of an Arkansas team lacking a true center. Anderson’s teams at UAB and Missouri had success – reaching the NCAA Tournament six of nine seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2009 with the Tigers. “We are going to be a lot
see POWELL on page 8
LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas junior forward Marshawn Powell is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2010-2011 season in which he saw both his points and rebound totals decrease from his freshman year.
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
PAGE 8
Fab Four? Arkansas will count on freshmen to make an impact early by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
Arkansas coach Mike Anderson hasn’t sat on the home bench in Bud Walton Arena for a real game since 2002. He hasn’t coached a Hog recruiting class as highly-rated as his current group of freshmen since helping sign a 1995 class rated the No. 1 group in the nation by most publications. He will have to rely heavily on his first-year players in his first season back in Bud Walton Arena. The four-man 2011 class, ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, make up almost half of his 10 scholarship players. “Those guys potentially bring some things to the table, but what they did was in high school,” Anderson said. “Now I am anxious to see what can take place at this level.” However Anderson puts his first team together, the freshmen will have to play a large role. Junior forward Marshawn Powell is Arkansas’ only returning starter. The class was a consensus top-10 group in the nation, though Little Rock forward Aaron Ross failed to qualify and is attending prep school in Wisconsin. The four players that made it to campus all have big credentials. St. Louis guard BJ Young is just the second five-star prospect – forward Olu Famutimi was the other in 2003 – to sign with the Razorbacks in the last decade. Lepanto, Ark., guard Ky Madden was the top in-state player in the class and a consensus top-35 player nationally. Jonesboro, Ark., forward
Hunter Mickelson was a top55 player in the country and developed a reputation as one of the top shot blockers in the nation. Seagoville, Texas, forward Devonta Abron was a thirdteam Parade All-American. “We’ve got some big time guys, man,” Powell said. “Big, bigtime guys. B.J. Young, Ky Madden, Devonta Abron and Hunter Mickelson. Those guys are going to come in and help a whole lot. We don’t have a lot of bodies returning, so we’re looking for them to develop and play good.” Young and Madden will compete for playing time in the backcourt. The duo, standing 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-5, respectively, give the Hogs length at guard. Young was ranked as high as the No. 16 player in the nation by ESPN. He averaged 30.9 points while shooting better than 70 percent from the field as a high school senior. “He has a tremendous first step, really, really quick,” Anderson said. “He can score and of course he scored a ton in high school. It remains to be seen can he do those things at this level? We’ll know more, but the thing is I think he can be a very good defensive player. “He is 6-4 and pretty athletic. He is one of those highflying guys.” He was rated by most scouting services as a point guard, but has worked mainly off the ball in halfcourt sets in exhibition games. “I just want to do everything I can to win games, whether that calls for me cheering off the bench or me getting out here on the court diving for the
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas freshmen guards Ky Madden (left) and BJ Young (right) were the Razorbacks’ two highest-rated recruits in its four-player, 2011 recruiting class. Hog fans have high expectations for the consensus top-10 classranked as high as No. 6 inthe nation by Scout.com. ball,” Young said. “Anything. Anything I can do to help the team, that’s what I want to do.” Madden showcased his smooth, well-rounded game in Arkansas’ 97-80 win over Texas A&M-Commerce in the exhibition opener, scoring 18 points, dishing six assists and grabbing four rebounds. “Ky has a very high basket-
ball IQ,” Anderson said after the game. “He’s very smooth. He’s very versatile. He didn’t try to go get the game. He let it come to him.” Madden is the Razorbacks’ highest-rated in-state since Fayetteville star Ronnie Brewer inked with the Hogs in 2003. “People think that we can come in and be a savior, but we’re just here to help,” Madden said. “Michael Sanchez, Ju(lysses Nobles) and them, they been here. We’re here to help them out so we can be a better team.” Madden played with Mickelson and Ross on the AAU national champion Arkansas Wings. Mickelson provided shot blocking and offense for the Wings, while averaging 22 points, 12 rebounds and seven
blocks per game as a senior for Westside High School. He has gained 30 pounds since arriving on campus in July and now weighs 234. “Coming up here to the SEC, being 210, that’s not going to get you very far playing on the inside,” Mickelson said. “I had to put on weight just to be able to compete.” At 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, Abron is the most physically imposing post player on the roster. Arkansas will need him to help in its thin frontcourt immediately. “Right now he is proud of his body because when he came he was a little pudgy dude, but now he has kind of tone it up and he walks around and he has those little Spandex shirts on really tight,” Anderson said. “The thing I like about him is he don’t mind the
physical part of the game.” The new Razorbacks won’t have much time to get acclimated to college basketball before being tested. The Hogs’ nonconference schedule includes home tests against Oakland and No. 18 Michigan, with road games at Oklahoma and No. 4 UConn, the defending national champions. “The nonconference schedule is pretty rough this year,” Young said. “When I saw UConn on it, I just lit up like, ‘Wow.’ It’s pretty nice to have some teams like Michigan come in here and play, then go up to UConn and be battle tested by the time SEC play starts. I’m glad Coach Anderson set up the schedule like that to test us and see where we’re at.”
from POWELL on page 7
and he’s got to be one of those vocal guys,” Anderson said. “He started for the most part all last year and his role expands.” Powell’s teammates have noticed a difference in his attitude and approach toward the upcoming season. “I am going to tell you what I have seen out of Marshawn,” Wade said. “He has gotten hungry, he has lost a lot of weight and turned into muscle, his footwork has gotten better, he has been leaping and flying up and down this court. His leadership has stepped up too. He don’t say too much now where he
used to mouth off a lot. “He is a leader now and has taken these young kids by their hands. He has pulled them to the side and told them what you do and don’t do. I am really proud of Marshawn.” His renewed optimism for the upcoming season has come from the hiring of Anderson and the attitude he brings for the game of basketball. “We appreciate coach and the time he spends working with us,” Powell said. “He has given us time to adjust to his system. I just can’t wait. I am excited and I am ready.”
different than what we were last season,” Powell said. “We don’t have any back-to-the-basket big guys so that is going to be an advantage, but sometimes a disadvantage probably. We are going to hang our hat thought mostly on our defense.” Anderson has pegged Powell as a potential leader for this young Razorback squad, primarily because of his experience during his first two seasons in Fayetteville. “He’s been through the wars
2011-12 ARKANSAS BASKETBALL ROSTER Player
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Year
D. Abron K. Haydar R. Madden H. Mickelson J. Nobles M. Powell M. Sanchez R. Scott M. Wade M. Waithe B.J. Young
F G G F G F F G G F G
6-8 255 Fr. 5-10 165 So. 6-5 175 Fr. 6-10 236 Fr. 6-1 174 Jr. 6-7 219 Jr. 6-8 236 Sr. 6-3 202 So. 6-2 175 So. 6-9 216 Sr. 6-3 175 Fr. Mike Anderson Melvin Watkins T.J. Cleveland Matt Zimmerman
Hometown
Dallas, Texas Fayetteville, Ark. Lepanto, Ark. Jonesburo. Ark. Jackson, Miss. Newport News, Va. Springdale, Ark. Irving, Texas Memphis, Tenn. Toronto, Canada St. Louis, Mo. Head Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach
PAGE 9
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
A Bond That Extends Beyond Rickey Scott and Mardracus Wade’s relationship reaches farther than the hardwood.
by ZACH TURNER
Asst Sports Editor
Mardracus Wade and Rickey Scott’s friendship extends beyond the basketball court. The two go almost everywhere together. Whether dining together at Brough Commons, attending other Razorback athletic events together or hanging out with girls, the two sophomore guards have become close roommates. “Rickey is like my little brother man,” Wade said. “We are always hanging out on the weekends and always in the gym together. That has been my bro since day one when we first got here.” Wade, who stands 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, is just six months older than the guy, Scott, who he calls his little brother. The only two sophomore scholarship players on the roster were both part of former coach John Pelphrey’s 2010 recruiting class. “He is my roommate, so of course we are real cool,” Scott said. “We go eat, talk to girls, go see movies and stuff like that.” Discussing the upcoming season has been a main topic of conversation. “We always talk a lot about the season and how excited we are,” Wade said. “The opportunity that we have and the talents that we get to show the fans. We are excited and ready to go.” Scott is excited for the fans to get to see Wade’s improvement in his leaping ability. “We are ready to throw (alley) oops to each other,” Scott said. “He used to have no bounce, but he has some bounce this year so I might lob it to him. He has really worked hard in the weight room.” Although the two have a very strong friendship, they didn’t meet face-to-face until arriving on campus during the summer of 2010. Before meeting in person, they stayed in contact with
one another through the internet. “Before we got to school we communicated with each other through Facebook,” Wade said. “Once I found out he committed I sent him a message and we talked back and forth about how excited we were to get here. It just took off from there and we got to campus together and it has been a good relationship ever since.” Wade attended his final season of prep school basketball at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, where he was named to the AllPrep Team and led Hargrave to the Prep Tournament Final Four. In his freshman season as a Razorback, he played in all 31 with three starts and averaged four points while also being tied for second on the team in steals with 25. Wade was arguably the team’s best on-ball defender as well. “Growing up I was never the most skilled guy on my team,” Wade said. “I was never the best ball handler or I was never the best shooter so I always had to do something else that could keep me in the game. To me stealing the ball, if it helps us come out with a win then I am fine with that.” Scott missed over half of his freshman season because of a stress fracture in his foot. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard averaged just 3.3 points and 1.1 rebounds while appearing in just 13 games for the Razorbacks “I learned when I get hurt to go see the trainer,” Scott said about last season. “That is part of why I got hurt too because I didn’t go see the trainer because I thought it was something small and I didn’t want to go get an MRI or nothing. I got real sad last year and I didn’t want to do anything.” The duo has learned what makes each other tick. “He is a leader low-key, but no one really knows
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Rickey Scott (left) and Mardracus Wade (right) were the only two members of Arkansas’ 2010 recruiting class. Since arriving on campus in the summer of 2010 the two sophomores have become best friends as well as roommates. because he is quiet,” Scott said. “He just doesn’t like to talk much all the time.” Wade agreed with Scott’s assessment of his off-court personality and said his
teammate’s attitude isn’t much different. “He is very quiet, I will tell you that,” Wade said. “Sometimes you have to get him going a little bit. You
have to talk to him for a little bit. Rickey is a good guy and like everyone else, but he just likes to stay to himself most of the time. If you can get him going he will
get going.” Scott said there is another side to himself, though. “Rickey Scott is a quiet person, but he will kill. I will say that.”
2010-11 ARKANSAS BASKETBALL STATS Player
gp-gs
mpg
fg-fga
fg %
3fg-fga
3fg %
ft-fta
ft %
rpg ppg
R. Clarke M. Powell D. Johnson J. Nobles J. Peterson M. Britt G. Bryant M. Wade M. Waithe M. Sanchez R. Scott J. Farmer K. Haydar N. Mason
31-31 28-18 31-31 31-12 29-23 30-16 31-7 31-3 23-5 20-1 13-5 18-3 9-0 4-0
31.8 22.4 28.3 24.8 21.8 19.0 12.9 17.2 11.4 14.0 12.4 9.6 2.7 2.0
144-328 117-251 111-204 80-208 66-169 56-136 49-97 37-98 28-70 23-56 17-45 23-56 5-15 0-1
.439 .466 .544 .385 .391 .412 .505 .378 .400 .411 .378 .411 .333 .000
91-107 7-28 0-0 29-69 19-55 31-78 2-14 9-44 7-33 0-0 1-8 5-18 3-8 0-0
.438 .250 .000 .420 .345 .397 .143 .205 .212 .000 .125 .278 .375 .000
92-107 62-94 75-126 72-102 32-48 16-18 27-42 41-47 19-33 24-41 8-12 4-9 3-4 0-0
.86 .660 .595 .706 .667 .889 .643 .872 .576 .585 .667 .444 .750 .000
3.0 4.5 7.2 2.8 2.2 2.1 3.0 1.2 3.3 2.4 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.30
Date
11/4 11/8 11/11 11/16 11/18 11/22 11/26 11/30 12/3 12/10 12/17 12/20
2011-12 ARKANSAS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Opponent
Score
Texas A&M-Comm. (exh.) W, 97-80 Christian Brothers (exh.) USC-Upstate Oakland Houston (N. Little Rock) Utah Valley Grambling State Mississippi Valley State UConn (Hartford, Conn.) at Oklahoma Southeastern Louisiana Eastern Kentucky
Date
Opponent
12/22 12/28 12/30 1/3 1/7 1/11 1/14 1/17 1/21 1/25 1/28 1/31
Lousiana Tech Charlotte Texas Southern Savannah State Mississippi State at Ole Miss LSU at Kentucky Michigan Auburn at Alabama Vanderbilt
Score
Date
Opponent
2/4 2/8 2/11 2/15 2/18 2/23 2/25 2/28 3/3 3/8 through 3/11
at LSU at Georgia South Carolina at Tennessee Florida Alabama at Auburn Ole Miss at Mississippi State SEC Tournament (New Orleans)
Score
SEC Tournament (New Orleans)
15.2 10.8 9.6 8.4 6.3 5.3 4.1 4.0 3.6 3.5 3.3 3.1 1.8 0.0
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
PAGE 10
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
by MONICA CHAPMAN Staff Writer
Are you excited about Coach Anderson coming back to coaching at Arkansas? Coach Anderson has a good style of basketball, you know, the “Fastest 40 Minutes.” Everybody loves to play that style. Is he going to make you guys play that way? Oh yeah, for sure. Are you looking forward to that? I’m looking forward to giving the fans what they were used to seeing back in the day. Do you think the team has hype to live up to now that Coach Anderson is back? Yeah, I think so because you know when he was here he won a championship and the fans want to see that again. Hopefully we can do it. What are you looking forward to most this season? Getting out there and playing. Showing the fans a good time. Do you think you have a chance to make a run in the SEC? I think the way the way we play and the way we get out the gate, I think we do. Do you think Arkansas can make it to the tournament? I think so right now. Hopefully we will. The way we work, we should make it.
Do you plan on being a leader of this team? Yes, I do plan on being a leader. How do you feel about the NBA lockout? It’s tough. I don’t like it, but you know it is life. They won’t take pay cuts, but if I was a player I wouldn’t take one either. Do you think there will be an NBA season? Probably so. I don’t think they can lockout that long. I think there will be one. What do you like most about going to school in Arkansas? The fans, my teammates. It’s a good state. If you didn’t play basketball, what sport would you play? Probably football. Did you used to play football, like in high school? I did play, but I stopped before I got to high school.
Julysses Nobles
If you were on Sportscenter’s top ten plays, what would you want to be doing? Dunking on somebody. Anybody specifically that is in the pros right now that you would want to dunk on? No, just anybody.
from ANDERSON on page 7 Anderson said. “Now we are at another point in Razorback basketball history. My goal is to take it to the top. We have an excellent staff, guys on the same page. I think our guys are going to see those guys work together to get Razorback basketball to the top.” His first season won’t be easy. The Hogs have just 10 scholarship players and just one player – junior forward Marshawn Powell – started at least half of the games on an 18-13 team that missed the postseason last year. “I’ve always said, I don’t worry about what I don’t have,” Anderson said. “We are going to work with the players that we do have and we are going to work to field a team that is going to be competitive. They are going to leave it on the floor each and every night. “With that being said, there is a process. There are a lot of question marks but hopefully as the season progresses we will answer some of those questions pertaining to this basketball team.” Anderson managed to retain a consensus top-10 recruiting class signed by former coach John Pelphrey, but is wary on relying too heavily on the new group. “Those guys are freshmen and haven’t played a single second of college basketball,” Anderson said. “So I think it’s going to start with the guys that are here.” The players, like Powell, that were already on campus when Anderson was hired March 26 have seen the program transform. “Right away you’re around a winner,” Powell said. “Right away you’re around somebody who knows how to win and you’re around somebody that has that experience. It’s excellent for everybody to be around him and knowing what he brings to the table. Right away and what he taught everybody is listening to every single word. We pick
up everything so fast. The level of respect that you have for somebody that’s been there before is huge.” It didn’t take long for the current players to get a taste of the conditioning the championship teams from the 90s went through. Rather than having his players run bleachers, do suicides or run laps, Anderson summoned them to the base of Cleveland Hill at 6:30 a.m. in early October. They ran up the steep, half-mile stretch of road six times. “They told us the champions ran it, so I was giving my best effort,” freshman guard BJ Young said. “After the third time I was about to pass out, but we ran it six times. I feel like if we can make it through that, then the games will be a whole lot easier.” The current team might not have the same talent of the teams in Richardson and Anderson’s heyday, but the players handled the challenge of Cleveland Hill similarly. “The thing about it that’s amazing is they are no different than the guys that played for us before – Corliss Wllliamson, Scotty Thurman, Lee Mayberry and those guys,” Anderson said. “They used to complain about it. ‘Aw, man we have got to do this here.’ It’s amazing when they get up that fifth time and sixth time and then they sit there for two or three minutes and recover. There is a sense of triumph. Like, ‘Yeah, we got it! We got you, Coach! We got you!’ “That’s part of that process.” Arkansas was picked to finish sixth overall in the SEC this season. The program is far removed from competing with Kentucky for conference titles when Richardson and Anderson had the program at its apex. The lack of success has affected the once-rabid fan base in Bud Walton Arena. In the arena’s first nine seasons, the last nine of the Richardson era, sellouts were
Guard 6-foot-1 174 pounds Junior Jackson, Miss. the norm and a there was a waiting list in the thousands for season tickets in the 19,200-seat venue. In the nine seasons since, attendance has slipped. The Razorbacks had never ranked lower than No. 14 in the nation in attendance, but fell to No. 25 in 2010, then No. 29 last season, averaging just 12,022 fans. Five of the six least-attended games in Bud Walton history came last year, including the record-low 5,121 against Florida A&M in February. Anderson’s hire has sparked a fan base that had begun to grow dormant. Around 6,000 fans showed up to Bud Walton for his introductory press conference and have sold almost 300 more season tickets for the 2011-12 season than last year, said Kevin Trainor, UA Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations. More fans in the stands and a new coaching staff on the bench won’t be the only thing different about Bud Walton this season. Since Anderson’s hire, the arena has undergone renovation and remodeling. The court was repainted. The coaches’ offices were redone. Fresh coats of paint were applied to the walls on the ground floor as recently as media day in mid-October. “As you come into the arena you can smell the paint and see guys are working,” Anderson said. “My theme is going to be we are remodeling. We are remodeling some of the offices. We are going to remodel the mindset of our players and at the same time remodel our fans and get them engaged. Our fans have always been a part of Razorback basketball. A lot of places you go to, some fans wait for the team to get them going. Well, I know for a fact the people here, the true Razorback fans, they know how to get their team going. “It’s something I am looking forward to seeing.”