VOL. 103, NO. 66 | Single Issue Free
University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, Ark.
Lifestyles Local hip-hop collective brings new genre page 5
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Sports Hogs drop season finale page 8
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Page 1 | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
Students show off UA campus, bring in prospects
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SOAKING UP THE SUN
ECONOMY
Economy prompts rise in health care careers
Staff Writer
Jessica Powviriya
More than 35 students are being considered to become the newest UA student ambassadors, whose job it is to meet and greet prospective students, provide campus tours, help at recruitment events and assist in the Office of Admissions. For the last 15 years, the Student Ambassadors program has been providing potential students a closer look at what it means to be a Razorback. The program, funded and operated by the Office of Admissions, consists of UA students who volunteer to guide potential students and their parents around campus, with the intention of easing the transition to college life, according to the program’s Web site. Student Ambassadors President Bryan Griffith said he thought talking to actual students was a more reasonable way to find out what the UA experience is really like than asking people employed by the admissions office. The Student Ambassadors program is a Registered Student Organization, meaning in addition to working with potential students, the group participates in Homecoming activities and attends other events, like an end-of-the-se-
RECRUITS on Page 3
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Cool with a 60% chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.
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Staff Writer
LARRY ASH Staff Photographer
With the arrival of warm weather, students around campus flocked outside in shorts, sunglasses and scooters to enjoy the sun before the temperature cools later this week.
The UA Eleanor Mann School of Nursing has experienced a noticeable increase in applications for pre-nursing, the director of the school said. “We have seen a tremendous growth in students wanting to become nurses,” said Nancy Smith-Blair, associate professor and interim director for the nursing school. This year, the school had 475 students declare prenursing, although applications have increased steadily since 2005, Smith-Blair said. The College of Education and Health Professions has seen an increase in students majoring in kinesiology, rehabilitation and health sciences, as well as a 100-student increase overall in nursing. This increase in healthrelated degrees comes with good reason. Because of the aging babyboomer generation, the best careers in 2009 are in the health care system, according to U.S. News & World Report. Physical therapists will be in high demand as more senior citizens require help recuperating from hip and knee replacements. Similarly, See
NURSING on Page 3
Students find MAT Fayetteville residents rally against racial profiling on Dickson program difficult, rewarding COMMUNITY
April Robertson Staff Writer
Jennifer Joyner Staff Writer
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at the UA said that though the work is extremely tough, completing the program is worth the effort. “Essentially, the MAT is 33 graduate credit hours that begin with graduate classes taken in the summer, and then an internship and classes begin in the fall and spring semester,” said Kathy Malstrom, coordinator of teacher education in the College of Education and Health Professions. Interns are responsible for eight to 12 hours of graduate school coursework each semester, and many students said just taking UA graduate school classes is enough to be a full-time job. At the same time, however, MAT students also teach at a placement school Tuesday through Friday. During this time, they are under the guidance of their mentor teachers, said Deana Pardue, who is in the MAT program for middle-level education. “During the week, we spend our evenings grading papers or developing engaging lesson plans for the next week,” she said. “People who think teachers work from 8 See
EDUCATION on Page 2
Northwest Arkansas residents and UA students marched against racial profiling on Dickson Street last month, addressing Attorney General Eric Holder’s accusation that America is a nation of cowards when it comes to discussing race. The group Citizens of Northwest Arkansas Against Racial Profiling on Dickson Street – led by Lesleigh Creel, Corbin Blake and Ana Lorena Hart – is a local call-to-action to break out of what Holder has called “race-protected cocoons.” Creel recognized the need for such a group when she witnessed racial profiling on Dickson Street on several different occasions. The most prominent instance, she said, was at the bar Stir, where one of her African-American friends was rejected because he was wearing a hat. Before she and her friends were able to leave, however, a group of white men wearing baseball caps were permitted to enter Stir. “This is exactly why I started this forum – to get dialogue going, hear people’s thoughts, get ideas and move forward,” Creel said on the organization’s Facebook group. The group began as a vague idea between Creel and Blake. Through the comparison of various instances of racial prejudice on Dickson Street, the two decided to take action.
CODY BENNETT Staff Photographer
The group Citizens of Northwest Arkansas Against Racial Profiling on Dickson Street organized a march on Dickson Street last month to rally against racial profiling at certain bars on the street.
Creel had the idea of using Facebook for publicity, but she also had a few contacts in mind, like Hart. Using this as a base, the group grew through networking, and since then, members have exchanged and executed many ideas. “This is a place for people to bring their stories to the table and discuss ideas for action,” Blake said. Though Creel, Blake and Hart are the Facebook group’s
administrators and among the most adamant participants, the organization has no spokesperson or official structure, and Blake said everyone has an equal voice. A letter that was sent to Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan to explain the apparent racial profiling is displayed on the group’s Facebook page, and in it, a resident relays his most recent experience with the bar Shotz, which is also owned by
David Bass, the owner of Stir. The author of the letter, a 28-year-old African-American, said he went to Shotz with his colleagues after work for music, drinks and socializing. All of these men were dressed in business casual, so a case could not be made that they did not follow the bar’s dress code, which prohibits sunglasses, hair nets, chains, hats, baggy clothing, jerseys, hoodies and towels.
Eventually, a bouncer asked them to leave because they were “making the female patrons of the establishment uncomfortable because of their presence there.” On several instances, the letter’s author and a group of his friends were not allowed inside Stir because they were told that the bar was at capacSee
PROFILING on Page 3
NEWS
Page 2 | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
BRIEFLY speaking
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Jerry Fodor, professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, will deliver the UA philosophy department’s 2009 Kraemer Lecture titled “What Darwin Got Wrong� 7 p.m., Monday, March 9, in Giffels Auditorium in Old Main. The lecture is part of the university’s yearlong observance of the bicentennial of Charles Darwin’s birth and the sesquicentennial of the publication of his “Origin of Species.� For more information about local events celebrating the life and work of Darwin or to post upcoming events, please go to Celebratedarwin.net. Campus Greens hosts event Wednesday
ASG executive applications due this week Students interested in running for an Associated Student Government executive office can pick up applications on the sixth floor of the Arkansas Union in either the ASG office or Room 665. The completed applications must be returned to Room 665 by noon Wednesday. Those interested should attend an orientation either 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12, or 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, in Room 312 of the Arkansas Union. Contact ASG Secretary Emily Burrow at asgsec@uark.edu for more information. Student Independent Film Association invites students to meeting The Student Independent Film Association will host a meeting 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in Room 105 of Kimpel Hall. This RSO is open to everyone, and at the meeting, everyone will vote to decide what independent film is shown next on campus. SIFA’s goal is to bring more independent films like “Pulp Fiction� and “Slumdog Millionaire� to the UA campus. For more information, e-mail sifa@uark.edu.
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a.m. to 3 p.m. and have weekends free should not enter the education field.� The MAT students said they often reserve their weekends to complete their university coursework. “I usually work for about 20 hours on Saturdays and Sundays to complete my work for our Monday classes at the UA,� Pardue said. Middle-level education classes last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 40-minute lunch break. Because most of the MAT students do their coursework on the weekends, they often work together for camaraderie, collaboration and support, Pardue said. “I would say that it is extremely difficult, but worth the hardship,� she said. “The friendships I have built with the other interns are something that I treasure. We are in the trenches together; nobody else can appreciate the extent of our hard work and dedication dur-
Rutgers professor to discuss ‘What Darwin Got Wrong’
Climatologist Robert McAfee will present “Repower Arkansas Roadshow� 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in Room 504 of the Arkansas Union. Other speakers include Maggie Bailey, UA alum and local outreach coordinator for Audubon, and Heather Kowaleski, regional United Nations Environment Program youth outreach coordinator. UA students and members of the community may attend. There will be food and beverages and time for discussion and questions. Campus Greens is helping to promote this event.
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ing the program.� Seven students are enrolled in the middle-level MAT graduate degree program this year, but next year is the last year the middlelevel education program will be offered, said Jennifer Dozier, who is also a student in the middle-level MAT program. “There is a lot of controversy in this program, and it just recently changed hands,� she said. “That’s part of why it’s tough.� However, the program does offer perks for those students who are enrolled, Pardue said. “We have all relied on each other for support at one time or another,� she said. “In addition, I love the opportunity to be in a classroom with supportive mentor teachers and our students. This weekend I was a judge at the regional Odyssey of the Mind competition in Rogers. Some of my students from my last placement school were at the competition, and when they saw me, they enveloped me with hugs and hellos. “Making a difference in a student’s life is definitely worth all of the hard work.�
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mester party. The program consists of 55 students, and Griffith said the optimal number of ambassadors is between 50 and 70, which allows the program to operate 20 tours a week. The tours, which generally last an hour and a half each, begin at 9 a.m. and leave every two hours until 3 p.m. Ambassadors show their groups around the campus while trying to establish a personal connection with the families. “You want it to be as individual as you can,â€? Griffith said. “A lot of schools have big tour groups, and it’s just not as effective.â€? Despite the lack of pay, Griffith said being a student ambassador is worth the work for him. “I’m OK with not getting paid because it’s only one tour per week, but it demands a lot of your time relative to other student groups,â€? he said. Griffith added that being a student ambassador definitely helps build a rĂŠsumĂŠ – public speaking skills, relatability and reliability are all traits student ambassadors need, Griffith said. Helping potential students decide where they will spend the next few years of their life is another benefit of being an ambassador. Griffith said seeing students who were once in his tour group now attending classes is a big reason he enjoys his job. “Whether you influence them or not, you can feel like you did,â€? he said. Sophomore ambassador Greg Savage said he thinks it’s good that ambassadors are unpaid. “It attracts people who really want to be there and care about the school,â€? he said. “If you’re doing something unpaid, especially in college, you have to care
about what you’re doing.� Summer ambassadors earn $7 an hour because they conduct tours throughout the day, as opposed to just once a week. However, because students are not allowed to work solely during the paid summer session, the same high level of motivation exists year-round. For freshman horticulture major Ryan Ellis, his experience at Ready Razorback Day, an event sponsored by Student Ambassadors, helped him make his college decision. “I thought the guide was really knowledgeable,� he said, “and the tour wasn’t so long that I started to lose interest.� Having previously only been on campus during football games, Ellis said he found it helpful to walk around campus and get a feel for the university, and he eventually chose the UA over the University of Central Arkansas. Ready Razorback Day is set for April 25. About 500 high school juniors and seniors are expected to attend and tour the UA.
PROFILING from Page 1
ity. Moments later, however, other groups of the same size were granted entrance. Jordan was present at the march on Dickson Street and gave a speech, labeling Fayetteville an all-inclusive city against discrimination. Roughly 150 to 200 people attended the march, 25 of whom were university students. After various forms of publicity on the march, the group’s membership increased to 771 members. Blake said Bass silently watched the march as he stood in front of Bass’ bar. When confronted by reporters throughout the past five weeks, Bass has chalked up any allegations of racial profil-
NEWS ing as “water-cooler talk.� And bartenders at Stir said that crowds there are often multiracial, and patrons are turned away not based on race, but if they present an unacceptable attitude to the bouncer. As a local business owner, Blake said he honestly thinks Bass was probably simply unaware of the situation. “I tried to put myself in his shoes,� Blake said. “If I were in his situation, I would say, ‘This isn’t going to happen; we’ll handle it,’� he said. Matthew Petty, a City Council member, joined the group to provide more insight on how to end racial profiling in the area. As a result of his membership, the group has begun to collect detailed accounts of discrimination to pass along to the American Civil Liberties Union.
NURSING from Page 1
registered nurses and physician assistants are needed in the health world to care for an ever-growing number of patients. Taking into account the Obama administration’s health care overhaul, health policy specialists will be called to examine the plan and analyze various problems that might arise when the policy is implemented, according to the report. Health care employment growth will be driven by the increasing aging population and longer life expectancies of seniors. Enrollments in nursing baccalaureate programs rose by 2.2 percent in 2008, according to a report released by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The UA nursing school has 48 students for each graduating class and admits a class in the fall and spring of each academic year. As the number
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 | Page 3
of applicants increases, however, there is also a record number being turned away from nursing degree programs. Reasons include a lack of faculty, insufficient clinical teaching, limited classroom space, insufficient preceptors and budget cuts, according to the report. Network systems and data communications analysts are occupations that are projected to grow the fastest from 2006 to 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but personal and home care aides rank second and home health aides are third on the list. The health care industry is projected to grow by 18.8 percent, adding nearly 5.5 million jobs by 2016. More than three out of every 10 new jobs created in the U.S. economy will be in either the health care and social assistance or public and private educational service sectors, according to the bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. In the United States, there was an almost 9,000-student increase in nursing schools from 2007 to 2009. Ross Thian, a computer engineering graduate student, said he has perceived the need for more health care professionals, but he would rather obtain a master’s degree that is “much more enjoyable� to him. “In engineering, there’s always a correct answer, not just the ‘most correct’ of multiple choices,� Thian said. “That’s what I need.� However, not all nursing majors want to become nurses simply because of the growing need. David Wigginton, a senior nursing major, said he didn’t want to go into the health care field for the stability. “Nursing is one of the best ways to get into the health care field because you learn procedures and the rationale behind it,� he said.
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OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
Page 4 | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
Online Poll What do you think about the new UA logo? Vote online at thetraveleronline.com
Editor: Kimber Wenzelburger | Managing Editor: Tina Korbe
Phone: 575.8455 | E-mail: traveler@uark.edu
Why Ryan Mallett matters After UA quarterback Ryan Mallett was arrested on a public intoxication charge early in the morning on Sunday, March 1, articles about the quarterback’s indecorous behavior appeared the next day in The Morning News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Even USA Today reported the story. But that Monday, at least one newspaper made no mention of Mallett. We at The Arkansas Traveler opted to devote our space to in-depth coverage of the “Celebration of a Championship” weekend instead. Occasionally, our motivations for covering a particular story at the expense of another one are a bit murky, but, in this case, our reasoning was clear. We wanted to highlight what we saw as the long overdue, highly deserved recognition of a legendary UA basketball team – and, to do that, we had to devote the bulk of our resources to that story. That meant, of course, we had no remaining resources at our disposal to devote to Mr. Mallett. All last week, however, not only our friends and classmates, but even our parents questioned our decision. Their questions made sense – and forced us to acknowledge that, despite our best intentions to remain neutral, we sometimes operate under the desire to focus on the positive. In other words, contrary to popular belief, The Traveler is not “anti” anything – not anti-ASG, not anti-Greek, not anti-athlete. If anything, we occasionally run the risk of functioning as a public relations pamphlet for the very organizations we supposedly oppose.
“
Not covering something because we’d rather not highlight the negative is a mistake.”
After all, we’re students at the UA, too, and we’re proud of the accomplishments of our school’s student government, philanthropic organizations and athletic program. Heck, we’re just proud of our school, in general. We cut ourselves - and Mallett - some slack because we’re as tired as our readers of stories that cast UA students in a negative light. But not covering anything (Ryan Mallett or otherwise) because we’d rather not highlight the negative is a mistake that undermines our most basic purpose as a newspaper. Just as Adolph Ochs, the founding father of the modern New York Times, made it the goal of his paper “to give the news impartially, without fear or favor,” so we make it the goal of ours to mirror the reality of life on this campus, neither idealized nor sensationalized. Today, we recommit to that. We’re sorry if, sometimes, readers don’t like the reality they see when they read The Traveler, but if that’s the case, maybe they should consider revising their own behavior (or encouraging their peers to revise theirs) – because we are going to do our jobs. While we wish athletes wouldn’t act drunk, that frat guys would never steal signs, that officials would never implement tobacco policies before they thought them through, that doesn’t excuse us from covering them when they do. Coach Bobby Petrino didn’t let Mallet off the hook; the quarterback faces curfew and, potentially, community service for his offense. From now on, we’re not letting him – or anyone else who embarrasses the university – off the hook, either.
ONLINE POLL RESULTS
When student government listens, student government works Normally, the panelists on UATV’s Campus Crossfire end the show every week by playfully tossing paper at the cameras, but last Wednesday night, we just sat there awkwardly and waited for the credits to roll. Just before wrap, Johnny Biggs angrily stormed off the set and out of the studio. (He returned and apologized after we went off air). Biggs and I have had some intense debates over immigration and polygamy, but this week’s topics hit a little close to home. Our guest was Alex Lanis, an Associated Student Government senator, who has introduced four pieces of legislation to alter parts of the ASG Code and Constitution. Biggs is president of the Residents’ Interhall Congress, and another one of our regular panelists is Tammy Lippert, former ASG senate chair. So, it was no surprise that things got tense when the argument moved to the question of which legislative body represents the students best – the RIC or the ASG. Each organization works best when it listens to student opinion and acts on it. When the new tobacco policy was announced, the RIC conducted a poll of its members and found that campus residents were opposed to it. As a result, the organization passed a resolution calling for a new policy designed to safeguard the rights of both their smoking and non-smoking constituents. They’ve been working with the Faculty Senate, and Biggs and other RIC representatives will be meeting with Chancellor G. David Gearhart to discuss the changes. The ASG executives, however, didn’t want to know what students thought about the tobacco policy. They left it off the UA Student Poll, saying at a press conference that they
Notes from Underground
ADAM ROBERTS adamcr@uark.edu
personally agreed with the policy and thought it was a dead issue. None of the senators were introducing any legislation to deal with the issue, so I wrote a tobacco reform resolution myself. After meeting with the ASG Campus Safety Committee, we all agreed that my resolution’s action clauses were just going to create more red tape and not solve anything. The senate decided not to vote on my resolution, after then-Committee Chair Megan McClellan said they didn’t need to because her committee would be meeting with other campus groups to reform the policy. Now, Lanis is chair of the Campus Safety Committee. He is against any reform that would take into account a student’s right to smoke. He didn’t make this clear during his campaign, and he admits that he only won election because a computer glitch kept some of his opponents off the ballot. He won by one vote. He says a student felt pressured to cast a ballot and just picked the first name on the list. Contrast this with the times that the ASG has listened to student opinion. The UA Student Poll was a centerpiece of Carter Ford’s ASG presidential campaign last spring, and, despite its flaws, is the best idea to come from the ASG since I’ve been a student here.
Two-thirds of the student body voted in favor of a Fall Break, so the ASG has been working tirelessly on making that a reality. The poll showed that students aren’t willing to pay a higher student fee for cheaper basketball tickets, so the ASG decided not to pursue that initiative. The ASG senate listened to students and agreed to help fund additional hours for Mullins Library during finals. This year, the Appropriations Committee had more than $200,000 to allocate to RSOs. They dug through the finances of every RSO on campus that requested funding – their research was so thorough that they even calculated the price of pizzas to make sure RSOs weren’t requesting more money than they actually needed. When a student government, whether the RIC or the ASG, actively seeks out student opinion and acts on it, we get results. Until the elections processes are reformed and voters start learning more about candidates besides their name and Facebook photo, student polls are the only reliable way to gauge student opinion. The RIC needs to build on its tobacco poll success and conduct more issuebased polls of its constituents. The ASG needs to build on its UA Student Poll success and conduct more polls of the student body at large. It needs to have someone from the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice to sit down and help write the questions so that we’ll get more accurate results. Both groups need to continue to act on the results once they come in. Adam Roberts is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Monday.
SUDAN DECISION: A CHANCE FOR DARFUR GUEST EDITORIAL
The Philadelphia Inquirer
EDITORIAL BOARD KIMBER WENZELBURGER| Editor TINA KORBE | Managing Editor BRIAN WASHBURN | News Editor JACLYN JOHNSON | Assistant News Editor The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor from all interested readers. Letters should be at most 300 words and should include the author’s 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.
“They can eat it!” That’s what Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said the International Criminal Court could do with the arrest warrant it has issued for his alleged crimes against humanity in the Darfur region. Bashir can afford to be dismissive of the ICC indictment, at least for now. After all, the court has no deputies to carry out an arrest. So long as Bashir remains in charge in his own country or visits only other nations friendly to him, he will be free. The court had plenty of evidence to make its decision Wednesday. It said Bashir retaliated against a 2003 rebel movement by encouraging Arab militias, supported by Sudanese troops, to rape, maim, murder and evict blacks in Darfur. The bloody campaign over a five-year period left more than 300,000 people dead and nearly 3 million forcibly removed from their homes. The threeperson ICC tribunal rejected charging
Bashir with genocide, but that’s an accurate description of the brutality he evoked. Jerry Fowler, president of the Washington-based Save Darfur organization, hailed the arrest warrant as a “window of opportunity.” He urged President Obama to use the court’s decision as the impetus to appoint a full-time U.S. envoy for peace in Sudan. Obama’s response could reverse the previous administration’s general disdain for the ICC. The Clinton administration signed the 1998 treaty establishing the court, but former President George W. Bush withdrew the signature. The United States is the only Western power not among the ICC’s 108 member nations. As his presidency neared its end, even Bush’s hard heart toward the ICC was softened by the plight of the suffering Darfuris. His administration supported proceeding with the Bashir case. It took seven months for the ICC to reach a decision. No one really knows what comes
next. This is the first time the ICC has indicted a sitting head of state. There is a U.N. peacekeeping force in Sudan, but it has no authority to arrest Bashir – and he clearly won’t surrender. There are understandable fears that the arrest warrant might backfire and worsen matters. It could intensify Sudanese support for their leader, who would no longer feel motivated to negotiate a peace agreement with the Darfuris. Or it could make Bashir vulnerable and lead to his ouster by someone worse. But it’s hard to argue with the ICC’s decision. It did what every criminal court must do: consider the facts and issue the appropriate judgment. The ICC has said there is strong evidence that Bashir’s actions led to the rape and murder of thousands. If he wants to argue otherwise, the opportunity is available. All the Sudanese president has to do is turn himself in for trial. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Service
LIFESTYLES
Hank Kaminsky THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER Local sculptor leaves mark on UA campus and town Friday in Lifestyles Phone: 575.7540 | E-mail: travlife@uark.edu
Lifestyles Editor: Anna Nguyen | Assistant Lifestyles Editor: Lindsey Pruitt
UA student’s hip-hop collective band signs with record label
Page 5 | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
Alternative films arrive, then suddenly depart Cinematic Flapper
ANNA NGUYEN anguyen@uark.edu
COURTESY PHOTO
Brittany Arroyos Staff Writer
The aspiration toward stardom in the music business can be a drawn-out process, but band members say a love for music makes the long haul worthwhile. For local band Hardaway & The Commoners, the journey has just begun. With a unique and creative sound that draws a diverse fan base, this group of young musicians is destined to go far. In June 2008, Colin Hardaway, lead vocalist and UA student, was signed to the Tate Music Group label. After talking with drummer Brad Haj about creating music together, Haj brought along bassist Dan Hicks and guitarist Will Collins to form the hip-hop collective. Hardaway’s job at Fayetteville’s Italian restaurant Noodles led to the recruitment of saxist Barret Barker. The band sometimes features a trumpet player and has recently attained a keyboard player. With such a variety of musical instruments, Hardaway & The Commoners has developed a sound that is unlike others and that is guaranteed to make listeners move. “We classify our music as ‘organic hip-hop,’” Hardaway said. “It is the fusion of very skilled live instrumentation and original upper-level hip-hop vocals and lyrics. We have a funky vibe with a lot of instrumental personality. The actual music experience
alone is enough of an attraction, while the vocals enhance it all.” These guys have the look and sound of music superstars on stage, yet they are genuine and humble. Even in their name, Hardaway & The Commoners, they express their modesty. “(The band name) hints to the fact that we are just common people trying to make it,” Hardaway said. While some of the members are UA students and some are involved in other activities, they seem to keep their priorities straight and their music and personal lives in check. “Although we all are involved in separate activities, the main focus of everyone is success in the music business,” Hardaway said. “We know that if we stay focused and are dedicated to improve, then we will make it. Dedication is the key.” The interaction that the band has with the audience is filled with an energetic, upbeat vibe. “Their music is reminiscent of the West Coast, totally laid-back with a great feel,” said freshman Doug Murray, who recently started listening to the band. To Hardaway, the best thing about performing is the interaction with the crowd. “When I look out, I see all types of people,” Hardaway said. “Some get down on the dance floor and never stop moving, (and) I see others with a look of concentration
as they evaluate my lyrics and nod in approval.” Along with creating a different sound, the band also aspires to make a difference with their music. “A band can always improve,” Hardaway said. “As we continue to do so, we will rise to a position of increasing influence, and with that we will help make a difference in our community. Whether this be a contribution to a particular charity or hands-on involvement with a project affecting today’s youth, we want to make a difference for the better. “ In the future, Hardaway & The Commoners will be look-
ing for sponsors in an attempt to fund a regional tour. As for Hardaway, he will be releasing an album in the coming months through Tate Music Group called SoundCheck. The album will feature four tracks from the Commoners in addition to seven original tracks. Their next performance is a definite must-see. It will be 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at George’s Majestic Lounge. “You will want to make it to this show,” Hardaway said. To stay updated with news, pictures and performances, visit the band’s Web site at Certifiedorganichiphop.com.
COURTESY PHOTO
I have, many times, frequented a theater in which I – or, on some occasions, with a companion – have been the sole patron in an auditorium. If my memory doesn’t fail me, I’ve seen “My Blueberry Nights,” Stephen Chow’s “CJ7” and “Ashes of Time Redux” in empty, petite rooms. Perhaps it should be noted that these films are categorized as either foreign or independent films. And while I commend AMC Theatres for screening alternative selections, the general life expectancy of these films, unfortunately, is only about a week before they depart. In fact, one day I arbitrarily decided to see “Ashes of Time Redux” again for the upcoming weekend, the decision made just four days after my friend and I had watched it in isolation. It was of good fortune that I decided to check the show times, to ensure that it would be shown on a Friday or Saturday night; the listings, however, indicated that that night, a Thursday, would be the film’s final showing. So I went to the theater that very night to revisit the lovely desert, enjoy the stringed-instrument composition and Leslie Cheung’s gorgeous face. So it wasn’t completely absurd that I assumed the theater would be empty when I went to an evening show of “Il y a longtemps que je t’aime” or “I’ve Loved You So Long.” It was about a month ago that I lamented its unavailability. A local newspaper had published another review for the French film about two weeks ago, assuring that it was indeed in town. A week passed by since its release, and I made no great haste in going to the cinema, perhaps as a way to prove my point that it would suddenly disappear. I was proved wrong, as I went to the theater to watch “I’ve Loved You So Long” on a Saturday evening. When I entered the auditorium, there were about four other patrons already seated. As I sat down, two more couples came in. “I’ve Loved You So Long” is an extremely bleak French film starring the formidable Kristin Scott Thomas as Juliette. In the beginning, Juliette has been released from prison after a 15-year sentence for the murder of her six-year-old son. She tries to begin a new life with her younger sister Léa, from whom she’s been estranged because their parents disowned her. Léa eagerly tries to reconnect with her elder sister, as her memories of Juliette have been jilted. Thomas plays Juliette in a brutally cold and fragile manner, and her character is somewhat difficult to truly sympathize with. However, the scenes in which Juliette tries to avoid speaking of her past are painful; perhaps the most heartbreaking scene was when Juliette was dining with her sister’s family and friends and her furtive past was brought to attention. One of Léa’s friends drunkenly suggested a game to find out why beautiful and intelligent Juliette has been absent for the last 15 years. As everybody sat in silence, Juliette forced a smile and bluntly said, “I was in prison for the murder of my son.” The response of the crowd was of laughter. The film ended on a redemptive note, as Juliette finally acknowledges the reason she decided to kill her son. “I’ve Loved You So Long” is not the best film of the year, but it certainly is a good one and well worth the rather frustrating wait for Juliette to finally open up. It was a lovely evening, and I decided to walk to Hastings after the film ended. As I perused the foreign films section, I noticed the DVD of “I’ve Loved You So Long” is already available for rent. Although I could have saved about five dollars had I rented the DVD, I enjoyed a night out at the cinema, as I’ve not seen a film on the big screen for some time now. And it certainly was nice to see a foreign film in town. Anna Nguyen is the Lifestyles editor for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Monday.
LIVE MUSIC
Modest Mouse kicks it old school
Listen Up!
BRIAN WASHBURN dwashbur@uark.edu
Throughout the indie genre, bands who have had mild success on the national scale have been referred to as “sell outs.” This term has been applied to one band in particular throughout the genre. Last week, however, in front of a sold out crowd in Kansas City, Washington indie rock kings Modest Mouse put all notions of selling out, giving up or even slowing down to rest. Although the band has
found extreme success with their last two albums – 2004’s Good News for People Who Love Bad News and 2007’s We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – much of the set list was composed of older tunes, songs that propelled Modest Mouse to the top of the indie underground scene in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. While the band did play six songs from Good News, they only played two tracks from their most recent release. Most of the fans that packed the Uptown Theater from wall to wall did not seem to care at all, as the loudest praise and applause came from older songs, such as “3rd Planet,” “Breakthrough” and “Tiny Cities Made of Ashes.” But the set list did not come together without some complaining and ridiculous
shout outs from one fan in particular who asked the band to play old songs. In fact, Modest
But Brock kept it together with the fan, and even with the show. Rumors of his drunken
COURTESY PHOTO
Mouse’s lead singer, Issac Brock, even called out the fan, saying the song they just played was probably older than the fan.
stage antics that detract from the show were not to be seen last week. In fact, the unique singer/guitarist was dead-on
during the entire show. Though the rest of the band was spoton with every note, it would have been nice to witness the guitar playing of Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths), who decided not to hit the road with Mouse and is touring in Europe with another act. Multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso did a fascinating job when switching between cello, piano and about every other instrument he seemed to get his hands on. It was definitely the outstanding roles filled by percussionist Joe Plummer and drummer Jeremiah Green that astounded me while watching the show. Both play drum sets, but play vastly different parts throughout every song. It is phenomenal how both players never got off beat once and mix in so flawlessly with the rest of
the music. Modest Mouse easily put on one of the best indie rock shows that anyone could have asked for last week. It was breathtaking, dead-on and remarkable considering how diverse and bizarre some of the band’s recordings turn out (which is a good thing). It would have been nice, though, to hear a few more songs from their best album (in my opinion), The Moon and Antarctica, and a few of their more popular songs such as “Ocean Breathes Salty” and “Missed The Boat” (yes, I am a sucker for both of the radio singles). But I can’t complain. I just had one of the godfathers of indie bands rock out right in front of my eyes for more than an hour. Let’s just say the See
MUSIC on Page 7
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Physical activity is a great way for kids to build strength and stay healthy. Unfortunately, it can sometimes lead to injury. Broken bones require immediate attention, but what
VISA and MASTERCARD
about sore shoulders or swollen knees? If not taken seriously, many youth injuries can become chronic later in life. So before your child gets hurt, visit aaos.org or nata.org. Practice prevention and give all injuries proper attention.
GIRLS AND SPORTS
WONDERMARK | David Malki
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BLISS | Harry Bliss
HOROSCOPES | Linda Black ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) TODAY IS A 7. Postpone big decisions and heartfelt declarations for a while longer.You’re still in the information-gathering phase.To know what you can get, figure out what other people want.
CROSSWORD
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) TODAY IS A 7. If you’re running into a lot of resistance, put that project on hold. Give yourself a couple of days to regain objectivity.You’re so close to the problem, you can’t see what’s going on. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 21) TODAY IS A 7. The controversy rages. Listen and maintain objectivity.When you do choose a side, have the facts to back up your argument. Know what you’re talking about. CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) TODAY IS A 7. Tell the pushy salespeople that you’ll get back to them. Read all the fine print in the contracts you’re asked to sign. Better yet, don’t sign a thing until Thursday or Friday. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) TODAY IS A 7. Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you’re not entirely sure.Your cool, confident facade does a lot to sway opinions. Keep the people calm and they’re more likely to follow along.
SUDOKU
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) TODAY IS A 7. The plan isn’t working as well as you’d hoped.You’re encountering resistance. Nobody wants to compromise, leaving you in a difficult spot. This may take a while, so chill. LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) TODAY IS A 7. Be careful; tempers are short. Jealousy could also be a factor. It’s best not to flirt.You don’t want to start an argument between two people you love. Don’t even try to explain. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) TODAY IS A 7. The person who’s shouting the loudest isn’t necessarily right.The opposite is more likely true, from your point of view. Be patient with a person who tends to be a whiner. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) TODAY IS A 6. Listen to both sides of the debate, presented by people who feel passionately about their point of view. These folks are more interesting than the ones who won’t pick a side to defend.
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FRIDAY’S SOLUTION
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) TODAY IS A 7. Paying off old debts is about to get more difficult.You may have to update your skills to get the jobs that pay the best. Start by figuring out what that will be six months from now.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) TODAY IS A 67 Ignore a person who seems to be trying to get you all riled up. If you don’t agree, just leave it at that. Don’t try to work it out. Postpone the entire discussion until a more favorable time. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) TODAY IS A 6. Watch out for breakage, changes in plans and random urgencies. Don’t let somebody else’s problem give you a heart attack.Tell them you’ll be glad to help, if you’re treated well. If not, don’t.
FRIDAY’S SOLUTION
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WATSON
GYMNASTICS
Japanese have the professional league closest to the Major Leagues in the United States, and after building better cars and better video games in the last few decades, Japan won the tournament of America’s pastime. It’s embarrassing, at least for me. The U.S. players took care of business Saturday, avenging their ’06 loss to Canada, and looking like they want to make it to the final four in Dodger Stadium in two weeks. Their second game against Venezuela was played late last night. It takes just two wins to make it to the second round. There are more than 400 players vying for the second Classic title. There is a Major Leaguer on almost every team “swinging for the fences.� Or for the six WBC teams from Central and South America, “bateando para las cercas.� The upstart Dutch team is “swingende voor de hekken,� and the Italians are “oscillante per le recinzioni,� which may or may not also be a dish at Olive Garden. Swinging for the Fences, like America’s pastime, has gone international.
taking her spot. But when Bartlett was injured, Stout was reinserted into the order without hesitation. “It was like a revolving door,� Cook said. “Stout is a pro. She just gets up there and does her thing.� Even with the lineup changes, Cook said the team did what it needed to do. “I thought the girls did a great job,� Cook said. “We performed well, we hit our routines and didn’t count a fall. As far as our performance, they did exactly what we hoped they would.� Minnesota (7-7) opened the meet with its lowest performance on bars this season while Arkansas (7-4) posted its second highest score with a 49.350 on vault. “They did a great job on vault,� Cook said. “I actually thought that was our best performance on vault this year, although it wasn’t quite our highest score. But they hit some really good landings and were really dynamic.� Cook said it was nice for the team to not open the door for Minnesota early in the meet. Minnesota co-head coach Meg Stephenson said the team could have started out better, but it was a great leaning experience.
from Page 8
from Page 8
Matt Watson is the assistant sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Monday.
SPORTS
“We learned a lot about our team,� Stephenson said. “We did not start too well, but it got better as the meet went on. It was a great experience to compete against a program we have a lot of respect for.� Arkansas has one last opportunity to improve its regional qualifying score at Texas Woman’s before heading into postseason play. “We have a big meet coming up,� Cook said. “We need a big away score because it is going to set us up for our final ranking for regionals. We need to keep hitting our routines and focus on fine tuning things.�
TIP-OFF CLUB from Page 8
dance along with Arlyn Bowers, Shawn Davis, Clyde Fletcher, Cannon Whitby and Darrell Hawkins. Tyler Haskins, the son of the late Larry Marks, was in attendance to represent his father. All-American forward Todd Day and All-Southwest Conference center Oliver Miller were among the players unable to attend, but those who were captivated the audience with memories from their careers at Arkansas, many of them centered on Richardson. Bowers said Richardson was the worst person in the world to see when Richardson was angry
with you. “That ‘Jaws’ music, that ‘Godzilla’ music – that’s what you hear when he’s coming,� Bowers said. “I still straighten up when I see him now.� Davis recalled an exhibition game in which the Hogs were losing at halftime. Richardson came into the locker room upset and, after giving the team a tongue lashing, attempted to kick the chalkboard only to fall. “Nobody cracked a smile,� Davis said. “He walked out, his face as red as his boots were. As soon as he walked out we kind of (laughed).� “I think I was trying to kick the garbage can,� Richardson said. “I missed the garbage can, my boots were slick and I fell on my butt. I looked at everybody and nobody said a word so I got up and walked out. I knew they probably laughed their butts off after I was out of there. I thought they had forgotten about that one.� Mayberry said that, despite playing for three NBA teams, the four years he played at Arkansas was the best time in his life. “Everybody has just always been so nice to me (in Arkansas),� Mayberry said. “The fans are the best. Every game was a sell-out. The fans were great and always supportive.� Davis said Richardson once came back from a recruiting trip and caught several team members out of their rooms past curfew partying with a fra-
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 | Page 7 ternity on the same hotel floor when the Hogs were on the road to play Texas A&M. “Coach usually didn’t stay on our floor, but that night he did,� Davis said. “The elevator rings, he steps off and sees all these guys out in the hall. I’ve never, ever seen room clear as fast. They were in their rooms in a heartbeat.� The team went on to rout the Aggies because they were so scared of how Richardson was going to discipline them. Hawkins said he still harbors ill feelings toward the Bobby McFerrin hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy� after hearing it countless times as Richardson would drive next to the team while they ran. “You’re running and you don’t see the van, but you hear this song that I still hate to this day,� said Hawkins, imitating the lyrics. “(Richardson) pulls up next to you and he looks out the window. He’s got this smile on his face like, ‘Can I help you?’ Then he just looks off and turns the music up.� Hawkins, who currently coaches at Houston with former Texas coach Tom Penders, said Richardson left a stamp on him. “Everything that I do in coaching is to uplift and support (Richardson) and make sure that nobody forgets what a man he is and what a great coach he was,� Hawkins said. Stehlik said the 1990 team and the success during that era
was responsible for Bud Walton Arena and captured the interest of the country. “We’d run-and-gun, flishand-flash all these little terms that people liked to use,� Stehlik said. “It was just so different that people didn’t know what to think of it. “But they began to understand that it was the new 21st century way of playing basketball and we had the talent to do it. That 1990 team changed the way Razorback fans approached basketball.�
MUSIC
from Page 5 performance left me a lot to think about on a long drive home. Final Thought: Modest Mouse’s set list: “Bury Me With It,� “Never Ending Math Equation,� “The View,� “Dramamine,� “Wild Packs of Family Dogs,� “Breakthrough,� “Guilty Cocker Spaniel,� “Tiny Cities Made of Ashes,� “Custom Concern,� “Float On,� “Bukowski,� “Interstate 8,� “All Night Diner� and “Parting of the Sensory.� Encore: “3rd Planet,� “Satellite Skin,� “Dashboard,� “Baby Blue Sedan,� “Satin in a Coffin� and “Black Cadillacs.� Brian Washburn is the News editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Monday.
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SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
SEC Tournament Preview Hogs head to Tampa, Fla. Wednesday in Sports Page 8 | MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 BASEBALL
Leavitt leads Hogs past Bears Harold McIlvain II
Sports Editor: Bart Pohlman | Assistant Sports Editor: Matt Watson
No. 6-seed (West) Arkansas will play No. 3-seed (East) Florida at 8:45 p.m. Thursday.
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VANDERBILT 75, ARKANSAS 58
Poor second half dooms Razorbacks again
Senior Staff Writer
The No. 21 Arkansas Razorback baseball team didn’t have to battle from behind in a 13-3 win Sunday to take the series over California. After trailing throughout the series, the Razorbacks scored first for the first time in the series finale. Senior Chase Leavitt gave Arkansas its first lead since the 10th inning Friday with a tworun single in the fifth, putting Arkansas ahead 3-2. And the team didn’t look back after that. The Razorbacks capped off a season-high eight-run inning with a grand slam by sophomore Brett Eibner in the sixth inning. Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said it was the offensive inning the team had looked for all weekend. “I’ve been waiting for that,” Van Horn said. “It didn’t look like it was going to happen. We only had a one run lead. But we worked it and put together a big inning with two outs.” Leavitt finished the weekend series 9-for12 with two runs, seven RBIs and five walks, increasing his average to .419 for the season. “Chase just had a great weekend,” Van Horn said. “He is a tough out. We wouldn’t have had this weekend without him. He got some clutch hits for us.” Senior Andrew Darr added another two runs in the eighth inning with a two-run home run. Junior Mike Bolsinger recorded the win while pitching 4.1 innings and striking out a career-high eight batters. On Friday, the Razorbacks picked up where they left off a week ago with another dramatic 10-inning win. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, senior Ben Tschepikow hit a home run to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Tschepikow said he expected to see a fastball in the situation, and he took it deep for his third of the year. Arkansas won the game in the bottom of the 10th when Collin Kuhn bunted for a single, scoring freshman James McCann. “You couldn’t have rolled it down there any better,” Van Horn said. “They handled it pretty well, but they couldn’t get the ball out of the glove and the catcher was too quick with the tag.” Arkansas was able to pull from behind after trailing by four runs heading into the sixth inning. “One coach made a comment that it was like a heavy weight fight out there,” Van Horn said. “We were getting beat around pretty bad early. But they never knocked us out,” After Arkansas recorded its fourth extra inning win this season, Van Horn said he didn’t mind the additional drama. “I don’t mind it a bit,” Van Horn said. “I think it is making us tougher. If we do this another 40 or 50 times this year, that is just the way it is. We have a good club, but we haven’t put it together yet. But we do hang in there.” But Arkansas wasn’t able to take the second game of the series, as the team fell behind early in its only loss against California, 12-6. After getting a quick out in the third inning, sophomore Jacob House dropped a throw at first base from pitcher T.J. Forrest. Another error and six hits later, the Bears scored six unearned runs in the inning. “You can’t give a good team like that five outs in an inning,” Van Horn said. “They punched in six runs on us and took us out of the game just like that. We can’t make mistakes like that. We’ll get it handed to us. They came at us pretty good.” Forrest finished the game by allowing eight hits over three innings. He allowed seven runs, but only one was earned while striking out five. Arkansas rallied to a six run inning of its own in the sixth to pull the game within four runs, but California put the game away with two more runs in the following inning. “We’ve pulled off a couple crazy wins already, so we kept fighting,” Leavitt said. “But they just kept hitting. Any time you give up six runs in an inning it is tough to battle back. We are going to learn from that and come out with a little more energy.” And they did that Sunday. Tschepikow said the Saturday loss motivated the team to come out and win the series. “That game kind of opened our eyes,” Tschepikow said. “We got it handed to us a little bit and kicked our butt. But we responded well with a great attitude.” Van Horn said it was great for the team to pick up a series win over team like California. “They are the best team we’ve played all year,” Van Horn said. “They have arms in the bullpen and everyone throws hard. They are a regional-type team.”
Did you know?
Matt Jones
Senior Staff Writer If there is a recurring theme for the Arkansas Razorbacks this season, it’s that the team struggles after halftime. That fact reared its ugly head again Sunday as Arkansas hit just 18 percent of its shots in the second half and fell 75-58 at Vanderbilt. “We had a very difficult time shooting the basketball in the second half,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “There’s only one other time I’ve ever heard of a team shooting 18 percent in a half – back in 1984, I think. You’re not going to win any games on the road or at home shooting like that in the second half.” The Razorbacks (14-15, 2-14) trailed 39-35 at halftime as point guard Courtney Fortson hit a 3-pointer as time expired on the period. The freshman finished the half with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting, but struggled after the break and finished the game 7-of-27 from the floor. “When things aren’t going well in terms of getting baskets, I think sometimes as a player you want to go get it started yourself,” Pelphrey said. “It’s part of his fighting spirit that we love. But there are times when that hurts you. I thought there were more opportunities for him to pass it off.
“He didn’t read the defense as well as he could have.” The second half slump didn’t stop at Fortson, though. After pulling within 51-47, the Hogs went on a 6-minute, 20-second scoring drought that saw the Commodores build a double-digit lead. Vanderbilt (19-11, 8-8) outscored the Razorbacks 24-11 over the last eight minutes as Arkansas fell to its worst conference record since joining the SEC. “Our regular season is over with,” Pelphrey said. “Nonconference is over with. Now, postseason is available.” The Razorbacks will take Monday off before traveling to Tampa, Fla., Tuesday in preparation for Thursday night’s SEC Tournament first round game with Florida. While acknowledging it’s doubtful the Razorbacks will win the tournament, Pelphrey drew on recent experiences to highlight anything is possible. “When you talk about winning the SEC Tournament, it’s within the realm of possibility,” Pelphrey said. “Arkansas has won it playing four games. Georgia did the unthinkable last year. “The difference between now and last year is there isn’t this great disparity between our teams. Anyone can beat anybody else. If you think it can’t happen, look at last year.”
GYMNASTICS
LaChance, Razorbacks win on senior night Harold McIlvain II Senior Staff Writer
With the crowd cheering one last time, senior Alex LaChance took the floor as the last competitor for No. 10 Arkansas during a 196.350195.250 win over No. 18 Minnesota. A smile was a constant throughout her routine while performing in front of 1,976 fans at Barnhill Arena. And when the performance ended, teammates rushed to the floor with smiles of their own to greet LaChance one last time during the final regular season home event. “There was just an incredible energy,” LaChance said. “Everyone’s support and encouragement just blew me away. I’ve never felt that kind of support in my life. That was the most fun moment I’ve had in gymnastics ever.” LaChance said having her parents in attendance made the meet extra special because of the long trip to campus. “It means a lot,” LaChance said. “I try to go out there and do good for them.” And on senior night, she did. LaChance set a season high when combining her 9.875 scores in vault and floor, two events she has contributed to at every meet. She also added a 9.675 on beam. “It was nice for her to come through as a senior and hit her routines,” Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook said. “Alex did a great job on vault and floor. I thought she did a great job on beam even though her score wasn’t that great.” Concluding the meet, a video of highlights showcased LaChance and her contributions to a program that has made two NCAA Championship appearances during her time on
JONATHAN GIBSON Staff Photographer
The Razorback gymnastic team won its final home meet of the season Friday against Minnesota.
campus. “It was touching,” LaChance said. “I guess I’ve come a long way. I’m a different person than when I was a little baby freshman.” Junior Michelle Stout won her first all-around this season with a 39.325 despite not starting the meet with the opportunity to compete in all four events. “It was nice to see Michelle win the all-around,” Cook said. “She
wasn’t even suppose to do the allaround. But she came in and hit all four routines and was great.” Cook said sophomore Stacy Bartlett broke her toe while warming up and was sent to the hospital. Stout – who scored the second highest score on beam last week – had a bruised toe and was expected to sit the event out with LaChance See
GYMNASTICS on Page 7
BASKETBALL
Tip-Off Club honors Final Four team Jimmy Carter Staff Writer
Less than a week after the UA honored the 1994 national champion Razorback basketball team, the Northwest Arkansas Tip-Off Club hosted a luncheon Friday to
Courtesy Photo
Lee Mayberry, All-American
Courtesy Photo
Todd Day, two-time All-American
recognize the 1990 Final Four team. Richardson and six players from the squad that finished 30-5 overall and won the Southwest Conference championship were in attendance, along with event organizer and then-Razorback assistant Wayne Stehlik. Richardson and Stehlik both said the Tip-Off Club’s recognition of the championship team last January provided the spark for the official honoring of the 1994 national championship team at halftime of the Georgia game and ultimately Friday’s luncheon. “There’s no question what Wayne Stehlik and the TipOff Club did to bring a group of guys together and honor them (led to the university’s recognition of the championship team),” Richardson said. “I’m sure it had an impact on what happened.” Former All-American guard Lee Mayberry was in attenSee
TIP-OFF CLUB on Page 7
COMMENTARY
‘Classic’ good for everyone Riddle me this. Q: What has close to 60 arms, a lifespan of fewer than three weeks and costs about $160 million if purchased in the United States?
Swinging for the Fences
MATT WATSON mrwatson@uark.edu
A: One World Baseball Classic team. The WBC kicked off last week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Classic is a welcome distraction. With Alex Rodriguez pulling out of the tournament because of an injury, the WBC can exist freely without ARoid-gate, the dominant baseball headline of the offseason. But the Classic is good news for sports fans outside of baseball, too. The United States won its first game Saturday, the day before the Arkansas hoops team lost its 14th conference game of the season, and long after the Razorbacks clinched the lastplace seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. And for any non-sports fans that happen to be reading this sports column, this is great distraction for you, too. Maybe you’re too caught up in our country’s poor standing in the global economy. Well, never fear, because baseball is here. Maybe you can’t pay your mortgage, but at least you can watch a bunch of guys who get paid millions of dollars to play a game take on the rest of the world in some good ole-fashioned (inter)national pastime. For those of you who are new to the Classic, it is similar to soccer’s World Cup, pitting the best national teams in the world against each other in a three week, 16-nation tournament. It doesn’t have quite the following of the Cup (the most-watched sporting event in the world, drawing an estimated five times as many viewers as the Super Bowl), or the number of participants (16 teams, compared to 32 World Cup teams after qualifying rounds), or the preparation (the American WBC team practiced for a couple of weeks, while World Cup play years of qualifying games just to get to the World Cup). But the World Baseball Classic isn’t the World Cup, and it doesn’t have to be. This is just the second WBC, the first in 2006. Starting this year, the Classic will be every four years, and tournament organizers hope to add new teams for future events. The United States found out in the inaugural Classic, much like the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 2004, that the rest of the world has discovered sports, too. The U.S. team lost to both of its neighbors in ’06, an 8-6 loss to Canada in the first round and a 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the second round, with both games played on U.S. soil. The host team was bounced after two rounds of pool play, finishing the tournament with two wins against three losses. Japan won the first WBC title, knocking out Cuba in the finals. So the Americans have a reputation at stake this time around. They can say they didn’t know what to expect in 2006, but there is no excuse for losing this time. The See
WATSON on Page 7