August 30, 2012

Page 1

WEEKEND

EDITION Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906

Vol. 107, No. 8

“About You, For You”

Mason Sams Staff Writer

Chancellor Dedicates Hunt Sculpture

Chancellor Gearhart dedicated the new Silas Hunt Memorial Sculpture Wednesday Full Story, Page 3

Tennis Prepares for Season Opening Match

Women’s tennis will be full of youth and talent this season Full Story, Page 7

It’s no surprise that Fayetteville’s most frequented site for locals and visitors is Dickson Street. It’s filled to the brim with drinks and some of the most delicious food in the city and there are countless ways to entertain yourself. Even though Dickson Street may appear to be a luxury only for those of legal drinking age, there are plenty of ways to have fun despite being younger than most others on Dickson. Starting from the top of Dickson, there are already a number of stores specifically catered to people who may not have an interest in alcohol. For instance, Private Gallery has been a Dickson staple for six and a half years and has rendered with it a cult following. According to their employees, the most frequently purchased items are Michael Kors watches and Hobo wallets for those wishing to be fashionably casual both at work and on Dickson Street. While this store may appear to be exclusive to women, in the same vicinity are Underwood’s Fine Jewelers, Bath Junkie and Sidney’s Emporium, each of which has something for everyone. All of these are worth checking out as they all have their own distinct style and atmosphere. If alcohol is a first for most people on Dickson Street, then food is naturally a second, and Dickson has some of the best food in town. There are a variety of different types of restaurants — plush and modest, relaxed and upbeat, business and casual. Some are for when two or more people want to sit down and have a conversa-

tion and a meal, while others are perfect for a quick snack. For instance, Orange Mango, a relatively new frozen yogurt establishment, regularly deals with a considerable amount of traffic as Dickson’s sweet tooth. While there is music everywhere on Dickson Street both in and out of bars, some of the best entertainment is at the UARK Bowl and Walton Arts Center. The UARK Bowl regularly has comedians from northwest Arkansas as well as touring comedians like Tom Green, who will be coming this October. The Walton Arts Center holds plays, lectures, standup comedy acts and concerts nearly every week. If you decide to take a stroll down Dickson, be sure to be on the lookout for shows advertised on the side of the building. During the weekend, many people find themselves walking through the square, where the local farmers market is located. There are musicians serenading shoppers, homegrown food, woodwork from locals, and a generally jovial atmosphere to start your day out right. Zoe Champagne, a junior nursing major, said she goes to the farmers market every Saturday she can. “I went last weekend and the weekend before,” she said. “I like to listen to the music, get different fruits, flowers that are really cheap and coffee that Arsaga’s sponsors, usually.” This past summer, the food truck race that stopped in Fayetteville during its national tour brought a lot of foot traffic to the area as well as various authentic food that couldn’t be found in Fayetteville. The Fayetteville summer isn’t quite over yet, and some people like to relax inside the Dickson Street Bookshop and

Nightbird Books. Even though both bookstores sell similar products, they both offer completely different experiences. The first packed to the brim with old and used books, with so many shelves covering the area that it’s difficult to make out the color of the walls. The latter offers purely new books as well as plenty of sit-down area for a leisurely read or drink. Nightbird also has beer, wine, coffee and hot chocolate to keep you relaxed and comfortable. “The Dickson bookstore looked old-school on the outside, but once I went inside, I was completely enthralled

see DICKSON page 5

Emily Rhodes Photo Editor

Gareth Patterson Staff Photographer

Dickson 101 for the Drinker R Don’t wear heels in

your group sober

R Kilowatts in

drunk text

Shotz

moderation

R SAFE Ride should be your back up, not your plan

R Friends don’t let friends R Wait until you’re sober to upload your “Dickson pics”

R Roger’s Rec — go at your own risk

R Keep at least one friend in Aneeka Majid Staff Photographer

75/70°F

Emily Rhodes Photo Editor

Arsaga’s Cafe on Dickson Offers Expanded Menu, Crepes

Alex March Staff Writer

Heavy Rain

rules

R Use the crosswalks

Full Story, Page 5

Tomorrow

R Rule 1: There are no

nights

September is shaping up to be an exciting month for music lovers.

91/72°F

park. You might get a boot on the first offense

R Beware dollar drink

September: The Mother of All Album Release Months

Today’s Forecast

R Remember where you

A Fayetteville institution of 20 years has landed on Dickson Street. Arsaga’s Espresso Cafe opened a new location at the end of June at the corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street. But the new location, dubbed the “Depot” after t h e

building’s original function as a freight house, is not your parents’ Arsaga’s. With more space than a traditional coffee shop, chef and manager Emily Lawson whips up delectable crepes, and the baristas behind the espresso bar creates more drinks and smoothies. All of your Arsaga’s favorites, like Arsagaccinos, thankfully remain on the menu. Since it’s on Dickson Street, Arsaga’s even offers a small, carefully selected list of imported beer, microbrews and wines chosen to complement the crepes. The menu features special crepes, which Lawson said offer “something unique and local and fresh.” Lawson suggests trying the cardamom iced coffee. The baristas prepare

Photos by Courtney Ulrich Staff Photographer

that, and many other concoctions, with Fayetteville’s own PH Alchemy brand syrups. What really sets the Arsaga’s brew apart, though, is the fact that they roast their own coffee in small batches.

“Basic and simple, with fresh ingredients,” Lawson said about Arsaga’s coffeeroasting process. On Sundays, Arsaga’s offers brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with bottomless cups of coffee

and a selection of crepes, both sweet and savory. The Ozark crepe features local sausage, mozzarella, egg and roasted red pepper wrapped inside of

see ARSAGAS page 5


Page 2

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

A Positive Attitude for Blood Donations

Contact

119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701

Courtney Ulrich Staff Photographer UA freshman Seth Cagle gives blood Wednesday, Aug. 29 in Pomfret Hall. Donated blood was given to the Community Center of the Ozarks. COLLEGE SKI & BOARD WEEK

Mandy McClendon Senior Sta Writer The Latin American studies department and the Multicultural Center will offer a demonstration and discussion on Afro-Brazilian religion, culture and drumming to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The event is at 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union. Eldio Rolim, also known as Mestre Cabello, is the guest who will be leading the demonstration and discussion. Rolim is “extremely knowledgeable about the communal and religious rituals of the African Diaspora in Brazil.â€? Rolim will give a demonstration of drum rhythms and will discuss Afro-Brazilian culture and religion and its relationship to drumming, Multicultural Center official said. The demonstration and discussion of Afro-Brazilian religion and its relationship to drumming will last from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Next, a reception will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. From 1 to 3 p.m., there will be an open discussion and question and answer session regarding Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions and a brief lesson of basic drumming rhythms. “This is one of the many events planned for Hispanic Heritage Month,â€? said Brandy Armstrong, associate direc-

tor of leadership and development at the Multicultural Center. “We have several events planned on Sept. 20. We will have an event called ‘Plaza de las Americas,’ which is a social event of uniting hands,� Armstrong said. “We will have all Latin American countries on display we will have performing arts, coffees from all over Latin American countries, conversation partners and films.� The Multicultural Center has not yet finalized its calendar for Hispanic Heritage Month and plans to have several other events, Armstrong said. Kate Ross, a sophomore Spanish major, said she thinks the event is a great opportunity for all students. “As a Spanish major, I really appreciate Hispanic heritage, and I think it’s something all students should learn more about,� she said. “Events like this are a great way to expand your horizons and learn more about different cultures and languages.� Both the Multicultural Center and the Latin American studies department have been reaching out to students to attend the event through Listserv and Facebook. “I have several cultural requirements for my students in the cultural enrichment program. The Afro-Brazilian drumming event is one of the events I am requiring for them,� Armstrong said. All events are free and open to the public.

• •

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Editorial Sta

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plus t/s

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UARK BOWL ’ CO M E DY

Chad Woodard Editor-in-Chief 479 575 8455 traveler@uark.edu

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Mark Cameron Multimedia Editor 479 575 7051

Saba Naseem Special Projects Editor 479 575 8455

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Joe Kieklak Opinion Editor 479 575 8455

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Nick Brothers Companion Editor 479 575 3226 travlife@uark.edu

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Kristen Coppola Sports Editor 479 575 7051 travsprt@uark.edu

Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor 479 575 7051 travsprt@uark.edu

Emily Rhodes Photo Editor 479 575 8455

Sarah Colpitts Lead/Features Designer

Marcus Ferreira News Designer

Carson Smith Sports Designer

aug

fall 2012 season

august 30-31 Bobcat Goldthwait Carlos Valencia

september 6-7 Stewart Huff Keith Manning

september 20-21 Al Jackson Paul Strickland

october 4-5

Tom Green Leah Mansfield

oct

Drummers Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month

Breckenridge Keystone

Main 479 575 3406 Fax 479 575 3306 traveler@uark.edu

uarkbowl.com

featuring local comics from nwa’s emerging comedy scene

644 W. Dickson Street

Fayetteville, Arkansas

479.301.2030

Advertising & Design Sta Elizabeth Birkinsha Advertising Manager 479 575 3839

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Guy Smith III Graphic Designer

Corrections The Arkansas Traveler strives for accuracy in its reporting and will correct all matters of fact. If you believe the paper has printed an error, please notify the editor at 479 575 8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.


Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

Page 3 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

!"#$%&"'()*+,-* .//0'*1%2*3245/ Editor’s Note: This story is part of a continuing series that will discuss important issues for graduating students. Mandy McClendon Senior Staff Writer With high unemployment, it is no wonder some students will be voting with their wallets this November. The class of 2013 can be optimistic about getting a job after they graduate, said Angela Williams, director of Career Services. Even though the unemployment rate for those younger than 25 has decreased to 12.9 percent in June, the rate for young people is higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. ` On the bright side, unemployment for college graduates is roughly half the national average, according the the U.S. Department of Labor. Hiring is expected to increase by 12.2 percent, according to preliminary numbers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook 2013 survey. Certain groups face a steeper predicament. African Americans face a 16.2 percent unemployment rate and Latinos are at 11 percent. “[This] means there are more job opportunities as employers are looking to grow their work forces,” Williams said. “What this doesn’t mean, however, is that their job search will be easier.

Members of the class of 2013 and subsequent college classes throughout the country are eager to land jobs and launch their professional careers.” Students can help themselves stand out in a competitive job market by visiting the career service office on campus, work on their networks to learn about job opportunities, do research and market themselves, Williams said. One way in which each presidential candidate plans to decrease joblessness and better the economy is by focusing on education. As with most major issues, liberals believe the government should be more involved in our country’s education system while conservatives think the federal government should have less control. In the past four years, Barack Obama has implemented the Student Loan Forgiveness Act. This program automatically forgives the remaining debt of anyone who has made regular payments on student loans for the past 20 years. Loans may be forgiven earlier if the graduate serves in the military or other governmental department. This is widely accepted as something that will greatly benefit college graduates just finding jobs, according to usnews.com. The president has also approved waivers to free states from George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” plan, and has instead begun to implement “Race to the Top.” This plan has rewarded states with billions of dollars for pursuing education endeavors the president supports. “Race to the Top” also includes student

testing, charter-school incentives and teacher evaluation standards. By reforming education, Obama hopes to encourage students to go on to pursue a higher degree, thus creating jobs and benefitting young Americans. In what they believe will both benefit the economy and decrease joblessness, Obama and Mitt Romney turn to taxes. Both believe in cutting taxes, but Obama wants to raise taxes on some high earners, according to his website. Romney has ceased the prospect of making his cuts revenue neutral, according to Business Insider. Lawson Albey, a senior health sciences major, said he believes Romney will benefit the economy and college graduates more than President Obama. “Romney pushes more for school choice and less government involvement, which lines up with my personal views,” Albey said. Conversely, Catherine Woodrow, a sophomore social work major, believes Obama will benefit the economy as a whole. She finds the DREAM Act particularly benevolent. “I think by Obama [supporting] the DREAM Act he is adding a lot of money to our general budget and increasing jobs in our country,” she said. “I learned in a class that the bill provides permanent residency for some illegal immigrants, and even though it will cost the U.S. money to send them to school, we will make almost twice as much in what they will give us in return from taxes.”

Duggars Visit Campus

Kris Johnson Staff Photographer Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, parents from the TLC series “19 Kids and Counting” speaks with a group of students at the Union Mall Wednesday, Aug. 29.

Care to Build-A-Bear?

Mandy McClendon Senior Staff Writer

A Build-A-Bear event will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at the Campus Bookstore in the Garland Parking Garage. During the event, customers can purchase and build a bear for $5. All money raised from the event will be donated to the UA Full Circle Food Pantry. For customers who wish to build and then donate a bear, there will be no charge. All donated bears will be given to the Fayetteville Police Department. Donated bears will be given to children to comfort them during a time of crisis, the police department said. The bookstore has been looking for a way to give back to the Full Circle Food Pantry for a while, said Emmy Barr, marketing director for the

Chancellor Dedicates Silas Hunt Memorial Sculpture

bookstore. “For many years we’ve wanted to give to the food pantry and give money to them,” Barr said. “We’ve been trying to develop an idea to give back to them that would also engage students. So, I started looking to see what other campuses had done and this idea was originally done at Texas Tech.” The idea to collaborate with the police department came from involvement in philanthropies while growing up, Barr said. “I grew up in Fayetteville and was always told that the police department was in constant need of stuffed animals to give to children in times of crisis, so when trying to think of what to do with bears that students wanted to make but not keep, that was our top solution. Fayetteville police are really excited about

it and will be on campus during the event promoting it,” he said. Olivia Becker, a junior sociology major, believes the event is something all students should consider attending. “I think it’s great that the bookstore is looking for ways to give back to other great organizations on campus, as well as the northwest Arkansas community. It seems like an event that would be both fun and rewarding.” The bookstore hopes to make the event annual or biannual, but plans on seeing how it goes this year. Build-ABear has expressed interest in becoming a partner with the bookstore, Barr said. Bears usually cost $20 and will be provided for $5. Each bear will come wearing a Razorback t-shirt.

38 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER TO VOTE!

Register by mail or Register in Person at: • County Clerk’s Office • State Revenue Office • Public Library • Arkansas State Library • Public Assistance Agency

• Disability Agency • Military Recruitment Office • Arkansas National Guard

Briefly Speaking First year photo project interest meeting

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Jannee Sullivan Senior Staff Writer Chancellor G. David Gearhart and officials from the UA Department of Art dedicated the Silas Hunt Memorial sculpture yesterday, as a way to reflect Hunt’s contribution to the UA. Hunt became the first African-American student admitted to a previously all-white Southern university when he was admitted to the UA Law school in 1948 without any

litigation in opposition, although he died before he completed his degree, according to silashunt.uark.edu/. Gearhart praised the sculpture as a sign that Hunt’s legacy is still vital on campus through the UA’s dedication to ensuring educational opportunity to all people, scholarships in his name, as well as through steadily growing diversity. The sculpture, which is the first sculpture created by Bryan Massey, professor of art at the University of Central Arkansas for the UA.

“I hope those who come and see it know that it represents the past and future for the university,” Massey said. “It (the sculpture) reminds us the journey is not complete,” Gearhart said. “We must continue opening doors and tearing down barriers to student achievement. This sculpture honors the past and points the way to the future.” The sculpture, located near the Pi Phi Centennial Gate, near Old Main, is meant to represent Hunt’s first day on campus, Massey said. “I wanted to do some-

thing that would represent Silas Hunt and the fact that he didn’t do this by himself,” Massey said. “The arms are his community and family and the foundation is his morals, what he believes in.” The monument is part of an ongoing project to improve campus and increase the presence of the arts on campus, the Chancellor said at the dedication. “We are all looking forward to the next piece that will adorn our campus,” Gearhart said.

Anne Kittrell Gallery, Arkansas Union 4th Floor 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

IFC Formal recruitment

Visit uagreeks.uark.edu for times and locations

Build-a-bear for a cause Garland Avenue Bookstore 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Afro-Brazilian Religion, Culture and Drumming Multicultural Center Arkansas Union 4th Floor 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.


Opinion Editor: Joe Kieklak Page 4

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

Before “Thirsty Thursday” Starts Blake Mertens Contributing Columnist

College experience is an ongoing discussion. What are our perceptions of what our college experience should be? Is it a life of learning, freedom, adventure or all of the above? What should we take away from college? I have intermingled with a variety of people on this campus. Some see classes as the lowest priority on their list. Others are successful students, but they are not actively engaged in wanting to learn. Some people don’t look forward to their classes. They are classes, after all. Those classes come with homework, presentations, papers and midterms. We need to let loose from time to time. When I think of Dickson Street, I remember when I couldn’t wait for it to be Friday again. Thursday may be good enough for some people — I guess some people are thirstier than others. Dickson Street seems to have this aura about it. It is the place to be. It’s a chance to relax, be open and meet people. Yet, inevitably, Sunday rolls around, and we feel like the weekend went by too quickly. More importantly, we are now scrambling to do assignments, read from our textbooks and even study for tests on Monday. Back to the stress. But let’s focus on how we release our stress on the weekend. “For the most part, we have sharp bunch here in Fayetteville. And my services are more moderately priced than the Washington County justice system,” said Bob Moses. “Especially late at night, I see many students. ‘Is this Cash Cab?’ is the most common thing they ask me,” he said. Moses is a Dynasty Taxi driver who has been on the Dickson Street scene for awhile. He works four nights a week, including weekends. He had a lot to say about what happens on Dickson and the students who use his service. “As a cab driver, how do I say this? Clean up your own puke,” Moses said. I don’t know if that means students are vomiting in his cab, or if he was suggesting a deeper meaning.

“At a party, I threw up in a sink, and I had to scoop it out into the toilet. After nights of throwing up in a toilet, I started to examine my drinking,” he said. This is presumably a shout-out to the students who drink a little too much and vomit in cabs. This is easy to do, as many have proved. Whether it is social pressure or a social stigma, we cannot drink Dickson Street dry. As UA officials push a strict alcohol policy on students, sometimes it is hard to forget that we are not true alcoholics in administrators’ eyes. Yet it only takes one wrong decision to ruin your life. Or ruin someone else’s night. “’Wisdom is knowing what to adopt and what to discard,’” Moses recited. “Speaking as a 30-something-yearold, I’d say teens and 20s are for finding out lots of things you’ll eventually discard. “Keep your eyes and ears open now, and go easy on your 30-something-year-old self.” While I am sure Moses appreciates our business (and our company), I think even he understands the importance of moderation. Most of us are not living with our parents anymore, so we think we are grown up. But we’re really not. Having wisdom and having knowledge are two different things. Reading an article on Yahoo does not make you grown up. It’s about our experiences. When you seek your wisdom, I don’t think Dickson Street is the place to start, but Dickson can be a good place to display your wisdom. However, we never see on the front page of the newspaper someone who got a DUI while driving home from a class. This doesn’t mean we ought to restrict ourselves to the stressful campus, but we ought to keep ourselves in check before we make a mistake our 30-something-yearold selves will have to fix. “Check ourselves before we wreck ourselves” ought to be our motto. When we do head down to drink Dickson dry, let us all remember to clean up any mess we make and to start our stressful weeks with heads held high. Blake Mertens is a contributing columnist. He is a junior biochemistry major.

Traveler Quote of the Day We must continue opening doors and tearing down barriers to student achievement. This sculpture honors the past and points the way to the future. G. David Gearheart, Chancellor, UA

Chancellor Dedicates Silas Hunt Memorial, Page 1

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Opinion Editor

Chad Woodard Brittany Nims Joe Kieklak

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.

MCT Campus

Change or Reform? Pick one Mason Sams Contributing Columnist

In 2010, UA officials changed the Fulbright College core curriculum in order to accommodate “peer institutions,” according to Chancellor G. David Gearhart. Naturally, this means twoyear community colleges and universities, even though they only have graduation rates of 2 percent, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. This sudden change begs the question: at what cost? Granted, the transformation was two years ago — why bother bringing it up now? If the UA is going to experiment with different cores, why not make some changes so that degrees could overlap a little more? For instance, this past year I decided to take an economics course despite the fact that I am a history major. I learned more than I ever thought I would know about market economies, the intricacies of

a capitalist system and, most surprisingly, the thought process and reasoning of our country’s market philosophy. Out of everything I have studied as a student of history, I was floored when I realized how important and essential basic economic understanding is to the study of history as well as politics. History began to make more sense. In fact, my passion for history and the pursuit of truth gained a much more defined purpose. The UA appears to be making it easier to get a degree, which is OK except that whatever degree one chooses will inevitably fall below the rank of competing universities. Arkansas high schools already have that stereotype — why should the UA have it, too? Everyday college degrees become more and more useless; however, they are not completely devoid of purpose — yet. So why should students stand by and watch their school fall in rank as they pay more

every year for a degree? There was a sudden decrease in rank for the UA in 2011 right after the curriculum changes were implemented the year prior, according to Shanghairanking. com. The UA needs to make some huge changes (not construction changes, mind you). After all, why would one of the top universities in the state need to limit its potential for student success for other “peer institutions” when, according to the Arkansas DemocratGazette, we have a 38 percent graduation rate? Arkansas high schools are failing to prepare students for college courses. Our current curriculum encourages this behavior as we continue to enforce it. We should not just cut core curriculum; we should reform it. We ought to make a degree from the UA even more attractive. Think about it: While a business degree from the Walton College may be

appealing already, what if your degree meant more to a potential institution? Graduate schools would be more inclined to take in Arkansas alumni, businesses would take your degree more seriously and you can look back at your experience here with the certainty you picked the right college. By going to a university, students must inherently accept the belief that higher education is essential. But if the university does not require its students to take many core classes, where is the education? It’s easy for a senior to recommend doing coursework outside of your major. This ought to be the recommendation to all students. This is the only way we can strengthen UA degrees and uphold a standard of well-rounded education. Mason Sams is a contributing columnist. He is a senior history major.

We All Have an Arkansas Razorbacks Conor Woody Contributing Columnist

When I was 6 years old, I had a swing that was worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting — it had a flat two-by-four as a seat and a pair of long chains covered in blue plastic tubing that stretched up and wrapped around a sturdy branch that seemed infinitely higher than it must have been in reality. I would stay out there, sometimes hours at a time, in between alien-hunting adventures and ruining piles of freshly raked leaves with human cannonballs. My favorite thing to do was to hang upside down on that swing and see my backyard in a new perspective that fascinated me; my childhood home became just another house. Everything transformed into an upsidedown scene where nothing was how I remembered. When I was 6, my other favorite thing was Razorback football. I remember wearing a tiny Cedric Cobbs jersey everywhere I went. It was the first year I really took notice of the games; we had an 8-4 record and an always-welcome victory against Texas in the 2000 Cotton Bowl. That year, a lopsided 44-6 win against Louisiana-Monroe was branded onto my Arkansan psyche as the first time I

witnessed a full-bodied hog call, 50,000 people strong, at War Memorial in Little Rock. Decked in Razorback gear, I felt a surge of discomfort as the first “woo” reverberated through the stadium. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to join. It was like I was back suspended from my swing, back in upsidedown world, where football stopped being football; it was something different entirely, a grotesque show where the crowd made strange noises in unison. Seeing my refusal to “sooie,” my mom nudged me like she would nudge me in Mass when I half-heartedly mouthed the words of the “Our Father” as the congregation joined in reciting it. It all felt weird to me, but she insisted that the only thing weird would be to be born and raised in Arkansas and refuse to call the hogs. Since then, I have been able to override that gut rejection, but I find myself going back to that moment during my time here and applying it. College has been an opportunity for me to get back on that twoby-four, let the blood rush to my head — sometimes uncomfortably — and strip things of the qualities that do not exist inherently, but instead have gained meaning from the resonance of ideas that others have projected

onto them. The Southern stereotype is that we are unflinching, ideologically and morally, for better and for worse. It is hard for us, with a past so dark, to trust what others tell us are unimportant. We cling to our traditions, and so we cling to the tradition of competition: another stereotype proven true by the visceral buzz that engulfs Fayetteville on Saturday mornings in September, blasting everyone back to a past of tribal face paint and screaming mobs, of the social ecstasy that comes from sharing a common enemy. Go ahead, just try to tell an Arkansan that the LSU game has no real-world implications. I know that it doesn’t, yet the buzz is still there. For a day, LSU becomes enemy No. 1. The more I think about football season, the more everything seems to gel, like shapeless pieces of a puzzle I cannot see forming into a soothing whole. The world never makes as much sense as it does during that first sack of the season, when the crowd thunders as if a tyrant has been ousted. That moment — when we stop being ourselves and become a collective identity — is the most important time for me to go back to my swing and hang upside down

for a little while, at least in my head. If I focus, I can snap out of the intoxication and see the arbitrary scene, see that it’s a bunch of people doing insane things they would never do unless a mob environment enabled them. Psychologists know that loss of self-awareness as a lack of individuation, an effect of mass crowds that breaks down the barriers between individuals. It is important to see the things we take for granted in that alien way sometimes, because it makes it harder to downplay other cultures’ seemingly silly traditions when we can see the arbitrariness in our own. Yet, seeing football’s initial pointlessness simultaneously enhances football, because it grows it into something bigger than a way to kill a Saturday afternoon. It becomes a part of our individual community, a game imbued with the meaning of the place that surrounds it. In some way or another, every culture on earth has something that becomes charged with generations of amassed sentimentality. In some way or another, every culture has its own Arkansas Razorbacks. Conor Woody is a contributing columnist. He is a sophomore.


“Making Your Journey Worthwhile” Companion Editor: Nick Brothers Assistant Companion Editor: Shelby Gill Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 5

September: The Mother of All Album Release Months Nick Brothers Companion Editor is fall will be host to many blockbuster games that seek to support the art of video game making and storytelling, and becoming the next great story medium. Here are some of the biggest titles coming out this semester that are sure to affect students’ bank accounts soon.

Borderlands 2

September 18 (Gearbox) As it’s clearly stated in its trailers and advertisements, the role-playing, first-person shooter Borderlands 2 is all about gratuitous amounts of action, guns and explosions. In more ways than one, it’s like the Expendables 2 of video games. According to the game’s website, borderlands2.com, the story of the game “follows the story of four new Vault Hunters [soldiers of fortune aer the treasures of the rumored “Vault”] as they fight to free the world of Pandora from the clutches of Handsome Jack, the brilliant, charismatic, and utterly despicable CEO of the Hyperion Corporation.” e Borderline series is famous for its drop-in-drop-out four person cooperative online play and its expansive RPG elements of advancing unique skills in the character’s talent tree. In addition to the vast amount of weapons, there are also a multitude of vehicles to take on the vandals and monsters of Pandora with. If guns, mayhem, and kicking a** are your type of thing, be sure to check this one out.

Halo 4

November 6 (343 Industries) Just two years aer the release of the prequel Halo:

Reach in 2010, Bungie, the original developers of the Halo franchise, have passed the torch onto Halo-dedicated soware developers 343 Industries. Even though the game has been developed by an entirely different company, it looks to be as great as or possibly even better than its Bungie predecessors. e story is set “four years aer the end of the Covenant War, Cortana and the Master Chief find themselves on Requiem, home to a power far greater than anything humanity has ever faced before,” according to the game’s website, halo4.com. e graphics in Halo 4 take a big step forward and an even bigger step in cinematic game play. At one point in the game play trailer, Master Chief is tracking down the crashed vessel he came to the planet Requiem on, and he encounters a herd of glowing beast machines that can fire at you. As you chase them down, out of nowhere, Cortana (your AI) says, “Chief, look out!” and this fiery, red ghoul-android tackles you and screams in your face. It’s intense. With its award-winning multiplayer and an all new coop Spartan Ops mode that expands every week, 343 Industries measures up to the hype.

Evan Barber Staff Writer

e Dark Knight Rises) writing the story and Nine Inch Nails’ Oscar-winner Trent Reznor writing the music, it’s a formula for success. According to kotaku.com, the story of Black Ops 2 is set in the sort-of-near future of 2025, and combat has evolved into skirmishes between pilotless war machines. Raul Menendez, a villain from the first Black Ops, hacks their war machines to stir up conflict between the two biggest superpowers on earth, USA and China. For the first time in franchise history, the story will branch out depending on the choices you make in the campaign. Add in an extremely popular online multiplayer mode and the anticipation for this game is clear.

Assassin’s Creed III October 30 (Ubiso)

Dishonored October 9 (Arkane)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

November 13 (Treyarch) Looking at any YouTube comment section of any of the contemporary games in the Call of Duty franchise you will find a harsh divide between the “haters” and “fan boys”, and an endless amount of insults on both sides. Whether a die-hard or a critic, Black Ops 2 will likely be the biggest title to release this fall season, possibly second or tied to Halo 4. CoD: Black Ops 2 certainly has the makings to be a major blockbuster. With the recruitment of A-list Hollywood types like writer David S. Goyer (co-writer of

goals. According to the game’s website, with your powers, you can “teleport for stealth approaches, possess any living creature, or stop time itself to orchestrate unearthly executions.” Creativity runs wild in this game. In one video, it has the player stop time as a guard shoots, possess the guard, walk him in front of the bullet, and cause “friendly fire”. A novel and original development, Dishonored looks to be something of a marvel.

e only non-sequel in this list, Dishonored comes fresh from Bethesda, the publishers who created both the Elder Scrolls (Skyrim) and Fallout franchises. e cornerstone of this game seeks to combine cray stealth, supernatural powers and shoot-‘em-up game play in a sophisticated open-path mission-based story of revenge. e story is follows Corvo Atano, who is the personal body guard of the empress of Dunwall. Unexpectedly, the empress is killed and Atano is framed for her murder. While awaiting his execution, a man known as the Outsider gives Atano magical abilities to escape and seek revenge on the corrupt, according the dishonored.com. e game encourages improvisation and innovation in its game play as there are numerous ways to achieve your

e folks at Ubiso have finally made the jump from Ezio Auditorre in the Assassin’s Creed II trilogy and have jumped to one of protagonist Desmond Miles’s relatives in Revolution-era America. It looks like that the team has put in the necessary hours here with its new game engine Anvilnext to make an even more polished and savvy game. is time around, the game follows Conor Kenway in his exploits as a member of both the Assassins and the Continental Army against the English and the Templar order. Using a device known as the Animus, present day Desmond Miles can relive the memories of his ancestors by having the Animus project them from his genetic code. As the player, you follow two storylines, the past and the present. Moving from the busy streets of renaissance Italy, the setting takes place in the varied climate of the North American frontier of Boston and New York, and even expands into the open sea where the player captains a ship during naval warfare. e game also features an expanded upon unique multiplayer mode where players use stealth and cunning instead of brawn and accuracy to win matches.

ARSAGAS continued from page 1 a cornmeal crepe. e crepe monsieur is a croque monsieur all wrapped up. e crepes themselves come in a variety of forms — from traditional wheat to cornmeal to buckwheat. On the sweeter side, the Arsaga’s crepe is filled with salted dulce de leche and chocolate ganache. Creperie classics like Nutella and banana are also available. Every detail of the coffee shop is put in place with thought. e artwork hanging on the walls showcases local talent. Stephanie Pierce, a professor in the art department, works with Arsaga’s to put up student work, Lawson said. e walls have work by other community artists with

more complete portfolios, too. An eclectic mix of local musicians plays gigs, with performances featuring original music. Recent events have included mountain music jams to something the company’s Facebook page called “psychedelic weirdo pop music.” A list of performances can be found on the Arsaga’s Facebook page. e building itself is meticulously thought out as well. e old rail depot exudes a sense of artistic community. “(e building) encourages everyone to come hang out. Professionals, families, students — the entire community,” Lawson said. With locations peppered throughout Fayetteville, Arsa-

September is shaping up to be an exciting month for music lovers. e summer had a handful of great releases to offer, including new music from Beach House, Passion Pit, Japandroids and Dirty Projectors, and now another new stack of great music is just around the corner. is month brings new music from several very talented and very popular indie (and beyond) bands, including Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, e xx, e Killers, e Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, Band of Horses, Two Door Cinema Club, Dave Matthews Band, Dinosaur Jr. and Bob Dylan. First off, for experimental psychedelic band Animal Collective, “Centipede Hz” will be their first proper studio album since “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” the album that brought a level of renown and success these Maryland-based “freak folk” hippies had never quite known. “Centipede Hz” has a lot to live up to; what was great about “Merriweather” was that it somehow, without damaging their sound at all, took all of their harsh, abrasive edges and sanded them down into a sleek, smooth and organic collection of songs about settling down with a wife and kids. It seems like their sound on a new record could only move them back into abrasiveness; the question is only of how much. Animal Collective is one of those bands whose sound feels like it could take off in almost any direction, so long as that direction was very eccentric, very high-energy and very psychedelically charged. Another of the month’s more anticipated releases is the new album “Shields” by Grizzly Bear, a Brooklynbased experimental folkrock band, known for their hauntingly gorgeous vocal harmonies and their ability to make folk-rock songs with banjo and flute feel alternately soothing and titanically epic. On their most recent album, “Veckatimest,” the band leaned further away from the soothing side of their music, and according to vocalist/ guitarist/keyboardist Edward Droste, this new album is “very in-your-face … It’s not as dreamy and pastoral and sleepy as past efforts.” If the first single, “Sleeping Ute,” is any indicator of how the album will sound, then expect more impressive vocal deliveries and more complex, intricate music arrangements. While a lot of music critics thumbed their nose at London-born Mumford and

Sons aer their debut album, for every naysayer, there were three or four good-hearted, genuine 20-somethings who fell in love with their sound. No matter what the critics are saying, the new Mumford and Sons album will be one of the most popular albums of the year, guaranteed. Written mostly on the road while touring for “Sigh No More,” according to Rolling Stone, the album brings in heavier emotions and feelings of separation; bassist Ted Dwane said, “Being away so much for the last couple of years is inevitably a theme on the record, because it’s something that we’ve all shared.” Switching gears quite a bit, the darkly, somberly sexual trio e xx (also hailing from London) is releasing their second album, “Coexist.” e band is known to appear live in all-black wardrobe and stand broodingly before the audience. Vocals on the eponymous debut album were reserved and gorgeous but betrayed more than anything a deep sense of longing and remorse. According to thequietus.com, “if their debut painted a sense of intimacy coupled with loss, then ‘Coexist’ suggests something more turbulent, sensual and fun.” ese guys, actually sounding “fun”? is could potentially be one of the biggest developments in music this year. And finally, maybe one of the strangest releases marked for September is Bob Dylan’s 35th album, “Tempest.” ough Dylan was born in 1941, which puts him at about 71 years old, he’s still churning out albums on a fairly regular basis; his voice is incredibly gravelly these days, as anyone who saw his performance with Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers on the Grammys will attest. But then, Dylan was never too concerned with sounding “pretty” on record, and the vocal style definitely worked for Tom Waits. e album’s release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Dylan’s eponymous debut album, which was released in 1962. According to Michael Simmons with Yahoo Music, “All the questions Dylan fans might have — What will we hear? Can he still sing? Will he deliver? — are immediately rendered irrelevant as one becomes transfixed by these initial tracks. Yes, he can still carry a melody.” It will be interesting to watch how these enduring music gods like Dylan stack up in popularity against these other, much more contemporary musical acts. In the meantime, the new work of these artists is sure to keep avid music fans sonically sated for quite a while.

DICKSON continued from page 1 ga’s already had a strong presence in the area. e depot location was not an expansion in the traditional sense, but more of a “collaboration of thoughts, passions and an interest in the building,” Lawson said. e Arsagas spent eight months remodeling the space where Habibi, a hookah lounge, previously stood. Lawson said the renovations were a labor of love. She said Cary Arsaga, the founder of the company, felt he could create a truly communityoriented operation in the building. Even the signs in the bathroom say, “We’re all in this together.” Backing onto the Frisco trail, the Arsagas designed the depot with bikers and run-

ners in mind. Lawson said they offer a small discount for cyclists. She said they have already had several big groups of cyclists in for pit stops. e back patio has plenty of room for hanging out, enjoying the weather and watching people go by on the trails. It’s a place to spend an aernoon studying, writing or enjoying the company of good friends. e new Arsaga’s reflects the city that it serves. e depot allows for everyone, from businessmen to students to families, to enjoy fresh, local offerings. e spirit of artistic encouragement permeates everything — from the art on the walls to the art on the foam in your latte.

with the selection,” said Courtney Spaulding, a junior business management major. “And you just can’t beat the prices.” is is the perfect analogy for what embodies Dickson Street. ere is diversity virtually everywhere. Even though there are two bookstores, both of them are unique. e same goes for the food and the people. If you are like most people, then you will want to spend the least amount of money possible while still having fun. Luckily, Fayetteville, and more specifically Dickson Street, happens to have some of the most outlandish assortments of people in all of Arkansas. People-watching is

an inevitable activity because one cannot escape the chaos that perpetuates Dickson Street. From the doomsday exhibitionists to the alcoholinspired 20-somethings, and the leather-jacket misfits to the charismatic blues of a solo guitarist, Dickson Street is flooded with some of the most interesting people in the entire state. ere is something for everyone on Dickson Street regardless of age. is weekend, be sure to explore Fayetteville’s most charming and eccentric street. is is your home, and these are your neighbors, so come and experience what makes Fayetteville the most intriguing town in Arkansas.


Page 6

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

Sudoku

Comics Pearls Before Swine

Stephan Pastis

Dilbert

Scott Adams

Calvin and Hobbes

Bill Watterson

© 2012 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

Crossword

Doonesbury

Garry Trudeau

Non Sequitur Wiley Miller

Created by Jeff Chen

Across

What’s Live Jose's

Thursday - Jason Strode Friday - Ruckus

George's Majestic Lounge Friday Big Uns 6-8 p.m. Joe Giles 7-9 p.m.

Washington County Fair at the AMP

Thursday - Boston Mountain Playboys 7 p.m. Friday - Chasing Pictures - 7 p.m.

Friday - Just Visiting New York - 9p.m. Saturday - Ashlyn Metheny - 8 p.m. Saturday - Riverbilly - 9 p.m.

UARK Bowl

Thursday and Friday - Bobcat Goldthwait - 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Smoke and Barrel

Thursday - Matt and Gus - 9 p.m. Friday - Sarah Hughes - 9 p.m.

KingFish

Friday - Freak Juice - 9 p.m. Saturday - Carter Sampson - 7 p.m.

1 Where a canary sings 6 Loser’s catchphrase 11 Blackjack variable 14 Last Olds model 15 Living proof 16 Test to the max 17 Trendy ski slope? 19 Front-end protector 20 Assumed name 21 Diamond offense 23 Skelton’s Kadiddlehopper 25 Tried to hit 26 Monogrammed neckwear? 31 Levi’s alternative 32 Mini successors 33 Henhouse 37 Scout’s honor 39 Pub. with more than 100 Pulitzers 40 Serengeti heavyweight 41 Nonproductive 42 More than strange 44 Watch face display, briefly 45 Red, blue and green food colors? 49 Lesser partner 52 Southern cuisine staple 53 Trucker’s view

56 “Same old, same old” 60 Airport 100+ miles NW of PIT 61 Indicators of royal contentment? 63 Tease 64 GI’s home 65 Ready and then some 66 Mud bath site? 67 Itty-bitty 68 Impedes

Down

1 Literary nickname 2 e Phoenix of the NCAA’s Southern Conference 3 Forfeited wheels 4 Exercise unit 5 Pilgrimage destination 6 “Wait, Wait ... Don’t Tell Me!” airer 7 Relative of mine 8 Yes-or-no decision method 9 Original home of the Poor Clares 10 Raise canines? 11 Ready to swing 12 Sarkozy’s wife __ Bruni 13 Put on a pedestal 18 Low life?

22 “e Garden of Earthly Delights” artist 24 Teen Spirit deodorant brand 26 Kyrgyzstan border range 27 Bawdy 28 Series of rings 29 Played around (with) 30 Letter-shaped shoe fastener 34 Like some garage floors 35 Almost never, maybe 36 Pea jackets 38 Amber, for one 40 Caroling consequences 43 Pressing needs? 46 Twisting force 47 Stimulate 48 First stage of grief 49 Serious players 50 Like Mount Rushmore at night 51 High-maintenance 54 Many ages 55 Dict. entries 57 Food fought over in old ads 58 “Man, it’s hot!” 59 Red gp. 62 Rejection


Sports Editor: Kristen Coppola Assistant Sports Editor: Haley Markle Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 7

TENNIS

Tennis Prepares for Season Opening Match

Eric Harris Staff Writer

e Arkansas women’s tennis team for the 2012-2013 season will be full of youth and talent. e Razorbacks will have a team filled with talent both from returning members and newcomers. Last season was full of ups and downs for the Razorbacks; the team had victories both at Ohio State and Tennessee. However, a tough Southeastern Conference schedule proved to be very difficult and Arkansas finished with just three conference wins. Despite the tough regular season, Arkansas defeated LSU in the SEC tournament and earned a bid into the NCAA tournament for the fih consecutive year. Head coach Michael Hegarty feels that experience in the NCAA Tournament gives the team a lot of confidence and is very excited for the upcoming season. “Our goal is to maximize our potential and make the NCAA’s for the sixth year in a row,” Hegarty said. e Razorback women’s tennis program has been successful recently. “We’ve beaten everybody in

the SEC in the past few years. e goal is to put it into one season,” Hagerty said. Arkansas brings in the 12th ranked recruiting class in the country this season according to TennisRecruiting.net, and third in the SEC behind only Florida and Vanderbilt. is year’s recruiting class is the highest rated in Hegarty’s nine years as the head coach. e class will bring in four freshman, Ana-Lorena Belmar, Kristen Mee, Nicky Pang and Kimberley-Ann Surin. Surin, coming from Montreal, Canada, will begin the season individually on Aug. 31, in the U.S. Juniors Open in Queens, N. Y. TennisRe cr uit ing.net’s ranking does not include Sarah McLean, a sophomore transfer from Florida International University. McLean was a top-50 recruit entering her freshman season. Hegarty is very excited for the talent this class will bring, but having many players who haven’t experienced SEC tennis will also be a challenge. “I am most excited about our youth and talent, but it will also be our biggest challenge,” Hegarty said. e team won’t be driven by just freshmen, though. e team’s lone senior Claudine Paulson is set to be the leader

for the Razorbacks this year. Last season, Paulson won 16 singles matches and 13 doubles matches, including a victory with Laurie Gringas over Long Beach State’s pair in the NCAA Tournament. e team will also get help from a pair of juniors, Gringas and Abby Hayley. Gringas had 18 individual wins last season, the most on the team, she was also a part of 11 doubles victories. e rest of the team begins their fall schedule in the Little Rock Classic Sept. 21. e Razorbacks will face Oklahoma and Texas Tech as well as conference rivals Ole Miss in the season’s inaugural event. “We hope to get off to a fast start, I really want us to showcase our talent at this event,” Hagerty said. e International Tennis Association kickoff is another important event for the team this season, qualifying for the national indoor tournament begins in October and continues in Tulsa later that month. at same weekend, the Razorback Invitational will be the first home match of the season. Arkansas then has the Houston Cougar Invite in November, and the fall season concludes with the ITA Nationals in Charlottesville, Va.

Ryan Miller Staff Photographer The Razorbacks womens tennis team looks to start the season off right with a strong showing during the U.S. Open Juniors tournament Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

FOOTBALL

Southwest Classic Returns to Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tamzen Tumlison Staff Writer

Gareth Patterson Staff Photographer The Razorbacks won all three games of the Southwest Classic, most recently a 42-38 comeback against the Aggies last season.

Arkansas and Texas A&M are continuing the Southwest Classic series in Cowboys Stadium for 11 years, beginning in the 2014 season and running through 2024. Before this agreement, Arkansas and Texas A&M played their last three games against each other in Cowboys Stadium as part of the Southwest Classic. e Razorbacks won all three games, most recently 42-38 in a comeback against the Aggies. e 2012 and 2013 games between the teams will be played on campus fields, Texas

A&M’s first time to play Arkansas as a conference game aer joining the Southeastern Conference. “We are excited to have reached a new agreement to return our series with Texas A&M to Cowboys Stadium,” said Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of Athletics. “e addition of Texas A&M into the SEC will only increase the excitement surrounding the Southwest Classic played in the world’s most spectacular stadium.” e Razorbacks have won four games total in Cowboys Stadium including their January win over Kansas State in the 2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl

Classic, making Arkansas the college program with the most wins in the stadium. e Southwest Classic has done more than just showcased Arkansas’ football program. “In the past three years, the University of Arkansas has seen the benefit of an annual appearance in the Metroplex with increased enrollment from the area and in student-athlete recruiting in all sports,” Long said. “We appreciate the efforts of the Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys for working with both institutions to maintain what has quickly become one of college football’s premier games.”

COMMENTARY

No, You Can’t Tivo It: An Argument for Live Sports

Kristen Coppola Sports Editor Aside from devouring any and all writing – from Bronte novels to Grantland.com columns – I have two main passions in life: sports and CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother.” One of my favorite episodes is from the second season, but surprisingly it is an episode that touches on my greatest pet peeve. In the show, Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall and Lily have

to miss Super Bowl XLI because of the funeral for a bartender at McLaren’s Pub. In lieu of only catching the end of the game, they choose to record it and watch it together on Monday. e friends also make a pact to not find out the winner or score of the game, so that it will still be an exciting viewing experience. As is typical of the sitcom, they each encounter obstacles and their goals of blissful ignorance of the score are not reached, but they still enjoy the time together watching the game a day late. Future Ted, who narrates the show, ends the episode talking to his kids and says that he doesn’t even remember who won or played. How sentimental. Future Ted may not remember the teams or score, but I do. e Indianapolis Colts held off the Chicago Bears 29-17, and

Peyton Manning—a former Volunteer, mind you—earned his first Super Bowl Ring and the Super Bowl MVP. Granted, “How I Met Your Mother” is only a television series, I believe that Ted may have remembered who played the game and who won if he had watched it live. I’ve had friends ask to Tivo or DVR sporting events, and my step-father loves to “zap” the commercials more than any rational human being, but I refuse to watch a sporting event that is not in live time. I like to believe that my cheers and rants to the TV mean something and have a tiny effect on the game, which is an unstable enough misconception, but I cannot drag myself into the deeper level of insanity which would allow a human being to believe that watching a recorded sporting event is a good decision.

I am a very active viewer of sports, especially of those where I know the athletes from years of following the franchise. Rewind to ursday, Oct. 27, 2011, and I was sitting cross-legged on the couch surrounded by Texas Rangers fans biting my nails. Twice the St. Louis Cardinals were a single strike away from losing the World Series in front of their home crowd, and twice I jumped off of the couch in joy. e following evening, I watched game seven with eight 15-year-olds at my little brother’s birthday party and nearly cried in the big group hug that really did smell like teen spirit. is joy, this moment of seeing a team make sports history cannot be paused or rewound or recorded and saved for later. It must be lived in live time, right as it happens. is was my problem with the London Olympics. I felt as though NBC deprived me of

living each of Michael Phelp’s medals with him in real time. I found myself laughing as I tried to cheer for Missy Franklin but realized that I’d read earlier in the morning on Twitter that she already won the gold medal. I was still bursting at the seams with American pride for being a citizen of the country that could now boast of the most decorated Olympian of all time, but I missed out on that moment of time. I missed out on that win by 23/100 of a second, when you see the smile breaking across the face of the athlete and you smile with him, even though the two of you are separated by hours and miles and an ocean, but that smile connects you, and in that moment you are both winners, because your yelling at the television meant something because his last individual medal was a gold medal. Now, as college football sea-

son is upon us, I beg of you, please don’t be that person who pauses the Arkansas and Texas A&M game to go to the bathroom in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Don’t miss out on that live moment when Tyler Wilson surgically threads the eye of the needle and gets the ball safely into the arms of Cobi Hamilton in the endzone. Don’t miss out on seeing the camera, shooting in real time, cut to the smile on interim head coach John L. Smith’s face at that moment. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to smile with him and know that your loud encouragement to the TV meant something. Don’t Tivo the game. Kristen Coppola is the sports editor for e Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every ursday. Follow the sports section on Twitter @UATravSports.


Page 8

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

CROSS COUNTRY

Hogs Ready for Competition Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor

e men’s cross country season gets started today with the Razorback Invitational against Missouri Southern. “We’re looking forward to getting the season started,” said head coach Chris Bucknam. “We’re looking forward to just getting on the course and getting our uniforms on.” One of the main goals for the team this season is to stay healthy. is factored into the decision to move the first meet from the originally scheduled day of Friday to ursday, Bucknam said. “We’re a little bit concerned about the weather coming in and getting on a real wet course,” Bucknam said. “You always worry about leg injuries and being in spikes and what have you.” e first meet is a shorter distance than what the team usually runs, but Bucknam says it will help the team to get back in the habit of competing. “It’s a wake up call, kind of getting back into that routine of racing again,” Bucknam said. “ese kids have been on a long layoff, since the NCAA meet. So it’s important for them to get back into a routine.” Expectations are high for the team this year, even aer last year’s disappointment in the NCAA tournament. “We have some unfinished business to do. We’re a little bit disappointed with how things ended for us last year,” Bucknam said. “Being ranked 15th going into the national meet and not being one of the 30 or so teams to make it

FOOTBALL

From the Hog’s Mouth “You have to play fast and play confident, just knowing what you’re doing.” Knile Davis

Junior Running Back

Photographer’s Name Staff Photographer Junior running back Knile Davis carries the football during pre-season practice.

Traveler Archive The Razorback mens cross country team takes off from the starting line during a race last season. This years team is expected to be even more successful. into the field was disheartening. So I think we have some things to prove,” e Razorbacks are a very strong team this year and expect the return of junior Solomon Haile to have a large impact. “Solomon is obviously one of those long distance guys that has a lot of talent,” Bucknam said. “And not having him last year hurt us when we got to the regional meet. Having Solomon back as a junior, healthy and looking good is exciting for us.” Haile was Arkansas’ sec-

ond finisher at the NCAA meet and All-American during his sophomore season. e team returns another All-American and Southeastern Conference champion in senior Eric Fernandez. “Fernandez had a breakout cross country year last year,” Bucknam said. “So we’re very pleased with Eric’s progress and how well we did.” e team has several newcomers in transfers David Flynn and Kemoy Campbell and freshman Cale Wallace that Bucknam said he expects to be great additions.

“David is gonna provide some solid leadership,” Bucknam said. “He’s been in the trenches a little bit, so we really think he’s a fine cross country runner and has done a fine job this summer preparing for the season.” e men’s cross country team was picked to win the SEC, finish third in the south central region and 23rd in the nation. Bucknam said he is happy with where the team starts in the poles, but hopes the team can stay healthy and move up.

Womens Cross Country Team Expects Success Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor e 2012 cross country season begins today and there are very high expectations that this will be a successful season. “We’re real excited about our opportunities that are available to us this year,” said women’s head coach Lance Harter. “We return one senior, that happened to be a transfer, and then a very young team, but a team that endured the challenges of last year in a very positive way, winning the regional, second at the SECs and then ended up being top 15 at the national meet. So we’re more experienced. We have an excellent front runner transferring into us in Semehar Tesfaye and we have some new depth that’s been created with a great freshman class.” e women’s cross country team was ranked No. 11

in the preseason national coaches’ poll, but Harter doesn’t put too much emphasis on preseason rankings. “Well you’re only as good as who actually does the research and I know there’s some people behind us that have great teams,” Harter said. “It’s a situation where that will all sort itself out as the weeks pass. Probably chili pepper would be the time where things are a little more accurate in the national poll.” e Razorbacks start the season No. 3 in the south central region, which Harter says is probably about right. “Regionally, I think it’s relatively accurate,” Harter said. “Steve Sisson is our representative from the University of Texas and he does a lot of extensive research, so I have a lot of respect for what he has done and he feels real strong that we have a very, very formidable crew this year.” e Razorbacks are a young team in age alone with much of the team returning

from last season. “Right now Stephanie Brown is a little bit dinged up coming off the track season so we’re gonna be very, very careful with her,” Harter said. “e other freshmen are very formidable led by Katelyn Flattman, that was the freshman athlete of the year. So that type of experience coming back is very positive. Both Kate and Jessica Jackson were able to represent the U.S. internationally, so they gained that experience as well so I think we’re really pleased.” e team also has two runners that did not compete last year that are expected to make an impact this season. “Grace Hemsfield, who was redshirted last year because of some extensive surgery, (is in) great shape, (had a) great track season and carrying a lot of momentum to the positive,” Harter said. “And Paige Johnston, who we had sit out a year, she is back in the fold now. She is a super talent and we’re excited about

her maturity and her experience to join us as well.” ere is a lot of excitement surrounding one new face in particular, Semehar Tesfaya, who is a transfer from Iowa State. “She is an exceptional talent and trains as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen train,” Harter said. e main plan for the first meet of the season is to let some of the young runners get experience and make their case for a chance to compete all season. “We’re gonna hold out a lot of our veterans to give our young people a chance and we’re also gonna expose our depth a little bit,” Harter said. “And then we’re gonna have four of our new freshmen, have them run an attached because this is an open competition and let them kind of sort themselves out to see who we redshirt and who we maybe activate to go through the season.”

ATHLETICS

Hogs Lend a Helping Hand Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor e Razorback women’s tennis and soccer teams, as well as staff from the academic and student-athlete development department joined Habitat for Humanity Saturday morning in an effort to provide a local community member with a new home. ere were many other things the players could have done with their Saturday

morning, but they were all willing to give up their time for the community that shows them so much support. “is is something that’s incredibly important,” said freshman soccer player Laura Fitzgerald. “It just feels really good to give back to the community that always comes out and supports us.” e student-athletes were introduced to the future homeowner, a woman named Casey. Her gratitude helped the volunteers to see how im-

portant what they were doing truly is. “at was so touching,” said sophomore tennis player Sarah McLean. “at was even more inspiring to do something good. It just shows how helping people can make a difference. It’s a pretty cool to be able to say I built a wall and helped out the community. And I got to do it with my team and it was a really great bonding experience. We work really well together.” e experience has also

served as a way to allow the two teams to form bonds that will help them throughout their respective seasons. “For us, it’s something we always like to do, to contribute to programs like this,” said women’s tennis head coach Michael Hagerty. “ey’re all valuable, and for us, Habitat for Humanity is as valuable as anything we do. Especially with a young team this year, it’s a good bit of team bonding, as well as something we feel really good about.”


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