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Vol. 106, NO. 108 UATRAV.COM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012
Coming Home: From Iraq to the Classroom
Smith Returns With High Expectations
by JACK SUNTRUP Staff Writer
It’s 5 a.m. Monday morning. By that time, Simon Wiley, a retired Army Sergeant, is on his way to the UA from his farm outside of Greenwood. Wiley decided to join the Air Force after graduating from Rogers High School in 1997. Two years later, he completed basic training and was deployed to Turkey. September 11 came. He joined the Army and was active duty in October 2001. Wiley became a part of the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 as part of a field artillery unit. “We pushed through Kuwait up into Iraq. I don’t want to get into a bunch of details about what I did over there,” he said, pausing to look up from his spit cup. Wiley found himself stateside before being honorably discharged from the Army in 2005. Like many modern-day veterans, he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “It’s pretty tough. It took me a long time to even be around people. As a matter of
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
John L. Smith has been skydiving and mountain climbing before. His wife, Diana, reminded him of those exploits as he tried to decide whether to leave his position as head coach at Weber State, his alma mater, to return to Arkansas as head coach for one season. “My wife said this is just another one of your adventures,” Smith said. “She said, ‘Here’s
the deal. You’re going back to people that love you. You’re going back to a team that is a good football team and you have a chance to fight for a national championship.’ She said, ‘This might be the only chance you have left.’ So she said, ‘You’re going back.’” Shortly after, Smith made the decision to take the Arkansas job. The hire and his 10-month $850,000 contract were announced Monday, then Smith was introduced at a Tues-
day afternoon press conference. His decision ended a 140day stay at Weber State and returned Smith to the program where he spent the last three years as a linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, a program he will try to lead to its third consecutive 10-plus win season this fall. “Our expectations are the same,” Smith said. “Nothing’s going to slow down. In fact, we’re going to speed up. Our expectations are that we’re go-
ing to go ahead and we’re going to battle and fight for a national title. It was that way when I walked in the door three years ago and it’s going to continue to be that way.” The 63 year old started the dialogue between himself and the UA when he made a call to John Fagg, associate athletic director for compliance, inquiring about returning as the Petrino’s successor.
see COACH on page 9
fact, before I bought my farm, I had a home on the north side of Fort Smith and just the cars driving by, in my head, it’d be gunfire.” Wiley has since joined a motorcycle club that, like the military, values “brotherhood.” He took a job with the Highway Department in 2007, and after advancing as far as he could without a bachelor’s degree, he signed up with University of Arkansas Fort Smith to pursue a civil engineering degree. A miscommunication led Wiley to the UA, though he would have had to finish his degree here anyway. “Honestly, I don’t like the UA,” Wiley said. “If my kids want to go to college, I’ll probably recommend they go somewhere else.” There was an organic camaraderie with veterans at Fort Smith, Wiley said. A lack of non-traditional students and large class sizes at the university leave veterans at the UA disenchanted, he said. “I feel there’s just some-
see HOME on page 2
Greeks Raise Awareness at 4th Annual M.S. Walk
The Beat Goes On
by MANDY MCCLENDON Staff Writer
Greek members recently came together to support multiple sclerosis at Fayetteville’s 4th annual M.S. Walk Saturday at Lake Fayetteville. Several sorority members teamed up to walk in honor of loved ones. Katherine Davis, a sopho-
more member of Kappa Kappa Gamma formed a team in honor of her mother, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years ago. “I’ve participated in Little Rock’s M.S. Walk since I was in eighth grade. I knew my sorority would support the idea so I spoke with our philanthropy chair and our president and pitched the idea in chap-
ter. After that, it really caught on.” About 20 Kappa members walked with her in order to help her support her mother and others diagnosed with the disease, Davis said. She estimated 50 members total on her team, which is primarily made up of Greek members.
see WALK on page 2
JACKI FROST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Philip Shepherd plays with his band, Farmer and The Markets, at the Fayetteville Farmer’s market.
Party Leaders Prep For State Elections by JACK SUNTRUP Staff Writer
No one doubts northwest Arkansas’ near exponential growth since 2000—especially the state redistricting committee, which has given the region more representation than ever in Little Rock. The region has traditionally been the Republican stronghold in the state, elect-
ing representatives like John Paul Hammerschmidt, and more recently state representatives like Jon Woods and Charlie Collins. However, Tyler Clark, chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee, has seen an opening because of big speeches that have been coming to town. In the last month, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum came to
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private fundraisers for county committees. “I think Republicans are scared,” Clark said. “That’s why we’re seeing so many surrogates visit. Romney’s not exciting the base so surrogates are coming up and trying to get everyone excited about it, but it doesn’t look like it’s doing that much
News
Weekly Worship Night Today on the Hill Sorority members organize weekly worship night.
Check out what’s happening on campus.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 VOL. 106, NO.108 10 PAGES
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WEATHER FORECAST
JACKI FROST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of Chi Omega participate in the fourth annual M.S. Walk at Lake Fayetteville Saturday morning.
Features
Features
April Brings Awareness Four Video Games to to Sexual Assault Avoid at All Costs One and four women have been victims of rape or sexual violence, according to a national survey.
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Four video games to avoid during finals week because of their addicting nature.
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FRIDAY SATURDAY 62° 69° 69°
Sports
Opinion
Players Approve of Hire Diversity Here to Stay on UA Campus Arkansas players are happy with John L. Smith’s hire as new head coach.
A Traveler columnist discusses the importance of diversity on campus and how students can get involved.
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