March 27, 2012 by Arkansas Traveler

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Page 5 Vol. 106, NO. 91 UATRAV.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

In This Issue: Nursing School Enrollment Strains Graduation

News

UA Novelty Twitter Accounts Add Humor to Campus

Row Week Postponed, Officials Say

UA Student Protests a ‘Tragedy’

The number of students in nursing school classes doubled this year, forcing graduation changes.

by SARAH DEROUEN

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Staff Writer

Row Week will not take place this year, an Interfraternity Council official said. IFC, which voted to postpone Row Week, will instead begin planning another Greek Life event for next year, said Mark Machen, IFC president. “This spring, fraternities will continue to hold their own social functions. Concerts, themes and other aspects of each social function will be up to the individual chapter’s discretion,” Machen said. Parice Bowser, director of Greek Life, declined comment on this subject. UAPD responded to 38 calls during Row Week last year, according to the crime log. Many of the calls dealt with the use of alcohol, and at least 15 were for public intoxication. If there are no parties, UAPD won’t dispatch officers as additional security, said Lt. Gary Crain, UAPD spokesperson. The numbers of officers depends on where the party is located and how many people they are expected, he said. Sixteen calls took place near fraternity houses during Row Week last year, according to the crime log.

Features

News

Newer Dorms Consume Far More Energy

Newer dorms on campus produce more greenhouse gases per student than older dorms.

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Noteworthy Upcoming Albums

A rundown on anticipated albums coming out in the coming months

Features

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Fayetteville’s Only Marathon Set to Race MidApril

The Fayetteville tradition attracts locals and running enthusiasts from all over the country.

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Sports

Marshall Gets His Chance

Senior linebacker Matt Marshall is getting his opportunity to earn a starting job this spring.

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Opinion

Where Will We Be A Year From Now?

A Traveler columnist discusses the importance of preparing for upcoming semesters now to ensure academic and work opportunities.

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Office of Affirmative Action Renamed by BAILEY KESTNER Staff Writer

UA officials renamed the Office of Affirmative Action as the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance to better reflect the office’s functions. “We think staff and students will better understand how we serve the UA campus with this new title,” said Jenifer Tucker, interim co-director of the office. “None of the functions of the office were changed, just the name.” The OEOC handles

see OEOC on page 2

LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Juana Washington, a senior hospitality and restaurant management major, protested the death of Trayvon Martin Monday on the corner of Garland Avenue and Cleveland Street. Martin, a 17-year-old Florida high school student, was shot and killed Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla. by George Zimmerman. Washington said she will protest “everyday until Zimmerman is arrested.” She held a pack of Skittles and a bottle of iced tea, the only items found on Martin after his death.

Razorback Road Construction Nearly Finished by KRISTEN COPPOLA Staff Writer

Traffic along Razorback Road will only be hindered for a few weeks longer as construction between Maple Avenue and Cleveland Street nears completion, officials said. The UA is working in conjunction with the city to install a curb gutter and a sidewalk, said Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management. “Now that we’ve got the new Epley Center open, [they’re putting] sidewalks on at least one side of the street,” Johnson said. “We’ve always had people walking in the street there.” The north lane of Razorback Road will be closed from Maple Avenue to Cleveland Street through Friday, when the project is complete, Johnson said. “That sidewalk will connect to the new sidewalk work they did up at Cleveland and Razorback on the northwest side of Reid Hall,” Johnson said. The football center and new practice field are also on schedule for completion, he said.

KRIS JOHNSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The new sidewalk being built on Razorback Road is part of more than four miles of sidewalk being built or replaced in Fayetteville.

“The new football center is under construction, and that will be completed in summer 2013,” Johnson said. Razorback Road was closed with detours during two nights to “cut across the street in order

to connect storm drains,” Johnson said, “but the road should essentially be open all the time while they continue to work on construction.” The artificial practice field and parking at the HPER will

be finished by August, Johnson said. “The whole piece south of the indoor practice field should be complete by August – parking, practice field, sidewalks, etc.,” Johnson said.

Spring Break Recovery Takes Many Forms for UA Students by BAILEY KESTNER Staff Writer

Tanning, drinking, partying and spending money are many of the things that come associated with spring break. College students across the U.S. find themselves recovering after the crazy week every year. A University of Wisconsin study showed that 75 percent of college males and 43 percent of college females admitted to be-

ing drunk on a daily basis during spring break. This is not always the case with the UA students, said Mary Alice Serafini, director of the Pat Walker Health Center. “When one of our health educators surveyed a couple of classes of students, the majority of students reported that they were going home or working,” Serafini said. “It is also not surprising to learn that some use the break for job-hunting as well as studying. We don’t see a great

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012 VOL. 106, NO.91 8 PAGES UATRAV.COM

deal of change in acute illness and injury when the students return.” Students who do return with health problems usually suffer from overexposure to the sun and exhaustion from drinking or lack of sleep, Serfani said. “We see sunburn from students who were at the beach or skiing,” Serafini said. “For those who may have consumed far too much alcohol, they are usually sleep-deprived, may have injuries from falls or interpersonal

WEATHER FORECAST

TODAY 69°

WEDNESDAY 68°

violence and may be dehydrated. Some students pick up flulike viruses and may have upper respiratory or intestinal discomfort.” The best approach to avoiding sleep deprivation is to stick to a schedule that allows at least seven hours of sleep each night, Serafini said. “When that is thrown off by travel or other choices in life, finding time to catch up on lost sleep is a must or a person risks a compromised immune system

THURSDAY 69°

FRIDAY 65°

as well as general lack of alertness and energy,” Serafini said. People who experience sleep insufficiency are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, including diabetes, depression, cancer and hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. “Don’t perpetuate the sleep deprivation. Use stress reduction techniques, yoga, mindfulness and other calming methodologies to focus on sleep in the

SATURDAY 64°

SUNDAY 68°

evenings,” Serafini said. The center also deals with STD prevention in the weeks surrounding spring break. “Pat Walker sees students with sexually transmitted infections throughout the year,” Serafini said. “However, we do provide pre-spring break educational information on how to prevent getting STDs and how to reduce risks associated with

see RECOVERY on page 3

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

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TODAY ON THE HILL ABOUT THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

The Arkansas Traveler, the student newspaper of the University of Arkansas, is published every day during the fall and spring academic sessions except during exam periods and university holidays. Opinions expressed in signed columns are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Traveler. The editor makes all final content decisions. One copy of The Arkansas Traveler is free to every member of the UA community. Additional copies can be purchased for 50 cents each. Mail subscriptions for delivery within the continental United States can be purchased for $125.00 per semester. Contact the Traveler Business Manager to arrange.

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CONTACT

Peter Eisenman ‘Project or Practice’ Lecture

Peter Eisenman will present a lecture titled “Project or Practice” at 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Giffels Auditorium Old Main

Recent paintings by Baxter Knowlton

Recent paintings by Baxter Knowlton will be on view in the hallway cases until April 13. All Day Fine Arts Center

Award-Winning Poet Willam Logan Reading and Book Signing

Join the University of Arkansas Programs in Creative Writing & Translation in welcoming Poet William Logan. 8 p.m. Giffels Auditorium Old Main

Pre-Departure Meeting for All Students Studying Abroad this Summer

119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701

The Office of Study Abroad will hold an orientation meeting for all students going abroad this summer to discuss such topics as finances, credit transfer, safety tips and culture shock.

Main: 479.575.3406 Fax: 479.575.3306 traveler@uark.edu

4:15 - 6:30 p.m. Arkansas Union

OEOC

from page 1 discrimination complaints and sexual harassment charges on the UA campus. The main functions of the office include non-classified staff and faculty recruitment, complaints, grievances and training, according to the

office’s website. In non-classified staff and faculty recruitment, the office monitors the recruitment process of new workers and sees that the UA complies with federal regulations. In complaints, the office investigates and resolves all allegations involving “dis-

crimination on the basis of race, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, marital or parental status, genetic information and sexual orientation,” according to their website. Concerning grievances, the office facilitates the staff grievance process and assists

employees and supervisors in the informal resolution procedure. The OEOC is also responsible for training “on issues relating to the recruitment process and non-discrimination policy as well as supervisory development,” according to their website.

Increased Nursing School Enrollment Strains Graduation Ceremony by SARAH DEROUEN Staff Writer

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Increased nursing school enrollment has strained the nursing school’s graduation and pinning ceremonies.

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The number of students in nursing school classes doubled this year, forcing a change in the graduation ceremony, said a nursing school chairperson. Last year, 50 students enrolled in the nursing school each semester. This year, about 100 students enrolled each semester, said chairperson Nancy Smith-Blair. Because of this influx of students, the nursing school has had to make new plans for the traditional pinning ceremony for graduating students. The pinning ceremony was usually the night before graduation. This year, nursing students will instead receive the pins during the graduation ceremony, Smith-Blair said. “It is difficult to get an area to hold that many people,” Smith-Blair said. “The items that are important are still being done,” she said. The pinning ceremony normally takes place in the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union, but now that space is used for classes. One nursing student who will be graduating next semester thinks the changes are suitable. “I think it will meet our needs well,” said Rob Button. At first he was apprehensive about the change because tradition means a lot, he said. After going to a meeting where official explained the change, he thinks the new way is just as good or even better. The nursing school, which currently enrolls about 400 students, won’t experience further growth because of the limited number of available places for students to fulfill their clinical experience, Smith-Blair said. Students get clinical experience in places such as hospitals, clinical agencies, school systems and the health department, Smith-Blair said.

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STAFF EDITORIAL SABA NASEEM

ZACH TURNER

Editor -in-Chief 575-8455 traveler@uark.edu

Asst. Sports Editor

CHAD WOODARD

News Editor 575-3226 travnews@uark.edu

MATTIE QUINN

Managing Editor travmgr@uark.edu

BRITTANY NIMS

LAUREN LEATHERBY

Asst. News Editor

Features Editor 575-7540 travlife@uark.edu

EMILY RHODES

KELSI FORD

BEN FLOWERS

Opinion Editor

Asst. Features Editor

Photo Editor

JIMMY CARTER

SHELBY GILL

Sports Editor 575-7051 travsprt@uark.edu

Special Projects Editor

MEGAN HUCKABY Multimedia Editor

ADVERTISING & DESIGN CANNON MCNAIR

MICY LIU

Advertising Director 575-3839 travad1@uark.edu

Campus Account Executive 575-7594 travad4@uark.edu

JAIME HOLLAND

AARON TAN

Account Executive 575-3899 travad2@uark.edu

Campus Account Executive 575-7594 travad4@uark.edu

ZACHARY FRY

ANDY KOUCKY

Account Executive 575-8714 travad3@uark.edu

ERIK NORTHFELL

Lead Designer/ Web Developer

SARAH COLPITTS Features Designer

KATE BEEBE

DYLAN CRAIG

News Designer

Graphic Designer

SEAN MORRISON Sports 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 575.8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.

CAMPUS NUMBERS NEED EMERGENCY HELP? CALL UAPD 575-2222

The women and men of the University of Arkansas Police Department, in partnership with the community, are committed to protecting the future of Arkansas by promoting a safe and secure environment.

HAVE A TICKET? CALL 575-7275 TO RESOLVE IT

The Transit and Parking office handles parking permits and passes and transit for students, including bus routes and GoLoco Ride Sharing. Students with parking violations can contact the office to appeal their citation.

NEED A RIDE AT NIGHT? CALL 575 - 7233

Otherwise known as 575-SAFE, the mission of the Safe Ride program is to provide students with a safe means of transportation from any uncomfortable or inconvenient situation. Safe Ride brings you home safely.

NEED TICKETS? CALL 1-800-982-4647 Don’t forget to call early and reserve your student football tickets for the 2012-2013 season. The ticket office is located on Razorback Road next to Baum Stadium.

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NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

Special Traveler Beat

HEALTH & SAFETY Newer Dorms Consume Far More Energy by JON SCHLEUSS Contributing Writer

The energy-efficient light bulbs installed in Maple Hill and the Northwest Quads take a minute to fully ignite. They produce a white, blue-ish color that flickers increasingly as the life of the bulb deteriorates. This bulb uses gas to produce light rather than burning a small filament, as in the standard Edison-style incandescent. The fluorescent bulb is more efficient than an incandescent bulb because it uses less energy. What’s not efficient is the use of energy by students in newer dorms. Data compiled by Facilities Management and analyzed by the Office for Campus Sustainability shows that some of the newest dorms on campus produce more greenhouse gas emissions per student than older dorms. UA officials now faces a dilemma as climate change talks heat up and the campus scrambles to become carbonneutral by 2040. In September 2009, the UA Sustainability Council published a “Climate Action Plan” outlining the 30-year path to carbon neutrality. The plan has several shortterm goals to reach a carbonneutral status “as soon as it is practical” to do so. The goals are set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in stages with deadlines in 2014, 2021 and in 2040.

Part of reducing the carbon footprint involves energy saving performance contacts, or ESPCs, which “allow the university to install energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems at no cost to capital improvement or maintenance funds.” For several years, the UA has promoted its sustainability commitment and retrofitted older buildings with newer, energy-efficient systems that use less water and electricity. “The pint” urinals in campus buildings are one example — they require less water to flush than older urinals. More energy efficient ceiling lights, such as fluorescent tubes or compact fluorescent bulbs also save electricity. Aaron Pierce lives in the Northwest Quad’s Building B, which averages the highest carbon footprint per student among all UA dorms, according to Facilities Management data. Some of this footprint is from electricity usage. The Northwest Quad suites have living rooms with 10 electrical outlets. “There’s so much more space in the Quad suites than in other dorms,” Pierce said. “It’s the only one with a functional, large living room. Most dorms don’t have that many outlets and therefore don’t let you use as much electricity.” Pierce attributed this to the “American way” of buying things to fill up one’s living

space. In Yocum, a dorm that consumes roughly half the electricity as the Quad’s Building B, resident James Wages is limited to five electrical outlets. A black microwave sits atop a black fridge, both of which are plugged into a white extension cord that wraps around the corner of a dresser and plugs into the wall under a mirror. He also has a humidifier, fan and air purifier. He has two lamps, one standing next to his bed and another on his desk. Both of these have the energyefficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Wages said he got these lamps when he lived in an offcampus apartment. “I bought those light bulbs because I know they last longer and they’re supposed to be more energy-efficient,” Wages said. The mirror is topped with a fluorescent tube light that takes a second to fully turn on. The overhead ceiling light has four spots for fluorescent bulbs and one of them is missing. “I put in a maintenance request to get the fourth light, but they told me that they wouldn’t put in another one,” Wages said. “I don’t think they put in the fourth one because it cuts costs.” Another factor in a dorm’s carbon footprint is its use of chilled water. Chilled water is pumped into several dorm cooling systems to support a building’s ventilation system.

Unlike a central heat and air until in a home, chilled water is created in one of four locations on campus and is pumped to buildings via underground pipes. Here again, students living in the Northwest Quad buildings use the most chilled water of any other dorm on campus. Students in the Quads consume an average 2,100-ton hours of chilled water. Usage figures did not include Building B’s dining facilities, but did include common areas and hallways. Each suite in the Quads is independently climate controlled. Stuck on the wall next to the suite door is a thermostat, the only of its type in campus dorms that use the university’s chilled water system. These thermostats allow Quad residents to control their heating and cooling. Most other dorms are either heated or cooled, but not both at the same time. Residents in Yocum Hall use less than a third as much chilled water as students in the Quads. Since the Yocum heating and cooling system doesn’t support both heat and air conditioning, students in Yocum decide whether to open the vents in their room. Depending on the outside temperature, the air is either warm or cool. Carlos Ochoa, interim director of Campus Sustainability, said using less energy is the real answer to creating a more sustainable campus.

“Energy efficiency does not equate with sustainability,” he said. Sustainability simply means not over-using a resource until it is depleted. The goal is to enter a symbiosis with energy created and energy consumed. A group of students tried to help solve the sustainability problem by introducing a “green fee,” which could fund solar panels for campus buildings and be applied to a student’s fees. This, like a media fee, would be based on a student’s hourly course load. The group, the Student Sustainability Council, collected about 1,500 student signatures in a petition to introduce a 50 cent green fee, according to Jordan Schanda, the group’s president. Because of complications in drafting the legislation and deadlines, the issue is in limbo until the group reviews alternative routes to creating the fee. The group works with the Office for Campus Sustainability. While the office doesn’t have authority to draft legislation, it does appreciate the work of others to make the university a more sustainable place. But reaching a carbon neutral state will take more than just technology. The problem is cultural. “We can’t rely on technology to save us from ourselves,” Ochoa said.

RECOVERY from page 1

alcohol.” The center provides STD testing through the primary medical and women’s clinics. Students are advised to call in advance for an appointment so that their time is used effectively. “We test for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes,” Serafini said. The Pat Walker Health Center GT campaign – Get Thinking, Get Talking, Get Tested, Get Treated — aims to inform students about sexual diseases. Other students are recovering from the break only in a financial sense. UA students Ethan Guffey and Madison Haverty said they knew to save up their money before leaving for their big trips. “I [went] to Hawaii for Spring Break,” said Guffey, a sophomore biology major. “I’m [was] not too concerned about the money going toward the trip because I [had] been saving it for a while now.” “Around 20 of my sorority sisters and I [went] to Rosemary Beach in Florida over the break,” said Haverty, a freshman psychology major. “We [saved] up our money for the trip and all pitched in. With so many of us, it wasn’t as expensive.” The UA offers money management classes in both semesters of the year. One class in particular, titled “Your Money and Credit”, covers building wealth and the subtleties of credit and car and home ownership, according to the UA ISIS website.

OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

PAGE 4

Scan here to go to the Opinion section on uatrav.com

EDITOR: SABA NASEEM MANAGING EDITOR: MATTIE QUINN

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

FROM THE BOARD

Summer Right Around The Corner: Time to Plan From class projects and tests to our RSO’s, jobs and other commitments, the majority of us have started the countdown to summer break. And though our semester is still in session for six more weeks, it’s time to start planning now to ensure a great time away from school, however we choose to spend it. Though summer means spending countless hours in the sunshine, the end of a busy year and time to rake in the paychecks working full time jobs, it also means summer school, work opportunities, and the mountain of planning that goes with it. If we want to thoroughly enjoy our summer this year, the time has come to start preparing for the upcoming break. Now that our spring break is over and the timelines and deadlines for class signup, summer jobs and internships are getting closer, we should jumpstart the remaining weeks before commencement to prepare for the summer months of hard work and fun. Whether it’s an internship application, job search or ISIS signup holding us up from getting our three-month break planned and ready, we should use the time now to do everything we can to prepare for our summer and get the behind the scenes work completed. So what can we do to prepare for the next part of the year? Create a deadline calendar, gather up applications and paperwork and spend an afternoon at the Greek Theater completing everything, and create a time each day to work on summer plans, whatever they may be. An afternoon sitting outside Starbucks on campus might just be the perfect time to prepare applications, apply for jobs and complete tasks that will ensure that our summer plans actually happen this year. Who says we can’t enjoy the great weather in Fayetteville while getting our preparations done for summer? If we put in the time now, we won’t have the rush of finding jobs or internships, the heartache of not getting into the classes we need in the summer session, or the crazed few weeks after school finishes for the semester where we would much rather be relaxing. Take the time now to prepare and plan, so that summer is the best one yet.

MARCUS FERREIRA STAFF CARTOONIST

Where Will We Be A Year From Now? Expanding Horizons

Facebook: More Than A Social Network For Students Facebook - it’s a useful tool to stay in touch with friends and classmates, an easy way to reach hundreds of people with a simple click of a button, and an opportunity for students to stay updated with daily life. Yet, our profile content could be hurting more than helping us when it comes to not only our careers but now our college education. With news that many scholarship providers now check Facebook for applicant information, we need to more careful than ever when posting our latest status. While we have heard the countless stories of students being denied jobs because of employers checking Facebook and other social networking sites, many of us don’t take into consideration the idea that our social networking use might also be monitored by our school administrators. It’s important, in a time when the majority of our day is spent on the Internet, to remember that what we post on our walls, photos and information pages can be viewed by employers, administrators and other important figures. Whether it’s a photo posted by friends, a status update or a wall post that we would rather keep out of sight, it’s important to remember that this information is public - Internet privacy is changing and our information is more available than ever. Take the time, especially now when scholarship and admission applications are due, to monitor sites to ensure that what we show is what we want our future employers, schools and others to see and make decisions based upon.

Traveler Quote of the Day “Energy efficiency does not equate with sustainability... We can’t rely on technology to save us from ourselves.” - Carlos Ochoa, interim director of Campus Sustainability, “Newer Dorms Consume Far More Energy,” page 3.

by DESHAUN ARTIS

Traveler Columnist

Now that we are all recharged from Spring Break, we can successfully tackle the final stretch of the semester. I know - a lot easier said than done. It’s always that pre-summer tease that gives students a chance to kick back, relax and forget all about school. Now, school is back in session and that means things are about to get busier than ever with end-of-the-year banquets, projects nearing due dates and dare I say - finals. The end of the semester comes with a lot of pressure but it also offers the opportunity to plan ahead for the next year of college. One of the most important lessons that I learned during my time at

Good To Know

by CHRIS SONNTAG

EDITOR Saba Naseem MANAGING EDITOR Mattie Quinn OPINION EDITOR Emily Rhodes 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.

we also have our handy-dandy advisors to help with this. Another important aspect is involvement. This is something big to consider when planning out how next year will look for you. Next semester may be the most demanding semester of your college careers class-wise, so it may be smart to not sign yourself up for more than you can handle. When I first came to college, “Get involved!” was one of the first pieces of advice that I was given. I took the advice. Once I got involved in some organizations it got easier to get involved with others, and before I knew it, every day of the week became the busiest day of week because of activities outside of class. I encourage everyone to find an organization that sparks an interest or passion and join it, but also remember to reserve some time for school, your job and yourself. The time to think about things like this for next year is now. Ask yourself, “Will I realistically have time to be the president of an organization if I know that I will be taking 18 hours next spring?” The success of Registered Student

Organizations takes a lot of behind the scenes work and dedication from students. Stepping into a leadership role requires excellent time management, so it’s important to seriously consider how it will fit into your schedule. As far as studying abroad and internships, those are definitely areas where thinking ahead is of great importance. Going to Germany for a summer or interning in Washington D.C. do not have simple applications that can be completed overnight. Deadlines, letters of recommendation, and money all play a part in the process. Wanting to study abroad next summer? Well, this summer may be the time to start doing research on that. College days swiftly pass and the opportunities here are abundant. The work for those opportunities doesn’t start tomorrow though – it starts today. DeShaun Artis is a Traveler columnist. His column appears every other Tuesday.

Beauty in the Natural State: Art in Arkansas

Traveler Columnist

EDITORIAL

the UA is that you have to think ahead. Every year comes with new goals for students - gain a higher GPA, get more involved, study abroad, land an internship - the list goes on. Goals like these do not happen overnight and sometimes not even over a semester. Asking the question, “Where do I want to be a year from now?” and seriously considering the answer is a method that is beneficial in planning out next year’s goals. Next week we will be able to make our summer and fall schedules, so the time to think about next year academically is already upon us. The UA offers degree completion plans such as the Eight-Semester Plan, Four Year Degree Completion Programs, and Five Year Professional Programs. With these plans we have a map of every class that we need to graduate in a specific time. Though some students opt out of these strict plans for a little more flexibility in their schedule, they are a good guide to go by when having trouble deciding what classes to take to get on the right track. Of course,

Last weekend I finally got around to visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It had been on my to-do list for far too long, and I finally got a Saturday with no important plans and a friend who had been missing out as well, so we hopped on the highway to Bentonville. I came away incredibly impressed with what another of Arkansas’ loveable Walton family had managed to accomplish. Just walking in, it felt so urban and trendy that I felt as if I were in one of those places where families go when they’re on vacation in a major coast city. Essentially, it was something that I would have never expected to find in Northwest Arkansas. As someone who is, frank-

ly, a little ignorant of art, walking through the galleries was an enlightening experience for me. I actually recognized several paintings, such as the portrait of George Washington done by Gilbert Stuart, and Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell. Seeing these two made my stop in my tracks—these are paintings I’ve seen in history books, pieces that highlighted the American Revolution and World War II, and they happen to be about a half hour away from where I live. While I was walking through the museum, I knew that I wanted to include it in the column that was looming over me at the end of Spring break. However, I didn’t really know if I wanted to spin it into a lengthy piece on why the arts are important, or if I would use it as an example of why Northwest Arkansas is truly a great place to call home. But then I thought, why not both? Crystal Bridges’ presence here signals both the importance of the arts and highlights why this region is a great place to live. With places like Crystal Bridges, the Walton Arts Center, several theater groups, famous music and arts festivals held within an easy driving

distance or nearby in Eureka Springs, it’s apparent that this area values the arts. It probably helps that this is a university town, which are usually noted for being centers of art. Really, the only thing that could possibly make me happier about the area is if some big history museum opened up, though that’s my inner eight-year-old who gets overly excited with dinosaur fossils. At the same time, this area has been my home for 15 years now, and I really couldn’t ask for a better place to live. I’ve traveled outside the country and to a few other areas of the U.S., but I haven’t seen the world to the extent that I’d like to. Yet, I’ve seen enough to know that we’re truly blessed to live here, where we have a good blend of suburban, rural, and somewhat urban settings with a variety of activities that rival many bigger areas. We live in an area that can simultaneously feel small and big, as I discovered when the a woman at the museum remembered me from several years ago when I played in orchestra with her kids in school. Now, I know everyone eventually leaves home to find their fortune, and many of us will have to go out into the world to

further our careers and education. However, I can easily see myself coming back to Northwest Arkansas in the future. It’s safe, it’s more interesting than you’d think at a glance, and it provides great education and amazing opportunities. And yet, Arkansas has had a problem with keeping educated citizens inside the state. That is one of the main reasons behind the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships funded by the state lottery— keeping students in Arkansas for college and in their adult lives, which would greatly improve Arkansas’ standing as a more educated population, creating more business and in general making for a better state. And one thing that an educated population needs is art. In this time of cuts to every budget everywhere, it’s sometimes hard to remember that. But what food does for the body physically, the arts—theater, dance, music, writing, painting, sculpture—does for the soul. So go out and see Crystal Bridges—it’s free culture, and it’s just one of the newest things that makes living here in Northwest Arkansas great. Chris Sonntag is a Traveler columnist.

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THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

FEATURES PAGE 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

FEATURES EDITOR: LAUREN LEATHERBY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: KELSI FORD

Noteworthy Upcoming Albums by NICK BROTHERS Staff Writer

Miike Snow – Happy To You March 27

by LOGAN GILMORE Staff Writer

Later this week, Swedish electronic dance pop trio Miike Snow (pronounced meekay) will release their sophomore follow-up to their self-titled album released in 2009. The album spans a lot of cool, catchy, and diverse sounds from the three Swedish beatmasters. Members of the band are actually known for their work with Madonna, and for winning a Grammy for the best dance recording to Britney Spears’s “Toxic.” Their single “Devil’s Work” is an entrancing swirl of melodies of the piano, brass, and various synthesizers. Overall, the album seems to be catchy, full of groovy beats that demand dancing.

Twitter is a gold mine of condensed information ranging from users’ personal activities to breaking news. It presents an unprecedented array of information to users nearly instantaneously, often resulting in worldwide conversation. If there’s an event going on in the world, you can bet that there is a multitude of people tweeting about it, giving their own personal opinion on the matter. However, many choose to use Twitter as a place to read short, to-the-point jokes that be digested and retweeted in a matter of seconds. A lot of these Twitter accounts have been localized to certain communities, poking fun at stereotypes and the lives of certain groups. The University of Arkansas is no exception, with dozens of novelty accounts taking their stance as the definitive place to hear humorous tweets reflecting their respective base.

This account takes on the infamous freshman stereotype of being inexperienced, partaking in massive amounts of binge drinking, getting lost on campus, and the like. The page’s bio states “Some things in life are avoidable, being a freshman is not. Quotes, mishaps, advice, submissions and #totalfreshmoves straight from the University of Arkansas.” This is a pretty accurate description of the tweets that follow below, and the account’s followers enjoy the multitude of tweets sent out daily, seeing that the account has more than 4,000 followers and nearly 3,000 tweets so far.

This account is just one of several that focus on life at the University of Arkansas campus for certain groups of women and is the one of the most popular. It focuses on quotes about drinking, romance, fashion and primarily sarcasm. It is essentially “S*** Girls Say” in a localized form but not nearly as witty. Along with this page, there is also @razorsrat, @UofA_Shacker, @UofABelle and @UofA_Girlfriend. There are also accounts for the men with @UofA_Frat_Style, @UofA_PhratStyle and @UofA_Pledge, among others. There seem to be new accounts with this style starting up every few weeks, but only a few manage to hold and maintain an audience for more than a month.

“#sinners and #GOINGTOHELL” are just a few of the hashtags used on this parody account of UA’s very own prophet who goes under the pseudonym of “Moses.” Every so often and without warning, a man named Gary Bowman crashes the Union mall to preach his message of hate and discrimination. Those uninitiated to his antics might just take his message

Jack White – Blunderbuss April 24

MIKE NORTON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The number of University-related Twitter parody accounts has climbed extensively for the past two years. The number of novelty UA Twitter accounts sweeping phones across the campus climbs daily. seriously, sometimes moving to tears in anger. However, for most who are familiar with the man, he is a humorous sideshow breaking up a boring day of classes. This Twitter account is clearly “NOT Gary Bowman,” but it takes on his ridiculous message in an amusing way that replaces the sting of his repulsive speech with outrageous, and obviously untrue proclamations.

“I like to get rowdy. And take my shirt off. #GetBubbaASeat” You haven’t truly been to an Arkansas sporting event until you have witnessed Bubba Hawg firsthand. With a beer gut, mullet and jean shorts, Bubba has become one of the more popular novelty accounts on campus, most likely due to his seemingly goodhearted nature and drunken stupor. The account significantly retweets other accounts, but this is a good thing if you are looking to slim down your ‘following’ list. From other novelty accounts, official news sites and significant people on campus, @ UofA_Bu88aHawg’s array of content is diverse yet streamlined. The account’s personal tweets range from commentary to humorous quotes.

The Razorback is the singular iconic image that unites all of the students across this campus. Now, what if our titular mascot could talk? This is what “Tusk IV” brings to the table through Twitter. With more than 13,000 followers, “Tusk” is one of the most popular Twitter accounts associated with the UA. The account’s tweets range from humorous comments of sporting events on campus to breaking sports news. It is a one-stop shop of all things Razorback and is a great addition to the Arkansas Twitterverse. The account’s bio reads: “Despite popular belief, I am not really Tusk IV and may or may not accurately reflect his views/beliefs. EMAIL: tusklove@gmail.com.” Novelty accounts can be fun, but with so many across our campus, it is getting to the point of excess. The “First World Problem” and “S*** Girls Say” style of humor can only go so far, and most don’t even reach the basic level of humor. Several are mean-spirited, while others are unexcitingly stereotypical, but some manage to stand out, find an audience, and create something actually worth following.

Fayetteville’s Only Marathon Set to Race Mid-April by EMILY DELONG Staff Writer

On April 15, don't be surprised to see the Square, the bike trail, and other sections of Fayetteville closed off: the Hogeye, Fayetteville's only marathon and Arkansas's oldest, will be taking place. Over the years, the Hogeye has become a Fayetteville tradition. Founded in 1977 by UA professors and staff, the marathon originally began on campus, traveled 13 miles southwest to Hogeye, Arkansas, and then back again. "Thirteen people started it that day, and only five finished it," race director Tabby Holmes said of the first marathon. Holmes explained that the low success rate is partially attributed to the fact that the race originally took place in the hottest month of the year, August. "The race is totally different today," Holmes said. The Hogeye no longer takes

place in the summer, and runs an entirely different route, beginning and ending at the Fayetteville Square and spending more than half of the race on the bike trail. The marathon goes along Maple Street, travels north along Interstate 540 all the way out to the botanical garden and Lake Fayetteville, and then heads back toward the Square along the bike trails. The Hogeye has also become bigger and more streamlined. With more than 350 volunteers, the race has expanded into an event for all levels of skill. The Hogeye now includes a 5K, a half-marathon, a 4-person relay race, and even a marathon for kids. The 5K goes from the Square and turns around at the Administration Building on campus. The half-marathon follows a similar route as the marathon, turning around on Skull Creek trail rather than at Lake Fayetteville. The relay race follows the same path as the marathon, splitting up the legs based on length as well as hilliness.

To say that Jack White is a “good” guitarist would grossly under-represent his ability. He’s proven that after playing with three bands and helping write 10 full-length albums, and now, moving towards a budding solo career, he’s overflowing with rock music talent. The released single of Blunderbuss, “Love Interuption” is pretty homely, similar to the folksy side of White Stripes’ White Blood Cells. However, it should be said that this is in fact just a solo album. It’s likely the music won’t sound like anything he’s done with his other groups. It would also be a surprise if he didn’t melt any faces with his punk/blues driven guitar riffs he’s famous for. There’s much to look forward to see what this rock legend will come up with.

Silversun Pickups – Neck of the Woods May 8

Not much has been said about the album by the indiefuzz rock band Silversun Pickups. Frontman, singer/songwriter and guitarist Brian Audibert did say in an interview with Spin magazine that the songs on the album sound “like a horror movie,” and writing the album was an unexplained “serendipitous” experience. He also said that Neck of The Woods was about “what built me...It was learning why I am the way I am.” There are currently no samples of the album out on the Internet, but the band has announced their single for the album will be “Bloody Mary.”

"The legs are not even," Holmes explained. The first leg is the shortest and most hilly leg, while the last leg is eight miles long, but travels almost entirely along the bike trail. Holmes described the kids' marathon as a "marathon over time," where the children run all but one of the 26 miles prior to the race at their own pace, keeping a log of their progress. On the day of the Hogeye, the kids run their final mile, finishing at the same finish line as the adult participants. Not only does this event promote healthy exercise habits for children, Holmes said, but it is also extremely adorable. "You should see their faces!" Holmes said. "I forgot about all of the other race stuff because of their enthusiasm."

see HOGEYE on page 6

COURTESY PHOTOS

see ALBUMS on page 6

FEATURES

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

PAGE 6

ALBUMS

Enjoying the Onset of Spring

from page 5

Beach House – Bloom May 15

Still riding off of the semi-underground success of their album Teen Dream, the dreary dream-pop duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally are set to release their fourth studio album, Bloom, on May 15. The band is known for their serene and spacey sound. Most of their songs don’t have a catchy hook to them, but they make for great music when you’re in a chill mood. Their released single “Myth” still remains true to their sound of ambient sounds and delay-ridden guitar riffs.

Sophomore Will Pendleton relaxes in his hammock on the Old Main lawn Monday afternoon.

JACKI FROST STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

On Turquoise Jeep Records: A Scam or a Reality? by EVAN BARBER Staff Writer

If you’ve spent much time at all on YouTube, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across one or two of the Turquoise Jeep music videos. If you have, you probably laughed, and then you probably thought to yourself, “This is so bad, there’s no way these guys can be serious.” And in thinking that, there’s a good chance you would be correct. Most listeners agree that their material is intended to be entirely comedic, but the group’s deadpan delivery leaves a few people out of the joke. Listener reviews for the 2010 Turquoise Jeep album “Keep the Jeep Ridin’” are typically either five stars or one star, with most reviewers either calling the group hilarious or laughingly hailing them as “innovative, artistic geniuses.” Those who publish the lower ratings also call the group hilarious, but they do so under the impression that these guys may actually be trying to make good music. For precisely that reason, the Turquoise Jeep Records crew has developed something of a cult following. “They came onto the scene with “Smang It,” which is such a completely ridiculous video, but at the same time it’s so awesomely bad that there was no way it could have been by mistake,” said Flannery Wasson, a political science major. The awesomely bad Rap/R&B group

consists of six members: Flynt Flossy, Yung Humma, Tummiscratch, Whatchyamacallit, Slick Mahony, and Pretty Raheem. Arguably the two best known members are Yung Humma and Flynt Flossy for their songs “Smang It” and “Fried or Fertilized,” the chorus of the latter being “How you like your eggs, fried or fertilized?” “I mean, I guess they are creative songwriters,” laughed Emily Coats, a UA student majoring in math. “The material they cover is too bizarre to be taken seriously, but I think really that’s the whole point.” According to the (probably entirely fictional) Turquoise Jeep biography on pubpages.unh.edu, in the summer of 2006 Flynt Flossy hitchhiked all the way from California to New York City. It just so happened that at the time, Whatchyamacallit was living in New York City and was “posting flyers expressing the need for a new friend and rapper.” Flossy took down his address and paid Whatchyamacallit a visit, in whom he found “a warm and loving family and friend, who loved Flynt for who he was as a person.” Shortly thereafter, Flynt Flossy and Whatchyamacallit met up with Tummiscratch, the “Producer, DJ and BeatmasterFunkman” to create Turquoise Jeep Records. Fifteen million YouTube views later – and however the group actually came to form – the group has embarked on a tour across the United States. Just before Valentine’s Day,

they performed in Little Rock at Stickyz bar on River Market. After several opening acts, Flossy, Humma, Raheem, and Whatchyamacallit took the stage. With some surprisingly impressive and well synchronized dance moves, they performed their six most well known songs to a crowd of nearly eighty screaming fans. “The most awesome thing about the concert was how much they involved the girls in the front row. They sang to all of us and held our hands. I felt like I was special,” said Christy Harrington, a graphic design sophomore. At the end of the show, a representative from Turquoise Jeep stepped out with a microphone and said, “We aren’t leaving until everyone who wants an autograph or a picture gets one, so everybody line up.” Practically everyone at the concert got in line. The crew sold shirts, took pictures, signed everything that was handed to them, and thanked everyone for coming to the show. The whole scheme was priceless. If Turquoise Jeep is all a big joke – which it almost certainly is – the whole crew are masters of deadpan. But even if it turns out not to be a joke, and these guys are actually serious in their work, it won’t matter because everyone will still be laughing.

May 15

It’s been confirmed that after six years Jack Black and Kyle Gass will return “like the phoenix” with their new album released on May 15. As of now, the only information out is on their website. According to tenaciousd.com, the making of the “profoundly evocative” thirteen tracks was a “journey similar to that of Gandalph in Lord of the Rings.” Bummed about not hitting box office gold with their movie Pick of Destiny, they felt down and out, but vowed to return to the world of rock. A clip of the song “Rize of the Fenix” has been released on the site, and it starts up with Black singing with his bold and punchy vocals, “When the Pick of Destiny was released it was a bomb, and all the critics said the D was done… but one thing no one ever thought about was the D would rise again, just like the phoenix, we’ll f***ing rise again.” Love them or hate them, it should be a comically rockin’ good time.

John Mayer – Born and Raised May 22

Pop rocker John Mayer is set to release his follow up to Battle Studies on May 22. The album’s single “Shadow Days” has a lot of country influences to it, with sliding guitars and a casual beat to it. It may be too early to say if the song represents the entirety of the album, but judging from the title and album artwork, there definitely seems to be some Americana influences in Mayer’s newest project. The song appears to be a response to his accusations from exes and the media, as the chorus says “I’m a good man with a good heart, had a tough time, got a rough start; but I’ve finally learned to let it go…my shadow days are over”. In related news, Mayer has had to cancel most of his spring U.S. tour due to an inflammation of granuloma in his throat.

HOGEYE

from page 5 The Hogeye has been a very popular marathon for locals as well as for running enthusiasts from all over the country. "We have people from 24 states signed up at the moment," Holmes said. Runners from as far as California and even Alaska have ran the Hogeye in the past. Much of the enthusiasm for the races stems from the younger people getting into the sport. "We have a lot more younger people getting into the race than in the past," Holmes said. "We have created that buzz among the younger high school and college age recreational runners." Fayetteville is host to many races, including the local branch of the Race for the Cure, the Chile Pepper Run, and Gulley Park's Cow Paddy Run. "What makes [the Hogeye] stand out is that it is [run by] entirely a volunteer effort," Holmes said. At this time, all employees—race director included—are volunteers. The Hogeye prides itself in being not only a nonprofit organization but an entirely charitable event. "We have donated over $30,000 to charities," Holmes said. Students who are interested in running for the first time are encouraged to prepare themselves prior to the race. Training programs are available at local running stores such as Rush Running Co. (rushrunning. com) and Fleet Feet Sports (fleetfeetsports. com). Another way to prepare for a race is to team up with a group of friends and train together. Those interested can register for the race at hogeyemarathon.com, either online or by mail. While the final deadline for registering is an hour before the race begins, the deadline for online registration is April 13, and only those who register online before March 11 are guaranteed a T-shirt. Students can also sign up to volunteer for 3-hour shifts at the race's website.

Tenacious D – Rize of the Fenix

COURTESY PHOTOS

Artists expecting albums in 2012:

LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior Emily Reams says that running helps her relieve stress from exams. In addition to psychological and physical benefits, runners often get the chance to serve their community. Last year, the Hogeye Marathon raised and distributed $30,500 in proceeds. This year’s race takes place on April 15, and registration is still open.

Regina Spektor Ludacris Rick Ross Mumford & Sons Phoenix The Avett Brothers The Killers The xx

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

DOWNTIME PAGE 7

Comics, Games, & Much Much More!

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

LAUGH IT UP

SUDOKU

Q: What’s the difference between one yard and two yards?

A: A fence. Q: How did the pig get to the hospital? A: In a hambulance. Q: Did you hear about the fly who flew through a screen door at full speed?

Difficulty:

A: He strained himself. Q: Why did the man hit the fortune teller when she started laughing?

TODAY’S SOLUTION

A: He was striking a happy medium. Q: What do bees chew? A: Bumble gum.

WELCOME TO FALLING ROCK

Josh Shalek

THAT MONKEY TUNE

Michael A. Kandalaft

BREWSTER ROCKIT

Tim Rickard

BLISS

Harry Bliss

CALAMITIES OF NATURE

CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

1 Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida __” 5 Start of many addresses 9 Lawyers’ org. 12 Schools for Jules 15 Prefix with sol 16 Heater 17 On the line 18 *If absolutely necessary 20 *Ranger, for one 22 “It’s the real thing” soft drink 23 Govt. watchdog 24 Not just my 25 Current pioneer 26 Quandary 30 One who raised Cain 32 Sea salt? 33 Spare tire site? 35 Refuse to budge 37 *”Am I missing something here?” 40 Blacks out 41 Coeur d’__ 42 Many a CBer’s workplace 43 Brit. recording giant 45 “CHiPs” star 49 Kind of alcohol 51 Little john? 53 Lady’s man 54 Language that gave us “plaid” 55 *Like manual laborers 59 *Boisterous frat party 61 Lisa’s “Friends” role 62 “Happiness __ Warm Puppy”: “Peanuts” book 63 Manipulative type 64 Drives 65 Relative of -trix 66 Place with a pool, informally 67 Apt name for a Dalmatian

1 Flipped (through) 2 Eight-footers? 3 Capture 4 “Put __ on it!” 5 Three-line verse 6 Professor’s goal 7 Capture 8 Appear unexpectedly, with “up” 9 Religious doubter 10 Political repercussions 11 Deep down 13 Sixth sense, for short 14 Schuss, e.g. 19 Diamonds, to hoods 21 Oregon highlight 25 Letter? 27 McGregor of “The Men Who Stare at Goats” 28 Hot Wheels maker 29 Midler’s “Divine” nickname 31 Bad habits 34 “J to __ L-O!”: Lopez remix album 36 Trick ending? 37 Many a server, in the old days 38 Boat rocker, to say the least 39 Lycée attendee 40 It’s thrown in 44 “Gotta think about it” 46 Napping 47 Don Quixote’s devil 48 Run in, and a hint to the ends of the answers to starred clues 50 “__ out!”: ump’s call 52 “Back in the Saddle Again” autobiographer 55 Outback 56 Cost-of-living stat 57 Electrical unit 58 Cuts off 60 On the other hand

Crossword provided by MCT Campus

SOLUTION

Tony Piro

SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

Scan here to go to the Sports section on uatrav.com:

SPORTS EDITOR: JIMMY CARTER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: ZACH TURNER FOOTBALL

Marshall Gets His Chance Senior linebacker working with first-team defense

RYAN MILLER Staff Photographer SEAN MORRISON Photo Illustration by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor

Senior defensive end Tenarius Wright sprinted off the Reynolds Razorback Stadium field and threw up on the sideline midway through Arkansas’ second spring practice.

Normally Matt Marshall would have had a front row seat as he watched the firstteam defense from the sideline. Not this spring. Marshall was on the field with the starters, waiting to be rejoined by Wright, who was still adjust-

ing to the extra running required in his first practice at linebacker since his freshman year. The seniors make an unlikely duo at linebacker. Wright has been a fixture at defensive end the last two seasons, but is working at inside linebacker during spring practice as the Razorbacks try to replace graduated Jerry Franklin and Jerico Nelson. Marshall has never started a game and has registered most of his 16 career tackles on special teams. For now, though, they comprise two-thirds of the Hogs’ starting linebacking corps. “When we came in that’s really what I believed the deal

was supposed to be anyway,” Marshall said. “I get a chance to finally get it poppin’ with him.” Wright was a highly-regarded middle linebacker out of Memphis in the 2008 recruiting class, while Marshall was a rare Arkansas signee from New Jersey and an unranked recruit who signed in late May, almost four months later than the rest of the class. Marshall redshirted and worked with the scout team in 2008, then played in just three games without recording stats as a redshirt freshman in 2009. He had five tackles in 11 games as a sophomore, then had 11 tackles last season, contributing on special teams while biding his time and hoping to get on the field with the defense. “It’s been a long road,” Marshall said. “It was worth every little bit of it. From playing

scout team to being a special teams player. From moving up and down the depth chart. It’s great. You learn from it. Going through drills and taking everything serious.” It hasn’t always been easy living more than 1,200 miles away from home, but Marshall has made it work. He’s one of just eight remaining players from the 25-man 2008 recruiting class. “It’s been a great four years,” Marshall said. “Arkansas is great. I was just wearing twisties in my hair and stuff like that. An immature kid. Now I’m grown up. I’m a big boy now.” Now, he has a chance to make an impact in more than special teams for a Razorbacks team that could begin the season ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1989. “One of the reasons we all came here is Coach (Bobby) Petrino said we’re going to grow,” Marshall said. “We’re going to go from where we were at with the last coach and we’re going to be where we’re supposed to be. It’s about timed up.” Marshall has had to adjust, along with the rest of the defense, to new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes, who joined the coaching staff after four seasons as Ohio State’s

co-defensive coordinator. Taver Johnson followed Haynes from Columbus, Ohio, to be the Hogs’ linebackers coach. “Coach Taver Johnson’s a really good coach,” Marshall said. “He’s definitely instilling the best knowledge and tools that we need to be good linebackers.” Haynes, Johnson and Petrino liked what they saw from Marshall and sophomore linebacker Braylon Mitchell during offseason workouts, leading to the decision to put the duo with the first-team defense to start spring practice. “When you look at their size, look at their speed, look at their movement, though the mat drills and also their testing, those are the body types you like at those positions,” Haynes said. “Those are the athletes that you like at that position.” It’s not guaranteed Marshall will be a starter when Arkansas opens the 2012 season, but the opportunity is there. “This is the perfect time at this point for me,” Marshall said. “Senior year. Get the opportunity. I’m about to take it and roll with it … It’s an opportunity that we all wait on and if we don’t have it, we work to get it. I’m going to work to keep the job.”

TENNIS

Zogaj a Bright Spot Se n i o r s o l i d f o r s t r u g g l in g t en n is t ea m

by MONICA CHAPMAN Staff Writer

Arkansas has struggled in a recent four-game losing streak, but that hasn’t stopped senior Nikolas Zogaj from winning his individual matchups. Zogaj has won his last six of his last seven singles matches, making him a team-best 1511-1 during the spring season, success he said is because of the time he puts into his game. “Just my hard work,” Zogaj said. “Dedication. Paying attention to details. Doing extra work. Having the right people around me. Having positive and good energy. Those are the things that carry me.” The individual success only makes Zogaj work harder to motivate his team, he said. “If I win my matches I give my team the opportunity to win the match eventually,”

Zogaj said. “It is a team sport. Tennis is individual, but in college it is a team sport.” Zogaj is encouraged by his teammates resilience despite their struggles. “It helps me out a lot,” Zogaj said. “If I see them working hard it makes me feel better. If they see me working hard, I’m assuming it makes them feel better too.” The Belgium native has already beaten two ranked opponents this season beginning with then-No. 14 Anthony Rossi from Kentucky in February and No. 115 Danlil Proskura of Alabama in March. These two victories boosted Zogaj into the rankings himself and is now ranked No. 120 in the NCAA. “It feels very good, especially as a senior,” Zogaj said. “It means I put in a lot of work over the last couple of years.

My teammates are doing a lot better. They’re carrying me. They’re making me better during practice. I think higher up makes you step up as a senior, as an athlete. It’s a good opportunity and I’m really enjoying it.” Being ranked isn’t enough for the senior captain, though. He said he wants to accomplish much more before he finishes out his last year as a Razorback, goals that center around his team. “I want to make the NCAAs with our team,” Zogaj said. “I think we all deserve it. We put in our hard work since the last week or August. It’s been seven months of straight hard work. It’s the thing I want to accomplish. It’s not about individual records; it’s about the team records. We haven’t been to the NCAA in awhile and I think we all deserve it.”

LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas senior Nikolas Zogaj has a team-best 15-11-1 record in singles play this season. He has won six of seven matches, a bright spot with the Razorbacks mired in a four-match losing streak.

COMMENTARY

Haynes Faced With Difficult Task Extra Points

JIMMY CARTER

jicarter@uark.edu New Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes watched Ronnie Wingo run a wheel route down the sideline and catch a pass from Tyler Wilson with no one within 20 yards of him on the first day of spring practice. Haynes is a calm guy compared to Taver Johnson –– the other former Ohio State assistant on the staff, a linebackers

coach who is all energy all the time. Haynes didn’t get upset. He just walked up to sophomore linebacker Braylon Mitchell and calmly asked who he was supposed to cover. Mitchell sheepishly pointed to Wingo, now jogging back to the offensive huddle after running a successful wheel route for the 5,000th time in his career. Haynes nodded and started breaking things down for Mitchell. Mitchell looks like a talented player and came to Fayetteville with the resume of a potential multi-year starter. Haynes’ challenge will be to help mold Mitchell and the rest of an inexperienced linebacking crew into a dependable unit for a team with SEC Championship hopes.

It might not be easy. It might take time. Senior Alonzo Highsmith’s pec injury caused him to miss spring practice and left the Razorbacks with Mitchell and seven other healthy scholarship linebackers who have combined for all of 106 career tackles. Bobby Petrino and Haynes decided to work defensive ends Tenarius Wright, Austin Flynn and Chris Smith in linebacker drills, just to see if there was potential. Wright lined up with the first-team defense at inside linebacker in the last practice before the team went on spring break. It might not work out, but the move isn’t as desperate as it seems. Wright was a highly-regarded middle linebacker in high school and showed enough to impress Petrino in

his first practice back at his old position. It shows Haynes’ commitment to getting bigger in the linebacking corps, a necessary change from former defensive coordinator Willy Robinson’s scheme, which started 190-pound Jerico Nelson in the front seven for most of his career. It also shows the coaching staff ’s uncertainty about what it can count on at linebacker. Highsmith will be healed and able to participate in drill work during the summer. Aside from him, the picture gets fuzzy. Mitchell started spring practice with the first-team defense, but was replaced by sophomore Tyler Gilbert on the second day. Petrino and Haynes want to get the combination of Wright,

Flynn and Smith on the field together. Whether that involves one of them playing linebacker remains to be seen. When the Hogs play nickel, Ross Rasner could still figure in to what is being called the STAR position, the spot he shared with Nelson last season. Haynes gets to try to figure all that out while also finding combinations that work in the secondary, motivating a promising-but-to-this-point-underwhelming interior defensive line to play to its potential and identifying which of the talented freshmen can contribute when they arrive in August. Not an easy job for a guy walking into a program where the fans are trying to decide whether they should pre-purchase tickets to Atlanta for December.

Schematically, Haynes has a better track record than his predecessor. Same for his recruiting. His recruits aren’t here yet, though. It might take some time to implement his system with his players. For now, he has to concentrate on teaching moments like the one with Mitchell. Keep in mind, his players don’t have to stop Wingo’s wheel routes and Petrino’s offense with the game on the line. Keep in mind, he was able to do that when he had players that fit his system wearing scarlet and gray. Jimmy Carter is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Tuesday. Follow him on Twitter @jicartersports.