February 23, 2011

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t Single Copy Paid For by Student Publication Fee

Volume 105 — Issue 5

February 23, 2011 Wednesday

4 TODAY Cloudy

63/55

4T H U R S D AY

Opinion: Voice: 3.5 % room, board fee increases necessary for building renovations

71/46

4F R I D AY

Mostly Sunny

56/41

Around Campus: Imperfectly Remembered A solo show displaying works

by Mark Monroe will explore the paradox that is forgetting. The open reception will be tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Black Box Gallery in Schichtl Hall and can be viewed today and tomorrow.

Grad Central May graduates can order caps and gowns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 2 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 3 at the UCA Bookstore.

UCA Official Ring Students can order the official UCA ring March 2 and 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the UCA Bookstore. The ring is reserved exclusively for students who have completed 60 credit hours.

Oldest building on campus is nationally recognized g

by Brad Smith Staff Writer

Old Main, the former UCA administration building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Feb. 11, making it an official historic building.

The building was named to the register because of its significance to education in Arkansas and because of its unique design.

Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication Gayle Seymour, helped to nominate the building, said the building was an important part of UCA’s expansion to a four-year university after World War I. Seymour also said the building is the oldest building on campus and the second building ever constructed at UCA. She said she nominated Old Main because of its age and because the building is in such great condition. Location was also important to the building’s nomination.

“UCA is lucky to have its showpiece in the middle of the campus,” Seymour said.

“Many campuses grow away from their old buildings and they end up on the edge of

their campuses.”

Seymour said she feels like this is a great way to show that Conway respects its old buildings and wants to restore and cherish them.

“Conway has a bad track record of tearing down old buildings,” Seymour said.

“CBC and Hendrix both tore theirs down.

It’s easier and more efficient to tear them down.”

A unique feature of the building is its limestone columns which have tobacco leaf capitals modeled after the columns at the U.S. Capital.

UCA Archivist and author of “The Centennial History of the University of Central Arkansas” Jimmy Bryant said that Old Main has been a central part of UCA since it was built. Bryant said that when the building was built in 1919, it was built so that an auditorium could be added on later.

When Ida Waldran Auditorium was added on during the mid-1930s, Old Main became the center of entertainment and publicity for UCA. Bryant said everything from plays to a speech by President Ford took place there.

Peter Jennings and Ralph Nader also made

Student Activity Fee Allocation applications are due March 1 by 4 p.m. for organizations wishing to receive funding in the fall. SGA has made a few changes to the SAFA process that may affect some organizations.

There will be meetings held in the SGA office Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 and 24 during x-period to answer any questions individuals or organizations may have about the changes in the SAFA funding policies.

Vice President of Finance Kyle Boyd said that of the $15.50 students pay in Student Activity funds each semester, SGA receives $10.80.

He said organizations must apply a semester in advance for funding, however, SGA has changed the process for organizations to apply for SAFA funding and for what can be funded.

SGA now only accepts applications submitted online for SAFA funding.

Going green is one of SGA’s goals, he said, and it will take out complications of deciphering handwritten applications and the hassle for organizations to fix mistakes.

“Moving online will have kinks but it’s been

The Upward Bound Summer Academy needs a residence coordinator and five residence assistants to work this summer June 10 – July 22. Applicants must be upperclassmen and preferably have university housing experience. Contact Upward Bound for information at 450-5858 or 454-2462 or email jbeal@uca.edu.

AFA Applications Available Applications for the Association of Future Alumni are available and are due by March 11. AFA is an organization of tradition, networking and volunteerism.

Students can pick applications up at the Student Center information desk, Buffalo Alumni Hall and uca.edu/afa.

Teacher’s Fair UCA Career Services is presenting a job fair to assist students and alumni in finding full-time employment with representatives from different companies and agencies in the Student Center Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2.

See Main - page 2

SGA makes changes to SAFA funding

UCA Alumni Association scholarship applications are available for 2011-12 for incoming and current UCA students. The deadline to turn them in is March 11.

Upward Bound Job Opportunity

Photo by Nick Hillemann

Bill Borden and Dennis Manis from Mid Continental Restoration replace the marble around the windows of Old Main on Feb. 21.

-GOVERNMENT -

by Marisa Hicks

UCA Foundation scholarship applications are available for 2011-12 for incoming and current UCA students. Brochures can be found at uca.edu/go/ foundationscholarships, the Student Center information desk or Buffalo Alumni Hall. The deadline to turn them in is March 11.

4 page 8

Old Main becomes historically significant

Alumni Association Scholarship

Foundation Scholarship

Baseball: Bears sweep Cougars in series with Sunday victory 16-13

Pageant: Senior Portia Cheatham crowned Miss Essence, wins $1,000 scholarship 4 page 4

4 page 3

Thunderstorms

Sports:

Campus Life:

Assistant News Editor

a big goal of mine that will save a lot of paper and the heartache of reading people’s hand writing,” Boyd said.

Junior class representative Rebecca Moye said the online applications make the process of going through applications much cleaner for the SAFA committee.

Boyd said SGA has also extended the time for organizations to make appeals if they need more money by one week. In the past, organizations had two weeks to make an appeal, but now the deadline has been extended to three weeks.

“It’s a small thing but it’s great.

Organizations had two weeks after announced deliberations were made to make an appeal but now they will have a little bit more time to calculate costs to see if they have been allocated enough funds or if they need more,” Boyd said.

A few weeks ago, SGA voted to delete travel and accommodation funding from the SGA constitution.

Vice President of Operations Kyle Moix said cutting the funding for travel to places off campus was the biggest change to the SAFA

See SAFA - page 2

-AC TIVIT Y -

Campus gets nine new RSOs; Others expected to be added

by Jeanette Anderton Staff Writer

UCA has nine new Recognized Student Organizations so far this semester, with the expectation of quite a few more.

“We have a lot still pending,” Whitney Dickerson, graduate assistant for the office of Student Life, said.

Dickerson said all nine new RSOs were turned in within a month of each other.

“This is probably the most we’ve had all at once, but so far everything is running smoothly,” she said. “It helps when everything is filled out completely and turned in on time, and for the most part this semester they have been.”

The new RSOs, which include The Edge, Student Graphics Designers, Green Community Club, Real Beauty, Students in Free Enterprise,

Greenhouse Club, Indian Student Association, Religious Study Club and Student Special Interest Group, provide a variety of options for students.

Junior Seth Flynt, president of the Edge, said, “We are a group of UCA students who want to have an edge, an advantage, in life based on biblical principles.”

He said the group is a ministry.

“We believe that following biblical principles will give you an edge in every area of life, whether it is physical, financial, spiritual or any area,” Flynt said.

Senior Drew Spurgers, president of SIFE, said, “Students in Free Enterprise combines views from the business curriculum and social responsibility in order to give back to the community from what you’ve learned.”

See RSO - page 2

-EVENT -

- AWA R D -

Student receives $4,000 SURF grant; Group to raise suicide awareness

Research to be done summer 2011

by Lisa Burnett Entertainment Editor

Junior biology major and anthropology minor Lennon Bates is going above and beyond to achieve what she wants to do in her future.

Bates was awarded a $4,000 grant at the end of last semester, the beginning of Dec. 2010. The grant was awarded to Bates for research that she is doing with associate professor of chemistry Karen Steelman.

The grant was through the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

“When I found out I got the grant, I was really excited because I get the summer to work on my project and I will be able to have the time to do so,” Bates said.

Bates received this grant to work on her project of a plasma oxidation system with multiple chambers so projects will go along faster.

“Dr. Steelman gathered samples from cave paintings from the Martu people in Australia.

These samples go through the plasma

Index 4 Opinion 4 Campus Life 4 Entertainment 4 Sports

3 4 7 8

oxidation to give them dates and figure out how old this rock art actually is,” Bates said.

Steelman said that the Martu people were a hunter-gatherer community in Australia and were one of the last tribes on earth to see white westerners.

When the rock art is oxidized, carbon dioxide is extracted from it, which tells how old the sample is. UCA currently has a plasma oxidation system with one chamber.

“I got these samples from cave paintings in Australia. They were from an aboriginal tribe there, and this information that we gather from dating the paintings will be used to interpret these paintings and know how old they are. Anthropologists assist us with this project,” Steelman said.

Steelman said she was also excited for Bates to receive this grant. She sent out an e-mail to all of her students telling them about this grant. Bates came to her and told her she wanted to apply for the SURF grant.

“I was so excited for Lennon when I found

See Grant - page 2

by Lee Hogan Staff Writer

The UCA Student Nurses Association (SNA) to remember a fellow nursing program student on March 12 the “Out of Darkness Walk” event at UCA. Scott Byrd, president of SNA, said after one of thestudents in the nursing program committed suicide last year, the mother of the student came to the SNA. “His mom got in contact with us and that’s how we found about these walks,” Byrd said.

Poonam Patel, vice president of SNA, who is also a part of the UCA Chapter of SNA, said the student’s mother suggested trying to do a walk in the student’s honor.

Byrd said this is the first “Out of Darkness Walk” event in Arkansas.

“We just think suicide is something that’s affected everyone.

It is something we feel passionate about and wanted to work with, so here we are,” Byrd said.

Patel said

Next Issue:

Contact Us:

Board of Trustees vote on fee increases for room and board

Phone: 450-3446 E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

all organizations at UCA, including fraternities, sororities and alumni groups were invited to the event.

As of Feb. 16, Patel said six groups had signed up and all six were personal groups, including one who is participating in honor of another student who committed suicide, and over $8,400 in donations had been raised.

The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) receives half of the proceeds of the event while the other half goes to the Arkansas chapter of AFSP. Byrd said nursing programs from across the state were invited to come and many have given verbal commitments to come.

“The nursing programs at UAMonticello, Harding, UAMS and ASUJonesboro have all said they would be attending,” Byrd said.

One of the goals of this event is to help facilitate the UCA Counseling Center’s interactive screening process,

See Awareness - page 2

Feral Cats Students should not feed cats found around campus

page 3 © 2011 The Echo, Printed at the Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Ark.

2 / February 23, 2011

NEWS

Police Beat

ucaecho.net

- G O V E R N M E N T-

The following reports and arrests are from the UCAPD docket. UCAPD reports any tickets issued as arrests, according to Lt. Rhonda Swindle.

SGA votes on fee increases to benefit HPER

by Marisa Hicks Assistant News Editor

Student found urinating under stop light

Nonstudent found hiding intoxicated behind truck

Student Alexander Avard, 19, was found by UCAPD Feb. 19 urinating under the stop light next to College Street by Augusta Avenue.

When the officer approached him and asked for identification, Avard said, “I was just peeing.”

Avard reeked of alcohol and his eyes were glassy and dilated. As he spoke to the officer he continued to sway back and forth.

He was charged with disorderly conduct.

Nonstudent Joseph Caffrey, 19, was found hiding behind a Dodge pickup truck behind Apartment 4 on 1965 Torreyson Street around midnight Feb. 15.

Officers drove by several times and watched as Caffrey moved to a different spot behind the truck so as not to be seen.

The officers noticed his speech was slurred while questioning him.

While searching Caffrey officers found a pill bottle containing 4.5 Xanax bars, a purple straw and a bottle of Clear Eyes. He was then charged with public intoxicataion, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and was banned from campus.

Fraternity chants lead to arrest UCAPD received a noise compliant Feb. 16 at 11:49 p.m. coming from the Sigma Phi Epsilon house. When the officer asked if he could come inside the unnamed student at the door said no so he asked to see the president or the next person in charge.

Vice President James Sanders, 22, came to the door after the officer stood behind the door listening to the scurry of students picking up and hiding cans when someone yelled “it’s the police.”

Sanders let the officer in and was told to keep things quiet. The officer told him to constrain individuals from screaming the chant in the courtyard.

As officers observed the area to locate noise violations, they saw two individuals leave the house.

One of the individuals was identified as student Olen Goodner, 19, who immediately turned and quickly walked back toward the house when the officer identified himself and told them to stop.

The officer could smell alcohol him and escorted him outside where he conducted the Terry search.

The officer arrested Goodner for minor in possession of alcohol and public intoxication.

Nonstudent charged with public intoxication when found driving with open beer UCAPD stopped a truck at Fox Run Apartments around 8 p.m. for expired tags where an officer confronted nonstudent Tiffany Spand, 21.

Spand had an open case of Bud Light beer in her passenger seat. She admitted to the officer that she had been drinking and that the bottle at the top of the box was the beer she was drinking while driving.

Spand did not smell of alcohol but her eyes appeared to be glassy and her pupils were dilated.

The officer told her to get out of the vehicle so he could determine if she was okay to drive. During the HGN test she unbuttoned her shirt and the officer instructed her to button it back.

Other than admitting to drinking she showed no evidence of intoxication and was charged with failing to pay registration fees and public intoxication.

Grant:

Student hopes to use money toward studying Australian peoples 4 Continued

from page 1

out she got the grant. She had to write a proposal, which is not easy, and had to write a lot of background information on the project telling what she wanted to do. What you do in the lab is different from writing it down on paper. The grant will give her a stipend so she will be able to

stay in Conway this summer and work on the project, and she’ll get some money for travel costs and supplies,” Steelman said.

Bates said she is hopeful for what the future will hold with her project and the impact it will make on the people that are being directly affected by this carbon

Awareness:

Professor encourages students to speak with professionals 4 Continued

from page 1

which was designed by the AFSP, Byrd said.

The screening process allows students to go online anonymously and complete a questionnaire, Byrd said.

“Certain answers to certain questions get flagged and then that information is sent to a counselor and through that the counselor contacts the student,” he said. “This process is still anonymous. All they(the counselors) know is the email address of the student.”

Byrd said the student and counselor can then talk via email or the counselor can invite the student to meet face-to-face if the student chooses to do so.

“It takes a proactive approach to the problem,” Byrd said. “Right now UCA has links on its website and if you have a problem you have to go to them. With this we go to you if you are having problems.”

Byrd said the SNA would like to make this event annual.

“It has turned into a much larger event this year than we thought it would be and we would like to be able to keep it going in the future and make this an annual event,” Byrd said.

Registration for the event is free for everyone, but donations are welcome.

“We suggest registering

“When you see a statistic that says one in every 12 college students has made a suicide plan it gets your attention” -Poonam Patel, Vice President of SNA online,” Byrd said. “You can do that at campuswalks.org. The link to our walk is on the right side of the page.”

dating.

“I think this will be great for the Martu people in the western Australian outback. I think it will help the chemistry department as a whole to get work done faster and I believe that I will be able to benefit from it too,” Bates said.

Bates said she has big plans for her future after graduating in May of 2012.

“I really want to get a graduate degree in forensic anthropology at Texas State University in San Marcos,” Bates said.

Byrd said registration would be available online until March 11 at noon and teams can register at 8:30 am March 12 at the Alumni Pavilion.

Food and drinks will be provided after the walk at the Alumni Pavilion.

Patel said everyone who feels interested in coming to the event should do so.

“Come out and help spread the word about preventing suicide,” Patel said. “While we were doing research we found a few statistics that really shocked us. When you see a statistic that says one in every 12 college students has made a suicide plan, it gets your attention. It got our attention for sure.”

Byrd said everyone should come to the event because suicide is something that has affected everyone, but is rarely talked about.

“Everybody knows someone that has committed suicide or has a friend who has had a family member commit suicide,” Byrd said. “It is such a big deal and we tend to hide it when this happens when we really need to get awareness out and prevent this from happening.”

In the past three weeks, SGA has voted in favor of three fee increases and voted that if funds cannot be made, then fees will be prioritized, giving assured funding to the Student Center.

The senate took a majority vote to increase the Student Center fee by $2. Student Center fees have not been increased since it was built and it cannot run by itself anymore, Director of the Student Center Hank Phwelps said.

Phelps said leftover money will be put into a reserve account after immediate requirements are met. The Student Center does not receive any funding from the university and the fee increase passed unanimously.

The senate voted 35-1 to increase fees no more than $4.62 per credit hour a semester to go toward the HPER center, preferring that the board of trustees decides to choose the expansion plan that includes a 25-yard pool. Resulting in a $5.12 fee increase, the senate voted that $0.50 per credit hour of existing funds be added to the HPER center budget from the

current Student Center fees to pay for maintenance of the Farris softball fields.

For the average freshman, the fee increases will cost about $200 a semester.

Sophomore Representative Joseph Ganann proposed to the senate that instead of building a new pool, the pool in the Farris Center should be renovated.

President Meghan Thompson said should an option including a pool be selected by the university, the pool in the Farris Center would be filled in to be used as a space to practice or for classrooms.

Director of the HPER Dave Dennis said in 2007, costs for the expansion were half of what they are now and if the project keeps being held off it will only continue to get more expensive.

Including operating costs of staff, pool maintenance, equipment costs and utilities and the state required transfer fee of $2.50 per square foot, the current cost estimates of fee increases per credit hour for the HPER expansion are: $3.25 with no pool, $4.62 with 25-yard pool and $5.35 with 50 meter pool.

Executive Vice President Austin Hall said two new computers, a Mac and a Dell,

were added to the Marlene Le Duc Resource Center.

He also said the Town Hall meeting that was scheduled yeterday that would decide whether or not to convert Farris into the Honors College. The first floor will be renovated into classrooms and the second and third floors would be for residents.

Vice President of Operations Kyle Moix presented the design for the Green Day and Pizza Wars event set for March 15.

The sophomore class reported the markings will be made in the location where the mural selected from the mural project will be placed this week.

The junior class reported they are working on deciding what color the bikes for the HPER should be from The Ride.

Sophomore senator at large Lynn Nguyen said the reports from the email surveys showed that students are satisfied with their email servers but would like to have Google.

Hall said it will cost a million dollars for a green or gray and purple turf to be put on the baseball and softball fields. It will take 10 years to pay back the costs and will bring in $700,000 after that, paying for itself.

Main:

Historic campus district to be nominated into national registry 4 Continued

from page 1

speeches in the building.

A famous and less significant part of UCA’s history also took place in the building. UCA President Nolen Irby created the Baby of Arts Degree, which was awarded to the children of graduating seniors. Bryant said the program was covered by national news organizations.

“President Irby thought it would be nice to do something for the kids,” Bryant said. “So they would give the kid a degree too.”

Bryant also said that he felt Old Main was a very important part of the campus “It’s vital to UCA and it deserves recognition because of the role it’s had at UCA,” Bryant

SAFA:

SGA cuts travel funds, hopes to benefit more students 4 Continued

from page 1

funding policy.

“Not many school’s SGAs fund travel. The history of how it started here at UCA is hard to find, but it started five years ago. It was an experiment that hung around and everyone since has hated it. By cutting travel

expenses, there will be more money to allocate for student activities,” Moix said.

He said it doesn’t take much away from organizations traveling to an event anyway because SGA could only fund a small portion of the cost, but it will help other

RSO:

New RSO hopes to take away “mean girl” effect and love themselves 4 Continued

from page 1

Sophomore Joel Ludford, president of the Greenhouse Community Club, said he is very proud of everything that the club has done so far and hopes for the club to continue to grow and prosper in the future.

Although the group is young, the Greenhouse Community Club has already accomplished a lot.

It participated in the Great Power Race, which is an international competition between the United States, India and China. The object of the race is to earn the most points

by completing campus greening projects.

The UCA Greenhouse Community Club placed fifth in the nation and 15th out of 998 teams worldwide.

President of the Student Graphics Designers club, senior Emily Powell said, “Although there are a lot of clubs for art students on campus, there really wasn’t a group specifically for studio students. That’s the need this club fulfills.”

Powell said right now the club’s focus is on finding a

said.

Although the building is on the registry, Seymour said that the university’s hands are not tied by the honor.

“If UCA decides to tear the building down later, it is just taken off of the national registry,” she said.

Seymour said her next step will be to nominate a historic district to the national registry.

The district will include Old Main and several other buildings at UCA, including Wingo Hall, which Seymour said has been altered too much to be nominated on its own.

events to be funded because covering travel costs was one of SGA’s biggest expenditures.

Boyd said SGA will still cover the cost of registration fees up to $1,000, just not the airfare or lodging costs.

He said that SGA would like to diversify what students do on campus and by not funding travel fees for five students to go on a trip a wide variety and larger number of students can be reached by an on-campus event.

SAFA packets are due online

by March 1 and hearings will be scheduled for the 7-10, he said.

freelance chair and an event coordinator to set up workshops and lectures. The club also does graphic work for some of the clubs on campus.

Post-graduate senior Amber Sellers, president of Real Beauty, said the club encourages everyone to love themselves.

“Right now the group is all females, but anyone can join.”

Sellers said the club plans to speak at middle schools and high schools in the area, and that she hopes to have a positive impact on students’ self esteem.

“Our message is to love yourself for who you are,” she said.

She said she hopes to destroy the “mean girl” effect.

Dickerson said, “It’s a blessing if they can keep [the clubs] going throughout the years.”

ASSOCIATION OF FUTURE ALUMNI APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE! Pick up applications at Student Center Info Desk, Buffalo Alumni Hall or uca.edu/afa

AFA MEMBERS: UÊ-« à ÀÊ>VÌ Û Ì iÃÊ> `ÊiÛi ÌÃÊÌ Ê Ê VÀi>ÃiÊÃÌÕ`i ÌÊ>Ü>Ài iÃÃÊ vÊÌ iÊ Ê 1 Ê Õ Ê Ãà V >Ì ° UÊ ÃÌ ÊÌ iÊë À ÌÊ vÊÌÀ>` Ì ]Ê Ê Û Õ ÌiiÀ à Ê> `Ê« > Ì À «ÞÊ Ê > }ÊÃÌÕ`i ÌÃÊ> `Ê> Õ °

Make

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

4:30 p.m., March 11, 2011 BUFFALO ALUMNI HALL

and get

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ]ÊV> Ê501-852-7463 ÀÊi > Êhcrafton@uca.edu.

Opinion

3

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

The Voice

February 23, 2011

Board should vote to expand dining options

L

The Echo Staff Wild cats may cause problems, damage w

w

w

For as long as I have been at UCA, there know I would not put up with something like has always been a constant presence on the that. campus lurking in the shadows. There is a They can also cause untold amounts of thing that skulks around the buildings and damage to property, especially during the runs through the bushes, rustling them as winter. You may be asking yourself how. Well, you walk by. Of course, I am talking about the when it is cold outside cats will climb up infestation of the pack inside the engine of of feral cats that live cars to stay warm. If a on and around the person goes to get in campus area. their car and doesn’t For the longest know the cat is in there, time they have been that person is going to the source of student be forking over a nice

by Ben Keller amusement and chunk of cash to get the Sports Editor happily ate leftover mess removed. Plus, scraps people have left it was the senseless, out for them, but they accidental death of have started to become animal that could have a nuisance and are growing in number. While been prevented if there had just been some they do need to be contained, it has to be done animal control done. humanely. Even though a number of them, if People also need to realize that trying to not all, are completely wild and feral now, they take them in is not a good idea. Those are not are still cats. domesticated cats anymore. They were born The thing that I have seen is that the cats in the wild so they aren’t going to behave like a are moving out of UCA and are starting to normal cat and that could end up disastrous. invade people’s yards and apartment lawns Just follow some simple rules and treat them that jut up to the campus. Yes, they are like you would any other wild animal because spreading. I have heard about and seen the that is what they are now. Do not give the cats going after other people’s small animals things any food because they will congregate as well when they let them outside. That is a in one area. huge safety concern for pet owners. There is My freshman year, they always stayed no telling how many diseases those wild cats outside the back door of State and the whole could have and if they are going to go after area had the bad smell of cat. The last thing pets, it is only a matter of time before someone anyone needs to do is to try and take one into gets bit by one. It would be aggravating for campus housing. anyone if every time they went out in their own So next time you see one of these cats on backyard, they have to kick out and scare away campus, realize that it isn’t a house cat, it is a cat just so their own animal can go outside. I now a wild animal living on campus.

Taylor Lowery Editor & Opinion Editor

Preston Tolliver Associate Editor

Mary DeLoney News Editor

Marisa Hicks Assistant News Editor

Julian Spivey Campus Life Editor

Lisa Burnett Entertainment Editor

Ben Keller Sports Editor

Allison Hartman Assistant Sports Editor

Nick Hillemann

Student ponders future in night hours

Photo Editor

Alex Chalupka Web Editor

Heather Chiddix Editorial Cartoonist

Lance Coleman Feature Cartoonist

w

w

w

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

Got Letters?

Comments or complaints about content of The Echo or in reference to anything on campus should be registered with the newspaper by letters or e-mail to the editors. All letters must be limited to 300 words and include the author’s name and phone number. All letters may be published unless they are marked private.

Letters may be edited for style, clarity and length.

Editorials written in The Voice express the opinion of the newspaper and the editorial staff. Individual staff opinions are expressed in individual columns.

The Echo office is located in Bernard Hall 003

It’s dark outside – way past any reasonable I do not. hour for sleep. The chirp of crickets and hum This is where I have been for the past year, of cicadas permeates my bedroom walls. stranded at the intersection of Fear and Doubt.

Exasperated, I tug at my hair. I have been at I have outlined countless career paths and the computer for hours, searching, hunting, possible plans of study for the next three years. begging for an idea. What do I want to do with I’ve wasted an ungodly amount of time my life? matching majors with minors that I’ve become What a loaded question. a pro. I’ve done so much research that I could So many options. So many potential just about give you the most recent projections salaries. So many educational backgrounds. So and job outlooks on almost any career that’s many beginnings. So many endings. But I have out there. no passion in any.

And the sad thing is, I know what I want to I have no experience, no epiphany, which do, I just have no idea how I should get there. reveals the path to Unfortunately they don’t take—my path to take. offer degrees in saving All I have is endless the world. information on the But this is something things I could do, the everyone goes through things I should do. at some point at least

by Jillian Browder I should want a once, right?

Staff Writer career. I should want It’s something all a steady, healthy those that have come paycheck, a secure job, before me have survived a mortgage, a plan. But and all those that I don’t know if I do. come after will make This feeling of uncertainty, this feeling of it through. So why am I so stressed? Why do I guideless ambition—a mixture of failure, loss, have to know now? Why indeed. They say that and potential—snakes in my core. All I can do college is the place to find yourself, to try it all is compare. Compare myself to future doctors, out and see what fits best. the future neurosurgeon and the future Well that’s all fine and dandy if you have cardiologist that sit next to me in economics. an unlimited amount of time on your hands Or maybe I should compare myself to the and more importantly an unlimited bank photojournalist—who, though still in high account to fund the soul-searching. But for school, already has a job waiting for him at the those of us that are funding ourselves or are Associated Press. But I can’t leave out the future on scholarships that only last for so many hairdresser I sit next to in my church youth semesters, there’s no time and sure as heck no group. Oh! And of course there is the next best money to waste. thing in Disney animation from AP studio art I So here I am. also have the privilege to call friend.

Still at my computer.

The point in unity being, they have a plan, Still in the dark.

Newsroom: 501-450-3446 ucaechoeditor@gmail.com http://www.ucaecho.net David Keith, Adviser

Advertising

Have an opinion?

Everyone does.

Write a letter to the editor at

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

Advertising: 499-9UCA (822)

Letters to the editor don’t just have to be about Echo content. If you’ve noticed

echonewspaperads@gmail.com

something on campus that’s positive or negative, we want to hear about it.

Jonathan Spurr, Business Manager Brandi Sadler, Advertising Director

(Follow the guidelines in the Got Letters? column to the left)

iving on campus isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

For one, students are often forced into a cramped room with a complete stranger, and they’re expected to play nice.

Another problem is being a freshman, relishing in the sudden freedom of being away from your parents and realizing that college is not a cake walk, and you have to learn to be responsible all on your own.

Finally, but not least importantly, is the food.

Students are often limited to eating what is available on campus, whether it be the problem of driving somewhere else or paying for food without your meal plan. The last thing a student wants is a limited number of options and a small window of time that each option is open.

The Department of Housing and Residence Life is currently looking for a way to fix this nasty problem for students, and it has started by seeking approval of the Student Government Association.

The proposal: a 3.8 percent increase in the board plans, which includes student meal plans.

At the Dec. 6 SGA meeting, Rick McCullum, director of Housing and Residence Life, made the proposal of increasing the room rates by 3 percent and the board rates by 3.8 percent.

McCullum said later that the 3 percent increase on the room rate essentially covers annual inflation. The board rate, however, would be increaed by 3.8 percent in an effort to add more dining options for students, change some existing options and extend hours of other dining options.

In the December meeting when SGA approved the increases, Executive Vice President Austin Hall said some of the ideas being discussed were an Einstein Bros. Bagels in the College of Business, which would likely be finished by fall of 2011, a McAlister’s Deli in Burdick Hall and the replacement of Grill Works in the Student Center food court with Burger Studio.

He said other funding would go to an “eco grill,” renovations in Christian Cafeteria and a refurbished Bear Cart.

SGA’s main point of concern with the issue was the additional $75 of declining cash balance (DCB), which would be included in the meal plans.

It looks like everyone has been thorough in their research, however, because an ARAMARK representative said the decision was based on feedback by 1,300 students.

McCullum said in February that the increase in the meal plan would be necessary to prove to potential businesses, like Einstein Bros. and McAlister’s, that students would have the money to spend to make the businesses worthwhile.

There are a number of reasons the board of trustees should vote to approve the increase.

For one, expanding hours in Christian Cafeteria, the Student Center food court or even Starbucks will make a big difference to students. Dining hours are awfully limited to students, which likely forces many students to eat off campus and use illegal microwaves in the dorms.

Another major benefit to extended dining options would be keeping students on campus who shouldn’t be driving. Despite the fact that alcohol isn’t allowed on campus or in campus apartments, it undoubtedly exists and better, later dining options could keep tipsy students off the road in search of a late-night snack.

Expanding out meal options has another major upside: UCA could use more positive things to give the school a competitive edge against other universities, and a wide variety of places to eat could be what sets UCA apart from another school.

It may sound silly, but students are concerned with a lot more than academics when choosing a college.

The UCA Board of Trustees is set to vote on these increases Friday at 2 p.m. Hopefully they will see the positive impact this could have for all students on campus, from freshman forced to live in dorms to students in the honors college who are tired of years of having to leave campus for a late meal.

The benefits are worth the money for students and should be thoroughly considered for these reasons by the board.

The Echo is printed weekly at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, Ark. Decisions about content are made by the student editors.

The views published are not necessarily those of the University of Central Arkansas. All material is subject to respective copyrights.

Hopefully [the board] will see the positive impact this could have for all students on campus, from freshman forced to live in dorms to students in the honors college who are tired of years of leaving campus for a late meal.

Campus Life

4

February 23, 2011

Cheatham takes home Miss Essence crown, scholarship

by Jeanette Anderton Staff Writer

Senior Portia Cheatham was crowned Miss Essence 2011 on Thursday evening, winning a $1,000 scholarship.

She was sponsored by the UCA Chapter of Keep a Child Alive.

“It’s remarkable,” Cheatham said after Thursday night’s pageant in Reynolds Performance Hall.

“Words can’t explain what it means to me. I have competed in Miss Essence twice in the past. This just goes to show you, never give up.”

Cheatham was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants and also won the evening gown and personal interview portions of the pageant.

In the lobby were seven jars with each of the contestants’ names on them. Throughout the pageant, audience members were encouraged to make a People’s Choice vote by making a donation into the jar of the contestant of their choice.

The winner of the People’s Choice Award was freshman LaTeisha Miller.

All donations collected went to the corresponding contestant’s charity.

Senior Joy Spellman won the talent competition with a dramatic dance and was second runner-up overall.

“When one door in your life closes, another one opens,” Spellman said.

Junior Candice Bailey was first runner-up and was acknowledged for having the highest GPA of the

Nick Hillemann photo

Freshman Chennetta Edmondson walks across the Reynolds Performance Hall stage during the Miss Essence pageant on Thursday, Feb. 17. Senior Portia Cheatham won the Miss Essence crown. contestants.

“I was very excited. First runner-up is a big responsibility,” Bailey said. “It was fun to be here and support the other girls. It was an amazing experience.”

The pageant was enjoyed by the almost packed house.

Brittney Bennett, Miss Essence 2010, thrilled the crowd with her voice as she sang Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All” to open the show.

The cheers from the audience only got louder during the swimwear competition.

After the talent competition, Alyse Eady, 2010 Miss Arkansas and 2011 Miss America first runner-

-LECTURE-

Professors talk about Darwinism in Arkansas

up, performed for the crowd.

Eady, whose ventriloquism has been seen on the “Late Show with David Letterman”, said to the crowd, “As you may have noticed in my introduction, I graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, so I hope you don’t mind if I sing a little gospel.”

Eady and one of her puppets performed “High and Mighty.” The audience seemed delighted with her choice.

“I loved her performance,” freshman Miranda Devine said. “It was funny. She is very talented.”

After a short intermission and the evening gown competition, the contestants competed in the onstage question portion.

Each contestant was asked a question about the platform she had chosen for the pageant.

Cheatham’s platform was AIDS/HIV Awareness for Children. She said it is important for us to be talking to the younger children in schools and at home.

“Awareness is the key,” she said.

The contestants then got a treat of their own before enduring the seemingly endless wait while the judges made their decision. Phi Mu Alpha serenaded the contestants, singing Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

After a final farewell to Bennett, the emcees announced the judges’ decision.

The 36th annual Miss Essence Scholarship Pageant, which was sponsored by Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, awarded over $2,500 in scholarships Thursday night thanks to local businesses.

LIGHTS, CAMERA

by Shea Higgerson Staff Writer

Professors from the Department of Philosophy and Religion spoke at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on Saturday to clarify misconceptions about Darwinism and explain its history in Arkansas.

“The word ‘Darwin’ brings up controversy,” professor Jesse Butler said.

He said there is a “false dichotomy” between Darwinists and theologians which presents Darwinists as atheists and theologians as people who are unaccepting of the theory of evolution. He explained the meaning of Darwin’s theories of evolution and natural selection, as well as the definition of theory.

“A theory is well substantiated by a tremendous amount of evidence,” he said. “It’s not just a hypothesis that was made up.”

Butler also explained the ideas found in Charles Darwin’s “Origin of Species” and the misconceptions associated with it. He said the goal of Darwin’s book was not to present a theory on the origins of life, but rather it was to provide an explanation for the evolution of species.

He said that Darwin’s theory is not in conflict with scientific laws, including the second law of thermodynamics, which others claim challenges Darwin’s theory. He also said the Creationist method starts with an idea then searches for evidence, while scientific theory begins with evidence then develops an idea.

He went into detail about the “argument from design,” and said Darwin’s theory is a challenge to this idea, but it was not the first challenge. He said Darwinism is compatible with theism and the idea that there is a god, but is incompatible with Genesis.

“There’s still room to be a theist and accept Darwin’s theory,” he said.

Professor Jeff Williams spoke about Darwinism’s effect on American religious thought from 1797 to 1920 and went into greater detail on other modernisms that challenged theology, such as higher criticism of Biblical scripture. He said the primary issue was how to accommodate scripture to the new learning and vice versa.

He spoke about Darwin’s “Descent of Man,” which taught that humans are also a product of natural selection, and that natural selection works by itself and does not need supernatural intervention.

Professor Phillip Spivey finished the lecture with a history of Darwinian evolution in Arkansas. He wanted to “take the issue more locally” and see how it had an impact on the Arkansas education system. He explored Arkansas’ Anti-Evolution Law, Epperson v. Arkansas and McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education.

The Arkansas Baptist Convention formally rejected Darwinian evolution in 1924 and in 1927 the anti-evolution debates began in the Arkansas legislature. He said teaching evolution was one of the most controversial subjects in the education system and Epperson

Junior Kathy Hill “Korean, because hopefully I will go to Korea this summer.”

Lukas Deem photo

Professor Jeff Williams speaks about how Darwinism affected American religious thought at Brewer-Hegeman on Feb. 19. v. Arkansas challenged the legality of the anti-evolution laws.

Spivey said Susan Epperson’s argument in Epperson v. Arkansas was that science should not answer god questions and religion should not answer science questions. He agreed, saying that scientists are searching for truth in a scientific way and theologians are searching for truth in a religious way.

“I hope the theory of evolution will continue to insight courageous individuals who search for truth,” he said.

Senior religious studies and creative writing major Landon Glover said he liked the stance the professors took on the subject because they didn’t make the issue between science and religion a head-to-head issue, but instead made them compatible.

“It’s not science versus religion,” he said. “There are a lot of ways that science and religion are similar and they both answer important questions.”

Nick Hillemann photo

Channel 7 news reporter and UCA alumni Michelle Rupp interviews freshman Stacy Evilsizer about how the snow days affected classes.

Students Say story and photos by Lukas Deem

Junior Fiona Fang “I would like to learn French because I think Paris is a beautiful city.”

“What language would you most like to learn?”

Junior Mariam Khan “I want to learn Arabic because I can read it already but not comprehend it yet.”

Freshman Sarah Purdiman “French. I think it’s sexy.

I would also like to learn Spanish because it would be very helpful in the workplace.”

Freshman Yusuf Kirkyasaroglu “I would like to learn Spanish because I want to visit Spain someday.”

Freshman Hayley Burton “I already know Spanish and have studied it for about three years, but I would like to become fluent so I can go on mission trips in South America.”

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / c ampu s -life

Freshman Julian Porch “I would learn Chinese because my mom and grandma are Chinese.”

Senior Kendra Stuart “I would like to learn Spanish because it is pretty and practical.”

ucaecho.net

CAMPUS LIFE

KODIAK MOMENT

‘Fort Devens’ play dramatic, stylistic

by Andrew McClain Staff Writer

e

Rose Cowling photo

David D. Robertson speaks to students about the experiences of living with HIV on Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the Student Center Ballroom. Robertson has lived with HIV since 2006.

Robertson speaks to students on HIV Staff Writer

Speaker David D. Robertson spoke to students on Tuesday about his experiences being HIVpositive and told the audience about the importance of being knowledgeable and responsible about sexually transmitted diseases.

Robertson said he has been HIV-positive since 2006, but did not find out he was infected until June 19, 2007. Since finding out he contracted HIV, Robertson has been speaking to audiences everywhere to warn them about the hardships and to inform them on how to avoid becoming infected.

“If I did not open up my mouth and tell you my story, your blood would be on my hands,” he said.

The lecture began with a video called “Helping Innocent Vessels,” during which the audience was able to hear part of Robertson’s story and see him at a time when the disease was taking a physical toll on his body. The video also showed Robertson’s brother, Harry, who also has HIV. Robertson encouraged students in the audience to

be responsible and become educated about STDs. “You are book smart, but you’re street dumb,” he said.

“Educate yourself.”

He also encouraged the audience to get tested for HIV and other STDs, because he said one in 22 people on earth has HIV and doesn’t know it. He emphasized that students should have their partners or friends go get tested with them.

“Do me a favor. Know the truth,” he said. “Get tested.”

Angela Jackson, director of Minority Services, said Robertson was asked to speak as part of Black History Month and because audiences usually only hear the point of view of a female infected with HIV instead of a male.

“It’s a word that all young college students, especially our black men, needed to hear,” she said.

Senior Ron Moris said he thought the lecture was very enlightening and influential because there was no sugar coating. He said it makes you “ask yourself what risks do you want to take.”

“Make sure you make the right decisions,” Moris said.

Robertson emphasized throughout the lecture the

importance of being educated about STDs because he knew “what HIV looked like” because his brother was already infected, but he still contracted the disease. He said he tried to kill himself three times after he was diagnosed because he knew he would have to deal with physical pain and depression.

“When you know better but you don’t do better, then you choose to stay in that ignorant position,” he said.

After Robertson was diagnosed, he said his mother gave him tough love and motivation to better his situation, but his father disowned both Robertson and his brother. He said only one of his friends from before he contracted HIV is still friends with him and the rest left him at his most vulnerable.

He said youth in today’s society often go further than a kiss on the first date and the media hasn’t helped in promoting the practice of safe sex. He said while mediums such as BET air commercials about getting tested for HIV, they will also show music videos and celebrities promoting promiscuity.

“They don’t care about you,” he said. “They care about money.”

- D O N AT I O N -

Blood drive helps replace uncollected units

by Simon Gable Staff Writer

UCA hosted a blood drive for the American Red Cross from Tuesday, Feb. 15 through Thursday, Feb. 17 in the Student Center Courtyard.

Donor Recruitment Manager Sandy Goodwin said: “We [American Red Cross] have two blood drives per semester on the UCA campus. We also have a small blood drive on campus over the summer break.”

This particular blood drive was important because the severe weather across the country resulted in thousands of units of blood going uncollected in the month of January and early February, according to redcrossblood.org.

“We have blood drives every day all over the state of Arkansas and across the United States. Arkansas alone brings in around 500 units of blood per day,” Goodwin said.

“The inclement weather forced us to lose over 30,000 units of blood simply because we couldn’t collect it. In fact, the American Red Cross issued a national emergency and started Recovery 2011 [a national appeal to recover the units of lost blood] for the month of February,” Goodwin said.

All the blood collected at the blood drives is sent around the country to hospitals supported by the American Red Cross, according to redcrossblood.org

by Lance Coleman

-REVIEW-

-LECTURE-

by Shea Higgerson

February 23, 2011 / 5

The American Red Cross team collecting blood at UCA is part of the Greater Ozarks Arkansas region, Goodwin said.

“All of the blood we collect is sent to the 60 hospitals we supply around the state, including Conway Regional Medical Center,” she said.

Blood received by the hospitals is used mainly for blood transfusions, Goodwin said.

“However, donors should be aware that each unit collected can be used to save up to three lives if the blood is broken down into components,” she said.

While the American Red Cross team lacked the funds for on-site blood screening, all of the blood received goes through the strictest tests possible, Goodwin said.

“Every single unit of blood collected is tested in a National American Red Cross Laboratory,” she said.

“While no test for blood is 100 percent accurate, we assure the public that the blood is tested to the safest level humanly possible,” she said.

Sophomore and first-time blood donor Ashley Woodle was one student who contributed to Recovery 2011.

“I have always been scared of needles,” she said.

“But knowing that my blood can help save a life makes it all worth it,” The American Red Cross received an average of 60 pints of blood per day while on campus, Goodwin said.

It’s an odd feeling to walk into Snow Fine Arts Auditorium and find every seat empty after waiting in the lobby for fifteen minutes while ushers check to see if there are seats available.

Dr. Kevin T. Browne’s production of Jeffrey Sweet’s “Court Martial at Fort Devens” ran last week. The play tells the story of several AfricanAmerican Army nurses in 1944 at Fort Devens, Mass. who were ordered to do hospital orderly work instead of serving in their medical capacity.

The play follows their struggle with the racist Army bureaucracy and eventual voluntary courtmartial.

The audience was seated onstage in risers meant to mimic a jury box, which formed the four walls of the set. This device allows the actors a unique opportunity to use stage space in a more natural way, performing to an audience from four alternating angles, rather than the one static angle used in traditional theater. It also allows the audience to look across at another section of the audience. Watching the rest of the audiences and their reaction to the play is also a unique experience.

The rest of the set was minimal, with set changes denoted by the movement of tables and chairs, moved by the cast themselves, and wardrobe changes occurring by freestanding coat racks by the unlit sides of the risers.

The casting was excellent, with each actor complementing the other’s performance.

Dramatic and comedic timing was impeccable and most of the cast had an opportunity to switch roles during the course of the performance, allowing them to show their full range.

Junior Alexandria Smith, sophomore Erica Craig and junior Deborah Oloukun played the central three girls, who represent, historically, a group of about 25 African-American girls who were told to clean latrines instead of doing the medical work they were qualified for. Alum Brittney Christian played a stoic young AfricanAmerican officer who was assigned to their detail, which becomes quite a complex relationship when interests conflict.

Senior DeKevious Wilson played Julian Rainey, a lawyer interested in defending the girls at their court martial. Junior Donnie Dean played an NAACP leader and a young, wounded AfricanAmerican soldier.

One of his lines sits at the heart of the play, as he’s telling Smith’s character, Ginny Boyd, about his own struggles in the US Army, he sympathizes, saying: “I joined to get a piece of one war, end up fighting in another. Welcome to the front, Private Boyd.”

Sophomore Christy Ward and sophomore Joel Ludford played the entirety of the white cast, (seven characters between them, major and minor). Ward played primarily a sympathetic white officer, and Ludford a smug, racist colonel.

Ludford’s character was well-written by Sweet, who gave him well-developed monologues in which he is able to articulate and rationalize his racist decisions, which makes him all the more infuriating.

“Court Martial at Fort Devens” was a dramatic and stylistic success, engaging from beginning to end, with a unique take on set design and minimalist casting. The play presents a well-developed, well-paced take on an underrepresented historical event with a dynamic ensemble cast.

-PERFORMANCE-

Symphony excites Reynolds audience

by Jeanette Anderton Staff Writer

The Conway Symphony Orchestra featured two guest soloists from China, Yuan Wang and Cao Jin, in their performance of “Beauty and the Brahms.”

“We are very excited about the guest soloists,” Allison Vetter, CSO Board of Directors President, said. “This shows we are continuing to foster our relationship with China. We’re really excited about that relationship.”

Wang, who is from Qingdao, China, is spending a semester at UCA. “I love it here at UCA,” Wang said. “It’s very beautiful.”

Wang graduated with honors from the Xi’an Conservatory of Music in 2007 and is working on an advanced degree in music.

She opened Saturday night’s show in Reynolds Performance Hall by playing “Guzheng Fantasy” on the Guzheng.

Jeff Jarvis, CSO board member, said that the Guzheng was a new instrument to CSO. According to the program, the Guzheng is a 21-stringed Chinese zither with a bridge under each string.

The unique looking instrument, which was large enough to require two men to carry it on stage, produced an equally unique sound under the guidance of Wang’s fingers.

“It’s very cool,” freshman Nathan Stobaugh said. “I loved the way she played it. [The sound] reminded me of a harp mixed with a guitar and drums.”

Wang said she also played the instrument at a concert for the Chinese New Year.

Jin followed Wang, singing “Der Holle Rache”, “Vilja’s Song” and “Wo Ai Ne, Zhong Guo (I Love

You, China).”

Jin started her career as an opera singer at the Shanghai Opera House and played major roles in “Die Fledermaus”, “Carmen” and “Sister Jiang.”

Sophomore Jordan Meinzer said she was impressed with Jin’s operatic voice.

“It was crazy,” Meinzer said. “I’ve never heard anyone sing like that before. It was beautiful.”

CSO manager Vicki Crockett said she appreciates having Jin work with the students and she appreciates the support of the UCA Confucius Institute for Arkansas. She said Saturday night’s performance would not be possible without the support the CSO receives from its sponsors.

“We have an exchange relationship with [China]. It has been great for her to work with them, and for them to work with her,” Crockett said.

The students have enjoyed working with Jin. “She is really good,” junior principle second violinist Brian Cooper said. “We have all worked really hard.”

Jarvis said that Jin is the head of the opera department at East China Normal University.

“We have a relationship with that music department,” Jarvis said. “It’s exciting to have [Jin] back. She has a wonderful voice.”

After a brief intermission, CSO performed Brahm’s “Allegro non troppo”, “Adagio non troppo”, “Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) and “Allegro con spirito.”

Freshman Ethan Shaw, second chair ensemble trumpet, who was in the audience rather than on stage, said: “I’m in band, but I’m glad I didn’t play so I could listen and enjoy. It’s very good.”

Vetter said CSO will be performing Songs of the American West in the festival at Reynolds Performance Hall Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.

6 / February 23, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

-MUSIC-

Staff Writer

Music and laughter filled the Snow Fine Arts auditorium as a husband and wife duo kicked off the UCA faculty recital “Songs and Stories.”

Brent Shires, assistant professor of the horn, and wife Terrie Shires, instructor of class piano, opened the Sunday afternoon show with Mozart’s “Concert Rondo in E-flat Major, K. 371.”

According to the program notes, 60 measures of the movement were missing for two centuries without anyone noticing.

The missing pages were discovered in 1990 and properly inserted to complete the movement.

Brent said he learned the movement in elementary school without the missing measures.

“It was really fun to go back and learn it again with the addition,” he said.

He made a joke to the audience that Mozart was still writing music in the 1990s.

The next performance was a horn solo by Brent, Kerry Turner’s “La Entrada de Los Caballeros.”

Senior Daniel Rousseau said, “I thought his high ranges were inspiring.”

Terrie joined Brent once again for Eric Ewazen’s “Sonata for Horn and Piano” before intermission.

Brent said it was one of his personal favorites.

“I haven’t played this with Terrie since the mid1990s,” he said.

Several of Brent’s students came out to watch the show.

“It’s pretty good,” senior Whitney Strickland said.

“He plays for us all the time so there aren’t too many surprises.”

Another of his students, sophomore Erica Moore, said she enjoyed seeing her horn professor on stage. “It’s nice,” she said.

Conway High School West junior Dalton Shaffer, who was told about the show by his euphonium coach, said, “[Brent] Shires is an incredible French horn player. I love listening to him play.”

Assistant professor of voice Christine Donahue joined the Shires on the stage.

Donahue has graced the stages of opera houses in Omaha, Philadelphia, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Augusta, Little Rock, Annapolis, Atlanta, Birmingham, Cleveland, Honolulu and Sarasota.

She led with Hector Berlioz’s “Le Jeune Patre Breton, Op. 13 No. 4,” which began as a poem about a shepherd serenading his love.

Franz Schubert’s “Auf dem Strom, Op. 119,” which is based on a poem originally given to Beethoven, was next.

That was followed by a crowd favorite, Ben Moore’s “I Love Teaching Voice.”

“I Love Teaching Voice” is a comedy song that anyone who has studied or taught classical singing should appreciate.

Judging from the laughter and applause from the audience members, they appreciated the humor.

The last performance of the evening was Anthony Plog’s “Aesop’s Fables.”

Donahue did a reading of “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Mouse and the Lion,” “The Wind and the Sun” and “The Mule” with the Shires, providing the appropriate music to the stories.

“It’s fun and not as much pressure as a full recital,” Donahue said after the show. “I like that it gets lighthearted at the end.”

-RSO-

Chess club always looking for more people

by Jeanette Anderton Staff Writer

The UCA chess club is in full swing and looking for new members.

“Right now we are seeking to grow within the university,” senior Dylan Melton, president of the chess club, said. “We have [approximately] 15 members and we would like to double that.”

Melton said he has been playing chess since he was four years old.

“As long as I’ve been able to read, I have been playing chess,” he said. “My dad really enjoyed chess, so he taught me at an early age.”

Melton said this is the second semester with the chess club.

“People have tried to start a chess club a couple of times in the past and were unsuccessful. I got really involved last semester because I wanted to make the chess club a permanent presence on campus,” Melton said.

Senior Brad Taylor, secretary of the club, said, “We’re a pretty new group and we are really wanting to grow.”

Taylor has been playing chess “off and on since I was eight years old, but solidly since high school.”

Melton and Taylor both said anyone interested in

chess is welcome to join the club.

“I want UCA students to know this group isn’t just a group of grand chess masters,” Melton said.

“Players of all levels, from beginners who are just learning how each piece moves to grand chess masters and everyone in between are encouraged to join.”

“All ranges of skill levels are welcome,” Taylor said. “There are no requirements. Anyone who wants can join. You don’t have to be an expert.”

Melton said last semester the club’s main achievement was “getting the club going at the ground roots level and making it work.” He said this semester the club is focusing on advertising, and just making people aware that UCA has a chess club.

Melton said he has some goals for the club, which may also help boost membership.

“Eventually, we hope to have instructional materials available to beginners. For now, some of the more seasoned chess players help them learn,” Melton said.

Taylor said: “I’d like the club to get to a big enough level that once I’m gone, people are still meeting and playing.”

Melton said the club normally meets every Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Center.

ucaecho.net

-MUSIC-

Husband-wife duo put on concert

by Jeanette Anderton

Nick Hilleman photo

Sophomore Caleb Knight plays a tenor saxophone solo during the Jazz I and Jazz II concerts in Snow Fine Arts on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Knight performed as part of Jazz I.

Jazz band performs for full crowd

by Lisa Burnett Entertainment Editor

The huge sound of UCA’s Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles echoed through the halls of Snow Fine Arts on Feb. 16.

Jazz II performed first in the program. The auditorium of Snow Fine Arts was almost full when the program began. Director of the Jazz II ensemble Steven Smyth said the band would only perform two songs because of the recent snow days, or what he called the “snowpocalypse,” that put a damper on the practice time for the band.

The program began with a number called “American Patrol” by F.W. Meacham. The band projected its gigantic sound toward the audience with a loud brass sound. The 20-member band sounded like a 100 piece orchestra.

After the first song, Smyth let his graduate assistant Logan Smith lead the band in their final number, “Big Swing Face,” by Bill Potts. The song opened with the entire saxophone section performing a solo as the entire band joined in.

As the song drew to a close, senior Sean Foster performed a trumpet solo that was a slow crescendo until the end. The entire audience applauded the excellent performances by the Jazz Ensemble II. There was a short set change as Jazz Ensemble I took the stage. The band sat in its seats and warmed up briefly before director Larry Jones stepped to the front of the band, signaling the show was about to start. The program given to the audience had six songs listed that the band would select to perform for the evening.

Jones addressed the audience saying: “Tonight’s performance will be gracefully short, like Steven Smyth said, because of the snow, the band has lacked practice time to prepare for this concert.”

He explained that the band would normally play more songs, but this concert would only consist of four of the six that could have been selected.

Jazz I’s performance began with a song called “A Little Minor Booze,” by Willie Maiden. This song featured the trumpet and trombone section of the band.

The second song performed was “Basie’s Buddy B,” by John LaBarbara. This song was almost like a build-up of each section of the band, adding a section with each beat. Eventually the entire band was playing with a considerably large sound.

This selection featured solos from sophomore Caleb Knight on the tenor saxophone and Lance McCoullogh on the trombone. The sound filled the entire auditorium and stunned the audience. The audience applauded and waited anxiously for the next song.

The third song was “Groovin’ Hard” by Don Menza. It began with a loud burst of sound from the band, startling most of the audience, but soon they pulled themselves together and enjoyed the rest of the song.

Before the last song, Jones explained the snow circumstances to the audience again.

“We have a few Taiwanese students in the band and this was their first time to see snow,” he said.

The band finished the show with “Basie-Straight Ahead,” by Sammy Nestico. Jones takes a backseat during these performances, allowing the band to do its own thing by only guiding it in the beginning of songs and at the end.

The show concluded, and the applause filled the auditorium as the band left the stage.

Sophomore Jessica Trigleth attended the concert to support her friends.

“I chose to come tonight because I have a lot of friends in both ensembles and I knew they would play good pieces of music,” Trigleth said.

-COMPETITION-

Debate team enjoys success, looks for more members

by Simon Gable Staff Writer

The UCA Debate/Competitive Speech team has enjoyed much success since the program was reestablished in 2007.

UCA instructor and co-coach of the debate team, Mark Lowery, said: “The debate program has achieved many accomplishments over the years.

However, due to a number of factors, the program went on a 15-year-hiatus before being brought back.”

The debate team competes in the International Public Debate Association, a six-state regional association that features three separate divisions: novice, varsity and professional.

“The novice division is for beginning debaters and the varsity division if for our more experienced debaters,” Lowery said. “The professional division is for attorneys, instructors and community professionals looking to stay connected to competitive speech.”

Currently, there are about 25 members on the team.

“We don’t have a definite number because not all of our members compete the whole year,” Lowery said. “Also, due to other obligations, we only take around 12 members to each competition.”

The team is hoping to see an increase in membership since the Speech and Public Relations Department has recently sanctioned them as an official academic activity.

The sanction has allowed the program to branch out into other forms of competitive speech.

“While the focus of the team has always been debate, we now have the opportunity to compete in events other than debate, like persuasive speaking,” Lowery said.

Also, the sanction will allow the team to offer scholarships beginning in the fall.

“We have never been able to offer scholarships to our members. However, starting in the fall, our members who minor [or] major in speech or public relations are eligible for financial assistance,” Lowery said.

All students, not just those in the speech department, are highly encouraged to join the team.

“All students, regardless of hours or classification, can join our team,” Lowery said.

The team practices every Monday at 7:00 p.m. in 211 of Thompson Hall.

Senior political science major and Competitive Speech team member, David Saterfield said, The debate team meets every Monday night from 7-9:30 and also every Thursday night from 7-9:30 on weeks that it has a competition.

Entertainment

7

February 23, 2011

- I N T H E AT E R S -

‘Hornet’ leaves fans laughing; Rogen thrills as superhero

by Brad Smith Staff Writer

ravenfall.net

New “American Idol” judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez bring a new aspect to the 10th season of the show by joining with long time ‘Idol’ members Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest.

New ‘American Idol’ judges win over fans; Tyler, Lopez bring liveliness to season 10

by Mary DeLoney

Tyler proved entertaining with his wacky comments and by singing along with the contestants, whether they be good or bad.

Lopez has been nothing less than nurturing and gentle, as I believe many had expected from her. Over the first few episodes though, she has become slightly less nurturing toward the performances that are truly awful.

However, Jackson seems to have taken over the authoritative role Simon Cowell once held. He even took over the seat that Cowell so famously sat in for years. It has been a nice change to see Jackson step up and be a leader, which is not something we have seen him do in the past.

But, that is not to say that Jackson has not thrown the words he is notoriously known for into almost every sentence that comes out of his mouth: “dawg,” “man” or “dude.”

It will be interesting to see as the season goes on which judge, if any, people will listen to the most. For nine seasons, Cowell held the influence and let America know which contestants he believed would be stars. Once it comes

News Editor

As season 10 of “American Idol” began, I was slightly skeptical of watching. I have not seen the show since Kris Allen won season eight and I am no avid “American Idol” fan, but with the buzz about the new judges and UCA alumni Perry Johnson being on the show, I wanted to check it out. And I am glad I did.

While I only caught a few glimpses of Johnson, there has definitely been more than enough talent to make the hour more than entertaining. Along with the talent, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez joining Randy Jackson on the judging panel are highly entertaining.

In the premiere, it took Tyler and Lopez a bit of time to get used to their positions. They were both too nice to contestants and tried to let everyone down the nicest way they could. They let their emotions get in the way of doing their jobs. However, by the end of the first hour, the two toughened up and provided more criticism to contestants.

time for America to vote, I wonder if the viewers will decide for themselves which contestant is a true star.

And there are plenty of contestants that have this star quality.

Among my favorite Idol standouts are Florida-native Brett Loewenstern, 16, who wowed the judges with his rendition of The Beatles’ “Let it be;” Malibu surfer/ actor dude Carson Higgins, 22, who moved on to Las Vegas after singing his fearless version of “My Perogative;” 19-year-old California-native Casey Abrams who had an Idol first by playing the stand up bass during the solo round of Hollywood week; 15-year-old Lafayette, La. high school student Jacee Badeaux who not only sings well but has a wonderful spirit that stands out among other hopefuls; and 20-year-old Julie Zorrilla who Jackson compared to season three winner Fantasia Barrino and Lopez pegged to be a possible winner of season 10.

All in all, I say this is a season of “American Idol”worth watching.

America may find multiple superstars in this talented group.

“The Green Hornet,” directed by Michel Gondry of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” fame, takes itself much less seriously.

The movie stars Seth Rogen as the Green Hornet, the alter ego of newspaper editor Britt Reid. While most previous incarnations of “The Green Hornet” have been fairly serious mystery stories, this movie is an action-comedy more in the vein of Rogen’s previous movie, “Pineapple Express.”

The movie was written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who also wrote “Pineapple Express” together. The film has similar styles in dialogue to their previous movies, such as witty oneliners and profane banter. The results are mostly funny, despite some of the dialogue feeling out of place in a superhero movie. The villain, Bloodnofsky, is not only evil and ruthless, but was also one of the funniest characters in the movie.

Jay Chou co-stars as Kato, the Hornet’s genius sidekick who tends to be most of the fighting power. Chou is one of the main reasons to see this movie, as his action scenes were intense and fun. Cameron Diaz also has a supporting role in the movie as Lenore Case, Reid’s secretary who both Reid and Kato have feelings for.

The film begins with Reid’s father dying and leaving the newspaper in his incapable hands. When Reid and Kato meet and become friends, they take a joy ride together, which ends in saving a couple from drug addicts. The two are so impressed with themselves that they

decide to become crime fighters and take down a Los Angeles drug syndicate.

The syndicate is controlled by Benjamin Chudnofsky (Bloodnofsky), played by Christoph Waltz. The Green Hornet and Kato have to fight to take down the cartel, while also dealing with corruption and running his newspaper. The character is also a twist on an the average comic book hero, with the characters also being fugitives when they decide that the best way to take down a crime lord is to act like criminals themselves.

The film is based on “The Green Hornet” 1930’s radio series, which has spawned comic books, movies and television shows over the past eighty years. In all incarnations of the masked crime-fighter, the Hornet is the alter ego of Britt Reid, a newspaper editor.

His genius sidekick Kato makes the Hornet’s trademark sleep gas gun and their supercar, the Black Beauty. Since Kato is also a martial arts expert, it’s a wonder that the Green Hornet is even necessary, since Kato tends to do most of the fighting and mystery solving.

The movie’s 3D is another draw, although not enough of a reason to see the film in itself. The film was converted into 3D instead of being filmed in it, so the quality isn’t as high as other films such as “Tron: Legacy.”

If you don’t enjoy superhero movies or if you don’t find any of Rogen’s previous films funny, you may not like this movie. However, if you like Rogen’s laid-back style mixed in with lots of action, this movie is definitely recommended. “The Green Hornet” is currently playing at the Cinemark Towne Centre in Conway and has a 119-minute runtime.

-T V APPEARANCE-

-TELEVISION-

‘Mr. Sunshine’ doesn’t showcase talent of cast

by Julian Spivey Campus Life Editor

ABC’s new sitcom “Mr. Sunshine,” starring Matthew Perry and Allison Janney, just seems like a big waste of a lot of talent.

The midseason series, airing at 8:30 on Wednesday nights, stars Perry as Ben Donovan, the operations manager at the Sunshine Center in San Diego, where they hold everything from rock concerts and ice hockey to circuses and lingerie football.

Donovan has just turned 40 and is going through a mid-life crisis as the only seemingly sane person at the Sunshine Center.

His boss, Crystal Cohen, played by Janney, seems like the type of character you might find in an insane asylum and has been referred to by some as a female counterpart to the “30 Rock” character Tracy Jordan, played by Tracy Morgan.

The only difference is that Jordan is a funny character; Cohen hasn’t been after the show’s first two episodes.

Other characters in the series are Alice (played by Andrea Anders), Donovan’s co-worker and former friendwith-benefits; Alonzo (played by James Lesure), a former basketball star who now works at the arena; Roman (played

by Nate Torrence), Crystal’s estranged son who is incapable of doing anything right; and Heather (played by Portia Doubleday,) who is Ben’s assistant, but scares him because she once set a man on fire.

The biggest problem I have with this series through its first two episodes is that it’s sadly wasting the great talents of both Perry and Janney.

Perry is of course most known for

Odd Future makes statement on ‘Fallon’

by Andrew McClain Staff Writer

buddytv.com

ABC’s “Mr. Sunshine” starring Matthew Perry and Allison Janney, depicts the lives of a group of people working at a San Diego arena. his role as Chandler Bing on NBC’s “Friends,” which I never cared for. But, I thought Perry was amazing in his other television role as Matt Albie on Aaron Sorkin’s short-lived NBC drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” about the innerworkings of a late-night sketch comedy show.

Perry’s talent hasn’t been showcased in the first two episodes of “Mr. Sunshine.” He’s basically playing the straight man to everybody else’s raving lunatic. I actually can’t help but think that Perry might be better suited in a more dramatic role than this typical sitcom.

Janney’s one of the finest actresses in TV history in my opinion, and won an incredible four Emmy Awards for her role as C.J. Cregg on the wonderful political drama, “The West Wing.”

Maybe I’m holding her (and Perry as well) to a higher standard, but it just doesn’t feel right seeing her in this type

1. Dierks Bentley – “Up on the Ridge”

Five Best Country Albums of 2010 list compiled by Lee Hogan

bestinnewmusic.com

Odd Future’s Tyler the Creator jumps on Jimmy Fallon’s back after his performance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The group made their television debut Feb.16.

This is probably the best album Dierks Bentley has recorded. Most of the time, I am not a big fan of the bluegrass style of country, but Bentley did a great job on this album. My favorite song off this album is “Bad Angel,” which Bentley performs with Miranda Lambert and Jamie Johnson. Other great songs off the album include “Up on the Ridge,” “Falling for You,” and “Love Grows Wild.”

of role.

The remainder of the cast, Anders, Lesure, Torrence and Doubleday haven’t really given any signs of life. After two episodes they seem fairly onedimensional, kind of similar characters that don’t seem to show signs of maturing or growing.

In the past there have been other sitcoms that got off to rough starts that went on to be pretty successful and rather good.

For example, the pilot episode of NBC’s “Community” was pretty weak, but it quickly went on to be one of the top comedies on TV. “Mr. Sunshine” could have the same type of rebound, but at this point it isn’t looking too likely.

The only thing the series really has going for it is that it should draw pretty decent ratings, solely based on its leadin being ABC’s most watched scripted show, “Modern Family.”

2. Gary Allan – “Get off on the Pain” Gary Allan has always been known for doing great ballads.

Allan has always tried to have more meaning in his songs instead of cliché lyrics that attract the masses. My favorite song off this album is “Kiss Me When I’m Down.” Other songs on the album that definitely deserve listening to include “No Regrets,” “She Gets Me,” and “When You Give Yourself Away.”

Never underestimate the power of the Internet, hard work, raw talent and a dirty mouth.

Wednesday night, two 19-year-old kids from L.A. made their television debut on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” wearing ski masks and rapping with The Roots as their backing band. No one knows their real names, but they’re known as Tyler the Creator and Hodgy Beats and they come from a large hiphop collective known as Odd Future, who have made a name for themselves over the past year or two releasing a high volume of mix tapes through their website, oddfuture.tumblr.com.

Their music generated buzz because all of the members of Odd Future are under 20 years old and their large body of music was produced on very cheap software.

Tyler The Creator’s mixtapes and albums gained attention due to his provocative lyricism, which deviates from mainstream rap in its subject matter, which is often dark, intensely (and often uncomfortably) personal. But it’s paying off; the past two weeks have also seen Tyler sign a one-album deal with XL Recordings and release a music video for his new single, “Yonkers.”

“Yonkers” is enough to make most reasonable people squirm. Tyler sits on a stool in a stark, white room, glaring at the camera and letting a cockroach run across his fingers, from one hand to the other while he raps about things that don’t make polite dinner conversation,

3. Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party” Jason Aldean caught a lot of flack on this album for recording more than one song that was previously released by other artists. Some of the better songs off the album are “Country Boy’s World,” “Tattoos on this Town,” “Just Passing Through,” and “Flyover States.” Although Aldean is always a fan-favorite, he rarely gets noticed when it comes award time.

expressing violent feelings toward B.o.B. and Bruno Mars, but a fondness for Marvin Gaye and Nickelodeon show “Adventure Time.”

It may seem disturbing, but what’s a 19-year-old rapper supposed to do for attention these days? Eminem desensitized everyone to his brand of shock value when Tyler wasn’t even 10 years old. Wouldn’t it seem reasonable that someone would try to outdo him one day?

I’d speculate that Tyler and his associates aren’t nearly as twisted as they’d have us assume; their lyrics, not for the faint of heart, are simply part of an image, the same way Lady GaGa’s weird costumes, or even Justin Bieber’s helmet of coiffed hair are.

After Tyler and Hodgy Beats finished performing their song “Sandwitches” on ‘Fallon,’ Tyler ran around the studio in a victory lap, and Fallon walked on stage to join the band while the audience cheered, and Tyler ran up behind Fallon, jumped on his back and stuck his tongue out in sheer nervous joy while the audience continued to scream.

The face Tyler made with his arms across Fallon’s chest wasn’t the face of the troubled teen that Tyler’s persona is built on—instead, it was the face of a little kid who is tired of acting tough and just got to let loose on television, and he got there without support from a record label or even his parents, and without anyone even knowing his real name.

It was a moment of pure vulnerability through joy, and it was my favorite thing that I’ve seen on television in a long time.

4. Easton Corbin – “Easton Corbin” Easton Corbin is a newcomer to country music and his debut album drew high praise. One compliment Corbin receives regularly is his voice sounds a lot like country legend, George Strait.

Corbin’s style mirrors Strait’s in many ways and it shows in many of his songs on this album. Corbin had great success with two singles off this album entitled “Roll with It” and “A Little More Country Than That.”

5. Zac Brown Band – “You Get What You Give” Zac Brown Band’s second album was not a sophomore slump. The band enjoyed tremendous success with their debut album and enjoyed the same success with their second album, released in 2010. “Colder Weather,” is one of the songs on the latest album. The story of the song describes what so many people go through in life in a way many people can relate to.

Sports

8

February 23, 2011

From the Shotgun

By Ben Keller

Baseball season begins at UCA; new system, attitude, makes for a more balanced, better Bears team

I

t is my absolute favorite time of the year. It is the time when spring is right around the corner, the time when I hear in the distance the clink of aluminum against a hard ball of leather and the time when I get to wake up and smell perfectly trimmed grass on the opposite end of a long lot of asphalt. Well for UCA, I should say perfectly installed GeoSurface, if it even has a smell, but you catch my drift- it is baseball season in Bear Country.

There is something about the allure of baseball and the atmosphere that makes it my favorite sport, and over the years I still have not been able to pin down one exact reason why America’s Pastime gets me hyped up every February.

Well, this weekend was a good one to be a fan of Bears baseball, because they put on a show for those in Bear Stadium.

For their home opening series, the Bears cleaned up and swept the stadium with the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Cougars.

I don’t know if I was the only one who noticed this when watching the Bears play, but they looked like an entirely different team to me compared to last season. The biggest change I noticed: smart at bats.

The Bears kept it together and made the Cougar’s pitchers give them the pitches they wanted. The Bears were selective, and when they swung, it was hard. The game on Saturday proved just how good the Bears’ hitting can be this season.

The Bears had 11 hits during the game and made sure they profited from every single one of them.

Coach Allen Gum said he was proud and impressed with the team’s batting all weekend and I couldn’t agree with him more.

Seeing senior shortstop Kyle Prevett drill a line drive triple in the first inning of Sunday’s game was simply awesome, and Prevett wasn’t the only

one. Junior first baseman Blake Roberts hit a monster of a line drive into the left field corner that rallied the Bears and tied the game at 10 during the seventh.

The Bears really did play that well, and that is not to take anything away from the Cougars, because they played tough all weekend as well.

On Friday, the Cougars had a good game and struck early, but the Bears came back and pulled off a season opener win.

That is another thing I noticed from this week: the Bears are calmer and more collected under the pressure of a deficit. The game on Sunday proved that to everyone in Bear Stadium.

The Bears went three innings during the game without scoring a run. During that time, the Cougars took back and added to their lead. That did not even cause the Bears to flinch. They bided their time and struck right when they needed too. Gum said the Cougars junior left-handed pitcher Dustin Quattrocchi had them in a funk and was a solid wall on the mound, but Roberts blasted that away and rallied the Bears at a critical point in the game. Like I said, they bided their time and took advantage when the Cougars were reeling from that line drive.

Needless to say, it is going to be an interesting season.

From the opening weekend, it looks like the Bears have bought into Gum’s system he has been working on for the baseball program, but the real test comes on March 11 when the Bears go down to Nacogdoches, Texas to face the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the Bears Southland Conference opener.

Last season, the Lumberjacks came to UCA and swept the Bears during the weekend series.

It is still early in the season, but hopefully the Bears will continue to gain momentum during the non-conference series that and bring that with them heading into Southland Conference play.

Bears Brief • The Sugar Bears basketball team lost to the Sam Houston State Bearkats 66-54 in Hunstsville, Texas.

The Sugar Bears (15-10, 7-5 Southland) trailed the Bearkats (15-11, 9-3) 32-21 at halftime but rallied back in the second half and took a 4039 lead with 10:01 left in the game. The Bearkats took the lead again with 6:17 left and went on a 12-point scoring streak to put them ahead 5544 with 2:35 left in the game and the Sugar Bears weren’t able to make a comeback.

The Sugar Bears turned the ball over 28 times, which is their season high, and only nine of the turnovers were off of Bearkats steals. Megan Herbert led the Sugar Bears in scoring with 23 points and also had 14 rebounds. Micah Rice put 17 points on the board for the Sugar Bears.

The Sugar Bears will face the Nicholls State Colonels tonight at 6:30 in Thibodaux, La. • The Bears softball team dropped four games at the Quality Inn Classic in Troy, Ala. on Feb. 18 and 19 to give them a 1-8 start to the season. The Bears lost 1-0 to Samford (2-4) on the first day of the tournament in eight innings after Bears’ sophomore pitcher Kelsie Armstrong and Samford freshman pitcher Nicole Bobrowski pitched a scoreless game until the bottom of the eight inning when Ssamford took advantage of the

international tiebreaker rule and scored off of an RBI from freshman infielder Julianne Surane.

The Bears’ second game of the tournament resulted in a 13-5 loss to Troy (4-2) in six innings. The Bears took a 5-1 lead in the top of the third but Troy scored eight runs in the bottom of the third.

The Bears’ third game ended in a second extra inning loss for the Bears when they fell 4-3 to the University of North Florida Ospreys (3-5) in eight innings.

The Bears went up 3-0 in the second inning when junior first baseman Kasey Britt hit a two-run double. Osprey junior shortstop Kelly Dill hit a homerun in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on base to tie the game. The Ospreys won the game in the bottom of the eighth when Ospreys freshman third baseman Marissa Thomas singled in a run.

The Bears final game of the tournament was a 4-1 loss to the Bradley University Braves. The Braves (2-6) took a 4-0 lead in the sixth inning when freshman shortstop Alex Chandler hit a two-run single. The Bears’ lone run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth when Bears junior designated player Katie McGregor hit a sacrifice fly that scored Britt.

The Bears will compete in a tournament hosted by Baylor this weekend in Waco, Texas.

Nick Hillemann photo

Junior first baseman Blake Roberts swings at a pitch during the Bears game against the Southern Illinois University Cougars Sunday. The Bears won 16-13 and clenched the sweep over the Cougars, giving them a 3-0 start to the season.

Bears clench sweep with 16-13 win

by Ben Keller Sports Editor

The Bears baseball team rallied to come back and sweep the Southern Illinois University Cougars in the Bears opening series of the 2011 season.

The Bears won their final game of the weekend 16-13 on Feb. 20 in Bears Stadium.

The Bears were heavy offensively and rallied back late in the game to secure a victory.

Junior first baseman Blake Roberts nailed a deep line drive over the left side to the left field corner that brought in two runners and got him a double. His hit tied the game at 10 at the bottom of the seventh.

Coach Allen Gum said it was a huge point in the game when Roberts hit that seventh inning line drive.

“We were finally able to scratch a couple of guys on and Blake Roberts was finally able to knock a chink in the pitcher’s armor and after that double I think we had the edge mentally,” he said.

Gum said the Cougars left-handed pitcher junior Dustin Quattrocchi was a tough pitcher for the Bears to go up against.

“He was one of their better guys statistically,” he said. “It was going to be tough, and it was tough.”

Sophomore third baseman Bryan Willson also said it was a huge point in the game for the team’s morale to be able to come back and win.

“We were excited,” he said. “It was a good feeling to see that. Blake, Ethan, Prevett and Dickson all had good days at the plate today.

The Bears biggest inning was during the bottom of the eighth when they scored six runs to solidify their lead. The highlight of the inning was Willson’s three-run home run over the left field wall. At the end of the bottom of the eighth, the Bears led the Cougars 16-10.

The Cougars attempted to mount a comeback at the top of the ninth. The Cougars scored three more runs during the

inning and had the potential runners on base to tie the game. Sophomore third baseman Matt Highland was the first on base for the Cougars in the top of the ninth after he was walked on a 3-0 pitch count by sophomore Jon Kordsmeier. Cougar’s junior catcher Brett Keeler was hit by a pitch during his at bat and then both he and Kordsmeier advanced up a base because of a wild pitch. Freshman shortstop Chase Green hit a grounder through the middle to bring in Highland.

Sophomore second baseman James Vazquez hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Keeler for the Cougars second run of the inning.

Sophomore first baseman Joel Greatting brought in the Cougars last run with a single hit up the middle. The inning ended when freshman first baseman Devin Caldwell flied out to the right field.

The Bears went through five pitchers during the game, while the Cougars only went through four. Junior right-handed pitcher Andy Steinmetz recorded the most strikeouts for the Bears with three. Gum said he was proud of the pitchers during the series’ first two games but thinks there is still some room for improvement.

“The first two games I thought our pitching was better,” he said. “We struggled offensively until late in the games on Friday and Saturday, but today it was just the opposite. Our pitching struggled a little bit and we did well offensively. We had a little bit of a lapse in the middle innings because we weren’t doing things we normally do. For the most part, the guys hung in there and won a tough game today.”

The Bears had a total of 14 hits for the day. The Cougars had 20 hits during the game.

Willson said the pitchers and the fielders have been clicking well together and hopefully it will continue over into their games this weekend and the team has been playing hard on the field.

“We have competed every single day,” he said. “Our pitchers threw well, but Sunday

was a little rough but we grinded it out.

Everyone just seemed to link together at the end when we needed it.”

Kordsmeier recorded his first win for the season. Quattrocchi from the Cougars recorded his first loss for the season.

Willson said he feels the Bears are defensively solid and that helps the pitchers and everyone else on the field play at their best.

During the game, the Bears had a total of 27 put outs and the Cougars came in close behind the Bears with 24.

During the game, the Bears had three errors on the field compared to the Cougars who had none. Gum said that he told his team to shrug them off and continue going.

“They just needed to link up, look out for each other and to keep playing hard,” he said.

Gum said the Bears have things to work on this week before going into their series this weekend, but he said if they play as hard and as well as they did this weekend then the Bears should be ready.

“We have a lot of things to work on this week to get better,” he said. “Things are never as good as they seem or as bad as they seem.

So we are going to break down what we did, get on our fundamentals and make sure we are accomplishing our goal of getting a little bit better every day.”

Willson said the Bears will have to work hard this week and come out at 100 percent for every practice to make sure they are ready for their next game.

The Bears’ won their previous two games of the series on Friday and Saturday. In the Bears home opener, they beat the Cougars 5-4. On Saturday, the Bears out hit the Cougars to give them a win 14-4 on their second game of the series.

The Bears next game is on Friday at 3 p.m. against the Eastern Illinois Panthers in Bear Stadium. It will kickoff the Bears three-game series with the Panthers for the weekend.

They will play Saturday at 4 p.m. and then the series finale will be Sunday at 1 p.m.

-COACHES-

Tulsa hires McRoberts as head volleyball coach

by Allison Hartman Assistant Sports Editor

Sugar Bears volleyball coach Steven McRoberts was named head coach of the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane volleyball team on Feb. 10 after leading the Sugar Bears to a 146-58 record during his six years at UCA. McRoberts took over the volleyball program in 2005 after the Sugar Bears had ten consecutive losing seasons and immediately began a six-year stretch of winning seasons, highlighted by back-to-back Southland Conference titles in 2009 and 2010, with a perfect 16-0 record in league play in 2009.

Not only has McRoberts compiled a winning record, been named Southland Conference coach of the year twice and made the volleyball program one of the most successful programs at UCA, but he has also coached a number of award-winning athletes as well.

He’s coached a three-time conference player and athlete of the year, four conference freshmen of the year, two setters of the year, a libero of the year, nine all-conference players and nine all-academic players.

UCA athletic director Brad Teague said the program speaks for itself as a testament to what McRoberts has accomplished.

“They’ve been successful on the court, in the classroom and in the community. It’s become one of our top programs and it’s due to his leadership and coaches. He’s meant a great deal to our program,” Teague said.

McRoberts is replacing former Golden Hurricane coach Ed Allen, who stepped down in January to accept the head coaching

position at the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

McRoberts said after he applied for the job he didn’t hear anything back for three weeks and assumed he wasn’t a candidate for the position, but when they contacted him, things happened fast. McRoberts met with Tulsa on Feb. 8 and they offered him the job the next day.

“It was a struggle to make the decision because there are so many great things about UCA. It came down to being a better move for my family and that’s what I had to base my decision on,” McRoberts said.

According to the University of Tulsa press release announcing the hiring of McRoberts, Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham said, “It’s obvious that his knowledge of the game, his ability to recruit and the overall volleyball and educational experience that his student-athletes have achieved in the past is exactly what we were looking for in a head coach and makes him the best fit for the University of Tulsa.”

Tulsa, a Conference USA member, was a top 25 program last year, was 20-0 in conference play and is returning most of their team. The Hurricane finished the season with a record of 31-3, outscoring their opponents 2771-2115.

McRoberts said a lot of people would probably shy away from going into a situation like this, “but I think it’s a great challenge to keep it going.”

McRoberts said he learned a lot about what it takes to be a successful coach at the Division 1 level and was fortunate enough to have great assistant coaches who taught him a lot about the game.

“I think coaching at UCA gave me a lot of experience in game situations against the tough teams we played and also in traveling and recruiting. I’m going to use that when I get to Tulsa,” McRoberts said.

McRoberts said he’s going to miss his coworkers and players because they have become his life-long friends.

“When I had to tell the team about my decision, it was really tough. That was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long, long time,” McRoberts said. “But I know that the program will continue to be successful and I would tell anyone this, recruits or anyone, UCA is a great place to be.”

Teague said UCA has begun the processes of advertising the position and hopes to hire someone after the position has been advertised for two weeks. He said they will accept resumes from anyone who feels qualified for two weeks and make the hire after everyone has been considered, including the Sugar Bears’ current assistant coaches who are interested in the position.

“Fortunately, Coach McRoberts has put our program in such a place where it’s going to be a sought-after position,” Teague said.

“We just want good people to coach all of our programs at UCA. We want a coach who understands the rules, can manage the budget, genuinely cares about student athletes, understands the sense of community at UCA and of course, we want them to be successful on he court.”

Teague said: “We appreciate Coach McRoberts and his family and what they’ve brought to this community and to our athletic department. We’ll really miss them here but we’re happy for them. Tulsa is a step up.”

ucaecho.net

SPORTS

February 23, 2011 / 9

- B A S E B A L L-

- B A S K E T B A L L-

Bears lost 70-62 in battle with Bearkats

by Zachary O’Neal Staff Writer

The Bears 70-62 lost against the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Feb. 19 at the Farris Center put them 5-20 for the season and 1-11 in conference.

“We definitely tried to work the basketball inside,” coach Corliss Williamson said. “We got on to them before the game, telling them they are not a three-point shooting team.”

The game opened with the Bearkats getting the leading tipoff, scoring a two-point basket shortly afterward. Senior guard Mike Pouncy scored the first basket for the Bears two minutes into the first half.

The game came to a standstill as both defenses played hard stopping each other from scoring for a little over three minutes. At the end of that short period, the Bearkats scored a basket. From that point their lead on the Bears increased little by little.

The first half ended with the Bears trailing 31-23.

“Not a single free throw in the first half and that’s something we can’t have,” Williamson said. “We have to be able to attack the basket and get to the free throw line, and in the first half we did not do that.”

The Bears started off the second half with a two-point basket by senior forward Tadre Sheppard, who did not make a basket in the first half. Sheppard became the leading scorer for the Bears with six of seven twopoint goals and four of four free throws.

“He was really inspired,” Williamson said. “We kind of got on to him at halftime about how he was playing and he took that challenge and came back in the second half and gave us the spark to get back into the game.”

“I could see that we were down and I didn’t do too well in the first half,” Sheppard said.

“Coach told me I need to come back and give the team a spark and get everybody going and that’s what I came to the top to do.”

The other main scorers were junior guard Dewan Clayborn with 13 points and Pouncy with 12.

Senior forward Jacquan McClinton stepped into the game with about five minutes left, scoring a two-point basket and a free throw immediately

Anthony Byrnes photo

Senior infielder Kyle Prevett swings at a pitch during the Bears first game of the season against the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars on Friday. The Bears won the game 5-4.

Bears baseball wins first game of season 5-4 Zachary O’Neal Staff Writer

Chinbayar Davaatseren photo

Senior center Carlos Dos Santos attempts to block a layup during the Bears’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Feb. 19 in the Farris Center. The Bears lost the game 70-62. afterward.

“If it’s one thing about Jacquan, whenever he’s on the court he’s going to give it his all and play with his heart,” Williamson said. “That was a very big basket for our team and especially a big basket for him.

I think that basket brought our guys together.”

The Bears pressed on from the lead the Bearkats had on them and tied the game up with two minutes left on the clock.

The Bearkats quickly regained the lead with two free throw points.

After the score from the Bearkats, the Bears fouled constantly, allowing the Bearcats

to score six more free throws, which led to the Bears’ defeat.

Williamson said: “We knocked down some free throws but the bad thing about it was we gave up too many free throws. We didn’t shoot one free throw in the first half. I figured we were more aggressive in the first half being able to get to the free throw line.”

“In the first half when we attacked the basket we were going in changing our shots.

But in the second half we were trying to go in strong. As a result of that we made more but we also backed down more. When we attack the basket like that we have an opportunity,” Williamson said.

-PREVIEW-

Track teams ready for conference indoor championships

by Ben Keller Sports Editor

The Bears men and women’s track teams head to Norman, Okla. this weekend to compete in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships.

Last weekend was the Bears’ final attempt to get people qualified to compete in the conference meet. At the Missouri State Challenge, the Bears and Sugar Bears set and broke several records, as well as getting more people qualified for the conference meet.

Sophomore Courtney Efurd broke the school record along with winning the 800-meter race.

Her time was 2:20.28. Freshman Kayla Nehus also broke a record for the Sugar Bears. She beat a five-year-old record for the 1,000 meter race by almost 26 seconds.

For the Bears, senior Donavan Loring led the team again and performed well in all of his events. Loring set a meet record and broke his own personal record in the triple jump with a distance of 15.29 meters.

The Bears 4 by 400 meter relay runners also broke a record. The team of junior Sage Raphael, junior Courtney Houff, junior Demarcus Harrison and freshman Trevor Peacock ran the relay with a time of 3:22.04.

Sophomore Jake Goode said he thought the team made improvements upon what they needed to work during the last meet to get ready for the conference meet this week.

“At the last meet this past Friday I made some small improvements that will help me for this next week,” he said.

Goode said he will be competing in the heptathlon during the conference meet.

“For the indoor season, the guys and girls compete in a shorter version of the decathlon/heptathlon, guys doing a heptathlon, and girls a pentathlon. At this point I just want to compete and try to place

as high as I can for the indoor championships,” he said.

Last season, Goode said he also competed in the same event during the indoor championships and the decathlon in the outdoor championship.

“I did the heptathlon (indoor), and decathlon outdoor last year, placing ninth in the decathlon. For this year, I’m really looking to improve on pole-vault, high jump, hurdles, and the throwing events. I’m just really excited about outdoor season and trying to improve on last year by getting in the top eight and scoring points for UCA,” he said.

Coach Richard Martin said last weekend’s meet was going to be the Bears’ last opportunity to get more people qualified and to fine tune the competitors who had already qualified.

“We want to get some folks who haven’t qualified to qualify, get the folks who have qualified get there techniques down,” he said.

Going into the conference meet, Martin said he believes the team’s strongest event is going to be the triple jump, with Loring competing in the event.

“Hopefully he will get there, perform well and he will come out a winner during his senior year,” he said.

Martin said the conference meet is always a tough competition for UCA because the Texas schools in the Southland Conference have a huge recruiting pool to pull from and are always a powerhouse in track and field.

Goode said Martin and the rest of the coaching staff have been instilling in all of them a simple message for what they want the Bears and Sugar Bears to do at the conference meet.

“Coach Martin and the coaches want us to perform and score points in the SLC Indoor Championships, to compete with the other teams in our conference and get ready for outdoor season,” he said.

To get ready for the meet, Martin said his practices yesterday and Monday will be more about getting the team lose and being rested for everything.

“We are going to ease up a bit on everything,” he said.

“We won’t be doing our normal workouts.”

The following track team members have qualified for the Southland Conference meet according to ucasports.com.

Men’s Track • 60 meters-Junior Jeremy Stuckey • 200 meters-Junior Courtney Houf • 400 meters-Junior Sage Raphael • 5,000 meters-Logan Dockery • 60 meters hurdles- Senior Donavan Loring and junior Demarcus Harrison • High jump-Juniors James Anderson, Bobby Washington, and senior Donavan Loring • Pole vault-Sophomore Daniel Reese • Long jump-juniors Jeremy Stuckey and Jaron Criswell and senior Donavan Loring Women’s Track • 60 meters-Freshman Tanesha Maxwell • 800 meters-Senior Courtney Efurd, freshman Kayla Nehus, and junior Heather Estetter • One mile-Senior Courtney Efurd and freshman Kayla Nehus • 3,000 meters-Freshman Erika Setzler and senior Courtney Efurd • 5,000 meters-sophomore Elizabeth Craigin • 50 meters hurdlesSophomores Jasmine Ellis and Megan Snow • High jump-Sophomores Jessica Potter and Jasmine Ellis • Long jump-Sophomore Jasmine Ellis • Triple jump-Sophomore April Martin and freshman Anilah Bashir • Shot put-Sophomores Mackenzie Johnson and Tasha Bryles Lee Hogan contributed to this article.

The Bears baseball team advanced to 1-0 in its three-game series on Friday with their 5-4 victory over the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars due to a number of base by balls.

In addition to the win, the Cougars finished with six hits and zero errors while the Bears finished with three hits and two errors. The Cougars outnumbered the Bears in strikeouts 8-7 and hits 6-3.

Six of the Bears strikeouts came from senior pitcher Evan Cox and the other from junior pitcher Blake Payne.

“I think I just need to let my defense work. I need to be a little bit more comfortable out there.

I got a little rattled and they got off little hits and they weren’t solid contact.” Cox said. “I think that might have gotten to me a little bit. If I can keep an eye on myself and let my defense work; I know they’re good and I know their bats are going to put some runs on the board so I think we’ll

get it done if I can just get my confidence up I’ll be alright. I just need to remind myself that they’re behind me and they can make all the plays out there that they can get too. They’re great defensively so I just need to let them work as much as I can.”

Junior center fielder Jordan Getchell had one hit out of two bats along with senior short stop Kyle Prevett making one out of three at bats and Michael Pair making one out of two at bats.

“I thought we came out, I don’t know if it was nerves or whatever, but the first three or four innings we were kind of passive at the plate,” coach Allen Gum said. “It may have been the pitcher. It looks like he was locating his fastballs on both sides of the plate, keeping us off balance. We always talked about we need to be good offensively.

You always got to be good at offense and of course pitching and defense.”

The game opened with a fly out in the Bears’ outfield on the first pitch. The top of the first inning ended with Cox getting his first strikeout of the game.

The first hit of the game didn’t come until the top of the fourth when Cougars’ sophomore second baseman James Vazquez hit a single up through the left side. Vazquez’s hit was followed by the first score of the game by the Cougar’s freshman designated hitter Devin Caldwell.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Prevett makes the first hit for the Bears. The first score marked on the board came from a sacrifice bunt from junior right fielder Greg Noble. Getchell ties the game at 2-2 with a baseline grounder down third base. To take the lead in this inning, a sacrifice fly was hit by Pair.

The Cougars scored another two runs in the top of the sixth inning, taking the lead with a sacrifice fly.

The Bears regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning 5-4 due to base by balls and a bean ball as the bases were loaded. Though the Bears did not score another run with the bases loaded, the defense held the Cougars from scoring, leading the Bears to their victory.

-PREVIEW-

Honeybears host dance clinic for young girls Simon Gable Staff Writer

The smiles of young girls filled the Prince Center on Sat. Feb 20, when the UCA Honeybears Dance Team held their bi-annual dance clinic for little girls.

Junior Honeybears member Emily Wright said: “Every semester we hold a dance clinic for young girls ages six through 12. All girls, regardless of dance experience, are encouraged to come” The two-hour-clinic, which lasts from 9 a.m.-11:00, costs $30.

Honeybears Coach, Susan O’Keefe said, “Participants in the clinic can pay their $30 in advance, or they can register when they get here.”

The $30 fee covers the cost of the clinic, an official dance clinic t-shirt and tickets to the basketball game the girls perform at, O’Keefe said.

The clinic is designed to give the young girls a chance to see what it’s like dancing for a competitive team, Wright said. “We teach them a routine that they perform with us at a

basketball halftime-show,” she said.

The girls perform at halftime during a football game after the clinic in the fall, O’Keefe said.

Each clinic begins with the Honeybears introducing themselves to the young participants.

Wright said the Honeybears go down the line and tell the girls their names and something about themselves to make them more comfortable.

“We also give them a chance to ask us questions they might have,” she said.

After the girls have been introduced to the team, they go through a light round of stretching.

It’s important to teach the girls to stretch before doing anything physical, especially dancing, O’Keefe said.

“After everyone is warmed up, we teach the girls the routine they will be performing at the basketball game,” Wright said.

“We know that a lot of these girls are first-time/beginning dancers, so we keep the routine simple,” she said.

During the performance, the girl’s dance to “I Love Rock and

Roll,” Wright said.

“They begin the performance alone, and then we come out and the girls watch us dance. Then we all dance together for the finish,” she said.

This semester, the girls performed at the halftime show during the men’s basketball game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Junior Honeybear Jordan Huntze said: “Performing during a collegiate sports event halftime gives the girls a chance to see what it’s like dancing in-front of a crowd. Also, it exposes the girls to college life in general. One reason we do this is to get the girls excited about coming to UCA and possibly joing our dance team.”

O’Keefe agreed that performing at a university is an eye-opener for the young girls and their families.

“It gives the girls and their parents a chance to see what being part of a nationally recognized dance team and university is all about,” said O’Keefe. “Also, it gives us a chance to get involved in the local community; something we have always felt is very important.”

The Center for Insurance Studies would like to congratulate the first students in the nation to be conferred

the University Associate Certified Insurance Counselor (UACIC) professional designation.

Ryan Barnes Kraig Bowden Coty Clary Dane Duffield Kara Martin Stephanie Rowland Michael Sherer Dr. William T. Hold, CIC, CPCU, CLU will be on the UCA campus March 2, 2011 to officially award the designations to these students.

INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT THE

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

10 / February 23, 2011

SPORTS

ucaecho.net

-DIAMOND-

Bear Chat with

Michael Pair

by Lee Hogan Staff Writer

Senior catcher Michael Pair is one of the offensive weapons the UCA baseball team has coming back this season. Last year, Pair had a .304 batting average and led the team in RBI with 42.

Pair also recorded a slugging percentage of .485 while hitting five home runs on the year.

This year, Pair is poised to be a key contributor both at the plate and behind the plate at catcher. Pair’s .992 fielding percentage last year was good enough for fifth on the team while seeing time as catcher, left field, and right field.

Before coming to UCA, Pair attended McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas for two years. Over his three years in college, Pair has a combined .318 batting average proving to be consistent at the plate.

Pair, originally from Dallas, Texas, attended Trinity Christian Academy High School in Addison, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, and is a broadcast journalism major at UCA.

When did you start playing baseball?

I started playing as soon as I could walk, but I started playing organized baseball when I was 6. T-Ball in Coppell, Texas.

Which athlete inspires you?

Ray Lewis. The guy has the most unbelievable work ethic and passion for his sport of anyone.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I have my parents bring me a foot-long oven-roasted chicken breast on wheat with the mixed-shredded cheese and honey mustard. I get cranky if I don’t eat.

What are your goals for this season?

My goal is to do everything I possibly can to help the team get to the conference tournament, regional, super-regional, and College World Series.

What has been your favorite moment as a UCA Bear?

Getting a sweep at Sam Houston State last year. We had a rough year and to get that sweep towards the end of the year was fun.

What brought you to UCA? When I came on a visit I thought the campus was real nice. The athletic facilities were also nice and they are always improving.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love video games. Anything from “NFL Blitz” for Nintendo-64 to “Call of Duty: Black Ops” on Xbox 360. Nothing beats video games with the bros. I like working out and doing yoga as well.

Would you say that you are better at playing “Call of Duty: Black Ops” or baseball?

I am nasty at “Black Ops”, but I am going to say hopefully baseball.

What is your favorite TV Show?

My favorite TV show ever was “LOST”, but it’s over, so now really the only show I watch is “SportsCenter”.

What are your plans for after college?

Hopefully I’ll get to continue playing baseball after college, but if not I would like to do some kind of sports reporting or maybe coaching.

What is on your iPod before a game?

I do not have an iPod, but if it’s a home game I listen to Jay-Z on the way to the field.

If you could play any other sport other than baseball, what would it be?

Definitely football. I miss playing football all the time. I love to play basketball too, but there is nothing like football games.

Rose Cowling photo

Junior first baseman Blake Roberts connects with a pitch during the Bears second game of the series against the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars on Saturday in Bear Stadium. The Bears beat the Cougars 14-4.

Baseball Bears win second game of series 14-4

by Andrew McClain Staff Writer

The Bears baseball team defeated Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars, 14-4 on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Bear Stadium.

The Bears couldn’t have asked for better weather for Saturday’s game and were rewarded by a great crowd turnout, with plenty of Bear Stadium’s seats filled.

The game was the second in a series of three against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the second win.

“It took us a while to get going” said head coach Allen Gum, “but [sophomore pitcher] Clint Green threw six solid innings of shutout ball.”

Green did, in fact, pitch five innings without a single score. “It was exciting to see the offense come together and put up some big innings like that” junior pitcher Dustin Ward said.

“We were just trying to be aggressive and fill up the strike zone” Green said, who held fast against the Cougars for five solid innings.

The Bears’ biggest inning came at the bottom of the sixth when Bears sophomore catcher Michael Pair got the inning off to a great start with a home run over the left field wall. His home run scored the first points for the Bears and the first points of the game.

The Cougars scored their only four points during the seventh inning. At the top of the seventh inning, freshman pitcher Russell Watts came in as a relief pitcher for Green.

Cougar second baseman, sophomore Matt Highland hit a single line drive into left

center field. After walking a batter and runners advancing, Bears freshman designated hitter Devin Caldwell hit a double down the left field line bringing in two runners, giving the Cougars their first two points of the game.

Junior right fielder Greg Noble threw a runner out at the plate after catching a fly ball, which swung the Cougars’ momentum after scoring their only four runs.

Cougars junior third baseman Thad Hawkins hit a double down the left field line later in the inning, resulting in two more runs for the Cougars. Those runs were the last the Cougars scored during the game.

Pair was able to walk and junior first baseman Blake Roberts doubled down the left field line and second baseman senior Zack Dickson hit a single in the left field, later advancing to second base due to an error from the Cougars left fielder, allowing Roberts and Pair both to score.

Cougars Highland, Caldwell, junior center fielder Mitch Matecki and sophomore first baseman Joel Greatting tied each other with one run each.

Highland, Caldwell, Hawkins and freshman short stop Chase Green scored one hit each.

Pair led the Bears with three runs. Sophomore left fielder

Ethan Harris led the Bears with three hits, and Noble led with three runs batted in.

Such a solid win for the Bears can only mean good things for the season ahead. With the whole team in top form, everyone has high hopes for all the games ahead.

The Bears’ next game will be against the Eastern Illinois University Panthers on Friday at 3 p.m. The Panthers were swept in their opening season series by the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.

They lost to the Golden Eagles 6-2, 9-1 and 0-6. Last season, the Panters had a record of 18-35.