Jan. 30, 2013

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

Volume 109 — Issue 2

January 30, 2013 Wednesday

Opinion:

Campus Life:

4 TODAY 20% Showers Early

Voice: Bill to allow concealed carry on campuses misses mark

Reynolds: Musical revival on tour ‘Chorus Line’ entertains sold-out crowd

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4T H U R S DAY

Basketball: Men beat McNeese State, Lamar to win three straight games 4 page

4 page 6

4 page 3

Partly Cloudy

Sports: 7

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-SAFET Y-

UCAPD assures effectiveness of campus gun policy

4F R I DAY Partly Cloudy

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Fountain of News

by Brandon Riddle News Editor

Vaught Appointed to UCA Board of Trustees Shelia Vaught, 62, a Little Rock businesswoman and educator was appointed Jan. 24 to replace trustee Rush Harding III. Harding retired last year after serving 21 years on the board. Vaught has been involved with event coordinating for RiverFest and Race for the Cure, owned the Little Rock School of Dance for 35 years and retired to become a wedding and event planner.

Gov. Mike Beebe announced Vaught’s appointment in a news release. She will be appointed to the UCA Audit Committee for two years and her appointment as a trustee expires Jan. 14, 2020.

photos courtesy of Facebook, Allison Rubio

UCA students celebrate the Presidential Inauguration Jan. 21 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (left). President Barack Obama appears on an outdoor television screen as he is sworn in for a second term at a public ceremony (right).

Inauguration trip creates memories

by Clark Johnson Sports Editor

International Engagement Hosts Clinton Library Trip UCA’s division of International Engagement invited members of the campus community to attend a trip to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and the Little Rock River Market.

Tickets were sold for $5 and attendees received a guided tour in groups of 10-15. A trip to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark. is scheduled for Feb. 17.

Week-long Celebration Of Literary Works Begins Feb. 11 UCA’s Department of Writing will host the annual Arkatext literary festival, a week-long celebration, in the Grand Foyer of Thompson Hall beginning at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 with a student reading. All Arkatext events are free and open to the public. Students will read and perform their own prose, poetry and hybrid works.

Tuesday will feature faculty lead reading, also in the Grand Foyer at 1:40 p.m. Arkatext week continues in the Grand Foyer with an 11 a.m. craft talk by H.K. Stewart, founder and host of Little Rock Poetry Slam. Fiction writer, Phillip McMath, will hold a craft talk focusing on writing historical fiction in Thompson Hall room 331 on Thurs. Feb. 14 at 11 a.m.

Fifteen UCA students experienced the trip of a lifetime when they traveled to Washington, D.C. last week for the 2013 inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The students were part of a group of 300 people from Arkansas attending the inauguration with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. Two graduate assistants accompanied the 15 students.

Students selected were seniors Paige Murphy, Darlecia Williams, Kristin Weatherford, Jason Riley and Portia Crawford; juniors Elyahb Allie Kwizera, Adam Price, Jade Edwards and Allison Rubio; sophomores Kailen Hardman, Chris Melendez and Arzalious Davis; and freshmen William Edwards, Melodie Pride and Jared Lareau.

The students were among 138 applicants selected to be sponsored by

See Trip - page 2

Rapert presents proclamation, updates on proposed sales tax, handgun legislation

by Marisa Hicks Associate Editor

District 35 State Representative Jason Rapert presented a proclamation to creative writing professor Stephanie Vanderslice and gave an update on legislative affairs Jan. 25 in the board of trustees conference room.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching awarded Vanderslice 2012 Professor of the Year last November.

She was chosen from nearly 300 professors in the nation.

Rapert said Vanderslice was an example of UCA’s “top-notch” academics and that her award helps define “what’s wonderful about UCA.” Vanderslice, who has taught at UCA for 15 years, said she thanked Rapert “on behalf of UCA.” Rapert overviewed recent changes to health care and tax reform he said he felt were relevant to talk about at the legislative affairs brief.

“Since this is the first time I’ve had to represent the university, I want you to

-LEADERSHIP-

Orientation staff to advise incoming freshmen

by Hunter Brooks

Up to 200 high school students are expected to compete in the Bear Claw Invitational, a debate/communication skills competition hosted by UCA Forensics, Feb. 8-9 on the UCA campus. Officials expect a wide range of schools mainly from Central Arkansas and the Arkansas River Valley. The event will take place throughout the campus, with headquarters at McCastlain Hall. Registration will be at 3:30p.m. Feb. 8 with events scheduled throughout the evening. Saturday’s competition will begin at 8 a.m. Admission is free.

The UCA Office of Orientation announced its 2013 Student Orientation Staff (SOS) leadership team Jan. 14.

Seniors Cody Stephens and Rachel Carlock were selected as student codirectors. Stephens, from North Little Rock, is a finance major. Conway native Carlock is a physical therapy major.

Seniors Sayre Upton, Austin Dodson and Sydney Crafton and juniors Josh Dabney, Lindsey Dacus and Luke Moix were selected as SOS team leaders.

Dabney, a biology/pre-medicine major from Marked Tree, is entering his third year on SOS and first as a team leader.

“The best part isn’t being the leader,” Dabney said. “All I do is delegate tasks and

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National Guard Joint Force Headquarters and the Department of the Treasury.

Edwards said the inauguration speech made the experience complete.

“President Obama gave a powerful speech and you could feel the pride the inauguration attendees had for the country,” Edwards said. “I could not be more appreciative to UCA for the opportunity to witness history in action.”

Students from other Arkansas schools were also part of the trip. Groups from Harding University, Philander Smith College and eSTEM High School in Little Rock traveled to the inauguration.

UCA’s group met up with remaining travelers at Clear Channel Metroplex in Little Rock and left for Washington, D.C. on Jan. 19. Students watched from the National Mall as President Obama

- S TAT E R E P R E S E N TAT I V E -

Schools To Compete In Bear Claw Invitational

Around Campus

UCA to attend the inauguration. During interviews, students were asked about their leadership roles, grade point average and reasoning for wanting to attend the inauguration. Chosen applicants were announced in December. Rubio said being selected came as a big surprise.

“Honestly, I was shocked I got the opportunity to go,” Rubio said. “I’m very involved around campus and I really wanted to go, but when the selection committee called me I was absolutely speechless.”

Rubio said she became most anxious the days leading up to the trip.

“I kept counting down the days until we left and I was so anxious to be able to participate in such a once in a lifetime event,” she said.

The group participated in several activities once they arrived at the nation’s capital. Students toured historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the District of Columbia

In the wake of recent shooting tragedies on school campuses, UCAPD Project Manager Arch Jones said the university is confident current safety policies are effective.

Legislation has been introduced in the Arkansas legislature that would allow faculty and staff with a concealed carry permit to bring their guns to work.

The bill, introduced by District 76 State Representative Denny Altes (R), went to the State’s House Education Committee Jan 29. Jones said UCAPD does not support the right for students, faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns.

“It is the UCA Police Department’s position that guns on campus would detract from the healthy learning environment on our campus and create additional risks for our students,” he said.

Junior Lydia Dillon, UCA College Republicans president, said the recognized student organization supports the right for legally licensed citizens to use guns for self-defense.

“Without means of self-defense, our campuses become easy targets for potential violence,” she said.

UCA Young Democrats President freshman Jared Lareau said the solution to reducing gun violence is not allowing more guns.

Jones said UCA has constantly assessed and adjusted policies and procedures based on lessons learned nationwide from tragedies that have involved school campuses, including the 2008 UCA shooting that resulted in two deaths.

Efforts to prevent gun violence include increased training for safety officials, the Behavioral Intervention Plan, the Emergency Operations Plan, which was developed and approved in 2012, and tabletop exercises to demonstrate hypothetical scenarios.

Assistant Sports Editor

4 Campus Life 4 Entertainment 4 Opinion 4 Sports

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Arkansas is one of the last remaining states to tax food items.

“I don’t feel comfortable taxing people on that,” Rapert said. “To fulfill [Beebe’s] promise, I fulfill mine.”

Rapert said that he did not have an opinion on a proposed bill that would allow concealed handguns in schools because he has not read the bill.

A bill, called the Church Protection Act of 2013, that would allow churches and religious institutions to decide whether or not to allow concealed weapons passed the Arkansas Senate on Jan. 28 with a 28-4 vote.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

[the SOS] are the amazing people that make it all happen. Both of my past team leaders have been a big part of the reason I am the person I am today so I hope to influence in that way.”

SOS is responsible for UCA’s Summer Orientation and Academic Registration program (SOAR), as well as Welcome Week activities in August.

Upton, a physical therapy major from Clarksville, is a first time team leader.

“To be a team leader of SOS is an incredible honor,” Upton said. “It means that you have been selected as a great representation of our university. While we do have an impact on students, parents and faculty, this organization photo by Pham Minh

See Orientation - page 2

Next Issue:

Index:

know my style of service to you ... my job is to find out what your priorities are,” he said.

In 2012, the Medicaid shortfall was said to be $400 million. However, Rapert said that number keeps fluctuating and that the shortfall may only be $50 million.

“We need to know exactly where we stand on this,” he said.

Tax reform is another initiative, he said. Rapert said it is important that the state gets rid of the remaining sales tax on food items. Gov. Mike Beebe has proposed a sales tax reduction to eliminate the last imperative tax on groceries. Rapert said

UCA’s Young Americans for Liberty host Arkansas Liberty Summit

Senior Rachel Clawson (from left) juniors Christina Rowen and Kaitlynn Cox and sophomore Ashley Hopper participate in “Boxes in for Property,” a diversity and social justice event.

Inside:

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Construction beneficial

Kum & Go convenience store will serve needs of students, be asset to community page 6

2 / January 30, 2013

NEWS

Police Beat

- GOVERNMENT-

The following reports and arrests are from the UCAPD docket. UCAPD reports any tickets issued as arrests, according to ucapd.com.

Nonstudent arrested for public intoxication Nonstudent Dustin Jayroe, 21, was arrested for public intoxication at 12:04 a.m. Jan 20.

UCAPD saw Jayroe leave the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, located at the intersection of Donaghey Avenue. and Martin Street. Jayroe was swaying and stumbling as he walked.

Earlier in the evening, Jayroe fell on his face in the middle of Donaghey while crossing the road to attend a party.

When UCAPD made contact with Jayroe in front of the house, they noticed he had red, glassy, watery eyes and he smelled strongly of intoxicants.

UCAPD asked for Jayroe’s ID and he responded with “unintelligible words.” When asked again, he said it might be in his car.

UCAPD helped Jayroe across Donaghey to his car so he could find his identification. The vehicle was halfway in the parking spot. Although his car was well lit, Jayroe used his phone as a flashlight to search for his ID in the console and passenger seat.

Jayroe informed UCAPD he thinks he left his identification at his friend’s apartment off Salem. Jayroe then tried to put his keys in the ignition and attempted to start his car. UCAPD told Jayroe to take the keys out of the ignition and exit the vehicle.

Jayroe was taken to the UCA Police Department to file paper work.

Marijuana found in students’ State Hall dorm UCAPD was dispatched to State Hall for a possible drug violation at 4:40 p.m. Jan. 22.

Upon arrival, UCAPD met with Resident Assistant Kenya Ray. Ray said she received a noise complaint for room

106. She went to the room and knocked on the door, but no one answered. Ray said that when she knocked ont the door the radio was immediately turned off.

As UCAPD approached the room on the south wing, they could smell burnt marijuana. As they got closer to the room, the smell got stronger.

After knocking on the door for several minutes, UCAPD went outside. The window to the room was open and the blinds were down. They knocked on the window several times, but no one answered.

UCAPD reentered State Hall and told Ray they were going to complete a Drug and Violation Report for the room.

Students Rahmon Taylor, 19, and Marcel Bedford, 19, are responsible for appearing before the university’s judicial board.

Motor vehicle collision results in minor damage A motor vehicle collision was reported in the north overflow parking lot at 6:55 p.m. Jan. 22.

Upon arrival, UCAPD contacted student Richard Frizzell, 22, who drives a GMC Sierra.

Frizzell said that as he made a right turn out of the parking space, his vehicle struck the driver’s side front bumper of a blue Chevorlet Impala that was parked in the space next to him. He told UCAPD he cut the corner too close.

The Impala was unoccupied at the time. UCAPD advised dispatch to contact the owner of the Impala, who was identified as student Matthew Elliot, 23.

The entire front bumper of the Impala was removed from the vehicle. Damages were estimated at $900.

Damages to the Sierra consisted of small scratches to the passenger side front bumper and are estimated at $50.

-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-

Music students receive division honors

by Andy Robertson Assistant News Editor

Several students from different areas within the music department were honored for their accomplishments during the fall 2012 semester.

Senior Jonathan Pillow, vocal performance major, placed second in the Senior Men’s Division at the Regional National Association of Teachers singing competition in Baton Rouge, La. “It was a great experience being able to place second in the Senior Men’s Category, and it was great being able to have the chance to compete against singers of such a high caliber,” Pillow said.

Freshman Molly Brooks, music education major, won the Arkansas Music Teachers National Conference Senior Woodwinds Division, playing the saxophone.

“It feels amazing to win at the division level,” Brooks said. “I won the state level two years ago, and I never dreamed I’d be able to come back and go all the way to Nationals.”

Sophomore Simona Donova, music performance major from Varna, Bulgaria, won the Arkansas Music Teachers National Association’s (MTNA) Young Artist Division, playing the flute.

“This is was my first competition in America. I was very happy because they picked

me over everyone else,” Donova said. “It means a lot. It is also a small step for me to accomplish bigger things.”

Senior Kayla Copeland, music education major, was selected for the ARIA International Summer Academy of summer 2012 and honorable mention, for Arkansas MTNA’s Yong Artist Division, playing the flute.

“Those are the first honors I have received at a competitive level but I have also had the opportunity to play principal in the Conway Symphony Orchestra and in UCA’s Wind Ensemble and be a drum major in the Bear Marching Band. Those in and of themselves are great honors,” Copeland said.

Freshman Dalton Shaffer, music education major, won the MTNA Senior Brass Division, playing the euphonium.

“It was a great feeling. It was the reward for all the hard work I had been putting in for months,” Shaffer said. “This is my second year to enter the competition, so making it to nationals is a dream come true.”

Senior Mary Cowperthwait, music education major, was selected as alternate in the Young Artist Division, Arkansas MTNA, playing the flute.

Graduate education students Leslyn Jacks and Brent Grunnels presented their research, “A Description of Sight-reading Practices in Arkansas Secondary Choral Programs,” at the

Arkansas Music Educators Association Fall Conference.

Jacks also presented her research study, “Effects of Gender and Socioeconomic Status on Student Motivation in a Choral Setting.”

At the conference, graduate music education student Nancy Summit presented her research study, “Impact of Listening Model Quality on SelfEvaluation Accuracy in Eighth Grade Instrumentals.”

Music education majors Aubrey Hoult and Emma Ockerman received Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship Grants. Hoult will present her research study, “A Comparison of Facial Muscle Activation Between Vocalists and Instrumentalists,” at the 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Conference.

Ocekrman formed a hand-bell choir of UCA students and Conway community members.

The choir will perform with the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir this spring.

Twelve UCA students were selected to join the 2013 Arkansas Intercollegiate Band.

Those students are Kristin Caserta, Elizabeth Blevins, Daniel Detogni, Layla Butler, Kaleb Knight, Barrett Parten, Baylee Elkins, Daniel Rousseau, Ethan Shaw, Eric Liu, Nathan Reynolds and Drew Morales.

Each student practices at least two hours a day to prepare for upcoming performances.

- H E A LT H -

Students with flu symptoms urged to stay at home

by Jeanette Anderton Editor

UCA’s Student Health Services has reported 13 confirmed cases of the flu this season on campus.

“Those are just the ones who came to the clinic to get tested,” SHS Director Rochelle McFerguson said. “Many students likely went to their primary care physicians to get tested.”

She said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone get a flu shot, even this late in the season. She said SHS doesn’t have any more shots available, but that anyone wishing to get a flu shot can do so at Walgreen’s for a small fee.

“We’ve had people test positive as late as May,” she said.

“It takes a week to get coverage from the shot and it is good for a few months.”

She said SHS gave out 1,350 flu shots this season, which was a slight increase from the previous season.

“We order the shots almost a year in advance,” she said.

ucaecho.net

“We are about to order the shots for the next season, which we will give out around October or November. The medical director looks at trends and based on the amount given the previous year, decides how many to order.

We will most likely increase our order a little this year. We have increased a little every year since I’ve been here [which is three years].”

She said funding for the shots comes from the students’ SHS fee. She said all the SHS flu shots are given out in less than a week.

“The first two days we give shots, it’s open to only students,” she said. “On the third day, we open it up to anyone on campus, including faculty, staff and students. We don’t charge anyone.”

The CDC’s website, cdc.gov, states the most common flu symptoms, which include fever, aches, chills, tiredness, nausea and diarrhea. It states the best protection against the flu is to get a flu shot, take preventative actions to stop the spread of germs and take flu medications if

your doctor prescribes them.

The website states: “Vaccination is the best way to help prevent getting the flu.

People six months of age and older should get vaccinated every year. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; frequently wash your hands with soap and water. If you are sick, stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. Prescription medications can help stop the virus from spreading and shorten the time you are sick.”

McFerguson said students who have flu symptoms should not attend class.

“If you have symptoms, especially fever, stay home,” she said. “I’m sure your instructors and fellow students will appreciate it.”

She said a persistent fever is a sign of the flu.

“If you have fever over 101 degrees and Tylenol won’t break it, come to the Student Health Center or go see your primary care physician and get tested,” she said.

SGA votes to increase room, board rates

by Andy Robertson Assistant News Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) unanimously passed a resolution Jan. 28 to increase room and board rates.

The resolution was introduced by SGA Executive Vice-President Jovana Ilic.

The Student Life Committee held a hearing with housing representatives and VicePresident of Finance and Administration Diane Newton.

The hearing is required by the Student Fee Proposal Process.

Housing and University Finance representatives showed a great need for many crucial repairs and renovations to housing facilities including apartment complexes, to ensure UCA remains competitive and appealing to incoming and existing students.

The room percentage is three percent.

UCA’s room rates are competitive to most other competing institutions in the state and athletic conference.

Housing and University Finance representatives showed evidence of listening to concerns of the students, implementing the suggested meal plan option changes proposed by SGA. It also adds bonuses to the new $625/$775/$925 declining balance plan. The board percentage increase is 3.25 percent.

The Student Life Committee said it is confident that UCA will continue to have one of the lowest meal plan rates of our competitors.

Aramark and SGA have created a monthly report process about Aramark for student concerns.

Aramark is planning to renovate several residence halls around campus, as well as the Christian Cafeteria.

Bear Village is also scheduled to be renovated after being untouched for 10 years. The goal is to make apartment living quarters from four residents to two.

SGA plans to place suggestion boxes in every residence hall for what should be renovated, as well as suggestions for other improvements needed around campus.

The Student Center Lounge is also scheduled to be renovated.

New tables and chairs are going to be purchased. The renovation of the lounge will cost $1,600.

Hardwood floors will be placed in the west side of the Torreyson Library to go along with the east side’s recent floor installation.

Additional male, female and family restrooms will be installed in the library.

Renovations are scheduled to cost $1.1 million and will begin during the summer of 2013.

Trip:

Student awestruck, gains greater understanding of leadership at Presidential Inauguration 4 Continued

from page 1

was inaugurated at a public ceremony on Jan. 21.

Rubio said the experience gave her a greater appreciation for the career she’s pursuing in public administration.

“There were moments where I felt absolutely awestruck because of the sheer greatness of the

moment,” Rubio said. “To work in government is a big goal of mine, so to be in the presence of so many people who have achieved what I hope to achieve was simply amazing.”

Rubio said she took away a greater sense of leadership after attending the inauguration.

Although she has served in many

influential roles around campus, Rubio said the importance of the moment was overwhelming.

“I’ve held many leadership positions and to see the president giving a speech was just a ‘wow’ moment,” Rubio said. “When I’d look up at the capitol and see [our leaders] sitting there, it was like a ‘pinch to remind me it was reality and not a dream’ [experience].”

Orientation:

SOS helps incoming freshman adapt to college environment through workshops, tours 4 Continued

from page 1

also has a great influence on its members. Ask any [SOS team member] and they will tell you that SOS changed their life.”

SOS helps incoming freshmen adapt to UCA and is made up of enrolled students, who volunteer their time to be on staff. SOS staff members give tours, conduct workshops and provide assistance to any freshman in need.

“We are more commonly known as ‘the crazy, loud, orange shirt people,” Upton said. “But the most important aspect of our program is that often we are the new students’

first experience at UCA. SOS strives to show these incomers how much we love and appreciate our university and how excited we are for them to be a part of our community as well.”

The six SOS team leaders will lead a group of 72 UCA students whose mission is to inform new students, allow them the opportunity to feel a part of their new community and to help them feel good about their decision to attend UCA. “A lot of freshman, including myself, came to college a little scared and a lot excited,” Dabney said. “It is our vision as SOSers

to make them feel at home. We don’t want students to just feel at home, but to feel a sense of bear pride and comfort.”

The SOS program began in the fall of 1979 under the leadership of then Dean of Students, Fred Rhodes.

“I am very excited to select our new staff in a few months and meet my team members,” Upton said. “I already know that it’s going to be a great year for incoming students and for SOS.” Applications to join SOS will be available online at uca.edu/ orientation/sos-staff starting Feb. 25.

Campus Life

3

January 30, 2013

Around Campus:

Cartoon craziness Caricature T-shirts, which are shirts with one’s exaggerated face drawn on it, will be made from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow in the Student Center Lounge. The event is hosted by the Student Activities Board and the shirts will be free to all students, while supplies last.

Drumline LIVE Drumline LIVE is coming to Reynolds Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2. The performance is part of its Broadway Series and will include a musical version of the hit movie “Drumline.” Dancers will perform to contemporary and current music and the event will feature energetic action throughout the night.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Love

Emperor’s New Clothes The UCA Theater program will host a production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Anderson, adapted

by Liz Parker at 7:30 Feb. 8 and 10 a.m. Feb. 9 in Reynold’s Performance Hall.

The Broadway musical, “A Chorus Line,” included dancing and singing throughout the night Jan. 25 at Reynolds Performance Hall. This scene depicts the line doing high kicks toward the end of the production.

‘Chorus Line’ brings laughter to Reynolds audience

by Brandon Riddle News Editor

Black History Month The Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall will host the first event of Black History Month at 6 p.m. Feb. 10. The event will feature “A Celebration of Black Women in Music” and will be free to all students.

Are you ready for some football?

Reynolds Performance Hall will host former National Football League head coach and current ESPN analyst, Herm Edwards, for its Distinguished Lecture series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12. The event is sponsored by 103.7 The Buzz.

Old School Celebration “Musical Timewarp” continues the Black History Month events at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall. This event is free and will feature various artists, including Fonzworth Bentley.

A sold-out crowd filled Reynolds Performance Hall Jan. 25 for “A Chorus Line,” winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Broadway’s “singular sensation” is on a nationwide tour across more than 30 states. Conway was the 35th stop on the tour, which began Oct. 26 and ends March 23.

“A Chorus Line” chronicles the process of 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The production featured 13 musical numbers ranging from up-tempo to deeply emotional performances.

UCA Public Appearances Director Jerry Biebesheimer said he was impressed by the large turnout for the event and support from the community.

The cast arrived a day early to prepare for its musical performance at Reynolds.

Theater program to host comedic experience Staff Writer

The annual Miss Essence Scholarship Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Ida Waldran Auditorium . The event has a $5 admission but is free to students with a current ID.

Submissions Please submit events for Around Campus in 50 words or fewer to ucaechoeditor@gmail.com.

Include basic who, what, when and where information as well as contact information.

wrenching moment.

Cruz’s character, a gay Puerto Rican who endured a troublesome upbringing, described coming to terms with his sexuality and his early career in a drag act.

Cruz previously played Mark, the youngest dancer at the audition, in a regional production of “A Chorus Line.” “[Cruz] made you feel how he felt,” Walsh said. “It was truly a real performance.”

The audience clapped for the eight dancers as they were selected following several rounds of questioning and rehearsals.

All 19 characters returned to the stage wearing bright gold costumes that replaced rehearsal clothing. A reprise of the famous song, “One,” received applause as cast members said farewell at the end of the musical.

The original production of “A Chorus Line” in 1975 was directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett.

After 6,137 performances, it became the longest-running production in Broadway

-PRODUCTION-

by Andrew McClain

Miss Essence Pageant

Biebesheimer said the cast’s concern for ensuring the event was successful showed professionalism.

Each character presented their struggles in getting a job on Broadway by vividly describing their stories to the casting director, Zach, played by Jeremiah Ginn. Zach and his assistant choreographer, Larry, seek to know the quirks and personalities of those auditioning. Larry was played by Matthew Couvillon.

Stories of the 17 dancers progress chronologically from childhood to experiences as adults, with the help of music and dance. Topics included surgery to improve body image, homosexuality and discovery of the female anatomy.

At times, laughter filled the performance hall as the audience heard accounts from such dancers as Val, who recounted improvements to her body. Val was played by Aisling Halpin.

Freshman Tyler Walsh said hearing the life story of Paul San Marco, played by Alexander Cruz, was a powerful and gut-

The University of Central Arkansas’ Cadron Company will perform its annual children’s show at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and 10 a.m. Feb. 9. The show is an adaptation of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Han Christian Andersen, adapted by Liz Parker, business and production manager for UCA Theatre.

The UCA Theatre department’s Cadron Company is its own entity that performs children’s theatre. UCA Theatre has done annual children’s show for over 20 years. Each year, the show tours elementary schools in Central Arkansas. This show

Junior Katerina Yanushevich “Nothing because I don’t care about football.”

is already booked in Russellville, Greenbrier, Benton, Bryant and others. Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the actors perform for the elementary school students.

“It’s a great outreach program for us,” Parker said, “we love bringing theatre to small schools without access to live performances.”

Parker adapted and directed the show, which features UCA students in the cast. Sophomore Madison Ledbetter plays the tailor, freshman Katherine Renfro plays the empress, freshman Austin Gaither plays the emperor, and senior Stephanie Yancey narrates.

“I wanted to adapt it for just four people,” Parker said.

The small cast makes it

easier for the show to tour.

Ledbetter said: “This is my second show with the Cadron Company and I am thrilled. I love being able to perform for kids and be able to make the make-believe come alive, if only for a short period of time.

Performing for kids is different because they aren’t just watching you, they are in the story with you and helping you all along the way. I love being able to interact with the kids that’s probably my favorite part of being in the children’s show.”

The on-campus shows are in Reynolds. Admission is free, tickets are not required and doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

Students Say story by Spencer Griffin photos by Sean Shrewsbury

history until “Cats” in 1997. Currently, the show is set for a revival in the West End and a United States nationwide tour is underway.

Aldo Scrofani is the executive producer of the Broadway classic revival on tour. Scrofani has worked in the live entertainment industry for 35 years and has been associated with more than 100 productions on Broadway, including “Gone With The Wind,” “STOMP,” “Gypsy” and “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.”

Junior Haley Murphy said she learned about “A Chorus Line” coming to UCA from her parents who encouraged her to get a ticket.

“I love music of any kind,” she said.

After seeing the musical numbers, Murphy said she was in awe at the amount of coordination the dancers exhibited throughout the musical.

The 2012-2013 Reynolds Broadway Series concludes at 7:30 Feb. 2 with “Drumline LIVE,” a production based on the hit movie, “Drumline.”

HELPING WITH HOT DOGS

Photo by Emily Lawrence

Graduate Emily Powell (left) and Senior Kelsey Blasingame help out by passing out food for Margaret Van Elementary’s Winter Festival on Jan. 25.

Freshman Nichelle Mays “[I’ll] probably flip back and forth just so I can see the commericals.”

“What are you doing for the Super Bowl?”

Freshman Akoya Nickson “[I’m] just [going] to different Super Bowl parties and tweeting about the commercials.”

Sophomore Scott Robert “I don’t watch football.”

Freshman Kennedy Thomas “[I’ll] watch my dad scream at the TV.”

Freshman Bradyn Jeffus “I’m going to watch it for the commercials.”

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / c ampu slife

Sophomore Andrew Cantu “[I’ll] probably [do] nothing. I don’t watch football.”

Freshman Dustin Ervin “[I’ll] probably just watch a movie on my computer.”

ucaecho.net

CAMPUS LIFE

January 30, 2013 /4

BY JENNIFER HICKS

CONRAD AND SYD

- CHARIT Y-

Alpha Sigma Alpha hosts concert to benefit cancer research

by Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor

The UCA chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha raised over $3,600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with the first “Rock for a Reason” charity concert Jan. 25 at Juanita’s in Little Rock.

All of the money raised at the function was donated to the children’s brain stem tumor research center at St. Jude’s in honor of Jack Huntze, the younger brother of a recent 2012 UCA graduate and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Jordan Huntze. Jack died at age 10 on Aug. 27, 2012.

Senior Jovana Ilic, who organized the event, said that in December 2011, Jack was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Poutine Glioma (DIPG), an extremely aggressive and inoperable brain stem tumor commonly diagnosed in children.

No progress has been made in finding a treatment for this type of tumor in over 30 years. The tumor is fatal 100 percent of the time, but St. Jude’s is working on clinical trials for the treatment of this type of tumor.

Ilic said Cynthia Wetmore is the doctor conducting and pioneering these trials. She said the care that Jack received from the doctors at St. Jude and Arkansas Children’s Hospital was wonderful and full of support.

Ilic said Jack’s story was an

Photo courtesy of Kyndal Saverse

The ladies of Alpha Sigma Alpha raised over $3,600 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital cancer research. The sorority hosted the Jan. 25 concert in Little Rock at Juanita’s.

inspirational one.

“Jack Huntze was incredibly courageous throughout all of his treatments and his faith and trust in God inspired all [of] those around him,” she said. “His short life brought joy to all [of] those around him and his story has inspired us all.”

She said she wanted to find

a way the sorority could raise awareness about this type of brain cancer while honoring Jack’s life and the impact he had on the girls.

“Over 450 people from across the state and beyond came together that night, raising over $3,600 for St. Jude brain stem tumor research,” she said.

PIZZA PROPAGATION

“Performers that night included local UCA students and alumni as well as Randy Young, Medic and Lucas Hitch, The Cons of Formant and Backroad Anthem. Each of these performers and bands donated their time and talent as well as further donating to the cancer research fund.”

Senior Rachel Caruthers, a

-ANIMAL CARE-

Club prepares hopeful veterinary students

by Marisa Hicks Associate Editor

Photo by Emily Lawrence

Senior Devin Johnson (left), senior Chaz Roussell, and junior Jay Johnson (right) represent UCA’s Students for the Propagation of Black Culture organization by serving pizza at Margaret Van Elementary School’s Winter Festival on Jan. 25.

-PERFORMANCE-

Campus to host great lineup for spring 2013

by Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor

The 2013 Reynolds Performance Hall season is in full swing and students and staff expect it to be as good this season as it has ever been.

There will be many different types of performance series this semester, from the music department, theater program and distinguished lecture series.

“We have tried to bring bigger performances to Reynolds in all of our series this year, even if that means fewer performances,” UCA Public Appearances Director Jerry Biebesheimer said.

The next performance will be “Drumline LIVE,” a live marching percussion show presented by the musical team behind the movie “Drumline,” which is a

part of the Broadway series on Feb. 2. Next comes distinguished guest Herman Edwards, an analyst for ESPN and former NFL coach, who will give a lecture on Feb. 12.

UCA’s music department puts on several shows each month and the first will be a Latin-themed show, “Sabor de America Latina,” by the Conway Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 16. The next show by the CSO will be a family-oriented show, “Enchanting Tales,” targeted at younger children. It will take place on Mar. 9. The final performance by the CSO will be April 20 and will feature Conway native soloist Curt Thompson.

The performance will feature classical theme, “A Classical Homecoming.”

Other performances by the music department include two shows by the symphonic band,

member of Alpha Sigma Alpha who attended the event and gathered donations, said she was proud of the event’s turnout and funds raised.

“It was an amazing turnout and the bands were amazing,” she said. “I am truly impressed with the sympathy and caring of the community in this area. We didn’t

expect so much involvement and so much money to be raised.”

She said there were mixed feelings attending the event but that it went well.

“While the event went on great as planned, there were some mixed emotions going through everyone there,” she said. “You are happy that you’re at the event and donating and receiving all this money, but at the same time you remember the life of Jack and it hits a soft spot in your heart.”

Caruthers said she hopes the involvement continues and that the community can learn from Jack.

“I hope the donating and caring doesn’t just stop after the event at Juanita’s. I hope that people can take a lesson away from the way Jack fought and showed his faith in God through his struggle,” she said.

“He was truly an inspiration and people should see that and keep donating to cancer research.”

The ladies of Alpha Sigma Alpha set up a booth outside the food court in the Student Center in order to raise money before the event.

To further assist children’s brain tumor research, people can donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to Wetmore at the brain stem tumor research facility.

The center is at 262 Danny Thomas Place in Memphis, Tenn.

38105.

on Feb. 20 and April 24, two performances by the symphonic wind ensemble, on March 12 and April 23, three performances by the UCA Opera Theater on April 5-7 and a performance by the UCA Concert Choir on April 11.

“We’ve worked hard to put together a great season this semester,” Music department Chairman Jeffery Jarvis said.

A showing of “Verdi’s Rigoletto” by the Metropolitan Opera will be on Feb. 17.

The American Boychoir, regarded as the United States’ premier boychoir, will be performing on March 1. A collaboration between the NaiNi Chen Dance Company and music of the Ahn Trio, called “Temptation of the Muses” will be on March 7. Country/pop star Amy Grant will perform on April 2. A classical quintet, “The 5 Browns” will perform on April 15.

UCA’s Pre-Vet Club helps students with an interest in animals to prepare for future careers and the application process for veterinarian school.

The club gives pre-veterinary students the opportunity to attend symposiums at other universities and colleges.

Members hold independent fundraisers such as a Halloween contest to raise money for the club. In Dec. 2012, they collaborated with UCA Humane Society Club for their first annual Angel Tree. Leftover dues and funds in the Pre-Vet Club’s account are donated to organizations that need funding, such as the Humane Society of Faulkner and Pulaski counties, Sunrise Therapeutic Services, Inc. in Greenbrier, Helping Arkansas Wild Kritters (HAWK) Center in Russellville and the National Tiger Center in Branson, Mo. “The benefits [of the club] are not only for my own happiness, but to make a difference for those animals who can’t really help themselves,” senior Kalyn Wilson said.

She said she benefits from the club’s study groups. The study groups, which are held during the club’s meetings, but will be moved to different times that correlate better with students’ class schedules.

Senior Megan Hammond, Pre-Vet Club president, said members are working to set up a binder with information and requirements for different veterinarian schools they are interested in. Hammond, who graduates in May, said she will bring her veterinarian school applications to the club’s meetings to expose members to the application process of applying for veterinarian school.

“Applying for [veterinarian] school is a big, drawn out, scary ordeal,” she said. “I want to expose everyone else to the process. A lot of people don’t

know how it works.”

The binder will feature a list of all the requirements of different veterinarian schools to help students know what classes they need to take in order to get into the school they want.

“This will help prevent people from worrying that ‘I can’t go to my dream school because I don’t have one class,’” Hammond said. “We want to get everyone prepared.”

Wilson said the binder and exposure to the veterinarian school application process will help make her more knowledgeable and experienced.

“The developing binder will help on the routine and [preparation] for vet school, including the courses and exams needed to apply,” she said.

“The club helps prepare [us] for the experience and knowledge needed to be a vet. It’s a passion and a choice that can’t be taken lightly. Not everyone is cut out for it, but those that are love the care they can offer to our furry friends.”

Hammond said she would like to see the club continue to grow.

In order to attract new members, Wilson said the club needs to have a bigger presence on campus. She said she hopes the study groups will draw other pre-vet students’ attention to the club.

“As far as expanding the PreVet Club, we need to be more active on campus and have more activities,” she said.

Having guest speakers from other universities come to UCA is difficult because there are no veterinarian schools in Arkansas so the club has to provide funds for room and board as well as fuel for speakers, Hammond said.

Hammond said she got involved with the Pre-Vet Club her sophomore year and that the club has helped her focus on what classes she needs to take. She said she wants to attend veterinarian school at Mississippi State University because the university offers “a good environment to study and focus.”

“They hosted the first symposium I was able to attend in 2010 and after their representatives visited UCA last semester, I have fallen in love with their excelling curriculum,” she said.

Wilson said she wants to attend Mississippi State University before attending the University of Georgia in Athens.

“I spent 11 years in Georgia, so I’d love to go back,” she said.

“Plus, they have a great program and new pre-vet building. Also, it’s a hard choice with how cutting edge the Mississippi program is right now.”

Entertainment

5 -ALBUM-

January 30, 2013

New This Week Books

Feb. 5 ­— Rush (The Breathless Trilogy #1) by Maya Banks Feb. 5 — Etiquette & Espionage

by Gail Carriger Feb. 5 — House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires Series #7) by Chloe Neill

photo courtesy of www.vancitysounds.com

“Bad Religion” is a punk band from Los Angeles, Cali. They formed in 1979 and have released 16 studio albums.

‘Religion’ still going strong

Feb. 5 — Running Blind (Jack Reacher Series #4) by Lee Child Feb. 5 — From Mama’s Table to Mine: Everybody’s Favorite Comfort Foods at 350 Calories or Less by Bobby Deen Feb. 5 — Buried In a Bog by Sheila Connolly Feb. 5 —Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi Feb. 6 — Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez, Matt Baglio

Movies Feb. 1 ­— Stand Up Guys, directed

by Fisher Stevens, starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken Feb. 1 ­— The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia, directed by Tom Elkins Feb. 1 — Warm Bodies, directed

by Jonathon Fisher, starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer Feb. 1 ­— Bullet to the Head, directed by Walter Hill, starring Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang Feb. 1 ­— Girls Against Boys, directed by Austin Chick, starring Danielle Panabaker Feb. 1 ­— Sound City, directed

by Dave Grohl, starring Paul McCartney, Lars Ulrich Feb. 4 — Josh Groban Live: All That Echoes, directed by and starring Josh Groban Feb. 8 — Identity Thief, directed

by Seth Gordon, starring Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy

Music Feb. 5 — “The Aftermath: Descension” - Coheed and Cambria Feb. 5 — “Bastards” - Björk Feb. 5 — “Island Universe” Feeding People

Feb. 5 — “DEA.D ALIVE!” - Misfits Feb. 5 — “Us Alone” - Hayden Feb. 5 — “Wonderful, Glorious” - Eels Feb. 5 — “Anhedonia” - This Hisses Feb. 5 — “Smokey Mary” - Harry Connick, Jr.

photo courtesy of www.collider.com

“Silver Linings Playbook” is a romantic comedy directed by David O’Russell and starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The film is based on the novel of the same name.

‘Playbook’ diverts from romantic norm

by Brad Smith Opinion Editor

“Silver Linings Playbook,” based on the novel “The Silver Linings Playbook” by Matthew Quick, is a fantastic new movie that deals with a lot of hardhitting material while still maintaining a well-developed sense of humor.

The movie, while technically a romantic comedy because it contains aspects of both genres, is far from the average movie in the genre. The movie mainly focuses on main character Pat Solitano’s, played by Bradley Cooper, recovery and healing from an emotional meltdown brought on by the falling apart of his marriage. He does this with help from a new friend and widowed recovering sex addict Tiffany Maxwell. The relationship between Solitano and his parents, played by Robert DeNiro and Jacki Weaver, is also explored.

When the movie opens, Pat is being released from a court-ordered stint in a mental institution in Maryland and being taken home to Philidelphia by his mother. Pat meets Tiffany when he goes to a friend’s dinner party

See Movies of 2013

List compiled by Hunter Brooks

who are proud of who they are, instead of the scary, violent way people suffering from mental illnesses are usually portrayed.

The movie manages to skirt the line of finding humor in their illnesses without trivializing it or taking it for granted.

The movie has a lot of humor and will make you smile a lot, but pulls no punches on the low end of his condition either. A scene with Pat and his parents while he is searching for his wedding video is a particularly affecting one and shows how hard recovery can realistically be.

The movie was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Bradley Cooper for Best Actor, Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress, Robert de Niro for Best Supporting Actor and Jacki Weaver for Best Supporting Actress. The film is also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay for David O. Russell and Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers for Best Film Editing.

This movie came with a lot of hype before its limited release last year and it lived up to all of it. Whether you enjoy romantic comedies or not, the unique approach to this story has something for everyone to enjoy.

Assistant News Editor

Californian punk rock band, Bad Religion released its 16th studio album, “True North,” Jan. 22 through Epitaph Records.

Bad Religion has been together since 1979 and has played all over the world.

The band is about to embark on a 47-show tour to support its album, which features Florida punk band, Against Me! and New York post-hardcore band, Polar Bear Club. The tour kicks off March 9.

Don’t let the name of the band or its logo fool you. The members of Bad Religion do not consider themselves atheists. Its songs are about anti-conformity than anti-religion. Frontman, Greg Gaffin said he regrets using the logo because he thinks it may put off a lot of religious people whom he feels could benefit from listening to the band.

As a Christian myself, I have not been offended by any of the lyrics or any of the messages they try to send. In fact, I agree with a lot of the things they talk about.

I did not know what to expect when I began to listen to the album. I have heard Bad Religion was a great band from a couple of friends. My interest piqued when I heard it was going on tour with one of my favorite bands, Four Year Strong, in 2011.

This is the first time I have listened to Bad Religion and was blown away. I listened to this album four times within

-DEB UT-

the first two days I heard it.

Each listen had me wanting to listen to it more and pick up my guitar to play along with it. I will definitely check out the rest of its discography.

As someone who listens to the music before the lyrics, I was into the album from the start.

The album has heavy guitars and pounding drums. After a couple of listens, I started paying attention to the lyrics.

The album’s lone single, “F**k You,” talks about one of the many things the band stands for. The song talks about how a word can be something that one can use in any situation. The most telling lyric of the song says, “But all rest assured; sometimes a word is the most satisfying sound, yeah.”

After reading about the band, I found out that they have always been political and rebellious, which I expect from a punk rock band. While it does not get into too much politics, the album plays around with the theme of not letting the world tell you who to be and how we, as humans, are destroying the earth. This is shown on the song “Hello Cruel World.”

The album features 16 songs and lasts 36 minutes and 17 seconds. It is a fast and aggressive album; as it should be, because it is punk rock.

The album has a parental advisory and can be bought on iTunes for $9.99, with the title track available for free download.

If one is into punk rock or wants something new to listen to, I highly recommend this album.

-MUSIC-

‘Rocky’ rises in rap charts with first album, Duo reinvents classic sound newcomer impresses fans through rhythm by Andrew McClain

by Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor

“Long.Live.ASAP” by ASAP Rocky, released on Jan. 15, is one of the hottest new hip-hop/rap albums.

Known by its single, “F**kin’ Problems,” this album has more than just one good track.

ASAP Rocky can be considered a new rapper on the music scene, considering he signed a deal with Sony, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music in 2011.

He was born and raised in the New York City neighborhood Harlem and is a member of the hip hop group A$AP Mob. He is 24 years old and his real name is Rakim Mayers. His first name comes from one half of the Eric B. and Rakim hip hop duo.

Mayers’ influences are mostly rap groups, including “Three 6 Mafia,” “Bone Thugs-NHarmony,” “Wu-Tang Clan” and “Run DMC.” ASAP Rocky is said to have multiple meanings, some of which are “Always Strive and Prosper,” “Assassinating Snitches and Police” and “Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose.”

“Long.Live.ASAP” is a follow-up to Rocky’s mixtape “LiveLoveA$AP,” released in 2011. His debut is an amazing

1. Man of Steel (June 14)

The Top Five Must-

and the two immediately develop a strange connection by being up front about their pasts.

The movie mainly follows Pat and Tiffany as they help each other out by entering a dance competition, as well as Pat and his father using football to reconnect with each other. Pat intends to reconnect with his estranged wife by showing her how far he has come with his recovery.

Cooper’s performance as the intense, yet endearing bipolar Pat is at times frustrating, annoying and blunt, but he is such a relatable and sympathetic character that you will continue to root for him. Lawrence’s performance as Tiffany is also a standout among several great performances. She has another frustrating but sympathetic character who refuses to be looked down upon for her problems. Despite their 16-year age difference, Lawrence plays a mature character and the two have great chemistry.

While the movie is great in all its technical and personnel aspects, where it really shines is in its handling of mental illness.

The characters in “Silver Linings Playbook” are treated as people who are having a hard time and

by Andy Robertson

Zach Snyder, director of “300,” and Christopher Nolan of the “Dark Knight” trilogy team up to produce this reboot of the “Superman” film series. Unlike 2006’s “Superman Returns,” “Man of Steel” promises to be more dark. Henry Cavill plays Superman, Amy Adams plays Lois Lane and Russell Crowe plays Jor-El in this film that shows the origin of the Superman character.

Lawrence Fishburn, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane also star.

album that features many artists including Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Drake, Big K.R.I.T, Yelawolf and Joey Badass.

One rare, non-rap artist the album includes is Skrillex in a song with dubstep qualities.

In the song featuring Skrillex, “Wild for the Night,” the beat comes from dubstep backgrounds.

Rocky works the song into the hip-hop/rap genre while rapping with the dubstep in the background.

The upbeat song is one of the best on the album and what some would call a “hype” song.

Although it is one of the best on the album, it is also one of the shortest.

Most songs on the album are short, at only three minutes and 32 seconds long.

Another song on the album that should be considered as one of the greatest is the popular single that was released before the album itself, “F**kin’ Problems.”

This song features Drake and 2 Chainz and also gives off a “hype” vibe.

One reason the song is popular is because of its upbeat tempo and its memorable chorus.

An overlooked track is “1 Train.” This song features many of today’s popular artists including

2. Oblivion (April 12) Tom Cruise plays ex-Marine Commander Jack Harper, one of the last few drone repair men stationed in airborne towns on Earth destroyed by an alien invasion 60 years ago. The film looks like a mix between “Star Wars” and “Planet of the Apes.”

Joseph Kosinki directs this film based on the graphic novel of the same name. “Oblivion” stars Morgan Freeman as Malcolm Beech and Olga Kurylenko as Julia Rusakova.

Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf and Big K.R.I.T. This song has a smooth vibe that is not too fast. The pace of this song gives off a chill vibe, but one that is catchy that people could dance to.

This track is the longest of the album at six minutes and 12 seconds.

Although all the songs on the album are of great quality, “F**kin’ Problems,” “1 Train” and “Wild for the Night” are the most memorable.

The mix in tempo that Rocky gives off throughout the numerous tracks gives listeners a change of pace from the monotony some rappers have in their albums.

The deluxe version of this album includes 16 songs and a total of 61 minutes and 25 seconds of listening time.

Every second of time spent listening to this album is time well spent.

The album is availiable for $11.99 on iTunes or the Google Play store.

This album can change one’s mood simply by the deep lyrics and the smooth beats that go along with them.

This is a good new album by an artist that is soon to be extremely successful.

3. World War Z (June 21) Brad Pitt plays a United Nations employee looking for a way to stop a zombie pandemic that traverses the globe. Think “I Am Legend” on a global scale as the outbreak has caused governments to collapse and armies to be devastated. Marc Foster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland) directs this postapocalyptic film that critics are buzzing may be the best in the zombie genre. The film is based on the novel by Max Brooks.

Staff Writer

There are a few words that will stop me dead in my tracks when reading a music review.

“Retro” is one. “Throwback” is another. And, “Revival” is another.

There’s nothing new under the sun, as they say, and I believe that, so some recycling is always necessary but if a band can’t escape its own yearning for the past, it starts to bury itself in nostalgia-pit.

Brooklyn duo Foxygen have recorded an album, “We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic” that wears its 60s psychedelic rock influences on its sleeve.

What makes it different is that being “quirky” or “retro” is nowhere near the central conceit of the record. Its goal isn’t to emulate “The Kinks” because they think “The Kinks” made the best music ever – no, that ridiculously long, silly-sounding name has very real meaning: Foxygen make modern music.

Vocalist Sam France sounds like a young Mick Jagger, but the songwriting has an occasionally crass edge to it that is distinctly modern. I think most “retro” bands try to make older-sounding music in order to sound old but Foxygen is comfortable sounding 22 years

4. Anchorman 2 (December 20) Ron Burgundy and the Channel 4 news team are back after 9 long years. Will Ferrell will return as Ron Burgandy, Steve Carell will return as Brick Tamland and Paul Rudd returns as Brian Fantana. The original cast returns to their seats of San Diego’s most watched news source. Not many details have been released about the plot but I have a good feeling not many fans mind. Chris Parnell, Christina Applegate and Vince Vaughan also star.

old. France lands a dead-on Jagger impression on the album’s psychedelic freakout of its title track. But Foxygen isn’t doing an impression of anyone – its palette of sounds is varied enough that the DNA of any of its songs can’t be traced directly back to any one source.

There’s plenty of Velvet Underground, The Kinks and the Stones, but the lead single, “Shuggie” is clearly an homage to funk musician Shuggie Otis, and features some ancient synthesizer and a rare groove rhythm. The music is occasionally gentle and borderline precious like The Kinks, but occasionally hits a harder groove like the 13th Floor Elevators or Velvet Underground’s tweaked-out amphetamine jams.

Richard Swift (music industry veteran of many bands, like Starflyer 59 and current member of The Shins) produced the album after the boys allegedly gave him a demo CD at one of his solo concerts.

Swift has an ear for the tones and effects that the band needed to pull off an album like this and the difference between “We Are The 21st Century...” and Foxygen’s 2012 EP “Get The Kids Off Broadway” is noticeable.

Released Jan. 22 by Jagjaguwar Records, home to Sharon Van Etten, Bon Iver and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the record is a solid nine songs, with hardly a dud to be found.

5. Gravity (October 4) Starring George Clooney as Matt Kowalsky and Sandra Bullock as Ryan Stone, “Gravity” is about a pair of astronauts who, when their orbiting space station falls apart after a catastrophic incident, must fight for survival in debris-strewn space. While there are some skeptics about the whole “floating off in space” plotline, it sure sounds intriguing.

The film was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who wrote the screenplay with his son.

Opinion

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The Voice

January 30, 2013

New gun law may make campus less safe for students

The Echo Staff Construction around campus benefits students w

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Jeanette Anderton Editor

Marisa Hicks Associate Editor

Brandon Riddle News Editor

Andy Robertson Assistant News Editor

Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor

Brad Smith Opinion Editor

Clark Johnson Sports Editor

Hunter Brooks Assistant Sports Editor

Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor

Daniel Becker Photo Editor

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The Echo office is located in Bernard Hall 003

To many, construction is always bad because of the traffic congestion and eyesore it brings to the streets of the neighborhood.

The current construction near UCA campus is not such a bad thing. The construction on Donaghey Avenue and Dave Ward Drive where Textbook Brokers used to be will provide the community and the students of the university a convenient gas station and food source with a Kum & Go. For students living at Bear Village, Centerstone Apartments and other places near this area, the nearest gas station is either down Dave Ward Drive or on Farris Road. When needing gas for going to and from the university, the new Kum & Go will definitely provide the easiest and most efficient gas available.

Another positive aspect of the store in this location is its convenience for students without a vehicle. If the store in Bear Village is closed, the students will be able, even though the laziness of walking may be a tempting reason to stay home, to walk to the Kum & Go and grab groceries or other items they need.

The Kum & Go is not just an ordinary gas station; it’s is one of the nicest gas stations in the region. The cleanliness on the inside is unlike any other. Another aspect of the store that adds to its appeal is its variety and uniqueness.

The store offers more than just the average drinks and snacks. It contains grocery store items, such as milk and eggs and even hotdogs and pizza in most locations.

While it will not be a fun process for the houses in the area, the store is definitely worth the construction that the area will undergo.

Another piece of construction is the Edge apartments that are currently being built. Many

students and parts of the community don’t like the idea of the mass construction going on in the area. They say the dirt in the street and large mechanical equipment, with all the noise going along with it, disrupts the area and makes it look dirty.

While this may be true, the extra space it will provide for student living will be a positive for the university and for the community. It will provide students with another living space close to campus to avoid racking up a large gas bill. Not only that, but because they are just now being built, the apartments should be relatively nice.

by Spencer Many students Griffin come to college without Campus Life a vehicle and these Editor apartments, plus the Kum & Go, will provide the students with adequate places to live and get groceries.

Another reason the community should be content with the new gas station going up is the amount of students it will bring to the new apartments.

Many students are living away from campus in apartments that other members of the community also live in. This new building will draw students to it with its proximity appeal.

Complaints about loud college students in other apartments are often heard throughout various towns and this migration of students from other apartments to a new, closer complex should provide a feeling of relief for those complaining about the noise of the students.

While construction does dirty streets at times and causes a nuisance with noise and large machinery, the community should look at these particular projects as positive additions to the area and just ride the construction out until the new, convenient buildings are in place.

Female leads in video games becoming more common Until recently, most female characters in video games were relegated to over-sexualized eye candy or damsels in distress. With the recent console generation, there have been more strong female characters in lead roles.

Whether it’s Mario with the always-kidnapped Princess Peach or the Dead or Alive series, whose creators take pride in the physics of the female characters, the history of women in video games has been less than perfect. Some franchises have handled it better than others.

While the Tomb Raider franchise has a history of hypersexualizing its lead character, Lara Croft, the next installment of the series looks to be a more mature game that deals with the consequences of Croft being forced to kill someone for the first time. Hopefully the creative team at Crystal Dynamics will continue to show her as a welldeveloped character.

The Metroid series is another strong femaleled game that has downplayed the sexual aspects of the character. The fact that Samus was not a female was not revealed until the very end of the original game in the series, “Metroid.” While some of the later games of the series make her

more sexual in nature, she still retains her cool, dangerous demeanor through most of the series.

However, while there have been many advances in how women are portrayed in video games, there have been plenty of missteps.

Custer’s Revenge, a particularly infamous game from 1982, featured a scene which showed an apparent rape of a Native American. A commercial and critical failure, the game is generally considered one of the

by Brad Smith worse games ever made.

Opinion Editor Many other series, including the aforementioned Dead or Alive series, have been created around the idea of showing off lightly clothed women. Unfortunately, these attitudes are an all too common occurance in the video game industry. Because many people view video games as merely entertainment, it is held to different standards than films or television.

Many recent movies such as “Zero Dark Thirty” and popular television shows such as “Fringe” have strong female leads in law enforcement roles, which have generally been reserved for men.

If video game developers want to be taken as seriously as other media, they have a lot of work to do.

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

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A new law to allow university faculty and staff to carry guns on campus will go before the Arkansas legislature during the 2013 session.

While this bill most likely has the intention of helping with school shootings, it has some holes that make it unfair and unhelpful for any real effect.

The bill allows any faculty and staff with a concealed carry license to carry the weapon on campus.

However, because this includes staff as well, this is unfair for students.

A 21-year-old staff member will be able to carry a weapon to work, but 22-year-old students will not.

Many students may not be comfortable having civilians with guns on campus when they cannot carry one themselves. If a staff member who is the same age as many students on campus can carry a concealed weapon to work, it only makes sense to let anyone who has a concealed weapon license carry a weapon on campus.

That is not to say students should be able to carry guns on campus either. The problems with thousands of young people carrying guns around each other are apparent. However, if students cannot carry guns on campus, only law enforcement should have that ability on school grounds.

As UCA is a public institution, carrying concealed weapons is not an inherant right. A similar bill to allow churches to choose whether they allow concealed weapons in their premises was passed Monday by the Arkansas Senate 28-4 and will next head to the state House of Representatives. However, as private institutions, they should have the right to decide for themselves. Universities are not the same.

The bill is an attempted solution to a major problem at schools around the country. School shootings have been a problem across the country and even this campus was the victim of a shooting that killed two students in 2008.

UCA has its own police force for a reason. With a campus as large as this one, a police force is needed to properly prevent crime. A real solution to gun crime on campuses would be more visible police force patrols on a wider area than has been seen.

Officers are often seen in only certain parts of campus, but having a more visible presense is a small price to pay to not having the headache of dealing with concealed weapons on campus.

Carrying guns on a university should be left to the well-trained law enforcement officers, not civilians who have only had the bare minimum training with a handgun.

While a professor or staff member carrying a gun could potentially discourage or stop an active gunman on campus, there have also been instances of people with licensed concealed weapons accidentally shooting innocent bystanders.

It is likely that there will never be another shooting on this campus, but adding guns to campus can only make things less predictable.

Though they generally are, schools and universities have not always been safe places to be.

Adding more guns to campus may serve to make the campus more volatile and less safe for students, as well as giving campus police officers more to deal with.

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.

A real solution to gun crime on campuses would be more visible police force patrols on a wider area than has been seen.

Sports

7

January 30, 2013

Week at a glance Men look for conference win After a triple-overtime victory over McNeese State on Thursday and a lopsided win over Lamar on Saturday at the Farris Center, the Bears have won three straight conference games.

Sugar Bears bouncing back The Sugar Bears lost their first regular season home game in nearly three years on Thursday against McNeese State. Two days later, the Sugar Bears downed Lamar in an overtime thriller to earn their sixth conference win of the season.

Tennis goes 1-2 in opener The UCA tennis team went 1-2 in its trip to Ruston, La. The Bears dropped games against LouisianaMonroe and Louisiana Tech and beat Grambling State.

Upcoming games Men’s Basketball Thursday vs.

Southeastern Louisiana. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday vs. Nicholls State. 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Thursday vs.

Southeastern Louisiana. 5:30 p.m.

Saturday vs. Nicholls State. 2 p.m.

Tennis Saturday vs. Texas A&M- Corpus Christi.

2 p.m.

Track & Field Friday at Southern Illinois University Invitational. 10 a.m.

photos by Sean Shrewsbury

Freshman guard Daouda Berete (left) drives against Lamar at the Farris Center. Berete had three points and three assists in 20 minutes against The Cardinals. Senior forward Jarvis Garner (right) pulls up for an open shot against Lamar. Garner and many of the starters played minimal minutes against the struggling Cardinals.

Bears tame Cowboys in triple overtime, down Lamar

by Clark Johnson Sports Editor

The UCA men’s basketball team is enjoying the start of its four-game Southland Conference home stand after earning two consecutive wins Thursday and Saturday.

Senior forward Jarvis Garner stole the show in the Bears’ (8-10, 3-5) dramatic triple overtime thriller on Thursday against McNeese State.

Garner matched his careerhigh total of 38 points in the 10398 victory against the Cowboys at the Farris Center, including six points that kept the Bears alive in the game.

Down 78-75 with 3.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Garner received an inbounds pass from Robert Crawford at the end of the court. Garner danced around a McNeese defender while avoiding contact with senior center Anthony Borden, to sink a 30foot shot to send the game into overtime at 78-78.

In the first overtime, the Cowboys were up 86-83, with 6.4 seconds remaining when Garner struck again.

After receiving an inbounds pass after a McNeese foul, Garner sank his second clutch threepointer of the game, this time from just beyond the line, to tie the game at 86-86 and force a second overtime.

After a series of missed shots and empty possessions, neither team was able to pull away in the second overtime, sending the game into a third overtime at 94-94. However,

the Bears only allowed four McNeese State points in the final overtime to pave the way to their second consecutive Southland Conference win.

Garner said he was ready for his number to be called to take the big shots.

“We drew up the play and it actually wasn’t for me,” Garner said. “[Junior guard DeShone] McClure told me he was going to play it to where if I flashed open at half court that I’d be wide open for the shot.”

The play didn’t work as drawn up, but Garner said he knew he had to take the shot.

“It didn’t work, so I flashed up at half court and was open for the shot and I just hit it,” he said.

In addition to his 38 points on 14-19 shooting, Garner grabbed 15 rebounds and had five assists.

Junior guard LaQuentin Miles also had a double-double, tallying 25 points and ten assists.

After going into halftime tied at 42-42, the Cowboys controlled much of the second half until a reverse dunk from Garner gave UCA a 67-65 lead with 8:46 remaining. Numerous lead changes led the Bears to have their backs against the wall before Garner sent the game into the initial overtime.

Aside from Garner and Miles, the Bears got solid contributions from senior center Anthony Borden. Borden had a size advantage over the McNeese State roster.

In the second overtime, Borden scored six points and grabbed three rebounds to help force a third overtime.

UCA Head Coach Corliss Williamson said the game was pivotal to get the four-game home stand started.

“I told the guys this was going to be the toughest game of the next four,” Williamson said. “To win two games was really big for us confidence wise, to help us get on a roll here at home.”

Williamson said the team felt good about its chances throughout the game.

“We felt pretty good at halftime, so we came out in the second half and took care of business,” he said. “The tempo was up to our speed and we just had to figure out how to play against their pressure.”

Williamson said he praised Garner’s effort to keep his team alive.

“Jarvis lives for the moment, he lives for those big time moments,” Williamson said. “He wants the ball. To have the guts to step up and want the basketball took a lot.”

Williamson said the effort from Borden, who tallied 14 points on 7-10 shooting from the field and grabbed eight rebounds, was good. Borden had two blocks in the game.

“We’ve always expected Anthony to have the ability to have a big game for us,” Williamson said.

“He stepped up at the right time. It was a great night for Anthony. He played extended minutes for us,” Williamson said.

Borden played a big cleanup role throughout the night, tipping in a barrage of shots that danced around the rim to help elevate the

Bears.

“He was able to get some good rebounds for us and get some tip ins, and also just score the basketball. We were very happy with Anthony’s performance tonight and hopefully it will encourage him to continue to work hard in practice and try to bring that effort every night,” Williamson said.

Williamson used 11 of his 12 players in the game. He said he had high expectations for the entire team.

“I thought (freshman guard Daouda) Berete came in and gave us some solid minutes,” Williamson said.

With a marathon of a game, fatigue plays a big role in the tempo of the game. The depth of Williamsons’ squad is a strength, he said.

“Towards the end, LaQuentin was getting a little fatigued so we subbed him out, and early on Daouda came in and made a few baskets. It was an all around team effort. Our guys continued to fight and stick together. They believed they could win this game,” Williamson said.

The Bears followed up the dramatic win over the Cowboys with a commanding 88-59 victory over Southland Conference bottom feeders Lamar on Saturday.

Lamar (2-18, 0-10) came into the game on a seven-game conference losing streak. The Cardinals were 10-0 in previous games against the Bears.

UCA was in command throughout the contest, jumping out to a 24-point lead early in

the first half before going into halftime with a 52-36 lead.

Williamson used every player on his roster to provide the regular rotation a break after playing for nearly three hours two nights previously.

The Bears finished the game shooting 32-82 from the floor (39 percent) compared to Lamar’s 1856 shooting (32.1 percent.)

Four Bears finished with double-digit scoring numbers.

Miles led the way with 12, while senior guard Robert Crawford, junior guard Ryan Williams and freshman guard Zach Padgett had ten points individually.

Garner finished the game with eight points and four rebounds, but only played 14 minutes to catch a much-needed breather after the game on Thursday.

McClure also was able to contribute in limited playing time. In only 16 minutes, McClure led the team in assists (6) and tallied five points.

With three consecutive wins, Williamson said his team has gained some confidence going into the second stretch of conference plays.

“Some good things have happened. You look at the second half last week [against Texas A&M- Corpus Christi] and we came together. We were able to find a way to win the tough games at home,” Williamson said. “We were able to find a way to win the tough games at home.”

After losing five consecutive conference games, the threegame winning streak has the Bears poised for a run to improve on their conference record.

Unusual circumstances in Super Bowl

DOUBLE DOUBLE QUEEN

Out of Left Field By hunter brooks assitant sports editor

photo by Sean Shrewsbury

Senior forward Megan Herbert lines up for a three-point shot on Saturday against Lamar. Herbert had 18 points and 16 rebounds in the 67-62 victory over the Lady Cardinals. The Sugar Bears are ranked second in the Southland Conference and can be seen tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Farris Center.

Super Bowl XLVII will see the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers Feb. 3 at the New Orleans Superdome.

While it might not be the most appealing of matchups on the surface, this Super Bowl produces the most subplots in recent memory.

In the first Super Bowl matchup of brothers, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh will lead the Ravens against his brother, San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Nicknames such as ‘Harbowl’ and ‘Superbaugh’ have been given to the matchup.

Another big storyline entering the game revolves around Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis.

Lewis announced a month ago that this would be the final season of his 17-year career.

Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowl

selection, is considered one of the best to ever play his position.

A Super Bowl win in his final game would be the fairy tale ending for his illustrious career.

There are a handful of other future hall-of-famers looking for their first Super Bowl victories.

San Francisco wide receiver Randy Moss, a 14-year veteran, holds the receiver record for most touchdowns in a season and ranks second behind Jerry Rice in career touchdowns.

Baltimore safety Ed Reed is another looking for his first Super Bowl ring. Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, is also considered one of the best to play his position. Reed has been one of the most dominant defensive players over the past decade, but is often overshadowed by teammate Lewis.

While there will be many future hall-of-famers on the field Sunday, no one predicted the matchup of quarterbacks.

The past five Super Bowls have included elite quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Peyton and Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick is entering his seventh-career start. While Kaepernick looks to have the tools to be a top quarterback, his inexperience is unprecedented for a quarterback in the Super Bowl.

Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco has experience, but not on this level. While the Ravens have been to the playoffs every year Flacco has started, many have suggested it was in spite of

Flacco, rather than because of him.

It’s interesting to point out Kaepernick attended the University of Nevada while Flacco attended the University of Delaware. Neither school is close to being elite in the realm of college football.

How these quarterbacks led their teams to the Super Bowl might be the most impressive of all.

Kaepernick took over midseason for Alex Smith before leading the 49ers to the second overall seed in the N.F.C playoffs.

The Niners first knocked off Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers before beating the topseed Atlanta Falcons.

Flacco and the Ravens squeezed into the A.F.C playoffs as a wildcard. Baltimore, considered the underdog in each game, eliminated the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.

Flacco became the first quarterback in NFL history to beat a Peyton Manning-led team and Tom Brady-led team on the road in the playoffs.

Many devote the success of both teams to their ability to run the ball throughout the season and during the playoffs.

The 49ers are the top ranked rushing offense this postseason.

Baltimore is second.

The Super Bowl might be the biggest spectacle in all of American entertainment and is expected to have nearly 100 million viewers. While almost everyone is in for a great game, I don’t envy the Harbaugh parents.

8 / January 30, 2013

SPORTS

ucaecho.net

-UPCOMING-

Basketball teams host doubleheaders

by Clark Johnson Sports Editor

With dramatic wins for both the Bears and Sugar Bears over the weekend, the teams host Southeastern Louisiana tomorrow and Nicholls State on Saturday.

The Sugar Bears take the court at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow to take on Southland Conference strugglers Southeastern Louisiana.

The Lady Lions (8-11, 1-7) come into the game after winning their first conference game of the season on Saturday.

Before they downed Texas A&MCorpus Christi, Southeastern Louisiana was on an eight-game losing streak.

The Sugar Bears will be looking to get their offensive attack back to full swing against a Lady Lions team that allows more points than any other

Southland Conference team, giving up an average of 69.4 points per game. The Sugar Bears lead the conference in scoring defense, allowing only 51.9 points per game.

Riding a three-game winning streak, the men’s basketball team has their sights set on going 4-0 in their home-stand.

The Lions (7-11, 5-3) come into the game with momentum of their own. Southeastern Louisiana went 2-2 in two home games last week, downing Sam Houston State and Texas A&MCorpus Christ to improve their conference record from .500 to 5-3.

The Lions are led by senior tandem in guard Brandon Fortenberry and forward Roosevelt Johnson, both averaging double digit scoring numbers per game.

After their impressive scoring totals against McNeese State, senior forward Jarvis Garner and

junior guard LaQuentin Miles have helped propel the leading scoring offense in the Southland Conference.

Garner is now averaging 16.1 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game, while Miles is averaging 15.7 assists per game. Both teams come into the game with prolific guardforward tandems looking to keep their winning streaks alive.

Tip off for the men’s game is 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the teams host Nicholls State in another doubleheader.

In the men’s matchup, the Colonels sit at the middle of the Southland Conference standings along with UCA and Southeastern Louisiana with a 6-12 record, but boasting five conference wins and just three losses.

Tipoff is at 2 p.m. for the Sugar Bears and 4 p.m. for the Bears.

- ON THE COURT-

photo by Sean Shrewsbury

Sugar Bears head coach Sandra Rushing talks to her team during a pivotal timeout on Saturday against Lamar. Rushing’s team went on to down the Lady Cardinals in overtime.

Sugar Bears fall to Cowgirls, down Lady Cardinals in OT

by Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor

Two days after the Sugar Bears basketball team (13-6, 6-2 SLC) had their 22-game home winning streak broken, UCA won an overtime thriller against Lamar at home on Saturday.

The winning streak was the nation’s third-longest at home.

The Sugar Bears had a difficult time stopping the Lady Cardinals’ 6’2” senior guard Kalis Loyd, from Sweden. Loyd had 18 points in the first half and seven in the second half, which earned her the title of Lamar’s leading scorer in school history.

With the help of Loyd, the Lady Cardinals took a 36-28 lead into halftime. UCA showed no fear in the deficit, coming out strong in the second half after shooting only 28 percent in the first.

The Sugar Bears had plenty of scoring help from their two big players, senior forward Megan Herbert and junior center Courtney Duever.

Both players finished with 18 points and a combined 31 rebounds. Herbert finished with 16 rebounds, splitting eight on offense and eight on defense.

Duever compiled 15 for the game, with 11 on defense and four on offense.

The bulk of Duever’s scoring came at the end of the game and in the overtime period.

Although these two players finished with the most points for the team, there was one more player in double-figures who will not be forgotten. Senior forward Britney Gowans, who had 10 points on the night, with 20 minutes of playing time, rocked the crowd in the Farris Center during the last few seconds of regulation. Before the win, Gowans was averaging 5.6 points per game.

Shortly after a missed free throw by Loyd, the Sugar Bears rebounded the ball with just 14 seconds left. UCA pushed the

ball up the floor with seconds left and Gowans hit a game-tying runner as time expired. The buzzer-beater sent the crowd into a frenzy as the team quickly composed themselves to get prepared for overtime.

In overtime, UCA outscored Lamar 10-5, leaving the Farris Center with a hard-fought victory.

This last-second basket by Gowans came just two days after the UCA men’s team won in triple overtime with two last-second, game-tying threes by senior forward Jarvis Garner.

Gowans said she credits her heroic performance in part to what she witnessed in Garner two nights earlier.

“I got the ball and thought about what Jarvis did Thursday night,” she said. “We always talk.

I call him my big bro, and he told me before the game that we had to go out and respond. I had the ball with six seconds left and I remembered what he did, so I figured if he can do it, I can do it.

I knew I could dribble the length of the floor in that time and I was able to get the shot up and it went in.”

She said she knew the team had to come back and get a win after losing a tough one against McNeese State.

“The game was exciting and we knew it was a must-win,” she said. “We knew we had to go out and redeem ourselves from the McNeese loss. The key to the game was toughness and heart.

Coach preached in practice about how we needed to be stronger and not let people push us around.”

Gowans said the game taught the team a lesson of trust.

“I think our team took away from that game the feeling that we can really trust one another on the court,” she said. “If we stick together, even in the midst of adversity, we can do anything.”

She said she felt honored hitting the buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime.

“It felt great to know my

teammates trusted me with the ball at that moment,” she said.

Senior guard Micah Rice, who is currently out with an ACL tear, said will most likely return in about two weeks. Before going down against Arkansas State, Rice was averaging 6.2 points per game and three assists per game.

She said the team had to focus on one thing to get the win on Saturday. “[The key was] slowing down Kalis Loyd in the second half,” she said. “We took her out of her rhythm and made her take tougher jump shots.”

Rice said the game was an important learning experience. “[It] just shows us that we’re capable of winning down the stretch and that the game isn’t over until there’s zero seconds on the clock,” she said. “I think it helps us gain some momentum as we get ready to head into the second round of games in conference. [This is] definitely a confidence booster.”

The Sugar Bears get the luxury of staying at home for two more games this week as the team will face Southeastern Louisiana at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow and Nicholls State at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The team currently sits at the number two spot in the Southland Conference behind the 7-1 Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Rice said the team needs to focus on keeping the pace in its favor to ensure they claim two more home wins this week.

“We just need to play with the intensity that we played with in the second half of Saturdays’ game,” Rice said. “We need to continue to work on shooting and our defensive effort.”

With the conference tournament in just over a month, Rice said she believes the team is poised for a repeat as champions.

“With or without me, we have a legit chance at winning the title as long as we continue to play good defense and take care of the basketball,” Rice said.

“Either way, we are definitely title contenders.”

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Tennis falls twice, wins one on road

by Hunter Brooks Assistant Sports Editor

The UCA Bears tennis team played three matches over the weekend in Louisiana.

The Bears started the weekend losing 4-3 to Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech took two of three doubles matchups.

Vivian ten Dolle and Manoela Chiacchio of the Lady Techsters defeated UCA sophomore Allison Murphy and freshman Krizia Buck 8-4 in the first match. The second doubles match went to Tech, with juniors Simona Horsikyan and Sasha Ruocco falling to Melanie Urvoy and Tally Merker 8-4.

The Bears won the final doubles match as sophomore Kristina Horsikyan and freshman Anna Buyukyan tallied an 8-3 victory over Louisiana Tech’s Alena Erofeyeva and Sophie Heldoorn.

UCA split the single matches, with wins coming from Murphy, Ruocco and Buyukyan.

UCA Head Coach Jeff Borengasser saw some positives despite the two losses.

“We had several impressive individual performances,” Borengasser said. “Allison Murphy, Sasha Ruocco, and Anna Buyukyan picked up very impressive singles wins against Louisiana Tech and Krizia Buck had a great hard-fought win against a very tough Louisiana Monroe opponent.”

Later that afternoon, the Bears had a clean sweep of Grambling State, winning 7-0.

The Horsikyan sisters and Buck won their matches 6-0, 6-4. Murphy and sophomore Stephanie Gonzalez-Valero picked up victories in straight sets.

“We had a lot of matches this weekend,” Murphy said.

“Everyone did a good job of competing the whole weekend and not letting down. We need to keep improving and beat our record from last year.”

On Sunday, the Bears fell to Lousiana-Monroe 6-1 in Monroe, La. Buck won UCA’s only singles match, defeating Ema Turudija 6-4, 7-5. Gonzalez-Valero, Murphy, Ruocco and both Horsikyan’s all fell in straight sets.

La-Monroe swept both

doubles matchups 8-2 and 8-3, respectively.

The Bears dropped to 1-4 on the season after the weekend’s matches.

While the team only managed one win out of the weekend, Borengasser said he was proud of the effort.

“We played five matches over four days to start the season, which is incredibly demanding physically,” Borengasser said. “While we have taken several close losses, the girls showed a lot of physical and mental toughness over that stretch, which will have us really prepared for the rest of the season.”

UCA opens Southland Conference play against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in Dallas on Saturday.

“Texas A&M Corpus Christi is one of the toughest teams we will face, so we have to be ready to play our best tennis,” Borengasser said. “We need to continue to improve our aggressiveness in doubles, our court movement and positioning, and continue to be mentally ready for playing our best in the close matches.”