August 29, 2012

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

Volume 108 — Issue 1

August 29, 2012 Wednesday

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Opinion: Voice: UCA should reevaluate ties with Oxford American

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Around Campus: Movie On The Field The Student Activities Board will sponsor “Movie On The Field” at 9 p.m. tomorrow on the football field. The movie will be “The Avengers.”

U.S. Navy Band Country Current The U.S. Navy’s premier countrybluegrass ensemble, the U.S. Navy Band Country Current, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 in the Reynolds Performance Hall, which is sponsored by the “River Valley and Ozarks” edition of the “Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.”

Doors will open at 7 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

Sports:

Campus Life:

Football: Bears ready to start 2012 season against Ole Miss

PlayFair: Freshmen attend sixth annual icebreaker event at HPER Center during welcome week 4 page 3

4 page

Burdick Hall evacuated; receives new air system

by Brandon Riddle Assistant News Editor

Students and faculty in Burdick Hall were evacuated on two occasions in June after several people in the building reported feeling ill.

Five students, five campus police personnel and one MEMS paramedic received medical attention following reports of illnesses in the building on June 7.

Steven Runge, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, said measures taken by those at the scene were not due to an actual threat to public health.

“If someone says they aren’t feeling well, we have to take that at face value,”

Runge said.

Emergency personnel did not become ill after entering the building and were only transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

The building was inspected for air quality following the reports on June 7 using carbon monoxide detectors and oxygen level meters that were installed on each floor of the building.

Emtec Environmental Solution, a university-contracted company specializing in environmental concerns, was hired to perform the air quality tests.

The Conway Fire Department conducted tests also.

Classes for the fall semester are located in other buildings across campus

MOVE IN DAY

SGA Applications Students can apply for Student Government Association online at ucasga.org. Applications must be submitted online by 3 p.m. on Sept. 14. Students who submit applications must attend a meeting at 4 p.m. on Sept. 14 in the SGA office.

Tim Gunn Lecture Star of “Project Runway” Tim Gunn will lecture from 7:30-9 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the Reynolds Performance Hall. The event is sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat and the cost is $15.

Students get two free tickets.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band performance with Del McCoury Band The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band will perform together from 3-5 p.m. on Sept. 30 in the Reynolds Performance Hall.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band features the sound of traditional New Orleans jazz music..

Submissions Please submit evetns 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.

extensively for air quality on June 22.

Classes relocated for the remainder of the day to enable air quality specialists to continue testing.

Air samples were collected over a period of approximately 24 hours in room 208, room 215 and on the roof of Burdick Hall.

CTEH Principal Toxicologist Dr. Alan Nye said, “There were no detections of a chemical regarded as toxic in any of the air samples.”

Low levels of isopropyl alcohol, acetone, pentane, and ethanol were reported in some of the samples.

See Burdick - page 2

Business students win in Baltimore

by Spencer Griffin Assistant Sports Editor

Students that would like to be CPR certified can attend an American Heart Healthcare Provider class to receive a twoyear certification on Sept. 8. The cost of the class will be $60 and interested students can call Jesse Flack at 470-8700 or email him at jflack@uca.edu.

Tobacco Cessation classes will be offered to UCA students, faculty and staff this fall. The classes will focus on personalized quitting plans. The first class will be from 5-6 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the Student Health Center 307.

The next classes will be held during x-period on Oct. 11 and from 12-1 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the Student Health Center 307.

as construction continues on a new system to improve air flow. Ceiling fans are being installed in classrooms to allow for continuous air circulation.

Runge said classes were moved as a way of preventing confusion that would be caused if students were moved out later in the semester.

Runge said tests in Burdick Hall came back positive for mold in one room.

The infected area has since been taken care of, he said.

A second scare on June 22 left one professor and several students feeling ill. No one was transported for medical attention.

The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) tested

-RECOGNITION-

CPR Classes

Tobacco Cessation classes

7

photo by Daniel Becker

UCA Alumni Holly Talkington helping alongside Chi Alpha students to move in the upcoming freshman.

-MOVIE-

Dull films, produces out of Conway

by Spencer Griffin Assistant Sports Editor

Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies Joe Dull is producing a feature film, “Sympathy Pains,” which is being filmed around Conway.

The film is about a comedian who, upon learning his wife is pregnant, gets sick every time the baby is mentioned.

His only reprieve from being ill comes when the audience warms up to his comedy routine, leaving him feeling as though he has to choose between his family and his career.

Dull said filming this feature is not only a benefit to him, but also to the students of UCA and the film department.

“We want to give our students the opportunity to work on a feature film — to give them the experience and resume

item that they can’t really get in our local industry,” he said. “It also helps get our film program out in the world when people see the quality of productions being made here.”

Graduate Student Jarrod Beck is helping Dull work on the film.

He is the first assistant director of the film which allows him to run the set and make the daily schedules for the shoot.

He said helping make this film gives him a chance to further his education in his field.

“It’s an opportunity to meet and work with other filmmakers,” he said.

“Filmmaking is very demanding creatively as well as physically, so it is very important to know whom you can and can’t work with on future projects.”

See Film - page 2

Members of the UCA chapter of Beta Alpha Psi competed at this year’s conference in Baltimore, Maryland,with some placing in the competitions they participated in.

Beta Alpha Psi is an international honors business organization for students involved in accounting, finance and information systems.

The conference is held every August and allows BAP members across the nation to gather and network with each other.

Senior Daniel Meador won first place in “Project Run with It.” This competition involved teams of four made up of different BAP members from across the country.

Their task was to solve a real problem for a real nonprofit.

Meador and his team each won a $1,000 prize for their efforts.

Meador said his team did a project on an organization called “Identity” located in Montgomery County, Maryland that helps serve Latin youth and their families.

Meador said “Identity” gave the youth experience and professional development

and provided a stream of revenue for the program.

He said he was grateful for the experience.

“Participating in ‘Project Run with It’ with members from other chapters was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” he said. “Being able to help out an organization like ‘Identity’ is just so rewarding because it is actually making a difference in the real world for someone that needs help.”

He said he had little time to prepare for the event.

“I was an alternate for ‘Project Run with It’ before the conference so I didn’t get the chance to prepare for the event like my teammates did,” he said. “Instead, I prepared to network with other BAP members and professionals during my time in Baltimore. Once I found out I was going to participate, I read about ‘Identity’ to acclimate myself as best I could so that I performed to the best of my ability.”

He said the project’s main objective included a training program for “Identity.”

See Business - page 2

- GOVERNMENT-

International Engagement names new director; Williams choosen

by Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

New Director of International Engagement and Assistant Provost Jane Ann Williams will expand research at the university and work to more international students into residential colleges.

“I think she’s a great communicator and that she comes with great experience from Miami Dade College,” intensive english program director, Amy Fenning said. “I

like her style. She has a hard job ahead of her, she’s charged with diversifying our international population which is in line with the mission of UCA.” Williams previously served at Miami Dade College where she established the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Initiatives and the Confucius Institute.

At MDC, Williams contributed heavily to their international engagement program,

See Director - page 2

-DEVELOP-

UCAPD expands main lobby for updates to communications department

by Marisa Hicks News Editor

The UCA Police Department main lobby will be under construction until November to expand the communications department in an effort to better serve the 40,000 annual calls the department receives.

The main lobby of the UCAPD officially closed on Aug. 17.

UCAPD Project Manager Arch Jones said the project was to be completed over the summer, but that there were some complications in the bidding process.

“We had initially planned this project to occur during the summer months and be ready for the start of the fall semester,” Jones said.

Next Issue:

Index 4 Campus Life 4 Opinion 4 Entertainment 4 Sports

“However, the bid process took longer than expected.”

Mahan Construction Co. will do the construction at the UCAPD. Funds from the Access and Security fee will cover the $70,508 expansion.

The expansion will add space to the communications department and lobby area of the UCAPD and will feature new technology in an attempt to better the UCAPD services.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we thank all of our students, faculty, and staff for their patience and cooperation during this time of expansion,” he

3 5 6 7

See Expansion - page 2

UCA student attends Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

photo by Daniel Becker

UCAPD is undergoing renovations in its main lobby. Students can go to the blue and white tent near the back to access parking and traffic services and dispatch services.

Contact Us: Phone: 450-3446 E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @ucaecho facebook.com/ucaecho

© 2012 The Echo, Printed at the Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Ark.

Football season It’s finally football season and it was a weak week

page 5

2 / August 29, 2012

NEWS

Film:

Police Beat

Instructor shoots feature around Conway, uses own experiences as inspiration

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

Nonstudent banned from campus; found with ‘green pill’ Nonstudent John Sinclair, 20, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance at 12:59 a.m. on August 25. He was also banned from campus.

UCAPD watched as he drove a moped and looked into the back of a truck in the parking lot east of the Physical Plant.

Sinclair said he worked at Aramark and was looking for his friend’s truck that had Taylor Made golf clubs in the bed. Police discovered that Sinclair does not work for Aramark.

After UCAPD searched Sinclair, a green pill labeled TEVA 833 fell from Sinclair’s hands. He said he did not have a prescription for the pill, but said he was with a friend earlier in the day who was dealing the pills.

Police informed Sinclair that his story did not make sense. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and banned from campus.

Student throws gathering in dorm, receives citation Students Jeffrey Pinkston, 18, Ian McVay, 18, Joseph Frederic, 18, Zachary Tatum, 18, Joshua Ashley-Pauley, 18, John Hazlewood, 19, Alyssa Biggar, 18, and Kaylie McFadden, 18, were issued judicial board notifications at 12:51 a.m. on August 24.

UCAPD investigated one of the rooms in Hughes Hall after hearing loud music. Police determined that the music was coming from room 330 and knocked on the door.

McVay was asked by police to step out of the room and was told police overheard a conversation in the room about liquor.

UCAPD asked McVay if they could look around his room to check for alcohol. McVay said, “No, I mean you’re the officer, I dunno.” He later consented to the search.

Upon entry, males in the room advised female students Biggar and McFadden, also in the room, to get up from behind a bed.

Additional officers arrived on scene and a check of Pinkston’s driver’s license was conducted. After the check, it was determined that Pinkston had a warrant

Business:

Nonstudent arrested for public intoxication Nonstudent Lucas Blalack, 24, was arrested for public intoxication at 12:19 a.m. on August 13.

Blalack was seen staggering on the sidewalk along Farris Road walking and it looked like he was about to fall over.

As UCAPD approached, they detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. He was asked by police if he had any I.D. on him. According to UCAPD, he then raised his voice and said, “I know my rights, my roommate is an attorney, I know my rights, what are you arresting me for.”

Blalack was transported to the Faulkner County Detention Center for processing. During his transport, UCAPD again attempted to get information about his identity.

After being asked questions by police, Blalack said, “I’m not giving you anything until you’re nice to me, I have the right to remain silent.”

Upon arrival at the detention center, he began shouting and screaming profanities. Information about his name and date of birth was obtained after Blalack was questioned by a detention officer.

Blalack had an active warrant out of the Sherwood Police Department for failing to appear in court with a cash bond of $980.

He was given a citation for public intoxication, disorderly conduct and obstructing government operations, which he refused to sign. Blalack was also given a court date of Oct. 1.

Business students

from page 1

“Our specific goal for ‘Identity’ was to come up with a soft skill training program they could implement soon and a for-profit entity that they could use to provide them with discretionary funds,” he said.

BAP Advisor Stephanie Watson said she was impressed and proud of the winning presentations the students gave.

She said the event was a benefit for the students.

“The Beta Alpha Psi Conferences give our students many opportunities,” she said.

“They interact with professionals and learn more about their chosen careers. They get the chance to meet Beta Alpha Psi members from all over the world and find out what their chapters do.”

4 Continued

out of Hot Springs County for driving on a suspended license.

McVay was told by UCAPD to hand over three open 16 ounce bottles of Budweiser. He told police no other alcohol was in the room. UCAPD then opened the refrigerator and found eight cans and two bottles of Budweiser.

Police asked McVay to step out of the room and he was issued a citation for throwing a gathering in his room which involved drinking alcohol underage. He was given a court date set for Oct. 1.

Pinkston, McVay, Frederic, Tatum, Pauley, Hazlewood, Biggar and McFadden were issued judicial board notifications.

take home awards from Baltimore 4 Continued

ucaecho.net

The competitions are designed to improve their communication, organizational and teaming skills as well as give them something to put on their resume.

Watson said the students and staff bonded on the trip.

“We traveled together for a week, got to know each other, had some free time for fun and learned a lot,” Watson said.

UCA students graduate student Will Baker, senior Asselya Kaliyeva, junior Jacob Goodner and junior Cheyenne Marcum participated in the “Best Practices” competition.

They did not place, but said they had the opportunity to learn more for next year’s competition.

Their competition was about the “Appropriate Use

of Social Networking” and the team won the southwest regional competition before this conference.

Baker, Nicole Braddock and senior Amber Brewer gave a presentation to BAP members of other chapters on what they learned from the competition.

One day of the conference was reserved for all BAP members to participate in “Community Service Day for Project Homeless Connect.” The project helped less fortunate members of the Baltimore area get connected to medical professionals and organizations that could assist them.

from page 1

Dull said the crew will use the help of local restaurants, businesses and the Conway public in order to create the film.

This is Dull’s second feature film and the second to be done in Conway. His first film was “Table at Luigi’s” and he said “Sympathy Pains” will be much bigger.

He needed almost 200 extras for the 43 scene locations in the film.

The film is based on his own

experience in discovering that his wife was pregnant. He said he has wanted to be in film from a young age.

“I’ve wanted to be a filmmaker since I was 8 years old, but in Ohio, in the late 70s, that wasn’t an option,” he said.

“I moved to California when I was 18 and remembered that I wanted to do this thing that people did out there since I was a kid, and got into the business.

Now, my goal is to help people

Burdick: 4 Continued

who think they can’t make movies in Arkansas see that yes they can.”

Beck said he hopes to learn through this experience.

“My goal first and foremost is to make sure the set is being run as efficiently as possible, but on a personal level my goal on this film is to absorb as much as possible from my professors as well as my peers,” he said.

Dull said so far, the cast is working well together.

“Sympathy Pains” is set to finish filming Aug. 12 and finish editing Jan. 2013.

Dull said the sound, music and FX are to be done by May 2013.

The crew plans to premiere the film in Sep. 2013.

Building reopens after recieving new air systems

from page 1

Nye said in a news release from CTEH that ethanol and acetone are normally present in low levels on human breath and eliminated from the human body in exhaled air. Pentane is found in urban air at similar levels to those detected in Burdick Hall, he said.

Burdick Hall reopened after test results received by the university showed no threat to public health. No further airquality tests are planned in the building.

Offices are open in Burdick Hall and a deli shop is set to open this fall for students in the

Expansion:

UCAPD

main lobby to receive new equipment 4 Continued from page 1 said.

UCAPD Chief Larry James said the officers and students will benefit from the expansion.

“It is our goal and we take great pride in providing the highest level of police services to our campus community, supported by state of the art technology to ensure the most efficient delivery of services,” James said. “This construction project is in the spirit of achieving that goal.”

Students can still pay parking tickets at the UCAPD. A service window was installed near the back of the building, which has a blue and white tent leading up to the window.

“As always, students, faculty

and staff can contact us by calling 450-3111 or 911 for emergencies or by coming by the police department building, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Jones said.

The UCAPD dispatch and communications department have been moved to the opposite side of the building in the conference room.

Jones said the move will not affect productivity.

“The only thing that has changed is the location of the service window, which has been set up at the northeast corner of the police department building,” Jones said. “Our students, faculty and staff can identify this location by the blue and white tent that shelters the service

basement of the building.

“We are working to ensure that every air system is working properly,” Runge said.

He said the new fresh air system would allow outside air to be brought into the building through hallways and under the doors of classrooms.

window.”

UCAPD Captain Jeremy Crabb said a service window had to be installed where the conference window had been and that another one will be set up shortly.

He said several companies including AT&T, Windstream and SimplexGrinnell all had to work at the same time to rewire the communications department.

The different companies had to work together, simultaneously, because UCAPD was still working and taking calls while the equipment was being moved from one side of the building to the next, Crabb said.

The Parking and Traffic Division will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the temporary service window.

The Records and Communications division will be available 24 hours a day by phone or through the service window.

Director:

Students receive presidential recognition of service for volunteer work 4 Continued

from page 1

serving as the project director for the US-Indonesia Capacity Building Grant, the Fulbright Gateway Program and the Community College Initiative grant, according to a UCA press release. There, she developed a dual diploma program in Latin America and established partnerships with many international institutions.

“I was amazed how much she knew about the subject matter,” Ashley Pettingill, international engagement director of financial management, said. “She has had great experience with how many projects she’s had and their success. Her resume was impressive.”

Williams said the opportunity to work with undergraduate and graduate students to expand their research activities attracted her to the position.

While at UCA, Williams said she hopes to help move more international students into residential colleges and to provide them with more opportunities to be global ambassadors in Conway.

“I think that many times, it is natural for students when they go abroad, to seek out and stay with students that speak the same language,” she said. “I think that [residential colleges] will provide them with cultural activities and social activities that perhaps they didn’t have as much access to in year’s past.”

Williams said she was interested in recruiting more international students from Latin

America, Brazil and India. Many UCA students study abroad in Europe, and Williams said she would like to se more European students accomplish their studies at UCA. “I think international students bring so much to the classroom,” Williams said. “Students can really ask questions and see firsthand what is it like to live in this political economy, what is it like to live in economic strive, or in much older nations or in brand new democracies.”

Williams said she likes UCA’s current model of international engagement.

“In universities, many times international student services are separate from international engagement and education,” she said. “Here at UCA, which I think is a really good model to have, all of the international engagement activities are in one area, and I think that it is a wonderful building block for making certain that internationalization doesn’t focus on just one tiny element.”

William’s salary is $100,000, the UCA press release said. She received a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in Publication Design and Writing from the University of Baltimore, and is working toward her doctorate in Planning, Governance and Globalization from Virginia Tech.

“I really like to have a diverse campus,” Williams said. “And diversity is so important if we’re going to be successful as we move beyond the classroom and into a working environment.”

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Campus Life

3

August 29, 2012

PlayFair encourages freshmen to make new friends

by Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

Students ran, laughed, danced and yelled in the HPER Center Sunday, Aug. 19 for PlayFair, an icebreaker designed for freshmen to meet others, as part of UCA’s Welcome Week activities.

The Resident Housing Association sponsored the event, while the Student Orientation Staff (SOS) worked the program.

Nina Czitrom was the event’s main performer and has worked PlayFair at UCA for six years.

SOS staff member senior Emily Trower said, “It takes SOS about two to three hours to set up the technical aspects of PlayFair.

Once we do that, Nina steals the show. She knows what to do.”

PlayFair encompassed a wide variety of icebreaker activities, geared toward energizing students to interact with one another. In one exercise, Czitrom asked students to scream and

point their fingers at each other in a game called “Hardware and Software.”

Students who were “hardware,” had to act angry, while students who were “software” had to try and appease them. Most students found it hard to screech at the other without smiling and cracking into a fit of giggles.

“She makes us do uncomfortable things,” Trower said.

While Trower spoke, Czitrom organized students into groups of tight circles, asking students to grasp the shoulders of the person before them.

Noticing this, Trower said, “She’s about to tell the freshmen to sit on each other’s laps.”

Czitrom told students to do exactly as Trower predicted. Laughter erupted when students sat on each

-RESIDENTIAL LIFE-

Arkansas Hall climbs to top in dorm battles

Michael Ferrara photo

Freshmen organize themselves into groups of three and sit together at PlayFair on Sunday, Aug. 19 in the HPER center. The purpose of this exercise is for students to interact with their peers.

AMERICAN DREAM

other’s laps, but Czitrom wasted no time in orchestrating students into another icebreaker activity.

“She keeps it going, and that’s the key I think,” Trower said. “She makes no time for it to be awkward.”

In another activity, Czitrom orchestrated students into groups, where they had to run into the middle of the circle if they had done whatever she shouted.

“Run into the middle of the circle in you have peed in the shower,” Czitrom said. Several grinning students ran to the middle of their circle, while those who stayed back laughed.

Kyle Boyd, who works in the Office of Orientation, said PlayFair has been on campus for at least six years now.

Boyd said participation has increased in the past few years and estimated 600 to 700 in attendance this year.

“It’s a great event because it

-PERFORMANCE-

Magician captivates crowd with wizardry

by Zachary O’Neal

by Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor

Assistant Campus Life Editor The Student Orientation Staff hosted Battle of the Halls, a series of competitive events for freshmen, on Tuesday, Aug, 21 on McAlister lawn for welcome week.

Junior Josh Dabney, an SOS staff member and the host of the competition, said he felt the turnout was great.

“I had a blast,” Dabney said. “I yelled my head off. My voice is Photo by Darlecia Williams gone … probably gone Bernard Hall residents cheer on their since Monday, but it was great. I felt like teammates during Battle of the Halls the students had a Aug. 22 on McAlister lawn. great time. I hope registration was finished. they did. They kept it At the pep rally Wednesday, lively and it got crazy.”

Aug. 22, the Battle of the Halls Dabney said Battle of the champion was announced.

Halls is great publicity for UCA Arkansas Hall claimed the and that they had a great crowd title, and Bernard Hall won of students for the event.

Most Spirited Hall.

SOS members escorted the Freshman Daniel Curry residential colleges to Battle of participated in the amoeba the Halls. race and the three-legged race.

Each residential college “It was a lot of fun,” he entered the lawn, one-by-one, said. “It got you pumped up shouting themed chants, along again. We won two of them, so with mascots representing each we’re good.” hall.

Curry said UCA’s welcome Roll call was taken for all week has been a wonderful participants. experience.

Everyone taking part in “It’s fun to be here,” Curry the competition continued said. “It’s good to be a Bear.” to the McAlister lawn after

Senior Sarah Cain “[I’m] excited. I have an easy schedule to enjoy student life.”

forces freshman to get out of their comfort zones,” Boyd said. “It helps them mingle and it helps them start their college career and do stuff with strangers.”

Boyd attributed the participation increase at PlayFair to scheduling. Boyd said PlayFair used to be on a Monday night, since the event switched to Sunday night, where it is the only program that night, attendance has risen.

Freshman Courtney Kordsmeier said, “I came to meet a bunch of new people, and to start off college on a good note.”

Kordsmeier said the event “really opened everyone up” and that she enjoyed watching Czitrom, because of her continual energy and excitement. ”UCA is one of my favorite schools to do,” Czitrom said. “[UCA students have] such a unique energy, an energy of excitement, but respectfulness and kindness too. Everyone’s ready to play.”

Mike Ferrara photo

Senior Pierce Williams beckons students to “Come one, come all” to witness the American Dream, a Chi Alpha sponsored event, Aug. 21 outside Ida Waldran.

Students Say story by Zachary O’Neal photos by Darlecia Williams

Hundreds of students waited in line on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Reynolds Performance Hall to see magician Mike Super perform as part of UCA’s Welcome Week.

“I was trying to figure out what was going on the whole time,” sophomore Chris Hughes said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Super’s show included a wide variety of magic tricks.

He performed the staple magician card and rope tricks, as well as many of his own design including drawing a bowling ball on paper and making it appear in real life, resealing and filling an empty soda can, making a glass pitcher shatter with the “energy” of the audience, remaking a newspaper after ripping into several pieces, making a girl’s watch disappear, voodoo magic and a live game of Clue where he predicted the outcome before the show started.

The finale of Super’s show was a trick dedicated to his mother. Super ripped up a napkin, and using his hands, made it snow on stage.

“I thought it was a very impressive show,” freshman Justin Duff said. “It was definitely a great introduction to UCA.” Super won the Entertainer of the Year award in 2011 and 2012 as well as the Merlin

Award, which is the magician’s equivalent of the Oscar. Other recipients of the Merlin Award include Penn and Teller, Siegfried and Roy and David Copperfield.

Super won the hit television show “Phenomenon.”

“Phenomenon is like the American Idol for magicians,” Super said. “It has mostly the same structure, just with magic.”

The winning trick he performed was a prediction that came true, which was printed weeks before the show aired. Super received $250,000 for winning “Phenomenon.”

Super has appeared on “Ellen”, where he made DeGeneres appear from nothing on set. Super will star in his own television show that will air later this year.

“I was inspired to become a magician at a very young age,” Super said. “I was in Walt Disney world when I saw my first magic kit, and the magic bug bit me. It’s been everything to me ever since. And now I’m working with Disney, so my life has come full circle in a way.”

Super is the only magician to perform a live magic show on primetime television.

“Magic to me is so amazing,” Super said. “You pull people out of their everyday lives and force them to think about things they don’t understand. It’s seeing the looks of wonder and amazement that make it so much fun.”

Senior Rozelle Clary “Make all As, branch out to other ventures and grow as a person.”

What are your expectations for this semester?

Freshman Chelsea Hudson “[It’s] harder than high school; a lot more writing.”

Junior John Hockaday “[To] learn a lot more stuff and to become more equipped to be a filmmaker.”

Senior Taylor Woods “Get ready to go to physical therapy school and enjoy undergrad.”

Senior Kelsey Blasingame “Make it through school and graduate. I’m getting into my major.

Get more out of my specialty, so I’m excited.”

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / fe atu res

Senior Justin Lowe “Pass all my classes and don’t get any parking tickets.”

Freshman Savannah Nolan “[To] succeed and make As in all my classes.”

H c

ucaecho.net

CAMPUS LIFE

August 29, 2012 /4

BY JAMES JOHNSON

BEAR FACTS

-MUSIC-

American Idol alum serenades students with soothing songs

HEAVY LIFTING

by Stephen Reynolds

films including “Dawg,” alongside Denis Leary, “Deuces Entertainment Editor Wild,” “Return to Sleepaway Camp,” American Idol alum “Postal” and “Giants Jackie Tohn performed of Radio.” her original songs, Tohn appeared medleys and covers on acoustic guitar in a MTV pilot for about 30 students named “Show Me Thursday, Aug. 23 at The Movie” and a the Student Center pilot for Fox called Ampitheatre.

“Prudy and Judy.”

“Tohn is a great She has appeared in performer,” sophomore the television series Nathan Kuhnert said.

“The Sopranos,” “It’s like she’s not “Strangers With on stage at all. She’s Candy,” “Angel,” got a natural stage “Veronica Mars” and personality.”

“It’s Always Sunny in The audience was Philadelphia.” relaxed and many were “I started acting tapping their feet and really early,” Tohn clapping their hands to said. “But once I got Tohn’s performance. out to California, I Tohn’s voice figured out really could be heard across quick that music is campus, although her Photo by Pham Minh only equipment were where my heart is.”

American Idol Singer Jackie Tohn Plays to a full two small amplifiers.

Tohn began doing crowd in the new amphitheater in front of the student Bearing a striking solo acoustic guitar center on Thursday, Aug. 23. resemblance to the shows in 2004 and actress Mary-Louise released an EP called of “Idol,” former UCA student, Parker, Tohn strutted across “The Golden Girl” in 2005.

Kris Allen, and tried to coax him stage as she played, with all the into performing with her as a Since then, she has released confidence and comfort of a surprise for the school, but Allen two studio albums, “Beguiling” natural entertainer. couldn’t appear due to travel in 2008 and “Jackie Tohn 2.YO” in When she spoke to the arrangements.

2010. audience between songs, it was As well as being an avid It’s easy to see music is with the air of a conversation musician, Tohn has a host of in Tohn’s heart, since the between a group of friends other accomplishments to her achievements she is most known instead of a performer speaking name. for are her appearances on the to an audience.

She has been a professional television series “American Idol” She told jokes that flowed as if actor since she was 12, when she and “Platinum Hit.” she had been performing standfirst appeared on the television In 2009, Tohn appeared on the up comedy as well as acting and sitcom, “The Nanny.” singing. eighth season of “Idol,” and made She starred in a Los Angeles “I would’ve brought my it through the top 36. Tohn was in play “Jewtopia,” which ran for a ukelele, but I was afraid TSA the first group of 12 to perform in year between 2003-04. “Jewtopia” would tackle me for having a the top 36, but was eliminated. In held the record for the longest suspiciously small guitar case.”

2011 she appeared on “Platinum running comedy play in Los Tohn said.

Hit” and got 7th place out of the Angeles.

Tohn had forged a friendship 12 songwriters on the show.

Tohn has appeared in several with the winner of season eight

- CONCERT-

Hambrick, folk musicians enliven crowd at new amphitheater stage

by Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

Singer/songwriter, Adam Hambrick, and folk musicians, Drew and Ellie Holcomb, entertained several hundred UCA students Monday, Aug. 20 at “Amp Up the Amphitheater,” the first concert held on UCA’s new amphitheater stage.

Hambrick was the opening act for Drew and Ellie Holcomb and played songs off his 2010 album, “Fighting From the Ground.”

Hambrick also is a UCA graduate.

“I’m stinking pumped to be the first dude to ever play on this stage,” Hambrick said, before playing the first song of the night, “I Caught Fire” on his acoustic guitar.

“He was really good,” junior Colton Henry said. “I’ve heard about him before, but I’ve never gotten a chance to listen, and I finally got that chance.”

Freshman Kellye Hansberry said she enjoyed Hambrick’s performance and that she admired the way Hambrick interacted with the audience.

Hambrick said he loved the crowd for “Amp Up the Amphitheater,” and said he was glad to be a part of the first concert held on the amphitheater stage.

Drew and Ellie Holcomb performed next, with Drew playing the acoustic guitar and Ellie playing the mandolin.

The duo encountered sound problems midway through their first song, but the Holcombs simultaneously stepped in front of their microphones and sang loud enough for students sitting in the

back of the amphitheater to hear.

“They’re good. Nice save, nice save,” Hansberry said.

Students cheered and clapped for the pair, and the sound was immediately fixed for the Holcomb’s next song.

The couple shared short, humorous anecdotes in between each song, telling stories about how Drew liked Ellie when she didn’t feel the same about him and about meeting a fan at an airport who didn’t recognize who they were.

“It was great to play in front of people who have never heard of you before, and it was a beautiful night,” Drew said.

Ellie added, “[The amphitheater] seems like the heart of the campus. It seems like a good place for creativity and art to flourish.”

K-life, a campus ministry aimed toward mentoring today’s youth, organized the concert along with UCA’s Physical Plant and the Student Government Association.

Anderson Wilkins, director of K-Life, said he was nervous about the amphitheater’s construction timeline while planning the event.

He said orchestrating the event continued until “literally the day the [amphitheater’s] last brick was laid.”

“I was on a weekly call basis with the physical plant,” he said.

“I made several trips here. We were trying to figure out a Plan B in case something happened.”

Wilkins said planning “Amp Up with the Amphitheater” began in May. K-Life approached SGA

during the Student Activity Fee Allocation meetings to see if they would like to join in planning the first concert to be held on the amphitheater stage, he said.

“We had no clue what to expect with the amount of freshmen that knew about this,” Wilkins said. “I thought if there were more than 10 people here, we’d have a great event. It really turned out to be a fantastiic event.”

Juniors Dillon Wilson and Jacob Walton-Conner carry the heavy supplies in for the freshmen on move in day Sunday, Aug. 19 behind Short and Denny Hall.

-RESIDENTIAL LIFE-

SOS, SAB host casino night for freshmen to win various prizes

by Mary DeLoney Editor

A Nook tablet with a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, an iHome stereo speaker system, and a Canon printer were among a few items given away as prizes at Midnight Madness event hosted by the Student Activities Board during Welcome Week in the Student Center.

The event was open to only freshmen. Students could play casino games such as bingo, blackjack, poker, roulette and slot machines. Students could Photo by Pham Minh earn chips at the different games.

Freshman Matt Martindale (left), Shelbey Lisko and Colt Huggins put At the end of the event on their best poker face at casino night Monday, Aug. 20 in the Student the students exchanged Center Ballroom. their chips for raffle tickets. Several prizes Other prizes given away watches, which were donated. donated by SAB were raffled off. at the event include: a UCA “SAB is always helping out The Pizza Hut in the Student bandana, watches, DVDs, a with Welcome Week … we always Center was open throughout the 4GB Tweety Bird flash drive, sponsor something,” Regehr event and Student Orientation camouflage cooler with a sixsaid. “This year we were asked Staff worked the event. pack of coke, a UCA hat, a purple to sponsor the casino night Director of Orientation Collin picture board, a lap desk, a UCA along with prizes … we find that Stanton said he thought the event t-shirt, a laundry basket with prizes work well. It gets students drew about 800-1,000 over the towels, tide, and hangers, an excited.” course of the night.

Adidas bag, a lava lamp, a DC Freshman KD Jones said the The SOS staff went through Comics glass four-pack, a UCA event was helpful for freshmen to dorms and around campus to umbrella, a Cranium game, a be able to meet each other. promote the event to freshmen. football, a floor rocker, a $25 “I’ve been walking around SOS member senior Matt Barnes and Noble gift card, a talking and meeting new people,” Woods said, “This was one of Sour Apples to Apples game and Jones said. “I was making money the most fun nights I came to a digital frame. and winning games … beasting it as a freshman. I love working Director of Student Activities up at the slots. But, I was winning it because I just want other Kendra Regehr said SAB bought so much I just had to stop and let students to enjoy it like I did.” all of raffle prizes except for three and let other people win.”

Opinion

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The Voice

August 29, 2012

University must cut ties with Oxford American

The Echo Staff New year means start of football season w

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Mary DeLoney Editor

Jeanette Anderton Associate Editor

Marisa Hicks News Editor

Brandon Riddle Assistant News Editor

Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

Zachary O’Neal Assistant Campus Life Editor

Brad Smith Opinion Editor

Lee Hogan Sports Editor

Assistant Sports Editor

Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor

Daniel Becker Photo Editor

Chase Blasingane Web Editor

James Johnson Editorial & Feature Cartoonist

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an interesting one.

That’s not even to mention high school football.

The pride that goes into a high school football game is enormous. It’s your hometown, your friends, people you know, on the field battling it out against that team across town or across the state that for some reason, you just don’t care for. There’s nothing else like it.

Not only is the game itself entertaining, it’s the time you spend with people who mean the most to you. I enjoy watching football with people like my fiancé, my dad, my brother and other friends and family. It’s fun to root with each other for your favorite team, or to root against one another,

by Lee just for the fun of it.

Hogan Attending a football Sports Editor game is something different all in itself. It’s the cool air, the smell of the concession stand, the popping of the pads, the whistles, the coaches yelling, the rowdy student sections and all other things football.

I know that sports are not for everybody, and not everyone enjoys football. I just encourage you that if you’ve been turned off to football in the past, give it one more try.

You never know, you might develop a love for a sport you never knew you had.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for me between now and February, you know where to find me. Either on my couch, in the stands or on the sidelines watching some type of football.

Happy football season everybody.

E3 shows changes in video game industry

Spencer Griffin

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Is there a better time than fall?

The leaves turn brown, well I guess they already have in this drought. The temperatures fall, after this summer I really hope they do. But most importantly, it is finally football season again.

In a few short hours, football season will officially be under way, as the first college game of the season is tomorrow night, and a full slate of games get under way on Saturday.

Next Wednesday the NFL will begin, to the pleasure of millions of Americans.

Needless to say, it’s a great time to be a football fan.

I know there are people out there that don’t get the big deal about football. Others grow weary, and tired of the endless number of games, my fiancé being one of those people.

I, for one, cannot get enough. From the pageantry, rivalries, bands and fans in college football, to the drama, divas and fantasy football leagues of the NFL, I am set until February.

This is the time of year that I live for. The competition that will be on display over the next few months enthralls me. It’s about more than just the game.

In college, it’s the diehard fans. It’s the pride that comes with your team’s win, and the agony that comes with a loss. It’s everything that is good about sports.

In the pros, it’s the high paid athletes, the quest for a Super Bowl and parity that makes every game

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

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During the summer, I was fortunate enough to be invited to accompany my boss to E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo. E3 was at one time the premier expo for video games and related technology.

However, due to shifting demographics, E3 has become far less important than in the past.

This was obvious due to the lack of exclusive reveals at E3. The video game industry has begun to slowly stop announcing at large conferences and instead announce video games at smaller conferences that are not open to the public.

While this is disappointing to fans of video games, they are doing this because budgets for conferences

like E3 became bloated and ridiculous without a real payoff.

From walking around the conference and talking to people, it was also apparent that many people at the conference were simply there on vacation. While

by Brad this is a fun vacation, the Smith point of E3 was originally Opinion Editor to show new games to industry professionals, but has turned into a vacation destination for anyone with the ability to get a pass.

While E3 was an amazing experience that I will never forget, it is obvious the video game industry is making changes to accomodate a changing and growing video game commnity.

Letters to the Editor

School pride important for all college students Jack Johnson, Class of 1969

Students: Welcome to UCA. Regardless of whether you are new at UCA or returning, you are at the best public university in Arkansas and one of the best in the Southern region of the U.S. Former students and administration and staff who preceded you, as well as administrators and staff currently here, have and are working their butts off to make and keep it the best.

However, it seems that no matter how much is accomplished in your interest there are some students who continue to display a loyalty for what we are not.

Please show your pride and loyalty for what we are by wearing the colors of your university at school and at sporting events.

What you accomplish in the classroom is of great significance and will be a gift to you for a lifetime. What you achieve in your career and community beyond UCA will be a testament to those you know.

Appreciate the education you receive here.

Accordingly, UCA student athletes are accomplishing all of this, as well as promoting and bringing attention to the university. They deserve our respect and support.

For the students who attend and provide vocal support at events, thank you. If it gets quiet and you hear someone screaming, “Go Bears!” it may be me.

Go student body, go staff and administration, go BMB, go Bears, go Sugar Bears, go cheer squads, go dance team and go UCA. You are the best!

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In July, the Oxford American was involved in a scandal involving Editor Marc Smirnoff and Managing Editor and Art Editor Carol Ann Fitzgerald, who were fired after an internal investigation.

The investigation revealed that Smirnoff gave alcohol to minors and touched and photographed feet on campus. Interns at the magazine also said the two were involved in sexual harassment towards interns.

Smirnoff said he and Fitzgerald will fight the firings, but the last thing UCA needs is another ongoing scandal under its belt.

UCA should sever ties with the Oxford American as soon as possible.

When the Oxford American moved to UCA in 2004, it was thought the magazine would be a prestigious and profitable addition to the UCA campus.

The recent revelations into behavior by the top employees at the magazine have negated any prestige the magazine offered.

Smirnoff admitted that he gave alcohol to interns who were minors and that he touched and photographed feet. Behavior like this is not behavior that UCA needs to be associated with. Giving alcohol to minors is a crime, which means Smirnoff should automatically be fired, but a professional touching and photographing feet is something Smirnoff should have left off campus.

The Oxford American has also proven itself a bad investment that UCA needs to get rid of simply to save money. Since 2004, the Oxford American has borrowed $700,000 from UCA in addition to the $50,000 UCA gives the magazine every year. Despite this, the magazine is still $860,000 in debt, according to an IRS audit.

UCA has only recently become financially successful itself and doesn’t need an indebted magazine to become the university’s next money pit, especially if that magazine doesn’t live up to professional standards that are expected of all employees on campus.

The Oxford American has become an expensive liability to the improvement of UCA’s image. UCA has struggled in recent years with several different scandals, but has mostly moved past them. Since the Oxford American is not an actual part of UCA, it is not worth hurting the university’s image for a magazine whose editors are unable to control their behavior around interns.

UCA President Tom Courtway has taken the first step by saying the contract with the Oxford American will be rethought. Courtway should use this opportunity to kick the magazine off campus. The Oxford American has leeched off UCA since 2004 and UCA has little to show for it. What clout the magazine had in regards to its prestige has since been ruined by the inappropriate behavior of the staff toward its interns.

If the personal lives of the staff stayed personal, the Oxford American might have moved past this, but because Smirnoff and Fitzgerald chose to continue to fight the firings, UCA needs to cut its losses with the magazine.

Even though the magazine promised to pay back the debt, it also promised to give a quarter of its profits to UCA. This did not happen because the magazine has never been profitable as long as it has been at UCA. The magazine has a good intent with an important goal in supporting Southern arts, but this does not mean the university should pour money into it without anything tangible in return for the efforts.

The Oxford American should find another home at a university more willing to put up with inappropriate behavior from its professionals. UCA should no longer be that university and Courtway should make that clear to the magazine.

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.

The Oxford American has become an expensive liability to the improvement of UCA’s image.

Entertainment

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August 29, 2012

-COMICS-

photo courtesy of www.imagecomics.com

Saga is an epic space opera and fantasy series written by Brian K. Vaughan with artist Fiona Staples and published by Image Comics.

‘Saga’ is comic veteran’s latest hit

by Brad Smith Opinion Editor

photo courtesy of www.london2012.com

Michael Phelps, a champion of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, holds the award given to him by Fédération Internationale de Natation that commemorates his standing as the most decorated Olympian of all time.

London Olympics online broadcast fails to deliver Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

The London Summer Olympics were a huge success for NBC, with recordbreaking ratings and the possibility that they might actually turn a profit after the past winter games in Vancouver.

They were sitting pretty, on high daily ratings, spurred on by Michael Phelps’s quest to become the most decorated Olympian of all time and the women’s gymnastics team race to win the gold.

However, NBC’s live-stream of all events garnered the network more criticism than applause from viewers and media outlets, and rightly so.

At the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, NBC was slashed for tapedelaying Picabo Street’s ski run to gold, since it would have been shown at 2:30 in the morning. So this time around, NBC attempted to curtail criticism by advertising the online brodacast, to feed appetites for live sports coverage.

NBC heralded this live-stream as an alternative and a way out for any criticisms they anticipated for tape-delaying the more profitable and popular sports at this summer’s Olympic games-for example, swimming, volleyball and gymnastics.

But out of the starting gate, NBC refused to show the opening ceremonies online, citing that viewers would be unable to understand what was going on during the show without their production.

“It was never our intent to live stream the opening ceremony or closing ceremony,” an NBC spokesman told the Los Angeles Times. “They are complex entertainment spectacles that do not translate well online because they require context, which our awardwinning production team will provide for the large prime-time audiences that gather together to watch them.”

Makes sense. And I guess it also makes sense that NBC didn’t show the opening ceremony online because they wanted to get as high ratings as they possibly could. Isn’t that right, NBC? Then there was the problem with the shoddy live stream NBC provided.

When Usain Bolt bent down, ready to bolt out of the running blocks, viewers experienced the ever-annoying curse of buffering.

Obviously, people were outraged and expressed their anger through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

“Read an entire chapter of Moby Dick in the time it took Bolt to finish the 100M. #Buffering #10SecondBlog #MoreLike10Minutes,” Nathan Becker

from New York wrote on his Twitter page.

The fact that NBC tried to quiet the critics with the live-stream is sincerely ironic since the critic’s voices only grew in strength because of the live stream. Those who wanted to watch the Olympics live had to find other sources such as BBC and CTV. NBC released data showing that their online streaming endeavor was a success, saying that they averaged 8.56 million streams a day, but NBC has yet to release figures of how many of those visitors were unique and returning.

If they had a high amount of unique visitors and a low amount of returning visitors, then the people who came to NBC expecting to see quality streaming didn’t find it. They found another source to meet their needs.

I do applaud NBC for deciding to show the closing ceremony online after the pile of hate mail they received from the #NBCFail on Twitter. This shows that they’re actually listening to their customers and meeting their requests.

Maybe for the 2014 winter games in Sochi, Russia, NBC will improve on their live streaming and silence the unimpressed. Or maybe those unimpressed will give us more Twitter fodder to laugh at.

-TELEVISION-

‘Animals’ series captures effects of scandal in politics

by Brandon Riddle Assistant News Editor

Blend the scandalous stories of a former president’s affairs and the everyday politics of business and government and you get USA Network’s latest short-form series.

“Political Animals” captures the life of a family in the White House dealing with the struggles of public policy and private downfalls.

Sigourney Weaver plays Elaine Barrish, the Secretary of State and exwife of former President Bud Hammond.

Hammond is played by Ciaran Hinds.

Their characters resemble the dramas of former President Bill Clinton that played out during his presidency and the political ambitions of current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Elaine is a strong, dominant force in White House politics. Flashbacks in each episode shows her life as former First Lady and how she has grown since then.

In the first episode, the storyline started out relatively slow and delivered moments that were hard to fully grasp in such a short period of time.

By the finale though, “Political Animals” was able to tell a story with depth and delivered on the premise suggested by the title. Scandal, intense dialogue and twists were used tremendously to shift from one dramatic moment to another.

While the writing had moments of weakness and holes were left open for some of the characters, the series told an intriguing story of unexpected

compassion in times of public and private hostility. Even when it was bad, it was still pretty good.

Margaret Barrish, played by Ellen Burstyn, is the matriarch of the family who offers sarcastic wit and is not shy about her true feelings. Her character shows tough love to T.J. in his time of out of control behavior, even relating to her own previous shortcomings.

Thomas “T.J.” Hammond, played by Sebastian Stan, is a son of Elaine and Bud who faces personal battles with alcoholism and drug use. Despite his good intentions of becoming a better person, he ends up in the hospital following a drug overdose.

That moment caused the Hammond family to think even more about how to handle life in the spotlight under constant scrutiny and overly intrusive press.

“Political Animals” contains topics that can be considered controversial and outlandish at times, but that is what makes the show an interesting portrayal of life when it is not always the “norm” or ideal.

Reporting in The Washington Globe is a central part of the story and the character of Susan Berg affects the relations of the Hammond family up to the last episode.

Berg, played by Carla Gugino, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Globe. Her reporting takes her to exclusive places with secrets that keep her constantly fighting to maintain her integrity.

Much of Berg’s early career as a journalist was spent bashing the

1. “Stagecoach” 1939

The Top Five Most Influential Films Of All Time List compiled by Stephen Reynolds

This groundbreaking 1939 film, directed by John Ford and adapted from Ernest Haycox’s “The Stage to Lordsburg,” is widely regarded as the most important western in history.

It is known as such because it ushered an era of western movies that prompted the ‘golden age’ of film. It was the first film the western hero John Wayne appeared in and marked the beginning of his long and illustrious career.

Hammond family, despite supporting them politically.

Her intentions change when she befriends Elaine’s son, Douglas, and learns more about the ambitions of Elaine. Doug is played by James Wolk.

President Paul Garcetti, played

by Adrian Pasdar, causes Elaine to reconsider running for office alongside him in his upcoming re-election campaign.

In the final episode, the lives of all characters takes a drastic turn after a tragic incident leads to a scrambling of White House officials and the ambitions Elaine had for the future.

“Political Animals” ended on a satisfying note, yet left viewers wanting to know more about Elaine Barrish’s plans and what will happen next for all of the other characters.

USA Network has not announced whether “Political Animals” will return for a second season. Episodes currently air in re-runs on the network.

Ratings for the “Political Animals” dipped midway through its run, but picked back up to near series highs. An average of 2.62 million viewers tuned in for the first episode and 2.34 million watched the final episode.

The series would have great potential if given more time for development and can deliver programming for the political junkie seeking something to keep them on the edge of their seat wanting more.

“Political Animals” aired from July 15 to August 19, 2012 on Sundays at 9 p.m. on USA.

2. “Citizen Kane” 1941 This 1941 American drama, directed by and starring Orson Welles, is praised for its innovative cinematography, music and plot, and is regarded as the best film of all time. The most imporntant aspect of the movie was its cinematography which “broke all of the rules” that film had been constrained to up until that point. The film is based on the life of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and parts of Welles’s own life.

Brian K. Vaughn has long been an important name in comics. From “Y: The Last Man” to “Ex Machina,” Vaughn has created some of the better known and critically acclaimed comic book series of the past decade. With his new series, “Saga,” Vaughn has set another standard for independent comics.

“Saga” tells the story of a married couple from two warring species trying to find a safe place to raise their child, away from the intergalactic war that has raged for thousands of years. The story basically boils down to Romeo and Juliet in space and draws heavily from series such as “Star Wars” for influence.

Most writers would find this story too outrageous to work, but Vaughn’s amazing writing makes the seemingly unbelievable nature of the story feel more down to Earth.

Vaughn’s ability to create great series based on nearly comically outrageous ideas is established in two of his past series, “Y: The Last Man,” which is based on the last surviving male in a world where a mysterious plague killed every being with a Y chromosome at the same time, and “Ex Machina,” a series based on a man with superpowers becoming the mayor of New York after saving one of the two World Trade Towers during 9/11. While the ideas sound outrageous, the two series have received wide critical acclaim, with many critics considering “Y: The Last Man” one of the better comic series of all time.

In Vaughn’s previous series, he is also well known for creating flawed but very likeable characters. “Saga” is no

different in that regard, but Vaughn even manages to make his alien characters feel more human than alien. The characters are affected by the same basic fears and motivation as humans, such as protecting their children and surviving a situation they have no control over. The intelligent and witty characters help the reader connect with them and Vaughn’s realistic approach to his characters makes the reader like the characters without it feeling forced.

The book’s art by Fiona Staples continues to improve with each issue.

Staples brings the book alive in a colorful and beautiful way that will have the reader staring at the page well after it is read. Her ability to create faces is impressive as well. Staples makes the alien faces look as though they are feeling real human emotions.

As with most comics by Vaughn, adult themes are prevalent in “Saga.” The book is not for children and it makes no attempt to hide it.

Vaughn has never stepped away from hard-hitting imagery, but it never feels gratuitous or as disturbing as many other comic series.

Because of Vaughn’s imaginative way of writing, the series has the promise of being different from any other science fiction comic book. Vaughn is not weighed down by the history or rules of an established universe such as “Star Wars,” so he does not have to retread tired, old stories. Instead Vaughn created a universe where rules are not established and where anything can happen. So far Vaughn and Staples have managed to create a strong, beautiful series that will appeal to fans of science fiction or comics.

-MUSIC-

Lynch’s debut racy, hit-and-miss

by Lee Hogan Sports Editor

Dustin Lynch’s debut, self-titled album is both a breath of fresh air and a reminder of what is wrong with country music, all at the same time.

The album released on Aug. 21 as Billboard Magazine’s “Most Anticipated Debut Album of 2012,” and skyrocketed up the charts on iTunes, finishing the day as the number one country album.

Lynch’s debut single, “Cowboys and Angels,” was an instant hit. The single is nearing gold status in terms of number of sales. The song itself is a reminder of what country music should be, and how far most of the industry has moved away from its roots.

Lynch’s album as a whole is filled with as many hits as misses. Lynch threw his name into the hat of growing country artists that have crossed over into more of a rap, hip-hop/country genre. The type of song has a place in country music, but not everyone was meant to do it. Just like the saying, “Just because they make it in your size, doesn’t mean you should wear it.” Lynch fits this category.

Lynch has the classic country voice. It’s a shame to hear it wasted on songs not up to his talent level.

Not all of Lynch’s misses on the album cross over into the rap, hip-hop genre. They are just shallow, poorly written songs. It seems Lynch could have found songs to better suit him.

The first track on the album is a perfect example. The song is titled, “She Cranks My Tractor.” That’s all the explanation needed. “Dancing in the Headlights” and “Name On It” fall into the same category. It seems a lot of artists these days think they can throw words like beer, Jack Daniels, girls, skirts or any other of your favorite catchy words and

3. “Psycho” 1960 This 1960 suspense and horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, ushered in a new era of horror movies to the world. This era became known as the ‘slasher’ era and was added to, with the release of several film series such as “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream.” Prior to the release of “Psycho,” horror movies focused on supernatural beings and monsters such as vampires and werewolves.

automatically have a meaningful song and that’s far from the truth.

Lynch’s “Wild in Your Smile” and “Unwind It” are both more on the side of party songs, but unlike the previously mentioned party songs, there’s more meaning to the song and suit Lynch’s personality and voice much better. It shows that fun, party songs can be done without just being stupid.

“Last Lap” qualifies as a miss for a different reason. The song has potential, reminiscing of kids in high school and the stupid things kids do. However, it just doesn’t seem to suit Lynch’s style or voice. The song has a few repetitive parts that just seem awkward. It is also more of a hip-hop type song, that does not fit Lynch’s voice.

Lynch hit it out of the park with “Waiting,” “Rock You Sweet” and “Hurricane.” The songs get back to more of the sound in his debut single “Cowboys and Angels.” Hands down, they are the best songs on Lynch’s album.

The songs have more of a ballad feel, especially “Hurricane,” and get back to the roots of country with Lynch’s deep, southern voice.

All three songs are well written.

For instance, “Hurricane,” tells about a girl that comes into a man’s life. She catches his eye, but he knows she won’t be around for long. Nevertheless, he’ll never be the same again. The chorus tells it best when it says, “Cause it’s a hell of a ride, if you can just survive the pain, but that’s the thing about a hurricane.”

All in all, Lynch should consider his debut album a success. It takes time to find all the right songs to fit your personality.

While he missed on a few tracks, Lynch showed he has the talent to become a household name in country, as long as he sticks to the roots of the industry.

4. “Star Wars” 1977 Set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” this 1977 film, directed by George Lucas has been known as one of the best of all time. The film was groundbreaking in its use of special effects, unconventional editing and storytelling. The first part of a six-part saga, it was one of the first movies to popularize the summer blockbuster (alongside “Jaws” and “E.T.”) as well as one of the first movies that made being a “nerd” cool.

5. “Pulp Fiction” 1994 This 1994 film, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is one of the most revered of the postmodern era. The film is presented out of chronological order, a style that Taratino popularized. The film is known for its eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, cinematic allusions and pop culture references. The film has become an icon in film history and is considered to be one of the greatest “cult classics” ever.

Sports

7

August 29, 2012

-V O L L E Y B A L L-

-NEW BEGINNING-

Sugar Bears start strong, sweep Southern Miss tournament After three years of waiting,

by Spencer Griffin Assistant Sports Editor

The Sugar Bears opened their season with a weekend sweep at the Southern Miss Tournament in Hattiesburg, Miss.

The Sugar Bears, in their second season under coach David McFatrich, opened the tournament with a 3-1 win against South Alabama. Later the same day, the Sugar Bears defeated Louisiana Tech 3-0.

Junior middle blocker Jessica Nagy led the way for the team, combining for 29 kills in Friday’s matches.

Sophomore outside hitter Scout Brooks, with 10 kills, and sophomore defensive specialist Shelbee Berringer, with 17 digs, were standouts in the first match.

The Sugar Bears finished the tournament on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over tournament host, Southern Miss.

Senior middle blocker Taylor Hammonds, named tournament MVP, and senior outside hitter Jessica Hays combined for 27 kills in the match.

After failing to win the conference for the first time in three years in 2011, the Sugar Bears are once again the conference favorites, heading into the 2012 season.

McFatrich led the Sugar Bears to a 17-15 overall record last season and just missed a chance at three conference titles in a row, losing in the semifinals of the conference tournament at the Farris Center. The team won its fourth-straight Eastern Division title, with a 10-6 record in conference play.

McFatrich said the team’s trademark is fantastic effort on the court for every game. Height is something the Sugar Bears lack, however.

See Volleyball -page 8

Smothers becomes starter

by Lee Hogan Sports Editor

photo by Pham Minh

Senior middle blocker Taylor Hammonds was named MVP of the Southern Miss Tournament, which the Sugar Bears swept to start the season 3-0.

It’s been a long time coming, but 2012 is Wynrick Smothers’ time.

The junior-redshirt quarterback has waited three years to be the Bears’ starter, and now he is getting that chance in his fourth year on campus.

With the graduation of First Team All-Southland Conference quarterback Nathan Dick, Smothers will be replacing one of the more decorated quarterbacks in Bears’ history. Dick led UCA to its first appearance in the Football Championship Series playoffs and a 9-4 record last season, while throwing for 3,275 yards and 32 touchdowns, both being school records.

“Big shoes to fill, I’ll tell you

that,” Smothers said.

While replacing Dick won’t be easy, Smothers is enjoying the opportunity to become starting quarterback.

“It’s been real fun,” he said. “I get a lot more reps, of course. It’s a lot more throwing than I’ve been doing.

“It’s really nice, getting all the reps, having the teammates rally behind me. I know that they’re with me 100 percent throughout the season. I know they’re going to follow me and they’re going to have my back.”

While Smothers is the formidable number one quarterback, he said he knows he has a lot of room to grow and improve as a player, but he’s

See Smothers -page 8

- A R E YO U R E A DY F O R S O M E F O OT B A L L-

Week at a glance Football upon us The Bears kick off the 2012 season this Saturday in Oxford, Miss. at 6 p.m. against the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference.

This will be the Bears first game against an SEC opponent.

Off and Running The men’s and women’s cross country teams travel across the Mississippi this weekend to take part in the Memphis Twilight hosted by the Memphis Tigers.

The men and women finished 11th and 7th, respectively, in last year’s meet.

Eyeing another sweep After sweeping the Southern Miss Tournament last weekend, the volleyball team will eye its second-straight tournament sweep this weekend at the Stetson Clarion Classic.

UCA Results August 24

photo by Lee Hogan

Men’s Soccer UCA 2, Loyola 1 Women’s Soccer UCA 1, Lipscomb 0 Volleyball Southern Miss Tournament UCA 3, South Alabama 1 UCA 3, Louisiana Tech 0

August 25 Volleyball UCA 3, Southern Miss 0

August 26 Men’s Soccer UCA 1, Western Illinois 0 Women’s Soccer UCA 0, Louisiana Tech 1

After reaching the Football Championship Series playoffs for the first time in school history in 2011, the Bears of 2012 are ready for a repeat performance. The team enters this season ranked in both FCS polls. They come in at number 19 in the coaches poll and at number 24 in the Sports Network poll.

Bears eager for 2012 season after 2011 playoff run

by Lee Hogan Sports Editor

Fall is just around the corner and excitement is once again running high around the Bears football team.

The 2012 Bears, who open the season this Saturday, return 15 starters and 45 lettermen that helped last year’s team reach the Football Championship Series playoffs for the first time in school history.

While returning a significant number of starters, the Bears will be without a few familiar faces from the 2011 playoff team.

Most noticeably missing

is quarterback Nathan Dick, who earned First Team AllSouthland Conference honors by throwing for 3,275 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2011. To replace him the Bears will turn to juniorredshirt Wynrick Smothers.

Smothers saw action as a reserve last season, but saw extended playing time, including a start against Arkansas State, in place of an injured Nathan Dick.

He has impressed coaches with his improved play through spring practice in April and in fall camp.

Smothers is aware of the expectations Dick has left, saying he has “big shoes to fill,” but

Smothers isn’t shying away from the opportunity.

“I plan on going into the season, trying to be as prepared as I can be,” he said. “And I’ll try and give Nathan Dick a run for his money.”

Smothers will play behind a revamped offensive line, as the Bears will be forced to replace three starters up front.

The Bears welcome back only two starters on the offensive line in senior Corey Howard and junior Dominique Allen, who was a 2011 First Team All-Conference selection and is a 2012 Preseason First Team All-Conference selection.

Coach Clint Conque, entering his thirteenth season at UCA, said he feels the team has around seven or eight players up front that can help this season.

However, the offensive line has endured minor injuries across the board, causing some to learn more than one position, including Corey Howard, who has started practicing at center.

Howard seems to be flourishing with the move, as Conque said he has been playing at an “extremely high level.”

Conque said he is hopeful that the dysfunction right now will pay off when the season gets under way.

“You talk about the quarterback play, and everybody wants to focus on that,” Conque said. “It’s going to be the maceration and production up front on offense that’s going to determine if we can meet our expectations on offense.”

Junior linebacker Justin Heard seems to have drawn the responsibility of replacing one of the biggest holes on the Bears’ defense this year, left by graduated middle linebacker Frank Newsome.

Heard, who had 50 tackles last

See Football -page 8

8 / August 29, 2012

SPORTS

Volleyball:

Experienced team ready for another run at a conference title 4 Continued from

page 7

“One of our weaknesses is, overall, we are not a very big team. We don’t have a lot of height on our team,” he said. “And to counteract that, we need to beat our opponents to the point of attack.”

The schedule the Sugar Bears endured last sesason can be somewhat to blame for a lackluster year by Sugar Bears’ standards. The team had sixstraight weeks of road games to start the year.

“That will never happen again,” McFatrich said. “This year we are on the road for two weeks then we are back home and we will be hosting, for the third weekend, the Slim Chicken’s Invitational.”

The Southland Conference Tournament is in the Farris Center at UCA again this year

and McFatrich said he plans to be better prepared.

The Sugar Bears will hold more practices and games in the Farris Center to help prepare.

He also said he plans to change the team’s overall system somewhat.

“We’re going to continue to use the offensive system that we have used the past five years since I’ve been here, but we are going to add another system as well just to give our opponents another look,” he said.

He said the same thing would occur on the defensive side of the ball with two basic defensive systems in play with variations to each system that their opponents have not seen before.

Senior Jessica Hays, a huge part of the Sugar Bears’ team before her injury last season, will

Football:

be returning this season for her final year.

McFatrich said he expects her to be a great leader and to be close to the player she was before the surgeries by the conference tournament. He said she is currently not 100 percent and will use her sparingly.

“I have to be judicious in using her. Literally, I have got to use the season as part as her rehab process,” he said. “What she has undergone is traumatic.

I’m going to put her on a jump count, and regardless of the situation in some of the matches that she is playing, I’m taking her out when she reaches that jump count.”

So far, Hays has been a force for the team, a vital part to UCA’s 3-0 start to the season.

Hays and the rest of the Sugar Bear team return to action this weekend in the Stetson Clarion Classic in Deland, Fla. They will play against Hampton University, Stetson University, Florida Atlantic University and Wofford College.

Team looking past memory of 2011, ready for new

season and new successes in 2012 4 Continued from page 7

photo by Lee Hogan

Sophomore Dezmin Lewis is expected to be a standout receiver for the Bears this season. After recording 27 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns in 2011, the 6’4” receiver is ready for bigger numbers in 2012. season as an outside linebacker, seems to be adjusting well to the move to the middle, drawing praise from Conque for his leadership and fast, physical and confident play in UCA’s two veteran scrimmages.

Heard will be joined at linebacker by senior outside linebackers Seth Allison, a Preseason First Team AllConference selection, and Rojae Jackson.

All other positions for the Bears welcome back a flurry of experience. None more so than the running back position, which will be led by three seniors in Jackie Hinton, Anthony Blackmon and Terence Bobo. Sophomore Willie Matthews will figure into the equation at running back.

Hinton led the team in rushing last season and earned Second Team All-Conference honors, finishing with 705 yards and four touchdowns.

Hinton missed all of the Bears’ spring practice, recovering from ankle surgery, but has looked good in the Bears’ fall camp. Coaches have been slow in bringing him back, putting

Hinton under a four-carry, 10-play limit in both scrimmages.

Conque and the other coaches have spent the entire fall camp looking for a balance in subjecting Hinton to contact to prepare him for the season, while still keeping him healthy.

“We’re a different football team with him on the field,” Conque said. “He’s dynamic, he’s explosive, and when he’s healthy, he gives us a homerun threat at running back.”

The receiver position will also be a strength for the Bears as they return both of their leading receivers in seniors Dominque Croom and Jesse Grandy, who was a Second Team All-Conference performer in 2011.

The defensive line for the Bears will be an experienced group as well, returning seven lettermen. They will be forced to replace graduated, All-Conference defensive end Jermayne Lett.

Junior Markeith Gaines, who has drawn strong praise from Conque, seems destined to replace Lett.

“Markeith Gaines is playing out of his mind,” Conque said.

Secondary will also figure to

be an experienced group for the Bears’ defense, losing only one starter from last year in safety Jerrell McKnight. The secondary also welcomes back junior safety Radarius Winston, who missed last season with a foot injury.

Conque said having Winston back at the free safety position, “is great comfort for myself and the coaching staff, because we have an experienced piece back there that can keep a calming presence in our secondary.”

Junior Jestin Love brings two years of experience at the strong safety position and the Bears welcome back an ample number of experienced cornerbacks, including senior Desmond Wilcox and junior Dominique Brown.

The Bears open the season this Saturday in Oxford, Miss. against the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference. The Bears’ home opener is Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. against Bacone College.

The Bears’ schedule includes three games against ranked FCS opponents in Murray State, Sept.

8, Sam Houston State, Sept. 22, and Stephen F. Austin, Sept. 29.

ucaecho.net

-PREVIEW-

Ole Miss provides tough challenge for Bears

by Lee Hogan Sports Editor

The Bears have never shied away from Football Bowl Subdivision competition and this year is no different.

UCA opens its 2012 football season this Saturday in Oxford, Miss. against the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference.

The two programs enter the game at two opposite ends of the spectrum. The Bears enter Saturday led by Coach Clint Conque, entering his 13th season, fresh off their first appearance in the FCS playoffs in 2011, and a 9-4 season record.

The Rebels are turning over a new leaf in 2012. Following a dismal 2-10 year, the Rebels decided it was time to part ways with coach Houston Nutt, making way for new head man, Hugh Freeze, who led the Arkansas State Red Wolves to a 10-2 record last season, including a 53-24 victory over the Bears in Jonesboro.

Preparation for the Bears has been a little different for this game, because Freeze is yet to coach a game at Ole Miss.

“Certainly it’s a challenge,” Conque said. “We’re studying a lot of Arkansas State [film].

Obviously because the offensive coordinator, the defensive coordinator and the head coach, all those guys were at Arkansas State.

“Also flip over to watching Ole Miss personnel from last year… so it is a little bit of a challenge.”

Conque said the “nuts and bolts” of the Rebels’ schemes on both offense and defense should be similar to what they saw last year against Arkansas State, but the team still has to be ready for changes.

“Certainly like any game though, you’ve got to be able to adjust, once you get into the game,” he said. “We’ve tweaked offense and defensive schemes.

I’m sure as successful as they were, they’ve tweaked some things, because you always change a few things.”

Hugh Freeze has 13 returning starters in his first year at Ole Miss.

Freeze is yet to name a starter at the quarterback position but the battle is between junior Barry Brunetti and sophomore-transfer Bo Wallace.

Freeze said he will name a starter sometime this week for Saturday’s game, but both quarterbacks will see playing time against the Bears.

“Whoever we decide to start the game with, if they start out on fire obviously he’s probably going to get another shot at it in

photo courtesy The Daily Mississippian

Hugh Freeze is entering his first game as coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. Freeze is taking over for a program that has only six wins in the past two seasons. the next series,” Freeze said. “If it doesn’t go quite as well, then the other one is probably going to be quicker to get in there.”

The Rebels have a few playmakers at both the running back and receiver positions.

Junior Jeff Scott leads the running back corps and was a player that stood out to Conque as a “threat to score from anywhere on the field.”

Scott is joined at running back this season by senior Randall Mackey, the team’s most experienced quarterback. After throwing for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns last season, Mackey was moved to running back in the spring to ensure more touches, although he could figure into some snaps at quarterback throughout the season in a wildcat formation Sophomore Donte Moncrief, a 2011 Freshman All-American, is the Rebels’ number one receiver, catching 31 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns in a primarily running offense last season.

“Moncreif is a bona-fide southeastern conference talent,” Conque said.

Junior safety Charles Sawyer and junior middle linebacker Mike Marry, both preseason All-SEC selections, should be standouts on defense against the Bears.

Smothers:

Ready for opportunity as the Bears’ starting quarterback in the 2012 season 4 Continued from page 7

-MEN’S SOCCER-

Bishop brings good results in first games as coach

by Marisa Hicks News Editor

The Ross Duncan era has begun for the men’s soccer team, and if the first weekend is any indication of what’s to come, this era could be a breath of fresh air for a program that has struggled since moving to Division I. The Bears opened their season with a 2-1 victory over the Loyola Ramblers Friday, and capped off the weekend with a 1-0 victory over the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Sunday Duncan, who is taking the helms after two seasons as an assistant, said the team has drawn closer than it was before and performed better than he expected during preseason games.

“I think the team is closer than we’ve ever been this season,” he said. “I think that the afternoon training sessions are the highlight of our day.”

One aspect that Duncan said stuck out to him in the preseason was the team’s organization.

“For this early, we’re really clicking defensively,” he said.

“We’re further ahead than I

thought we would be at this point.”

Senior defender Zac Brown said he is excited to have Duncan as head coach and is looking forward to the season.

Duncan approaches the team’s training with more patience and leans toward possession-oriented training, Brown said. “[Duncan] is a patient coach who is possession oriented over kicking long ball shots, which helps a lot because it’s completely opposite of our old coach,” he said.

Senior defender Mickey Segura said he believes the changes in training are for the best and will lead the team to success.

“It’s different in a good way,” Segura said. “He’s changing up the whole program. I think there’s a big difference from last year which will lead us to win more games.”

Injuries and health affected the team negatively last season, he said. By preventing injuries and staying healthy, Segura said the team will achieve a more successful season.

Duncan said the team learned a lot about what it needs to improve on during the preseason.

“The biggest thing we learned is we are very organized, but not so good on attacking,” Duncan said.

Duncan said he hoped to see more “dangerous attacks” from the team at Fort Hays.

He said he looks forward to watching the team evolving throughout the season.

“I’m very excited, I think it’s a really cool opportunity and I’m ready for it,” he said. “I get to shape the team in my own way and it’s been an easy transition so far.”

Brown said Duncan has proven himself thus far as the team’s coach and that he is excited for the season but upset it’s his last.

“I’m a little upset this is his first year,” Brown said. “I’m excited for this last year, to play with all the one’s coming in and everyone that’s been around.”

The Bears have their home opener on Friday at 4 p.m. against Lipscomb. The team will host Oral Roberts on Sunday at 1 p.m.

photo by Lee Hogan

Junior-redshirt Wynrick Smothers saw time as as reserve last season, including one start against Arkansas State. He was 16 of 31 for 224 yards and a touchdown in the game. confident in his ability to do so.

“I’m definitely confident in my abilities,” he said. “It’s just the fact of me coming out here and actually doing it. There’s no doubt in my mind at all… I know the playbook, I know the receivers, I know what everybody’s suppose to do. It’s just a matter of doing it.

Everybody knows actions speak louder than words.”

Smothers saw action as a reserve quarterback last season.

He saw extended action in two games, because Nathan Dick suffered a concussion, including a start in a loss against Arkansas

State on Sep. 24.

Smothers combined to complete 23 of 48 passes for 323 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in those two games.

Smothers has shown improvement since last season, recording one of the best springs by a quarterback in UCA history.

He has followed his spring performance with a strong showing in fall camp.

Smothers’ performance has caught the eye of some members of his team, including senior receiver Jesse Grandy.

“I feel like [Wynrick] pretty

Conque said Marry is a “sideline-to-sideline guy” and said, “he’s a future NFL-type guy.”

On a team that had little to boast about in 2011, the passing defense was an exception, ranking 22nd in the nation in defending against the pass. Sawyer, who had seven interceptions last season, will be a player for UCA to keep an eye out for.

Although opening the season against a marquee opponent like Ole Miss could provide some distractions for the Bears, Conque said his team is treating this game just like any other.

“Last year we opened up against Henderson State at home, this year we open up against Ole Miss on the road,” he said. “We’re going to go about our preparation very similar as we’ve done in the past in my 13 years.

“Quite frankly, we’re still focusing on ourselves and still trying to get better, trying to get healthy. Executing the core concepts.”

The Bears and Rebels kickoff this Saturday at VaughtHemingway Stadium at 6 p.m.

The game will be available on pay-per-view and ESPN Gameplan.

The game will also be available on WatchESPN.com, but the live broadcast will be blacked out in Arkansas. much picked up where Nathan left off,” Grandy said. “Nathan was a great quarterback, but Wynrick was here watching him, learning the ropes, and I feel like he’ll be perfect for the job.”

Coach Clint Conque said he’s pleased with Smothers’ play on the field and the command he shows on offense.

“He can make all the throws, and he gives a little different dynamic, as far as being a quality foot athlete,” Conque said.

Smothers’ ability to scramble will be an addition at the position over last year with Nathan Dick, but could open the door to Smothers taking more hits outside the pocket and possible injuries, which is something that has cost him part of both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

A sprained knee cut his 2010 campaign short and a broken left wrist limited his contribution last season and required offseason surgery.

Although he was not the starting quarterback in either year, the question of his ability to stay healthy, now that he is the starter, has been raised.

Smothers said he knows doubt is out there, but he’s not worried about it.

“It’s just that things happen and I have no control over that,” he said. “I’m going to try and protect myself to the best of my abilities, and if something happens, it happens, but if it doesn’t, I’m going to keep playing tough the rest of the season and hopefully I can finish it out.”

As Smothers said, actions speak louder than words, and he will soon have his chance to prove that he is ready to become the quarterback UCA needs and expects him to be.

Smothers will begin his first season as the starting quarterback this Saturday in Oxford, Miss. against Ole Miss, and for Smothers, after four years, the wait will finally be over.