Feb. 11 Issue of The Vanguard

VANGUARD

THE

USA Celebrates First Annual Asian New Year

CASSIE FAMBRO | EDITOR

INSIDE

By STUART SOX

sgsox@att.net

O

n Thursday, Feb. 7, South Alabama’s first annual celebration of the Asian New Year. A large crowd of more than 100 students and faculty gathered at Moulton Tower to celebrate the year of the snake.

The Vietnamese Student Association and Chinese Student and Scholar Association met together for a month to organize this event. It was well worth the effort according to Franklin Pham, the president of the Vietnamese Student Association.

“I know that South Alabama is an international school so it’s good to have some international events happening,” said Franklin Pham, the president of the Vietnamese Student association.

Teen pregnancy is too preventable to be so prevelant in today’s culture.

See Opinion, page 13 Black History Month is in full swing and USA offers ways to take part in learning the history.

See Life, page 5 Who are the Jag Football recruits?

See Sports, page 8

Dozens flocked to the Moulton Tower.

STUART SOX/ STAFF REPORTER

See Asian New Year Page 4

Student center renovations drag on, progress made elsewhere

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

onstruction on South Alabama’s campus continues, with new facilities under construction and other buildings undergoing renovation.

Ron Blount, of SA Group, the construction firm in charge of three major campus projects, spoke with The Vanguard about progress on the new housing facility, the student center renovations and the microbiology research center.

Many students have noticed the new housing facility, which Blount said is scheduled for completion by the fall 2013 semester. The new dorms are located at the site of the old Delta 1 dorms. The new facilities will feature double bed occupancy, similar to that which is found in Delta dorms now.

“The building will hold up to 346 students,” Blount said. “There will be a few other rooms for resident advisors as well.”

Among older structures being ren-

ovated is the student center. Some students may not be aware, but there is a second level to student center.

Located behind the food court and bookstore, just across from Meisler Hall, the lower level of the student center used to be the homes of many student organization offices, including Jaguar Productions and SGA. Since its closure in July 2011, most offices located in the student center have been moved to the academic support center.

“There is a plan in place right now and it is pending approval,” Blount said, and added that while there is no definite timetable for completion, he expects the student center will be completed within “the next twelve to eighteen months.”

The lower level of the student center has not gone unmissed, however.

Students have commented on how they miss being able to work in between classes and grab a bite to eat.

The lower level featured a Starbucks, a sandwich shop and a game room that featured a pool table, air

find us on Facebook “Facebook.com/ TheVanguardUSA”

Student Center as it stands currently.

hockey and video games.

“I miss being able to go there in between classes,” senior nursing major Amanda Haynes said. “If I had an hour to kill, I would go there and do some homework or get some coffee and then go to class.”

Located behind the student health center, the microbiology research center is the third major project SA Group has going. As previously explained to The Vanguard, the remodeled facility will provide biosafety levels (BSL) 2 and 3 containment. Through this level

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

Accreditation discussed at SGA meeting

By STUART SOX

sgsox@att.net

SPECIAL: Five pages of Sports News

C

VOL. 52, NO. 5

“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”

FEB. 11, 2013

JT CRABTREE / LOC SPORTS EDITOR

of containment, researchers will be able to study agents that are potentially lethal to humans.

“The contract has to be completed in two parts,” said Blount. “First, it must pass substantial (structural) completion, which will be in April. Next, the containment levels must be certified, which will take place six months after substantial completion.”

Blount said the project is currently 65 percent complete.

T

he Student Government Association held their first budget meeting of the semester on Monday, Feb. 4. The new budget was approved as $47,111.56 was allocated to 34 student organizations as part of first round appropriations. All organizations that submitted late appropriations packets or have unresolved issues regarding their packets may receive appropriations at the second round budget meeting on Monday, Feb. 18.

Dr. Ronald A. Styron of the Office of Academic Affairs came before the SGA and the student forum to speak about the Quality Enhancement Plan that South Alabama will undergo this year. A Quality Enhancement Plan is an accreditation requirement enforced by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

“South Alabama is going through reaccreditation…which essentially makes your degrees have value. Without accreditation we cannot receive federal funding, grants, or any type of outside funds,” said Dr. Styron, the director of South Alabama’s Quality Enhancement Plan.

According to Dr. Styron, two years ago, various committees were formed to gather and assess student data. Upon review, these committees determined that the main areas of academic weakness among South Alabama students were “critical thinking” and “collaboration.”

“A plan was developed to improve critical thinking and collaboration… which is the Quality Enhancement Plan,” Dr. Styron said.

The Quality Enhancement Plan has been named “TEAM USA” by the Office of Academic Affairs. According to Dr. Styron, students will begin seeing TEAM USA flyers and literature on campus to spread awareness of the reaccreditation process.

In the first week of April, there will be a team of visitors from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that will visit South Alabama for three days.

On the second day, they will randomly See SGA Page 5

Life, Page 5

In this Issue: Sports, Page 8 Opinion, Page 13

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

PAGE three “University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Copy Editor Life Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center Senior Reporter Web Editor

Cassie Fambro Alyssa Newton Jake Howell Noah Logan Patrick Herring JT Crabtree Jayson Curry Matthew Strickland

Weather for Feb. 11-18

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Manager

Advertising Advertising Wesley Jackson Manager Advertising Mohammad Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer Rex McKay

Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan

Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surroun ding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688.

Or editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight.

The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail editor. in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs.

Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.

Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx

USA Police Blotter 251-460-6312 2/02/13 11:54- The Grove Building 10. Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle.

All conference champion state ring was stolen, silver, sunglasses and birth control pills.

17:22- Delta 2. MarijuanaPossesion. Drug Paraphernalia-1st offense.

Four individuals were witnessed by the RA to be smoking marijuana outside of their dorm.

2/03/13 5:39- South Dr. @ Traffic Circle. Criminal mischief.

13:17- Recreation Center.

Possession of Marijuana Second Degree.

15:41- The Grove.

Criminal Mischief First Degree. 2006 Ford Mustang. 9500 worth of damage. An individual had his car keyed while parked at the grove.

2/04/2013 11:32- Math lab classroom, Academic Support Center.

Theft of property Second Degree (Greater than $500 to $2,500)

19:09- Gamma 6 parking lot. Duty Upon Striking an Unoccupied vehicle.

2/07/2013 8:15- The Grove Bldg #5. Burglary 3rd Degree.

(Laptop computer, gaming system, Air Jordan’s)

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

SGA

Asian New Year

Cont. from Page 1

Cont. from Page 1

select students and professors on campus and ask if they know what the Quality Enhancement Plan is. For more information of TEAM USA, visit southalabama.edu/ qep.

The SGA wants students to aware of important dates for this year’s SGA elections. Applications will be available at the SGA office in the academic support center on Jaguar drive on March 1. Applications are due at the SGA office by 5 p.m. on March 18. Those that submitted applications must attend a mandatory candidates meeting on March 18 at 5:15 p.m. at the SGA office. Any applicants that cannot attend the meeting must send a representative to the meeting in his or her place.

Primary elections will begin via JagMail on Monday, March 25 and end on Wednesday, March 27. Run-offs will begin on April first and end April third.

Revision of the SGA bylaws regarding the powers of the Student-at-Large position was left unresolved at Monday’s meeting and tabled for the SGA meeting that follows the second round budget meeting.

The SGA encourages all South Alabama students to attend their weekly meetings to find out about campus events and have a voice in SGA decisions as part of the student forum. SGA meets on Monday nights at 8 p.m. in the conference room at the Fresh Food Co. near the residence halls.

Many students in attendance at the Asian New Year event agreed that it’s important for South Alabama to have events that showcase different cultures.

“It’s an awesome cultural experience,” said Sarina Winter, a sophomore and biology major. “Especially since we’re a port city and college is such a mix of cultures…it’s good for USA to have an event like this,” Winter added. Winter and many other students were able to have their names or any word of their choosing written in traditional Chinese calligraphy at the event.

“I think it’s a good thing to be exposed to other culture and not always be isolated from other ways of life,” said senior Yuki Lee, a senior and biology major.

The Beasts of the Bayou also came to the event to perform a traditional “lion dance.” According to Charlie Chan, a member of Beasts of the Bayou, the lion costumes that was used for the dance was completely handmade and cost nearly $1500. The impressive lion dance was punctuated by a loud fireworks display. The highlight of their performance was a lion dance to the popular Korean song “Gangam Style.”

Students of Mobile’s Shaolin Institute also performed impressive traditional fighting routines of Shaolin monks at the event. The Shaolin Institute students received very generous applause for their efforts.

Traditonal Chinese and Vietnamese dishes were also served at the celebration.

The first annual South Alabama Asian New Year celebration was a huge success thanks to the efforts and planning of the Chinese Students and Scholar Association, the Vietnamese Student Association, and USA International Services. The 2014 Asian New Year celebration will be the year of the horse.

VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2012

jagLIFE

JAKE HOWELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR life.editor@usavanguard.com

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Black History Month events come to USA

By LOREN BURROUGHS llb1102@jagmail.southalabama.edu

F

ebruary 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, a month designated to pay homage and tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans in the United States and abroad.

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson, alongside the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, initiated “Black History Week” in order to reinforce black history as a fundamental, yet often forgotten, piece of American history.

Woodson and his colleagues chose the second week of February for Black History Week because it marked the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two extremely important figures of black history.

Initially, Black History Week was created with the intention of eventually being eliminated because Woodson hoped that black history would become synonymous with American history.

In 1976, the United States Federal Government expanded Black History Week to Black History Month.

Whether Woodson’s vision has been realized today is unclear, yet, the importance of celebrating a culture, legacy and heritage that is responsible for contributing so much to the American story is irrefutable.

Here at the University of South Alabama, we are highlighting Black History Month with events throughout the month of February.

On February 4, the African American Student Association (AASA) and the office of multicultural affairs hosted a Soul Food Luncheon at 12 p.m.

Set in the lobby surrounding the Mitchell Center Globe, the luncheon was filled with professors, administrators, students and friends who dined on traditional “soul foods” associated with African American culture.

Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, dressing and green beans were some of the foods served.

After the luncheon guests had finished eating, music filled the air as AASA’s Gospel Choir performed “How Awesome is Our God” and “Let It Rise”.

Director of minority student affairs, Dr. Carl Cunningham, said a few words at the luncheon about the importance of soul food to black culture and history.

“The creation of soul food has its roots in the time of slavery when slaves were forced to eat and make use of the scraps their slave masters gave them; the making of soul food speaks to the ingenious creativity of Blacks to make the best out of any situation.”

The office of multicultural affairs is hosting several other events during

Monday, Feb. 11 ►2:30 p.m. - Society of Auto-

motive Engineers in Shelby Hall, Room 2117.

Tuesday, Feb. 12 ► Fat Tuesday - No Classes!

Wednesday, Feb. 13 ►3 p.m. - Career services

presents “Mastering the federal job application process” in Meisler Hall, Room 2100.

►7 p.m. - The Independent LOREN BURROUGHS | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Members of Pi Omega chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and the Eta Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at the “If You Really Knew Me” forum held on Feb. 6.

Black History Month such as the USA Minority Preview Night on February 15 at 7 p.m.

In addition to the Minority Preview Night, “Mobile in Black and White” Film and Dialogue on February 18 at 6:30 p.m. and a Black History Jeopardy Night on February 19 at 7p.m., will both be held in the humanities building, room 150.

Also, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in conjunction with the department of African American

studies, will be hosting a forum entitled “The Revival: The Black Awakening” which will be held on February 13 at 7 p.m. in the archaeology museum. The topics of discussion will include the use of the “N” word and the relevance of Black History Month.

Come one, come all! Black History Month is here, and USA has events for everyone. Don’t make the mistake of missing out.

Remember: black history is American history.

‘Soundtrack’ event to help MBSA fund new equipment

By EMILY MELVIN

eam704@jagmail.southalabama.edu

O

n Feb. 19, the University of South Alabama Music Business Student Association (MBSA) will present a concert entitled “Straight from the Soundtrack” at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, located at the corner of South Drive and University Boulevard.

The concert will feature a multi-media show combining visuals with music from works such as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Star Wars” and “The Legend of Zelda,” as well as instrumental and vocal performances by members of the USA Department of Music and the Mobile musical community.

Founded in 2009, the MBSA is com-

prised of students majoring in music business at USA and works to teach students the skills involved in advancing art in the business world.

The MBSA is presenting this exciting production in order to raise awareness about the music business program at USA. The program teaches students about the production and business aspects behind all of the music that is so prevalent in our everyday lives.

Currently, the program is in need of various technological updates, as students have been working with equipment that is almost a decade old.

If the students wish to be competitive in the music job market upon graduation, they need to be able to work with the most up-to-date technology available in their field.

WEEKLY LOWDOWN

“Technology is always forever changing, and the assignments that we have, we can’t really do as good of a job as we would like with the equipment we have,” says Courtney Day, a member of the MBSA. The “Straight from the Soundtrack” concert is just the beginning of the MBSA’s efforts to raise $20,000 to upgrade their labs and equipment. “[Raising money] is a continual thing, so hopefully the class below us will keep it up,” Day said. “Hopefully we’ll have a large crowd!”

Tickets will be available at the door, and can also be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com/event/319580, by calling 1-800-838-3006, or from any music business student.

General admission tickets are $10, and tickets for USA students, faculty and

senior citizens are $5.

Contributors can also make donations through the MBSA’s website, southalabama.edu/music/musicbusinessproduction, or through their Facebook page, facebook.com/ArtsInspired.

They will also have a Kickstarter campaign beginning Feb. 19.

Music Collective presents Will Johnson in concert at Satori Coffeehouse. Heath Underwood will open.

Thursday, Feb. 14 ►Valentine’s/Single’s Awareness Day!

►5 p.m. - Chi Alpha Bible Study in Java City.

►9 - 11 p.m. - Jaguar

Productions Valentine’s Skate Night at Sunshine Skate Center on Hillcrest Road. Must have USA Student ID.

Friday, Feb. 15 ► 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Career

services’s Resume Critique Day in Meisler Hall, Room 2100.

►5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - USA

Minority Preview Night

Saturday, Feb. 16 ►8 p.m. - The Mobile

Symphony presents “American Masters” at the Mobile Saenger Theater.

STAFF ILLUSTRATION

Want your event featured in the Weekly Lowdown? Email the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under seven words) to life.editor@usavanguard.com

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

Food Pak International Foods full of surprises HEY

By MAELYNN LA

ml802@jagmail.southalabama.edu

O

ne great thing about Mobile is that there are always surprises waiting to be discovered, often in plain sight.

While many may scoff at that notion, I have found that many of the best restaurants in Mobile are places we probably pass by on the way to school everyday.

One such establishment is Food Pak International Foods on Old Shell Road, adjacent to Lavretta Park.

If this name doesn’t ring a bell, surely their sign is memorable because it beckons you to visit, with promises of quality gyros, muffalettas and fresh hummus.

One day, senior chemistry major Brian Eberhardt took it upon himself to lead us to Food Pak for lunch.

The interesting thing about Food Pak is that it is both a restaurant and a grocery store. The grocery section is essentially a combination of specialty food stores jam packed into one small building.

Here one can find many ingredients and products representative of (primarily) Middle Eastern, Greek, Indian, Italian, American and many other cuisines.

One whole aisle is dedicated to a variety of wines. While I must confess that I don’t know much about wine, there seemed to be a great selection that wasn’t priced astronomically high.

Another aisle is dedicated to spices, which are near and dear to both my heart and stomach. What I love about this section is that the spices are sold in bulk. This is both cheaper and more convenient because you can decide how much you need to buy.

Also, the variety of spices greatly surpasses that of comparably diverse supermarkets like Fresh Market. So far, I’ve bought citric acid for cheese making from Food Pak, but I will definitely return when it comes time to replenish my cayenne stock or try my hand at Indian cuisine with garam masala or cardamom.

After perusing the grocery section of Food Pak, we ordered lunch from their deli counter. I ordered an original gyro ($6.50) and an Abita root beer ($1.15) to wash it down with.

This gyro consisted of beef-lamb strips coated in their special tzatziki sauce, topped with bell peppers, onions and lettuce all rolled into a pita.

What made this sandwich interesting was their use of different spices in the sauce. The meat itself was very good, but the sauce was very assertive in its flavor.

I couldn’t detect exactly what spices they used, but to me, there was a bit of a licorice flavor. For someone who has never tried a gyro before, I would recommend that you try more traditional gyros at other restaurants first, and then try the one at Food Pak. Eberhardt agreed that the sauce is different than your run-of-the-mill tzatziki sauces, but that’s why he likes it. He bought a falafel sandwich ($6.50) with something very different than my Abita; mint yogurt soda.

Yes, you read correctly. Yogurt soda is a Middle Eastern carbonated yogurt drink. At first, I was pretty apprehensive about trying it, but I eventually said bottoms up.

I first tasted the sharp tartness of the yogurt followed by the cool mint flavor. Brian commented that he likes to drink yogurt soda at the end of a meal because it cleanses the palate,

YOU

.

Into the downtown scene in Mobile?

We need a Scene writer.

Bars, clubs, and night life articles are welcome.

MAELYNN LA | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Food Pak’s gyros offer an interesting twist on the classic Greek favorite.

analogous to the purpose of pickled ginger in sushi restaurants.

I definitely agree with that sentiment because I couldn’t remember what anything else tasted like after drinking the soda. Next time, I’d be willing to try such an unusual drink again after a meal.

What will really keep me coming to Food Pak, though, are the sides and snacks.

I was introduced to bazzittle crunch ($7.25), which is similar to a peanut brittle, only better. Instead of just peanuts, there are almonds, pistachios, and toasted coconut.

Of course, it was very good, but I balked at the price and wondered why it cost that much. Brian replied, “The better question is, is $7.25 worth a religious experience?”

Point goes to Mr. Eberhardt.

I saved my favorite food item for last: their feta dip ($11.00/lb). I have returned three times to Food Pak just for this wonderfully salty, creamy and complexly seasoned dip.

When I asked the cashier what was in the dip, he replied that it was made of “cheese and love.” Sometimes the best answers are the simplest.

Senior biology major Camli AlSadek praised Food Pak as highly as I have saying, “I think it’s a great place to get hard to find ingredients, and their hummus is one of my favorite things to buy there because they make it fresh instead of buying it or getting it from a can.”

Go forth now to Food Pak, and find many delicious delicacies only 5 minutes away from campus.

Have bad service at a local restaurant?

Excellent service?

Tell us! Write about it and let your peers know.

Email life.editor@ usavanguard.com Opinion and Sports need writers too, and you can email editor. in.chief@ usavanguard. com to find out how to get involved.

Build your resume.

Raise your voice.

MAELYNN LA | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Food Pak International Foods holds an incredible variety of ready-to-eat foods and grocery items within its walls. From the delectable feta dip and hummus with chili sauce (left) to the spectrum of wines (right) Food Pak offers patrons a unique food experience with every visit.

Make a difference.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

Manatee sighting network launches naming contest

JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR

The Manatee Sighting Network’s Naming Contest will go on until April 1 when the list of finalist names will be put up for public vote via Facebook.

By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

F

or many who’ve grown up along the Gulf coast, manatees might be a familiar sight. These large, otherworldly creatures fre-

quent the warm shallow waters of our coastline, feeding on sea grasses and socializing with one another during a large portion of the year.

Since 2007, the Manatee Sighting Network (MSN) has been conducting research on and cataloging sight-

ings of manatees in Alabama and Mississippi waters.

Based out of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the MSN was founded by Dr. Ruth Carmichael under the umbrella of the Marine Mammal Research Program.

The MSN is a unique program in the United States, being the only formal manatee sighting network. It also conducts the only research on manatees in the northern Gulf of Mexico outside of Florida.

“The West Indian manatee is a federal endangered species, and research gathered by MSN informs decisions on species recovery efforts and future conservation management. Our work has yielded important information on manatee movements and habitat use,” manager of the MSN Elizabeth Hieb said of the importance of the MSN’s work.

“By learning when and where manatees are in our area, we can reduce the likelihood of conflicts between manatees and people, ensuring that both continue to thrive in our area,” Hieb added.

Unfortunately for the manatees, one of the greatest causes of their declines are human activity. Mana-

tees are often identified using scar patters on their backs and tails, scars left behind by boat strikes.

Manatees are relatively slow swimmers and a large number of these animals are hit and killed by boats each year. By determining when and where the manatees spend their time while in the northern Gulf of Mexico, disastrous interactions between humans and manatees can be mitigated.

The MSN is funded entirely by grants and donations. In order to raise additional funds to conduct their research and organize outreach programs, the MSN is launching the first Alabama Manatee Naming Contest.

According to Hieb, the MSN “launched the first manatee tagging effort in Alabama waters in 2009.

By tagging manatees with satellite tags, we are able to monitor their movements over a more long-term period, including migration patterns from our area to south-central Florida.”

“Through the tagging project, we have learned that the Mobile Bay area is an important habitat for “Florida manatees,” and that the

same manatees return to our area year after year. That means these animals follow the same migration pattern from Alabama to the Crystal River area of Florida (over 400 miles) every year.”

Tagged manatees are normally identified with numbers, but in order to help the public identify with and remember individual animals, the MSN often gives them nicknames.

As part of the naming contest, however, the general public can take part in choosing a name for one of these creatures.

The contest runs through April 1 and those who wish to participate can make a cash/check donation to MSN, purchase an MSN t-shirt or a Tacky Jack’s gift card to enter.

The finalists’ manatee names will be posted on the MSN’s Facebook page, facebook.com/mobilemanatees, for the public to vote on their favorites.

For those who wish to find out more information on the work that the MSN does, the MSN website, manatee.disl.org, is an excellent resource.

Ash falls in Sanderson’s tear-jerking ‘Mistborn’ trilogy

By BAILEY HAMMOND baileyh803@gmail.com

A

series of books that completely grips your imagination and instills a sense of longing in your bookish heart doesn’t come along every day.

I can name three series that have accomplished those feelings for me, but I can happily say that number has gone up to four after reading Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn” Trilogy.

Fun fact: Sanderson was chosen to complete the iconic fantasy series of Robert Jordan (“The Wheel of Time”) when he passed away in 2007.

The series starts off with a bang with “Mistborn: The Final Empire.”

From the first line “Ash fell from the sky,” the stage is set for a tale darkened by some looming malevolence, slowly seeking to stifle life.

In a world plagued by class dissension and falling ash, readers are introduced to characters both compelling and aloof.

The Final Empire is ruled by the iron fist of the Lord Ruler, said to be The Sliver of Infinity, a piece of God.

BAILEY HAMMOND | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sanderson’s “Mistborn” trilogy not only introduces a unique branch of magic to the fantasy realm of literature, but also makes readers question seemingly black and white aspects of life.

There is a strict caste system enforced with layers of abuse: physical and psychological. The Skaa are the lower class and as such are basically the property of the nobility, meaning no one cares if a Skaa lives or dies.

Despite—or perhaps because of—this suppression, a rebellion among the Skaa is boiling right in the

streets and back alleys of the capital of Luthadel, in the dead center of the Lord Ruler’s control.

Readers are dumped right into this fight from the Prologue.

The heroes of The Final Empire are Skaa half-breeds with astonishing powers.

For clarifying purposes, the main

character throughout most of the series is Vin, a young girl who doesn’t know who she is or who she wants to be. It is through her exploration of this dilemma that we begin to see changes happening in her world.

It has become a common expectation that fantasy novels and series have magic in them, and the

“Mistborn” books are no exception, but Sanderson has created a type of magic all his own: Allomancy. Metals are “burned” by Allomancers to do stupendous feats, such as flying or soothing someone’s emotions. It’s a fascinating concept.

The second book, “Mistborn: Well of Ascension,” and third book, “Mistborn: Hero of Ages,” sinks the reader further into the world and brings the hidden enemy to light.

One of the things I liked best about this series, other than the phenomenal writing and beautiful world-building, is that Sanderson has managed to write a series that does more than entertain.

It makes me think about right and wrong, sacrifice and love, and other meaningful ideals in ways that I hadn’t considered prior.

When I finished “Mistborn: Hero of Ages” and turned that last page, I was hit with a sudden upwelling of grief. I grieved for the end of this story because I didn’t want it to end.

Now, perhaps I’m giving away too much personal information, but I have this nagging feeling that if everyone read this series, the world might be a better place.

SPORTS

PATRICK HERRING, SPORTS EDITOR sports.editor@usavanguard.com

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VOL. 52, NO. 5/ FEB. 11, 2013

Men’s basketball downs Troy 65-62 with big run The Jaguars used a 21-6 run and hit their last 20 free throws to win

By PATRICK HERRING

By HANNAH BLACKBURN

sports.editor@usavanguard.com

J

unior forward Augustine Rubit worked throughout the offseason on improving his shooting from the free throw line. Early in the contest against Troy, it appeared as if he hadn’t improved. He went 1 for 4 to start the game, but down the stretch Rubit hit his last 10 attempts, including 4 in the final thirty seconds to help ice the win.

The charity stripe is ultimately where South Alabama (13-9, 10-4) clinched the 65-62 victory over conference and in-state rival Troy (10-14, 5-8).

The Jaguars as a team made their final 20 free throw attempts after starting off 4 for 13.

Interim head coach Jeff Price addressed the importance of free throws after the game.

“We shot 33 (free throws) tonight and that’s a big key for us, and we were just much better at that in the last seven or eight minutes,” Price said. “Our free throw shooting was tremendous down the stretch, and that’s what won the game for us.”

The contest was close throughout with neither team leading by more than 8 points. The lead changed 13 times, and it was tied three times.

It turned around the 12-minute

Contributing Writer

T

BY JAYSON CURRY|SENIOR REPORTER

On a night when free throws were crucial, the Jaguars hit on 24 of 33 attempts, including this one by Mychal Ammons.

mark in the second half when USA went on a 21-6 run over a seven-minute span to push the lead to seven. Troy wouldn’t regain the lead, though they would threaten it numerous times.

By the time the clock hit zero, Rubit had made as many free throws (11) as Troy had shot as a team. He recorded his thirteenth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Dre Conner was also clutch at the

free throw line, hitting on all 8 of his attempts en route to scoring 11 points.

Antoine Allen scored 9, snatched 3 steals and blocked 2 shots.

Javier Carter also came up huge for South, registering 5 blocks on the night.

He also scored 6 points and snagged 8 rebounds.

“Javier’s defensive presence was great,” Price said. “He got a block late there on a 3, and that’s why we have

him in the game late, because of his length.”

The Jags outshot the Trojans from beyond the 3-point line 31.3 percent to 23.5 percent respectively.

Troy was led by Emil Jones, who scored 23 points and had 7 rebounds.

He hit a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to bring Troy to within one in the waning seconds before Rubit hit a pair of his own.

Q&A with Softball head coach Becky Clark

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

W

ith the softball season upon us, we at The Vanguard Sport’s section decided to take time to speak with former Sun Belt Conference Softball Coach of the Year about her team and their upcoming season.

VG: “What does last year’s success mean to this team, if anything?”

BC: “One advantage that last year has given us is the realization of what is possible and the experience of playing in those big games. As a coach, there is no way to simulate that kind of atmosphere in practice. The only way to get that experience is to be in the middle of it. Once you have experienced that kind of competition and that atmosphere you want to keep going back for more.”

VG: “How will you try to build on last year’s successes?”

BC: “We are all very proud of last year’s success but I think we all under-

Lady Jags basketball “Packs the House”, beats Troy 74-58

stand last year was last year and this year is this year. This year’s team has done a great job of getting back to work and staying focused on the the present without constantly looking back. We know that, just like last year, we will have to work for everything we get. This is a team of young ladies who are not afraid of hard work and they want to earn everything that they get.”

VG: “What does it mean to you coming in and reviving this program and taking it all the way to regionals?”

BC: “Considering last year was only the sixth year of competition for the softball team I don’t know that I revived it. This is very young program and there has been a building process since 2005 when South Alabama hired me to start the program. I do think it is remarkable what these young ladies have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. They get the credit for the success that we have enjoyed because they have worked so

hard for it and committed themselves to it.”

VG: “Hannah Campbell and Brittany Fowler had a great deal of individual success last season, what do they mean to this team?”

BC: “For sure Hannah and Brittany had big seasons last year and their efforts were huge for our team. The great thing about our team though is that different people step up big all of the time. This is a very team oriented group and we know that everyone brings something to the table and everyone is expected to do her part.

To me the team concept is one of the coolest things in sports; a group of individuals with different backgrounds and different personalities who come together and make all of that work together for the common good.”

VG: “Is there anyone who has really stepped up during the offseason and looks to be a key contributor this season?”

BC: “It is hard to single out indi-

viduals. It is easier for me to say that everyone on our squad has the chance to contribute in a big way. Like I said before, this is a team who can have a different hero on any given day. They all love to compete and love the challenge of coming through for their team.”

VG: “What are your goals for this season?”

BC: “Our goal is always to get the most out of ourselves and to compete every time we take the field. If we do that the results will take care of themselves. Winning is a bi-product. We have to take care of the things that go into winning and let winning take care of itself.”

VG: “Anything else you want people to know about your team?”

BC: “Just that this is going to be a fun team to watch and I encourage everyone to come out and support them.

I can promise you that we will work hard to earn the fan’s support and play hard each time we hit the field.”

he Lady Jags could feel the energy as kids from area schools watched their 74-58 victory over Troy.

Wednesday was “Pack the House” day, a promotion in which area elementary and middle schools come to support the Jags. This time the Jags were cheered on by 3,487 fans.

“There is no question about the energy that the crowd brought,” head coach Rick Pietri said. “That many adults don’t create that kind of energy.

That energy created by those kids is genuine and real.”

They broke their three-game losing streak, as well as the previous attendance record of 3,218 that was set at last year’s game against FAU. The Jags (13-10, 6-8) came out firing early, using the energetic crowd to help spark a 9-0 run. Brianna Wright had another terrific outing as she put up 16 points. It was the sixth time in the last eight outings that the freshman has recorded double figures. She also grabbed 6 boards in the win.

Wright wasn’t the only Jag to put up double figures. Senior guard Mary Nixon scored 12 points, while Ronneka Robertson and Mansa El posted 10 each.

Having gone into the matchup shooting only 34.2 percent in conference play, the Lady Jags had a successful turn of events as they shot over 50 percent in both halves. They connected on 29 of 56 attempts shooting at 51.8 percent.

“We were able to get a lot of movement and get people free, to the point where they were either free at the basket or free on the perimeter,” said Pietri.

“We were able to get some really clean looks. We made a reasonable percentage of those clean looks and everything just fed on itself.”

The Jags dished out 16 assists against the Trojans (4-18, 1-12), the most since recording 21 against Spring Hill. The Trojans came into the meeting ranked 16th in the NCAA in points per game, averaging 74.5. For Troy, Joanna Harden led all scorers with 19 points.

However, the Lady Jags’ defense proved to be too much as they only allowed the Trojans to make 20 of 58 from the floor, and 4 of 18 from long-range.

USA did damage from all over the court, making 8 treys and holding a 3822 advantage in points in the paint.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5/ FEB. 11, 2013

South Alabama football National Signing Day special edition H Recruit Spotlight: Four-star running

ere are capsules on the 24 new football recruits who are on board for the Jaguars’ 2013 football season, not including the recruit featured in the article to the right.

Caleb Alves, 6-3, 175, WR, Melbourne, Fla., Palm Bay Senior HS Received three stars from ESPN.com, and two from both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Was a third-team all-state selection after catching a team-best 22 passes for 503 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Averaged 13.1 yards per punt return and also ran back five kickoffs for 115 more.

Had offers from: FIU, FAU, Memphis, Bowling Green and Massachusetts.

Noah Armstrong, 6-7, 300, OL, Moulton, Ala., Lawrence County HS A three-star recruit according to Rivals. com, which had him ranked among the top 100 offensive tackles in the country.

Also earned two stars from ESPN.com and Scout.com. ESPN.com ranked him among the top 60 recruits in Alabama, including the fourth-best offensive tackle in the state. Earned all-county honors following his senior season, and was named to WASF TV-48’s Elite 11 prior to the start of the year. Had offers from: Southern Miss., Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.

Roman Buchanan, 6-2, 205, S, Daleville, Ala., Daleville HS Earned two stars from Rivals.com. Selected first-team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and was voted the team’s most valuable player after posting 68 tackles, a total that included 18 stops for loss and 7 sacks. Forced 8 fumbles, returned 3 fumbles for touchdowns and blocked 3 punts as well. On offense, recorded 23 catches for 533 yards and 5 touchdowns while rushing 18 times for 244 more yards and 3 scores. Earned academic excellence awards each of the last two years. Had offers from: Southern Mississippi and UAB, and was recruited by Georgia Tech.

Jacob Chaffin, 6-3, 280, DL, Birmingham, Ala., Spain Park HS A three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, getting two stars from Rivals.com and Scout.com too. Was among the top 50 recruits in Alabama according to ESPN.com, which also had him ranked among the top 10 defensive tackles in the state. A four-year letterwinner at Spain Park High, where he earned all-metro honors and was a starter for three seasons.Had offers from: Southern Mississippi, Tulane, Troy, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky, and was recruited by Mississippi State.

ern Mississippi, Troy, Middle Tennessee and UAB. Was recruited by LouisianaLafayette and Georgia State also.

back Kaleb Blanchard

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

S

outh Alabama head football coach Joey Jones and offensive coordinator Robert Matthews owe a debt of gratitude to former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino. Thanks to the surfacing of his affair in April and his subsequent firing, his committed football recruits began to rethink their school of choice.

One of those commits was Denham Springs, La., running back Kaleb Blanchard. The six-foot, 195 pound back was rated as a 4-star prospect

by Rivals.com and a 3-star prospect

by ESPN.com and Scout.com ESPN. com rated him the number four running back in Louisiana, while Rivals. com had him ranked as the thirty-fifth rusher in the nation.

Blanchard decided to decommit from the Razorbacks in December and reopen his recruitment. USA outside linebackers coach and recruiter Brendt Bedsole jumped at the chance to recruit the young man, and it paid off.

Bedsole visited Blanchard and kept in frequent touch with him over the next month. In late January, Blanchard took his official visit to South Alabama’s campus. Luckily for both parties, his visit landed on the same weekend as the Senior Bowl. Blanchard was one of many visitors for USA who got to stand on the sidelines during pregame warm-ups and see former Jaguar standout safety B.J. Scott perform in the game.

Later that night, Blanchard got to experience the Mardi Gras scene in downtown Mobile. He was impressed with the campus, the facilities and the city, so he decided to commit before leaving Mobile.

The coaching staff took the soft approach, telling Blanchard to return home and Cristobal Dinham, 5-10, 210, RB, Lithonia, Ga., Lithonia HS/ Independence (Kan.) CC Led ICC with 1,012 yards rushing and 1,038 all-purpose yards. Averaged 126.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranked fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Carried 192 times, reaching the end zone a teamleading 10 times — the latter figure was among the top 20 in the country in the category. Rushed for 100 yards in five

think on the decision. The experience stuck with him, and he informed the coaches the following Monday that he still wanted to be a Jaguar.

Blanchard’s high school head coach, Thomas Nettles, was impressed with the recruiting job done by Bedsole.

“ H e (Bedsole) did a fine job. He didn’t talk about any other schools,” Nettles said. “He just promoted USA, Mob i l e and the future of the program.”

Nettles also talked about how m u c h Blanchard enjoyed his visit.

“He is very excited to come to Mobile,” Nettles said. “He was impressed with the new facilities and the opportunity to be a part of an up and comof his eight appearances. In his final game for ICC, carried 30 times for 276 yards and a score. Recruited out of junior college by Boise State, Utah State and Troy. Sat out as a redshirt at Wayne (Neb.) State in 2010.

Devon Earl, 5-10, 185, CB, Hoover, Ala., Hoover HS Earned two stars from each of the three national recruiting services. Rated among the top 50 in the state by ESPN.

ing program.”

South Alabama recruiting coordinator Brian Turner thinks Blanchard was a huge win for this signing class.

“He’s a phenomenal player, and we needed some guys at running back that could come in and play, and we think he can do that,” Turner said.

Even Jones’ wife, Elise, was impressed with Blanchard.

“It’s easy for my wife to evaluate him as a running back. She looked at the film with me the other night, and she said, ‘Wow, he’s pretty good.’ So you can see when the guy’s got the ball in his hands what he can do is pretty obvious,” Jones said. “We feel like he’s gonna (sic) come in and be a playmaker, and I believe as a freshman, you can come in and play early at that position.”

Blanchard had a prolific career as a prep athlete at Denham Springs High School. He ranks second all-time in the school’s record books with 3,079 rushing yards. He also found the end zone 41 times on the ground while averaging 7.6 yards per carry.

As a sophomore, he rushed for a school single-season record with 1,799 rushing yards, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry in the process. The effort was good enough to earn him district and parish player of the year, as well as first-team all-district, all-parish and all-metro honors.

After an injury-shortened junior season, Blanchard returned to rush for 891 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to earning first team all-district, all-parish and all-metro honors once again.

He committed to USA over offers from Mississippi, Vanderbilt, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State, LouisianaLafayette and Louisiana Monroe. So not only did he leave his home state to attend South over offers from three SEC programs, but he also shunned three Sun Belt Conference rivals. com, including fifth among cornerbacks. Part of a team that won the state 6A championship – finishing with an undefeated 15-0 mark – his senior season. Named the Hoover area Athlete of the Year by the Birmingham News in 2012, and was first-team all-region and all-metro, after posting 58 tackles including 8½ for loss, 6 interceptions and 5 other passes defended. Also the starting point guard for the Buccaneer basketball squad. Had offers from: South-

Steffon Fuller, 6-4, 205, S, Scooba, Miss., Kemper County HS/East Central (Miss.) CC Named first-team Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges South all-state last fall after recording 54 total tackles — 38 unassisted — and 4 passes defensed. Had offers from: Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, North Texas and Memphis, and was recruited by Mississippi State.

Steven Fuller, 6-4, 200, S, Scooba, Miss., Kemper County HS/East Central (Miss.) CC Finished with 12 tackles including 3 for loss, 2 pass break ups and 1 blocked kick. Added 8 tackles on special teams units. Caught 7 passes for 95 yards on offense, and was also credited with 13 pancake blocks on run plays. Had offers from: Arkansas State, LouisianaLafayette, Middle Tennessee, North Texas and Memphis, and was recruited

by Mississippi State.

Dejon Funderburk, 5-11, 160, WR, Pensacola, Fla., Washington HS Received three stars from both ESPN. com and Rivals.com, and was a two-star recruit according to Scout.com. Ranked among the top 20 athletes in Florida and top 80 nationally by ESPN.com.

Was chosen honorable mention all-state as a senior. Had offers from: Alabama, South Carolina, Florida State and Clemson among others.

Montell Garner, 6-1, 185, CB, Euless, Texas, Colleyville Heritage HS/ Navarro (Texas) JC Efforts helped NJC finish 10-2 overall and fourth in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll after a 30-23 victory over Georgia Military JC in the C.H.A.M.P.S Heart of Texas Bowl. Credited with 23 tackles — including 2 for loss — 8 passes broken up and an interception in five contests.

Tied for fifth in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in passes defensed. Had offers from Kansas State and Texas State out of junior college.

DeMarion Harper, 6-3, 290, DL, McComb, Miss., Vicksburg Community HS/ Fort Scott (Kan.) CC Sat out as a redshirt last fall at Fort Scott (Kan.) CC. As a freshman at Highland (Kan.) CC in 2011, was credited with 38 total tackles in seven games. That included three stops for loss with one sack. Also recruited in junior college by Kansas State, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Ohio and Toledo.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5/ FEB. 11, 2013

Caleb Hayman, 6-3, 215, TE, Gainesville, Ga., Gainesville HS Earned two stars from both ESPN.com and Rivals.com, with the former including him among its top 30 wideouts in the state. A first-team all-state selection by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. Was named second-team allstate by the Associated Press and was an honorable mention selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as well. Also a two-year letterwinner in basketball for the Red Elephants. Was also recruited

by Troy and Middle Tennessee.

USA football signs 19 recruits for 2013 season on National Signing Day

Jay Jones, 5-9, 180, RB, Horn Lake, Miss., Horn Lake HS/ Northeast Mississippi CC Among the top 50 nationally in the fall in rushing after collecting 504 yards and 3 touchdowns. Added 11 receptions for 150 yards and a score as well. Recruited by Mississippi, Arkansas State and Memphis out of junior college.

Desmond LaVelle, 5-11, 230, LB, Decatur, Ala., Decatur HS/ Northwest Mississippi CC Tied for fourth on the team with 53 total tackles, which included 4.5 for a loss of 26 yards with 2 sacks, to earn first-team all-league honors. Also recovered 2 fumbles, and had an interception and a pass defensed. Recorded 25 tackles — including two for loss — an interception and a fumble recovery as a freshman at USA in 2011.

Akeem Lewis, 6-2, 250, DE, Abbeville, La., Abbeville HS/ Los Angeles Harbor CC Posted 47 total tackles as a sopho-

Brandon McKee, 6-1, 180, PK, Cumming, Ga., South Forsyth HS Earned two letters in football at South Forsyth HS; he didn’t play football until his junior season. Named first-team all-state, all-region and all-county as a senior after better than 45 yards per punt. Missed just one field goal his final year, while 80 percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Theo Rich, 6-2, 270, DL, Portal, Ga., Portal HS Panthers/ Itawamba (Miss.) CC Recorded 33 total stops with 11.5 tackles for a loss, including four sacks.

Forced 3 fumbles, broke up 2 passes and had an interception he returned 20 yards. Had offers out of junior college from Cincinnati, Indiana, Colorado State, Middle Tennessee and Memphis.

Originally signed with North Carolina State, recording five stops in five contests for the Wolfpack in 2011.

Tony Johnson, 6-3, 240, LB, Sulligent, Ala., Sulligent HS/ Southwest Mississippi CC Played the last two years at Southwest Mississippi CC, leading the squad in stops in 2012. As a freshman, posted 80 tackles including 4 behind the line of scrimmage for the Bears. Originally signed with Louisiana Tech out of junior college, and was recruited by Memphis and UAB as well.

Xavier Johnson, 5-11, 170, RB, Tampa, Fla., Chamberlain HS Each of the three recruiting services rated him as a two-star prospect. Was rated among the top 30 running backs in Florida by ESPN.com. A four-year letterwinner at Chamberlain High. As a senior, rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury. Collected honorable mention all-state and first-team all-district honors. Recorded more than 2,000 total yards and 18 touchdowns his junior season to be named second-team all-state and first-team all-district. Had offers from: Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic, Ohio, Toledo, Marshall and Massachusetts.

scores, adding 97 yards and a touchdown rushing.

BY JT CRABTREE|LOC SPORTS EDITOR

Head coach Joey Jones discusses his signing class with the media on National Signing Day.

n February 6, head football coach Joey Jones announced the 2013 signing class of 25 new Jaguars. Including the six JUCO transfers signed in December, Jones added 17 National Letters-of-Intent and two grants-in-aid.

“The reason we were able to get several of these really good football players is because we can go to a bowl game and we can win a championship,” said Jones.

“The last few years we have been selling South Alabama, facilities, the city of Mobile — which are all great things to sell — but at the end of the day you’re going to get better players when you tell them you’re going to be on television a lot, go to bowl games and compete for a championship.”

Thirteen of the newly signed athletes received at least two stars from at least one national recruiting service, including six who were rated three-star prospects and one who garnered four

stars.

Jones added that there was a focus on JUCO transfers this recruiting season. “We felt like we needed to get older,” said Jones. “In other words we needed to bring some junior college kids into the program, and we needed difference makers going into our first year of bowl eligibility.”

Jones also said that anticipates many of the recruits coming in and having an immediate impact. ““When you sign a junior college guy to play football, you expect him to come in and play. Not saying they’re gonna start, but you want them to play.”

Not only does Jones think the JUCO players can contribute right away, he also thinks some of the freshman can contribute right away. “Out of the freshman class, I see four or five of those guys who could get playing time,” said Jones.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jones said that he thought the team needed more playmakers by bringing in several wide receivers and running

backs.

“Offensively we felt like we needed more skill players, guys who have the ball in their hands,” stated Jones. “We signed four really good running backs, one being a hybrid who can also play receiver, who can make things happen.

We also got a few good receivers including a couple of speed guys.”

On defense, Jones focused on the defensive line, adding five to the roster.

“We felt like we needed players on the defensive line; we answered that in a great way with the individuals we signed out of junior college,” explained Jones.

“We signed three inside and one outside guy, all very, very good football players. These guys will step in and make a big difference on our team. Teams with good defensive lines always seem to have a good record, so if we can solidify that position, and I think we have done that, we can help ourselves there.”

The Jags will open the 2013 season on August 29, a Thursday, against Southern Utah at Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

more, including 14½ behind the line of scrimmage with 9 sacks. Tied for second in tackles for loss and tied for third in sacks in the Southern California Football Association Central Division; ended the season tied for 10th in the state in sacks. Also forced 2 fumbles and recovered another, which he ran back 42 yards. Credited with 4 passes broken up as well. Had offers from Michigan, Arizona and Illinois out of junior college.

Jerome McClain, 6-3, 275, DL, Pensacola, Fla., Pensacola HS/ Northwest Mississippi CC Part of a defense that was fourteenth nationally after allowing 316.6 yards per game and recording 37 takeaways.

Finished with 51 stops including 10 behind the line of scrimmage — tied for second on the squad — and 4 sacks.

Intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and was credited with a team-leading 10 quarterback hurries as well. Had

offers from: Arizona State, Troy, FIU, FAU, Memphis and UAB.

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

O

Tevaris McCormick, 5-10, 170, WR, Biloxi, Miss., Biloxi HS Received two stars from all three national recruiting organizations. Had 3 catches in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in December following the end of his senior season. Finished his senior season with 42 receptions for 484 yards and a team-leading 8

Brett Sheehan, 6-3, 170, QB, Collins Hill, Ga., Collins Hill HS Received three stars from Scout.com, and was a two-star recruit according to ESPN.com and Rivals.com. Rated the sixth-best quarterback in the state and among the top 100 in the country

by ESPN.com. A three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Collins Hill High. Voted first-team all-region and second-team all-county as a senior after leading CHHS to a berth in the state 6A playoffs. Completed 185-of276 pass attempts for 2,351 yards and 22 touchdowns his final year despite missing three games due to injury.

Rushed for 268 yards and three scores on 59 carries as well. Originally committed to FIU and also had an offer from Georgia State.

DeVonta Staples, 6-1, 190, S, Lanett, Ala., Valley HS Scout.com gave him two stars in the recruiting rankings. Named first-team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association his senior season. Credited with 115 stops and 2 forced fumbles as a junior, also intercepting one pass.

On special teams that fall, he added 460 kickoff return yards while running back 1 kickoff for a touchdown.

Jalen Wells, 6-5, 230, DE, Dublin, Ga., Dublin HS A three-star recruit according to Scout. com. Lettered for two years at Dublin High. Was first-team all-region and all-Middle Georgia as a senior after collecting 41 total stops — which included 23 unassisted — with 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. Cousin of Erik Walden, a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers since the middle of the 2010 season who has spent five years in the NFL.

LEFT OF CENTER

JT CRABTREE, LOC EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

11

VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

Want us to follow you?

Tweet us @USAVGSports Jacob Noble @ JacobLNoble: Pitcher I attempted to study with a few sorority girls tonight, it was super quiet and we all learned a lot about the material, said no one ever.

Drew Dearman @DrewDearman: Offensive Lineman Second baseman Logan Kirkland during the Red-Blue Series

JT CRABTREE / LOC SPORTS EDITOR

USA baseball starts 2013 season

Jags look to improve after a disappointing 2012 campaign

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he 2013 South Alabama baseball season starts Friday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m., with a three game series at Stanky Field against Stephen F. Austin.

The Jags 2013 roster will feature 16 newcomers and return 19 lettermen from the 2012 team, a team that finished with a record of 23-34, the worst record in program history. They also had a 1515 Sun Belt Conference record, good for fifth in the conference.

“We have a lot of returners back, and

a couple of guys in key positions who are newcomers,” said head coach Mark Calvi. “There will be competition all over the field. The returners seem to be bigger and stronger.”

Following the 2012 season, three Jags were selected to the All-Sun Belt team.

Designated hitter Whitt Dorsey, outfielder/infielder/pitcher Jordan Patterson and pitcher Jarron Cito all received postseason recognition. Dorsey was selected First Team All-Sun Belt, while Patterson and Cito were selected to named Second Team All-Sun Belt.

Coming into the 2013 season, Patter-

Track and field strong in Samford

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he South Alabama track and field team collected 10 top-10 finishes at the Samford Invitational this past Saturday, their final indoor competition before the Sun Belt Conference Championships.

Mikel Magunsson (4.45m) and Garrett Schumacher (4.30m) finished tied for fourth and tied for seventh in men’s pole vault, respectively.

In women’s triple jump, Briana Aiken (12.09m) finished fourth and Shayna McCarver (11.73m) finished eighth. Jaylon Holt (14.71m) finished in fourth in

son and outfielder Nick Zaharion were named All-Sun Belt Team by Perfect Game USA. South Alabama was also predicted to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference this season, with Florida Atlantic winning the conference.

In 2012, Patterson hit .323 with 15 doubles, eight homers, a triple, 44 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases in 56 games. In 10 innings pitched, he posted a 3.60 ERA with 10 strikeouts. Patterson ranked 14th in the Sun Belt Conference in batting average, ninth in the league in on-base percentage (.426) and tied for ninth in home runs and doubles.

Zaharion hit .285 with eight doubles, seven home runs, two triples and 36 runs scored, and tied for the team lead with 44 RBI in 54 games. He was also selected as the SBC Player of the Week (3/203/25/12) after hitting .474 with two doubles, three homers, nine RBI and six runs in four games.

The Jags will open the season with seven consecutive home games: a three game series with Stephen F. Austin, a Wednesday night game against Alabama State and a weekend series with former Sun Belt rival University of New Orleans.

men’s triple jump.

Senior Latifah Johnson (14.80m) finished third in the 20-pound women’s weight throw.

Johnson also placed tenth in the shot put (13.45m).

In the mile run, Salome Lecoq finished sixth out of 48 other runners with a time of 4:52.45.

Jasmine Ferguson finished tied for seventh in the women’s high jump with a height of 1.62m, a personal best.

Tyler Agee (8.30) placed sixth in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, a personal best.

“We saw some good, promising things today,” head track and field

coach Paul Brueske said. “There were a few people who emerged for us, which is always what you want to see.”

The Jags now have two weeks to prepare for the Sun Belt Conference Championships, which will be held February 24-25 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

“We still have a lot of work to do, and hopefully we can sort some things out before the conference meet,” Brueske said. “Anything can happen in a meet. If we go out and compete the way we’re capable of competing, we should see some good things going forward.”

If anyone is curious, there’s pug puppies on Too Cute on Animal Planet. I’m weak Derek Westbrook @ thedwestbrook25: Steeplechaser Overall, I’m pretty happy with my race today. 13 seconds faster in the 3k than two weeks ago so it’s a step in the right direction!

Kolton Peavey @OmgItsPeavzilla: Quarterback Talking about Star Wars on a first date is a wookie mistake.

Whitt Dorsey @whittakas5: DH/Catcher Is it bad that pitch perfect makes me wanna join an acapella group and battle other schools for the aca-title!??

Jake Johnson @JakeJohnson540: Linebacker So my mom says “man theres some good looking food at ur cafe” a small part of me died inside :( Chris May @CmayFive5: Offensive Lineman I just accidentally unfollowed and refollowed people on Instagram.....

Now I just look like a creeper.... Lol #thestruggle

@USAVGSports

12

VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

USA Sports Briefs courtesy of usajaguars.com Women’s tennis remains undefeated

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he University of South Alabama women’s tennis team moved to 3-0 Saturday, dropping just one point in a pair of victories Saturday at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Jaguars blanked Jacksonville State 7-0 in the opening match and defeated William Carey 6-1 in the nightcap.

“Today was a long day, but exactly what we needed,” USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. “There were plenty of matches, I’m just happy that towards the end of the day it started to shape up a little bit and we started to get a good feeling of the way we competed.

I just feel like today we are a better team than we were last week. We still have a long, long way to go. Like I said last week, we are a work in progress but there was definitely improvement from last week’s match against Southern Miss.”

South Alabama dropped just three games in taking the doubles point from Jacksonville State and won the first four singles matches in straight sets to quickly clinch the match. Freshman Paula Sanchez (Bogota, Colombia) made the score 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 6 and sophomore Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) won at No. 4 by the same score.

Sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) earned a win at No. 1 singles, de-

feating Raisa Guasti 6-4, 6-2 to put the match away.

After sophomore Mariya Krachok (Kiev, Ukraine) defeated Isidora Knezevic 6-4, 6-4 on the No. 5 court, sophomore Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) and freshman Cinta Maria Papke (Flein, Germany) outlasted their opponents in three sets to complete the sweep.

In the second half of the doubleheader, Newton and freshman Michaela Meszarosova (Bratislava, Slovakia) quickly dispatched William Carey’s No. 1 doubles team 8-1, and Papke and Sanchez gave USA the doubles point on the No. 2 court with an 8-6 victory.

The Jags used three more straight-set wins in singles to finish off the Crusaders. Papke and Krachok earned USA’s second and third points with wins at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Sanchez garnered South Alabama’s fourth point at No. 5 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

“As a team in the first match, I just thought we did a poor job with our intensity and with our body language, and the same thing in the doubles in the second match,” Keyser said. “But then, toward the middle-end of the singles in second match, we really started to get a good feeling with regards to our body language and the way we competed.”

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Lady Jags defeat Mississippi State Softball wins three out of four in season opening tournament

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

A

fter quickly falling behind two runs in the first inning, the Lady Jags softball team rallied back to defeat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 3-2 in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic on February 7.

The Jags did not record a hit until the fourth inning, but back-to-back doubles from Brittany Fowler and Kaitlyn Griffith and a sacrifice fly from Meghan Collins tied the game.

In the sixth inning, designated hitter Blair Johnson slapped a solo shot to right center field that would prove to be the game-winning run.

“We started out very aggressive, and when they went up two runs we started to get a little defensive at the plate; we started to just try and make contact,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “We talked about not looking at the scoreboard; I just told them to go have great at-bats and attack the strike zone and they did an awesome job of that.”

The next day, the Jags split a doubleheader, losing to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 2-1, while defeating Tennessee State 9-1 later that afternoon.

Again, the Jags fell behind early, giving

up two runs in the second inning to SIUEdwardsville. The Jags scored their only run in the fifth inning with a Meghan Collins hit that drove in Fowler. The Jags left nine runners on base.

“It’s early in the season, and you’ve got new people in the equation; everybody is trying to figure out what it looks like,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “We hit the ball well, but we hit it at people in the first game. We had a lot of free base runners, and we needed to do something with that.”

Against Tennessee State, Fowler started a six run seventh inning with a two-run homer that also scored Johnson, who went 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored. Outfielder Julie Moss added 2 runs of her own while going 1-for-3 with a base on balls.

Jessica Dobson gave up 4 hits and 1 run over 3.1 innings pitched while Farish Beard didn’t allow a baserunner during her 3.2 innings of work.

“I thought coming back in the second game and busting it open, that helped our kids a lot, because they got to see what it looks like,” said head coach Clark. “It’s them driving the ball; it’s them finding the gaps; they can lock into that. I’m looking forward to tomorrow to see if we can get that going again.”

On February 9, the Jags defeated Georgia State 8-0 in six innings, in what would be their final game of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. USA was scheduled to play the Bulldogs again on February 10, but the game was cancelled due to rain.

The Jags scored a run in the first inning without recording a hit. GSU starter Katie Worley walked Stephanie Pilkington and hit both Brittany Fowler and Kaitlyn Griffith. Worley then walked Meghan Collins to score Pilkington.

Blair Johnson and Collins added home runs in the second and fifth innings, respectively, to give the Jags a five run lead. Alex Breeden and Clara Bowen each added an RBI to end the game early.

“We were really waiting to see how we’d come out today after we locked in pretty well last night [in the victory over Tennessee State], and I thought we did a great job picking right back up,” said head coach Clark.

The Jaguars improved to 3-1 on the year and travel to Tuscaloosa to play the University of Alabama Crimson Tide before hosting the Mardi Gras Invitational February 15-17. The Mardi Gras Invitational will feature games against Central Arkansas, Lamar, Jackson State and Ole Miss.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

The Vanguard Viewpoint Put out your Paws, Jags A student newspaper’s job is to warn, update and inform students of happenings.

That’s why we take it so seriously to post weather warnings and local news that affects USA. While it may not be directly relevant to USA, the tornadoes in Hattiesburg on Sunday affected all of us.

We just went through it and we know how it feels to wake up with less than we had.

We did what we know best and reached out to The Student Printz, University of Southern Mississippi’s student newspaper and are hoping to find a way to collaborate with them to see what we can do to help our fellow college students recover from the devastation their campus suffered this weekend.

We rallied and helped T-Town when it happened to them and now it’s time to lend a hand to our neighbors an hour away in Mississippi.

We’ll keep you posted on how to help and are open to ideas.

If you have an idea of how to help the Eagles, shoot us a message on Facebook or write on our wall at facebook.com/thevanguardusa.

Keep us posted if any campus organization organizes relief efforts too.

This is a great opportunity to come together and support our friends and future colleagues.

Let’s get ready to help the Eagles, Jags.

Women in combat- policy and reality in a head on collision According to a report from the Pentagon, as of Febr uar y 2013, 152 women have Aldyn Miller died from aem1101@jagmail.southcombat and alabama.edu non-combat related injuries, with more than 900 being wounded since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. The battle for equality has been raging for longer. It has been a hard fought war on the home front, but on January 24th, 2013, the ban on women in combat roles in the military was officially lifted by the Pentagon.

As a woman and a feminist, it is the opinion of this author that the action is a long overdue and welcomed change. Military policy has now been provided with the chance to catch up to reality.

Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, female soldiers have fired weapons, launched grenades, faced down suicide bombers and served their country right along their fellow male soldiers.

Regardless, since 1994, the military’s official policy has barred women entry to units whose primary purpose was “direct combat on the

JagPulse

Why do you think tuition has risen in recent years?

Is there a solution?

Manda DeLucia: Yeah. Stop giving the president $400,000 a year.

Wesley Joel Cumbest: Part of it has to do with all the employees sitting around on their golf carts smoking cigarettes instead of actually working.

Franklin Smith: Inflation. The dollar is devaluing; everything is expensive.

Patrick Dungan: It’s a “public” university in a state where people despise taxes of any kind and think God will get angry if they fund education with a lottery. And it’s still the best bang for your buck in the state for a bachelor’s degree.

Colin Al-Greene : Several years of decreases in state funding. 7 percent a year since 2006. That’s the answer.

Tyler Reed Bell: When we start to realize that education should be an investment in the people and not another way for 1 percent to make a profit, then we can have real solutions. No student deserves to come out of school as an indentured servant to debt.

Josh Harrison: Aliens.

ground”.

This ruling has served as both a barrier and myth. It is a barrier because soldiers (read: women) are prevented from reaching the ranks of 3 and 4 star generals without experience in a combat arms branch.

It is a myth because many women are already unofficially performing these duties in the military.

However, before we women begin pumping our fists and shouting “girl power!”, we need to take a moment to consider the realities of the situation. Equal opportunity is accompanied by equal standards and equal obligation.

Physical Requirements -The military’s current physical requirements are based upon a sliding scale. For example, women who fall into the 17-21 age categories are provided with an average of 3+ more minutes to complete two miles than their male counterparts.

This is not going to cut it when it comes to combat related roles.

While the Pentagon has promised that requirements for combat roles will be gender neutral, training standards are not going to watered down or reduced.

Mandated Terms of Service – males are required to register for the draft when they turn 18. If women truly desire equal opportunity, then we must be registered as well, and

this will require Congress to change the current law.

In times of war, female soldiers will be assigned to the military occupation specialties where they are most needed, eliminating the current freedom of choice.

The Naysayers – A simple change in policy is not going to change the minds of critics. There are going to be some officers and servicemen who simply refuse to accept the notion of a woman as their superior in the field. Superior training, new policies and irreproachable leadership is going to be required.

The military is currently a man’s world, so women must adopt the right mindset if we are going to be successful. The outspoken critics argue that military standards will be lowered, and military readiness is going to suffer.

It’s important to note that the same arguments were brought up when the military first began accepting African-Americans, and more recently, when gay and lesbian service members were allowed to serve openly. To date, none of these predictions have come true.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

Teen pregnancy: A preventable tragedy

A poster from the Students for Sensible Drug Policy

NOAH LOGAN /OPINION EDITOR

Synthetic marijuana last call for legalization A common and understandable arguement for keeping marijuana illegal on all accounts states that Noah Logan if we allow Opinion Editor kids to freely smoke pot, then eventually the high won’t satisfy the needs of young pot smokers and they will seek their high from more dangerous drugs like cocaine or LSD. Never mind the fact that people are still getting pot but instead of going into a store to buy it and pay tax on it, they’re reaching out to potentially dangerous dealers to get it.

It turns out that keeping marijuana illegal is driving teenagers to the same result feared by so many.

Since marijuana is still federally illegal and illegal in our state, more and more kids have turned to a “legal” substitute of synthetic pot.

A teenage from Houston suffered a stroke and almost died after consuming this legal but dangerous alternative. No matter how hard you look, you will not find a near-death experience linked to just consuming marijuana.

When it gets to this point, I don’t see how even the most conservative minds can claim that we should keep marijuana illegal to keep kids drug free. According to drugeabuse.gov,

44 percent of high school students will try illegal drugs before they graduate high school. When asking this writer, the time for complete legalization and regulation has long since passed and legalization is actually better for the safety of kids in America.

One has to be careful when referring to synthetic pot as legal, as President Obama and 41 states have outlawed some former versions of it.

However, loopholes have been left that give the companies that make these products the ability to just change a few chemical ingredients and label it as a different product all together. Each time one is declared illegal, another version comes out that is less stable and possibly more dangerous. Incense, spice, potpourri and K2 are all common names for synthetic pot.

America tried prohibiting alcohol in the 1920’s and the bootleggers, speakeasies and moonshiners proved too much to stop. Repealing the prohibition and keeping a heavy government regulation on alcohol solved this problem.

The war on drugs has run it’s course in America. If we can’t agree that it is time to legalize because marijuana isn’t as harmful as previously thought, hopefully we can all agree to legalization due to the fact that the substitutes are worse.

For every 1000 teenage girls between 15 and 19 in America, an average of 32 girls will become pregCassie Fambro nant according Editor-in-Chief to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Teen pregnancy has been glamorized to the point where it’s normal in society.

With shows like “16 and Pregnant”, “Teen Mom” and half-dressed girls posting pictures on Instagram of baby bumps, the culture accepts it as common.

Frankly, it’s disgusting. It’s not classy to be a teen parent. A teenager is not grown.

As a teen, you’re not automatically an adult because you failed to protect yourself. It isn’t cute. It isn’t cool. It isn’t worth it.

A teen is not mature and their brain is not even fully developed. A teen parent is an immature, unprepared adolescent whose independent life ended when the baby’s began.

No one knows better than the parent that they screwed up. How they deal with it shows what their character is really made of. Some do just fine and raise wonderful, well-rounded children. On the other hand, some children have seriously messed up parents that choose themselves over the welfare of their child.

Solomon Islands: Two days after enduring an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, another 7.1 magnuitude earthquake hits the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

If a teen is pregnant and scared for people to know, they’re a coward. Their fears don’t matter anymore when they’re pregnant and need to get medical care.

Can’t go to the doctor because you’re working or in school? Oh well. The baby comes first now. Child’s father doesn’t want anything to do with you? Guess what, he doesn’t have to worry about you.

He has to worry about the baby. That’s their obligation.

The sooner you accept that you can be a parent and not a dramatic leech on your ex. Reality is harsh and it probably hurts, but the love of your life needs to be that baby. You don’t know how to deal with it emotionally because you’re a teenager and no one can blame you for that, but it’s your responsibility to learn quickly.

There is one crucial commandment; children are not pawns in your love life.

They are not tools or weapons. If you use them, you deserve zero respect. If you get pregnant on purpose to manipulate someone, you need serious mental help and if you’re even thinking about doing that you need seek help before your selfish desires harm others, including that of your potential child.

Start accepting responsibility and don’t lash out at others. Blame yourself and be accountable for your actions.

Only when you do so will you grow up and have a shot at being a decent adult and parent.

Sex education in America is a shame and it’s extremely costly.

In 2008, unplanned teenage pregnancy cost the USA over 11 billion dollars.

Yet we still cling to our bibles and abstinence in a world that should be facing the issue instead of covering our eyes.

America must start teaching comprehensive sex education starting at the middle school level. That is the world we live in and we need to face it.

Both young men and women need to be held to the same standard that they need to protect their bodies and themselves from becoming parents too young. Guidance counselors need to be prepared to deal with these issues and parents need to step up and be parents instead of buddies.

If you don’t know what your teen is doing and with who, you’re not doing your job. While things happen that are out of a parent’s control, that doesn’t mean no effort should be made. Teen pregnancy needs to stop and it will take a team effort.

Offended? Do your research. Ask a teen mom that’s gone through it and see if she would do it all again given the choice. We’re all human and we all make mistakes. Some are more preventable than others.

For more information on how to prevent the tragedy of teen pregnancy, visit the CDC’s website and search “teen pregnancy.”

Zimbabwe: Prime Minister Tendai Biti told reporters that his government had very little money left in its public account, $217 U.S. to be exact; no, not $217 million or billion, $217.

Around the globe in 360 characters or less European Union: 103 suspected human traffickers were arrested in 117 different locations – with raids carried out by some 1,200 police officers from more than a dozen countries located in the European Union.

Iran: Iranian officials says they have decoded and released footage from a U.S. drone that they downed more than a year ago and will not be giving the drone back.

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VOL. 52, NO. 5 / FEB. 11, 2013

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