vanguard
the
Greek fest Heritage and celebration. Details: (pg 5)
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
oct 31, 2011
vol. 49, no. 14
FOOTBALL>>> Jags beat Henderson State, remain undefeated at home
Campus Quarters New apartment-style student living under construction by shawna page Contributing Writer
Matt Weaver
USA beat the Henderson State Reddies by 25 points on Saturday. The Jags take on Mississippi Valley State on Thursday at Ladd for the white-out game. Guests are encouraged to wear white to support the Jags!
Students suspended for cocaine Two band students owe the University back their scholarship money; expenses by matt weaver Senior Reporter The University of South Alabama indefinitely suspended two of its marching band program members over the past week after they were found in possession of cocaine during the football program’s recent road trip in Atlanta. The students were found in possession of cocaine on the morning of Oct. 22 at the Doubletree Hotel at approximately 10:14 a.m. when band director Ward Miller received a tip that the students, both 18 years old, were either using or in possession of a banned substance. The two performers made their way down to the lobby on the morning of the football team’s game against Georgia State University, where Miller questioned them
before asking that they be escorted back to their hotel rooms by USAPD. On the way upstairs, the students confessed to using the substance for over three weeks and were immediately taken under custody. The students were never arrested and local authorities were never involved in the case. The students spent the rest of the afternoon away from their peers and were escorted home in USAPD patrol cars. The students were immediately suspended and notified that they will have to repay their scholarship and the costs of their performances thus far in 2011. “They offered no excuses and didn’t resist,” Miller said. “They’ve both written emails expressing their apologies, and I in turn wished them the best of luck.
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Jaguar Marching band
Lt. Keith West and other officers from USAPD accompany the football team on away games for added safety and security.
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As University of South Alabama’s community grows, its dormitory population pushes closer to the on-campus limit, but close-to-campus student living facilities rise to the challenge. The newest up-and-coming development is Campus Quarters. This new apartment complex is under construction on the west side of University Boulevard just south of Old Shell Road. Facing USA’s Commons, the complex will focus on college student occupancy, with the latest amenities. And, officials said, lease contracts will be designed to coincide with the school year. A temporary administrative office for Campus Quarters will open Nov. 1 between The Bookstore and Anders Bookstore on Old Shell Road. According to Chad Worner, director of Campus Quarters operations, “The apartments are inclusive in terms of providing water, sewer, cable, Internet, trash and electricity.” There will, however, be a cap on water and electricity. “The rent does not include any phone service, but we are pre-wired in the event a tenant wanted to have phone service,” Worner said. Concerning amenities, Worner said the apartments “are also fully furnished and include all major appliances. The four bedrooms have larger capacity refrigerators and an additional half bath. All units have private baths,” he said. Leases will coincide with the school year. This means students who leave to go back home will not have to pay rent when not living there, or look for someone to sublease. This is the second near-USA campus apartment complex designed for college students. The Grove was the first to be built and has been a monopoly since it was built. Maria Bradford, a psychology major, see QUARTERS, page 6
in this issue (pg# 7): Life (pg# 10): Opinion / (pg# 12): Sports
vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
page three
“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”
editorial editor in chief associate editor senior reporter copy editor life editor opinion editor sports editor web editor
Cassie Fambro Genny Roman Matt Weaver Carey Cox Bailey Hammond Imran Mohiuddin Jayson Curry Naquita Hunter
distribution distribution manager Johnny Davis
advertising advertising manager Wesley Jackson graphic designer Brittany Hawkins Assistant Mohammad Al-Zarrah
management
adviser James 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 surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.
submission and editorial policies Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688.
Police blotter
Special thanks to USAPD
and textbooks.
Double Tree Hotel South Park Place, Atlanta 10:14 a.m.
10/20 Stokes Hall Possession of a controlled substance Non-student at Stokes Hall caught with Xanax and other prescription pills, as well as being publicly under the influence.
10/22 Tonsmiere Drive 10:01 Marijuana possession; police found a suspect with a partially consumed marijuana cigarette and glass pipe with residue, coupled with a metal grinder. 10/21 The Grove Cleverdon Parkway 21:44 Possession of alcohol and contributing to the delinquency of a minor
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. Unsigned letters will not be published. 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, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the Editor in Chief at 251-460-6442 or 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.
weather forecast >>
10/ 22
Bag containing cocaine discovered. 2 caucasion, 19-year-old males were charged wtih 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance and they violation of the student code of conduct.
10/20 North Drive Theft of article from auto Purse, silver chain with a crucifix were stolen from a vehicle on North Drive. 10/20 Delta 5 Residence Hall Thefit of Property IPhone reported stolen, a student asked to borrow the phone from the owner and the perpetrator stole the cellular telephone. 10/20 Administration Building Unlawful breaking and entering Theft from auto of laptop, sofware,
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10/28 Delta 6 Resident Hall Damage to private property 13:07 Parking lot incident; Driver’s side windown of a Toyota auto was damaged.
October 31 - November 6
We start off the school week on Halloween with sunny skies and highs in the lower 70s and overnight lows in the low 40s. If you’re going trick-or-treating temperatures will be in the 60s. On Wednesday we could see a few clouds move in but skies will be mostly sunny, highs will be near 75 and lows near 50. A cold front will move through on Thursday bringing us a chance of thunderstorms, highs will be near 75 and lows will be in the upper 40s. Friday it will be a little cool as another shot of fall moves in. Highs will be in the upper 60s with lows near the mid 40s. The first weekend of November looks great with sunny skies and highs in the lower 70s and lows in the 40s. We could see scattered showers on Sunday so be sure to have a raincoat. Courtesy of Patrick Bigbie, Student Meteorologist Gamme 9 Weather Center
10/27 Administration Parking Lot 12:32 In the Administration North lot, unlawful breaking and entering occured with the theft of an X-BOX 360 as well as Madden 2012 as a result.
mon
72 41
tue
73 44
10/25 Delta Loop Criminal Mischief Quarter-panel dented on Checy Lumina
wed
74 53
thu
74 47
fri
69 45
sat
73 47
sun
72 40
10/24 Epsilon 2 Resident Hall Theft of Property Third Degree The prescription drug Adderall was stolen as well as an iPod.
Have a question for USAPD? Send it to editor.in.chief@usavanguard. com and we’ll get an answer for you.
for the latest on your forecast, severe weather updates, and what’s going on in the tropics, find us on Facebook
search “StormTeam4Gamma9Wx”
correction We made several spelling errors in our last minute article on the band students. We regret these errors and promise to do everything we can to avoid the errors.
you can follow us on Twitter, too
search “stormteam4g9wx” and find Patrick on Twitter
search “metwxpatrick”
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vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE VANGUARD? Send us an e-mail. Opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com Life Editor life.editor@usavanguard.com Sports sports.editor@usavanguard.com Story ideas, letters to the editor, etc. editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com www.thevanguardonline.com
Spotlight: Greek Fest
vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
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Heritage, tradition and culture mingle Nov. 3-5 Patrick Herring Staff Reporter Going back to ancient times, Greeks have always had a strong and rich history. From great philosophers like Socrates and Plato to amazing leaders like Alexander the Great, plus the numerous innovators throughout the ages, Greece has always been steeped in tradition. Greeks are very passionate about their faith and heritage, so of course people with such an amazing background would want to share their culture with the world. And there may be few who do a better job of that than the members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and the surrounding community here in Mobile. Greekfest returns again this year November 3-5 to highlight the abundant culture of Greece with any and all who wish to come. Admission tickets are just $2. For those unfamiliar with Greekfest, it is a celebration that encourages everyone to indulge in the religion, cuisine and arts of ancient and modern Greece. Religion
Courtesy of Lauren Gessner
Greek fest comes to Mobile once a year, and students from USA volunteer and help the popular festival to continue to prosper and remain a local tradition.
Father Elias, the current priest at Annunciation, believes Greekfest is a wonderful opportunity for the church to reach out to the members of the community and share with them what it means to be a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Through fellowship, food and fun, members of the church are able to shed some light on their religion with everyone who attends.Church tours are given throughout the festival for those who wish to better understand the inner workings of worship services of the Greek orthodoxy. Another strong vehicle through which the members are able to share some aspects of their religion is through a cultural booth called the Apocalypse Cave. Church member Maki Foropolous traveled to Greece and visited the cave in which St. John wrote the book of Revelation on the island of Patmos. With the knowledge of the cave, and some help from pictures, he and his family constructed a model of this cave for use in conjunction with Greekfest. People are invited into the cave to look around, and parishioners from Patmos are there to discuss their orthodoxy, as well as what the experience is like being in a place with such historic and religious value. The cave gives people a small vision of Greece.
Food When thinking of Greek culture, one would be remiss not to include the country’s many delectable cuisines. The main objective of many who attend Greekfest is to partake in the wonderful food offerings that are provided by members of the church and community volunteers. Women of the congregation get together weeks in advance to begin cooking feasts for the festival. Well known dishes such as the classic gyro and the ever popular lamb abound at Greekfest. But the wonderful chefs don’t stop there. They prepare an abundance of classical Greek dishes for people to sample. Some of the other popular dishes include spanakopita (a type of spinach pie served with feta cheese) and dolmathes (a group of stuffed vegetable dishes). And of course it wouldn’t be a meal without dessert. The most popular of which is probably baklava, a sweet treat made with filo pastry, usually filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. The best part is, they have even included a curbside carry-out service. That’s right, you can have all the wonderful tastes of Greece without having to hassle with parking. You don’t even have to leave your vehicle, they will bring it right to you. Arts Another part of Greek culture that is world renowned is that of its art. From the days of ancient Greece when artists would record historical events through artwork on vases and buildings, this artistic greatness still survives today. Vendors set up booths, selling a variety of Greek artwork and jewelry. Some booths feature oil paintings and CDs of classical Greek music, while others will be riddled with religious items and books. Among other things that can be found in this marketplace are jewelry (both real and costume), Turkish glass lanterns and a wide range of accessories. Music also holds a special place at Greekfest. This year Nick Trivelas will be entertaining with the help of his bouzouki, a Greek stringed instrument in the lute family. Also listen out for the rhythmic, toe-tapping music of the live Aegean Greek band. Music will be played throughout the festival, both day and night. While the music plays and you sit under
cover of the big tents gorging on the savory Greek cuisine, you will also be entertained by authentic attired Hellenic Dancers with their repertoire of more than 200 traditional Greek dances from different areas of Greece, Cyprus and Asia Minor. The public is also encouraged to join in with the dancing festivities. Community Members of Annunciation aren’t the only ones making Greekfest work. Volunteers from around the community also pitch in. Members of the church head up several subcommittees, but volunteer organizations provide a good number of workers. Some student organizations at USA have also approved volunteering at Greekfest as community service hours. Senior Lauren Gessner is a member of Annunciation who works at Greekfest. She is originally from Ohio; after moving down here, the church was really her first home. Greekfest means a great deal to Gessner because she can feel the creature comforts of being at home while staying down here. “Attending Annunciation meant a lot to me because it reminded me of home, and I actually felt a piece of home when I started volunteering at Greekfest because we had one back in Ohio,” Gessner said. She has volunteered for the past two years and will be back doing the same again this year. “I love it because I love sharing my religion and my culture with everyone and because everyone enjoys it,” Gessner said. Proceeds Greekfest is the biggest philanthropic effort put forth by Annunciation. After paying for the costs to put on such a big event, the rest of the money goes right back into the community through donations. In past years recipients have included Catholic Social Services, the Salvation Army, Mobile Area Food Bank, Woody’s Song, Penelope House and the Alabama School of Math and Science, among others. This year’s recipients have yet to be determined.
For more information, visit www. greekfestmobile.org.
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vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
Gridiron statue unveiled >> steel art stands near fieldhouse
Courtesy John Adams
The University of South Alabama held a public dedication of the massive “Gridiron” sculpture Thursday. The 24-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture, donated by David and Lynn Gwin, was designed by Fairhope-based sculptor Bruce Larsen. It depicts a runner holding the ball to the sky triumphantly as he is swarmed by a throng of tacklers. From left: USA Athletic Development Director John Goodroe; USA Board of Trustees Chair Jim Yance; sculptor Bruce Larsen; local artist Frank Ledbetter, who helped Larsen construct the sculpture; USA President Gordon Moulton; Lynn Gwin; David Gwin; USA Head Football Coach Joey Jones; and USA Athletic Director Joel Erdmann.
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Marching band drug incident DRUGS, from page 1 “Both of these guys are extremely talented, but we’re extremely clear that this isn’t a moral stance but rather a professional one. Much like the police, we’re in uniform, and I hold myself and our members to the same standards.” Miller isn’t concerned with this type of behavior spreading as he feels that his band is very cognizant of their position as University representatives, citing the fact that the tips came from within the band. “It’s not like this was a sting operation,” Miller said. “Several of our performers warned me to keep an eye out for these students, and we each had our suspicions. We don’t have tattletales in the group, they just know how visible they are. No one wanted to be that guy.” Upon arriving back in Mobile, the case was handed over to the office of student affairs and all responsibility was dropped from the marching band and University police. The case is now being dealt with as
Quarters GRE, from page 1
a 7-S student code of conduct violation, which falls under the “prohibited conduct” and “unauthorized manufacturer, distribution, possession, of any controlled substance” sections of The Lowdown, South Alabama’s student conduct guide. Possession or use will be defined by Alabama state law and distribution is defined as “giving, selling or exchanging.” It is not yet known if the students were distributing the substances. The next step for the two band members is a hearing after the office of student affairs completes a formal investigation. “We’re not defined by this,” Miller said. “We have alternates who were able to step in as soon as the incident happened. All of our band members are extremely passionate about what they do, and they believe in the goals and values that we try to instill.”
stated: “I really wish someone would have built other apartments sooner. The Grove really needs some competition.” The Grove told The Vanguard that “the new competition in the market is a testament to the growing enrollment and attractiveness of the University of South Alabama. We are pleased to serve as a housing provider in this market and to be a part of the University of South Alabama community. The Grove will continue to offer students luxury, fully loaded apartments with the benefit of on campus living.” Information concerning leasing and other specifics about Campus Quarters can be found at its website at campusquarters.com. Specifics about rent and dates of occupancy, however, will be released on Nov. 1 when its temporary administrative office is opened.
jaglife
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Bailey Hammond, jagLife Editor life.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
Writing Outreach can help bailey hammond JagLife Edtor
Courtesy Jennifer axsmith
Gutter Cats: teenage moms Jennifer Axsmith Contributing Writer One eye stares insistently at me out of a delicately shaped face. Her mouth opens in a silent meow, inquiring as to exactly when I am going to get my lazy, pampered human butt off the sofa and get her some canned food. I’m sure the meow part gave it away: we are discussing the finer points of cat stewardship. I say stewardship, because as any cat person will testify, you never really do own one of the little buggers. Argh is at least a second generation gutter cat. She had her first litter of kittens as an unwed teenage mom at around 8 months old. She was blinded in one eye as a kitten herself, thus my name of Argh the Pirate Cat. Being a young mother, she had a hard time raising her three kittens. Two didn’t survive. The last kitten was dumped on my patio by Argh. Thus we added Chase to our family. Chase may be one of the world’s cutest kittens. Chase has had the comfort of indoor life and safety for a month now while his mother remains a gutter cat. She’s a well-fed gutter cat but is still one of the number of feral cats in our apartment complex. And now she is pregnant again. The Humane Society reports on their website that four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. The vast majority of these are a result of people not spaying or neutering their pets. Their statistics state that 88 percent of owned cats are fixed. That leaves 12 percent of owned cats see Cat, page 8
“Writing today is not a frill for the few, but an essential skill for the many.” That statement, issued in College Board’s National Commission on Writing (NCW) report, “The Neglected ‘R’: The Need for a Writing Revolution,” is far more accurate than many students would like to admit. In order to be successful in today’s fastpaced job market, one must be able to write with a fluency that speaks of professionalism and competency. However, the sad reality is that many students are not achieving this degree of written accomplishment. It’s not clear whether this deficit is from the high school years or is a cumulative problem, but the fact remains that students are showing up at various universities without the necessary background in writing. The NCW’s report is just one of many addressing this issue. The causes for this gap in writing know-how are varied and there have been numerous initiatives on the national and state levels to bolster the weak writing ranks, but for those students who still find themselves lagging when it comes to writing those dreaded essays for various college classes, there are options. USA students have opportunities to sharpen those skills with the help of the Writing Outreach initiative sponsored by the Freshman Composition Program. This free program is open to the community as well as faculty, staff and, of course, students who find that they would like to brush up on their writing skills. “We have retirees, homeschoolers, writing groups and teachers from other schools who attend these sessions. We are pleased to be able to offer this service,” said Dr. Nicole Amare. Dr. Amare has been the coordinator for the program since its second semester of inception in 2001. She’s an associate professor specializing in professional communication, rhetoric and composition, and is therefore wellplaced to use her expertise. Dr. Amare is also aided in the Writing Outreach endeavor by Assistant Coordinators Elizabeth Butt and Emily Singh. “I think there are pervasive writing concerns across all disciplines, and writing outreach was originally developed to
Staff photo
If you look up ‘write’ in “The American Heritage College Dictionary,” you’ll find a long definition of a word that tries to define the action by using it.
address some writing concerns that may only be touched on in class due to time constraints,” commented Dr. Amare. Each session has a separate target area, such as plagiarism, research papers, sources, writing etiquette and various others, and all are taught by USA faculty. The sessions themselves are taught on selected dates throughout the semester and last approximately 45 minutes. “Also, it is nice to have a University program that is open and available on a continual basis to the community,” Dr. Amare added. The Writing Outreach program was developed to meet the needs of the community for college-level instruction of certain skills necessary in the workplace, but that faculty may not have time to teach in the limited class meeting times. With the increasing devolution of the structured written word, the existence of the Writing Outreach program is a testament to the true importance of writing well in this new world of technology. Take a second to think about how we communicate these days. Just about everything is online and written. It doesn’t matter if you are tweeting, blogging, reading online papers or even learning about ancient soap making techniques on Wikipedia, our eyes are naturally drawn to the things that are written well and are easy to understand. James Chartrand, “Men with Pens” blogger who focuses on writing, emphasized this point in a guest post on Jona-
than Fields’ blog, saying, “how you present yourself in words means everything to your success.” Basically, how you write is a good indicator to the professional world of your competecy, or at least their perception of your competency. Chartrand and Fields are just one of many experts on this subject who are trying to get the word out--pardon the pun-that writing is not going to become obsolete, something that Chartrand also writes about on his blog. Both of these writing professionals support the main idea that writing is a constant in society, and a person must be able to write well in order to get anywhere. Both of their websites have much to say about the issue and offer advice and methods of improving in this area. Complicated jargon, typos, horrible grammar—those things make everyone cringe whether they admit it or not. We write our grocery lists, emails, research papers, class notes and Tumblr posts, and there are different levels of expectancy as regarding written content and clarity. However, if an individual wants to make a good impression on future employers or customers, it behooves him or her to polish his or her writing skills in order to attract the right kind of attention and put forth a positive image. Dates, times and locations for Writing Outreach sessions will be announced in the Weekly Lowdown a week prior.
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vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
Open your ears to the music, man weekly
lowdown
patrick herring Staff Writer This fall looks to be a great season for the music scene in Mobile. The Alabama Music Box, Satori Coffee House and the Soul Kitchen are all featuring some must see shows. On Halloween night the Alabama Music Box will feature Edward Appleby playing with Memory House. Appleby composes cinematic music that combines aspects of indie folk pop art songs with modern classical composition. Memory House is on Sub Pop Records, the label that once featured 1990s grunge innovators Nirvana. Also performing that night is Mobilebased pop band The Suzies. Tickets are only $8 and the show starts at 9 p.m. To kick off the month of November, the Independent Music Collective is having its biggest event of the year on Nov. 2. The show will feature the return of cult sensation Ramsay Midwood, who recently released his fourth album “Larry Buys a Lighter.” Opening the show are rising country roots stars Sam Doores and the Tumbleweeds. And to make things even better, the crusading Cajun Drew Landry will also make an appearance and play a few songs. This promises to be one of the biggest shows Satori has seen in a while. The event is free to all USA students (with valid student ID), and just $5 for others. Satori’s doors open at 6:30 p.m.
CAT, cont. from page 7 that are unaltered. The feral populations aren’t even taken into account, since sampling them is difficult. Cats are tricky to prevent from reproducing. When a female cat is in heat, she will do almost anything to escape and reproduce (kind of like the Courtney Love of animals; they even sound like her). Male cats become destructive at sexual maturity, spraying urine to mark territory, clawing furniture and eating small dogs. OK, maybe not the last, but you get the idea. Cats can slip out a door faster than you can say Tony Stewart. Now you have the terror of a missing pet, and one whom will more than likely be euthanized if it ends up in a shelter. Cats that are fixed show much less tendency to escape or roam, not to mention the delightful urine hosing usually
wed > nov 2 “Email Etiquette” Writing Outreach Session
3:30 p.m. HUMB 150 “Tips on how to communicate (and how NOT to communicate) when using email.” Personalized Bumper Stickers FREE! JP Midweek Nooner
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Academic Support Center Lobby Inflat-a-fest FREE
Photos courtesy whitton and Justin St. Clair
Singer/songwriter Whitton (left) and Ramsay Midwood (right) are just a few of the acts coming to the Mobile music scene and playing at local venues.
Then on Nov. 18, New Orleans-based trombone rock band Bonerama will be playing at the Soul Kitchen. The band is known for pairing their funky, original compositions with covers of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. The show begins at 10 p.m. Also in music news, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Whitton recently released a new LP, “Rare Bird.” She incorporates a flare of the 1940s to her sound. Think Billie Holiday’s sound, Norah
Jones’ intensity and Regina Spektor’s eclectic complexity. Check out her LP and you’ll be privy to the best kept secret in Los Angeles. Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jason Reeves is set to release his new EP, “Caged Birds Set Free.” This EP features seven organic folk songs in which Reeves taps into honest emotion via heartfelt lyrics, hypnotic acoustic guitars and a piano. Reeves hopes this EP will be a good follow-up to his LP, “The Lovesick,” which climbed to No. 8 on the iTunes Pop Charts.
disappears. So here we are: Argh is getting close to the time when she will clone out minigutter kittens again. In six weeks, those kittens will be officially feral terrors that will fear humans, making them difficult to capture and adopt out. Little Chase was one of three; should Argh have more success this time, she could possibly add three more feral cats to the wild cat population. Despite my very limited funds, and four cat household, I have decided to take Argh in and get her fixed. If my $40 can prevent more unwanted feral cats, and it keeps my one-eyed patio decoration from an early death, then it is worth the Ramen noodles I will be eating. I can give you a ton of statistics and “Law and Order: Pet Patrol” stories, but I believe that simple humor and facts are something people remember more. Everyone knows they should spay or neuter their pets. People can always find an excuse for
why they can’t afford to do this, yet they feel they can afford to keep a pet. If you can’t afford to be a responsible pet owner in all regards, don’t do it at all, until you are in a better financial situation. I read a great quote on About.com by Franny Syufy: “In a world that loves kittens, kittens are a dime a dozen.” Kittens are adorable, but they always grow into cats. They lose that cuteness that appeals to us within a couple of months, and end up dumped in shelters or on the streets, begging for food like the kids in “Oliver Twist.” So please, if you have a cat, have it fixed. There are several agencies in Mobile and Baldwin counties who offer discounted prices, sometimes as low as the cost of going out to dinner once. Kittens are too cute not to have safe, loving homes.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Epsilon 1 Lawn. Jousting, Velcro Wall, & Sumo Wrestling! The EA SPORTS NCAA Football Challenge Tour!
Noon at the Moulton Bell Tower. Bring Student ID. Compete in the tournament for a change to play for the national title at the 2012 Rose Bowl! PLUS win cool prizes! Ramsay Midwood LIVE
6:30 p.m. at Satori Coffehouse. Presented by Independent Music Collective. Tickets Free for USA students and $5 for others.
thu > nov 3 “In the Path of the Storms” documentary showing, hosted by USA History and English departments
6:30 p.m. HUMB Rm 150
“A documentary film by the Alabama Center for Public Television.
Want your event featured? E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under 7 words) to life.editor@usavanguard.com.
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vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
Reading isn’t only for those who like rainbows Imagine taking to the skies on a dragon’s wings, fighting pirates on the high seas or even a world where online homework doesn’t exist. Jake Howell JagLife Writer In a world so inundated with technology, fewer and fewer people are taking the time to escape through the pages of a book. According to the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) 2007 study, “To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence,” approximately 74 percent to 80 percent of college freshmen and seniors read 0-4 books on their own during the school year. No one will argue that college students aren’t busy. Making the time to indulge in reading something for pleasure can have benefits, though, that reach well beyond the realm of simple enjoyment. Most people hear that those who read for pleasure tend to have higher test
scores. While this is true, those who read also write better as well. When asked about her observations, Dr. Annmarie Guzy, an associate professor in the English Department, said, “I find that students who make time for leisure reading will have well-structured arguments and more fluid writing styles with longer, more complex sentences and paragraphs. They also tend to have stronger vocabularies, less slang usage, and better command of grammar and punctuation.” Dr. Guzy’s statement is backed up by NEA’s study. When examining writing test scores, the study shows a 29-point spread between the 12th-graders who are non- or infrequent readers and those who read daily or almost daily. To emphasize the importance of reading and writing well, even after graduation, NEA’s study also asked employers to rank job deficiencies in new hires from four-year universities. According to the study, writing in English was ranked as the second greatest deficiency in new hires. Reading is the best way to learn how the
yalibrariantales.blogspot.com
Books are portals to new worlds and higher learning, just waiting for someone to open them and dive into their stories.
English language is used and structured. Many students, though, spend more time on Facebook or watching television where slang runs rampant and the rules of grammar are meaningless. An inability to distinguish between
“you’re” and “your” or “their” and “there” is only one symptom of such a shift. Rather than flex their linguistic muscles by reading, students opt for easier forms of entertainment. As a result, more and more people fall prey to the “use it or lose it” philosophy when it comes to reading and writing well. Not all students, though, have rejected reading as a form of entertainment. “It is relaxing. It stimulates your mind. You can learn new things from what you read, or it can be really motivational,” Jessica Sleiman, junior biomedical sciences major, said. Andy Conway, a sophomore criminal justice major, echoed Sleiman’s sentiments, “Reading is amazing! After studying all day from school books, it’s such a nice change to curl up with a refreshingly fictional book and enjoy the ride.” Making time to read is something many people struggle with, but the effort is well worth it. Why else would people across the world have stories of being so engrossed in a book that they read until dawn?
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Some things to improve upon jeff Gill Contributing Writer As an engineering student, I try to search out for improvements in everyday scenarios, and this campus is in need of some infrastructure improvements. By improvements, I do not necessarily mean aesthetic. Although subjectively very attractive for prospective students, many other structures could be built instead. If there were one major project that needed to be fixed on campus, South Drive’s crosswalk next to the Archaeology Building would be it. This intersection is a bottleneck from the primary campus entrance to the roundabout, the thoroughfare for other functions of the University. The disorganization of pedestrian hesitation and a three-laned road together make a bitter cocktail of traffic congestion and delay. The advice I propose to the administration on this issue is either building a separate route over the road as a pedestrian option or erecting a small stoplight to organize the flow of traffic. If there were some organization to the coexistence of this intersection, or a way to circumvent walking on the road by diverting pedestrians’ paths, traffic congestion would decline here severely. While on the subject of driving, the East parking zone’s availability is a trial at best. The Vanguard’s recent parking survey article (Oct. 17 issue ) cites a student that allows 30 minutes in their schedule to patrol the lots to find a parking space. This would drive most people insane, especially if they know about the half-vacant parking lot between the Gammas and the Engineering Building. These spaces are within a 15-minute walk to any building near East parking. This leads to my opinion that this parking lot should not be fully enforced under the “Central” zone and become a “Neutral” zone, where any parking pass is acceptable. The last structural improvement I notice that needs attention is more aesthetic, and only two words long: Humanities Building. That is one horrid-looking building, in my opinion. I don’t know exactly what the architect was hoping for, but it wasn’t a tiara. The building’s interior is fine, discounting that awful mural in the English department. A more pleasant façade for the Humanities Building is obviously an arguable case, given the recent additions of a multi-million dollar bell tower and brickwork at the major University entrances. This, along with traffic congestion solutions and select parking neutrality zones, are the infrastructural improvements I would seek to realize.
opinion
imran mohiuddIn, opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com
Our view >> a staff editorial
Hold yourselves accountable first
Two band students possessing cocaine caused a lot of strife at the paper last week. Lambasted for publishing the story, we became the place to vent to for the band students. Called “a tabloid” and “trash” by band students on our Facebook page, we could certainly see that the band was going through some pain over the betrayal of two of their members. Their main point of contention was that we made it seem like the entire band was snorting lines of cocaine. In fact, we specified repeatedly that it was just two students and they were immediately dealt with by USAPD. The second criticism came from us saying that it was their first away game. According to the USA Marching Band’s website, it was the “first true away game.” Thirdly, we got flak for calling them “band students”, because they aren’t in band anymore. Just as we would call ourselves editors, we’re also students. The roles are comorbid. It doesn’t compare to possession of alcohol by someone in the dorms because the person in their dorm isn’t publicly representing our University. On a USA funded trip, those two offenders were obviously representing USA. That makes it news. No one is immune to news, and it’s our job to tell these stories. We want the two students to get the help that they need, and we stated as such in our last editorial. In fact, we deliberately chose not to publish their names even though we are completely free to do so. In addition to not naming the students’ names, we chose not to identify our sources. Journalism is not about making friends, and we aren’t here to sing the praises of every organization just because they wear a Jag on their shirt. These two messed up, and they messed up in a major way. They have to pay back their scholarships and travel expenses, and they’ve put their education at risk. The band has every
Editorial Board
Cassie Fambro > Editor in Chief Genny Roman > Associate Editor
right to be upset, but it’s not productive to resent us for publishing the story. It’s practical to blame the two that had the cocaine and made the grievous error in judgment that brought a negative light to the Jaguar Marching Band family. That in itself was a tragedy. However, character is often displayed in how you react to negative circumstances. The students, who took their misguided and probably ignorant insults to a Facebook page, did not show themselves in the best light. We are not above reproach, but neither is the band. When band director Ward Miller discovered that his students were lashing out on social media, he echoed their frustrated sentiments that we shouldn’t have run the story. It was disappointing to see a faculty leader take that approach, but we understood. The band is a family, and they are his kids. We all defend our families. Miller did cooperate with us and leveled with us for a frank and courteous interview. If anything, it was that interview that reassured us that the band is going to recover from this blemish in their short history. The best thing that the band as a whole can do is to unify and channel their anger at the two students that betrayed them into productivity and move on. No organization is perfect, but you must remember, all organizations will be held accountable. We are not accountable to the band, the police or the faculty. We’re the student newspaper, and we’re accountable to the entire University. There’s a place for 100 percent positive news with ribbon-cuttings and scholarship award winner mug shots. It’s called Public Relations. Before we have to hold you accountable, hold yourselves accountable first, USA. Especially if a Jaguar mascot is emblazoned on your sleeve.
Imran Mohiuddin > Opinion Editor Matt Weaver > Senior Reporter
Bailey Hammond > Life Editor Jayson Curry > Sports Editor
Jag voice >> opinion poll
Should students have to purchase bonus bucks?
I don’t think students should have to buy bonus bucks because there is no incentive to buy bonus bucks. While they do offer 10 percent more bonus bucks for 100 hundred dollars or more, I don’t feel like that is enough, especially when considering the exorbitant prices and lack of variety on campus.
Bonus bucks are a good idea because they can be used anywhere on campus, and you get more for your money when comparing bonus bucks to real cash. Likewise, since they are on your student ID, it’s always like you have a debit card while on campus, especially when you forget to carry cash.
I like the idea of bonus bucks, and I think that other schools incorporate the concept really well. However, at South Alabama they aren’t usable at enough places to be worthwhile. Last year, we could use them at Papa Johns, but now we can’t even do that.
Grant DeFrancisco History Junior
Chris Murphy Nursing Sophomore
Caitlin Glenn Chemistry Junior
To find us > search “The Vanguard USA”
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point
counterpoint
Are those occupying Wall Street representative of the 99 percent?
Editor’s introduction: With the Occupy Wallstreet movement taking off, an increasing number of Americans are questioning the protesters. While they claim they represent the 99 percent, many feel that their interests are not represented on the sidewalks of Wall Street. Still, others say that the protesters’ demands will benefit 99 percent of Americans, regardless of whether they agree with the movement or not. The P/CP explains.
Point >>
The protesters speak for us
Yes, it’s true that the Occupy Wall Street campaigns started with liberal college kids who screamed for change when no one else would. Still,with time the message has spread to people who come from all across the Aj Obiako country and from different walks of life. The truth in the statement, “We are the 99 percent” is now undeniable. When creating an opinion about Occupy Wall Street, it’s important to remember what the group actually wants. Even though the group is not unified, and each person’s demands are slightly different, everyone protesting from New York to Oakland to Mobile essentially wants the same thing: the removal of money from politics. A recent article in the Huffington Post showed the gap between the rich and poor is steadily increas-
ing. When comparing data from the Congressional Budget Office, it showed that from 1979 to 2007, the average income for the top 1 percent of Americans increased by nearly 300 percent. On the other hand, the growth of the bottom 20 percent of Americans was less than 20 percent. This new group claiming to represent the 53 percent criticizes the Occupy Wall Street movement, but no matter how they affiliate themselves, they are still part of the 99 percent. What separates the 99 percent from the 1 percent isn’t the amount of taxes they pay, nor their political affiliation. It’s their influence in legislation. The top 1 percent have an unmatched amount of authority over the passage of laws, and it’s no question as to why their businesses succeed. They dictated the laws that created the favorable conditions for their businesses to operate. No matter what people say about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, they are still part of the 99 percent, and while they may never support the cause, they will ultimately benefit from the movement.
Counterpoint >> Nothing can define America Even though Wall Street protesters say that they represent 99 percent of the nation, a lot of Americans in the United States say otherwise. A poll by USA Today shows that when asked, 22 percent of Americans approve of Occupy Wall Street, 15 percent disap- Harsha Srikakolapu prove, and 63 percent claim that they don’t understand the movement enough to have an opinion on the protest. This poll shows just how little Americans care for the issue in general, and it emphasizes just how disconnected the protesters are from mainstream America. While all the protesters want reform in the United States and are willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their goal, over half of Americans aren’t even willing to read up on the issue. Likewise, the whole idea of Occupy Wall Street represents a very liberal ideology as a whole, and this country is populated with conservatives and moderates.
A recent article from CNN shows that a new group of protesters have emerged, claiming that “We are the 53 percent.” According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, 47 percent of the population in the nation does not pay taxes, which means that these 53 percent pick up the slack. They go to work while protesters on Wall Street stand and picket. Even though both the 99 percent and the 53 percent face the same economic problems, there is one big difference between the two. The 53 percent takes personal responsibility for their own lives, while those claiming to be part of the 99 percent blame their misfortunes on the big banks on Wall Street. This divergence in ideology is just another example of how no group can speak for all Americans. One of the most defining characteristics of the United States is the variance in opinions of its people. While groups can try and gain momentum by creating a polarizing black and white, us versus them argument, nothing is ever that simple, and that is why neither the 99 percent nor the 53 percent will ever really speak for the American population.
Opinion Editorial: A step in the wrong direction IMran Mohiuddin Opinion Editor When it was first proposed, Alabama House Bill 56 seemed like a solution to the state’s unemployment problem. With 9.8 percent of Alabamians jobless according to an article by Business Week, it’s clear that the state’s economy needs some stimulation, and House Bill 56 proposed a way of doing that. By taking a tough stance against illegal immigration, the bill intended to eliminate illegal Hispanic immigrants from the workforce, allowing for legal Alabama citizens to take up these jobs. This makes sense at first glance; the jobs illegal immigrants held still must be performed. However, after looking closer into the nature of these professions, it becomes evident
as to why this piece of legislation misses its mark. House Bill 56 tries to oversimplify the problem of unemployment. In the past, many Alabama citizens turned to careers in manufacturing. However, as a result of outsourcing, most of these factories have closed their doors and the factory jobs of the past no longer exist. The vast majority of industrial work has been shipped over to the third world, and it’s unlikely that these jobs will ever return to American soil. Keeping that in mind, it’s easy to see why finding an occupation is so difficult. When entering the market, most job seekers select for two basic criteria: salary and security. Occupations must offer wages necessary to maintain an appropriate lifestyle, and they also must be stable enough to warrant settling down in a new place. The majority of work performed by illegal aliens falls into neither of these categories,
and that is why many of these vacated positions remain empty, more than a month after the bill came into effect. What’s worse is that the repercussions of House Bill 56 threaten the livelihoods of Alabama employers and weakens the economy as a whole. For example, according to a recent article by CNN, Grow Alabama, a lobby devoted to the interests of Alabama farmers, reported that its members are unexpected casualties of this legislation, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpicked crops. Moreover, after performing a test on efficiency, the lobby concluded that a 25 man squad of Alabama citizens picked fewer crops than a four-man crew of Hispanics. Business owners also find themselves in a similar situation. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, an organization that evaluates and records statistics about Hispanics in the United States, Alabama had an estimated 130,000 illegal Hispanic immigrants in 2009.
With such a notable population, many local businesses prospered while catering to this ethnic group, and the state’s economy improved when these illegal immigrants purchased goods and services. Now, as thousands flee the state in fear, these same businesses find themselves unable to survive. Just a few weeks ago many of us learned just how devastating poorly planned decisions can be when the city of Mobile decided to prohibit 18 to 20 year olds from downtown. While the district once bustled with life and activity, downtown Mobile is now little more than a shadow of its former self, and once lucrative businesses now struggle to turn a profit. The same parallel can be drawn to House Bill 56. By essentially barring illegal immigrants from the state, the legislature has done more harm than good, and now we will all pay the price for it in some way, shape or form.
sports
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jayson curry, sports Editor sports.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 49, no. 14 / Oct 31, 2011
Jags “Blue” out the Reddies
South Alabama dominates game, win 28-3 led by Baker and record six forced turnovers jayson curry Sports Editor South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones has had many wins in his career, but the 28-3 victory over Henderson State Saturday was just a little bit sweeter. The Jags dominated the game from the opening snap and ended the game by giving their head coach, who was celebrating his birthday, a Gatorade shower. The Jaguars, wearing their all blue uniforms for the first time in school history, set the tone early. USA won the toss and elected to differ from the second half. After both teams went 4-and-out, Henderson State quarterback Nathan Nall threw the first of four Henderson State interceptions on the night. USA linebacker Enrique Williams made the interception and gave the USA offense great field position. “As a defense, we executed well and we went after the ball,” Williams said. “That’s one thing we practiced this week, and it showed today. I think we really needed that as a defense.” The USA offense settled for a field goal to open the scoring in the game giving kicker Jordan Means his seventh straight game with at least one field goal. Means would finish with three total field goals in the game giving him a career high. The USA offense has been led by the running game all season, and this game was no different. University of Georgia transfer Demetre Baker rushed for a career high 113
courtesy of matt weaver
South Alabama’s defense swarms a Georgia State player yards on 20 carries and scored the Jags’ first two touchdowns of the game. One of the early Henderson State turnovers was a forced fumble by USA’s Clifton Crews that was recovered by Gabe Loper, who was the leading tackler in the game for USA. Loper ended the game with seven total tackles, four solo and three assisted. “Coach Clark was preaching take-aways all week at practice,” Crews said. “They throw the ball a lot; he just wanted us to make plays when the ball was in the air.” USA’s Anthony Taylor and Anton Graphenreed were the other two Jag defenders with interceptions. Romelle Jones and Will Thompson caused two more Henderson State fumbles giving USA seven turnovers
on defense in the game. The seven turnovers is an all-time high beating the old record of six from last season. The Jaguar defense also did not allow the Reddies to convert on third downs holding them to 0-10 on third-down conversions. “Those takeaways were big and we had a short field on offense a good bit tonight, and that’s always a good thing,” said USA head coach Joey Jones. “I thought we really played a good game defensively for the entire game. We didn’t give up any big plays, and if we don’t do that then we are going to be very hard to score on. They did that tonight and I was proud of them.” USA quarterback C.J. Bennett was 1118 for 101 yards in the game and scored
a rushing touchdown on a draw play set up by roughing the kicker penalty against Henderson State. “We decided that we wanted to spread them out a little bit early this week,” Bennett said. “We’ve been pounding the ball a lot and we saw some things we liked on film. We moved the ball well, and it always helps when you’re getting the turnovers that we had.” South Alabama’s Jeremy Jones was hurt during Saturday’s game after being tackled at the end of a 65 yard rush. The play is the longest run in USA history. South Alabama out rushed the Reddies rushing 50 time for 252 yards, and the Reddies ran the ball 24 times for only 55 yards. The Jags also outgained Henderson State by 165 yards going for 375 total yards on offense. “We were prepared — the coaches had them prepared and we had a good week of practice. We match up with teams that are in the spread formation pretty well,” Jones said. “I think our athletes fit the spread defensively, and we had a good pass rush tonight; that’s one thing we haven’t had in a while. We put pressure on the quarterback, and we were hitting them and trying to knock the ball loose.” The Jaguars have a short turn around this week, playing their next game on Thursday. The team will be facing Mississippi Valley State at 6:30 p.m. and will play its last game at home against Cal Poly the next Saturday.
Former Jaguar Freese wins second MVP, first World Series
Former South Alabama Jaguar David Freese won the 2011 NCLS and 2011 World Series MVP
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South Alabama’s Brandi Smith leads by example Jayson curry Sports Editor
Brandi Smith knows how to score. At Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas, Smith was named to the first-team all-district in all four years. She was named District MVP in her senior season and finished her career with 140 goals including a five goal playoff game When deciding on which college to attend, Smith had a mindset of not wanting to leave her home state of Texas. But after visiting USA, Smith was impressed with multiple things that helped her make her mind up. “I really liked the coaching staff and the girls were really cool,” Smith said. “And I really liked the area. I didn’t want to leave Texas, but I chose to come here.” Smith not only learned that she had support from her teammates but all USA teams. That is a big deal for athletes because they have a much different college life than other students. “We all try to support other teams. We have gone out and watched volleyball matches and cross country matches,” Smith said. “And we hope they come do the same for us, and they do. We try to support each other, and we do a really good job with that.” From the first step Smith took on the USA campus, she was a star. She started in 19 games her freshman year and led the Jags in multiple categories. She led the team with 13 goals, which is fifth in USA history, and fin-
courtesy of Bobby McDuffie
South Alabama senior Brandi Smith ished third in the conference for goals in the season and goals per game. Smith’s year got her voted to the second all-conference team, and she noted that was one of her most memorable moments as a Jag. After a stellar freshman campaign, Smith and the Jags struggled over the next two seasons. Last season the Jags could only win five games. The team was very young and Smith recognized that as an issue for last year’s success but has led to the success of this year’s teams. “Sophomore and junior year had a lot
of ups and downs. We really just couldn’t get it together,” Smith said. “Junior year was more of a rebuilding year because we got in 18 new people. But that led us to doing well this year. “We learn from past experience up to this year. We knew what we needed to do, and we knew what we needed to get done.” Smith learned from her freshman year that for the Lady Jags to be successful, they needed leadership and continuity. “Freshman year was really good,” Smith said. “We came in and had good leaders on the team that helped us through.” This season, Smith and her teammates have surprised many fans and opponents. Starting out losing the first game of the season in a 4-0 shutout to Louisiana Tech, the Lady Jags won nine of the next 10 games and tied the 10th game. Led by Smith, the team outscored their opponents 27-6 in the 10 game stretch. The 9-1-1 start to the season was the best start in USA soccer history. And the current record of 12-4-3 is the best in school history. This season has had its problems even with all the success. The Jags have had to travel more than any other team in a short span this season. The team traveled to Florida to play Florida Atlantic and Florida International in one weekend and a week later flew to Denver and North Texas. “We usually don’t fly, but we had to go to Denver and Miami, but it is a lot of traveling, we haven’t experi-
enced that before,” Smith said. “With all the traveling we were kind of slow because we are just sitting around. When we travel we don’t do as well but it shouldn’t matter either way.” This year the team has set and accomplished almost every goal they had for this season. This season Smith has scored 11 goals, including the game winning goal in the Port City Classic against Austin-Peay, and will play in the conference tournament, giving her and her team a chance to reach some of their goals. “We wanted to win every game at home and we did all the way up until Sunday. We wanted to win against all the Alabama teams, and we have done that so far. I wanted to beat my record of goals, and I’m at 11 now,” Smith said. “We wanted more wins than loses, which we have done and that’s been really great. And team chemistry has been a lot better too and that was a goal.” And for Smith’s future, it is uncertain but is sure to be successful. “I haven’t really decided on the future, I want to go to grad school,” Smith said. “I’m majoring in sports management right now. I’m not sure exactly where I want to go to grad school, and I want to continue playing too, wherever I can get on. Not overseas, but in a league over here.” Smith will close out her career at USA in the conference tournament from Nov. 2-5. Hopefully Smith and the other Lady Jags can end their season and for some, their careers on a high note.
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Athletics updates THREE PICK UP SINGLES WIN AT CRIMSON TIDE INVITATIONAL Three University of South Alabama men’s tennis players picked up wins on day one of the Crimson Tide Fall Championships. The Jaguars also added a win in doubles play. “Today was extremely hard,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “The weather was wet and cold, below 50 degrees. Overall, the results were average today.” Junior Alex Bernard (Soisy Sur Seine, France) opened his tournament run by defeating Alex Skinner of Boston College 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Rallying back to claim the win, senior Christian Kuehne (Morbach, Germany) defeated Joe Davidson of Boston College 5-7, 6-1, 6-0. Junior Cody Hall (Albuquerque, N.M.) also started the tournament with a win, topping Adam Bernstein of Tulane 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. JAGS SNAP SEVEN-MATCH SKID WITH 3-0 SWEEP OF FLORIDA ATLANTIC The University of South Alabama volleyball team snapped its seven-match losing streak Friday evening with a 3-0 (2521, 25-21, 25-20) road Sun Belt Conference victory over Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena. “I really thought one of the keys for us tonight was that we were able to stay composed throughout the match,” South Alabama assistant coach Nicole McCoy said. “We just played it one point at a time. Amber Wyatt did a great job for us tonight, both offensively and with her blocking.” McCoy filled in for Jaguar head coach Nicole Keshock, who was back in Mobile after delivering her third child earlier this week. With the win, USA improves to 8-14 on the year and 3-7 in the conference. The Jags will next travel to take on Florida International on Sunday with first serve set for noon (CT) at U.S. Century Bank Arena. JAGUAR SOCCER TOPS SBC RIVAL TROY 2-1 The University of South Alabama soccer team defeated Sun Belt Conference foe Troy 2-1 Friday afternoon in the final match of the regular season at the Troy Soccer Complex. With the win, USA advances to 12-4-3 overall and 5-3-2 in conference play while the Trojans fall to 9-10-1 on the season and 4-7 in the SBC. The Jaguars have already established a post season seed in the 2011 Sun Belt Conference Soccer Championship hosted by Middle Tennessee and will travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for the tournament Nov. 2-5. -Wire Reports
courtesy of Newsday.com
Major League Baseball’s top free agents Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder
MLB Offseason Five headline stories for your entertainment j.t. crabtree Sports Columnist Congratulations to USA Alumni David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2011 World Series. But now that the regular season has ended, the second season begins; the offseason. The offseason is where every team has a chance to win, every team has a chance to forget about the previous year and to improve their ballclub for the upcoming season. Whether it is via trades, free agent signings, or personnel changes in the front office, all of the 30 teams in Major League Baseball have a chance to make a difference in their immediate or distant future. This offseason is no different. There are several storylines that will catch the baseball headlines from November to March, but we will run through a few of the bigger subjects that you can expect baseball fans and experts alike to be talking about. Where will Albert Pujols go? Arguably the best player in baseball right now, St. Louis Cardinals 1st baseman is a free agent. The Cardinals tried to come to an agreement on a contract extension before the season started but to no avail. Now the question is, will Pujols leave the Cardinals, and how much money will he demand? Experts expect Pujols to receive around $200 million in his new deal. Will C.C. Sabathia remain in New York? While he will likely remain, chances are that the Yankees ace will opt out of his current contract in
order to receive a contract with a larger annual value. Chances are no one will be able to outbid the Bronx Bombers for C.C.’s services, but there is still chance he could leave town. The 1st Basemen market. Aside from Pujols, there are other big name 1st basemen who are free agents this offseason as well. Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox are among those available for teams to bid on. Ortiz has expressed interest in returning to Boston, while the Brewers are not expected to be able to match the larger bids for The Prince of Power. Fielder is expected to also receive a contract close to $200 million. Can the Red Sox recover from imploding? The Boston Red Sox did something no other team in MLB history has done before: fail to make the playoffs after leading their division on Sept. 1 and having a 9-game lead. Following this collapse, the Red Sox fired manager Terry Francona and allowed GM Theo Epstein to leave for the Chicago Cubs. Will they be able to regain their recent form and remain a force in the AL East? What can Theo Epstein do with the Cubs? He reversed one curse; can he do the same for another? The Lovable Lovers haven’t won a World Series since 1908, and it will be interesting to see how Epstein plans to build his new team. Can he work some magic like he in Boston in 2004?
Brandiii_19 Brandi Smith“We’re the only team without a boy” -gotta love my teammates.. Lol jessoram4 Jessica Oram- Beast of the game goes to @missmorgan492 .sacrificing your body for the team! WE LOVE YOU #beastmode JBlaire17 Jacey Chandler- Let’s take a moment of silence for all the buffets out there. #GoJags _RusHen_ Rush HendricksImma put on my big boy boy pants right quick before we hit up this movie #pa3 AfroMan_USA JT Crabtree- David Freeeeeeese!!! You can’t stop him! #USAAlum #Game7 UnoDosTrey123 Trey Anderson“I’m not drunk yet bro, I can still feel my teeth” - random frat dude J11Jones Jereme L. Jones- Cant wait to see the new Twilight movie... King_Carter32 J.D.C- hate tripping over stuff, cuz everytime I feel like somebody just punked me. If I fall I get up ready to fight lol #randomthoughts jgeezy54 Jon Griffin- @CJBennett15 all i want is for you to autograph a box of oatmeal cream pies for me. Thats where your true talent lies Lavend_ER_ Bryant LavenderNew movie comin out in Jan called the devil inside....that’s one movie I won’t be seein _RusHen_ Rush Hendricks- I remember when I used to be able to wear American Eagle and Hollister .. #studentathleteproblems DrewPac72 Drew Dearman- Sore would be a good adjective right now. CJBennett15 C.J. Bennett- Pranormal activity 3 is about to be the death of me.... to all of my follwers, pray for me
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vol. 49, no. 14 / oct 31, 2011
dIStraCtIOnS
vAnGUArd stAFF editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com
e h t f o e r u t c i P We e k
Weekly Quotable Quote Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. ~P.J. O’Rourke
ROMAN/AE A not-so-subtle reminder from USAPD!
Sudoku Challenge Courtesy of USA Student Health Have a medical question? e-mail it to the Vanguard and we’ll Ask Dr. Cannon for a new medical segment.