VANGUARD
THE Feb. 27, 2012
Department departure questioned
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
Mardi Gras pictures: See how USA celebrated Fat Tuesday See page 14 vol. 50, no. 7
Sports: Jaguar football team gearing up with early spring practices
by matt weaVer Senior Reporter
The departure of longtime facilities director Chris Willis shocked much of the staff at the University of South Alabama. Willis had worked closely with University personnel since his hiring in 2007, and he was heading up several campus improvement projects at the time he was replaced. Then-assistant Randy Moon was named his replacement over the winter, leading many to believe Willis had been fired. Willis had in fact been offered a different position at the University, an option he declined according to Wayne Davis, vice president of financial affairs. “There’s an art to managing people, and Chris was a very good performer,” Davis said. “But with our current financial constraints, we needed to get a little see department, page 4
jayson Curry / sPorts edItor
the university of south alabama jaguar football team is watching the sun come up and running tough passes in order to prepare for the 2012-2013 season. see page 9.
SGA appointments raise eyebrows Nature Trail forthcoming
Elections are coming soon; keep paying attention to The Vanguard’s coverage of potential candidates. by Genny roman Associate Editor
At the Feb. 13 Student Government meeting, the senate approved eight new members of the senate, the largest number of senators approved at Colin Al-Greene one time in recent SGA President years. The eight members, appointed by SGA President Colin Al-Greene, were met with questions regarding their availability from the executive council and president pro-tem.
The eight appointees were approved by the senate, with only one “no” vote for business Senator Jake Abernathy and Transfer-at-Large Andrew Johnson, respectively. Engineering Senator Sean Ramsey, serving as senator since fall 2008, said that was the largest group of senators approved at one meeting that he has seen. “We’ve got vacancy problems,” he said. He referenced “traditional officer turbulence”, low morale and constant meeting venue change as issues with this year’s senate. During the approval process, Vice President Jessica Byrd expressed concern for senators being able to make
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SGA meetings, stating that the senate has had some problems with attendance this year. President Pro-Tem Parker Chastain echoed Byrd’s concern by asking the appointees if they would be able to make senate office hours. “As pro-tem this semester, I’m going to be in charge of handling senate projects,” Chastain said. “It’s my job to motivate the senate to accomplish projects, and we need people who can step up into the position.” Chastain, the Rules Committee chair for fall 2011, said that two people from the senate were asked to leave because
The nature trail on the north side of campus will soon be accessible to all of the South Alabama community with highly anticipated improvements. The resemblance of a trail has been on site for nearly 30 years and officially recognized as a part of campus since 2006, but it is expected to be more prevalent by April. Brian Allred, assistant director of campus recreation, explained that the improvements to the trail have been in the works for nearly four years, and they are finally coming together.
see SGa page 4
see nature page 2
check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com
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in this issue (pg 6): Life (pg 12): Opinion (pg 9 ): Sports
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
Jags news in brief >>> USA students help combat binge drinking across state Mobile, Ala.—For years, various groups and organizations have tried to positively influence the national problem of collegeage binge drinking. However, it may take LessThanUThink to reach students on the issue, according to a group of students at The University of South Alabama. Eleven members of the University’s American Advertising Federation student chapter will work with the University’s Counseling and Testing Center to implement the award-winning LessThanUThink campaign on campus. LessThanUThink is a student-generated campaign that addresses the national problem of college-age binge drinking. The group will begin implementing LTUT on campus starting March 5 through March 9.
When you have two minutes before class starts
The campaign is focused primarily on spring break and the two weeks prior. The issue of college-age binge drinking is a national problem that is elevated during certain times of the year, such as spring break.
Catholic Student Center hosts 5k Run Have you ever wanted to challenge yourself to complete a 5K run? How about walk a mile for a good cause?
“I am excited about the opportunity to encourage students to monitor their drinking habits while enjoying their vacation,” AAF President Jenny Moore said.
On Saturday, March 3, everyone is invited to come out for the Maranatha 5K Race and Fun Run! The Catholic Student Association is proud to present this event!
The campaign reaches college students through the use of humorous messages that highlight the negative social and physical consequences associated with the overconsumption of alcohol.
It will begin at the SGA Pavilion at the Intramural Fields. =A0This race course is certified and produced by Little Red Hen Productions. =A0The 5K race/walk will begin at 8:00am and the Fun Run will begin at 9:00am.
“We are not promoting abstinence. We are simply encouraging college students to drink more responsibly, and that message is not one students are used to hearing,” AAF Chapter Historian Liz Finamore said. Visit the LessThanUThink website, LessThanUThink.org, for more information about the campaign.
All proceeds will benefit the Archdiocese of Mobile’s Vocation Office, specifically to aid in the expenses to educate the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Mobile. You can register to run directly online and pay by credit card by visiting http:// www.southalabamacsa.com/5k or you can register at the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Student Center at 6051 Old Shell Road. The entry fees for adults is $15 pre-registered ($20 day of race) and for youth (16 and under) is $12 pre-registered ($15 day of race). Awards will be given to runners for the top three male and female overall, and top two male and female in the following age groups: =A010 and under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-23, 24-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Following the race there will be food, drinks, music, door prizes, and awards! The members of the Catholic Student Association hope to see as many of you as possible! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never run a 5K before, you can jog/walk! And if you’ve ever wanted to run a 5K, this is a perfect opportunity for you!
Nature trail near completion nature, from page 1 We should expect 100 acres of marked walking and biking paths, a marked 5-K running path, as well as benches built and donated by the Boy Scouts of America to sit and study or just enjoy the scenery. The changes being made will not only benefit the South Alabama community in added fitness and recreation amenities but in added educational outlets as well. “Students are going to be able to get some information out of it with all of the signage,” Allred said. Along the trails there will be information and identification signs mostly from, but not limited to, the earth sciences department. There will also be signs from the history department, the English department and any other department wanting to donate. “It’s a lot of information that students can get in a casual atmosphere that doesn’t have to be necessarily pertinent to science,” Allred said. The cost of the trail is around $12,000. The campus recreation department started fundraising in 2006 with a “5-K Fun Run”, wine tastings and general dona-
Courtesy of usouthal.edu
The Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail has been in the works for years, but it now coming into full fruition with help from SGA and the USA campus recreation department,
tions. Allred explained they had the Student Government Association to thank for over half of the money invested into the trail. The added funding was given to help make the trail more accessible and safe. At the beginning of the trail will be an information kiosk, and “you are here” maps at
every intersection inside the trail with GPS coordinates located on them. Campus recreation has been working in conjunction with the campus police department to add security to the trail. “As of right now the trail is not regularly patrolled, but when it is dedicated we will be working with them to extend the trail into
their regular beat,” Allred said. The trail is being dedicated to Dr. Glenn Sebastian in honor of his 40 years of service to the earth sciences department and the South Alabama community. The University of South Alabama expects the nature trail to be dedicated and open in April.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
7-Day JagCast Feb. 27 - Mar. 4 Monday Feb. 27
Tuesday Feb. 28
Wednesday Feb. 29
Thursday Mar. 1
Friday Mar. 2
Saturday Mar. 3
Sunday Mar. 4
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University police blotter Editor’s note: Have a question for USAPD? Email us at editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com
2/11/12 • Time: 1:54 p.m. • Place: Gamma 7 250 Stadium Dr. • Crime: Theft of property second degree 2/14/12 • Time: 11:30 p.m. • Place: Delta 1, 251 Delta loop • Crime: Criminal Trespass first degree • Details: 18, black male 2/15/12 • Time: 1:44 p.m. • Place: USA North Dr., HUMB parking lot
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We’ll start off the school week with cloudy skies and a slight chance of a shower with highs in the upper 60s with lows in the mid 50s. Showers will move through on Tuesday with a highs in the mid 70s and overnight lows in the mid 60s. As we warm up to near 80 on Wednesday, we’ll be watching for the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms to move through the area as a cold front moves passes. Lows on Wednesday night will be in the low 50s. The rain will move out for Thursday and we’ll be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 70s with nighttime lows near 50. Another strong cold front will move through Friday and Saturday, again bringing the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms. Highs will be in the mid to upper 70s with overnight lows in the upper to low 50s. We should clear out for Sunday with highs in the mid 60s with overnight lows near 50. for the latest on your forecast, severe weather updates, and what’s going on in the tropics, find us on Facebook search “StormTeam4Gamma9Wx” you can follow us on Twitter, too search “stormteam4g9wx” and find Patrick Bigbie on Twitter search “metwxpatrick”
USAPD: 460-6312
Crime: Harassment 2/16/12 • Time: 9:31 a.m. • Place: Mitchell Center parking lot, 5950 Old Shell Road. • Crime: Duty upon strik- ing an unoccupied vehicle 2/16/12 • Time: 12:18 p.m. • Place: 5811 USA South Dr., parking lot Mitchell College of Business • Crime: Duty upon strik- ing an unattended vehicle
2/19/12 • Time: 12:47 p.m. • Place: The Grove building 17 parking lot • Crime: Criminal mischief third degree ($500 or less) 2/20/12 • Time: 12:51 p.m. • Place: Humanities building • Crime: Theft of property second degree ($500- $2,500) A more detailed blotter will return next week.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
SGA appointment controversy SGA, from page 1
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of missing too many meetings. Senators can have two unexcused absences from meetings, but if they miss more, they are reviewed for dismissal. According to Al-Greene, one-third of the senate’s seats were open at the beginning of the spring semester, 11 seats out of the senate’s 33. Eight of those seats were filled at the Feb. 13 meeting. The remaining available seats are two in the college of nursing and one in allied health. “Usually during spring semester we lose several people,” said Al-Greene. He attributed the approval of eight people during the Feb. 13 meeting to a need to fill seats quickly. Dean of Students Michael Mitchell also attributed the eight appointments to a necessity to fill vacancies quickly. “Colin tried to find [new appointees] as quickly as he could so they could get some experience and have as much time as possible to work on senate projects.” During discussion of approval, Ramsey asked if a mass email had been sent out to notify USA’s student body of new openings in the senate. Al-Greene said a mass email had not been sent out, but cited his presidential power to appoint senators without mass email notification of open seats. Mitchell remarked that appointment without mass student notification is a presidential power, but the checks and balances in place ensure that the process of approval is fair. “The senate has the opportunity to question the appointees and make sure they are qualified for the position. It shows that the senators are concerned about open seats,” he said.
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Department changes department, from page 1 more production out of that department. So I made the judgment call to pull Chris and insert Randy.” Davis and Willis are close friends and still play golf together. Davis insists that he did his best to convince Willis to stay but “Chris had already moved on.” Willis still lives in the Mobile area. Davis wouldn’t specify which projects were falling short of the University’s expectations but summed up his decision with a baseball analogy. “Sometimes you have a pitcher who just can’t get the ball over the plate consistently and as a manager. You have to bring in the reliever,” Davis said. “We needed a fresh perspective – a fresh arm.” Willis was working on several projects at the time of his departure, leaving many departments left with no contracts and just a handshake agreement on future renovations. Without Willis, some departments have to start over and establish a similar relationship with Moon. “I would urge any dean or department head with a handshake agreement or concern with Randy to reach out to me so we can sort it out,” Davis said. “I’ll do my
best to accommodate any agreement that a staff member had with Chris. It’s just a matter of communicating that over to our office.” Many department heads shared a positive relationship with facilities management under Willis. Dr. John Steadman, dean of Engineering was one such department head who appreciated Willis’ commitment to service and satisfaction. Engineering is currently in the process from moving from their current location over to newly-minted Shelby Hall. Steadman had worked closely with Willis on the relocation and was notified of the change via campus e-mail. Steadman said he has already reached out to Moon and did so soon after he was named director of facilities. “We had a brief meeting after he was first named director of facilities,” Steadman said. “This was around the time that we started deciding what to move from one building to the other. Randy was a large part of that.” Like many others, Steadman will miss working with Willis. Moving forward, the Engineering department is convinced that Moon will do well in his position. Moon declined to comment or to speak with The Vanguard. Willis was always very open with The Vanguard, and we hope to establish a relationship with Moon to continue transparency with facilities management.
vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
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jaglife
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Snakes, lizards and alligators, oh my! jake howell JagLife Writer
W
hen most people think of a reptile, they immediately zero in on some species of snake. Unfortunately, the majority of people’s first instinct when encountering a snake is to find the biggest gun or axe they can and kill it--kill it dead. On Thursday, Feb. 23 students at the University of South Alabama and the surrounding community had the chance to interact with these extraordinary animals. The venue: Reptile Night in the Life Sciences Building. Reptile Night was organized by the Gulf Coast Association of Reptile Keepers (GCARK) for the sole purpose of educating the public about not only the exotic species most keepers have as pets but also the native species of reptiles and amphibians we have in our area. Alex Horton, a graduate student in the biology department, started off the night with a presentation on our state reptile: the Alabama red-bellied turtle. Alabama red-bellies are only found here in the Mobile-Tensaw delta, and, due to their limited range, are listed as endangered. Founder and President of GCARK Michael Crabtree also spoke and introduced the attendees to his red-tailed boa, who he wore around his waist at one point while working with the computer and his three year-old sulcata tortoise, Kobe. “One of our primary objectives is, quite simply, to educate others about reptiles and amphibians, both wild and captive, showing them how fascinating these animals can be and doing what we can to dispel any misunderstandings about them,” Crabtree said. “Of course, we love trying to help people overcome their fears of herps, especially snakes, and having the animals at presentations like Reptile Night where people can see, interact and touch them is a great tool, because people can ask questions and certainly see that these animals are not terrible, evil vicious monsters ready to attack
see snakes page 8
Bailey Hammond, jagLife Editor life.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 50, no. 7 / FEB. 27, 2012
“The Seagull” lands on the stage The performance gets: bailey hammond JagLife Editor
A
nton Chekhov, one of the greatest playwrights in the past 100 years, once said, “Knowledge is of no use unless it is put into practice.” Fittingly enough that quote is included in the playbill for the most recent University of South Alabama Theatre production of Chekhov’s play “The Seagull.” Directed by Louis Courie, the production of “The Seagull” was a translated version by the great English playwright Tom Stoppard. The production opened Friday, Feb. 24, to a full house. A mixed crowd of students and older patrons watched as the dark stage transformed into a summer abode where the characters lived out their semi-comic drama. Based in pre-WWI Russia, “The Seagull” is a tragi-comic affair that focuses on what happens when love goes wrong at almost every turn. Within the play are multiple love triangles just waiting to be broken into tiny little pieces. Unrequited love is a central theme along with familial and societal expectations. The cast for the play consists of all USA Theatre students, many of whom are veterans of the Laidlaw stage. Each actor brought his or her own version of humor to the play, often causing the audience to laugh out loud at sudden bursts of wit and dark utterances. A few standouts in the show were Devin Patrick, playing Masha; Ryan Arnold, playing Sorin; Lauren Ashley Fussell, playing Irina Arkadina; and surprisingly, the “hired workman” Yakov, played by Barrett Johnson. Yakov has only a few speaking lines, but whenever he came onstage the audience couldn’t help but chuckle. Although not as sensational or obviously humorous as the previous productions in the season—“I Hate Hamlet” and “Honk!”—“The Seagull” is richer in meaning and content, and is a play well worth watching and studying. There were a few flat moments in the performance, quite likely due to opening night nerves, but overall the entire performance was well done. However, one has to take into consider-
bailey hammond/jaglife editor
bailey hammond/jaglife editor
The set model (top) is what the scenic technicians use as a guide. Playbill for “The Seagull” (bottom). ation that the actors are students and are learning their craft for the entire world to see. It takes great discipline and courage to get up on that stage and put everything one has into a performance. Even with the horrible intrusion of a ringing cell phone (something abominable to the theatre) the actors remained in character and kept the show going. There will be more performances on March 1, 2 and 3, all at 7:30 p.m. Come out to USA Theatre and show your support for the drama department.
If you go to see a play, it doesn’t matter where, please do not forget to turn off your cell phones. At the very least, put them on silent or at the most, leave them in your car. The sound of a cell phone ringing raucously in a silent theatre is extremely jarring to the actors as well as fellow audience members. Don’t be that person; everyone on and off the stage will hate you for ruining the moment.
Editor’s note:
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vol. 50, no. 7 / FEB. 27, 2012
First rule of Horror Club... USA has its very own homage to the horror genre of film and literature.
tue > feb 28
jake howell JagLife Writer Why are horror films so popular? “The academic answer is catharsis. That we need some feeling of emotional release, that we like to be scared in a safe environment... so out in the suburbs we like to go to the movie theater and sit in the dark and be scared and have a release,” answered Dr. Annmarie Guzy, an associate professor in the English department and faculty advisor of the University of South Alabama Horror Club. “Probably a more authentic and honest answer is that some people just like to walk on the dark side...People like to think about these things,” Guzy added. Guzy mentioned, as an example, the Zombies, Run! event, which was held on campus last semester and was also covered by The Vanguard. At that event, the attendees asked questions based on their belief that the zombie apocalypse would happen, not simply from the point of view of a zombie movie. There is no denying that horror is an extremely successful genre of not only movies, but also television and literature. According to hollywood.com, the top 25 grossing horror movies of all time have grossed over $3 billion, without being adjusted for inflation. Another explanation for the popularity of horror film and the loyalty of their fans is the recent wave of remakes. Unfortunately, as with many remakes, these adaptations of the original films are often maligned by the fans as ways for studios to make safe money. “Quality horror isn’t an oxymoron. It is out there,” Guzy said. Good horror, like all good stories, draws on real problems and events. The popular AMC show “The Walking
Civil Rights Speaker: Maria Gitin
6 p.m. at Library Auditorium FREE. “This Bright Light of Ours 1965: Stories from a Teenage Freedom Fighter in Rural Alabama” Jag Idol’s Premiere Viewing Party
7:30 p.m. at the Sorority Commons. Bring blankets or chairs to sit on and cash for pizza and drinks available for purchase. Everyone is invited!
wed > feb 29 jake howell/Jaglife writer
The full list of films that will be shown at the Horror Club meetings can be found on bulletin boards in the Humanities, and will also be posted on The Vanguard website. Dead” is a great example of how horror can draw on issues of, for example, socioeconomic troubles. As time has progressed, however, the definition of true horror has come under debate. Horror tends to intersect with many different genres, such as science fiction or thrillers. This intersection is the source of many discussions in Guzy’s horror class, EH 280, which is offered during odd-numbered fall semesters. One of the textbooks used in the class lays out a timeline that helps distinguish between thriller, horror and mystery films. According to that timeline, Guzy explained, horror falls in the middle. Horror is in the moment, whereas with thrillers the audience is waiting for some-
thing to happen, and in mysteries the event has already happened. Films such as “Alien” and “Silence of the Lambs,” though, highlight just how fuzzy the distinction between horror and other genres can be. One of the most interesting and entertaining outgrowths of the horror class, which was first offered in the fall of 2005 as an honors seminar course, is the USA Horror Club. Founded by a group of horror class students in January of 2006, the Horror Club routinely shows and celebrates horror films. The club, which meets every other Friday, screened “Aliens” and “Slither” at their most recent meeting. A schedule of which movies will be shown throughout the semester posted in Humanities.
Interested in writing for the JagLife Section? Just send a writing sample to life.editor@usavanguard. com! You can be on your way to publishdom!
Weekly Lowdown
Come to the JagLife side
We drink coffee
“Killing Us Softly 4” Film Screening and Discussion
3:30 p.m. at Library Auditorium. FREE Stevie Starr the Regurgitator
7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Center. FREE.
thu > mar 1 Deciding on a Major Seminar
3 p.m. in Stokes Hall Classroom. Focus on learning how to identify and research major and careers right for you. FLASH FORWARD
tues > mar 6 Laser Tag
6 - 10 p.m. at Student Rec Center. FREE with student ID. Wear non-marking athletic shoes.
Want your event featured? E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under seven words) to life.editor@usavanguard.com. Include “Weekly Lowdown” in the subject line. E-mails must be received at least 7 days before the event.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / feb. 27, 2012
Snakes, lizards and alligators, oh my! snakes cont. from page 6 anyone on sight.” A “herp” is a reptile. The term is short for “herptile.” Therefore those who study reptiles are called herpetologists. The members of GCARK, a surprisingly young organization that started
in the spring of 2010, work with herps in many different ways. Some breed them for exquisite color patterns, as in the case of a ball python breeder present at Reptile Night. Others, though, keep them as pets and love them with the same intensity that some love their dogs. Crabtree mentioned that he couldn’t
wait for Kobe to reach adult size, around 100 pounds, so that his son could ride him. GCARK also has a Reptile Awareness Day scheduled for July 21 at 5 Rivers, located on the causeway. More information on GCARK can be found at gulfcoastherpsociety.webs. com.
WinterJam Concert Live at the Mitchell Center on March 4. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are only $10 at the door. A full lineup of the top Christian artists will be in Mobile. Artists include: Building 429 For King & Country Group 1 Crew Kari Jobe Newsong Sanctus Real Skillet We As Human Brock Gill Dara Maclean Peter Furler and speaker Nick Hall For tickets call 251-460-6047
courtesy michael crabtree
Ball pythons of multiple color variations, “herping” as a club and the logo for the Gulf Coast Association of Reptile Keepers.
Jag Idol You’ve probably heard something about this locally produced spin-off of the popular television show “American Idol.” USA students have a chance to win a free recording session with a major recording studio here in Mobile and bragging rights as USA’s Jag Idol. Auditions were held twice, the last was on Saturday, Feb. 25. The first episode will air this week on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at
7:30 p.m. In addition, the Panhellenic society and JagTV have paired up to host a viewing party on the lawn of the Sorority Commons. Anyone is invited. Pizza and drinks will be available to purchase. Any questions can be addressed to the Jag TV station at 251-380-2817 or to jagidol12@gmail.com. Go Jags! courtesy haley armstrong
vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
sports
Jags strap on the pads
USA football team goes through first scrimmage
jayson curry / sports editor
Bryant Lavender (left) and Corey Besteda (right) both catch a pass during Saturday’s football scrimmage. jayson curry Sports Editor
T
he South Alabama football team was back out on the field again Saturday for their second practice in full pads. The Jags went through the majority of practice doing drills and position work before ending with a full team scrimmage. With USA running a new offense this season, the first five practices have been more about learning than playing but there has been noticeable progression. “I think we are improving every day. I think there are some skilled players on this team that are starting to make plays which we are excited about. But at the same time we have a long way to go. We have to pick up our tempo and certain things but we are a lot further ahead than we were the first day,” offensive coordinator Robert Mattews said. “Every day they are getting better and video study is an important part of getting better as football players. And the guys that study the most and put the time in off the field are usually the ones that come out and do better on the field. They have to continue to do things to get
better on their own.” There were big plays all over the field during the scrimmage today. Quarterback C.J. Bennett threw a deep touchdown pass to the receiver Bryant Lavender on a fly route. Later Bennett connected with receiver Corey Besteda near the goal line for another touchdown. Backup quarterback Trey Fetner also tossed a deep touchdown to receiver Akeem Appleton. The defense had its standouts as well though, as linebacker Jake Johnson disrupted multiple offensive plays and possibly the biggest play of the day happened when linebacker Robert Terrell dropped into the flats and intercepted a pass. Terrell then attempted a touchdown return but came up just shy of the end zone after stiff arming quarterback Kolt Peavey to the ground. One thing that has stood out at every practice so far is the rotation of players at every position, especially on offense. The USA offense has six quarterbacks and every one of them has gotten reps this spring. The same can be said for running back and receiver as every player on the depth chart of roster has
gotten a chance to prove what he can do. “We are trying to get so many guys at every position. We are mixing up the personnel as much as we can,” Mattews said. “Our goal by the end of March is to have an idea of who our playmakers are going to be and to do that we are going to give guys reps and over the next few weeks we can get an idea of who we can depend on moving forward.” Head coach Joey Jones is positive about his team so far this spring. “I think the offense made some big plays but they also made some terrible plays. It seemed like they were third and 20 multiple times. But they hit a couple long pass plays and the defense played pretty good but they gave up long pass plays,” Jones said. “It’s the first scrimmage of spring and it’s OK at this point but if we don’t get any better that’s going to be a problem.” “We are proud of the effort. The kids are really working hard and they are doing everything we ask them to do,” Jones said. “Their minds are still spinning a little bit especially on offense. We are going to take the next eight or nine days of practice and get better.” USA will be back out on the practice field Tuesday at 6:30 a.m.
jayson curry, sports Editor sports.editor@usavanguard.com
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Athletics updates SCHWARTZ ECLIPSES SBC INDOOR PENTATHLON RECORD, WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE TITLE University of South Alabama senior Lindsay Schwartz recorded 3,996 points in the women’s indoor pentathlon on Saturday to set a new Sun Belt Conference record and secure her second consecutive title in the five-event competition on the first day of the league indoor championships at the Murphy Center. Schwartz’s score shattered the previous SBC record of 3,740 points held by Arkansas State’s Amy Fledderman from the 2007 season, and it also bypassed her own school record of 3,585, which she set in the Jags’ first meet of the season, the Birmingham Ice Breaker on Dec. 7 of last year. Winner of last year’s conference outdoor heptathlon on an SBC-best 5,318-point accumulation, Schwartz now holds Sun Belt crowns in both multi-event competitions. Schwartz finished third or better in each of the five events, including wins in both the 55-meter hurdles (8.16, 956 points) and long jump (5.94m, 831 pts.). Her long jump distance moved her to second on USA’s all-time records list.
JAGUAR WOMEN BATTLE BUT FALL IN OVERTIME AT FIU, 58-55 The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team battled in its regularseason finale Saturday afternoon, but Florida International was able to pick up a 58-55 overtime victory over the Lady Jags at U.S. Century Bank Arena. “[Florida International] has won 20-games for a reason,” South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. “We had a shot at the end of regulation to win it. We also had a reasonable opportunity in overtime to win it with under 10 seconds and we don’t finish the play.” USA (16-12, 9-7 SBC) will now begin preparation for the Sun Belt Conference tournament to be held March 3-6 in Hot Springs, Ark. The Jaguar women fall into the fourth-seed from the East Division and will take on Arkansas State – the fifth seed from the West – in the first round of the tournament on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Florida International improves to 20-9 overall and 10-6 in the league with the win and will be the third seed from the East. - Wire Reports
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
South Alabama Disc Golf wins inaugural match stephen newhouse Sports Reporter
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he University of South Alabama’s disc golf team blew through the competition last weekend to capture the 2012 Alabama Slammer in Tuscaloosa, Ala. With the victory, the Jags earned a berth in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship in April. USA had three golfers finish in the top five of the 65-player tournament individually. Cam Colglezier paced the Jags with a 98, 54-hole score. Colglezier finished one shot behind N.C. State’s David Weaver for the individual title. Barrett Johnson and Andrew Montgomery wrapped up fourth and fifth place individually with scores of 102 and 104, respectively. “I think we have a strong team,” said Montgomery. “We stephen newhouse left a few shots out there, but did well. USA’s Disc Golf wins first match and qualifies for national tournament. We practice a lot, and we play together The University of South Alabama has every day. We have put a lot of work into “I thought we had a decent shot,” said been a prominent player in the Mobile it.” USA defeated 6 teams currently team member Adam Morrow. “Our big- disc golf community. USA is one of the ranked in the top 25 of the National gest obstacle was the weather. We navi- few schools in the nation to have a full Collegiate Disc Golf Championship gated the trees, and were accurate in our 18-hole disc golf course on campus. The rankings. The tournament was South drives and shots. We’ve played in tour- course was opened in 2004 with SGA Alabama’s first official competition as a naments separately, and that relieved and campus recreation funds. some of the pressure.” team.
“Mobile’s a hot bed for disc golf and local pros felt that if we formed a team that we could compete for a national title,” said Brian Allred, assistant director of campus recreation. Allred formed the team last month with hopes that the team could be a player on the national scene. “Our players had a quiet confidence that carried over into the weekend,” said Allred. “I think our team can play with anyone on any given day.” This confidence is what ultimately led to the idea to create the squad. USA campus recreation and the Mobile Disc Golf Association worked in conjunction to form the team. Tryouts were held throughout three courses in the Mobile area over the first weekend in February. Phillip Taite and Travis Reynolds were selected as alternates for the team. USA’s disc golf squad will return to action April 12 at the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship in Augusta, S.C.
Men’s basketball goes 1-1 in Florida Jags await conference tournament starting March 3 patrick herring Sports Reporter
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t took the Jaguars more than just regulation to get a conference win on the road against Florida Atlantic University Thursday night. Freshman phenom Mychael Ammons didn’t waiver in the extra five minutes, scoring 9 of his 26 points in overtime to lift South Alabama to a 79-76 victory over the Owls. After trailing by five points at halftime, the Jaguars outscored FAU 3732 in the second half to send the game into overtime. Florida Atlantic was led by Greg Gantt who scored 21 points, including two free throws in the final 19 seconds of regulation to tie the game at 67. South Alabama shined in the extra period leading by as many as six points after Ammons’ 3-pointer made it 75-69. Shavar Richardson ended the Owls scoring by closing the gap to 7776 on two free throws with 12 seconds
remaining. Ammons sunk two more from the charity stripe to push the lead to three. A final 3-point prayer shot by FAU missed to end the game. “He started out slowly, but he got back to his regular form,” USA head coach Ronnie Arrow said. “When he just does what Mychael can do he is really good and that’s what he did and we needed every bit of it.” Ammons was a rebound shy of a double-double ending with 9. Augustine Rubit had 18 points and 12 rebounds to get his 10th double-double this season. Saturday night the Jaguars weren’t able to muster enough to beat another conference foe in Florida on the road. The Florida International University Panthers defeated South Alabama 8174 in the regular season finale for both teams who finish with identical 16-11 overall and 8-8 conference records. DeJuan Wright recorded a doubledouble with 35 points and 13 rebounds to lead FIU. The Jaguars were out-
scored 11-1 and committed three turnovers in the final 2:53 of the first half to go into the break trailing 41-30. Even though the Jaguars outshot FIU 49.3 percent (31 of 63) to 49.2 percent (25 of 62) it wasn’t enough to overcome the halftime deficit. South Alabama committed nine of their 12 turnovers in the first half. The win ended a five game losing streak for the Panthers and a four game winning streak for the Jaguars. Rubit scored 25 and grabbed 14 boards to give him his eleventh doubledouble of the season, which is tied for the conference lead. Ammons added 12 points for the Jaguars. The Jaguars will likely be the two seed from the east in the SBC Tournament which tips off Saturday, March 3 in Hot Springs, Ark. jayson curry / sports editor
USA’s Mychael Ammons dribbling the ball upcourt during a game this season.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
Injury bug bites Jags
courtesy of bobbie mcduffie
Senior Brad Hook takes the field for the Jags baseball team. jt crabtree Sports Reporter
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he season is only two weeks old, and the Jaguars have sustained enough injuries to last the rest of the season, and they still haven’t earned their first win. The Jags were 0-3 going into their Mardi Gras matchup against Jackson State. South Alabama entered the game without starting catcher J.T. Files, who had sustained a hand injury before the season had started, but
played the opening series regardless. JSU held the Jags scoreless in the 1st inning, but the Jags blew the game wide open in the second, scoring 11 runs off seven hits. Nolan Earley and Jordan Patterson each had two-run doubles, coupled with RBI singles by Drew Cofield, Logan Kirkland and Nick Zaharion. Robby Campbell also had two RBIs in the inning. Anthony Izzio (1-0) started the game on the mound for the Jags, throwing six innings without allowing an earned run and striking
out four. Huffer, Traylor, and Patterson combined to finish the remaining three innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven through those innings. The Jags won 12-4, led by Kirkland’s 4-4 day with two RBIs and a walk. The win was also the first win of the Mark Calvi era. “It’s always good to win a game,” Coach Calvi said afterward. “Izzio did an outstanding job. I’m proud of this group.” This past weekend the Jags hosted Samford for a three game series. The Bulldogs brought to town a lineup filled with power, with three players with more than nine RBIs. On Friday, the Jags went into the series without third baseman Robby Campbell, who took a ground ball to the face and could be out for a considerable amount of time. Jarron Cito (1-0) earned his first win on the season, throwing five innings of four run baseball, striking out three. Kyle Bartsch earned a four inning save, striking out seven without allowing a hit. Nick Zaharion went 3-5 with four RBIs. Catcher Drew Cofield also went 3-5 with three RBIs. Nolan Earley went 3-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Jags won their second game of the season 9-4. On Saturday afternoon, the injury bug returned. Still without J.T. Files and Graham Odom, second baseman Logan Kirkland squared around to bunt, and was hit by a pitch in the foot. “He broke his foot. It could be anywhere from four to eight weeks, I’d probably lean
more to six to eight [weeks]. It happens, but it’s the next guy’s turn to step up and do his job,” Calvi said of Kirkland’s injury. The Jags would lose 9-8, after Peyton Gardner allowed seven runs, four earned, in three innings of work. Phillip Byrd came in for relief and pitched six innings, allowing two runs, none earned, and striking out five. Drew Cofield had three RBIs and a double to lead the Jags offensively. Before the start of the Sunday afternoon rubber match, starting shortstop Trey Cockrell injured his ankle taking groundballs during warm-ups. He was replaced by Kevin Knapp, who had never played a game at SS. With three starters out of commission, the Jags were spread thin on the bench for the third game. Dillon Buhrkuhl gave up seven runs in three innings pitched. James Traylor, Jamie Dennis, and Jordan Patterson combined to hold the Bulldogs to one run after the third inning. Patterson did not allow a hit and struck out three through three innings. Nolan Earley was 3-4 with three doubles, the first Jag to do so since Taylor White on April 15 last year. South would drop the rubber match 8-7, falling to 2-5 on the season. The Jags go on the road now to Tuscaloosa where they will face the Crimson Tide of Alabama and remain on the road until March 7, when they host Nicholls State at 6:30 p.m.
Dunk Contest lacks stars and creativity jayson curry Sports Editor
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here have all the stars gone? This year’s slam dunk contest featured just four NBA players, all of which you may have never heard of before. The line-up included the Houston Rockets’ Chase Budinger, the Jazz’s Jeremy Evans, the Pacer’s Paul George and the Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams. Williams was possibly the most known after being selected second overall in last year’s NBA draft but this is a lackluster group compared to the dunk contests of the past. The NBA slam dunk contest has created some of the best NBA moments ever. Julius “Doctor J” Irving shocked the crowd and really everyone in the 1976 dunk contest after leaping into the air from the foul line for a dunk. In 1986, Spud Webb amazed everyone by winning the dunk contest with impossible leaping ability for one of the leagues shortest players ever. Also in the late 1980s, it would be impossible to forget about the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, winning back to back dunk contest titles
in 1987 and 1988. Recently the dunk contest has slowly become a shadow of itself. Creativity and star power have continued to dwindle away year by year. If the stars of today actually competed in the contest there is no doubt viewership would rise and the dunk contest would revive itself to what it used to be: amazing. The last “star” player to actually compete in the contest was Orlando’s Dwight Howard who won the contest in 2008 dressed as Superman. Could you even imagine the intensity and energy a dunk contest with the league’s top players now would cause? Imagine Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant all competing in a competition. They are four of the best athletes in the world all going head to head in creativity and athleticism. It would be pure chaos, and a must watch for anyone who could watch it. Obviously this is something that will almost never happen. These players and their teams would rather not risk injury in something that doesn’t really matter when it all comes down to the NBA title. You can see the want to not risk injury
during the all-star game itself when no one plays defense or attempts to make the game physical. But as a competitor it’s hard to imagine not wanting to compete in this contest. Especially when they have seen all the former stars flying through the air in YouTube clips and when they see what the courtesy of ajc.com dunk contest has Michael Jordan performing a dunk during a dunk conturned into. test. There have been other suggestions about what to do about the contest. One It’s for the fans to see their favorite playsports analyst suggested have the contest ers and the best players in the league play every other year. Some people have called with and against each other in skill confor it to be cancelled all together. But for test and finally in the all-star game. the fans, they want to watch these athletes Everyone has their own opinion about do something they could never dream of it but one thing is for certain: the dunk doing. contest needs help. That is what the all-star game is for.
Opinion
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JEFF GIll, oPInIon edItor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
Zombie outbreak unnoticed JEFF GIll Opinion Editor
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here has been a zombie outbreak on campus. The exact time of the outbreak is unfortunately unknown. It’s very hard to tell imposters from real zombies. Imposters are sometimes influenced and entrapped by the walking dead that surround them. The virus is subtle in its transmission, but hostile in its takeover. The symptoms don’t always come at once, but they include dead eyes, messy hair, gym shorts and flip-flops. Most of them don’t read The Vanguard. If they do, they’re scavenging for coupons for Whataburger. The metaphor I am trying to convey is that I don’t think this new form of zombie is dangerous to me, but they are certainly self-destructive. It has become increasingly apparent to me that this zombie majority is putting a hindrance on the culture here at USA. There is little community, and little
Vanguard Viewpoint CassIe FaMbro | edItor
Matt Mogk speaks to USA students in the fall about none other than zombies.
student interest in building one. Patient Zero, the first individual to contract this virus, is probably lurking in some forgotten dorm room, where he or she morosely completes tasks with minimum effort, waiting for an eventless college career to end. More than likely, that career has long passed. Now that you have the knowledge of this outbreak, learn the ways to prevent catching it. As with all zombie outbreaks, the best strategy is to find a group of survivors and endure the USA cultural postapocolypse with them. The company will keep you in good spirits and less susceptible to the temptations of apathy. This apathy is the real source of the virus, after all. In apathy, one may lose his or her willingness to dress in anything but large t-shirts, Nike shorts or other foolish, zombie-esque attire. South Alabama, I implore you, the university culture must be revitalized from within, before we are all infected.
A STAFF EDITIORIAL
It’s your education; speak with your vote According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 51.5 percent of 18-24-year olds didn’t bother to vote in the 2008 election in November of 2008. With fervor over presidential candidates, even less were informed on local politicians and the impact that the elected officials would play on their lives. Here we are, four years later. State funding for education is millions less than it was. Tuition at USA has gone up 22 percent in two years to compensate for lack of funding to the institution. Transparency has become opaque and students and their parents have no idea where their tax dollars are going. Once a year, USA loads up buses and travels to Higher Education Day to lobby for funds. But is it really anything more than a PR move? Is it anything more than a photo op for politicians that will forget about the students they meet when they dine on
JagPulse: Is lobbying on Higher Ed Day a waste of time? “Not really. If no show were made to really enforce that there was a reason young men and women are in higher education, then the education budget would surely be cut.”
Jason Delane Environmental Science Sophomore
“I haven’t really heard that much about it or what it’s supposed to be for, but everything I’ve heard about lobbying is bad so I’ll say yes.”
Devin Martin Meteorology Sophomore
steak while the students go home to ramen? Money is tight, but priorities are pathetic. Education should trump social issues such as abortion and immigration in the present climate. President Obama, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg and Steve Jobs all believe that education is an investment in the future. In an uncertain present, what could have a better return than putting money into education? Higher Ed Day should translate to a way of life. Higher education needs to be attainable to everyone. Students, parents and faculty need to call their legislators. Write letters, and stay involved. Go to Higher Ed day and tell legislators that you need to be a priority, not an option. Speak with your vote and remember who supports education. Invest in the future, USA.
EditorialBoard
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Editor in Chief Associate Editor Opinion Editor Senior Reporter Life Editor Sports Editor
“Why are they trying to take 4 percent of our university funding? What are they going to do with that? We should try everything we can to keep that money coming here.”
kimberly Absher Biomedical Science Freshman
Find us on Facebook! Search “The Vanguard USA” your two cents is worth much more. Contact Jeff Gill and prove it.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / FEB. 27, 2012
point Counterpoint
Does PETA’s new ‘BWVAKTBOOM’ ad campaign go too far?
Editor’s Introduction: A new PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ad begins with a weak and bruised woman walking with vegetables. Her hurt gait is attributed to ‘BWVAKTBOOM,’ an acronym for ‘Boyfriend Went Vegan And Knocked The Bottom Out Of Me.’ This Point/Counterpoint examines whether or not this ad campaign promotes domestic violence to advertise a vegan diet.
Point » It’s backtracking domestic violence
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ETA’s newest ad has garnered lots of attention due to its controversial subject matter. The ad uses sexual violence and domestic abuse in an attempt to promote going vegan. Chris Beasley The ad depicts a Contributing writer young woman wearing not much else but a coat, painfully limping home wearing a neck brace. Our narrator explains that this woman “suffers from BWVAKTBOOM,” and that this occurs when boyfriends go vegan and can “suddenly bring it like a tantric sex god.” According to PETA, good sex is apparently violent and painful. This is obviously problematic on many levels. PETA is trying to be comical in this ad, but I don’t think they thought this one through. By depicting sexual violence and domestic abuse as something funny that we can find entertainment in PETA is trivializing and undermining sexual violence and contributing to what many refer to as “rape culture” (a term describing a culture whose attitudes, norms, practices and media normalize, excuse or even condone sexual violence.). Domestic violence and sexual abuse are very real problems with very real effects for millions of women. Desensitizing viewers to
the realities of sexual abuse is not sending the message about compassion to animals. I find this ad campaign to be incredibly disempowering and offensive to women. PETA needs to learn to extend their compassion to women as well as animals. I’m vegan myself and a firm believer in animal rights. There are many awesome and positive aspects to veganism, including many health benefits, but I think PETA’s attentiongrabbing, and high-shock value advertising techniques are nothing but counterproductive.
Counterpoint » Missing the point entirely
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ETA is no stranger to polarizing advertisements. This is evident in other campaigns they have funded: chicken factories are paralleled tWo concentration camps, Grant DeFrancisco for example. Other Contributing writer ads include saving human whales by going vegetarian ‘losing blubber’, and another
Courtesy of bwvaktboom.com
Screens from PETA’s latest sexually-charged web campaign. According to bwvaktboom.com, going vegan leads to a “dramatic increase in wang power and sexual stamina.“
poses Ron Jeremy nude for a spaying/neutering campaign. PETA is notoriously known because of ads like these. Presently, their new ad campaign about ‘BWVAKTBOOM’ fits right along with the old. The ad, like the rest of their ads, does its job efficiently with a vegetable bag and a narrator. It conveys the message that vegan men can “bring it” and does it in a way that intrigues and scares you. The target demographic is obviously men who are on the fence about becoming vegan or vegetarian and need an extra push to start the experiment. It is not degrading to women overall, despite what the feminist fringe thinks. In another ad of the same ad campaign, testimonials of those with ‘BWVAKTBOOM’ include a homosexual man alongside women. The focus is not on the act of violence but the act of intercourse. When the same ad campaign wordlessly debunks the argument, the steam is easily settled. The normalization of domestic violence is also easily solved by the vegan boyfriend (who is spackling the wall the woman’s head earlier punctured) meekly asking “Feeling better?” as the woman enters the room. The ad is going just far enough to call attention to the issue of veganism and isn’t stepping on the toes of the feminist movement.
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vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
MARDI GRAS 2012! the Mobile Police department patrol on horseback during all parades. kalyn MCClellan
angelIna PIerCe
Members of the Catholic student association with Fr. alex valladares, Campus Minister, and archbishop thomas j. rodi, archbishop of Mobile.
kalyn MCClellan
Michael McClellan shows his loot.
oX y C ents e ar ud n-
C st a dv ma ke a . a b s a us ala ff to t bead h t Pie a F o d u ay an o s d da rce, resh of heir Pies nh C m n t ty va laire an: rsi on Moo n e v p i ng Ca Ford s un nds u ch a uy wth C f en o on ham ! s ir ha es su e wit bli v i e o b h e ss, dr ew th free sl Co thr e of miChael brannon stu urtn an de ey tag ge nts M Downtown celebrates Mardi Gras with festive lighting and The Blend lIn Ca ae aP is on scene to tape it. va larg Ier n n e, Ce gu ash ye l e na y nd
‎Le bla ah T Wa ir P witty , Mo Mo tson ilotte Bro nIC on , a , e oke aj PIe nd mil Sh ea nF s! Mo y C aug re nic lair hn au es a e aa Wa sy, ren lke Em je r, e ily an llie fre au
MonICa jeanFreau
leah twitty, emily blair Pilotte, ellie Watson, and Monica aaren jeanfreau having a blast a Mardi gras!
vol. 50, no. 7 / Feb. 27, 2012
DISTRACTIONS
Picture of the week
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Student Health Sudoku For Student Health appointments, please call 460-7151 For Counseling and Testing, please call 460-7051
Shared by Campus Quarters
Campus Quarters is building new homes for USA students, and Rocky Raccoon would like to know if the swag bags ‘can haz cheeseburgers.’
Weekly Quotable Quote Adults aren’t generally struck with the urge to skip because their worries and burdens weigh them down and they forget that they can take themselves lightly. ~Jessi Lane Adams
vol. 50, no 6 / Feb. 20, 2012
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