Are you ready? LIFE
SPORTS
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McCollough art exibit
Football preview
OPINION
Paying student athletes
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AUG. 25, 2014
Four things to do before you graduate
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Pose with the Jaguar
Lie under Moulton Tower
Explore the nature trail
Matthew Strickland
Ron Everett
Matthew Strickland
Created in 2001 by Sam Nettles, the bronze statue of a jaguar located outside of the north entrance of The Mitchell Center has become an icon for school pride. New and old students alike have tried their hand at taming the immovable beast, and though it is suggested that you do not attempt to ride it, you should at least snag a photo.
Named in honor of USA’s second president and his wife, the Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower serves as an instantly recognizable landmark on campus. With its hourly chimes and central location, it’s almost impossible to ignore, yet many people are unaware of the beauty inside it. Take a day off, put up with the sweltering heat and lay back and admire the beautiful murals therein.
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Go to a baseball game Alyssa Newton
Eddie Stanky Field is one of the most recently renovated buildings on campus. The multimillion dollar project, completed in 2005, gave South one of the most impressive college baseball facilities in the country. And with free student tickets there’s no reason not to enjoy America’s favorite pastime.
Officially named The Dr. Glenn Sebastian nature trail, this outdoor recreational opportunity has been at South for over 30 years. Located in the northwestern part of South’s property, the nature trail offers exercise and beauty with a dash of education. Set aside a few hours, relieve some stress and get away from it all. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes.
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AUG. 25, 2014
Editorial Editor in Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor JagLife Editor Staff Reporters
Matthew Rex Strickland
Karie Fugett Alexander Moylan Jordan Knox Alyssa Newton Mitchell Kahalley Laura Havard Jenna Munday Drew Scelsi Aaron Poiroux
Distribution
Distribution Bobby Faulk Alan Smith
Advertising
Advertising Justine Burbank Graphic Designer Ryan Keller
Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan
Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.
Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or thevanguardeditor@gmail.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail thevanguardeditor@gmail.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.
To request additional issues at a stand near you, email: vanguarddistribution@gmail.com
PATRICK BIGBIE | STAFF METEOROLOGIST
USAPD crime blotter 7/19/2014 2:21 a.m. Gamma 6 Criminal mischief third degree
7/28/2014 4:30 p.m. Student Center Criminal mischief, damage to private property
7/21/2014 7:09 p.m. USA Medical Center Disorderly conduct, public intoxication
7/29/2014 6:15 p.m. The Grove Criminal trespass third degree
7/21/2014 8:33 p.m. The Grove Contempt of court, failing to appear
7/30/2014 12:00 p.m. The Grove Burglary
7/24/2014 11:24 a.m. Life Sciences building Theft of property first degree 7/24/2014 4:45 p.m. Gamma 5 Unauthorized manufacture, distribution, possession or use of controlled substance 7/25/2014 11:11 a.m. Developmental Services Property damage
7/31/2014 6:30 a.m. The Grove Domestic dispute 7/31/2014 9:31 p.m. USA Medical Center Possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, minor in possession of alcohol 8/1/2014 8:24 p.m. The Grove Failure to appear expired tag/ no insurance, theft of property third degree
If you SEE something SAY something!
251-460-6312
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AUG. 25, 2014
Don’t miss Jaguars vs. Bulldogs September 13
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t’s the game fans have been waiting for, the Jags’ contest against Mississippi State is less than a month away. For the first time in over 40 years, an SEC opponent will travel to Mobile and play at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Jaguars faced Mississippi State two years ago in Starkville with a 30-10 loss that contributed to South Alabama’s 2-11 record. As of this past weekend, the West
sideline is completely sold out while the East sideline has a single digit amount of tickets left before selling out. End zone seats are still available. Students who are confused about student tickets, parking or transportation, this should answer any questions you may have. First, you MUST have a physical printed ticked for the game. Traditionally, a student could walk up to the gate and have their Jagcard scanned as admission to the game. This is not the case for Sept. 13. Starting Monday, Aug. 25
ALYSSA NEWTON at 10 a.m. students may begin picking up their one student ticket from the Mitchell Center ticket office. Students must have a valid, current student ID. to receive a ticket. Once a student receives their physical ticket, they will not reprint it. A student WILL NOT be able to attend the game without a physical ticket in hand. Students can also purchase $20 student guest tickets or family weekend tickets at this time. The student section consists of sections N, O, P and Q on the East side. These sections have been reserved for students. All student
seating will say general admission for these sections. The student section can hold over 4,000 students and if needed all overflow for the student section will be placed in the general admission end zone seats. Director of Athletic Ticket Sales Greg Keel said students are not to worry; no student will be turned away if at all possible. (That would mean 8,000-plus students attending the game) Parking will be handled in the same manner as in the past: first come, first serve. Just like seasons before, there will be a limited number of available parking passes for students. According to Dean of Students, Dr. Michael Mitchell, students can begin picking up passes on Mondays of home game weeks beginning at 8 a.m. in the SGA office in the Student Center, one per student with a valid ID. Students are limited to the 10x10 space allotted, including those who intend to tailgate. Organizations or groups who have more than one parking pass can use the given space according to the number of parking passes. If you are afraid of the traffic and parking, there will be a free student shuttle that will transport students from Fresh Food Company (the caf) to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and then back to campus. All shuttles will begin pick up three hours prior to kick-off with the last shuttles returning to campus an hour after the conclusion of the game. The Jaguars host the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
MITCHELL KAHALLEY LIFE EDITOR wmk1221@jagmail.southalabama.edu
LIFE
AUG. 25, 2014
Marx Library plays host to prominent local artist Byy JJEN ENNA NA M MUN UNDA DAY Y
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o succeed in the art world, one must be hard working, dedicated and passionate about his or her dreams. Luckily, local artist Susan N. McCollough is all three. Although she was born in New York, McCollough has spent most of her life in Alabama. She lived in Dothan from the age of 6, graduated from Dothan High School and furthered her education at the University of Alabama. But she never intended to be an artist. “I never really thought about art until I needed a 3-hour course in college,” McCollough said. “I took ceramics for the fun of it and ended up taking every art course that I could. I almost double majored in art without even trying.” After graduation, McCollough studied with many talented artists, traveled abroad and visited every major art gallery around the world. “After traveling, I had so many pieces of work and artists in my head,” McCollough said. “I had one-man shows, and fortunately, I sold almost everything that I painted. I worked on commission pieces, raised a family and kept going back to painting every chance that I got.” Thankfully, McCollough kept painting during her busy schedule. She has currently produced more than 500 paintings and has displayed her art in more than 10 solo exhibitions in Alabama and Florida. As her success as an artist began to grow, McCollough was soon approached by Dr. Robert Olin, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama. McCollough was asked to cre-
COURETESY OF SUSAN N. MCCOLLOUGH ate a painting for her former art professor and life-long mentor, Al Sella. “It was an honor and a privilege,” McCollough said. “I did an impressionistic painting of Al Sella with his bicycle. It now hangs in Clark Hall.” McCollough was previously a partner and owner of Studio Three in Florida and now works at her own private gallery and studio in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Her gallery houses more than 50 examples of her work. “Now, for the first time in my life, I am painting or sculpting everyday and I love it more and more,” McCollough said about her gallery and studio. “My father is 97
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CPC Recruitment Bid Day 6 p.m. Sorority Commons
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African-American Student Association Meeting 5 p.m. Student Center Ballroom
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Get on Board Day 11 a.m-2 p.m. Student Center Downstairs Lobby
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years old, and he opens the gallery with me every morning and closes it in the evening. He loves it just as much as I do.” The Susan N. McCollough Gallery and Studio had its ribbon cutting in 2013 and had over a hundred people in attendance, including Dr. Samuel Strada of the University of South Alabama. Strada showed interest in McCollough’s artwork and asked if she would be willing to show her art at USA. A few phone calls and visits later, the university offered McCollough the opportunity to feature her art in an exhibition in the Mary Elizabeth and Charles Bernard Rodning Gallery of Art in the Marx Library. The exhibit features 31 paintings and two sculptures. These paintings are abstract, abstract impressionistic, impressionistic, charcoal and ink drawings that follow no specific theme. Also featured in this exhibit are six large paintings photographed from the Hubble Telescope titled “The Galaxy Series.” All of these are oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, mix-media and charcoal and ink. The Susan N. McCollough exhibit began July 1 and will continue to be featured in the Marx Library until August 31. While this is her first interaction with the University of South Alabama, McCollough says she looks forward to more in the future. “My journey and success did not come overnight,” McCollough said. “Now it seems that I just happened to be in the right place at the right time in my life. The doors have opened, and I am enjoying all of my good fortune and sharing it with others.”
Jaguar Productions Welcome Home Block Party 6 p.m-10 p.m. Moulton Bell Tower
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NPHC Informational 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Student Center Ballroom
Archduke Trio: Tangos and Mendelssohn 7:30 p.m. Laidlaw Performing Arts Center $5 for USA Students
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Student Organization Registration Deadline 5 p.m.
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AUG. 25, 2014
Mobile Makerspace hosts classic video game fans Byy M MIT ITCH CHEL ELL L KA KAHA HALL LLEY EY
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he sounds of bleeps, bloops, jammed joysticks and button mashing filled the Hive in Downtown Mobile last Monday. It was a Classic Video Game Night held by Mobile Makerspace. Mobile Makerspace is a community workspace with shared access to tools and a work area. “We follow on with the maker movement going on in larger cities where space is rented out and we provide access to electronics, free printing or woodworking,” Mobile Makerspace’s Dana Speisak said. The night featured multiple classic consoles with classic games on each. There was a small machine that replicated the arcade machines of the 1980s and featured many of the era’s classic games such as “Frogger,” “Galaga,” “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong.” I held the high score on “Galaga” for a total of five minutes until it was shattered by the gentleman who played after me. Not only were there arcade games, there were also games from consoles such as the original Nintendo Entertainment
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System and the Super Nintendo. Speisak said that the group has been meeting for a year at people’s houses and just recently gained enough members to have a space. Mobile Makerspace is located in the Hive, a community art space in downtown Mobile. The Hive is also home to the Delta Bike Project and the Rumor Union. Speisak said that there’s been no trouble sharing space with the other groups. “It fits together really well,” Speisak said. “There’s a similar vision between arts and electronics. We both have similar attitudes in building things, whether it’s creative, 3-D printing or programming.” Speisak said that holding Old School Video Game Night was an attempt to get the word out about Makerspace. “We’ve found that most people that met us at ArtWalk have never heard of Makerspace,” Speisak said. “It’s a matter of building awareness and people interested coming down.” Speisak said his favorite old school video games are the classics like “Donkey Kong” or “Super Mario Bros.” “My wife will be sitting there showing me all these things I didn’t know. I didn’t have the Nintendo growing up, so, when I play, it’s all new.”
MITCHELL KAHALLEY
MITCHELL KAHALLEY
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AL ALYSSA LYSSA NEWTO NEWTON TON SPORTS EDITOR EDIT usavgsport vgsports@gmail gmail.com usavgsports@gmail.com
SPORTS
AUG. UG. 25, 2014 20
South Alabama
Football Preview
Position breakdown for the 2014 football season DREW SCELSI Sports Reporter
Quarterback Senior Brandon Bridge is firmly entrenched in the starting position, according to head coach Joey Jones. It’s Bridge’s backup that is under question for the Jaguars. Jones talked about the pressing need to establish a backup quarterback and juniors Matt Floyd and Trey Fetner, as well as sophomore Hunter Vaughn, are all vying for that spot. Bridge played in nine games last year, completing 29-of-66 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown, and added 170 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Wide Receiver The Jaguars return their top three receivers from last year in Shavarez Smith, Danny Woodson II and Jereme Jones. Smith, a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2013, led the Jags last season with 50 catches for 940 yards and 6 touchdowns. Look for former University of Alabama receiver Marvin Shinn to contribute as well. The coaches raved about Shinn’s ability to catch the ball in traffic this fall, and his 6’2” frame could greatly benefit Bridge in third down situations.
Running Back Running back is an important position for the Jaguars. The Jags
went 5-2 when outrushing their opponents last year, opposed to 1-4 when being outrushed. Senior Jay Jones returns as South Alabama’s top rusher, with Kendall Houston serving as the change-ofpace power back at 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds. Terrance Timmons will be the third string back.
Tight End Returning starter Wes Saxton received first-team All-Sun Belt honors last season, and comes into 2014 as a preseason first-team allconference selection. Saxton tied Smith for the team lead last year with 50 receptions, good for 635 yards. Junior college-transfer, Braedon Bowman, and senior, Rush Hendricks, will back up Saxton.
Offensive Line Offensive line is perhaps South Alabama’s greatest strength for the 2014 season. Right tackle, Chris May, earned first-team All-Sun Belt accolades last year, and left tackle, Ucambre Williams, was named to the second team. Both players were named to the preseason all-conference first team. At right guard, Melvin Meggs returns after missing the entire 2013 season with an injury. Meggs started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2012. Drew Dearman enters his senior season as the starter at left guard with 18 career starts under his belt. Sophomore, Joseph Scelfo, will start at center after playing in 10 games last season for the Jaguars.
Defensive Line Seniors Jesse Kelley and Jerome McClain will anchor the interior of the Jaguars’ defensive line this year. Kelley was a preseason second-team all-conference selection after posting 6.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks last year. McClain put up similar numbers last season as well, with 4.5 TFL and 3 sacks. Theo Rich will start at defensive end, with JUCO-transfer, Jimmie Gipson III, starting at the “Jack” position.
Linebackers Senior Maleki Harris, who will start on the strong side of the defense, leads the Jaguars’ linebackers for 2014. Harris started 10 games for the Jags last year, and will be one of the leaders of this year’s defense. Another preseason AllSun Belt pick for South Alabama,
Harris earned second-team honors after posting 63 tackles with 8.5 being for a loss. Desmond LaVelle is listed as the starter at middle linebacker and brings size to the middle of the defense at 5’11”, 230 pounds. Senior Davin Hawkins will back up LaVelle, with junior Andrew Philon serving as Harris’ backup. Philon was named the most improved linebacker by South Alabama coaches following spring practice.
Secondary South Alabama runs a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, meaning their base defense employs five defensive backs, opposed to the traditional four. Cornerbacks Qudarius Ford and Montell Garner will start for the Jaguars, as well as Antonio Carter at the nickel back position. Terrell Brigham has started 24 straight games at free safety for the Jags, and will hold that role
once more for his senior season. Roman Buchanan rounds out the defensive back group at strong safety.
Special Teams Aleem Sunanon hit 18-of-23 field goals and 37-of-39 extrapoint attempts last season as a redshirt freshman, including a school-record 12 straight over his last seven games, and will handle the place-kicking duties again this fall. Sophomore Brandon McKee is slated to be the primary punter for the Jags this year. Back-up receivers, Josh Magee and T.J. Glover, will handle kickoff returns and punt returns, respectively.
Quick Facts Six years, going strong South’s football program started in 2009
Head coach Joey Jones
First and only head coach, 31-21 record at USA
2013 record: 6-6
Four of those losses by two points or less. ALL PHOTOS | ALYSSA NEWTON
Head coach Joey Jones [Top (left to right) Wes Saxton, Shavarez Smith, Danny Woodson]
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AUG. 25, 2014
#JagTweets
USA Vanguard Sports Bridge will start as quarterback for the 2014 football season.
ALYSSA NEWTON
Bridge hopes to make Jaguar history Starting quarterback looks to take Jags to first championship, bowl game JAYSON CURRY Contributing Writer
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here has been something different this offseason for South Alabama football. For the first time since the start of the football program, there hasn’t been a quarterback competition going in to the 2014 season. Senior quarterback Brandon Bridge has been tapped as the starter by head coach Joey Jones after having a solid spring, including a 10-of-18 for 169 yards and two-touchdown performance in the USA spring game. According to Jones, Bridge hasn’t just been given the job as the starter for USA, he has earned it. “Brandon has earned the right to be a number one quarterback,” Jones said. “He has worked his tail off in the summer and the offseason, and he has had a great camp, and he is really leading and evolving as a quarterback. By that, I mean he is making better choices with th the ball in his hands, and he can’t turn the ball all over.” Jones added, “He is really maturing in that hat aspect, so I’m eager to see him play.” The pressure of college football can be en intense, and that intensity seems to grow when ck. you’re tasked to lead your team at quarterback. Bridge, however, seems to be handling it well.. ed. “My confidence is high,” Bridge explained. “I don’t have to go in there thinking I have to he make a play every down to try to stay in the ay game. I can go in there and relax and play within the system and win the game.” da Jones added that he felt Bridge “pressed ue little bit when he got in there,” but that issue hasn’t come up yet in the offseason. Part of Bridge’s confidence comes from his or, familiarity with USA offensive coordinator, es. Robert Matthews’, playbook and schemes.
Bridge and Matthews both enter their third season on campus in Mobile, and anticipation of a high-powered offense is obvious. “I totally think I’m more comfortable with the offense,” Bridge said. “Coach Matthews has us in there watching film every day. It’s good to have an offensive coordinator be the quarterback coach because you can really read their minds and get in to what they want to do. I like that it’s him relaying the message.” The success of the Jaguar football season seems to be tied to the success of the offense, not only because of Bridge’s potential, but the potential of the offense as a whole. “There are a lot of expectations for the season,” Bridge said. “People are saying we are going to do this, this and this and we have all these players, so we have to do this, but we are just going to take it one day at a time and try to get better.” USA could have the best all-around offense
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in the Sun Belt Conference this season, a fact that will help Bridge all season. Bridge and the Jags have the luxury of the SBC’s most seasoned offensive line and a long list of skillposition players that Bridge said “will make my job a lot easier.” “We have guys that can stretch the field, and we have guys who can go underneath and win one-on-one coverage,” Bridge explained. “Jereme Jones is one hell of a receiver, and Shavarez Smith, he can make it real easy because you can throw it anywhere in his vicinity and he will probably come down with it.” Bridge added, “We have a lot of guys.” If Bridge and the Jaguars can come close to meeting their expectations of the 2014 season, the Jags could be looking at another season of bowl eligibility and possibly a conference championship. Bridge said both are goals for himself and for this team. “All I want to do is win for this team,” Bridge said. “II want to bring this team their first conference champion championship and their first bowl game, which would be the main thing for me.”
@USAVGSports
Finding the best tweets from South Alabama athletes. Make sure you follow us on Twitter for sports updates and live play-by-plays.
#JagNation
Hunter Vaughn @HVaughn3
Football
Officially retiring from video games
Drew Dearman @Drewski72_ Y’all say a prayer for @HVaughn3, poor guy wouldn’t know what a win on PS4 looked like if it knocked on our grove door.
Football
Amanda Minihan @MandaMinivan
Softball
I laughed at a guy who tripped today.. And then I tripped in front of three gus.. Karma hit me hard today
Tyler Klava @tylerklava
Golf
The caf is serving now?? They can’t even get a salad right let alone make sushi! #NotClutch
Kelly Little @kelleylittle
Volleyball
Filled out my planner for the next few months & realized I’ll be sleeping in a hotel room more than my own bed... bring it. #jagvolleyball
Alyssa Linn @AlyssaLinn14
Softball
The best naps are when you fall asleep while doing your homework
Wes Saxton Jr. @Juice_Surpreme Dealing with football so much, I hate when I have free time idk what to do... All I do is sit in my room.
All I want to do is Football Jesse Kelley @JesseKelley5 win for this team. If it wasn’t for camp I’d stay up all - Quarterback Brandon Bridge
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night watching all the old disney
Football throwbacks
Joseph Scelfo @jscelfo66
Football
A person doesn’t die when he or she reaches their grave, they die when their dreams do, so dream on
Austin Cole @AustinCole61
Football
Terrio did the ice bucket challenge with coke!
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AUG. 25, 2014
Unique names in college football
Sports Team
Our Picks
South Alabama 2014 season
ALYSSA NEWTON
DREW SCELSI
Sports Editor
Sports Reporter
AARON POIROUX
JAYSON CURRY
Sports Reporter
Contributing Writer
JAYSON CURRY Contributing Writer
USA vs. Kent State 9.6.14 | 1 p.m. Kent, Ohio - ESPN3
Money Hunter - Arkansas State
USA vs. Mississippi State 9.13.14 | 3 p.m. Home - ESPNNEWS
USA vs. Georgia Southern 9.20.14 | TBA Home
USA vs. Idaho 9.27.14 | 4 p.m. Moscow, Idaho
USA vs. Appalachian State 10.4.14 | TBA Boone, North Carolia
USA vs. Georgia State (HC) 10.18.14 | TBA Home
USA vs.Troy 10.24.14 | 6:30 p.m. Home - ESPNU
USA vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 11.1.14 | 4 p.m. Lafayette, Louisiana
USA vs. Arkansas State 11.8.14 | 2 p.m. Jonesboro, Arkansas
USA vs.Texas State 11.15.14 | TBA Home
USA vs. South Carolina 11.22.14 | TBA Columbia, South Carolina
USA vs. Navy 11.28.14 | TBA Home - ESPN3
Overall
8-4
8-4
7-5
8-4
Who are you? USA opponent breakdown AARON POIROUX Sports Reporter
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he 2014 season is bound to be an exciting one for the South Alabama football team. The Jaguars are set to face off against two SEC teams, Mississippi State and No. 9 ranked South Carolina, as well as Sun Belt rivals like Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State and Troy. To prepare for the upcoming season, here is a breakdown of all of South’s opponents. The Jags’ first game is Sept. 6 against Kent State in Kent, Ohio. Last season, the Golden Flashes were led by first-year head coach Paul Haynes. Their record last season was 4-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play. During their matchup with Kent State last season, the Jaguars won 38-21. Haynes is returning for a second season with the Golden Flashes and has a tough schedule
ahead of him. Along with South, Kent State is also set to square off against the likes of Ohio State, Virginia and Army. On Sept. 13, South takes on its first SEC opponent. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming to Ladd-Peebles Stadium for one of South’s most anticipated games this season. Last season, the Bulldogs went 7-6 overall and 3-5 against SEC opponents. The last time the Jags went up against Mississippi State was in 2012, when the Bulldogs beat USA 30-10. This year, however, the Bulldogs have to watch out for the Jaguars. According to a Bleacher Report article, South Alabama is Mississippi State’s trap team this season. If the Bulldogs come to Mobile relaxed, it may be disastrous for them. Next, the Jags play Georgia Southern Sept. 20 in Mobile. The Golden Eagles went 7-4 last season, and even beat the Florida Gators. This will be the Eagles’ first season
as members of the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia Southern, much like Kent State, also has a tough schedule ahead of them this season as they are set to take on NC State, Navy and Georgia Tech. On Sept. 27, South Alabama heads to Moscow, Idaho, to take on the University of Idaho Vandals. The Vandals are trying to bounce back after going 1-11 last season. Idaho is returning to the Sun Belt Conference, after being in the WAC since 2005, albeit they are a “football only” SBC team. Next, the Jags take on Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina. The Mountaineers are coming off a 4-8 season last year. They went 4-4 in Southern Conference play. The Jaguars will play the Mountaineers Oct. 4. On Oct. 18, the Georgia State Panthers
See BREAKDOWN Page 10
Sophomore - Defensive Back Who names their child “Money”? Apparently MLB veteran Torii Hunter does. The Red Wolves DB’s actual name is Arkansas State but I think we can all agree “Money” is a good choice. Chris Blewitt - Pittsburg Sophomore - Kicker This one is a little obvious. Kickers are notorious for being the hero or the goat in football games at all levels. With the game on the line would you trust a kicker whose name is Blewitt? Dee Liner - Alabama Sophomore - Defensive Line Another obvious explanation for a great name, Dee Liner plays defensive line. Get it? Gimel President - Auburn Sophomore - Defensive Line Just call him Mr. President. Psalm Wooching - Washington Sophomore - Linebacker I’m not really sure how to explain this one. The media covering Washington’s games must have fun with this one. Here’s to hoping Wooching gets his named called a lot. Silverberry Mouhonv- Cincinnati Junior - Defensive Line Top to bottom this is a weird one. It seems former Cinci Quarterback Munchie Legaux has passed the torch of best Bearcat name this season. Blaze Ryder - Navy Sophomore- Offensive Line Another player gets to carry the weird name torch but this time it’s more of a sibling rivalry. Blaze takes over the best name on the Navy roster from his older brother Wave Ryder who used his last year of eligibility last season for the Mid Shipmen. Thor Jozwiak - South Florida Junior - Offensive Line If you’re named after a Marvel Avenger, you have to be meant for big things. And it doesn’t hurt when your name and your size match as Jozwiak is listed at 6’4” and 321 lbs. Terrance Slaughter - South Alabama Senior - Safety The Jaguars got a gem of a name when Slaughter transferred to USA. He isn’t the first football player with a name like Slaughter but is never gets old.
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AUG. 25, 2014
Breakdown Continued from Page 9
We are Ranked No. 3 in Sun Belt Conference After last season’s 6-6 finish, no one will be taking the South Alabama Jaguars lightly this time around. Just a year ago the Jags were ranked No. 7 in the Preseason Sun Belt Conference Poll. This year they jumped four spots to No. 3, just falling behind conference favorite Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State, both who were Co-Sun Belt Conference Champions last season.
New leaders: Who will stand up? With the loss of many seniors from last year’s team including Ross Metheny, Enrique Williams and Romelle Jones, who will rise up and make the biggest impacts on the program and their fellow teammates? Jereme Jones, Wes Saxton, Shavarez Smith, Chris May, Ucambre Williams, Jay Jones and Brandon Bridge will be players to watch this upcoming season to take on those roles. “We have so many different athletes and so many people that can do so many different things” May said at Sun Belt Media Day. “If we stay together and maintain great team chemistry then we can do some special things.”
Mississippi State - Beware Focus may be on Kent State for the first game, but many Jag fans’ minds can’t help but linger on the following game versus Mississippi State. It has been 42 years since an SEC team has played in Mobile, and with both the West and East stands sold out, it is bound to be a game to remember. In 2012 the Jags traveled to Starkville, Mississippi and lost 30-10. The Jags finished 2-11 that season. The Jags are now a much better, and deeper team two years later, but they also have another possible advantage. The week after their trip to Mobile, Mississippi State will be traveling to LSU and then hosting Texas A&M a week later. Could the Bulldogs’ heavy schedule give the Jaguars the edge they need to pull out a win? Top photo: (Back left to right) Jimmie Gipson, Quadarius Ford, Jerome McClain. (Front left to right) Melvin Meggs, Brandon Bridge, Drew Dearman.
are coming back to Mobile to play South. The Panthers had an abysmal season last year, losing every single game. South has had great success against Georgia State in past season. Last season USA won 38-17, and in 2010 they won 39-34. In 2011, the Panthers beat South 27-20. The Jags take on one of their Sun Belt rivals, Troy, Oct. 24. Last season Troy went 6-6 and narrowly defeated South 34-33 in their matchup. Two Troy Trojans, Tyler Roberts and Terrence Jones, are on the watch list for the Lombardi award. Troy is ranked fourth in the SBC, directly behind USA. Next on South’s schedule is an away game against Louisiana-Lafayette. Last season, ULL went 9-4 overall, 5-2 in the SBC , but were defeated by South 30-8 with their starting quarterback, Terrance Broadway injured. The Ragin’ Cajuns are ranked number one in the preseason for SBC football. On top of that, quarterback Broadway is the SBC Preseason Player of the Year. ULL also has several players on watch lists for awards such as the Lombardi Award and the Doak Walker Award. USA will play ULL Nov. 1. On Nov. 8, the Jags will travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Red Wolves went 8-5 overall and 5-2 in Sun Belt play last season, and shared the conference title with ULL. During their matchup with Arkansas State
last season, South lost 17-16. This season, the Red Wolves are ranked second in the Sun Belt, directly ahead of South. Defensive Lineman Qushaun Lee is the SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. After the Arkansas State matchup, the Jaguars will return to Mobile to take on the Texas State Bobcats, the No. 6 ranked team in the Sun Belt. Last season, the Bobcats went 6-6 overall and 2-5 against Sun Belt teams. South lost to Texas State 33-31 in their matchup last season. Numerous players from Texas State are on preseason watch lists for various awards. David Mayo is a potential Lombardi award winner, Michael Orakpo is in the running for the Butkus Award, and Robert Lowe could win the Doak Walker award. Texas State and South face off against each other Nov. 15. In their final away game of the season, South is traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. The Steve Spurrier-led Gamecocks are coming off a great season last year, where they went 11-2 and 6-2 in SEC play. The Gamecocks lost their intimidating defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to the NFL last season, but are still a force to be reckoned with. The Jags will play the ninthranked Gamecocks Nov. 22. In their final game of the regular season, the Jags play the Navy Midshipmen at home Nov. 28. Last year, the Midshipmen had record of 9-4. In South’s game against Navy in Annapolis last season, the Midshipmen beat the Jags 42-14.
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Soccer opens with heartbreaker UAB takes win from Jags in matter of seconds ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor
S
outh Alabama Soccer started off their season on a tough note Friday, Aug. 23 against UAB. The non-conference season opener at The Cage brought out packed stands full of cheering students and fans as the Jags faced off against the Blazers. It took 73 minutes for the Jaguars to finally break the scoreless game with a goal by freshman Charde Hannah of Tupelo, Mississippi. The goal was the first of the Jags’ season and Hannah’s first collegiate goal. Jordan Duncan won the ball midfield sending it to Hannah with a long pass to give the Jags a 1-0 lead. But less than five minutes later UAB’s Johanna Liney would find the net and tie the Blazers and Jags up 1-1. The tie would last to the end of regulation sending the match into overtime. In the first overtime, both teams missed multiple chances to break the tie. It would be with only 2.9 seconds left in the second overtime that the Blazers’ Sarah Morris would send a shot past USA goalkeeper Sarah Hay for the Blazers’ 2-1 win. “It is an awful way to lose,” head coach Graham Winkworth said after the game.
“It’s tough for them because they are such a young team. To work for 109 minutes and 57 seconds and come away with a defeat is tough to take.” But the weekend wasn’t over just yet for the Jags. The girls bounced back from the heartbreaker Sunday, Aug. 24 against Nicholls State with a 3-0 win to end their opening weekend even with a record of 1-1. “What character,” Winkworth said. “I keep stressing that we are a young team and not used to playing with one another, but we played together today. Nicholls is a very good team, a strong team.” Freshmen Danielle Henley and Rio Hardy combined for all three goals, Henley scoring two in the first 15 minutes. These goals were both their first goals at the collegiate level. The Jaguars showed up on defense as well, only allowing Nicholls State four shots with none on goal. “They played excellent,” Winkworth said. “We defended from front to back today. … We stayed compact, were organized defensively and if we don’t concede goals, we’ll be very hard to beat.” South Alabama travels this weekend to Troy for the Trojan Classic. The Jags will face Tennessee Tech on Friday and Kennesaw State on Sunday.
ALYSSA NEWTON
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JORDAN KNOX OPINION EDITOR kjk1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu
OPINION
AUG. 25, 2014
Should South’s athletes start receiving pay for playing?
By ALEXANDER MOYLAN Copy Editor
T
o pay collegiate athletes or not, that is the question. I have debated this very subject too many times with friends, family and even on internet forums. Like politics, this question has the capability to
pit friend against friend, family member against family member in markedly absurd arguments like it’s the Civil War again. As for my opinion: no, absolutely not. I’ve been on both sides of this argument before. Years ago, I was in support of the collegiate athletes. In the past, I’ve found it incredibly easy to identify with collegiate athletes based solely on our similar age and classification as students. Despite stories of past collegiate players like Ben McLemore, a former shooting guard for the Kansas Jayhawks and now a professional basketball player with the Sacramento Kings, I just can’t do it. I can’t convince myself that it would be OK to pay student athletes. McLemore’s story is a
touching one. Eric Prisbell, of USA Today Sports, wrote a piece on McLemore in June 2013. In this story, Prisbell details McLemore’s upbringing, consisting of nights where as many as 10 relatives would be sharing a space with his family. This space was no larger than 600 square feet, mind you, and had only one bed with three legs. The fourth leg was a pile of books. McLemore was quoted as saying, “It’s hard to play basketball when nothing is inside of you.” I mean, how could you not empathize with his situation? Still, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t use his story as a means to support the idea that collegiate athletes should be paid just as any other student worker on
campus. Believe me, I know full well how the success of prominent football and basketball teams can impact future enrollment at universities and why some feel this is a reason collegiate athletes should be paid. However, we cannot ignore the sanctity of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), of which all student athletes are participants. Student athletes are “amateur athletes.” As per the NCAA constitution, “The primary purposes of the organization are to promote intercollegiate athletics in the United States, to ‘maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the student body, (and to) retain a clear line of demarcation between intercollegiate athletics
and professional sports.’” Understanding what constitutes an amateur athlete versus a professional athlete in regards to pay is pivotal information one needs before making an informed opinion on this matter. This really is a tough argument! On one hand, I feel bad for saying athletes like McLemore shouldn’t be paid in exchange for their services when his family was clearly desperate for something, anything to put food on the table. At the same time, we have to respect the authority of the NCAA. Until the NCAA redefines amateurism, I’m afraid we cannot pay collegiate athletes. Furthermore, I have always felt that an education is priceless and feel that athletes receive enough from their scholarships already.
What are your favorite things to do on South’s campus? JAN-LOUW KOTZE Going barefoot, riding my bicycle
SHANNON HOUSE I like going to the screenings of
and hearing the laughs and see the judgment in people’s eyes.
movies on campus.
TAYLOR BROWN My favorite thing is research. I usually dont bother attending the extra things that go on around campus. I’m paying for an education first and foremost.
ANNA HENRICKSON Hang out at the rec center.
Dear Whomever, I’m a non-traditional student (this is my first semester) and I am 25 years old. There are some organizations on campus that I’m interested in getting involved with, but I feel like I’m too old. They’re things I’m genuinely interested in and that I feel will help build my resume, but I dunno. Do you think non-traditional students should get involved on campus even though most of the other students will be much younger, or is it just stupid? Maybe I should just find something to get involved in off campus? Any advice is welcomed. Sincerely, ??????????????????????
Need some advice? Talk to us! askwhomever@gmail.com
To post your answers to the next JagPulse, be sure to follow us on Facebook.
KEVIN LANDRY Manipulating 2000+ degree fahrenheit glass into works of art.
NICK GRONDIN Jaguar athletic events!
Dear Anonymous, This is a story about another anonymous, well-writ character named Schmoomever. Schmoomever is a beautiful, brilliant, wildly creative and adorable delight of a human being, though has been a little hesitant to get involved with school stuff as well. Ya see, instead of graduating on time, (s)he freaked out, took some time off to travel, dealt with some family shiz, and wound up a couple years older than I (er...he...or she!) was when (s)he set forth. Eventually, upon settling back into the school scene, Schmoomever felt the need to connect. (S)he took note of how the kids these days have an app for Facebook now and how twerking is, like, a totally legitimate word for a move that’s been around since at LEAST his/her middle school years and felt a little disconnected. Still, (s)he noticed the desire to share a common passion, found her/his courage, and got involved! Let me just reinforce something here: Schmoomever is a non-traditional student in
a “traditional” world. But in the end, we’re all sharing the same Domino’s student discount, AMIRIGHT? Even the ever so referenced non-trad-mother-of-threewho-returns-back-to-school-at-age-fifty-to-pursue-lifedreams is hitting up the discounts. The majority of the limitations you’ll face (HEAR ME NOW) are those you place on yourself, and that’s across the board from clubs to dating to calling your mom and telling her you love her to cutting back on midnight cupcakes (read: some limitations are healthy ones). Resume or not, sign up for something! See where it takes you! Let it be an adventure! Non-traditional is just another term for...non...er...hmm...what’s a good turn of phrase to use here? “Non-traditional” is just another term for “Student of Life,” which we all are. Forge ahead! And don’t forget to call your mother!
Sincerely, WHOMever
JORDAN KNOX OPINION EDITOR kjk1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu
DISTRACTIONS Sudoku
AUG. 25, 2014
Unscramble the Rock Bands HET TLSEABE NPIK DOFYL LORGLIN TSEONS LGAETRULF EADD DOLETFEOW ACM HTE ODORS EDL PILPNZE SNOSTB ALICMTELAC MTEOSIARH YORNUJE
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AUG. 25, 2014
Go Jags!
Jersey Field Defense Players Goalpost Referee Fans Band Touchdown Field goal First down Offense Offensive line Quarterback Running back
ANSWER KEYS FOR AUGUST 18
Wide receiver Linebacker Safety Kicker Punter Kick off Tackle Pass Snap Run Time Flag Coach Blitz Game
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