Feb. 17, 2014 Vanguard

VANGUARD THE

VOL. 54, NO. 6

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

FEB. 17, 2014

INSIDE

USA graduate team researches Sea lab to chemical spill in West Virginia offer class

by the Gulf

By JASON RUFFIN Contributing Writer

► Campus: Senator delays decision on Alabama home birth bill.

See Campus, page 4

► JagLife: Endurance USA creates fuel efficient vehicle.

See JagLife, page 7

► Sports: South Alabama softball defeats No. 21-ranked team LSU 2-1.

U

SA professors and students are part of the research team sent to aid the Charleston, W.Va., community after a chemical spill contaminated drinking water for more than 300,000 people.

The spill, which occurred Jan. 9, leaked around 10,000 gallons of crude 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), according to the National Science Foundation’s website. The spill occurred upriver of a water treatment facility, effectively poisoning the drinking water that runs to 15 percent of West Virginia’s residents.

Two weeks after the spill, Freedom Industries revealed to the public that there was a second chemical released during the spill. Known as PPH, the chemical performs the same function as MCHM. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement saying, although there is not much information on PPH, the apparent lower toxicity does not seem to represent any new health risks.

The team sent to help included Dr. Andrew Whelton, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, Dr. Kevin White, chair of civil engineering, and graduate students Matt Connell, Jeff Gill, Keven Kelly

By JAVAN ANDERSON Contributing Writer

A

COURTESY OF USA PUBLIC RELATIONS

Graduate students Keven Kelley and Lakia McMillan test drinking water at a home in West Virginia Jan. 17. and Lakia McMillan.

Homeowners were faced with uncertainty after the spill due to distrust of information being released to the public, said Whelton in an interview published on AL.com. Whelton and the team took steps to educate citizens affected by the spill, and instruct

► Sports: New coaches join South Alabama Jaguar football staff.

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

See Research Page 6

Men’s basketball breaks six-game losing streak, defeats WKU 69-62

See Sports, page 9

See Sports, page 12

homeowners on how to flush plumbing systems to get rid of any harsh chemicals within their systems.

The entire team took this trip without any funding or any obligation to do so, Whelton said in an interview

See page 11

ttend classes at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and never miss a single day of your vacation this summer, but hurry because classes fill up quickly.

There are many courses for students to choose from, ranging from Shark and Ray Biology and Marine Mammals to Hurricanes of the Gulf Coast. There is one two-week session and three four-week sessions, from May 12 to Aug. 15. The faculty wants to be sure that students don’t miss out on the chance for the unique experiences awaiting them at the DISL. These courses fill rapidly, so students are encouraged to enroll early.

The DISL also allows students to experience a diverse learning environment, as the summer faculty boasts nationally renowned scientists and educators hailing from all across the country.

Courses mix students from around the state, region and nation, allowing academic growth and interaction between students with common interests.

“The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an association of 22 Alabama colleges and universities; the University of South Alabama is one of those members,” Lisa Young, DISL’s public relations consultant, said. “We were founded in 1971, and have been expanding our programs ever since. The summer college programs are a way for students to get credits in courses that are marinebased and heavy on field experiences— that is, a very hands-on, feet-wet kind of way.”

Director of College Programs, Dr. Ken Heck, is very proud of the Sea Lab program and welcomes South Alabama to participate. “The opportunities for our summer program students to get hands-on experience with the animals See Sea Lab Page 6

ALYSSA NEWTON | SPORTS EDITOR

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

In this Issue: Sports, Page 9 Opinion, Page 14

JagLife, Page 7

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Weather for Feb. 17 - 23

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

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USAPD Police Blotter

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02/09/2014 4:06 Driving under the influence Old Shell Road and Cleverdon Parkway Individual was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

02/09/2014 1:50 Miscellaneous offenses The Grove Report was written for two individuals in possession of a paintball gun and drug paraphernalia.

02/07/2014 16:45 Theft of property third degree Academic Support Center Victim reported that his backpack, phone and Ocarina were stolen.

02/06/2014 17:53 Duty on striking an unoccupied vehicle USA Bookstore parking lot Unknown subject struck victim’s vehicle, damaging the passenger side of his car.

02/06/2014 15:06 Theft from a public building Shelby Hall Faculty member had a cell phone stolen out of their office in Shelby Hall on Feb. 5, valuing $90.

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Senator delays decision on Alabama home birth bill

By RYAN KELLER Contributing Writer

T

COURTESY OF RYAN KELLER

Supporters of SB99 hold pro-home birth signs on Feb. 5.

he Home Birth Safety Act, a house and senate bill that would have decriminalized the practice of midwifery in Alabama, still sits in limbo after being tabled by a solitary state senator. With 2014 being an election year, many are viewing the postponing of the political process as political tactics.

With the majority of U.S. states already adopting pro-home birth legislation, it has become a heated topic for some Alabama citizens. The bill, HB67/SB99, was set for vote Feb. 5.

It reached the cusp of passage before Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville, upon late arrival to the public hearing, called for a postponing of the vote. This came only after a phase of highly emotional testimonies from both the supporters and the opponents of the bill.

“I want Alabama mothers to have the same birth options as our surrounding states,” Ariel Baxter, secretary of Alabama Birth Coalition, said.

“But our state legislators continue to block our efforts for change.” Baxter is one of the key figures in organizing the effort in the passage of SB99.

Though the bill advocates the practice of midwives who have completed accredited medical training, opponents of the bill still say home birth is unsafe.

Some cite the dangers of natural birth and the possible need for hospital care.

“A CPM (certified professional midwife) IS a lay midwife because she is not a CNM (certified nurse midwife),” Taylor stated on Facebook in response to posts demanding a yes-orno answer to the Alabama home birth vote. “I’m using the term ‘lay’ to refer to someone without formal medical/ nursing school and licensure.” Taylor has since deleted his Facebook thread.

Studies on home birth have shown no increased risk to the safety of mothers or children due to home births. A study by BMJ published in 2005 stated in its conclusions, “Planned home birth for low risk women in North America using certified professional midwives was associated with lower rates of medical intervention but similar intrapartum and neonatal mortality to that of low risk hospital births in the United States.”

However, with home births only accounting for less than one percent of all births in the U.S. (CDC.gov), fears still linger among opponents of

the issue. One strong factor is the lack of support of home birthing by the American Medical Association and the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“For my last two pregnancies, I have had to drive across state lines while in labor to receive the safe and personal birth experience I could have had at home,” Baxter said, arguing in favor of home birth being the choice of the woman. “A safe, out of hospital birth with a certified professional midwife should be available to all women who are planning a family.”

But it is rare for a tabled state bill to return to the floor for vote. The Alabama Medical Association has been a longtime opponent of home birth. A paper by Rondi and David Anderson of Centre College titled “The Cost Effectiveness of Home Birth” shows the cost of home birth being significantly less than the cost of a typical hospital birth. This means the passage of SB99 would pose an increase in competition for local hospitals, AMA’s constituents.

With the political and financial influence that AMA controls in the state, and election campaigning in progress, it is possible SB99 will not surface for some time.

The Vanguard is in need of new writers. Interested individuals should email their contact info and sampled writings to Editor in Chief Samantha Andrews at thevanguardeditor@gmail.com

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

USA receives recognition from AAF

COURTESY OF KENDALL ANN GOLDMAN

Dr. James Aucoin, Mary Beth Lursen and Daniel Moran were present at the Temple in downtown Mobile, Ala., Feb. 13 to accept the Silver ADDY award for the fall 2013 issue of Due South.

By JENIA PARKER Contributing Writer

T

he American Advertising Federation of Mobile held their Annual Advertising Award Show Feb. 13 at the Temple in downtown Mobile, Ala., and many South Alabama students were recognized with awards.

The great thing about the ADDY awards is the student portion of the show where up-andcoming students in the advertising career track are allowed to enter the competition alongside these bigger companies. Eleven awards were presented to students from the University of South Alabama and Spring Hill College.

One of the winners from South was Courtney Smith, a graphic design major in her last semester at USA. “I started the newsletter as a school project,” Smith said. “It is a seasonal newsletter that is for Baldwin County to help promote waste management and recycling.”

The newsletter, called “Get Trashy,” was awarded the Gold ADDY award as well as Student Best of Show Award. “I just submitted it last minute, so I am excited about the award,” Smith said.

The magazine Due South was a winner at the temple as well, winning the Silver ADDY award for the fall 2013 issue of the magazine.

The winning issue can be found in the Department of Communication, according to the Due South Facebook page. Due South is a studentrun lifestyle magazine that highlights anything

from new musicians and restaurants in Mobile to the essential clothing for the season.

“It feels fantastic to win,” Mary Beth Lursen, editor-in-chief of Due South, said. “All the late nights and early mornings we spent working on this issue were worth it. I couldn’t have done it without the awesome staff and writers who helped. Tim Borland, Justine Burbank, Ryan Keller, Daniel Moran and I had a common goal to put our best work forward with this magazine, and I think we did that.”

Due South is already working on a new issue, and Lursen is excited to see the response from everyone.

The AAF is involved with advertising across the nation, helping to promote advertising as well as integrate all aspects of advertising to work together. The AAF also sponsors the competition that their website describes as the world’s largest advertising competition.

The American Advertising Awards displays advertising excellence from major companies like Red Square Gaming to student newsletters from the University of South Alabama.

The website explains that “all work must be the result of paid and placed media services.”

These artists enter their work on the local level in hopes of advancing to the district level and, finally, the national level.

There are two types of awards that are handed out to recipients: the Gold ADDY award and the Silver ADDY award. Both have the opportunity to advance to high levels of

competition, but the Gold automatically goes to the next level, where they compete with other entries across the Southeast. The recipients are notified beforehand that they won something but do not know what until they arrive at the show.

The advertising community came out in full force to support the advertising talents of companies like Red Square Gaming, Hummingbird Ideas and many others. Cyril Guichard, the creative director for Red Square Gaming, and Andy Layton, associate creative writer, agree that the advertising career is demanding.

“It definitely works on your endurance,” Layton said. But he concluded that, overall, it was a rewarding profession that he was pleased to be a part of.

Layton and Guichard recently moved to Mobile to work on advertising for Wind Creek Resort and Casino, located in Atmore, Ala. The Red Square Gaming company did well, winning 23 of the 66 awards presented: two Best of Show Awards, 14 Silver Awards and seven Gold Awards for advertising done for various companies.

The competition will continue with the regional awards and then national awards. The pamphlet handed out at the show explains that the national winners will be presented at the American Advertising Conference in June.

Layton will be a guest speaker at South Alabama in the spring to help give insight to a career that has many rewards.

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Research Continued from Page One

on AL.com. He said, “We’re coming in unfunded to help mainly because there doesn’t seem to be a mechanism yet where money can support this type of scientific need that this community seriously deserves.”

VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

The research team from South Alabama garnered national attention shortly after helping the stricken community. Whelton was interviewed

by CBS’s Evening News with Scott Pelley. The group was also mentioned in The Huffington Post and The New York Times among others.

The National Science Foundation also took notice of the team’s work, awarding the group of researchers the funding to study the effects and absorption of MCHM by plastic pipes.

According to the National Science Foundation, the main challenge for authorities managing the spill has been how little researchers know about the chemical and how it interacts with other substances. “Chemicals tend to absorb more into plastic pipes than metal pipes,” Whelton said. “Plastic pipes can act as a sponge, sucking up chemicals.”

Currently Whelton and a group of researchers are in West Virginia studying water samples from homes. No state or federal organization has conducted in-home drinking water testing despite declaring the water safe inside affected homes, according to Whelton’s website. To learn more or find out how you can help, visit Whelton’s website at www.southce.org/ajwhelton.

Sea Lab Continued from Page One

and plants that live in the Gulf of Mexico is a major virtue of the Sea Lab summer classes,” Heck said. “Aside from daily interactions with the inhabitants of the Gulf, USA summer students get to know a diverse group of classmates from other colleges and universities in the state and make friendships that can last a lifetime. In addition, we provide useful advice on career paths and opportunities for advanced training for our students.”

“The most exciting part of the summer program is the thrill the students express as they get hands-on experience during the field trips to the unique habitats we have spread throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico,” Dr. John F. Valentine, executive director, said. “I have seen this program grow from a handful of students to classroom(s) packed with excited undergraduates eager to learn from our world class researchers and educators.

It is an action-packed learning experience the students will remember for a lifetime!”

DISL, according to its website, is a marine laboratory with a mission encompassing marine

COURTESY OF LISA YOUNG

science education, marine science research, coastal zone management policy and educating the general public through the Estuarium, DISL’s public aquarium. Founded in 1971 by the state Legislature, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is Alabama’s marine science education and research laboratory, located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island. The DISL is surrounded by Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound and the waters of the Gulf, making it perfectly situated for a wide range of marine science activity.

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR JAGLIFE AT thevanguardonline.com/lifefeedback

jagLIFE

EMMA MITCHELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Weekly Lowdown

Endurance USA creates fuel efficient vehicle

By JAMIE REID

Tuesday > Feb. 18

Contributing Writer

E

ndurance USA is developing a car to drive all the way to Michigan on one gallon of gas for the Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE, Supermileage Competition June 5.

The team has been working hard since last May to build a car that gets 1,250 miles per gallon.

The competition, which takes place in Marshall, Mich., gives universities all across the world the challenge to construct a four-cylinder vehicle. Whichever engine gets the most mpg wins.

Endurance USA’s plan is to drive the car almost 1,000 miles to Marshall on one gallon of gas and still have some left over. The car is powered by a Briggs and Stratton go-cart engine.

They have designed the vehicle to be as efficient as possible by minimizing weight and aerodynamic drag and by reducing the power of the engine to only what is required for the vehicle.

The team’s main goal in entering this competition, though, is to put South Alabama, especially USA engineering students, on the map.

The exposure from Supermileage will hopefully open doors for the program and give them the international recognition South’s engineers deserve.

•

Wednesday > Feb. 19 •

Contributing Writer

I

n an increasingly competitive world, one of the things that make a good resume a great one is service projects. For recent USA graduate Andrew Augustine, however, service is a way of life rather than a simple resume booster.

“It’s amazing how far what we may consider a small gesture will go,” Augustine said with a smile.

These are the core of what Augustine’s Lifeline Project is all about.

Maddrama performance troupe presents “There’s a war going on” - LPAC, 7 p.m., FREE FOR ALL

Thursday > Feb. 20 •

Mobile Museum of Art night of AfricanAmerican art - Mobile Museum of Art, 7 p.m.

•

Mock interview day Meisler Hall 2100 Registration required.

Call 251-460-6188 to register.

COURTESY OF ENDURANCE USA

Their mission statement explains their take on this: “We at Endurance USA believe that engineers do far more than just design and develop ‘things.’ In addition to coming up with innovative solutions to the real-world problem of energy dependence, we aim to create global prestige for the College of Engineering;

improve the quality of education for all of USA’s students, regardless of discipline; provide students with vital hands-on experience that they can take with them to local businesses; and strengthen the University’s relationship with world-class industries.”

Though the team is ambitious, this project cannot be achieved with-

out the help of volunteers. There are quite a few people working to help, but the team is looking for more hands. Everyone is invited to help out, even if you are not an engineering major, as they are looking for volunteers from all areas of education.

Friday > Feb. 21 •

Order of Inca Mardi Gras parade - downtown Mobile, 6:30 p.m.

•

“All My Sons” by Authur Miller - LPAC, 7:30 p.m. $14 general admission, $12 senior citizens, $10 USA students and faculty

See Endurance Page 8.

Former student gives back to homeless

By RYAN WALLACE

If you really knew me forum - HUMB room 160, 7 p.m.

“The Lifelines primarily consist of food items: crackers and cookies, water bottles with flavor packets, cans of meat, fruit with removable lids, puddings, fruit snacks, granola bars, LifeSavers and other hard candies,” he explained. The bag also includes Chapstick, Tylenol and deodorant.

Augustine said, when working with others, he encourages them to write a short note of encouragement or a prayer, if they are moved to do so. This is a reflection of the role that his faith plays in the gen-

esis of the Lifeline Project.

“I was very involved with serving others with special needs through Pi Kappa Phi at South Alabama,” Augustine said. “I prayed for more opportunities to help others since graduating and saw two homeless people on the side of the road. I left them to finish a personal errand with full intention of returning. Unfortunately, when I returned, they were gone. That was when I realized that a person sometimes only has one shot at impacting another’s life.”

With the idea for the Lifeline

Project in his head, Augustine brought the project to PUR Ministries at nearby Forest Hill Church, which seized upon the project as a means to reach out to the local homeless community. Soon, he was passing out his plastic bags stuffed with essential items.

Augustine, who graduated in December with a degree in criminal justice, thinks that the Lifeline Project offers several advantages to those who are apprehensive about many See Lifeline Page 8.

Saturday > Feb. 22 •

“All My Sons” by Authur Miller - LPAC, 7:30 p.m. $14 general admission, $12 senior citizens, $10 USA students and faculty

Want your event featured?

E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under 10 words) to eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Endurance Continued from Page 7

In addition to volunteers, Endurance USA relies heavily on sponsors. They have many sponsors, including Hargrove, Alabama Power Company, the Bedsole Foundation and SGA, but are still about $10,000 shy of the funding they need to make it to Michigan and would really appreciate any financial support that may be available.

Endurance USA will be hosting a car show April 5 to raise some of the remaining money and will be releasing more information on this soon.

In addition, SAE is working on a tool renting program that will be available to the whole school. Information will be posted on their website when they have finished planning the program.

If you would like to contact Endurance USA about donating or volunteering, or if you would like more information, visit enduranceusa.org or the Endurance USA Facebook page. Additionally you may contact Chris Hanley by phone at 251-458-1243 or by email at cwh603@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

Lifeline Continued from Page 7

traditional service projects. “Many times, the problem is that one only has money to give, which may make them hesitant like me. I could have all the right intentions in the world, but I would hate to feed a possible addiction. So with these Lifelines, it creates a solution for immediate need.”

But the best part of the project, he believes, is that it can be done safely: “Personally, I will take the time to stop, deliver the bag and get their story. Others, however, may either be in a rush or not feel safe, in which case they can simply roll down the window

and hand it to them.”

Augustine said he spends about 12 hours a week on the project, at a cost of about $5.75 per bag. His short term goal is to create 1,000 bags for distribution in the community, at which point, he said, “This project will have become much bigger than myself and what I could have hoped for.”

The Lifeline Project is always looking for volunteers and donations, and Augustine himself can be contacted at maa803@jagmail. southalabama.edu. Anyone interested in picking up a bag to help out can visit Forest Hill Church Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. or Sundays at 9:30 a.m. to receive them.

Alpha Tao Omega to begin chapter at USA

By CATHERINE BUTTREY Contributing Writer

A

lpha Tau Omega, a new fraternity at South, will officially be established on campus Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Mitchell Center.

Colin Warner from Ball State in Indiana and Austin Bivins of Troy University, work to establish the ATO fraternity at schools across the country.

“When we came and visited in the fall, we could feel how South is at the edge of being big time,” Bivins said. Our up-and-coming university is exactly what Warner and Bivins seek out when planning to launch their fraternity at a new school. These polite, well-dressed men invite you to come “watch the initial starting” of the new fraternity on campus this Friday.

Whether or not you are interested in being recruited to the new fraternity, the ceremony is a definite must-see. At this event, Bivins and Warner plan to accomplish three things: plan initial founding fathers on campus, officially proclaim ATO as a fraternity at South and install officers for the fraternity.

Since 1865, Alpha Tau Omega has been a benefactor of remarkable opportunities for more than 200,000 men on 150 different campuses countrywide. These men of ATO take advantage of an experience that is like nothing else. ATO is different from other fraternities on campus in that the men of the fraternity do not have a national philanthropy, but rather, what is known as a “signature event.”

Bivins said, “People will support what they help build.”

“ATO men impact on the local level,” Warner said, “integrating men in the community.”

He also said that ATO prides itself on “allowing men to grow and develop in meaningful ways with like-minded individuals.” Alpha Tau Omega is dedicated to giving undergraduate men a meaningful brotherhood experience.

While the fraternity will not have its official charter for the University, ATO will be formally settled, recognized and fully functioning and acting as a fraternity on campus, independently throwing brotherhood and service events.

They invite all to attend and will keep students posted on all future events.

AD Space

STEPHANIE FEATHER | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAHER

Andrew Augustine, recent graduate of South, prepares a Lifeline bag to give to Mobile’s homeless.

Advertise your businsess here.

With up to 18,000 weekly readers, the Vanguard is the place to advertise. usavanguard@gmail.com (251) 460-6898

SPORTS

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR SPORTS AT thevanguardonline.com/sportsfeedback

ALYSSA NEWTON SPORTS EDITOR akn1104@jagail.southalabama.edu

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

USA softball defeats No. 21-ranked team LSU 2-1 The Jaguars comeback after a loss against Northwesten to defeat the top 25 team in the Tiger Invitational

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

T

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS

USA shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith played big part in win against LSU making essential outs in the bottom of the sixth with two runners in scoring position.

his week went a little differently than No. 18/19 South Alabama’s softball team originally planned, but the conclusion of the week ended in defeating No. 21 LSU 2-1 in Baton Rouge at the 2014 Tiger Invitational.

South Alabama was rerouted from the 2014 Georgia Softball Classic in Athens, Ga. Because due to extreme winter weather conditions the tournament was forced to cancel. In this tourney the Jags were slated to face Ohio, Mercer, Furman and Georgia Bulldogs twice. So instead the Jaguars were added last minute to Tiger Invitational to play Northwestern and No. 21 LSU. On Saturday junior Farish Beard took her first loss since April 2012 against Northwestern losing 2-1. Beard gave up both runs to the Wildcats in the first inning, after hitting lead-off batter Emily Allard, who would later score on a Jag error. Mari Majam would claim Northwestern’s second run two batters later.

South Alabama second baseman Julie Moss made a sacrifice fly that scored Amanda Minahan to cut the deficit in half, but USA couldn’t pull out the win, taking its first loss of the season after recording a program-best 5-0 start last weekend at its own Mardi Gras Invitational.

Minahan, Chloe Rathburn and Alex Breeden all went 1-for-3 in the contest against the Wildcats. Beard struck out seven in five innings, issuing only one walk in the game.

With their first loss of the season, the South Alabama softball team would be sure to make it their only one in Baton Rouge.

According to USA Jaguars, Stepha-

nie Pilkington drew a lead-off walk from LSU starter Baylee Corbello, Blair Johnson reached on a fielding error by LSU shortstop Bianka Bell and USA shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith singled to right center, placing three on for Rathburn, who hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Pilkington to score

“

I thought we showed a lot of guts to come back and win today ...

I was proud of the way they competed in the second game. They went after LSU. -head coach Becky Clark

”

from third and give USA an early 1-0 lead.

The Baton Rouge Regional hosts responded by tying the score when Sandra Simmons delivered an RBI double to left center that scored LSU’s Jaycee Blades.

After the tie-up, neither team even threatened to score again until the bottom of the fourth when LSU placed two runners on with only one out, but Johnson executed a double play to rescue USA after Hannah Campbell hit Bell and allowed a single up the middle.

South Alabama took the 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Pilkington supplied her eighth RBI when she drove in Emily Messer for the leading point.

LSU answered with two singles and a stolen base in the bottom of the fifth to place two Tiger runners on with two outs, but was shut down when a grounder turned into a throw out at first.

The LSU Tigers placed runners on second and third again in the bottom of the sixth, but Griffith would catch

a pop up to shallow left field before throwing out LSU’s Corbello at first to end the threat and the inning.

With two runners left stranded on base, USA was unable to add to their lead in the seventh.

But the Jags’ would have no worries of a comeback when Campbell struck out her tenth of the day to lead off the bottom half of the final frame and forced two more infield outs to end the contest in the Jaguars’ favor.

“I thought we showed a lot of guts to come back and win in the second game today,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “We didn’t play well in the first game and didn’t deserve to win it.

We weren’t ready to play, and that can’t happen. I was proud of the way they competed in the second game, though.

They went after LSU.” Campbell now has with 26 strikeouts and only two runs allowed for a 0.79 ERA. Beard is 3-1 but has yet to give up an earned run all year.

“When you’re facing a team like LSU, you can’t let your pitcher do all the work,” junior shortstop Kaitlyn Griffith said of USA’s defense against LSU. “You have to be on your toes the whole time, and I think we did that tonight. For me, I’m comfortable because I have faith in the players around me. We push to back our pitchers up, no matter what kind of day they’re having, but Hannah did a great job tonight.”

Rathburn was the only Jag softball player to record multiple hits on Saturday, going 2-for-7 (.286).

The Jags will be on the road to UAB on Wednesday Feb. 19 before traveling to Orlando, Fla. Fir the Diamond 9 Classic where the girls will face Indiana University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, East Carolina, Lehigh, Mercer and Georgia.

South Alabama Dates at a glance USA Men’s BBall vs. Troy Feb. 22 @ 7:05 p.m.

USA vs. Ala. State Baseball Feb.18 @ 6:30p.m.(Stanky)

Lady Jags BBall vs. Troy Feb. 22 @ 3:05 p.m.

USA vs Jacksonville St. Baseball Feb. 26 @ 3 p.m. (Stanky)

USA vs. Jacksonville St.Baseball Feb. 25 @ 6:30 p.m.(Stanky)

South Alabama Football starts spring practice Slated for Monday, March 10

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VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Rugby HS tourny successful USA Rugby uses tournament to show off South

By JENNA MUNDAY Staff Reporter

I

f you were on campus Saturday, chances are you that you heard the sounds of cheers, tackles, and most of all, friendly competition. Those would be the sounds of the South Alabama rugby team hosting three high school teams on the lower intramural fields.

For the second year in a row, the University of South Alabama rugby team has reached out to different high schools and hosted rugby games for them, right here on campus. This year, the included teams were Brother Martin High School from New Orleans, La., Saint Paul’s Catholic School from Covington, La., and Niceville High School from Niceville, Fla. The matches lasted from around 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and players had only nice things to say about their overall experience at the University of South Alabama.

“It’s been a great experience being here,” said Braden Reinhardt, a sophomore at Niceville. “My mom even took a picture with me in front of the South Alabama sign earlier!”

By including schools from surrounding areas, both South Alabama, and the schools that were playing, benefited. When asked how travelling to different schools changed the way that the game is played, Connor Glennon from Brother Martin had an answer.

“It definitely gives you a new look at it, “ said Connor Glennon, a Co-Captain at Brother Martin High School. “If you play teams from different

places, they may have a different style that you’re not used to and it helps your team to play them. You get more experience, which is an important part of rugby, since not a lot of people have played.”

This event was a huge success for the South Alabama rugby team and also got the university’s name out to surrounding high schools. The teams that participated in this event got to see more of the university and were able to experience first hand playing at a college campus.

“It’s good to get the guys out to a college that has a rugby team to show them that they can actually go out and play after high school,” said Christian Jarrett of St. Paul’s High School. “It’s nice to have a college that will actually host for us to come too.”

Of the three schools in attendance, St. Paul’s High School is the newest to rugby, having just started a team last year. Led by highly experienced coaches, having an impressive 60 years of combined D1 play, St. Paul’s first year has gone well and their time at South resulted in their first win of the season.

“Without the coaches, we wouldn’t be anything,” said Jarrett. “We went from a bunch of football players and guys that have never even played sports before to a good rugby team.”

Dr. Connors has played a huge role in getting this event to happen and along with Gary Allen, spoke to the different high schools that attended.

The University of South Alabama experienced great success with hosting these schools this year and look forward to watching this event grow in the future.

South basketball briefs South Alabama vs. Arkansas State Feb. 12 and 13 Women’s Basketball

By HANNAH BLACKBURN Contributing Writer

D

espite the deafening cheers of “Fowler’s Howlers,” the Lady Jags were unable to stop the Arkansas State Red Wolves, falling 71-58.

Last Wednesday’s game was their annual “Pack the House” event in which kids from area elementary schools go on a field trip to come see the Jags play. In the matchup, the Lady Jags placed four players in double figures, leading with Ronneka Robertson who put up 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Rachel Cumbo and Breanna Hall both recorded 11 points.

Meghan Dunn, with her 10-point performance, had her 15th double-digit scoring game of the season. Dunn may have gotten into foul trouble in the second half, but she was 4-of-4 from the field. Sharon Sanders also helped put up figures, as she had nine points, 3-of-3 from the field.

Collectively, USA shot at only 47.6 percent, 20-for-42, and made 26 turnovers. The Red Wolves took advantage of this, converting those turnovers into 34 points.

“We get 42 shot attempts and commit 26 turnovers, so we don’t give ourselves a chance,” head coach Terry Fowler said. “I would rather

get some shots up, even if they’re bad shots, because at least we have a chance.”

On the other side, ASU, ranked first in the Sun Belt, had five players see double figures.

They were led by Aundrea Gamble’s game-high 20 points, shooting 7-for-17 with 5-of-7 from the field.

ASU was held to just 34.3 percent, but their 19 offensive boards helped them in the long run. In the opening minutes, USA led by two (5-3), as ASU had cold shooting, making just one of its 13 attempts from the field. ASU then came back with a 15-5 run, which helped push them 8 points over USA. The Jags were able to rally back to reclaim the lead on a 13-0 run during the next five minutes.

Cumbo’s free throws helped start it, and Robertson then posted a three-point play and a layup. Cumbo and Hall then added two more from the line each, before Dunn’s layup put USA up 23-18. A 9-2 run from ASU helped put them on top 27-25 going into halftime. USA came into the second half with a 17-4 run, taking advantage of ASU’s dry shooting spell, with the help three treys.

Scoring from Cumbo, Robertson and Hall helped propel the Lady Jags to a 42-34 lead.

Multiple lead changes eventually turned into a 9-2 run and then another 10-0 run, to give them the win at the Mitchell Center.

Men’s Basketball

By SAVON MORRIS

Contributing Writer

J

ags took on Arkansas State Feb. 13 in the Mitchell Center for the second time this season. Jags couldn’t break a five-game losing streak, instead extending the losing streak to six.

Jags fell to ASU 85-61. The Jags came out on fire going on 7-0 run in the first minute. Augustine Rubit, who went 9-14, 23 points, started off the run with a 15-foot jumper.

Jags had some costly turnovers, and ASU took advantage. ASU gained the lead in the first half with 10:54 remaining and never lost it.

Kirk Van Slyke and Melvin Johnson III of ASU had a combined 41 points. Johnson finished with 8-10, 24 points, and Slyke finished with 6-11, 17 points. Johnson shot from behind the arc seven times, missing only once.

Johnson was shooting at will, dropping 3-pointers, and the Jags couldn’t stop it. Going into halftime, the Red Wolves led 35-28.

“We knew going into the game that it was going to be tough,” USA head coach Matthew Graves said. “They’re a very good team, and

they were playing in a high level coming off a good win. I thought we got off to a great start.

We shared the ball; we moved the basketball.”

In the second half, the Jags came out on the floor fired up, but once again, turnovers killed the Jags’ momentum. By that time, the Red Wolves had put gas in their tanks and taken off.

Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, extending the lead to 69-48 before being pulled out for the rest of the game. The Red Wolves had four players go into double digits. Jags couldn’t catch a break and lost to another conference team.

“The second half, I felt like, there, we traded some baskets, and then they took off on us again,” Graves said. “In one point, they were shooting 81 percent from the floor. We have to do a better job figuring out different ways we can guard people. Right now we’re struggling on the defensive end of the floor, and it’s showing up. I felt like, offensively, we scored enough to win the game, but you can’t give up 85 points.”

The Jags remain dead last in the conference with a record 7-17 and 1-10 in conference play.

(Prior to Western Kentucky.)

11

VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

USA Jags drop 2 games against Tennessee Tech Baseball loses their season opening series, drops first and last game to seal Eagles win

By SAMUEL BROWN Contributing Writer

A

fter a successful 2013 campaign that ended in the Starkville Regional, the South Alabama Jaguar’s baseball team looks to repeat last year’s success. The road to the post-season began this past weekend as the Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in a three game series. Last season, the Golden Eagles finished 40-17 which included a 10 to 9 win over #2 ranked Vanderbilt.

The series began Friday night as Matt Bell got the start for the Jags. Bell pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up4 runs (3 earned) while striking out 4. The Jaguars got off to a 3 to 0 lead in the first two innings thanks to RBIs by Cole Gleason, Logan Kirkland and Bud Collura.

The Golden Eagles began their scoring with a solo homerun by Zach Stephens in the top of the fourth. Tech added a run in the 5th and two runs in the 6th to take a 4 to 3 lead.

The Jags tied the game up in the bottom of the 8th inning as Logan Kirkland hit a RBI single to score Cole Jarman.

At the end of the 9th, the game was tied. Into extra innings it went. In the top of the 11th inning,

the Golden Eagles rallied with two outs to load the bases.

Jaguar pitcher James Traylor then walked Zach Stephens, allowing Hunter Hudson to come in from third to score which ended up being the game winning run as Tennessee Tech beat the Jaguars 5 to 4. Traylor, who came in to relieve starter Matt Bell, pitched 5 1/3 innings striking out eight and was handed the loss.

“Traylor pitched well,” manager Mark Calvi said.

“He threw his changeup for strikes. He got deep into counts and threw a few too many pitches, but he got his guys out. He gave us a chance and kept us in the game.”

Saturday’s game was similar to Friday’s, but this time in favor of the Jaguars. The Jags fell behind 3 to 1, but exploded in the bottom of the 8th inning scoring 5 runs.

It all started with a game tying RBI double by Erik Hindmon, scoring Matt Wojciechowsk and Cole Gleason. Drew LaBounty and Cameron Cummings followed with RBI singles of their own, extending the lead to 5 to 3.

Bud Collura extended the lead to 6 to 3 with a sacrifice fly, scoring LaBounty. That proved to be enough as Hunter Soleymani pitched a scoreless

ninth inning to earn his first career save. Tripp Hobbs earned his first win as he came in to pitch in relief of starter Locke St. John.

Hobbs pitched three innings, allowing one run with one strikeout and four walks. David Hess started for the Golden Eagles, pitching six innings while allowing only one run and striking out eight.

“Hess did a good job for Tennessee Tech,” manager Mark Calvi said. “He had good life on his fastball, and we had some poor at-bats. Locke St. John wasn’t very good today, but you still have to win and that’s what he did today. He hung in there and gave us a chance. Tripp Hobbs did a nice job coming in, and we were able to rally late and put some at-bats together.”

There was another 5 run inning during Sunday’s game, but this time in favor of the Golden Eagles.

The 5 run inning was all it took as Tennessee Tech beat the Jaguars 5 to 4 for the second time in this series, taking the rubber match to hand the Jaguar’s their second loss in three days.

Ben Taylor, who started the game for the Jags, had a rough 4th inning, giving up a single and two consecutive walks which marked the second straight innings the Golden Eagles loaded the bases.

Taylor got out of the previous inning unharmed,

but not the 4th inning. Jordan Hopkins hit a tworun double giving Tech a 2 to 1 lead. David Allen followed with another two-run double, doubling the lead to 4 to 1 for the Golden Eagles. Zach Zarzour then hit an RBI single which extended the lead to 5 to 1. Brandon Hallford of the Jaguars came in relief of Taylor, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings giving the Jaguars a chance at a comeback. The Jags came up short, leaving a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the 9th, ultimately losing 5 to 4.

“They loaded the bases with one out,” Mark Calvi said. “Then you add a double in there and it started to roll for them offensively. At the end of the day, we walked six and they didn’t walk anybody and we were still in it with a chance to win in the end.

They got more timely hits, and we left more men on base. They didn’t walk anybody and we did, and they had the big inning. Their guys were a little bit better out of the stretch than our guys were, and that’s when it really matters. But moving forward, if we get better every day and cut down on some of the free passes then we should be in pretty good shape.”

The Jaguars fall to 1-2 on the season after starting last season 9-0. The team returns to action Tuesday at 6:30 P.M. as they host the Alabama State Hornets in a one game series.

USA basketball breaks its six-game losing streak Men’s basketball brings home a 69-61 win against conference opponent Western Kentucky

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

S

outh Alabama men’s basketball team did away with their road woes with a 69-62 win against Western Kentucky on Saturday night at the Diddle Arena.

The Jags snapped a six-game losing streak to improve 8-17 overall and 2-10 in the Sun Belt Conference.

South Alabama held the lead throughout the entire game and got doubles-doubles from senior Augustine Rubit and junior Mychal Ammons in their final matchup with WKU before they move to Conference USA next season.

“We came in with a plan to win,” Jaguar head coach Matthew Graves said. “The bottom line is our guys really communicated with one another.

They understood this was a big game. This is a tough place to come in and play. Their fans are really good. We needed to come in here and play with energy and effort and communicate with each other, and from the opening tip we did that throughout the entire game.”

Ammons, who seemed to have been struggling so far this season, came alive in the contest against WKU and lead all players with a seasonhigh of 20 points and grabbed 11 boards for his third double-double of the season.

“I’m really proud,” Graves said. “It’s no secret

Mychal has really struggled lately. Hopefully this will jumpstart him for the rest of the reason and we can continue to build off this. His mindset was just different tonight. He came in and attacked the rim. He didn’t settle too much. I’m really proud of how he bounced back.”

Rubit only went just 5-for-16 from the floor, but pulled game high 13-rebounds and completed the night with 12 points and 5 blocks to earn a double-double, the first he’s had in six games.

Rubit has now passed Ed Rains for third place in school history and 13th place in league history with 1,810 points “Well the one thing I told our players is WKU is a great program,” Graves said. “They have a culture and toughness about them; they’re going to make a run. We’ve just got to stay the course, continue to make hard cuts, and make good plays at the rim. Tonight, what we did different than in the past is when teams would make a run, we would settle for contested 3s or late-shot clock 3s and we did that a little tonight, but we also got a couple layups. Mike and Aug attacked the basket; we got to the free throw line. Guys stepped up for us and made some free throws for us down the stretch.

Neither team shot well in the first half, but it was Western Kentucky went only 4-for-28 in field goals (14.3 percent). The Hilltoppers went just under 11 minutes without a field goal, missing

16 consecutive shots. USA took advantage of the poor shots and outscored WKU 14-3 during that time.

Saintil and Allen joined Rubit and Ammons in double-digit scoring against the Hilltoppers with

12 and 10 points, respectively.

South Alabama will go on the road to next face Sun Belt newcomer Texas State Thursday at 7 p.m. for the first ever meeting between the two schools.

ALYSSA NEWTON | SPORTS EDITOR

Mychal Ammons ends the night against WKU with 20 points, leading the Jaguars in points.

12

VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

New coaches join South Alabama Jaguar football staff

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

SAMFORD ATHLETICS

Tim Bowens Wide Receivers Coach

J

oey Jones filled one of the three vacant coaching spots by hiring Samford’s Tim Bowens as wide receivers coach last week.

“Tim is as good of a person that I know,” Jones said. “He’s a very experienced guy, having coached at Alabama, UAB and Samford.

Everybody I talked to about Tim has the utmost respect for his coaching ability and him as a person. Of course, I’ve known him for years so this was an easy hire for me.”

Bowens spent the last two years as Samford’s wide receivers coach. During his time there, he was a part of the school’s first trip to the NCAA Football Championship playoffs

since 1992.

Before arriving at Samford in 2012, Bowens was the wide receivers coach for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his time at UAB, Bowens coached Frantrell Forrest, who ranks second in UAB history in receptions.

From 2003 to 2006, Bowens was a part of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s staff, where he held the positions of assistant wide receivers coach (2006), assistant director of football operations (2004-2006) and director of high school/NFL relations (2003).

Bowens coached at the high school level as head coach at Tanner (Ala.) High School in 2002 and as defensive coordinator at Coffee (Ala.) High School from 2000-2001. After his season at Tanner High School, Bowens was named Coach of the Year for Limestone County.

Bowens first started his career as a student assistant coach at UA in the spring of 2009.

While in school at Alabama, Bowens played as a wide receiver for the Crimson Tide from 1996-99. During his senior year, Bowens was named to the Academic All-Southeastern Conference Team. During his time, he helped the Crimson Tide go to three bowl games and made two appearances in the SEC Championship.

Bowens and his wife, Kesha, have three sons, Timothy, Taylor and Tanner.

GARY HARDAMON, NSU PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

Robby Brown Assistant Coach

F

ormer Northwestern State offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Robby Brown has been made assistant coach by Joey Jones. The announcement was made last Thursday.

“Robby has coached a lot of different positions and been a coordinator the last several years,” Jones said. “When he came for his interview, he did a tremendous job. I felt that he has knowledge of the game from A to Z. When you are a coordinator, a lot of times you have to learn it all, so I think he is going to bring a wealth of experience from a big-picture standpoint rather than just coming in and coaching one position. He can bring ideas into a staff meeting whether they are about the game plan or practice schedule.”

Last fall, Brown guided a Demon offense that averaged nearly 400 total yards per contest, including more than 230 per outing through the air. NSU led the Southland Conference and ranked among the top 10 at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in both fumbles and turnovers lost. While under Brown, quarterback Zach Adkins ranked in the top 30 in the

country in passing yards per game, passing touchdowns and completion percentage en route and was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year.

While at Valdosta State from 2009 to 2012, he helped to steer Valdosta State to a No. 13 national ranking in total offense and a No. 9 ranking in scoring in his last season as the Blazers led the Gulf South Conference. Brown’s 2010 team ranked 25th nationally in total offense and 12th in passing. Under Brown, one of the receivers he worked with would set the GSC career receptions record.

Brown has also been the offensive coordinator at Southwest Baptist and Henderson (Ark.) State. At the former, his players set 29 school records and six Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association records.

At the latter, Brown had an All-American and two allGulf South selections in his unit.

Brown began his coaching career at Troy in 2005.

In only his second year on the staff, the Trojans won the Sun Belt Conference title over Rice in the New Orleans Bowl.

Brown was a quarterback at Georgia Tech and was a part of the squad that won the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl and the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl. Brown also played at Georgia Military College. Although he went on to play football in college, he also played baseball and basketball while attending Union County (Ga.) High School.

Brown graduated from Georgia Tech in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in history, technology and society, and he received a master’s degree in sports and fitness management from Troy in 2007.

13

VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

Lady Jags fall to WKU 81-55 on road USA Lady Jags suffer a third-straight loss against the WKU Lady Toppers

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

S

outh Alabama suffered its third-straight loss on the road, falling 81-55 against Western Kentucky Saturday, Feb. 15.

“I thought we came out in the first half competing, but then Western Kentucky just went on a surge, which was helped out by our turnovers and led to some easy baskets for them,” South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler said. “Western is a team that looks like they are on a mission right now. I don’t think that the way they played tonight was to get us back for beating them in Mobile. I think they are playing like a team that the rest of the league needs to look out for.”

Western Kentucky shot 58 percent in the first half and held a 30-point lead going into halftime.

According to USAJaguars, the loss also snapped a five-game winning streak for the Jaguars in the series and was WKU’s first victory against USA since Feb. 2, 2011, when the Toppers defeated the Jags 5641 at WKU. The 81 points were the most scored

by Western Kentucky in the series since recording 83 during the 2005-06 season.

Breanna Hall led the Jags with 15 points. Meghan Dunn also carded double figures in the loss. The double-figure outing for Hall was her seventh in her last eight games. For Dunn, the game marked the 16th double-digit performance of the season. Ronneka Robertson ended the game with 8 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Western Kentucky improved to 16-8 on the year and 8-5 in the conference with the win. The Lady Toppers were 12-of-28 from the arc for 42.9 percent.

The 12 3-pointers surrendered by the Jags were the most allowed to an opponent since Nicholls State’s 13 Nov. 20, 2013.

Western Kentucky started the contest with a 9-7 lead three minutes in and then took control for good, breaking the game open with an 11-0 run during the next three minutes to take a 20-7 lead at the 13:35 mark. WKU from then on held the lead over the Lady Jaguars, leading by 30 going into halftime and continuing until the buzzer with South Alabama losing by the 26-point deficit.

The 48 points were the most points allowed to a Jag opponent in the first half since giving up 53 at Colorado Nov. 29, 2013.

From there, WKU held control the rest of the way, eventually stretching its lead back out to 30 (8151) late in the contest, before taking the 26-point victory.

In the second half, South Alabama turned the ball over only four times. South Alabama also held Western under 40 percent shooting in the second half and after not getting to the free-throw line in the first half, USA was able to make it to the freethrow line and were 10-13.

“We challenged our kids at halftime and told them that we had to win the second half,” Fowler said. “We did that. We turned the ball over four times in the second half versus 15 in the first. We showed that we can protect the basketball, and we have to value the basketball.”

USA (7-15, 5-7 SBC) will travel to Texas State Feb. 19.

JAGS Ambassadors asset to USA athletics Volunteer organization acts as voice of alumni and fans to improve experience

By JENNA MUNDAY Staff Reporter

I

f you’ve attended a University of South Alabama athletic event, namely football, baseball or basketball, then you have most likely seen the warm, welcoming faces of the volunteers for JAGS Ambassadors.

Started five years ago, this group of 11 volunteers serves as the voice of the South Alabama alumni for athletics. JAGS Ambassadors was initially formed to assist the game day staff in providing a personal touch of appreciation for patrons.

Now, the ambassadors perform a range of tasks such as answering any University of South Alabama or away fans’ questions, helping with the athletic department’s fundraising events, greeting fans as they enter the games and assisting with giveaway prizes.

In other words, JAGS Ambassadors makes catering to you, the fans, its number one priority.

To help ensure a positive environment and positive experience for the fans, JAGS Ambassadors performs fan surveys during events to get feedback

on patrons’ overall experiences. If there are negative reviews, the athletic department will determine the overall general experience and adjust accordingly.

“We always want to make sure our fans have an outstanding game day experience,” JAGS Ambassadors member Ken McGrew said. “Our main objective during a sporting event is to smile, welcome fans and ask if they need assistance in any way.”

Not only does this group strive to impact those attending games, but it seems as if the patrons have an impact on the ambassadors as well. McGrew explained how close bonds have been formed between the ambassadors and their patrons.

“Because season ticket holders always sit in the same seats and we are assigned to their section, we get to know each other,” McGrew said. “They see us faithfully executing our duties at every game. We become familiar with them and miss them when they are absent. We know that they would feel the same way about us, too, if we are ever absent.”

Purely volunteer-based, JAGS Ambassadors strives to ensure that every fan leaves a University

of South Alabama event satisfied with their experience. To the ambassadors, success means providing a memorable experience that will ensure a fan’s return to other athletic events. And the members of JAGS Ambassadors feel they have succeeded.

“We believe that we have made a positive impact on the fans’ game day experience,” McGrew said.

“Our presence demonstrates to the fans that the University of South Alabama appreciates their support and wants them to return again.”

Because JAGS Ambassadors members volunteer ultimately to ensure the fan’s happiness, let them know that they have succeeded! The next time that you attend a University of South Alabama athletic event, stop by the portal meeting areas and thank JAGS Ambassadors for their commitment to ensuring that you have a positive game day experience.

As a growing program with only 11 members currently, JAGS Ambassadors is always seeking new additions. If anyone would like to volunteer as a JAGS Ambassador, please contact Greg Keel, the director of ticket sales, at gkeel@southalabama.edu.

Follow us for news, updates and play-by-play tweets: @USAVGSports Jordan Surenkamp @JagCoach_JLS Grad Assistant Basketball Coach We stay together. Through thick n thin.

Good times n bad. We stay the path, believe in ourselves, believe in our family.

Good Win tonight!

Chloe Rathburn @chloerathburn Softball first baseman The mocking jay whistle just played in the library... #southalabamahungergames Ross Metheny @RMetheny15: Quarterback After strong guesses of China, Canada & Mexico @PowellGrant outdoes Gates for worst performance in the “Name the 7 continents” game Derek Westbrook @thedwestbrook25: Men’s Cross Country Just watched someone speed up as they approached a speed bump by the rec and get air then act astonished when their bumper fell off...

Uncle Drew @Drewski72_ Offensive Lineman It was never hard to get up before 5am to go hunting over Christmas break, but to get up at 530 for workouts... It’s like pulling teeth

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14

Opinion

MATTHEW STRICKLAND, OPINION EDITOR strickland.matthew12@gmail.com VOL. 54, NO. 6 / FEB. 17, 2014

NFL ready for an openly gay player? The time is now

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

M

ichael Sam can be described in many ways: a 260-pound, recently-graduated Mizzouri defensive end; the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year; SEC leader in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19); First Team All-American; second Mizzou Tiger to ever win conference defensive player of the year honors.

The 2013 season marked Mizzou’s first season as a competitor in the SEC conference. Many SEC veteran team fans called Mizzou “the black sheep of the SEC.” Even with the transition year and obvious scrutiny, the team completed the season with an impressive 12-2 record and made a trip to the SEC Championship to play against the Auburn Ti-

gers.

But one description would overshadow all of these honors, stats and accomplishments.

On Sunday, Feb. 10, 2014, Michael Sam announced that he was gay.

This announcement exploded all across social media, but it turns out the secret really wasn’t so secret.

Last August before Mizzou’s 2013 season, Michael announced to his teammates that he was gay. Yet this did not change Mizzou’s football program or even make a dent in their winning season or Sam’s accomplishments throughout the year.

Imagine that.

With that in mind, could the NFL be ready for an openly gay player?

The answer: they may just have to be.

If you go on Twitter and search Sam’s name, you will see some negative tweets about his announcement.

But I guarantee, for every negative, there are multiple positives. As a student sports writer, the love that came out of the sports world, from fans and even from non-sports-watching individuals was nothing short of incredible.

But this love was not shown only

on social media. This past Saturday, the Mizzou students displayed their love and support for Sam in an incredible way.

On Feb. 15, the Westboro Baptist Church showed up at Mizzou to protest Sam during the home basketball game against Tennessee, but the “church” didn’t get very far.

Hundreds of students linked arms to make a human wall with their backs facing Westboro, and they sang their alma mater until the group dispersed before tip off that night.

If that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does.

Sam is expected to be drafted only in the third to fifth round of the draft in May, if that, while every SEC Defensive Player of the Year since 2003 has been drafted in the first round, excluding one drafted in the second.

True, the fact that he has come out may cause some teams to feel “uncomfortable” and pass him up as a possible draft prospect, but you know what? Screw them.

Whoever drafts Sam should be a team full of open-minded staff and athletes who know that one’s sexuality doesn’t inhibit the ability to play football. That was obviously

displayed by Mizzou’s 2013 season.

And whoever does will be the pioneers in leading the NFL into a better era.

Once upon a time, it was “uncomfortable” to have a black man share a locker room with a team of white men.

But with time comes change.

Sam has shattered one of the remaining ignorances in the sports world and has done so by taking the NFL and college football community by storm.

Will he be drafted by a team and make sports history?

For that answer, we will have to wait until May.

Super Bowl advertisement angers the ignorant

By LYDIA CHRISTIAN Contributing Writer

A

s someone who does not watch football, it surprised me that the days following the 2014 Super Bowl were not spent deflecting “Wow, some game, eh?” conversations. Instead, all I heard mentioned was the controversy surrounding Coca-Cola’s “It’s

Beautiful” advertisement, in which “America the Beautiful” was sung in multiple languages. It led me to wonder: what was so upsetting about such a patriotic commercial, one that embodies everything for which America stands?

An Internet search provided multiple links highlighting the uproar. Scrolling through many user messages on different websites, I was struck by how many people were as adamant as ‘DonaldDunlap’ on AL.com: “Learn English or suffer the consequences.” Another user, ‘Shadooby,’ tells a hypothetical story about the possible problems that would occur if American police officers spoke Russian and teachers spoke Swahili. These comments were mild in comparison to many–– most used words that could never be printed in The Vanguard or any other newspaper.

Contrary to what some may believe, the United States of America does not have an official language.

The 2000 U.S. census indicated that there are 322 languages currently being spoken in America. According to Census.gov, “More than half, 58 percent, of U.S. residents 5 and older who speak a language other than English at home also speak English ‘very well.’” Francois Grosjean, Ph.D., a writer for Psychology Today, said, “The percentage of bilinguals is definitely on the rise. It was 11 percent in 1980, 14 percent in 1990, to reach close to 20 percent currently.” Because there are so many people in America who speak a language other than English, why was the Coca-Cola advertisement such a big deal?

Deeper consideration suggests that this may not be just an outcry over languages. During the 2013 Su-

per Bowl, Cheerios released a commercial that caused just as much controversy. It featured a interracial couple and their mixed-race daughter. An article on MPRNews.org said the comments on YouTube were so malicious that the comments option was disabled. More than a year later, the comments are still hidden.

This type of blatant racism, bigotry and xenophobia is common.

Around November 2013, Gap released an advertisement picturing a Sikh man next to a beautiful woman.

According to NYDailyNews.com, the posters were quickly defaced with comments such as “Make bombs” and “Please stop driving Taxis.”

Why is it that, in 2014, we are still dealing with this type of closeminded ignorance? Discriminating against people because of skin color, gender identity, country of origin

or any other reason is ridiculous and counterproductive. It not only destroys our unity as a country, but it degrades who we are as individuals.

It masks barbarism and allows hatred to continue. Mostly it keeps our world from ever improving.

America is a beautiful place, built on the tears and work of people far greater than most of us are today.

To declare that we should speak only English or be a specific race, gender or religion defies our Founding Fathers’ intentions for the United States of America. People from all across the world immigrated to the U.S. and fought to keep it free. Most modern Americans have simply inherited the greatness of the United States, and therefore do not seem to understand that this country was built by the hands of many different ethnicities. We are all Americans, all equal, all free.

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Cuts to food-stamps are a welcomed shift in US

By RYAN WALLACE Contributing Writer

S

andwiched between the ubiquitous funding bills for taxpayerfunded money pits like Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service, a rare moment of fiscal sanity prevailed in the House of Representatives. For the first time in decades, a bill that cuts money from federal “food stamp” programs passed through the chamber, albeit on a narrow 216-208 margin. The $740 billion that was sliced off the budget for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be a drop in the bucket when compared to our out-of-control national spending, but it is an important first step. Amidst this notable piece of legislation came a report from The Associated Press that, according to an analysis of government statistics by University

of Kentucky economists, working-aged Americans made up a larger proportion of food-stamp program rolls than retirees or children for the first time in the program’s history. A Politico.com article, trying to tie the AP report and the recent bill together to claim that cutting federal spending on the program is a bad idea, presented the story of a 25-year-old single mother and Army veteran who recently had to sign up for food stamps to supplement her income as a home health care aide. It is certainly a sad story, one that is bound to move the hearts of most anyone who reads it.

Of course, the story exemplifies many of the things that are wrong with the idea of a federal food stamp program. The authors seemed to have failed to ask several questions about the young woman’s history. If she has a child, where is her spouse whose income would surely help her and her child out of this situation? Did they separate? Did she have the child out of wedlock? Why did she leave the Army, which I guarantee has never had a child of a soldier starve to death for lack of assistance?

Why was she unable to get more money to complete her nursing degree with the abundance of student loans available to her, especially as a veteran? I do not

want to assume things about her life on which I have no information, but overwhelmingly the odds are that it has been her choices, not the cruel hand of fate alone, that have led her to her position.

So why are people like myself forced at the point of a gun wielded by the Internal Revenue Service to financially support the decisions she has made?

The fact that more working-age people than ever are on public assistance is an indicator of how badly our government has failed us. The president complains that the minimum wage, an abomination in itself, is too low to live on and that companies should pay their workers more money. Why should they, when they can get workers on the cheap from the never-ending supply that flood over the border every year? Meanwhile, Americans remain out of work, priced out of the job market. Who, do you suppose, is abdicating their duty to secure the borders? Who refuses to support worker verification measures to ensure that people in this country illegally are not hired to work and don’t gain benefits for which they pay no taxes in America? Our government. At the same time, we are seeing high rates of outof-wedlock births, with one parent supporting a child instead of going to col-

lege or developing any workplace-valued skills. And the taxpayers, an increasingly smaller pool of the citizenry, pay for those actions of others. It is immoral, to say the least. The better answer, as it almost always is, is for welfare to come from the private sector. If we as a coun-

try continue to throw money into the ever-increasing welfare void, eventually there will be nobody at all to help those in need because we, along with our government, will be as broken as our current welfare state is.

STAFF ILLUSTRATION

Annual federal food-stamps costs in billions.

Denmark’s Girafficide appears to be a sick ploy

By JORDAN KNOX Contributing Writer

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openhagen Zoo, located in Denmark, is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and claims to be part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. On Feb. 9, the zoo publicly killed a young, healthy male giraffe named Marius.

In a video report made by CNN, the zookeeper in charge of killing the animal tempted the giraffe out of his shelter with a piece of rye bread.

Once Marius began eating the bread, the zookeeper, Mads Bertelsen, shot him through the head with a rifle. Bertelsen felt justified in this horrendous action and said, “It sounds violent,

but it means Marius had no idea of what was coming.”

The Copenhagen Zoo’s website answered a few of the public’s questions about the “euthanization,” which many believe was unnecessary and inhumane. The first question listed is, “Why does Copenhagen Zoo euthanize a healthy giraffe?”

The only answer they give is, basically, they had too many giraffes and didn’t want them to breed anymore. Instead of transferring the giraffe to another zoo location or using some form of contraceptive, they killed him and made a show of his death.

As if killing a healthy, innocent animal wasn’t bad enough, after shooting Marius, Bertelsen pro-

ceeded to cut off the giraffe’s legs and various body parts in front of a crowd of people. Bertelsen then took these parts and fed them to lions and other animals at the zoo.

The main reason for not relocating Marius was, according to the Copenhagen Zoo’s website, “Only zoos that follow certain rules can be part of international breeding programs,” which sounds like a good enough reason, but there is no rule stating that animals cannot simply be relocated. Being part of the EAZA sets limits only on what they can do in terms of buying and selling animals. Animals can only be bought from or sold to zoos that are a part of the EAZA. According to another post by CNN, several zoos offered to

adopt Marius. Each offer was declined.

The Danish zoo claims to be a member of the EAZA. However, the EAZA website states that Copenhagen Zoo only participates in the European Endangered Species Program sponsored by the EAZA, and this does not necessarily mean membership. Because the zoo is not a member of the EAZA, all the animals are under the zoo’s care, and matters of buying and selling as well as relocating animals are left to the zoo’s discretion.

Considering that the giraffe was healthy and several other zoos offered to adopt him, one can only assume that the zoo killed and dismembered Marius for show. It seems to have been just a sick ploy at increasing foot traffic and revenue.

What do you think about USA’s new website?

Phteven Purnell They need to get rid of that huge image background. Slow-loading elements like that look really bad, especially if they are a prominent feature on the site.

Robert Fornof Where did that quick links shor[t]cut go? That’s how I navigated pages the fastest Nick Maxime Long overdue.

Lauren Dees About dang time!

JagPulse

Doug Roberts Spend money where it is needed.

Karie Fugett Finally looks professional.

To post your answers to the next JagPulse, be sure to follow us on Facebook.

Facebook.com/ TheVanguardUSA

Nick Grondin I like it, it looks more modern.

Brittney Gers It was a little confusing. It looks nicer!

Carlton Warnberg It’s okay, nothing groundbreaking.

Maybe slightly better

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