Jan. 27, 2014 Vanguard

VANGUARD THE

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

JAN. 27, 2014

INSIDE

VOL. 54, NO. 3

Quarter million available South rules in teaching scholarships Senior Bowl See Page 7 Skilled science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators in high demand

► Campus: Jaguar Production event returns with live poetry, music.

See Campus, page 2

► Sports: Lady Jag basketball wins overtime thriller against UTA. See Sports, page 11

By NOAH LOGAN

ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

V

arious colleges and departments within the University are teaming up to provide more students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields with the opportunity to become teachers.

The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering have collaborated to provide more than $252,000 in scholarships this year for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree to teach math and sciences at the high school level. Assistant Chair of Leadership and Teacher Education, Dr. Andre Green, said the main departments were biology, chemistry, mathematics and most of the science departments.

The money comes from the National Science Foundation as part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. The scholar-

ships are $28,000 and awarded in the form of a loan. After a student completes the program, he or she is contractually bound to teach for at least three years, with one-third of the loan forgiven for each year of teaching.

Those who wish to be considered for the program must first complete a 10-week period in a public school setting. Once a student completes the student-teacher assignment, he or she has to interview before a search committee comprised of professors from the College of Arts and Sciences and representatives from Mobile County Public Schools.

According to Green, the alternative graduate program is an advanced, accelerated program that takes two years to complete with 15 required hours in graduate-level content courses in each student’s field of study and 30 required hours of education courses. The first class of eight students has graduated, and they See Scholarships Page 2 ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOR

Baldwin County campus to showcase artists

By JAMIE REID

jlr1226@jagmail.southalabama.edu

J

► Sports: Track and field bring home victories from Arkansas.

See Sports, page 12

PHOTO BY KEITH NECAISE

► Opinion: Comic explores student personalities.

See Opinion, page 15

USA’s Baldwin County Art Walk Feb. 7 will feature the music of Bryant Gilley, singer-songwriterguitarist of Shifting Tracks.

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

oin USA for the return of the Baldwin County Art Walk Feb. 7, where enthusiasts can enjoy this month’s featured artist Shane Reynolds and music by Bryant Gilley.

Cathi Jones, marketing coordinator for USA-Baldwin County, said that the school began participating in the First Friday Art Walk about two years ago to gain exposure for South’s alumni, students and faculty.

The walk takes place on the first Friday of every month and is open to everyone.

The event will be in the administration building at 10 North Summit St. in Fairhope, Ala. from 6 to 8 p.m.

Jones said 20 to 30 venues in the

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area will stay open until 8 p.m. for this event. This is a good opportunity for local artists to present their work. There will be openings, talks, wines and a multitude of musicians who are present at some of the different venues.

One of the musicians performing for this event is acoustic guitarist Bryant Gilley. While he is from Mobile, Gilley isn’t actually affiliated with South Alabama. Jones said that because Gilley has worked with USA-Baldwin County in this event before, and the audience liked him so much, they have him play for their events often.

The featured artist for this month’s event is USA alum Shane Reynolds, who graduated in 2013.

An article on AL.com gave a background on Reynolds that said he started toying with ceramics when

In this Issue:

he was in the sixth grade. He became more serious in 2008 when he began studying for his BFA in ceramics. He now teaches ceramics classes at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

His latest sculptural work is a depiction of the human experience in form and color. “I wish for viewers to study the uniqueness of each piece and how that relates to the notion that we as humans are all very different,” Reynolds said in the AL.com article Jan. 9. The piece is presently represented by The Robertson Gallery in the Oakleigh Garden District of Historic Midtown Mobile.

According to the article, Reynolds said he is happy to have the opportunity for a solo show at USA’s Baldwin County Campus at the First Friday Art Walk in Fairhope.

JagLife, Page 4 Left of Center, Page 7 Sports Page 10 Opinion, Page 14

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Scholarships Continued from Page One.

are currently in their second year of teaching. Five of the inaugural cohort of eight students stayed home to teach in local public schools in Mobile.

Green might be part of the Department of Education, but he was quick to make it known that all of those involved share equal credit among themselves. When asked about the competitive environment among colleges and departments for scholarship money, he made sure to emphasize the collective effort over competition that exists within the University.

“We don’t view ourselves as competing with the College of Arts and Sciences or any college

for that matter,” Green said. “We work together to try to put forth the best program possible in order to attract talented students to be math and science teachers.”

Green later continued, “This was a group effort across the board with all the colleges involved and Mobile County Public Schools.”

The newfound attention toward education is part of a team effort to steer more high school students into STEM fields. While part of the program includes engineering, the logic behind the program isn’t rocket science.

“There is a national press for more STEM high school teachers,” Richard Hayes, dean of the College of Education, explained. “If you have people who are more skilled and better prepared to teach those populations, you broaden the pool of potential kids interested in those fields.”

COURTESY OF KEITH NECAISE

Of the initial eight graduates from the two-year accelerated Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, five have stayed in Mobile to teach.

JP event returns with live music, poetry

By NOAH LOGAN

ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

J

aguar Productions is bringing their JP Coffee House event back Thursday, Jan. 30 in the Mitchell Center.

Students are encouraged to show up at the Mitchell Center Globe at 7 p.m. to enjoy guest speaker and spoken word poet Huggy Bear da

COURTESY OF KAWEHI WIGHT

Independent artist Kawehi will perform Jan. 30 at the JP Coffee House event.

Poet as well as guest musician Kawehi.

After a short hiatus, Jaguar Productions’ President Jonathan Pham is looking forward to starting the event up again so JP can continue to reach out to a wide variety of students. “We’re bringing this event back to reach out to all the students who enjoy fine arts type of events,” Pham said. “The setup will be round tables with little tea lights to give it a coffee shop theme. We are bringing in a spoken word artist, who has his performed here at South before. Our musician that we booked is an independent artist that sings with loop tracks.”

Kawehi is a singer-songwriter and a self-proclaimed “Musician-who-walks-like-a-trucker and avid looper” located in Los Angeles. She is known across the country as a one-woman band because she performs with a looping station that allows her to play multiple instruments in a concert by herself.

“Looping is like building a house of cards,” Kawehi said. “It takes lots of finesse, lots of patience, lots of practice... and lots of time. It’s super fun to build, but even more fun to knock it down. One of my favorite things about looping is taking a song, ripping it to pieces and putting it back together the way you want. There’s no correct answer. Only what feels and sounds right to you. It’s like a great alcohol. With time, it gets better.”

Kawehi has been featured in Music Connection Magazine’s “Hot 100 Unsigned Artists and

Bands” along with her video being featured on CBS News Most Viral Videos. She has the “do-ityourself musician” charm going for her as she has raised funds for three of her EPs through crowd funding alone through Kickstarter. She has now played more than 300 shows nationwide. In a review, Bernard Baur of Music Connection Magazine claimed, “This is an artist who has found a unique voice that is not only engaging and compelling, it’s truly her own.”

Mobile’s own Huggy Bear da Poet is a selftitled “Poet, slam champion and community activists and organizer.” Many of his performances can be seen on YouTube with his work BAMA, a poem praising his home state when others use “Bama” as a derogatory word, being the most popular. Spoken word poetry is easy to dismiss as performance art, but his lyrics and rhythm show skill and poise.

“My poetry is a vehicle to articulate feelings, emotions, love and frustrations of my people,” Huggy Bear said. “I am essentially a storyteller.

I write of our everyday struggles for social justice and freedom from oppression. I’m hoping to drop a jewel or two in the mind of my listeners that will agitate them to fight for change. My mission is to educate as well as entertain.”

Coffee House starts at 7 p.m. and is completely free to students with their JagCard. Light refreshments and drinks will be served along with the entertainment.

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center JagLife Editor Web Editor Staff Reporter

Samantha Andrews

Stephanie Feather Meg Lundberg Kelly Ficarelli JT Crabtree Alyssa Newton Emma Mitchell

USAPD Police Weather for Jan. 27 - Feb. 2 Blotter 01/23/2014 15:01 Criminal trespass third degree Administration Building Suspect was arrested for criminal trespassing.

Matthew Strickland

Noah Logan

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Matthew Rhodes

Advertising Advertising Justine Burbank Graphic Designer Ryan Keller Sheldon Hall

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, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail 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.

01/21/2014 19:46 Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle The Grove The victim’s vehicle was burglarized while parked at his residence.

01/21/2014 14:39 Disorderly conduct and public intoxication Marx Library Suspect arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

PATRICK BIGBIE | STAFF METEOROLOGIST

01/21/2014 14:33 Theft of property third degree Recreation center Victim reported his rented Jag Bike stolen while at the recreation center.

01/21/2014 10:44 Burglary third degree Beta 1 Victim’s tablet and headphones valuing more than $400 were stolen from dorm room with no signs of forced entry.

01/17/2014 18:57 Appeared in public place under influence SHAC at 1504 Springhill Ave. Individual found to be at work under the influence of alcohol.

01/17/2014 16:16 Duty upon striking an unoccupied vehicle Delta 3 Victim’s vehicle was struck while parked.

If you see something, say something!

Call USAPD at 251-460-6312

Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx

jagLIFE

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Southerners applications now available

EMMA MITCHELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Weekly Lowdown

Monday > Jan. 27 •

By JORDAN KNOX

kjk1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he University of South Alabama has a lot to offer students when it comes to clubs and organizations. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide what you want to get involved in. One of the most prestigious and well-known organizations on campus is the Southerners.

Founded in 1978, the Southerners is a 16-person group composed of eight males and eight females.

The group is sponsored by the National Alumni Association. When asked what the Southerners duties include, Southerner adviser, Jessica Callahan said, “The Southerners are the official ambassadors for the University. They make guests of the University feel welcome, fundraise for student scholarships and provide service to the Mobile and Baldwin (County) communities.” With this in mind, it is obvious that being a Southerner is an excellent way for students to become involved because it promotes leadership, integrity and community involvement.

Becoming a Southerner involves a few competitive steps, including an

Pre-Physician Assistant’s Society meeting - HAHN 3rd floor conference room

Tuesday > Jan. 28 •

American Advertising Federation - Communications Department room 135, 5 p.m.

•

Half the Sky documentary screening - USA Marx Library, 6 p.m.

•

Thomas Rowell Faculty Voice Recital, Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise” LPAC, 7:30 p.m. $5 USA students and faculty, $8 general admission

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOUTHERNERS

Southerners is a 16-member group of students who serve as ambassadors for South. interview. Any students interested in becoming a part of the organization must first complete an application and get a letter of recommendation. A 3.0 GPA is required, and members must be involved in on-

and off-campus activities outside of Southerner events as well. Each member is also responsible for attending mandatory meetings every Monday night. The last step in becoming a member is the interview

process. Once each applicant has been interviewed, the new members are notified.

Many of the students at South

Question of the Edition:

See Southerners Page 6

What do you think of team-based learning?

Wednesday > Jan. 29 •

Student Organization Presidents’ roundtable - Shelby Hall, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

•

Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society meeting - HAHN, 6 p.m.

Thursday > Jan. 30 •

JP Coffee House and poetry night - Mitchell Center globe, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday > Feb. 1 •

USA Occupational Therapy Class of 2014 Superhero Skedaddle 5k and fun run - Intramural field, check in 6:30 a.m. race begins 8 a.m.

•

PRSSA yard sale Department of Communication parking lot, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

OT class of 2014 hosts 5k and fun run

By BRIANNA ERVIN brianna.ervin@ymail.com

J

oin the University of South Alabama’s Occupational Therapy Class of 2014 for the Superhero Skedaddle 5k Run/Walk/Roll and Fun Run benefiting Goodwill Easter Seals and Department of Occupational Therapy. This is the department’s first time hosting the Superhero 5k, and they are hoping for a good turnout. Participants are encouraged to wear a costume while doing the race, but are welcome to wear whatever they like.

OT student Katie Delanaune said, “Costumes make the race more fun.” Although the OT department has had other fundraisers in the past, none were quite the same as this one. According to Lynn Hargis, OT class president, “The previous class set the wheels in motion for this event, but the class of 2014 executed those plans.”

The race will take place Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Intramural Fields on South’s campus. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., with the race starting at 8 a.m.

Pre-registration fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 until Jan. 30. On the day of the race, fees for adults are $25 and for children under 12 are $15.

Participants can sign up online at active.com, register by mail or register in person at McCoy Outdoor and Run-N-Tri in Mobile or Running

Wild in Fairhope until noon Thursday, Jan. 30.

Top Male Overall and Top Female Overall, Masters and Grandmasters awards will be given.

Also, top three males and top three females in each of the following age groups will be recognized: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-99.

According to the University website, the Department of Occupational Therapy is dedicated to the provision of a high-quality, socially-relevant and evidence-based occupational therapy education. They strive to discover and disseminate new knowledge in the field, provide professional and volunteer service in order to reduce health disparities, improve health and quality of life, and meet the occupational needs of the community.

With this 5k run in place, they are definitely meeting their mission requirements.

At the end of the race, there will be a silent auction where participants can bid on exclusive items from all across the Gulf Coast. Items include a Taste of Louisiana gift basket with items from Cajun Power, Tabasco and Konriko Rice, a handmade crocheted blanket, a Pure Barre package with 10 free classes, some art pieces from local artists and many more.

All students, family and friends are encouraged to come out and support the OT department.

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

USA prolife organization welcomes students

By COURTNEY TURNER nicroly@yahoo.com

S

tudents for Life USA is a pro-life, student-run organization on campus founded by Katherine Sweet. Just barely a full semester old, the organization is quickly picking up members and holds firm to its mission statement.

According to Sweet, “Our mission statement is ‘By the actions of the students, facilitate peaceful change within the governing statutes of the municipal, state, and national levels wherein the questions of rights to life is considered.’” The organization is focused on protecting human life in general in a peaceful and informative way.

Ted Poston, the group’s academic adviser, said, “I’ll mention events that philosophy students might be interested in. I’ll do the same for the Students for Life group.”

Poston sees this organization as an opportunity for students who want to raise awareness and has high hopes for them. “We do well as a society when we engage in clear, calm, evidence-based reasoning about important ethical matters. I expect the student members of the group to adhere to the standard of clear, peaceful, evidence-based discussion,” Poston said.

SFL USA is growing fast and always open for more members who “consider them-

selves active in the pro-life movement, or those who desire to become active,” Sweet said. It’s her belief, and the belief of those in the group that, “those who believe abortion should be abolished should be equipped with the means to gather and organize in a fashion that can lead to desired changes.”

Last semester, they held three events on campus and went to others off campus. During an event held just outside the Student Center, members placed 915 pink crosses along the ground to represent the estimated number of abortions Planned Parenthood performs each day all across the country.

With banners displaying facts and statistics, they informed the campus.

The SFL USA wants to try to make it easier on those raising children and attending school. Many who become pregnant while in college face hard decisions and members of the organization want to help those people know they have options.

The organization’s meetings are held every other Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are announced on the SFL USA Facebook page. Students can see announcements and what events the group is participating in, and they can even join via the organization’s Facebook page or by sending an email to Sweet. The meetings are held in room 112 of the Humanities Building.

Southerners Continued from Page 4.

have participated in or are aware of the annual oozeball tournament, which is hosted by the Southerners each spring. Keith Stephens, president of the Southerners organization, said that the Southerners are in charge of preparing, getting sponsorships and making sure that the event runs smoothly.

In addition to the many campus events the Southerners attend, one of the members’ main jobs is to connect with alumni. They do so by helping at the alumni tailgating tent at football games, hosting dinners and making sure the alumni are updated about campus events and changes. Josef Hobdy, the current secretary, said connecting with the alumni is important because “University alumni have held positions in which we all aspire to.”

Being a Southerner allows students to create bonds with people who can become

mentors and help them further their careers.

Networking is essential in the lives of those looking to get ahead, and becoming a part of the Southerners is a great place to get involved.

Taylor Smith, the Southerners treasurer, said that being a part of such an involved group has prepared her for life after college. Smith said, “The experience that I have gained as a Southerner is invaluable for life after graduation. As a member of the team, I have continued to gain experience and confidence in networking, interpersonal communication, fundraising and other skills that are critical for success in any future endeavor.”

The organization is currently accepting applications for the 2014-2015 class from now until March 17, 2014. For more information about applying to be a Southerner, contact Jessica Callahan at jcallahan@southalabama.edu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDENTS FOR LIFE USA

Students for Life USA member, Kyle Clark (right), and Students for Life USA employee (left) at on-campus, prolife event last semester.

LEFT OF CENTER

ALYSSA NEWTON, LOC EDITOR akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Senior Bowl 2014: There’s no place like home Players and fans return to Mobile for the 2014 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu

F

or the past 63 years, Mobile, Ala. has been home to the most unique postseason football game there is: the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is a postseason college football all-star game that showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of collegiate players who have completed their eligibility.

This year included players such as Alabama’s Kevin Norwood, Cody Mandell and Adrian Hubbard and Auburn’s Cody Parkey, Chris Davis, Jay Prosch and Dee Ford, who would receive the Senior Bowl MVP Award.

The first Senior Bowl was played in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1950 before being moved to Ladd-Peebles Stadium the next year. Ever since then, the bowl has become a huge part of Mobile’s heritage and tradition at the beginning of each year.

This event is not only a big part of Mobile’s history, but an immense economic impact for the city itself. In 2007 a group of graduate students from the University of South Alabama under the direction of Christopher Keshock, then a professor of sport and recreation administration, conducted surveys and studies on how the Senior Bowl

impacts Mobile economically.

In the study, the students pegged that the Senior Bowl roughly impacts the Port City to the tune of between $13 million and $19 million a year.

Chris Morgan, director of game operations for the Senior Bowl, projected that more than 37,000 tickets would be sold for the Reese’s Senior Bowl this year. With the new sponsorship of the well-known chocolate peanut butter cups, national attention had increased comparably to previous years.

“Brand recognition on a national level via alignment with such a prominent brand has greatly increased revenue,” Morgan said.

Vice President of Marketing and Communications of the Mobile Bay and Visitors Bureau Stacie Hamilton said that this event brings a lot of good attention to the Port City.

“In the football industry, Mobile plays a significant part because of this event,” Hamilton said. “It gives us a chance to showcase our city every year, and a lot of these people return again and again and have seen how Mobile has changed over the years. We hope that they will keep coming back. We know that they are here for business during this week (Senior Bowl week), but we hope that

they will also want to come and bring their families for pleasure.”

In the study by Keshock, more than 33,000 people come in from outside city limits to watch the game, nearly 18,000 coming from out of state. During this time, the Renaissance Riverview Plaza, the headquarters of the Senior Bowl, sells out all 375 rooms the week of the game, many belonging to some of the 1,500-plus NFL coaches, scouts and assistants the bowl brings to town. Many other hotels downtown are also booked with outside visitors and fans during the week.

But not all fans are from out of town.

If you walked around practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, you would find many little boys decked out in their favorite team colors with footballs and pens in their hands in hopes of getting an autograph from their college football heroes.

One boy in particular, although he was an Auburn fan who had his eyes set on Mobile native Jay Prosch, could name any player on the roster when only told the team and number the player belonged to.

“I just love it so much,” 13-yearold fan Grady Mundell said. “I love the atmosphere. I love coming to the

Senior Bowl. I love to come out and see the players and the practices.”

His father, Eron Mundell, moved to Mobile in 1998 and feels that bringing his family to the Senior Bowl and practices each year is important to his father-son relationship with his children.

“I like my kids to see the hard work and dedication it takes to fulfill their dreams,” Mundell said.

“Anytime you can bring your family out here and enjoy the players and the dedication it takes to get to this level is incredible. They can me ask questions and learn more about the game. This is the kind of thing a dad is supposed to do. I grew up without a dad, so this is something special I share with them.”

The Senior Bowl has become home to father-son traditions and a place for memories to be made by Mobilians and visiting families alike.

This game is particularly special to Auburn fullback Prosch and Florida wide receiver Solomon Patton, who remember watching the games with their families during their childhoods.

Patton, a Murphy High School graduate, said more than 50 family members and friends attended the game in support for him Saturday.

When asked about how it felt to

be back at Ladd-Peebles to play, Patton said he was excited for the opportunity.

“It’s been so long,” Patton said.

“It feels really good. The last time I remember playing here was for the All-Star game my senior year. It feels great to come back and play in front of my hometown. All my life, I grew up watching this game, wishing one day I’d be a player in this game, and now I’m here.”

Prosch, a UMS-Wright Prepatory School graduate, never imagined he’d be where he is today.

“It’s an honor for me,” Prosch said. “I grew up watching this game.

I’ve been around it my entire life.

This is something I honestly never thought I’d be able to do, but as my college career became more and more real, I ended up here. It’s an honor, and it’s great to be a part of this experience.”

In Mobile, Ladd-Peebles Stadium has become the home to a place where dreams are formed, chased after and maybe, in the end, finally achieved. Whether you are a 13-yearold boy dreaming of playing college football or a college football player dreaming of playing in the NFL, the Senior Bowl is the place to make those dreams become a reality.

Words of wisdom from the Senior Bowl players For all of the kids who dream about growing up to play college football, this one’s for you “It all starts in the classroom.

Work hard there and stay dedicated to your craft. If you keep working “Work at it. Keep playing football hard you can do anything you set and pay attention to the little details, your mind to.” they make all the difference.”

- Cody

Parkey, Auburn

- Morgan

“Follow your dreams. I didn’t play football until high school but I always had a mindset and had a dream to to play big time football and play in the NFL. If you can dream it, you can do it. I’ve always believed with hard work and dedication anything can happen.”

- Arthur

Lynch, Georgia

Moses, Virginia

"Keep faith. Know that God will see you through. If you love something so much and you care about it and stay dedicated to it, you can accomplish anything you want to ...If you want that goal you have to go get it."

- Kevin

Norwood, Alabama

“Work hard. You don’t get any“Just go out there and have fun. where in life without working hard. Go out and enjoy every opportunity That’s what my dad always told me. you’ve got. Make the most of what Everything is earned not given.” you do right now and just enjoy it.”

- Dee

Ford, Auburn

- Tajh

Boyd, Clemson ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOR

A little boy escorts LSU’s Lamin Barrow while wearing his helmet during pregame introductions.

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

ALL PICTURES ALYSSA NEWTON LOC EDITOR

DEE FORD (AUBURN) SACKS LOGAN THOMAS (VIRGINIA TECH)

KEVIN MCGILL, (UTAH)

JAMES WHITE (WISCONSIN)

JIMMY GAROPPOLO (EASTERN ILLINOIS)

KEVIN NORWOOD (ALABAMA) CHRIS DAVIS (AUBURN)

TAJH BOYD (CLEMSON)

TERRENCE BROOKS (FLORIDA STATE)

MIKE DAVIS (TEXAS)

LOGAN THOMAS (VIRGINIA TECH) CODY PARKEY (AUBURN)

DAVID FLUELLEN (TOLEDO) CODY MANDELL (ALABAMA)

TRENT MURPHY (STANFORD)

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

New football league, new opportunities for players

By RYAN WALLACE ryanwallace2010@gmail.com

P

rofessional scouts are a familiar sight in Mobile once practice for the Senior Bowl begins. This year, however, the clipboard-toting evaluators on the sidelines were joined by representatives of a new kind of professional football league.

Seeking to begin operations in the spring of 2015, the Professional Football Showcase is attempting to redefine the nature of professional football leagues by placing the players first. “We are presently changing over to a nonprofit status,” Lance Heron, league co-founder, said.

“It has never been about the executives making huge sums off the players, but giving them a safe and enjoyable place to develop their craft.”

Heron believes that this focus on developing players instead of turning profits will be one of the things that makes the PFS a successful professional football league where many others, from the United States Football League to the World Football League, have failed.

The players, of course, are being developed for a shot in one of the major football leagues: the National Football League or the Canadian Football League.

“Officially, the PFS is not associated to the CFL or the NFL, at present. We hope to establish a relationship as the league grows,” Heron said. “The PFS league will release any player that has a request from the NFL or CFL to be signed, as that is the purpose of our league.”

This limited focus is not the only unique aspect of the league. The very foundation of the PFS is built on something a little different from other professional sports leagues. “Players will also be required to sign moral character clauses as they are auditioning for the higher leagues, and it is much easier for them to advance as positive, communityoriented people than those egotistic, selfcentered players that some of us have come across,” Heron stated, “and we have many ex-NFL players and coaches involved in ensuring we develop the league based on truth, character and integrity.”

The league is starting small, with teams situated in California and Nevada.

They will play with American football rules and, like the USFL before them, will play their season during the NFL offseason.

The reason for this is not for competitive purposes (as the PFS is

not competing with the NFL), but to “give the players a chance to get in good physical shape and improve their health, before the NFL camps and the CFL expands its rosters,” according to Heron.

Another twist to the structure of the league’s teams is that the rosters will be local in nature in an effort to bring fans who probably remember watching favorite players play in area high schools or colleges into the stands to watch those same players try and earn their chance to play in the NFL. All players except 15 or so must be from each team’s immediate area.

Befitting this all-American theme of second chances and working one’s way to success, the league will play its championship game July 4, which is certain to potentially bring television viewers if the league finds its initial footing.

The appeal for football fans everywhere is obvious. This will be the opportunity to see the careers of fan favorites extended, and perhaps to see those players work their way into a large professional league. If the PFS succeeds, there could very well be some South Alabama Jaguars fighting for their chances some day.

Quidditch gears up for tournaments

By JENNA MUNDAY

jmm1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Q

uidditch, once a fictional game in the “Harry Potter” series, has evolved into a serious, competitive sport that merges different aspects of rugby, dodge ball and soccer into one.

Captain of the Quidditch team, Jennifer Tran, has been on the team since 2011 and also holds the title of regional and tournament director for the South Regional Quidditch Championship in Rock Hill, S.C. Torn between choosing Tuscaloosa and Rock Hill for the tournament location, Jennifer Tran decided on Rock Hill. Chosen for its beautiful fields and pristine facilities, Rock Hill offers a venue with six fields, two of which having stadium seating for the semi and final matches.

In this regional championship, 16 Division I teams, including the University of South Alabama, from the region will compete in this qualifier for a chance to play in the

World Cup. Only the top seven from this qualifier will get to advance, so it’s vital for teams to qualify if they want to compete in the International World Cup. The World Cup, the International Quidditch Association’s premiere event of the season, features 80 teams from across the league. This is the highlight of the competitive season and is one of the largest spectator events. If the University of South Alabama’s Quidditch team qualifies in the South Regional Championship, they will have the opportunity to compete at the World Cup to be crowned champions. The World Cup will take place April 5-6 in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. In addition to participating in the South Regional qualifier, the University of South Alabama Quidditch team is hosting the annual March Madness II tournament. This year, it will be held Saturday, March 8 and is expected to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The list of competing teams for this tournament features teams from Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

SPORTS

10

JT CRABTREE, SPORTS EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Basketball’s road woes continue against UTA Jags couldn’t find their stroke, lose 73-65 to the Mavericks on the road

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

Follow us for news, updates and play-by-play tweets: @USAVGSports Chris May @CmayFive5 Offensive lineman I thought people freaked out back home when it “snowed.” It’s like the ninth wonder of the world down here in Mobile today or something lol Brandon Bridge @Air_Canada7: Quarterback Bieber come back to music studio and get off the streets man Terry Fowler @Tfowl24: Women’s head basketball coach Our plane is being De-Iced. Never would have thought that would happen flying from Mobile. Add to my list of 1st for this season.

Derek Westbrook @thedwestbrook25: Men’s Cross Country The fact that my professor is ragging on girls who wear boots up to their knees and asking if they’ve ever even seen a horse >>> Chloe Rathburn @chloerathburn: Infielder/Catcher The bell tower played frosty the snowman at 8am because Mobile is getting “light snow” Lizzie Goldsmith @lizzieG_21 Midfielder/forward I just want it to be beach weather. Is that too much to ask?

Jenna Hassell @jenna_rena: Libero/Defensive Specialist Conditioning in the sleet this morning with a nice ice bath after... New definition of grind. #yetis

@USAVGSports

he University of South Alabama’s men’s basketball team looked to end their road woes and pick up their first win away from the Mitchell Center at UT-Arlington, but only found their same issues as they fell 73-65 to the Mavericks.

The Jags, now 0-7 on the road (7-13 overall, 1-6 SBC), shot just 11-for-37 (.297 percent) from 3-point land and 22for-62 (.355 percent) overall from the floor in the program’s 1,300th game.

“In the second half, when we were down, I thought we showed great resolve for one of the few times this year in being able to come back from a deficit,” head coach Matthew Graves said. “We took the lead and kept fighting, but with about six or seven minutes to go, I thought they turned it up a notch and we went about six straight possessions without a stop, and that’s the end result.”

South Alabama was led by Antoine Allen, who scored 18 points to go with four rebounds. Senior Augustine Rubit had 14 points and eight rebounds and two blocks. Mychal Ammons finished with a team-high 11 rebounds.

Barrington Stevens III added 14 points and four assists off the bench.

“I was really proud with how Barrington played,” Graves said. “He came out and played with really good energy, got the ball in positions that we needed, and he didn’t over-dribble, which is something he’s done in the

past. I was really pleased with his energy and effort off the bench.”

UTA was led by Reger Dowell, who scored 21 points while going 4-for-9 on 3-point attempts in 25 minutes off the bench. Brandon Edwards added a double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling in 11 rebounds. Lonnie McClanahan also added 19 points.

The Mavericks shot 23-for-49 (.469 percent) overall from the floor, including 9-for-26 (.346 percent) on 3-point attempts.

“I thought we started off slow on the defensive end,” Graves said. “We allowed them to get in a rhythm, but fortunately we were making some shots as well to keep the score close. As the half wore on, we did a better job of getting some stops, but we weren’t scoring on our end. We were really soft at attacking the rim. We took some decent 3-point shots, but we have to continue to attack the rim a little bit more. Part of that is our personnel, but we have to keep fighting through that.”

The Jags only turned the ball over six times, their lowest mark since Dec. 28 against New Mexico State. USA and UTA tied in the rebound category, each pulling down 36 total rebounds.

The Mavericks outscored the Jags 26-12 in points in the paint.

The Jags will next play the No. 1 team in the Sun Belt Conference, Georgia State, Jan. 30 in Atlanta. South Alabama has played Georgia State once already this season, losing 73-63 at home Jan. 4.

ALYSSA NEWTON|LOC SPORTS EDITOR

Barrington Stevens III had 14 points and four assists off the bench against UTA.

Defensive coordinator Sherrer to UGA Sherrer leaves after one season to be defensive assistant at University of Georgia

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

H

ead football coach Joey Jones will have to fill another coaching position on his staff this offseason after Kevin Sherrer has been hired as a defensive assistant at Georgia.

It was first reported by 247Sports that Sherrer, the defensive coordinator during the 2013 season, had been hired to an unknown position Jan. 22, and that his position “will be determined after all hires are made.’’

Mac Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald also reported that Sherrer will be joining the Bulldogs’ coaching staff.

Joey Jones told AL.com that Sherrer and Georgia had been in talks, but could not confirm he had been hired at the time.

Sherrer’s hiring would mean he is reunited with his former college teammate Jeremy Pruitt, the recently hired defensive coordinator at Georgia, whom he coached with at Alabama and also at Hoover (Ala.) High School.

In his first season as defensive coordinator, Sherrer’s defense was first in the Sun Belt Conference in sacks (38) and second in scoring defense (25.2 PPG) and total defense (384.3 YPG). The Jags defense also pulled down 11 interceptions, good for

fourth in the conference.

Sherrer came to South Alabama after three seasons as director of player personnel at Alabama. Before his time at Alabama, Sherrer was an assistant coach at Hoover High School from 2005-09. While at Hoover, Sherrer helped lead the Buccaneers win the 6A state championship in 2005 and again in 2009.

During his time, Hoover compiled a 61-12 record.

Sherrer was also the defensive backs coach at Spain Park (Ala.) High School from 2001-04. The Jaguars finished with a 9-4 record in Sherrer’s final year. Sherrer was a graduate assistant at Alabama from

1998-2000. He also played tight end for the Crimson Tide from 1993-95.

During his time, Alabama posted a 29-7-1 record.

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Sherrer

11

VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Lady Jags win overtime thriller against UTA Upon official review, USA holds on to win 73-72 for first road win of the season

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he University of South Alabama women’s basketball team won a thriller at UT-Arlington Jan. 25, walking away victorious by the score of 73-72 (F/OT).

Meghan Dunn hit two free throws with 8.7 seconds remaining to give the Lady Jags a onepoint lead and the win. UTA thought they may have snatched a win from the jaws of defeat, but after official review, Malaika Green’s shot was waved over, giving the Lady Jags their first victory on the road for the 2013-14 season.

“We just kept fighting,” South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler said. “They made a run, they got up and their crowd got into it. We kept it within striking distance--that was key-and we made shots when we had to and got some stops. We just traded baskets for a while, but we made the stops when we had to.”

Fowler continued, “I thought we played as well as we could in the first half and shot the ball well. When you make nine (3-pointers) in the first half, you’re going to give yourself a pretty good chance. I was just hoping we could

continue that play. That’s how it’s been for us on the road. We’ve gotten off to some really good starts, but not been able to sustain it. It was just great for our kids to be able to fight through the adversity of the run that UTA had.”

The Lady Jags were led by Dunn and Breanna Hall, who each finished with 21 points. Dunn, whose 21 points tied a careerhigh, was 6-for-14 from the floor and 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Hall, whose 21 points was a new career-high, was 6-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-9 on 3-point attempts. Hall also set a career-high with five steals.

Brittany Webb finished with 11 points and a career-best seven assists. Ronneka Robertson finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. The Sun Belt Conference’s best 3-point shooter, Rachel Cumbo, finished with nine points, all from behind the 3-point line.

The Lady Jags show 40 percent from the floor and hit a season-best 11 3-pointers. As a team, USA was 11-for-26 from behind the arc.

The Lady Jags will next play in Atlanta against Georgia State Jan. 29.

Men’s tennis defeats Nicholls State 6-1

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

Breanna Hall had a career-high 21 points and five steals against UTA.

Lady Jag Softball ranked No. 20 in USA Today poll

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

By SAVON MORRIS savonmorris@yahoo.com

S

outh Alabama men’s tennis team defeated the Nicholls State Colonels 6-1 at Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts Jan. 18.

The Jags had no problem sending the Colonels packing with a loss in their column. The Jags’ outstanding play started from junior Daniel Leitner. Leitner swept Bernard Wezeman 6-0, 6-0 in the first singles competition. Leitner is ranked No. 117 and is undefeated in singles competition in regular season play (4-0).

“Our team captain, Daniel, won his match in 29 minutes to put us up 2-0,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “So that made everyone relax, and we were able to win two more points relatively quickly. This year we talked about if he has a chance of finishing quickly and really controlling the pace and the speed of the match, then he has to do it. Since the beginning of this season, he has dominated three matches out of four, and he’s still undefeated. I’m very proud of him. He’s doing his job as a captain

and as No. 1, so I couldn’t ask for a better start for him.”

Nico Mertens was the lone Colonel to earn a point on the day, taking the No. 2 match 6-3, 6-3 over Tuki Jacobs. Shayann Vaezzadeh defeated Lukas Clemens (NSU) 6-4, (6-1). Manuel Belda defeated Evan Karatzas (NSU) 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6).

“This match was tough,” Brochu said.

“Nicholls State came to play, but we answered very well. I think we need to work harder and be a little more aggressive from the beginning.

Winning the doubles point was big today. If you give a team like Nicholls State hope, that’s when they become dangerous, so we had to make sure to win the doubles point and then we needed quick wins in singles.”

Jags took the doubles points with two wins in tiebreakers. Junior Belda and sophomore Juan Troglia picked up the first win of the day with their 6-5 (7-3) victory over Clemens and Wezeman at the No. 1 spot. Jacobs and sophomore Gerhard Gruindelingh secured the point for USA with a 6-5 (7-2) win over Jeoffrey Noblecourt and Mertens at No. 3 match.

T

he USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Top-25 softball poll was released Jan. 21, with the South Alabama Jaguars ranked 20th.

The Lady Jags’ 20th ranking is the highest preseason ranking in school history. USA finished the 2013 season ranked 17th in the country with a 48-9 record (17-3 SBC).

The Lady Jags were only one of three in the NCAA to lose fewer than 10 games in 2013.

Only No. 5 Florida and No. 1 Oklahoma finished with a better winning percentage.

“It is always an honor to be recognized as one of the top programs in the NCAA,” head coach Becky Clark said. “As coaches and players, we know that all of this will ultimately be played out on the field. I definitely think the preseason list is an indicator of the type of softball that is being played in the Sun Belt. To have two teams in the Top 20 and another team receiving votes is a testament to the hard work put in by the coaches and student-athletes in our conference.”

The preseason recognition comes after a

year that saw the Lady Jags host their first NCAA Regional tournament, where USA was one strike away from advancing to a Super Regional before losing to Florida State 7-6 (F/8) in the Regional final May 19.

UL-Lafayette (47-15) is the only other Sun Belt Conference team in the Top 25, pinned to the open the season with a No. 13 ranking.

Western Kentucky also received a vote.

The Lady Jags will play a plethora of teams ranked in the preseason poll during the 2014 season. USA opens the season with No. 21 UAB Feb. 6 and matchup against the Blazers again Feb. 19.

South Alabama will play No. 23 Georgia three times, twice in the Bulldog Invitational from Feb. 14-16 and again in the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. Feb. 23.

During the Gulf Coast Softball Classic in Gulfport, Miss. March 1, the Lady Jags will play No. 18 Baylor before traveling to No. 6 Alabama April 2.

Possibly the biggest matchup of the season will come April 12-13 on the road when USA plays conference foe UL-Lafayette. The final ranked matchup will be against No. 17 LSU April 23 in Baton Rouge, La.

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Patterson breaks shot put school record in Arkansas Holt, Jones bring home first place finishes in the Arkansas State Invitational at the Convocation Center

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

S

outh Alabama’s men’s and women’s track and field teams were able to bring home an individual victory each, while the men’s team set a school record at the Arkansas State Invitational at the Convocation Center Jan. 24.

Adam Patterson broke the men’s shot put school record with a throw of 15.76m, breaking the record set in 1974 by .01m. Patterson finished in sixth place overall.

“I’m really excited for Adam and happy for that record to finally fall,” said head track and field coach Paul Brueske. “He and all of our throwers have been working really hard to get better, and I think they’ve all got a lot more left in them.”

Jaylon Holt took the only first place finish for the Jags’ men’s team, recording a 14.30m leap on the men’s triple jump. Ariel Johnson recorded a 10.59m jump in the women’s triple jump, good for ninth place.

Noelle Jones finished first in the women’s high jump, recording a leap of 1.63m. Kaitlyn Beans and Jasmine Ferguson each recorded a leap of 1.58m, placing for a four-way tie for fourth. Jones also finished with a career-best time in the 55-meter hurdles (8.53 seconds), good for seventh place.

Lezyon Legarde (1.98m) and Holt (1.93m) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the men’s high jump. Legarde’s 1.98m was a personal best.

In the 3,000-meter run, Kristin Parry finished

second with a time 10:00.69. Tori Lawson finished fourth place (10:05.39), Nicole Durham placed ninth (10:37.46) and Joanna McCoy placed 10th (10:38.71) for the Lady Jags. Justin Housley led the men’s team with a personal-best time of 8:43.78, putting him in fourth place. Robert Mann (8:49.19) and Joe Gratton (8:50.57) placed seventh and ninth, respectively.

Gratton, Mann, Housley and Spencer Anderson put together a third-place finish in the men’s distance medley with a combined time of 10:29.09.

Anderson then teamed with Tevin Barnett, Garrett Schumacher and Tyler Agee to finish third in the 4x400-meter relay (3:23.63).

In the men’s 55-meter hurdles, Agee and Ravaughn Pope each finished in the top five. Agee was second with a time of 7.68 seconds, while Pope had a time of 7.94 seconds, good for fifth place.

Mark Watts led the men’s squad in the 400-meter dash, earning a second-place finish with a time of 50.01 seconds. For the women’s team, Marina Swanepoel finished with a time of 59.97 seconds, a personal best, good for fifth place.

Defending Sun Belt Conference champion Nick Farrell cleared 4.87m in the men’s pole vault, placing in a three-way tie for fifth place. Connor Smith tied for 10th with a 4.57m mark.

In the men’s 5,000-meter run, Daniel Carter finished fifth for USA. Patterson (seventh, 17.39m), Jeff Long (eighth, 16.85m) and Kedzior (10th, 16.26m) all placed in

the top 10 of the men’s weight throw. Patterson and Long each recorded personal bests.

Melissa McCluskey finished the women’s 200-meter run in seventh place with a time of 25.82 seconds. Joanna McCoy finished in eighth place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:27.20.

Ireland Armstrong and Megan James set personal bests in the women’s pole vault, clearing 3.36m (10th) and 3.21m (t-12th), respectively.

“This was a very competitive meet with some

very good – in some cases extraordinary – studentathletes from around the country,” Brueske noted.

“We had some strong performances across the board today, and it’s great when you can do that against such good competition. Some folks certainly moved up in the conference standings today, and I think we’ll continue to get better in every event.”

The Jaguars’ next event will be in the Samford Invitational at the Birmingham CrossPlex Feb. 7-8.

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

Adam Patterson set a school record in shot put with a throw of 15.76m.

VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

13

14

Opinion

KELLY FICARELLI, OPINION EDITOR kficarelli@gmail.com VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Alabama should consider not being last for once

By RYAN WALLACE ryanwallace2010@gmail.com

H

as weed ever been more popular than it is right now?

Of course, the big news if you have been living under a rock (or just stoned) is that the first recreational pot stores in the state opened on New Year’s Day after the passage of Amendment 64 in November 2012,

making the drug legal for purchase.

The month has since been filled with anxious eyes on both sides of the marijuana legalization battle watching the goings-on in the Centennial State to observe the effect of the new law. Result: the people in Colorado haven’t yet been subjected to an apocalypse of drugged-up motorists, airline pilots, baristas, whatever. They DO, however, seem to really, really like pot. Time magazine reported on Jan. 4 that most stores seemed to be running out of marijuana and others were raising prices to take advantage of overwhelming demand. Do you smell that in the air, America? No, not that. The other smell. That is the smell of the free market dictating the price of a commodity that people are free to purchase and enjoy, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of

Alexander Steven MoMatt Sessions: siniak: Doc says it’s probably Even AFTER looking at just allergies. Second docmy X-rays, my doc said she tor proves I’m not allergic to thought it was just a sprain, anything and schedules nose then another doc looked and surgery. saw a break and torn ligaments. Epic fail by the first doctor!

Stephanie Lambert: Bryan Blow: “You don’t really have to Rub some dirt on it. do anything about it til it bursts. Then you can just go Elizabeth Kay: to the ER and have emergenCalled the doctor because cy surgery.” my child’s nose had been bleeding for over 24 hours without stopping. He replied, Taylor Brown: “Get it to quit bleeding, then I had the same issue as bring him in.”

Matt Sessions. “It’s just allergies,” then find out I have major sinus issues and Kendra Morales Bar- need surgery. Good thing I nett: wouldn’t take “it’s just allerDoctor could not identify gies” for an answer. what chickenpox looked like!

Matt Johnston: After a flag football injury, doc says, “You probably just have a sprained knee.” I went to a second doctor for a different opinion and found out my ACL and meniscus were torn and I needed surgery.

others while doing so.

Like the War on Poverty before it, the War on Drugs has been an abject failure. In an article printed July 3, 2012 by The New York Times, Eduardo Porter points out that cocaine is now so plentiful on the streets of America that it is 74 percent cheaper than it was 30 years ago. If we can’t keep much harder drugs than marijuana out of the country with any kind of real success, why are we focusing so much law enforcement efforts on relatively harmless marijuana? Most of the arguments in favor of legal marijuana sales are wellknown by this point: it is, at worst, as dangerous for you as alcohol, and arrests for marijuana possession lead to a crowding of our prisons with nonviolent offenders. However, the argument that is most relevant to the le-

JagPulse What’s the worst medical advice you’ve received?

Manda Motes: “The two epidurals you got in Puerto Rico don’t count.”

Crystal Marie Hamilton: I was really sick. Like, I felt like just laying down and peacefully dying. The doc told me I had just partied too much. I went the next day to another doc and they said I had mono and bronchitis.

Justine Burbank: I got a shot of penicillin for strep throat after I told Lauren Godfrey: everyone, including the doc“Nothing’s wrong, don’t tor and nurse, that I am al- come back.” Come back four lergic to it. Good thing I was years later and have to have already in the ER. major surgery because of the nothing that was wrong.

galization argument deals simply with freedom. It bears remembering that freedom is freedom, and not simply freedom for everything as long as it doesn’t offend anyone. Like it or not, we must tolerate the attitude and choices of that one annoying stoner cousin you have right along with the flag-burners and the nutjobs from Westboro Baptist Church, as long as their actions do not impinge upon those same rights of others. There is simply no convincing argument for why a legal adult buying marijuana and lighting up in the privacy of his or her own home is the business of anyone else, either other individuals or the government.

I am no fan of marijuana. It smells awful, kills all motivation when inhaled and doesn’t even get you as high as a good hit of model glue (kid-

ding, I don’t know how high model glue gets you). However, I find myself in favor of individual states decriminalizing the sale and recreational use of marijuana simply because it should be an individual right to enjoy such things as long as you’re not harming anyone else and because the federal government has no business getting involved in such matters in the first place. Alabama has developed a respectable record in the last few years of rejecting federal power in areas in which it should not be extended, and I think a meaningful statement could be made by residents of the state coming to terms with the idea that individual liberty (even used for objectionable ends) is more important than largely useless pot laws.

Maybe the time for legalization in Alabama is now.

Suzanne Whoo: I think we’ll wait until the stones in your kidneys (all 21 of them) pass on their own.

Then we’ll figure out what’s going on.

Sheree Covington: I had been drinking a lot of coffee during finals and had a swollen lymph node in my left breast. I went to the doctor to see what I could do to get the swelling to go down. The doctor told me I needed to go straight to the ER and get emergency surgery. I told her I came for a swollen lymph node and she started to raise her voice, said not to tell her how to do her job and she is trying to save me from breast cancer. I suggested that before she jumps to outrageous conclusions, she should suggest that I get a mammogram.

Michael Rizzoli: Doctor to my mom: oh you’re probably just a little sore from the wreck. Nothing to worry about, but I’ll check that X-ray if you really want me to. Comes back: well your arm is broken and you have severe bruising...

Kathy Dean: To eat nothing but rice and pickles for weight loss.

Victoria Johnson: I went to a pediatrician’s office as a young teenager after a panic attack over a minor pain. When the doctor checked me out and everything was fine, she walked out. When she came back in, she had a list of psychiatrists she recommended.

Angie Bednarski: Took Grandma, who had previously been hospitalized for clinical depression, to the doctor after her son (my father) was killed. She couldn’t stop crying and kept repeating that she wanted to die. Doctor said, “Just watch some funny movies.”

15

VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014

Treat yourself to real food for a change

By JASON RUFFIN

jwr1321@jagmail.southalabama.edu

L

et me make one thing clear right off the bat: I am by no means a healthy eater, and when I say not healthy, I mean my typical breakfast is made up of a Milky Way and a Coke. If I don’t get those two things every morning, I’m like a smoker without cigarettes. But I took on this topic because I love talking about stuff about which I know very little.

Now before you judge me, let’s face it, nobody eats 100 percent real, healthy, unprocessed foods all the time. Everywhere we go, we’re faced with some form of processed food. Whether it be from a fast food restaurant or the aisles of a grocery store, the stuff is everywhere. It has become so much a part of our lives that, for the most part, we don’t even really think about it anymore. This was the thinking behind Lisa Leake’s blog, 100 days of real food, which details the 100 days she and her family banned themselves from eating anything not considered real food.

This includes no artificial sweeteners (which includes things like my morning Milky Way), no deep-fried foods and no fast foods.

In today’s world, it is practically impossible to rely completely on organic and unprocessed foods.

Leake’s blog (100daysofrealfood. com) addresses this and says her 100 days of strictly clean eating was just an experiment to prove it could be done. She says that even though they are off their 100-day pledge, she still makes sure 95 percent of what her family eats is unprocessed. Her blog also includes tips and recipes that substitute processed foods for the real stuff, and a free meal plan

to help you with your own 10-day pledge.

Food processing is nothing new.

It dates back hundreds of years and can include anything butchered, preserved with salt or cooked various ways (such as roasted or baked). Processed foods as we think of them, however, were originally developed for military purposes in the early 19th century with the advent of canning. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the rise of concentrated juice and TV dinners brought about the convenience foods as we think of them now.

Leake’s blog also notes some of the health benefits her family experienced during their 100 days of clean eating. Some of these included less fatigue during the day, the need for less sleep at night, and even a considerable improvement in her 3-yearold’s mild case of asthma. Processed foods affecting our health isn’t a new concept. Some of the worst diseases out there are linked to our diet.

These include diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some types of cancer.

According to the Huffington Post, the United States was surpassed last year by Mexico as the world’s most obese country. While the U.S. obesity rate hasn’t yet begun to drop, it has leveled off. But why has Mexico’s obesity rate begun to rise, you ask? A United Nations’ report blames little awareness of nutrition along with a population that struggles to make ends meet and, you guessed it, more processed and calorie-rich food. I think I’m going to trade that Milky Way in for some granola bars. As for the Coke, I’ll keep working on it.

COURTESY OF JASON RUFFIN

RYAN KELLER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Appreciate all the improvements, benefits at The Edge apartments

By STARR JAMES

scj1221@jagmail.southalabama.edu

I

t has been about five months since the opening of T he Edg e Apar tments, and shockingly, the thrown-tog ether complex is still holding up. Not only that, but T he Edg e has also implemented a few upg rades.

T he owners of the proper ty have finally put into effect the constr uction of a new parking lot. T his means that residents will no long er have to pay a $15 fee each month for parking. In the meantime, visitors of the residents still have to sign in at the front office to receive a parking pass that’s only valid over night. But the proper ty is working dilig ently to have three-day weekend passes for

visitors once the new parking lot is completed. T he proper ty will be expanding the lot by using the space of what used to be Ander’s Bookstore.

Security features have also been enhanced. Each entrance to the apar tment complex is equipped with g ates that automatically lock so that only residents are able to enter.

Personally, I think the idea of having this kind of security is brilliant! It may slow you down if you’re ever in a hur r y, but it will definitely make any potential thief think twice about breaking and entering. After speaking with a few of T he Edg e’s residents, it is safe to say that the complex is living up to expectations. W hen asking a few of its own residents about their stay, there were no complaints, with the exce ption of how noisy it usually g ets on the weekends. I expected more adverse things to be said, but instead, the maintenance crew was complimented for their effor ts to tend to work orders in a timely fashion, and the staff was praised for how helpful and friendly they are.

In my opinion, I would have to ag ree with my fellow resi-

dents. Other than having the usual problems with roommates, such as dir ty dishes being left in the sink for days, I haven’t had much to nag about.

I can usually wake up for a 9:30 a.m. class at 9 a.m. and g et there on time because of the close proximity my apar tment is to USA. Of course that means I might not look the cutest when I g et there, but the point is, T he Edg e is unquestionably a convenient place to live!

On top of all this, the proper ty manag ers tr y their best to kee p T he Edg e community eng ag ed with one another by holding various events ever y so often. T hese events include providing holiday meals, Red Bull, coffee and breakfast during final exams week, and hosting pool par ties. Looking back during the time I was forced to live in a hotel for two weeks because of the poor planning of this apar tment complex, I couldn’t really see myself being happy with living here, but my, how the times have chang ed.

T he Edg e has evolved into one of the safest apar tment homes near the University of South Alabama, not to mention it is also one of the nicest!

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VOL. 54, NO. 3 / JAN. 27, 2014