The March 11 Issue of The Vanguard

VANGUARD

THE

VOL. 52, NO. 9

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

MAR. 11, 2013

PRESIDENT GORDON MOULTON

Gil Collar’s mother speaks out to USA

RETIRES

By STUART SOX

Editor’s note: The Vanguard’s Editor Cassie Fambro has been in communication with Bonnie Collar, mother of Gil Collar. Collar wrote a letter to the University about her son, her views and her goals. It is published here exclusively in its entirety.

To the Students, Faculty and Staff of USA:

Gil and Bonnie Collar

It has been five months since my son, Gilbert Thomas Collar, a freshman of six weeks, was shot and killed on the campus of the Univer-

sity of South Alabama.

In ways, it seems like an eternity since I saw his smile and heard his voice...but at other times, it is as if it were only yesterday that he made me laugh with his outlandish, sometimes totally inappropriate humor.

Truthfully, some days I still hear his voice and turn to look for him. As much as it hurts that we no longer have him physically present with us, we still consider ourselves blessed beyond belief to have had him in our lives for 18 years.

I am very proud to be his mother, and very proud of the young man he had grown to be.

I am writing this to thank those of you who said a prayer for us, sent us a card, lit a candle, signed a petition, or simply ask "why?" In all the chaos and controversy after Gil was killed, it seems that many have lost sight of the essential truth of what happened.

On October 6, 2012, a young man with a bright future died. Regardless of your views on how or why, and who See COLLAR Page 2

SGA elections are important to participate in sgsox@att.net

PHOTOS BY CASSIE FAMBRO /EIC

Left and center: President Moulton addresss the Board of Trustees. Right, Moulton stands with Dr. John Smith, acting president of USA.

By CASSIE FAMBRO caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu

President Gordon Moulton will end his tenure as president of the University of South Alabama on July 1, 2013.

After 46 years of service to USA, President Moulton has decided to retire.

The decision was announced Friday at the Board of Trustees meeting.

The news comes after Dr. John Smith was appointed acting president of the university at an emergency board meeting in February.

The reason given was Moulton’s health after an October surgery for malignant brain cancer.

The board accepted Moulton’s retirement and offered an emotional

resolution to honor USA’s second-ever president.

Chairman of the board of trustees Jim Yance spoke on behalf of the board to express their gratitude to Moulton’s service.

“One cannot overstate the impact Gordon and Geri Moulton have had on the University of South Alabama...”

Yance said.

The official resolution went even further.

“The Board of Trustees does hereby extend its heartfelt gratitude to President Moulton for his many years of service that have helped USA over the past five decades to make a transformational positicve impace on teh quality of life of countless people across the gulf coast,

the nation and the world,” the resolution stated.

Moulton will be honored in a special tribute at the May 3 anniversary celebration. May 3 is 50 years to the day since USA was founded.

Mayor Sam Jones lauded USA and credits Mouton with a great deal of its accomplishments. “In 15 years as president, Moulton has transformed the University into one of the nation’s finest educational institutions...” Jones said.

Dr. John Smith will remain acting president until a national search decided who will officially replace Moulton.

Smith will be eligible for that search.

The Vanguard will have more on Moulton’s accomplishments as president in an upcoming issue.

Kayaking for the 50 anniversary th

By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

University of South Alabama Assistant Professor of Nursing Tom Meyer is connected to USA in more than an academic way. Meyer was one of the first students that received an athletic letter from USA as a track and field and cross country athletes. Meyer’s wife Mary and son Josh are also USA alums.

Between the three members of the Meyer family, they hold five degrees from South Alabama. Meyer has two himself; a degree in Biology as well as a Master of Science in Nursing. He has served as a faculty member since 2001.

As the university is celebrating its

find us on Facebook “Facebook.com/ TheVanguardUSA”

50-year anniversary, Meyer wanted to do something to show his appreciation for South Alabama as well as allow a helping hand to students in the future.

Since Meyer has been heavily involved in endurance sports for most of his life, and recently in kayak racing, he decided that would be his vehicle to give back to USA. He will launch his kayak on March 29 at sunrise at the northernmost put-in of the Bartram Canoe Trail, Holly Creek Landing in far north Baldwin County on the Alabama river, and believes he will arrive at the southern terminus of the Bartram Canoe Trail at 5-Rivers on the Causeway by sunset. He invites all com-

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

ers to share in the experience by paddling all or any part of the route with him.

The start to finish of this trip will amount to 50 miles, thus the trip being called “50 for 50: The Bartram Challenge.”

What Meyer hopes to accomplish is starting a scholarship at USA using this kayak trip as a launching point. Meyer and the university are currently searching for local citizens and businesses to donate money in any amount to support this scholarship. What Meyer hopes to happen is have himself, or a group, of kayakers getting money per mile they kayak.

Life, Page 5

Last year, only 10 percent of the South Alabama student body voted in Student Government Association elections, a percentage that members of the SGA executive council says must increase.

“Ten percent is better [than last year], but it’s not good enough,” said Senate Pro Tempore Elizabeth McDonald at last Monday’s SGA meeting on March 4. “While their name may not appear on the ballot, an informed voter has the incredible power to effect change on this campus,” McDonald added.

SGA President Parker Chastain echoed McDonald’s sentiments. “The representatives that are elected can dramatically shape the future of the university. South Alabama is a unique and diverse community and its elected officials should be as such to ensure that the student’s voices and opinions are being heard,” Chastain said.

After weeks of debate about the Student-at-Large position, the Senate voted at last Monday’s meeting to not eliminate it from the executive council.

The Student-at-Large position could not be eliminated for the 20132014 school year because it is already listed as an option on the SGA applications that are available at the SGA office. Some senators proposed that the 2013-2014 election year be the last that the executive council includes the Student-at-Large position while the majority of the senate felt that it should be the next SGA senate that makes that decision.

Higher Education Day was a “huge success” according to SGA Attorney General Zakary Gosa-Lewis, the organizer of USA’s participation in the event in Montgomery, Ala. on Feb. 28.

The students and faculty in attendance rallied in downtown Montgomery near the state capitol building for better See SGA Page 12

In this Issue: Sports, Page 8 Opinion, Page 13

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VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

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VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Copy Editor Life Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center Senior Reporter Web Editor Staff Reporter

Cassie Fambro Alyssa Newton Jake Howell Noah Logan Patrick Herring JT Crabtree Jayson Curry

Mother of Gil Collar speaks out Continued from Page 1

or what is to blame for his death, we should all be able to agree that a tragedy occurred that night.

It could have been another mother's child, but it was my son.

Matthew Strickland My only son.

Stuart Sox So many associated with the university have reached out and Distribution shown kindness to us in our grief, Distribution Bobby Faulk and we are forever grateful to you.

Matthew Rhodes Our Gil looked forward to atAdvertising tending USA for many months. He Advertising Wesley Jackson loved the ocean, and wanted to atMohammad Al-Zarrad tend there initially because of the Graphic Designer Rex McKay location. However, after several visits to the campus, he was drawn to it because of the eager and helpful Management faculty and staff, and the friendly Advising J. Sellers students, as well as the beautiful J. Aucoin campus.

Accounting Kathy Brannan He told me he felt at home Mission there, and I am comforted to know The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of that he spent the last six weeks of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus his life in a place he loved. Thank community and surroun ding areas. The Vanguard you for welcoming him. strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes I wish that my son could have firmly in its First Amendment rights. had the time to get to know more of his fellow students. He was not Send letters and guest columns to: the person that you have seen porThe Vanguard trayed in the media.

University of South Alabama He was a humble, soft spoken P.O. Drawer U-1057 person; he loved his family and Mobile, Ala., 36688. spending time with us; he was kind, Or intelligent, and funny beyond deeditor.in.chief@usavanguard.com scription.

He was a mentor to the Letters and guest columns must be received younger athletes on his wrestling by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the team; they loved him as a brother.

Monday publication. Submissions should be He was an awesome brother to typed and must include the writer’s name, year, his sister, Elisabeth, to whom he school and telephone number. All submissions was very close. become the property of The Vanguard. The He was a respectful and loving Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and son, grandson, nephew, cousin and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters a loyal friend. He saw the good in will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest everyone, and encouraged people columns are the opinion of the writer. The to follow their dreams. He was a Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion champion of the underdog and of the Editorial Board, which is composed seldom thought of himself first, of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior choosing to put the needs of others Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members before his own. of the Editorial Board have the same weight.

No, he was not perfect....but if I The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy could choose from the entire uniand clarity and will print any corrections or verse the person that I wished to be clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail editor. my son, I would choose him. Of in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is course, I mourn his death, but I published Mondays during the academic year, also mourn the loss of the opporexcept for exam periods and vacations, and is tunity to see him accomplish the The Vanguard is published twice each summer. supported in part by an allocation from student wonderful plans God had for him.

He had goals and dreams, and he activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. should have had the opportunity to Issues are available at most University buildings follow those dreams.

I hope you will allow this mothand select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance er, whose heart has been broken writers will receive payment at the discretion of beyond repair, to offer a few words of advice. Take it as I intend it to the section editor and will be notified.

be; an attempt to have people learn from what happened to Gil. Some of you, like Gil, may have come to the University from a tightknit small community similar to our beloved Wetumpka, AL, where your friends were those you'd known since pre-school and you seldom saw someone you did not know or could not trust. Things are different away from home.

You cannot assume that everyone you meet has your best interest at heart. A police officer you see on the street is not the same as the one back home who coached your baseball team for half your life.

He doesn't know you. Welcome new friends into you lives, but reserve your trust for only those that prove themselves worthy and have passed the test of time.

Keep old relationships nurtured along with new. Simply make good choices. Forgive wrongs, but nevertheless work for change when change is needed to correct a wrong. If you find yourself in need of help, seek out those trustworthy friends.

They will seldom let you down.

Know who you are and what you believe and if you don't yet know seek wise people to advise you. Work toward achieving the plans that God has for you. Do this for yourself, but also for my son, who will not have to opportunity to be a wrestling coach or a history teacher, or any of the choices he was considering for his life.

For those of you who knew Gil, I hope you think of him each time you see the beauty of the ocean, witness God's power in a beautiful sunset, or hear the sound of a young person's laughter.

If you knew him you know he loved to make people laugh. Please keep his memory alive in your hearts and learn from him...from his life and from his death.

In closing, I leave you with words to live by from the Book of Matthew, that are also found in the scriptures of almost every religion in existence, which says in part..."in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.” I pray daily that all who enter the campus of the University will be blessed, and that they will be safe from harm.

With gratitude for your kindnesses, I close with one of my son's favorite sayings.

BE EASY! Bonnie Collar

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VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

jagLIFE

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

El Cantador joins lineup for Southsounds 2013

TIMOTHY BORLAND | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

El Cantador bassist, Alex Scharr, rocking out onstage at Southsounds 2012. This year’s Southsounds music festival will be held on April 12-14 in downtown Mobile.

By TIMOTHY BORLAND trb903@jagmail.southalabama.edu

F

or the uninitiated, Southsounds is a music festival in downtown Mobile that occurs at the same time as Arts Alive! weekend.

For a single entry fee, those in attendance gain access to multiple venues downtown featuring the best up and coming southern bands.

“Something like Bayfest doesn’t hold any interest for the young and the restless. And that is where art truly lies,” says Heath Underwood, lead singer and guitarist of El Cantador.

El Cantador is one of the many notable local Mobile bands performing at Southsounds Festival 2013.

The band emits squeals of distorted Fender guitar equally measured with the rhythmic thumping of a deep Ricken-

backer bass.

In the background, a wall of sound washed in synthesizer chords melds with electronic loops. Pulsing drums, creating a cohesive whole, anchor the ironic juxtaposition of the organic and digital sounds.

Perhaps most exciting is that only three people create a sound this massive.

Formed in 2007, the band is well known for their willingness to mix genres.

Bassist Alex Scharr performs multiple instruments at once by triggering loops with an enormous floor pedal that resembles the foot keys on an organ.

A synthesizer, used in combination with an Apple laptop, flesh out the rest of the sound not supplied by the traditional rock instruments of Underwood and drummer Sean Murphy.

The band is currently gearing up to support their newly released EP “Translation Wave” which can be purchased for a mere $5 on bandcamp.

The road is not any stranger to this band which has toured venues throughout the southeast.

In addition to Southsounds, people may recall their notable performances at both Bayfest and the Hangout festival in the past.

El Cantador has also shared the stage with the likes of Cage the Elephant, Alabama Shakes, and Shovels & Rope “Fools for Light,” the band’s debut LP, was re-released this year.

Roger Seibel, known for his work with Broken Social Scene and Death Cab for Cutie, mastered the album in Phoenix, Arizona.

El Cantador is now signed to the newly formed southern record label This Is American Music.

The band is even rumored to have made an appearance at SXSW last week.

No matter where El Cantador may roam, their roots lie in Mobile. With a strong local fanbase, their performance at Southsounds 2013 is not to be missed.

“The important thing about this festival is for everybody to get involved.

Most of us are music fans before we’re musicians...we have to help lay the groundwork as a community to get it going,” says Underwood.

Southsounds 2013 will kick-off during Arts Alive! weekend in downtown Mobile on April 12-14.

More information on Southsounds can be found at southsoundsfest.com.

Visit elcantador.com or thisisamericanmusic.com to learn more about El Cantador.

Decisions and courage Campus Recreation offers

By JAKE HOWELL

jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu

W

ith a flurry of “hoorahs!” and countless unoriginal Facebook status updates, the arrival of Spring Break has heralded a turning point of the spring semester. Midterms are over, and things are all downhill from here.

On the coattails of Spring Break, though, comes a time of decisionmaking for those graduating once May arrives.

Decisions on where to attend graduate/professional school, applying for jobs and moving are racing towards the soon-to-be graduates.

And it’s scary.

For many people, this sort of change is what they live for.

People like me, however, tend to view changes of this magnitude as things akin to dementors waiting to suck out our souls.

The very idea of choosing a graduate program, of leaving the home and life I’ve built here in Mobile, of taking another step towards the great unknown that is the future does scare me.

Something that I’ve learned over my four years at USA, though, is that the decisions that scare you, the choices that are hard, often lead you to the most incredible places.

It doesn’t make you weak to feel slightly terrified at the thought of your future.

Allowing the terror to overtake you, to envelope you in darkness so complete that you forget what the stars look like, is what makes you weak.

Courage lets you move forward despite the fear, to move on to the awesome places in store.

Even the most fearful among us have the courage needed to do this.

After all, making the decision to get up, keep breathing, and live is the most courageous decision of all.

massage therapy

By EMILY MELVIN

eam704@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he Department of Campus Recreation now offers chair massage therapy at the Student Recreation Center.

Every first and third Monday of each month, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., enrolled students, university staff, and alumni can come to the Cardio Theater of the Student Recreation Center on Stadium Boulevard to receive a chair massage.

The cost for a massage is $1 per minute for members of the center, and 50 cents per minute for students, with a minimum purchase requirement of 10 minutes.

The massages will be administered

by Tonya Ben Mansour, the owner of Bella Sundries Therapeutic Massage, located on Airport Boulevard in Mobile.

Walk-ins are welcome, but those wishing to make a reservation can contact Gina Pollock at (251) 460-6568.

JAKE HOWELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu

5

WEEKLY LOWDOWN Mar. 11-15 ►SPRING BREAK!

Tuesday, Mar. 19 ►2 p.m. - “I Need Help

Choosing My Major!” event in Meisler Hall, Room 2100.

►5:15 p.m. - African American

Student Association meeting in the Humanities building, Room 150.

Wednesday, Mar. 20 ►2 p.m. - What’s on

Wednesday: “Student Leader Forum” in the University Library, Room 181.

►7:30 p.m. - “The Debate on Gun Control” featuring Dr. John Lott and Dr. Michael Shermer in the Laidlaw Recital Hall.

Thursday, Mar. 21 ►5:30 p.m. - Adaptation,

Refinement, and Piety: An Exploration of the University of South Alabama’s Historic Buildings walking tour.

Begins at USA Archaelogy Museum.

Friday, Mar. 22 ► 5 p.m. - Deadline to order

cap and gown for graduation.

Orders must be placed online through the USA Bookstore.

►7:30 p.m. - 2103 Mahan

Lecture: “Life on the Homefront: the Soviet Experience during World War II” in the Laidlaw Auditorium.

JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR

Take advantage of the massage therapy services available through the Rec Center.

Want your event featured in the Weekly Lowdown? Email the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under seven words) to jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

Fantastic food fit for a king at The Royal Scam

By MAELYNN LA

ml 802@jagmail.southalabama.edu

I

f you have been following my little food journey throughout my time here with The Vanguard, I have yet to talk about any downtown Mobile establishments.

One such restaurant that’s close to my heart is The Royal Scam.

It’s actually the place that inspired me to start food writing because I adore it so much.

At first glance, you may snort in derision at the name; I mean, what kind of food, service, and atmosphere do you expect from a restaurant out rightly named “Scam”?

You can expect all of those things and more from The Royal Scam, which is why I keep coming back.

The place is quite intimate with many hi-top tables packed together on the left and a bar dominating the right of the room.

Every time I’ve been, the place was packed with people coming for dinner and drinks after work.

The ambiance of the restaurant is upscale, trendy, but not flashy. I could see the future version of me, a recent college grad with a job (hopefully), coming to The Royal Scam with coworkers after a long day.

The alternative future version of me, a recent college grad without a job, will come here anyway because it’s just that good.

When I first experienced The Royal Scam, I was not one of those professional types. Instead, I was on a

HEY YOU

.

Into the downtown scene in Mobile?

We need a Scene writer.

Bars, clubs, and night life articles are welcome.

MAELYNN LA | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Even something as mundane as an order of french fries takes on a whole new life when paired with something like this grilled salmon sandwich and spicy mango salad.

date, so my significant other and I chose to sit outside on their covered patio.

I found that the inside of the restaurant was boisterous because the tables are quite close to each other and wine was flowing freely.

We sat at a wrought-iron table next to a space heater, which is essential if you’re going to sit outside in the middle of winter.

The name of the restaurant made me think that the prices of the entrees would be astronomical.

There are many options in different price ranges, however, from inexpensive Angus burgers to $27 filet

MAELYNN LA| CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The roasted duck panini is just one of the many incredibly delicious menu items just waiting to be discovered at The Royal Scam.

mignon or fresh fish.

The sandwich menu caught our eyes because of the out of the ordinary offerings and prices.

I selected the roasted duck panini ($9.49) which came with two sides.

For sides, I ordered the spicy mango salad and the baby field greens.

This sandwich is legendary to me.

Legendary. I don’t think words can truly describe how amazing this panini is, but I’ll give it a try, because this is a public service announcement.

First off, not many places around here offer roast duck. If any did, it would simply pale in comparison.

The roasted duck panini comes with roasted duck, spinach, applewood smoked bacon, gorgonzola cheese, herb garlic cheese and balsamic vinaigrette served on an herbed focaccia round.

The duck was rich, juicy and plentiful; it was cooked perfectly. My favorite component was the gorgonzola because the flavor is sharp and it adds a creamy component to the sandwich.

Also, you can’t go wrong with the salty bite of rendered bacon. The focaccia was the perfect vessel for all of this deliciousness going on.

The spicy mango salad consisted of sliced mangos, red chili pepper flakes and an Asian peanut soy dressing on a bed of arugula.

It was interesting to the palate because the mangos were very sweet, but the ample amount of red pepper flakes gave the side a huge lick of heat.

The baby field greens were also delicious, with red onion, sun-dried tomato, red apples and almond slivers on top of mixed greens.

The meal I received was definitely one of the best I’ve ever had, and the price is nothing for what you get.

Unfortunately, I have to say that I’ve noticed that they don’t use as much duck breast anymore, but maybe that’s just me.

My date ordered a grilled salmon sandwich with house fries and spicy mango salad ($9.49).

His sandwich was made of a grilled salmon steak, baby greens and Roma tomatoes on an herbed focaccia round.

The component that really makes this sandwich is the caper-dill aioli served on the side.

I didn’t think I would like the caper sauce since I tend to avoid pickled substances, but the aioli’s tanginess is so vital to this sandwich because salmon does not have an assertive flavor.

Usually I don’t care to talk about fries, but their house fries were crispy but soft on the inside – just the way I like them.

The Royal Scam gives patrons the atmosphere of an upscale restaurant, but not necessarily with upscale prices.

Needless to say, I don’t find it to be a scam because of how often I return for their duck panini. Their grilled salmon sandwich is also unforgettable.

First year pharmacy student Sara Lott echoed my sentiment, saying that “I have a hard time convincing myself to try new things on the menu because I want the duck panini everytime!”

That 20 minute drive there doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?

Have bad service at a local restaurant?

Excellent service?

Tell us! Write about it and let your peers know.

Email jsh803@ jagmail. southalabama.edu Opinion and Sports need writers too, and you can fambro@ jagmail. southalabama. edu to find out how to get involved.

Build your resume.

Raise your voice.

Make a difference.

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

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JagLife Spotlight: tornado cleanup

On Saturday, March 2, a group of USA students, members of the pre-health honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta, traveled to Hattiesburg, MS to help with debris cleanup after severe weather and a tornado ripped through the area on Feb. 10.

SPORTS

PATRICK HERRING, SPORTS EDITOR sports.editor@usavanguard.com

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VOL. 52, NO. 9/ MAR. 11, 2013

Softball run rules Nicholls State, moves to 18-2

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

S

BY BOBBY MCDUFFIE|USAJAGUARS.COM

Sophomore Kaitlyn Griffith blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to spark a big win for USA.

outh Alabama softball continued its best start in program history Wednesday when they defeated Nicholls State at Jaguar Field 8-0 to improve to 18-2. The win came by the run rule in the sixth inning.

It was the Jaguars’ eighth win by run rule in this young season. They are now on a five-game winning streak.

Sophomore pitcher Farish Beard struck out six Colonels en route to keeping her record unblemished at 8-0.

Her ERA this season is just 1.24.

Another sophomore came up big for USA as Kaitlyn Griffith hit a threerun shot over the fence. She finished with 2 hits and 3 RBIs on the night.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. Junior Julie Moss hit an infield single to start the inning.

Freshman Haley Fagan followed with a bunt to reach first. Then sophomore Alex Breeden sacrificed herself with a bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Then with a full count, Griffith blasted a shot straighway center for her

second homer of the season.

And then the rout was on. Senior Britany Campbell hit a triple to left center and was brought in by another triple by freshman Emily Messer to put the Jags up 4-0.

An infield error allowed Messer to score before senior Brittany Fowler scored her with yet another Jaguar triple to put the Jags up 6-0 after five innings.

South Alabama scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the run rule into effect.

Britany Campbell scored two runs and had one hit for the Jaguars.

Head coach Becky Clark’s team is having an outstanding season thus far, outscoring their opponents 125-30.

They’’ve shut out eight opponents so far and have scored at least run in all but one contest.

They remain undefeated at Jaguar Field at 6-0. Their road record is equally impressive at 12-2.

They take their winning streak to California for the Long Beach State Invitational.

Four-run first helps baseball down Southern Miss 6-5

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

A

dominant bullpen was again the name of the game for the Jags as they overcame an early 3-0 deficit in the first inning to win 6-5 over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

USM started the game with four straight hits off of USA starter Andrew Fonzi. Fonzi gave up three runs and was only able to record two outs before head coach Mark Calvi made the call to the bullpen to bringing in James Traylor.

The Jags quickly responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. USM starting pitcher Jake Winston didn’t record an out as he gave up three runs, two hits and two walks before being pulled.

Six consecutive batters reached base for the Jags, including Whitt Dorsey whose two-run double put the Jags on top 4-3. Dorsey finished 2-for3 with two RBI’s.

USM would tie it in the second when catcher Drew Cofield made a throwing error trying to nail a runner stealing third.

South tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second to retake the lead 6-4 when Jordan Patterson singled up the middle with the bases loaded to

score Jeff DeBlieux and Cole Billingsley. Patterson would finish 1-for-3 with three RBI’s and a run scored.

USM added one more run in the top of the fourth when Dillion Day bunted for a base hit. Michael Sterling then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Day to second; however, Day caught the Jags napping and stole third after no one covered the bag. He would later score on a base hit by Isaac Rodriguez.

James Traylor pitched the majority of the game to pick up the win. He lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up four hits and 2 earned runs. Traylor didn’t walk a batter while striking out a career high seven batters.

“Traylor did an outstanding job and Dylan Stamey was good again and then to Kyle Bartsch,” said Calvi. “The bullpen did a great job. They’ve been fantastic so far and our guys hung in there and did what they had to do. You know, it was an ugly game but I would rather win ugly than lose pretty.”

Traylor was relieved by Dylan Stamey, who worked 1 2/3 innings without allowing a baserunner and striking out four of the five men he faced. Kyle Bartsch came in to finish the game in the ninth and picked up his third save of the season.

Junior Jordan Patterson had three RBIs and scored a run in the South Alabama victory Wednesday.

BY JT CRABTREE|LOC EDITOR

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VOL. 52, NO. 9/ MAR. 11, 2013

Rubit named Sun Belt Player of the Year

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

N

ot since Jeff Hodges graced the court in 1989 has a South Alabama men’s basketball player been named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. That is, until this year.

Junior forward Augustine Rubit has put together an amazing season and folks around the league have taken notice. It was announced by the league last Wednesday that Rubit was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season.

The Houston native led the conference in rebounds with 10.8 per game and was second in scoring with 18.9 points per game. It was his second consecutive season leading USA in both categories.

In the regular season he put together the fourth best rebounding season in school history with 302, a number he added to in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. In his career he has racked up 878 rebounds, good for second on the school’s alltime rebounding list, just 54 shy of Terry Catledge’s record of 932.

He’s no stranger to dropping buckets either. During the regular season he scored his 1,000th career point for USA, just the fourteenth Jaguar to do so. In the regular season he racked up 529 points on 176 for 364 shooting. Going into the tournament, he needs just 16 points to move into sole possession of seventh on South Alabama’s all-time scoring list.

In 13 games this season, he has scored 20 or more points and three times he went over the 30-point mark, including a career-high 34 point outting against Louisiana-Lafayette on Valentine’s Day this year.

He ranks third in Division I in free throws made and attempted per contest going 177-for-225, good for just under 80 percent. The 177 makes is a new school record for a single season. He’s currently only 76 made free throws and 139 attempted free throws away from becoming the school’s all-time leader in both categories respectively.

Rubit has also racked up 16 double-doubles this season, 11 of which came in Sun Belt play.

The big man’s play has helped South Alabama to a 17-11 regular season record and a 14-6 mark in the Sun Belt, the best since the 20072008 squad went 26-7 overall and 16-2 in the conference.

He is the first player to be named First Team All-Sun Belt in consecutive seasons since Demetric Bennett in 2008. Also, he became

Want us to follow you?

Tweet us @USAVGSports Steven Foster @BigDdaBasedLord: Offensive Lineman Coach got Krispy Kreme donuts.

And im finna smash em all b4 every1 gets here Ben Whiteside @B_Whiteside88: Wide Receiver Yours truly stayed in to study for an exam..damn I’m growing up Graham Odom @graham_odom: Infielder Studying’s for the birds #wingit Austin Cole @AustinCole61: Long Snapper I started to cook and then realized that checkers was 2 minutes away... What am I doing??!

Emily Messer @emily_messer20: Outfielder People in Cali askin if we are a professional softball team. Of course we are Rush Hendricks @_RusHen_: Tight End I think I’m gonna pull a Brett Favre and retire from football for a week! #SB Jacob Noble @JacobLNoble: Pitcher So today in class I had to compare myself to a rock. What did you do in college?

Drew Dearman @DrewDearman: Offensive Lineman Rubit shoots over an Arkansas State defender. Some of his best play has come in conference contests.

the sixth Jag to be named to three straight All-Sun Belt squads.

The Sun Belt wasn’t alone in noticing Rubit’s dominant play this season. Both CollegeInsider.com and CollegeSportsMadness.com also

recognized him as their Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year last week.

Unless he decides to forego his senior season to attempt a jump to the NBA, Rubit will likely become

STAFF ILLUSTRATION

the school’s all-time leader in numerous statistical categories next season. But for now, he’ll enjoy his honors and try to help lead the team to a Sun Belt Conference Tournament title.

I like my women like I like my 5 guys fries: HOT AND CAJUN! but not greasy tho

@USAVGSports

12

VOL. 52, NO. 9/ MAR. 11, 2013

Calipari’s blueprint at UK not panning out in 2013

By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

I

n sports it’s hard to win a championship, and to repeat seems even more impossible. Both of those tasks become unbelievable when you factor in that you’re talking about doing this in college basketball and you lose multiple freshmen every year to the NBA. These are the obstacles John Calipari and Kentucky have become accustomed to every year since Calipari stepped on campus in Lexington.

Last year, overcoming all the obstacles, Calipari took Kentucky to the “Promised Land” and the ‘Cats were considered to be top team all season. The Wildcats took freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael KiddGilchrist and four sophomore players and rode them to a national championship before losing them all to the NBA. Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist were selected first and second overall in the NBA draft, but Calipari replaced them with another crop of straightto-NBA talent this season. Calipari will be saying goodbye to at least four more one-and-done players to the NBA after this season, so the talent is there.

The Wildcats are on the cusp of missing the tournament all together this season. So why are the Wildcats worlds away from the team they were last year?

What was so special for the Wildcats last season just isn’t there this season. Calipari has done well with incoming freshman in his career. He is a recruiting machine,

but he also develops his talent like no one else. He doesn’t care if you’re the best or worst player in the country; he expects the same effort and won’t allow you to take anything for granted on his roster.

Last season the ‘Cats played as a unit and with constant intensity and effort. That can’t be said about this team. The ‘Cats have a lot of bad losses this year and the effort hasn’t been there in many of them.

Most recently was an embarrassing 13-point loss to conference foe Arkansas.

There was also a lot of luck involved with last season’s incredible record and championship.

Kentucky stayed healthy all year and never had to worry about the whatifs of injuries.

The Wildcats had possibly the top overall pick in the draft in freshman Nerlens Noel again this season, but Noel went down with a knee injury and is out for the season. The injury might not affect Noel’s NBA future, but he was easily the best player on Calipari’s roster this year.

And to top it all off there is tons of parity in college basketball with no clear number one team. Every week a new number one is named and loses almost immediately. There seems to be a court to storm every night.

Whether or not the Wildcats can pull out a March Madness bid is unclear, but as disappointing as the season has been so far, it makes last season even more special.

USA Sports Briefs

Courtesy of USAJaguars.com

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama left-hander James Traylor struck out a career high seven batters in 5 2/3 relief innings to lead the Jaguars to a 6-5 win over Southern Mississippi Wednesday at Stanky Field.

Traylor (2-1) entered in relief of starter Andrew Fonzi in the bottom of the first inning, and allowed two runs on four hits while setting a career high in strikeouts. Left-hander Kyle Bartsch pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out two to earn his third save of the season. Right-hander Dylan Stamey tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and did not allow a hit while striking out four of the five batters he faced.

Whitt Dorsey went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the Jaguars at the plate, while Jordan Patterson finished 1-for-3 with three RBI. MOBILE, Ala. – Highlighted by a six-run fifth inning and six Farish Beard strikeouts, University of South Alabama softball defeated its eighth opponent of the year by way of run-rule on Wednesday after shutting out Nicholls State, 8-0, in six innings at Jaguar Field.

Kaitlyn Griffith hit a three-run homer to straightaway center in the bottom of the fifth frame, before triples by Britany Campbell and Brittany Fowler scored another pair of runs. An inning later, USA added the final two to the tally when Alex Breeden scored from second on a Colonel error and a wild pitch scored pinch-runner B. Campbell from third.

The Jaguars move to 18-2 on the year, while Nicholls State falls to 7-11.

Beard’s record improved to a flawless 8-0 and her ERA dropped to 1.24. Col-

onel starter Katie Moulder fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Having already defeated the Colonels, 7-1, in Thibodaux, La. on Feb. 20, USA is now 8-5 versus Nicholls State all-time.

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s track and field team claimed individual victories in 13 of the 17 total events, and the men’s team took top honors in six events as both squads began the 2013 outdoor season with a victory over Sun Belt Conference opponent Troy in Wednesday’s Jaguar Opener at Jaguar Track.

“We’ve been training extremely hard lately, so we wanted to see our guys really get after it,” said USA head track and field coach Paul Brueske. “I think that for the most part, we did that. It was neat to see a couple kids do really well. Even with the intense training we’ve been doing, we had a few personal records. If you can do that under those circumstances when you’re training this hard, that’s pretty good.

“This early in the season, when these guys are going through some tough workouts, they’re going to be sore and they’re going to be tired. This is a time when you’ve just got to be tough, and I think we did a good job with that today.”

For the women, Erikka Williams (12.43) took first place in the 100-meter dash, and Melissa McCluskey (41.48) claimed the top spot in the 300-meter dash. Salome Lecoq’s time of 1:39.02 was good for first place in the 600-meter run.

In the 300-meter hurdles, Berta Lucas earned an individual victory, clock-

ing in at 45.83.

The team of Briana Aiken, Chalandra Gooden, Leah Hixon, and Lucas led the Lady Jags to victory in the 4x100-meter relay (47.15). Those same four also finished first in the 1,600-meter sprint medley (4:26.00).

Aiken led the women in the field events, earning victories in the pole vault (3.55m), long jump (5.99m), and triple jump (11.85m).

In the high jump, Jasmine Ferguson landed in first place with a 1.64m effort.

Bobbie Williamson and Ashton Pennington each claimed top marks for the throwers, with wins in the shot put (12.50m) and javelin (42.68m), respectively.

On the men’s side, the Jags notched three victories in the distance and middle distance events. Justin Housley (1:51.19) won the 600-meter run, Buddy Soto (4:35.57) paced the team in the mile run, and Alex Shields (9:11.22) earned the top spot in the 3,000-meter run.

Nick Farrell was the top finisher in the pole vault, clearing 4.90m.

In the throws, Jan-Louw Kotze secured a first-place finish in the discus throw with a toss of 52.12m, while Adam Patterson’s 54.30m hammer throw was also good for first.

“I think we got better as a program today, and that’s always what we want,” Brueske said. “Long term, our guys are just going to get better. The conditions were a little cold today, and we still had some good performances by a lot of our guys. So we’re certainly pleased with that.”

Upcoming Jaguar athletics home games Tuesday, Mar. 12:

Saturday, Mar. 16:

Friday, Mar. 22:

Sunday, Mar. 24:

Women’s Tennis vs. Lamar 11 a.m. at Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts

Softball vs.

Louisiana-Lafayette 1 p.m. at Jaguar Field

Baseball vs.

Arkansas at Little Rock 6:30 p.m. at Stanky Field

Baseball vs.

Arkansas at Little Rock 1 p.m. at Stanky Field

Softball vs.

Louisiana-Lafayette 3 p.m. at Jaguar Field

Saturday, Mar. 23:

Wednesday, Mar. 27:

Baseball vs.

Arkansas at Little Rock 6:30 p.m. at Stanky Field

Softball vs. LSU 7 p.m. at Jaguar Field Friday, Mar. 29:

Sunday, Mar. 17:

Wednesday, Mar. 20:

Softball vs.

Louisiana-Lafayette 1 p.m. at Jaguar Field

Softball vs. UAB 4 p.m. at Jaguar Field

Softball vs.

Western Kentucky 4 p.m. at Jaguar Field Softball vs.

Western Kentucky 6 p.m. at Jaguar Field

LEFT OF CENTER

JT CRABTREE, LOC EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

14

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

Men’s tennis falls in straight sets

By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu

The Jags haven’t been around long, but they are quickly making a name for themselves

VANGUARD ARCHIVES

USA football has a never-give-in history In just four years, the Jags have become known for their gritty, resilient attitude

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

C

oming into the 2012 season, the South Alabama football team had the best winning percentage in NCAA history.

Better than Alabama. Better than Auburn. Better than Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU, Penn State. All of them.

The Jags had played a total of 21 games in their history prior to 2012, finishing with an all-time record of 174. The Jags didn’t even suffer their first loss until September 17, 2011 when they lost to NC State, their first FBS opponent, 35-13.

South was 19-0 to start out their football program. No other FBS football program can say that.

During their 19-game winning streak, South scored 778 points while allowing only 178. That’s an average score of 41-9 through 19 games. Add into that, the Jags were never even behind in a game until September 18, 2010 when Nicholls State went up 7-0.

South quickly came back to win 39-21.

“Still Undefeated” t-shirts were passed out and sold in the bookstore.

Students at South Alabama knew the

Jags would lose eventually, but everyone wanted to be wrong.

The biggest test came against NC State, the Jags first FBS opponent. The Jags would lose, and then would lose again the following week on the road to Kent State, 33-25.

That score is deceiving, and the true story behind the final score is an indication of what South Alabama football is all about: resilience.

The Jags were down 33-0 at the half against the Golden Flashes, but they ended up eight yards shy of tying the game.

In their next game, the Jags found themselves looking defeat in the face as UTSA lined up to kick a game-winning field goal within the final seconds of the game. Defensive back Gabe Loper skied over the line and blocked the field goal, and the Jags would go on to win 30-27 in double overtime.

The tables turned on the Jags in 2012, their first season playing a full FBS and Sun Belt Conference schedule.

The opening game was a rematch of USA and UTSA. UTSA was down late in the game, but quickly drove down the field and drilled a 51-yard field goal with 16

seconds left in the game to take the lead and the win 33-31. This would be the first of 11 losses the Jags would endure in 2012. The first time they lost more than four games in a season and first time they had a losing record.

But there was light among the darkness of “L’s” lining the scorecard.

The Jags are undefeated all-time at homecoming, defeating Milford Academy 64-12 in 2009, Henderson State 37-31 in 2010 and UT-Martin 33-30 in 2011. In 2012, the FAU Owls came to Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

That resilience came back for the Jags.

Down 14 points midway through the fourth quarter, South would tie the game at 31-31 with 1:09 left in the game. FAU drove down field and put themselves in position to win it with a field goal.

Remember how the first UTSA game ended? History was about to repeat itself. Resilience was about to rear its head again.

The field goal was blocked, and the Jags headed to overtime again. After exchanging field goals, the game was tied 34-34 when the Owls attempted another field goal. That tough mentality

of the Jags kept them strong.

The field goal was blocked again, and Michel Chapuseaux following by kicking the most famous field goal in South Alabama history.

The Jags are nothing but a bunch of pesky, relentless and determined players striving to put South Alabama on the map. After the win against FAU, they were no longer blown out of games.

They were focused. They remembered their past. They remembered they are winners.

Preparations for the 2013 season have started with spring practice, and the newest Jags recruits and transfers are taking the field for the young program. Many of these players are big names, such as Kaleb Blanchard, who was rated a four-star running back by Rivals.com.

These players aren’t coming to South Alabama based on its past, but its future. Players across the country are recognizing that South Alabama is putting together a program to contend with the bigger programs in the country, and they want to be a part of it.

It may have seemed slow at first, but South Alabama is quickly working to create a winning tradition.

This past Monday March 4, South Alabama took on Texas A&M -Corpus Christi in the H-E-B Tournament of Champions.

After a hard fought effort, South Alabama fell to the Islanders 4-0 making the Jaguars record 6-7.

Even with the undesirable conditions of 25 mile per hour winds the Jags didn’t let anything keep them from giving their all in the contest.

Although the Jags were swept in the singles matches, the doubles point was a closer showdown. USA senior Alex Bernard and junior Shayann Vazzadeh battled hard and defeated the Islanders Andrew Maingot and Matt Westmoreland 8-6 in the third doubles match.

Sophomore Daniel Leitner and freshman Gerhar Gruindeligh didn’t give up without a fight in the first doubles match only allowing Peter Nagy and Odon Barta to win by the small difference of 9-7.

The men may have been down Monday, but they are nowhere near being out. After a 3-1 week including the two wins at the H-E-B tournament, USA is ranked No. 58 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association top 75.

The men’s team will be taking on South Florida in Tampa, Florida on March 11 and North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida on March 12.

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

find us on Facebook “Facebook.com/ USAVanguardSports”

12

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

EXTRAS

Mental Health Tip: Drinking

Student Health Sudoku

For Student Health appointments, please call 4607151 For Counseling and Testing, please call 460-7051

Courtesy of Robert Hanks

consumed. A common recommendation for men would be no more than four drinks (drink = 12 oz beer, 5 oz glass of wine, or 1.5 oz 80 proof liquor) on any day and a total of 14 or less in a week.

For women, a maximum of three in a day and 7 or less in a week would be recommended.

Other moderate drinking strategies include keeping track of amounts consumed, having no more than one drink an hour, eating while drinking, and avoiding the people, places, and/or situations associated with drinking too much.

Many people are able to successfully cut back on their drinking without assistance.

However, students who try to cut back on their own but are unsuccessful can receive confidential and professional support through the Counseling and Testing Services by calling 4607980.

What we’re going to this week: Gun Debate Jaguar Productions is sponsoring a Gun Control Debate on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 pm in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. This debate features Dr. John Lott and Dr. Michael Shermer, two of America's prominent public intellectuals, going head-to-head on this timely topic.

John Lott, author of *More Guns, Less Crime*, argues that, if anything, we need fewer gun controls, not more. He believes that guns are our foremost means of self-protection from both crime and tyranny.

Michael Shermer, also an author, and America's best known skeptic, has evaluated the evidence and determined that there are rational responses we can take to reduce the level of violence in our society, and these include additional gun controls.

Should we have more gun controls, fewer gun controls, or do we have just the right amount? Make up your own mind after hearing these two gladiators debate this most contentious of topics.

Admission is free and the public is invited. There will be a book signing immediately after the debate. Questions? Call Jaguar Productions at 251-460-7144

SGA Cont. from page 1 funding for public Alabama universities.

Roughly 150 students and 20 faculty and staff members attended the event, approximately 40 more than last year according to Gosa-Lewis. “South Alabama was one of the top three universities as far as the number of students attending Higher Education Day this year…hopefully we can hit the 200 mark next year,” Gosa-Lewis said.

The SGA also wants students to be aware of important dates for the upcoming 2013-2014 SGA elections. Applications are currently available at the SGA office in the academic support center on Jaguar drive and are due at the SGA office by 5 p.m. on March 18.

Those who submitted applications are required to attend a mandatory candidates meeting on March 18 at 5:15 p.m. at the SGA office. Applicants who cannot attend the meeting must send a representative to the meeting in his or her place.

Primary elections will begin via JagMail on Monday, March 25 and end on Wednesday, March 27. Runoffs, if needed, will begin on April 1 and end April 3.

Senate Pro Tempore Elizabeth McDonald also stressed the importance of reporting campaign violations during the upcoming elections. “I don’t want anyone in SGA to become inundated with texts and Facebook messages about campaign violations like last year…it’s eventually going to have to come to the elections committee,” McDonald said.

McDonald asks that anyone who sees a campaign violation to report it by sending an email to the elections committee at jaguarelections@gmail.com with details about the violation.

The SGA encourages all South Alabama students to attend their weekly meetings to find out about campus events and issues and have a voice in SGA senate decisions as part of the student forum. The SGA meets on Monday nights at 8 p.m. in the conference room behind the registers at the Fresh Food Company, otherwise known as the cafeteria or dining hall.

“Like” us on Facebook facebook.com/ USAVGSports

For some students, spring break was a great opportunity to spend time at the beach with friends and escape the normal pressures of college life. While not true for everyone, part of that experience might have included binge drinking i.e., drinking enough to become intoxicated.

The negative consequences (e.g., hangovers, relationship problems, arrests) that can follow a night or several nights of heavy drinking might prompt some students to contemplate a change in the way they drink.

Few students would probably consider giving up alcohol altogether.

More commonly, they might try to cut back to a less risky or harmful level of consumption.

Strategies for drinking in moderation would include setting goals that relate to how many days a week one will drink and how many drinks per day will be

Opinion

13

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

The Vanguard Viewpoint The Vanguard has a right to its opinions Every week, we have a staff editorial in the newspaper. Time and time again, people demand to know who wrote it or admonish the paper for having an opinion because it isn’t news. So this week, we figured we would explain what a Vanguard Viewpoint is.

A Vanguard Viewpoint is the summation of the majority feeling of the staff on a given topic. A Vanguard Viewpoint is not intended to be a news article, nor is editorial news in any newspaper for that matter.

It’s in the Opinion section because it is just that; an opinion. In our case, we attend meetings, events and talk to dozens of people every week to make this newspaper. We write editorials based on our experiences each week that are informed by the information we learn, are given or obtain. For instance, last week we spoke about Jag Idol being too harsh and encouraged them to tone down what we felt was overly-critical commentary.

NOAH LOGAN OPINION EDITOR opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

We gave examples of what we viewed as wrong and encouraged a solution.

Whether it’s a TV show, parking or an administrative policy, we do the same thing in each editorial.

We make an informed observation and argument that we feel the USA family deserves to know about and be represented for. Where in news we lack the freedom to insert our opinions, an editorial or a column allows us to do so. Every major newspaper has this section.

It does not make a newspaper biased or gossip. It simply gives the newspaper the power to advocate change in an informed and dignified manner.

Our job is to be the voice of the students. In editorials, we do our best to do just that. While students can write letters to the editor and submit articles for consideration, we have a policy that libel, rudeness and slander are not tolerated. The editor-in-chief ’s job is to decide what the policies are and is not obligated

to publish anything. No one at the USA can force the editor’s hand, thus ensuring unadulterated freedom of speech.

The Vanguard has advisors in the communication department but they do not decide content. This also goes to support the freedom of speech, a hallmark of what journalism means.

To slam a student newspaper for having an opinion or being allowed to express it is slamming the first amendment and an attempt to silence a sociological force that helps to right the wrongs we cover every week and speak up for those with no voice.

This is a job that The Vanguard and every newspaper prides itself on and will continue to do so.

As always, thank you for your support and participation, USA. You may not agree with everything you read, but at least you can say you’re informed and offer your own educated opinion.

EditorialBoard

The

Cassie Fambro > Editor in Chief Noah Logan > Opinion Editor Jake Howell > Life Editor Patrick Herring > Sports Editor JT Crabtree > LOC Editor

thevanguardonline.com

JagPulse

Don’t leave common sense behind Spring break can be one the most fun experiences for young college students.

Every year high school and colNOAH LOGAN lege students Opinion Editor alike flock to the nearest beach or other tourist hot spot to forget about all the stress in their lives and party. The twitter hash tags start early and never let up. Girls wear what is essentially lingerie for the whole duration and guys don’t bother to pack shirts.

Something else that often gets left behind on these trips is common sense. For this reason, I am scared for the well being of some Jags this spring break. I’ve seen too many verbal fights break out in the parking lot over who has the best and loudest music to fully trust all of our students to not get themselves killed. To do my part to help, I can hope to offer a few last minute, common sense tips to help prepare everybody for a fun and daterape free spring break.

First and most importantly in my opinion, don’t go to Mexico. There are a lot of complex situations involving Mexico that spell out nightmare for any large spring break group this year. I can’t go into full details but car jacking, narcotics and murder are serious threats in Mexico at the moment. Last tourist season, March-July, murders went up in the popular Baja California part of Mex-

ico 43 percent according to Bureau of Consular Affairs. For every two murders that regularly takes place, spring break provides a coupon for a free third one.

While I can’t devote this whole piece to Mexico dangers, it is not due to lack of info. Any country that the Department of State bothers to set up a “Travel Warning” for on the travel.state.gov website is smart to avoid for large crowds of rowdy and possibly intoxicated college students.

Also, drivers at Panama City aren’t as nice as the drivers here. I don’t know what South puts in the water to make students feel immortal and causes them to repeatedly walk out into the street and in front of cars without looking but other spring breakers will be least worried about jay walkers I can guarantee you.

The movie Spring Breakers is not to be imitated. The new James Franco and Selena Gomez is sure to garner attention amongst the spring break crowd with lines that include “spring break forever bitches” by the ever menacing Vanessa Hudgens and a Skrillex filled score.

However, robbing a convenient store for hotel room, drugs and alcohol is not the proper way to go about raising funds for spring break. And if you do manage to land yourself in prison, don’t accept bail from a gangster named Alien. The line between adventurous and stupid is a very fine and one that should be regarded with the upmost importance. Just remember not to leave common sense behind and everybody will be fine. Just remember…

43 percent increased murder rate.

What’s the most off-the-wall thing a professor has said in one of your classes?

Mallorye Heaton: “I think we should racially profile. I think America has become to politically correct and is to concerned about hurting people’s feelings. Odds are if someone looks like they shouldn’t be somewhere, then they probably shouldn’t.”

Morgan Smith: “I don’t know why women get offended by getting described as ‘hot’. That’s one of the highest compliments they’re gonna get from me.” Seriously. I almost walked out.

Cody Stevanus: “How many girls in here have cried to get something from someone?” *like 3 girls raise their hand* “ok, how many of you young women have faked an orgasm?”

Robert Sturtz: “Don’t text in my class. You guys aren’t slick when you do it. There’s only one of two things you could be doing by looking down at your crotch and smiling, and please let it be texting.”

Tyler Hardin: “The Hindu practice is the origin of the

term “sacred cow,” to refer to something that is useless and economically irrational, but that society places beyond reproach or criticism. Sort of like our new football program.”

Brent Griffin “The test will be on the material we have covered in lecture.”

Margaux Brown A professor once said: “My wife and I talked about having anal sex and decided it wasn’t for us”.

Taylor Brown: My teacher told us he wanted to have a short class meeting because his girlfriend was cooking dinner and “if she is going to get pregnant I’d like to be there for it”.

Lauren Boydstun: “Rap music is compiled of rims, drugs, booty, ‘Heeyyy must be tha money!’ and smoking a J”.....he’s pretty spot on.

Zadora JagGuide: My human sexuality teacher drew a “female personal massager” on the board.

Miranda Alexander “Crack is for poor people, rich people snort coke” I don’t even remember how this conversation happened!!

Lukas Nelson “I’m not worried about you guys getting me fired you know why? Because if I do get fired I can always go play defense for the saints” Gabrielle Rabon My British lit professor compared Victorian sexual politics to the music of snoop dog

14

VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013

POINT COUNTERPOINT What is your confidence level in USAPD? Editor’s Introduction:After another gun relatied incident on campus, armed robbery in Beta, more and more students are worried about thier safety on campus. We asked a series of writers to score the quality of USAPD from 1-10 and explain their answers.

4 PATRICK COLLINS

6 MICAH MESSER

pac901@jagmail.southalabama.edu

mjm1202@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Having lived on campus for over four years, I know that South has had robbery, drugs and even shootings much like all college campuses.

Murder in Delta 6, held at gun point in Beta 2 and robbed at gun point in the parking lot of Delta 2 all in my first year. It has not gotten better with a gunman on the loose in Delta this pass year.

Along with the hate speech outside the student center is the LGBT hate crimes on campus. USAPD is doing the best they can, however, my friends and I have had food thrown at us from the second floor of the dining hall and beer bottles thrown from the upper levels of certan greek houses.

Given that they are understaffed, undertrained and don’t have all proper equipment, but this is a funding issue much like the rest of campus there is no money to go around (i.e. poor management and planning and budgeting). With some training and better funding the USAPD could improve the response times to events and have better control on campus.

On a scale of one to ten rate the University of South Alabama Police Department. I rate them a six. Although, I am sure, they are always on alert and are constantly fighting crime, I still see some issues with their coverage. This concerns me.

Without being allowed to carry a weapon on campus, I have to rely on the USAPD to protect me. However, with the most recent break in, I am left wondering if they can do their job. I know they are all trained police officers with some of the latest in equipment, just look at their SUVs, but some things as simple as burglaries of whom the suspect get away is simply inexcusable. Simple deduction is all it takes to find these simple thieves. They broke into a dorm? Well, they must have had a key which means they must be a resident student. Finger prints should be left somewhere and thus will allow of database mining to find the criminals.

However, apparently not.

Maybe they did all they could, but it doesn’t make me feel safer. The USAPD needs to improve their coverage. Do your duty, protect and serve us.

CASSIE FAMBRO/ EIC

9

8 RYAN WALLACE ryanwallace2010@gmail.com

If a one is “don’t trust them to protect their own lunch money” and a ten is Fort Knox, I feel confident giving USAPD an eight. While I feel that there are many around campus who give the USAPD an unfair rep and expend far too much effort to hyperventilate about exaggerated wrongs with the department, neither can I give USAPD much better than the equivalent of a B-minus.

While every officer I’ve met has been a professional, it is hard to ignore some of the aspects of the incident last October that resulted in the death of Gil Collar.

While I support the dismissal of the lawsuit against Officer Trevis Austin and the potential dismissal of the civil suit against the university, I cannot help but feel that there were enough mistakes (even if they were perhaps understandable) to cast a small shadow over the entire department.

Like it or not, the incident leaves a perception that perhaps USAPD is not as prepared for some situations as they should be. While I do not fear being harmed by our police officers, I do have some concerns over their ability to handle the extraordinary events that can be the most important.

ALDYN MILLER aem1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

On a scale of one to ten, my confidence level in the police at the University of South Alabama would have to be a nine. Policing is a profession of the highest levels of honor, responsibility, challenges and visibility. Our police officers at South are trained to the same high, rigorous standards as police across the country, from NYC to Los Angeles. In other words, they are trained well.

Unfortunately, major crimes are what draw the most media attention. Students tend to be critical of how the police acted, and there is always a group of people who say what they would have done differently. Meanwhile, the stories of the small day to day kindnesses of the police officers, like the one who helped me change a flat tire my first semester on campus, tend to go unnoticed. Many students never stop to think about how present and impactful the police are in our daily lives, from ticketing traffic offenses on campus to apprehending armed robbers.

We take this trust for granted, but when the opportunity arises, students are the first to throw the “proverbial stone”.

The bottom line is that they keep our campus safe. If you don’t want to get in trouble with the police, don’t make poor choices. It’s really that simple.

CASSIE FAMBRO/EIC

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Letter to The Editor Designer drugs are dangerous Recently, we learned of the substance that Gil Collar was under the influence of when he was shot and killed by a USAPD officer: 25I-NBOMe. This substance is both potent and legal and a part of the new landscape of drugs that are becoming ever-present on college campuses. These “designer drugs” are nothing more than research chemicals.

These substances were synthesized in the past few years usually for legitimate purposes. They offer hope to patients with Parkinson’s disease or even Schizophrenia. However, since the late 1980’s, laboratory savvy drug dealers have followed the medical journals and prominent medicinal chemists, looking for synthesis procedures that will allow them to cook up the next popular, and legal, psychedelic. As opposed to drugs such as ecstasy, which has been taken by thousands since it hit the club scene, or cannabis, which has been consumed by billions for millennia, these research chemicals may have been ingested by dozens of people over the past year, or

only been tested on animals.

Their mechanism of action may not be identified, their effects may not be understood, and their lethal dose may not be known. Furthermore, the active dosage for these substances may be in the micrograms, such as the 2C-I that Gil ingested.

By weight, these substances are some 30-70 times more potent than LSD. These substances are marketed by legal drug dealers overseas looking to make a buck. What you buy may be nothing more than ibuprofen or something far more dangerous, such as the now famous MPTP, which causes permanent Parkinson’s –like symptoms after one use. Gil’s decision and its consequences are truly a great tragedy of our community, but it forces upon us college students a reality: drug use will always cost you more than you want to give.

Walt Clark Junior, Meteorology waltclark4@gmail.com

Send a letter to the editor to The Vanguard.

Email caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu with your issue.

See it in print. Effect change.

The giraffe is irrelevant.

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VOL. 52, NO. 9 / MAR. 11, 2013