Nov. 4, 2013 Vanguard

VANGUARD THE

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

NOV. 4, 2013

INSIDE

Ross proves to be an ‘unconventional’ finalist

By NOAH LOGAN

ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

D

► Life: Greater Gulf State Fair enjoys successful year after revamp.

See JagLife, page 4

► LOC: USA bass fishing hosts tournament series.

See LOC, page 7

► Sports: Softball complex undergoes renovations.

VOL. 53, NO. 15

r. Arthur Ross, dean of medicine at West Virginia University, made his case to oversee, as university president, the “quantum leap” the University of South Alabama is ready to make.

Ross mapped out the journey Monday, Oct. 28, at Laidlaw. He is the last of the three presidential finalists to participate in an open forum.

Ross introduced himself as the “unconventional candidate” and certainly lived up to that title. He walked to the podium to begin his speech and scanned the audience for a moment. He then took a chair and set it at the very edge of the stage and proceeded with his speech.

While the two other candidates prepared lengthy PowerPoint presentations to make their respective points, Ross claimed he would rather spend a short time introducing himself and then turn the microphone over to the audience so he could answer all the questions they had for him.

The change of venue turned out to suit Ross as well. Laidlaw provided an environment that was much more intimate and Ross guided through the event with ease and confidence. Many times, Ross would answer a question in brief and then hop down from the stage and out into the audience, give the microphone back to the person who asked the question and say, ”What do you think?”

Before turning the forum over to the

See Sports, page 11

JOHN ADAMS | USA PHOTOGRAPHER

Dr. Arthur Ross, the last of the three finalists for the USA presidential search, addresses the crowd during his forum at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. audience, though, Ross did address a few key points regarding the University. His first point did not pertain to the future but instead looked back on the past as he expressed condolences for the passing of

former President Gordon Moulton. The pedestal on which he held Moulton was apparent. Ross said, “I come here to assure you that I’m not Gordon Moulton, and if you are looking for someone to

replace him, you will have to look far and wide because that is a once in a lifetime experience.”

He addressed the unique situation the University is in because of excellent administration in past years. “There are periods of time when there are opportunities for a quantum leap,” he said regarding our position to gain a larger national and multinational image. “It’s a terrific journey to make,” Ross said.

“I would expect the next president will have a lot of fun taking that journey with you.”

Dr. Doug Marshall, president of the faculty senate, kicked off the Q-and-A as he did with the other candidates. One of Marshall’s questions asked Ross about the relationship between the health care and academic branches and how the relationship should be maintained.

Ross responded, “The way that the academic divisions and the health science division work together is in my mind a critical success factor for the University because there are so many collaborative opportunities. … It’s taking scholars who are discovering knowledge in different fields and putting them together and creating special stuff in educational opportunities for students.”

Marshall also asked, if Ross were president, how the typical faculty member’s life would be at USA in regards to differentiating between teaching and research. Ross answered that he was not a See Finalist Page 2

“I feel like we’re much improved as a team...But it’s not showing up in the win column,” -Coach Joey Jones

► Sports: The Vanguard previews South Alabama baseball.

See Sports, page 12 find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

Jags lose to Arkansas State 17-16, dropping South Alabama to 3-5 in the season.

See Sports, page 9 Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOR

In this Issue:

Life, Page 4 Left of Center, Page 7 Sports, Page 9 Opinion, Page 14

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Finalist Continued from Page One.

micro-manager and strongly believed in relying on vice presidents and deans to work that out. “As president, I would try to serve the University by providing the vice presidents and deans with the tools they need to accomplish those things.”

Former SGA President Colin AlGreene inquired about improving student life and student involvement at the University. Ross replied, “Let’s not forget that students are our customers. … If you don’t give the students the opportunity to take on leadership roles, you’re depriving them of a huge potential opportunity. Education on a residential campus is 24 hours a day -- what they learn from their professors and what they learn from each other.”

Now that all three finalists have made their cases to be the next president, the board of the trustees has scheduled its next meeting for Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. to discuss them. A decision on the board’s choice for the next president will likely take place in November, with the new president coming on board early next year.

Also, the University is planning to make a video of each candidate available online. In an email to the University, Public Relations Director Bob Lowry said, “Knowing that not everyone could get away from work, school and other responsibilities to attend all the public forums, we want to give faculty, staff, students, alumni and our community every opportunity to become familiar with each finalist. We also are providing via the USA website the opportunity for input/evaluations of each finalist.”

Future Justice Professionals looking to expand to main USA campus soon

STUART SOX | SENIOR REPORTER

Rachel Austin and Vladyslav Hayvoronskyy meet to plan and discuss future activites for FJP.

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

F

uture Justice Professionals hope to recruit new members from the main campus after creating the organization at the Baldwin County campus.

This past spring, a group of students at South Alabama’s Baldwin County campus formed FJP, a group from which many students looking to work in justice professions will benefit.

“After getting a great response from students when we started in the spring, we began working in the summer to get officers and write a constitution so that

we could recruit new members in the fall semester,” said Vladyslav Hayvoronskyy, the president of FJP. “We are now working with the main campus to have meetings and get new members,” said Hayvoronskyy, who added that they have had meetings with members from the main campus via Skype.

Rachel Austin is the vice president of FJP and is the main contact for the organization’s main campus chapter.

“It’s a brand new organization so we’re still getting up on our feet … but so far we’ve been able to partner with different agencies for volunteer and

community service work,” Austin said.

Austin stressed that being part of FJP is vital for students who will eventually seek jobs as a justice professionals because the organization will be a valuable resource for connections in the field.

“Our main goal is networking,” Austin said. “With some professions, it’s all about who you know.”

The FJP also provides its members opportunities to participate in community volunteer work, which Hayvoronskyy says is especially important in justice professions.

“We do a lot of work with the Rotary Club of Fairhope to help students in Baldwin County with homework and be mentors for them,” Hayvoronskyy said.

“Reaching out to children of a lower socioeconomic class where crime is more prevalent is important for our organization because these are the kids that are at risk to be set on a path toward crime later in life.”

FJP also worked with AARP, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce and Local 15 news on the congressional forum that was held at the Mitchell Center on Oct. 21. “We had club members handing out brochures and supervising the event,” said Hayvoronskyy, who says being part of events like these helps the organization gain recognition and allow for more networking opportunities for its members.

“This is a great opportunity for students to associate themselves with a

professional organization in their field of study … and it looks good on the resume,” Hayvoronskyy added.

In an interview with The Vanguard, Hayvoronskyy specifically made a point to thank USA criminal justice instructor Jennifer Johnson, who is the adviser for FJP. “She is very inspirational and motivational for the group. She goes above and beyond and has been really good to us,” Hayvoronskyy said.

“Jennifer Johnson already has many speakers and events lined up for us.

We’re all really excited about it,” Austin added.

For more information or to learn how to join FJP, email futurejusticeprofessionalsusa@gmail.com.

FJPO is having a meeting on Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. in room 114 of the humanities building. For more information about the meeting, contact Vice President Rachel Austin at rga901@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

“We are looking for dedicated people and not just criminal justice majors, but anyone who is interested,” Austin said.

“Justice encompasses more than just criminal justice, such as students interested in law school.”

FJP is hoping for a big turnout for the main campus. “In order to make this successful we need a solid group on the main campus. To all criminal justice majors or anyone hoping to work in a federal agency one day, I encourage you to come out and join,” Austin said.

Meet your officers

By CLARISSA KNOWLES

By ELIZABETH LYONS

cak802@jagmail.southalabama.edu

eal701@jagmail.southalabama.edu

R

ichard Burns is one of two detectives with the campus .

He’s the type who makes sure he has a pen his pocket at all times, ready to take notes. And he has a walkie-talkie on his hip to respond to the action.

Burns is a Baldwyn, Miss. native and attended Baldwyn High School.

After graduation, he attended University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a degree criminal justice. He prepared himself to work in law enforcement.

“I have been in law enforcement for almost 15 years,” Burns said. He began as an officer and has been with for USAPD for 10 years.

When asked if he has worked any big cases on campus, he said he interviewed former USA student Branden Ajizaden during the investigation of a July 2011 fatal stabbing case.

Burns said his most memorable ca-

S

Richard Burns Detective reer moment was also one of the funniest. He said, while he was working with a agency narcotics , the was about to serve a warrant. Suddenly, one of the police dogs broke away. In the excitement, the confused canine made a decision.

“Instead of biting the guy,” Burns said, “the dog bit the sheriff on the butt.”

Concerning law enforcement on campus, Burns said, “I love it. I rather be working than anywhere else.”

ergeant Timothy Turk helps protect USA’s campus and students.

He believes the campus and students are more vulnerable to off-campus troublemakers than to on-campus students.

Turk said most campus crimes deal with damaged or stolen property. He believes most of these are committed by people who see USA students as vulnerable and come onto campus to take advantage of them. Some crimes, are committed by people who are visiting friends on campus, so his advice is to choose your friends wisely.

Students can help USAPD more than they might think. Just by being observant and keeping an eye out for people who do not belong on campus can help, and report any suspicious activity.

He answered questions and told stories about when things get a crazy.

He said USAPD once rescued a puppy that had been locked in a bathroom at

The Grove. Police were notified of the puppy’s situation by the owner’s roommate. The puppy was left in the bathroom with a bowl of water and a bag of dog food because the owner was going home for a holiday. The puppy needed help. Campus police saved the day – and the dog.

Turk has been with USAPD for 18 years.

“My favorite part about working here is getting to know people and being able to help if they have a problem,” Turk said. “Let the university community know we are always here when and if they need us.”

“

My favorite part about working here is getting to know people.

-Sergeant Timothy Turk

”

Concerning suspicious activity on campus, Turk said everyone needs to call campus police and report people and situations that make them uncomfortable or appear to endanger others. Because students are participating in the “See something, say something” USAPD campaign, Turk said that the amount of crime on campus has gone down while the number of people caught for committing a crime has gone up.

Other ways to stay safe on campus include keeping your dorm and car doors locked. Don’t leave valuables in your car where they can be seen. Do not walk around campus alone at night, and if you stay on campus during Christmas break, remember it is OK to call campus police for an escort to your dorm late at night.

Turk said he liked being on campus, because it is more personal than being out in the rest of Mobile. He said it is more “one-on-one,” and he enjoys being able to work more closely with the students and the rest of South’s community.

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Weather for Nov.4 - Nov. 10

10/29/2013 13:34 Failure to Appear Middle Ring Road at Pillichody Drive

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

Samantha Andrews

Meg Lundberg Kelly Ficarelli JT Crabtree Alyssa Newton Emma Mitchell

10/29/2013 10:24 Harassing Communications Gamma 0 Harassing another person.

Matthew Strickland

Stuart Sox Noah Logan

10/28/2013 22:42 Domestic Incident The Grove

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Matthew Rhodes

10/28/2013 15:04 Medical Emergency University Commons

Advertising Advertising Justine Burbank Graphic Designer Ryan Keller Sheldon Hall

10/27/2013 19:49 Criminal Mischief Third Degree Pi Kappa Phi House Side window for street sweeper broken out.

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.

USAPD Police Blotter

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Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx

10/27/2013 11:36 Theft of Article from Auto New Hall 10/24/2013 9:32 Medical Emergency Recreation Center 10/23/2013 14:31 Theft of Property Third Degree Library

jagLIFE

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EMMA MITCHELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Weekly Lowdown

Fair enjoys successful year after revamp

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

A

fter making great strides in renovations and advertising, the Greater Gulf State Fair had record numbers in pre-orders and attendance this year.

“It’s been a great year,” said Scott Tindle, the executive director for the fair grounds. “We had record sales for pre-ordered tickets, a 40 percent increase from last year.”

Tindle attributes this to the changes they made for this year’s fair, including growing their social media presence and providing more entertainment.

“In the last year that we’ve been reaching out with social media, we’ve gone from having 2200 ‘likes’ on Facebook to having 27,600,” said Katie Holcomb, the fair grounds’ project manager.

“The change has been phenomenal. … We’ve really been able to reach out to demographics that we couldn’t reach before,” said Holcomb, who graduated from South Alabama in 2012 with a degree in public relations.

Whitney Patterson, a USA senior and public relations major, has been working as the fair’s entertainment liaison for two and a half months. “Working at the fair is great. … I really enjoy what I do,” said Patterson. Patterson

started her job at the fair as a receptionist, but has worked her way up to her current position as the entertainment liaison, supervising the various entertainment acts and volunteers at the fair.

Tindle said working at the fair, even as just a volunteer, is beneficial for anyone looking to work in the customer serSTUART SOX | STAFF REPORTER vice industry.

“The volunteers Allison Driskell (front), junior psychology major, and Summer McGriff, that work here Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College student, play a game at the fair. get great experience working put on at the fair are free with admiswith people and learning how cus- Greater Gulf State Fair in 2013.

This year they hosted the Gator sion,” Tindle added. tomer service works,” said Tindle, who The fair also put on kid-friendly added that this year the fairgrounds Boys, who have a television show had around 500 more volunteers than on Animal Planet where they rescue shows like Angelina Ballerina, Thomas last year to accommodate the increased people from wild alligators. The Gator the Tank Engine and a display of lifeBoys put on a show in the arena at the size dinosaur models. attendance.

Tindle also attributed the fair’s sucThe staff at the fairgrounds also fairgrounds where they wrestled a 10cess this year to the $300,000 facility worked diligently to bring more enter- foot alligator.

“All entertainment events that we tainment and interesting displays to the See Fair page 6.

Alpha Epsilon Delta to host Karaoke for Kids

By MARY RODRIGUEZ mcr741993@hotmail.com

A

lpha Epsilon Delta, the PreHealth honors society, is hosting a fundraiser to help benefit USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in their goal to provide patients with birthday parties.

The fundraiser, Karaoke for Kids, will help raise money for the hospital’s project A Cause for Celebration.

A Cause for Celebration is a new project created by the volunteers that makes sure that if a patient is in the hospital on his or her birthday, then that special day is celebrated.

“As the funds for this project grow, we hope to celebrate other

life milestones like graduations, tooth fairy visits, etc.,” said Belinda Baggett, Director of Volunteer Services of USA Women’s and Children’s.

Keri Mallicoat, Service Coordinator of Alpha Epsilon Delta, thought of the idea Karaoke for Kids one night and the next day happened to meet with Baggett when she asked if Alpha Epsilon Delta would be interested in making any contributions to A Cause for Celebration. After that, the planning for Karaoke for Kids developed with the help of the USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital volunteer services and AED’s officers.

This will be the first year Alpha Epsilon Delta will host the event Ka-

raoke for Kids. Their goal is to have more than 100 attendees and hopefully raise at least $500 for A Cause for Celebration.

“It’s so important that these children have a sense of normalcy while they are in the hospital,” said Mallicoat. “The more people we have at the event, the more parties we can provide for patients.”

Karaoke for Kids will be a night full of singing, bonfire s’mores and hot chocolate. The karaoke contestants will have boxes with their names on them as well as the song title that they choose to sing. The winner will be chosen by the amount of donations in their box at the end of the night.

Song genres will range from 80s and 90s music to more recent artists including Ke$ha, Macklemore and Taylor Swift. Contestants can choose either to sing solo or in groups of up to three people. Every contestant will receive a gift bag and the winner will receive a plaque decorated by hospital patients, as well as a golden microphone.

The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be held at the SGA pavilion by the intramural fields. Admission will be $5, which includes hot chocolate and s’mores.

For any additional information, contact Keri Mallicoat at kam1006@ jagmail.southalabama.edu.

CORRECTIONS: Last week’s issue, a speaker from the Muslim Student Association’s celebration dinner was labeled incorrectly. Timothy Garrett is both a Muslim convert and a scholar.

Monday > Nov. 4 •

USA Symphony Band Open Dress Rehearsal - LPAC, 7 p.m. $3

Tuesday > Nov. 5 •

Career development workshop - Old Engineering building room 270, 5 p.m.

Bring resume, portfolio and industry questions

•

USA Symphony Band Fall concert - LPAC, 7:30 p.m. $5 USA students and affiliates

Wednesday > Nov. 6 •

PRSSA bake sale for Operation Christmas Child - HUMB courtyard, 7:30 a.m.

- 1 p.m.

•

Persuasive writing workshop - HUMB room 206, 3:45 p.m.

Thursday > Nov. 7 •

USA Wind Ensemble Fall Concert - LPAC, 7:30 p.m. $5 USA students and affiliates

Friday > Nov. 8 •

Jaguars vs. Texas-Arlington - Jaguar Gym, 4 p.m.

•

Karaoke for Kids, a benefit for USA Children’s and Women’s SGA Pavilion, 6 p.m.

- 9 p.m. $5 admission includes hot chocolate and s’mores

Sunday > Nov. 10 •

SENIOR DAY: Jaguars vs. LouisianaMonroe - Jaguar Gym, 1 p.m.

Want your event featured?

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

5

VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Indian Student Association Lambda Pi Eta throws to present cultural event ice cream social

By STEPHANIE FEATHER sf1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he Hindu festival of lights is inspiration for the Indian Student Association’s celebration Friday featuring traditional food, a Bollywood dance performed by ISA members, and a henna booth.

The Indian Student Association is a nonprofit association of students at South Alabama, which upholds the diversity and cultural fabric of India by representing India on campus.

ISA President Janika Prajapati has been involved with the association for three years and shared some insight into what the organization does for students, saying, “We help international students with their transition.” Prajapati explained that students ask many questions about accommodations and living situations. The association helps them to find things such as Indian grocery stores around Mobile.

The association wants to help bring together international students and residents to help develop the cultural experience students receive. There are members of the association who are international, residential, undergraduate and graduate students.

They hope to diversify the organization even more.

Prajapati wanted to emphasize that students don’t need to be Indian to join the association. She said they are very open to sharing their culture with everyone who is interested, and hope that students

feel welcome to attend the events and join the organization. “It’s a new cultural experience, and there are many great things to learn about other people’s culture,” Prajapati said.

ISA hosts several movie nights throughout the year and invites all students to attend. They would also like to invite everyone to come and celebrate their Diwali event Friday, Nov. 8 in the passageway between the bookstore and food court.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and is marked by four days of celebration to honor Rama-chandra. It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile, during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana. People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil to represent light winning over darkness.

In celebration of this event, ISA will provide traditional Indian food, a Bollywood dance performed by the members and a henna booth.

The next big event to look forward to will be Springfest, which is held during international week every spring. Springfest is an annual event displaying the vast array of cultures represented at South Alabama. The event will include a cultural exhibit, fashion show and talent competition, which ISA has won for the past two years.

ISA would like to thank SGA for funding each of their events and encourage students to look out for emails containing information on future events.

Cool Vapors 1/4

By TIMOTHY BORLAND trb903@jagmail.southalabama.edu

S

tudents with a sweet tooth will find plenty of treats to sate their appetite at Lambda Pi Eta’s Ice Cream Social Nov. 11.

The annual tradition will be held this year in the Humanities courtyard on campus. Those in attendance will be able to purchase a delicious treat using only their spare change.

LPE is the official honor society of the

National Communication Association for colleges and universities. The ice cream social allows those interested in communications disciplines to gain more information from student leaders. For current majors, the occasion is great for networking.

“The event is an excellent social opportunity for communication students to meet and get involved in the department,” LPE Vice See Lambda Pi Eta social page 6

Mobile Symphony Orchestra 1/4

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Saturday, November 9, 8 p.m. m Sunday, November 10, 2:30 p.m.

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Regular Tickets Start at $20 Online: mobilesymphony.org Phone: 251-432-2010 In Person: 257 Dauphin Street Sponsored by:

Follow the Mobile Symphony!

6

VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Fair

Continued from page 4.

renovation they finished this past summer. Tindle said this renovation was a necessary update for the grounds that will make it a much more enjoyable experience for customers.

The staff at the fairgrounds also made a concerted effort this year to give back to the community with this year’s event.

The Mobile County Public School System partnered with the fairgrounds this year to have a JROTC from a different school volunteer at the fair each night of the two weeks that it was open.

In return, the JROTCs of all MCPSS schools will be able to use the fairgrounds for their events free of charge.

Additionally, a portion of the advanced ticket sales for this year’s Greater Gulf State Fair was donated to the libraries of public schools in Mobile County. Through this arrangement Tindle said they were able to donate $20,000 to these MCPSS libraries.

“The fair has been in Mobile since 1955 and is a keystone event in the city that everyone looks forward to,” Tindle said. “We feel that it’s our responsibility to invest in the community that we are part of.”

The staff at the fairgrounds is already looking forward to next year’s fair, which Tindle says will be even better that this year. “We’ve worked really hard to make the fair the best it can be for the people of Mobile, and we are always looking to improve in every way we can.”

For more information about the Greater Gulf State Fair or the fairgrounds visit www. thegroundsmobile.com or check their Facebook page.

Social Continued from page 5.

President Carly Bragg said.

All USA students regardless of major are welcome. The social will occur from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Ice cream will be only 50 cents and delicious toppings will be offered for 25 cents each. The organization will also be providing information about more upcoming events.

“One of my goals for this academic year is to increase the organization’s visibility on campus,” Anthony Wheeler, LPE president, said.

Another reason for the social is to promote the honor society’s annual charity teddy bear collection for Ronald McDonald House. During the past several years, Lambda Pi Eta has donated more than 500 teddy bears for children in need during the holidays. The collection will begin Nov. 15 and runs through the end of the semester. Anyone may donate to the cause by purchasing a new teddy bear and dropping it off at the communication department.

Students interested in joining or helping LPE are welcome to attend the regular meetings held at Heroes Sports Bar and Grill on Hillcrest Road across from The Grove. Many more fun activities are planned for the upcoming year, such as LPE’s spring semester kickoff movie screening.

Communication majors are encouraged to attend the ice cream social next week and to bring friends. Even if a person is merely curious about the department, there will be plenty of seniors present to answer questions. Whether you are a writer, reporter, radio host, blogger, publicist, camera operator, photographer or just a hungry college student on a budget, this laidback gathering is sure to leave everyone with a pleasant taste in their mouth.

LEFT OF CENTER

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

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Tuesday, Nov. 5 ►MEN’S BASKETBALL South Alabama Exhibition game vs. Mobile 7:05 p.m.

USA Mitchell Center

Wednesday, Nov. 6 ►VOLLEYBALL

South Alabama vs.

Troy 7 p.m. at Troy University

Thursday, Nov. 7 ► SOCCER

South Alabama vs.

San Marcos in San Marcos, Texas (through Saturday )

South Alabama has placed as high as second place in tournament events so far this fall.

Friday, Nov. 8

COURTESY OF ROSS BARNETT

►

USA bass fishing hosts tournament series South Alabama holds fall collegiate tournament events all across Alabama

By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jjagmail.southalabama.edu

S

outh Alabama’s Bass Fishing team has been busy this fall hosting and competing in tournaments across the Southeast.

For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, bass fishing is the activity of angling for the North American game fish, bass. Bass fishing has evolved into a multibillion dollar industry in North America.

Collegiate bass fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. It requires hard work, patience, dedication and, most of all, a love for fishing and the great outdoors.

In collegiate competitions, schools will register teams to participate in tournaments that are located all around the U.S. Teams spend most of the day catching various types of bass fish. At the end of the competition, awards are based off the size and weight of the fish caught. The team with the largest or heaviest fish at the end of the contest is declared the winner.

There are more than 300 universities with teams all across the U.S., ranging from Ivy League schools to right here at the University of South Alabama.

Beginning in 2008, two South Alabama students with a shared love for bass fishing started a team. Over the next five years, their team went from two members to more than 20 students.

The team provides its own equipment and boats, some up in the $50,000 range, with only about $1,500 from SGA every semester.

The team has been hosting its own USA fall tournament series. This consists of a series of tournaments in Alabama and Mississippi. The series will lead up to a championship tournament at Logan Martin Lake in Pell City, Ala. South Alabama had its first tournament of the year on Sept. 21 at Lake Mitchell in Clanton, Ala. Schools such as Montevallo, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Troy participated in the tournament.

A total of 15 boats took part in

the tournament. Seven of these boats belong to South Alabama.

After a long, rainy competition, UAB took first place in the competition.

South Alabama’s Murphy Klumpp and Lawson Griffin were the highest from South to place, taking third in the contest along with a “Big Fish” award.

The second competition South Alabama held was Oct. 12 in Brandon, Miss. on the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Represented at the contest were schools such as Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss.

Once again, South Alabama was represented by seven teams and had 13 boats overall.

In the competition, Mississippi State would take first place with South Alabama’s Travis Johns and Jennings Earnest taking second.

The competition even had a few surprises for South’s anglers, including alligators that enjoyed the team’s lures.

This competition marked one of the best finishes by the South

VOLLEYBALL South Alabama vs.

Texas-Arlington 4 p.m. Jaguar Gym

►

MEN’S BASKETBALL South Alabama vs.

Detroit 7:05 p.m. Mitchell Center

Alabama team.

This finish was even more impressive due to the fact that many who competed were professional fishermen practicing for the upcoming BASS Southern Open.

BASS is the industry leader in professional fishing and hosts the highest end fishing tournaments in the country.

Through this tournament, the South Alabama fishermen were able to meet and network with professional anglers, learn more about professional fishing and see what goes along with the profession.

South Alabama’s tournament has two more dates in which schools are able to participate.

This past weekend, on Nov. 2, South Alabama held a tournament at Lay Lake on the Coosa River in Columbia, Ala. Due to deadline, we were unable to report the results.

The championship will be held Nov. 23 at Logan Martin Lake at Lakeside Landing in Pell City, Ala.

Saturday, Nov. 9 ►

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL South Alabama vs.

Indiana State at Indiana State 4:05 p.m.

Want live play-byplay tweets of USA sporting events and other sports info?

Follow USAVGSports on Twitter and like USA Vanguard Sports on Facebook

8

VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Cricket could draw in more international students With the sport on the rise across the country, USA could benefit highlighting cricket club sport

By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu

B

efore football, even before baseball, there was cricket.

Cricket was once one of the most popular sports in North America, predating baseball by more than 140 years.

Harvard University’s original cricket team was formed all the way back in 1868.

But as the 1800s passed, so did the popularity of cricket, overshadowed by sports that it helped to shape.

The club lost its varsity status in 1902 and the more “American” games began to take over college campuses in the latter half of the 19th century.

In other countries, though, the love and popularity of cricket has never waned.

It is believed that cricket originated in England. The earliest recorded game took place in 1646, when fines were handed out to those who missed church to play.

Cricket is now one of the most popular sports in countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia and the United Kingdom. (Mostly comprised of countries that are or once were under British rule.)

In these countries, their love of crick-

et can be compared to the love of an American’s passion for football or baseball.

The game of cricket involves a bowler throwing or bouncing a ball to an opposing hitter. The hitter tries to prevent the ball from hitting wickets behind him and hit it hard enough to run to the other end of the field. Runs are scored when a hitter and his partner cross to the other side of the pitch without the fielding team hitting a wicket with the ball before they score.

So why does all of this matter to the University of South Alabama?

Neel Patel, president of the cricket club, thinks that it is a way to add to the diversity of our campus by attracting international students who love the sport of their own home countries.

Patel played cricket in high school and hopes to share his passion for the sport with other students.

“It is a fun and simple game once you really learn about it,” said Patel. “If it is a success and becomes a bigger sport on campus, it could play a large role in attracting and recruiting international students.”

Although South’s small club team has been around for more than 10 years and just this year has been recognized as a

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sports club, it is not the first to hatch this bright idea.

In 2009, there were only five teams that took part in the first modern college championship tournament, but now there are more than 70 clubs competing across the country. Many of these teams are made up of international students from nations such as India, Pakistan and other countries where the sport is popular.

Teams that have found the most success in growing their groups are located in New England.

But teams such as the University of Southern California, Indiana University, Virginia Tech and West Texas A&M have American College Cricket teams, though the ACC governing body is only 4 years old.

“This is a game that hasn’t really made a presence in this part of the world yet,” said Patel. “But lately it’s been getting bigger. I have tried to recruit people from other countries such as South Africa, but it is hard to get the message out. If we could build to where we can contact the people who would be interested, we could become better. It is a growing organization that can benefit South Alabama.”

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tionals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They played teams such as the University of Florida and even won against Texas A&M. “We want to represent South Alabama, not just on campus,” said Patel. “In competing, we are able to represent the school and get attention when we play bigger schools.”

As for attracting more international students, Patel understands how growing the club sport could benefit the University.

“If cricket gets more popular, it will attract more international students,” said Patel. “It is like Americans going to a school with a good football team. If you put on an international ‘resume’ that South has a good cricket team, it will attract people—people like me—when they are looking for a good place to come to along with the few extras every student looks for. If the team becomes stronger, we could even have the opportunity of playing overseas representing American College Cricket. We could take this university internationally with one of the fastest growing sports in the country.”

As for the American students , Patel is always open to teaching anyone about the sport that he loves.

“You will like it once you try it,” said

Patel. “It is a fun and easy game to learn.

But it isn’t just a game that is ‘just for fun.’

It is a sport that is cared about and should be taken seriously. It is very new and fun, but it has a lot of potential that could impact our city and South Alabama.”

Interested in writing for Left of Center?

We are looking for writers to follow and keep updated on club sports for South Alabama.

Contact Alyssa Newton, Left of Center Editor akn1104@jagmail.com Or if you have a tip or idea for a feature please let us know!

Thank you for reading!

GO JAGS!

VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

SPORTS

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

9

Follow us for news, updates and play-by-play tweets: @USAVGSports Matt Calcagnini @MCalcagnini56: Offensive lineman No shave November? More like no shave 2013 Chris Marquardt @cmarquardt12: Pitcher Idc who you root for but you have to respect Dustin Pedroia. He plays the game the way it was meant to be played.

Sharon Sanders @SomeSerious_: Guard

PATRICK HERRING | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Danny Woodson Jr., who finished with two receptions for 54 yards, dives for the end zone.

Jags with another close game, lose 17-16 Loss to Arkansas State drops South Alabama to 3-5 on the season

By PATRICK HERRING pwh802@jagmail.southalabama.edu

A

nother week, another narrow loss for the Jaguars (3-5,1-3 SBC). The Red Wolves of Arkansas State (4-4, 2-1 SBC) defeated USA 17-16. South Alabama continues a losing streak that is now three games long.

Head coach Joey Jones expressed his displeasure after the game.

“It’s getting tough to walk in the locker room after a tough loss like that,” Jones said. “I’ve never seen a team improve as much as they have and not seen the rewards, and that’s the thing that hurts me the most.”

Quarterback Ross Metheny was unable to put his team in a position to win this week as the offense’s lastditch effort in the fourth quarter fell short with an incompletion on

fourth down. He went 15 of 29 for 228 yards and added 77 yards on the ground, but threw a costly interception in the third quarter that led to an Arkansas State score.

“We know we’re a better football team than our record indicates,” Metheny said. “I don’t know if there’s ever been a college football team that’s lost this many one- or two-point games.”

The Jaguars have now lost 5 games this season by 12 points combined. Not counting the 7-point loss to Tennessee, they’ve dropped 4 games by 5 points, and that is tough to swallow.

The offense was anemic, only reaching the end zone once and posting the fewest points the Jaguars have scored this season.

An early Red Wolves drive was stopped at the USA 15-yard line

when Charles Watson forced a fumble and Terrell Brigham recovered. The South Alabama offense was unable to convert the turnover into points and Scott Garber punted back to ASU. On the first drive of the second half, the Jaguars were finally able to get a drive going. Metheny hit Wes Saxton for a gain of 16 yards down to the ASU 31-yard line. The following play, Metheny ran for 9 more yards. After four straight handoffs to Kendall Houston, the Jags were unable to find the end zone. Aleem Sunanon came out and nailed a 27-yard field goal to give USA a 3-0 lead.

Two possessions later, Metheny hit Danny Woodson Jr. deep down the left sideline for a gain of 47 yards down to the ASU 2-yard line. The offense failed to punch

it in from there and Sunanon was again called on for a field goal. His 19-yard kick was good to give the Jags a 6-0 lead that would last until halftime.

On the opening drive of the second half, Metheny found Shavarez Smith for a 42-yard gain down the right sideline. He then threw an interception in the end zone to put an end to a South Alabama drive that had reached the red zone. Smith finished with 77 yards on 3 receptions.

Arkansas State used the momentum to drive the length of the field and score on a 13yard quarterback keeper by Adam Kennedy. The extra point gave the Red Wolves a 7-6 lead midway through the third quarter.

See Jags can’t come back against Red Wolves Page 10

I must not look serious enough when I’m studying because why is this stranger coming up trying have a full convo!

Derek Westbrook @ thedwestbrook25: Men’s Cross Country I’m dressing up as a white guy for Halloween today. Call it lame, but I call it original Lizzie Goldsmith @lizzieG_21: Midfielder/Forward I could really get used to this whole not having any classes thing...

Emily Messer @emily_messer20: Outfielder Just saw a girl dressed in a batman costume with heels eat the asphalt Drew Dearman @Drewski72_: Offensive lineman My harry potter invisibility cloak costume was on point last night. No one even saw me out!

@USAVGSports

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Jaguars can’t come back against Red Wolves Continued from Page 9.

The South Alabama offense responded quickly. T.J. Glover returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to the USA 35-yard line to spark the drive. Metheny then found Saxton twice for gains of 8 and 17 yards to put the ball in Red Wolves territory. After a pass interference call in the end zone, Houston found paydirt from 2 yards out to take the lead back, 13-7.

Arkansas State’s next drive would stall when senior defensive end Alex Page sacked Kennedy for a loss of 6 yards to the USA 33yard line. However, Brian Davis came on and knocked a 50-yard kick through the uprights to cut the South Alabama lead to 13-10.

The Jaguars responded with a methodical march down the field. Jay Jones broke loose a 17-yard run to put the ball at midfield.

Metheny then completed a 14-yard pass to Smith and ran for 14 more yards on the next play. The drive fell short, though, and Sunanon was called upon once more. His field goal from 30 yards out was good, but the 16-

10 lead wouldn’t be enough.

Kennedy and the Red Wolves pounded the ball down the Jaguars’ throats on a 9-play, 75-yard drive that consisted of 4 first downs.

The South Alabama defense looked tired as Sirgregory Thornton ran into the end zone from 3 yards out to put the Red Wolves ahead by the final margin of 17-16.

Saxton led all receivers with 4 receptions which he took for 49 yards. Woodson added 2 catches for 54 yards.

Linebacker Enrique Williams set a career high and tied Jake Johnson’s school record with 17 total tackles in the game, which included 1 for a loss. He set a new school record for assisted tackles with 15.

Terrell Brigham and Montell Garner added 11 tackles each, including .5 and 1.5 tackles for a loss, respectively.

Desmond Lavelle had 9 tackles, including his first career sack. Page added 1.5 sacks and Romelle Jones contributed the other half sack.

The Jaguars are off next weekend before going on the road to play at Navy on Nov. 16.

PATRICK HERRING | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A swarm of Jaguars, led by Bryson James and Tyrell Pearson, take down Arkansas State running back David Oku.

11

VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

USA softball complex undergoes renovations

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

I

f you have driven down Old Shell Road, you have probably noticed the large mounds of red clay at the softball field. Or perhaps you saw a bulldozer tearing down parts of the field and wondered what was going on.

Turns out the construction is part of a large renovation plan that South Alabama has in place to upgrade its softball complex. To get some more details about what the finished product would look like, South’s athletic director Dr. Joel Erdmann discussed what we could expect some softball in the spring.

The Vanguard: “What is going on at the softball field?”

Dr. Erdmann: “We’re in the middle of a four- to five-phase project that might take four to 10 or 11 months to finish. Phase one is the covered hitting facility that is much needed and well deserved. The foundation was poured about (two) weeks ago, and it’ll be a steel, self-supporting structure with multiple bullpens, hitting areas and some storage.

“Phase two is our dugouts, and the reason for the dugouts renovation is to enhance spectator viewing.

There were a lot of obstructed views and now it’s not going to be perfect, but it will be better. The new dugouts will be recessed approximately 8 to 10 feet back from where they were originally, and they will be about 3 feet lower.

“Phase four will be where the bleachers sat on rock, that will be formed up and we’ll pour concrete.

We’ll probably start the season with the bleachers moved back onto the concrete. However, subsequent to me finding the money and a time frame, there’s a small possibility that if we can find a window of opportunity in the middle of the season, where we don’t have a home game for eight to 10 days, we’re looking at a freestanding metal structure that would be a combination of lower and middle chairback seats and bench-back wings. It would have a very similar look, to scale, of what Stanky Field seating is.

It would include handicapped seating, have an entry from both the stands, and it would seat somewhere in

the neighborhood of 800.

“For the beginning of this season, the hitting facility will happen for sure. The dugouts now must happen for sure because they’re gone. If all the dominoes fall into place and it all works out the way it should, prior to the beginning of the season we will have most of it done and if not during the season, it will be sometime next summer.”

VG: “Will the new stands be permanent, set-in stands?”

JE: “They will be something similar to the stands at soccer (at The Cage). They’ll either be aluminum or some kind of galvanized material and support structure.”

VG: “How long have these plans been in the works?”

JE: “The concept of the hitting facility actually started to unfold about a year ago, in the fall of 2012.

We looked at some designs and then we put together a plan to raise some money and we were able to secure that money and actually we pulled the trigger on that this summer. The dugouts and potential other renovations really picked up speed at the end of last year’s season. We had great success, crowds that we needed to address, amenities in the press box that weren’t where they need to be. But the hitting facility has been brewing for a good year, maybe 15 months.

And the dugouts, seating, around May or June.”

VG: “Was it hosting a regional last year that pushed this along?”

JE: “Yes. You know, we needed to get the facilities caught up with the team. That’s a good thing to have.

And I think we were able to accommodate our fans for the regional very well. I think the environment was great. But moving forward, it seems appropriate to make it more presentable and from a fan’s perspective you get more seating options where you can see all of the field and not just 70 percent.”

Erdmann also stated there was a possibility for more renovations that could be completed for this season, but the plans have not been finalized yet.

South Alabama softball finished last season with a school-record finish of 48-9 and hosted their first NCAA Regional in school history.

VANGUARD ARCHIVES

Farish Beard (pictured) will again team up with senior pitcher Hannah Campbell to reform what was South Alabama’s dominating pitching staff.

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

VANGUARD ARCHIVES

Nick Zaharion will be just one of the many starters the Jags will have to replace from last season’s 43-win squad.

The Vanguard previews South Alabama baseball Head coach Mark Calvi talked about replacing talent and bringing in new faces to fill in gaps

By PATRICK HERRING pwh802@jagmail.southalabama.edu

S

outh Alabama’s baseball program turned in the best single-season improvement from 2012 to 2013 in the country, going from 23-34 in 2012 to 4320 in 2013, good enough to earn a birth in an NCAA Regional.

The Jags’ baseball team also lost several key members of last year’s team to either graduation or the MLB Draft.

Head coach Mark Calvi, now entering his third year as head coach of the Jags, sat down to discuss how the program is shaping up during their fall schedule.

The Vanguard: “Last year we saw this team make a significant improvement over your first year as head coach, so how do you continue to build on that success?”

Mark Calvi: “The key to it is that you have to continue to bring in outstanding student-athletes, obviously. And the formula for success in baseball, and especially college baseball now that they’ve deadened the bats and the BB core, home runs have been cut in half and run production has been cut by a third, so there really is a premium in

pitching and defense. So that’s been our goal. That was my goal when I got here: to have as many good defenders and pitchers with a solid bullpen that we could get.

“Last year we were close, our offense was good, our defense was good, but it wasn’t where I wanted it to be, and our pitching was obviously solid. Our bullpen was the strength of our pitching.

Our pitching wasn’t where we liked it to be, but our bullpen was better than we expected. This year we lost so many guys, and we have to replace 19 or 20 saves.

“I’ve joked in the past, I think I’m the only coach in the country that’s had to rebuild a program twice in three years.

We lost 20 guys off of last year’s team, off of a really good team. Hopefully we replaced some holes, knowing it’s impossible to replace all of those guys.

They were so experienced, and they had some credentials coming back into their second year.

“We did the best job that we could and got the best players that we could get. It’s not like we needed to get four or five and we felt great. We needed to

get a bunch, and we’re still getting to know these guys throughout the course of the fall. There have been a couple of guys who look like they can help in the bullpen, and our starting pitching I think will have an edge on last year. Right now our bullpen is behind last year, but I think we have the capabilities to have a solid bullpen.”

VG: “Like you said, you’ve lost a lot of guys to the majors and graduation.

Are there guys ready step into those roles?”

MC: “Yea, I mean I hope so. How do you replace a Jordan Patterson and a Nolan Early and a Nick Zaharion? It’s hard to do. But with graduation and the draft, it’s something that we deal with and everyone deals with. We feel as though we brought in some good guys as far as the outfield. Cole Billingsley returns. We brought in Adam Bellew and Garrett DeGallier, and Cole Jarman returns. You get Logan Kirkland back, (but) is he healthy enough? He was a freshman All-American, he’s been out for two years, he seems to be healthy.

So he slides back into second. You have Hayden Jones who’s in his second year,

he can play multiple infield positions for us. We feel good there.

“Drew LaBounty, a freshman who had an outstanding high school career, two state championships, high school All-American. A kid named Cole Gleason at first base/left field, he’s probably our most heralded bat, I would say, in the recruiting class. He hit like .360 or .370 in two years of junior college and he had 150 RBIs in two years, so we’re looking to him for some offensive production.

“Our catchers, we have four new catchers back there. Davis Knapp, who is from Darton Junior College, a very successful junior college; and Matthew Wojciechowski was here and then was at Faulkner Junior College and played for an outstanding coach in Wayne Larker, they won 40-some odd games last year, and then Erik Hindmon who was a golden glove winner at Polk Junior College in Florida. So we feel great about our guys behind the plate; they’re solid defensively.

“There’s good players out there, they’re just new, and there’s a lot of guys in their first year. Which for any

coach it is concerning slash exciting because you basically have a new team.

It has been good to see these guys mold.

There’s only so much you can tell in an intersquad game, though, to be honest with you. You need some adversity, which means you need some losses, and the only way you get that is in the spring when you play someone else. Leadership will be the key.

“It’s a bunch of great kids; there have been no issues. The key is how well we pitch and play defense and how well they come together, the dynamics of the team and the chemistry of the team.

That’s important because these guys haven’t been on the team together, really none of these guys have played together, so that’s a huge question mark: how well will these guys play together?

“If you saw our team much last year, you saw a team that knew how to play together. They knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses. There was never any panic if we were down. It’ll be this team’s turn to write their own chapter. We’ll see how they respond as a team, because right now no one knows.”

See Baseball Page 13.

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Baseball Continued from page 12.

Mark Calvi Head Baseball Coach VG: “You talked about getting Logan Kirkland back. What does that mean for the team?”

MC: “It’s huge if Kirkland is back to where he was. He seems to be healthy and what he brings is a guy who’s been in the program for a couple of years.

He’s seen some leaner days and he’s seen some good days. He understands what we want as a coaching staff. He’s hungry to prove himself again. He was a freshman All-American, he hit .340 as a freshman and he was playing out of position at shortstop. Hopefully he can continue to stay healthy and get back to form where he was. It’s good to have

his leadership back. He’s a quiet leader, but he knows the ins and outs and the dos (and) don’ts of the program, which is comforting for a coach to have some guys that know that.”

VG: “You mentioned the bullpen; there’s a lot of turnover there. How do they look this fall?”

MC: “So far, so good. Intersquad is a little different in that their innings are scripted, they know when they’re gonna throw. Where in the season, the situations dictate that. Right now Kyle Rovig is the frontrunner to be our closer.

He’s had an outstanding fall, he’s got a great arm, he’s been up to 93, 94 (mph) with his fastball and he has a good slider.

“Matt Peacock, another redshirt freshman, he’s been 90 to 93, and he’s got a good breaking ball. His thing is, will he throw enough strikes? He’s shown, both he and Rovig have shown that they’re gonna throw enough strikes and that they have good stuff, they probably have better stuff than anyone on the staff.

“So those two guys could be in at the end of a ballgame. Rovig looks to be the frontrunner to be the closer, and he wants to be the closer, so that’s big because that’s a tough role. If you have to twist someone’s arm or talk them into doing it, it probably doesn’t work out best for you, but he’s a guy who wants to do it and so far he looks like a closer

to me.

“It’ll take the spring to know who your guys are. The fall is an indicator.

James Traylor has started and he’s come out of the pen, he’s done a good job at both.With him I think it’s gonna be where we need him most. He’s a lefty up to 90, 91 with a good breaking ball, and he’s a junior so he’s been around the block a little bit. That and lefties don’t see him very well, lefty batting average against him is very low.

“So you have a returner down there in Traylor, and a kid named Cameron Carleton, a sidearmer who’s been throwing the ball well this fall. It looks like we have the makings of a bullpen, it’s just actually getting them out there and getting them into the swing of spring.”

VG: “Is there anyone you’ve seen a significant improvement from last year to this year?”

MC: “Bud Collura has gotten much stronger. He had that awful shoulder injury last year where he separated his shoulder in the fall and then it happened again in the spring. He fought through it, and that’s tough on anybody. A separated shoulder is no fun. He fought like crazy to give us everything he had last year. He stayed around here for the most part in the summer and he hit the weights hard. He looks much stronger physically and he just looks like he’s

a better player. He’s bigger, stronger, faster and a year older, and he’s really made an improvement.

“Cole Billingsley has had an outstanding fall thus far. He’s bigger and stronger. He had a very good summer in the Coastal Plains league, off playing with a wooden bat against some great competition. He looks different physically as well. He and Bud have been the biggest surprise as far as a change in strength and the overall level of their game in one year.”

VG: “What are the concerns you have at this point in the fall?”

MC: “Obviously the bullpen, because you know that’s the building block of the program is making sure you have innings 7, 8 and 9 covered.

Right now I don’t know if we have it covered. But I’ll be honest with you, the fall of 2009, when we won a national championship in 2010, the fall of 2009 we had some big concerns. I couldn’t tell you who my closer was, who my lefthanded reliever was, but they developed as the year went on. The key is having guys who can step into that role.

Hopefully we have guys who will say, ‘OK I’ve been slotted in that role and I’ll run with it.’

“It’s replacing 22 saves, that’s my biggest concern. And we lost six or seven of our best hitters last year in our lineup. Offensively there are some

concerns, these guys learning how to play team offense together. Who are our bullpen guys we can count on. On defense, I think our starting pitching we have an edge over last year, and I think our defense we might have an edge over last year.

“Right now, I think offensively there are some question marks and bullpenwise there are some question marks.”

VG: “Lastly, can you talk about the schedule? You’ve got some tough road games, at Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State.”

MC: “I think the only way to get your guys prepared for where ultimately we all wanna go, and that’s the postseason, is to play the best competition you can play, and that’s what we tried to do. If you have to go on the road in a regional and you have to be at Florida State in front of 6,000 people, it can’t be a shocker to your guys.

“Some of those teams we are facing are some of the best teams in the country year in and year out. So if you can stay in there and play them tough and win your share of ball games and maybe go on the road and beat them, it’s a great confidence builder for your guys, and you can only get better. You put guys in that type of environment playing that type of competition, it can only help you. It can only help your program.”

Opinion

14

EDITORIAL BOARD

Samantha Andrews | Editor-in-Chief Kelly Ficarelli | Opinion Editor JT Crabtree | Sports Editor

KELLY FICARELLI, OPINION EDITOR kficarelli@gmail.com VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Alyssa Newton | Left of Center Editor Emma Mitchell | Life Editor

Show gratitude where it is due Advisers could be more resourceful

By LYDIA CHRISTIAN quietartsytype@gmail.com

D

uring the three years that I have been attending the University of South Alabama, I have never heard any appreciation voiced for the custodial staff. Yes, it is the custodians’ duty to make sure everything is clean, but every day I watch people walk past them without even a courteous nod. It seems as though people find it easier to pretend they aren’t there than to give a simple smile. Sometimes, even I am guilty of such atrocious behavior–– and it embarrasses me.

Before becoming a full-time student, I wore various other “hats.” From

management positions to (more frequently) being the lowest ranking person on the payroll, I have experienced many career fields. So I understand how much work it is to constantly clean up after other people. Knowing how difficult that job is, it should ensure that I treat custodians with more graciousness and appreciation than I have exhibited. They are paid to keep our beautiful campus clean, and being treated as lesser important University staff members is not part of the job description.

At the beginning of the semester, as I walked past a member of the custodial staff, she smiled and said, “Good morning.” In my beginningof-school sleep haze, it took me longer than usual to grasp that she had greeted me. I didn’t comprehend it until her smile turned into a scowl. At that instant, I realized my mistake, realized that many students before me had probably passed right by her without so much as a glance.

I immediately tried to change the atmosphere and clear up the misunderstanding between us. The last thing

I wanted was for even a portion of her morning to be ruined by my perceived uncaring. I made sure I did not walk away until I’d made it clear to her that I valued her and wanted to hear what she had to say. Now every time I see her, we chat as though we’re old friends, despite the fact that neither of us knows the other’s name. Being five minutes late to my class that day was worth it, just to be greeted by her smile every day since.

This article should have been written a long time ago. We should show compassion to every individual we come in contact with, but sometimes it seems easier to be nice to strangers than to the same faces we see every day. Next time you see that sweet custodian who quietly cleans up the mess you leave behind, take a second out of your day to express your gratitude.

As for me, I want to tell each and every custodian thank you. For every time soap and hand towels are available, for every time the classroom is swept and for every piece of litter I don’t see on campus, thank you. You are all doing such an excellent job!

RYAN KELLER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

By KAYLA TROSCLAIR kkmichelle5@gmail.com

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rying to figure out what you can and should do about paying for college is not easy. Last week’s Opinion page of The Vanguard featured an article about uninformed students trying to find sources of funding for college.

As everyone knows, college tuition isn’t cheap. The majority of incoming first-year students as well as some continuing students probably don’t have the slightest clue about where to start when it comes to funding for expensive college tuition. There are many options to choose from. There are student loans, work-study programs, grants, paying for college outof-pocket and, of course, scholarships.

How do you know what you qualify for and which options would be the best choice for you? And where do you look to get started?

Personally, I have absolutely no idea what to do when it comes to applying for funds for school, and I am in my third year. I had family members and friends who helped me out when I first started. I think it would be extremely helpful for advisors to start keeping track of the latest information and letting students know about the options they have, what each of those options require and how you can apply for them.

A statement in last week’s article was made suggesting that professors inform students about these options, but there are some issues concerning the overloaded work schedules our instructors already have. As a student, I understand workloads. In all honesty, students are overloaded much of the

time during the semester, too—not just professors. With homework, jobs and other things we have to do, who has the time to spend hours searching for funding that we may or may not even be able to use?

It was also suggested that student workers on campus who aren’t busy should be given the job of informing other students about college funding options and answering these types of questions for them. Now, putting nonbusy people to work while they are supposed to be working sounds great and all, but they are only students!

If their peers on campus don’t know where to look or have the answers to these questions, then who are we to expect them to know the answers?

At South, each student has an adviser they can talk to when needed. An adviser is a professor or a professional who has chosen to be more of an aide to students on campus. An adviser’s main job, besides teaching, is to help schedule classes for students and guide them throughout graduation, so why can’t they be a little more informative when it comes to tuition and funding?

“

Personally, I have absolutely no idea what to do when it comes to applying for funds for school.

Kayla Trosclair

”

I mean, it is their job to help you when you need them, right? They chose that job. An adviser’s job is to advise.

I believe it would be a great idea to have advisers keep an updated list of all the different ways college can be paid for, including a list of scholarships and grants available for their advisees’ majors. That way, the information is available to students any time they need it, and it doesn’t put too much work on professors or the student themselves.

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VOL. 53, NO. 15 / NOV. 4, 2013

Be a Jaguar, not just a student, at South Alabama

By JESSICA THORNTON jdt1105@jagmail.southalabama.com

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s ambitious students, many of us wonder what our lives are going to be like, say, five years from now. “Will I still be in school?” “Will I have an actual job?” Not many of us actually think about the people and the opportunities outside of the classroom that will get us there.

South is an enormous school, and it is vastly growing each semester.

This might mean fewer parking spaces (yay!), but it also means the opportunities are growing as well. There is constant activity going on every day all around campus and more than 100 active student organizations waiting to welcome new members. Some of the biggest groups of organizations at South are the Greek letter organizations.

Member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Bree Burrell, said, “Greek

PHOTOS BY JESSICA THORNTON | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There is something for everyone at South. From football to band, cheerleading to dance, every student can be a Jaguar. life was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I have 70 sisters and best friends that I can always count on. The best part is that we get to bond throughout the year through philanthropy events.”

Each year, South Alabama’s Greek letter organizations raise thousands of dollars for various charities. Burrell continued, “Whether it’s for our sorority or another Greek organization on campus, we get to spend time together, meet new people and have fun for a great cause.”

The opportunities are endless! As a student-athlete, the best part for me is representing my school. I have the

privilege of being an ambassador of the University of South Alabama. I get to go to elementary schools with other student-athletes and spread the roar about how great it is to be a Jaguar. I know that what I am doing right now outside of class is helping build my future, and I get to make amazing friendships along the way. This doesn’t mean you have to try out for the football team or join the band. It can be as simple as finding out what you like to do.

Once you have found your craft, there is almost a 100 percent chance that you will find a group of fellow Jags who enjoy the same things and can help you

down the road. Think about joining the societies in your major. You are ensured to grow, not only socially but in your major as well.

As someone who is almost too involved in extracurricular activities, I have had countless opportunities thrown my way. From dancing on the dance team with all of my best friends to volunteering at local museums with other members of my engineering society, I have met at least a dozen new people each semester. I am only a sophomore at South, and I am really looking forward to my following semesters of dancing, writing and just

being a Jag. The best part about being involved at South is that you get to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Everyone preaches about how important it is to meet new people, and that couldn’t be a truer statement. This is college, the prime time to put yourself out there. Utilize your resources! Whether it’s cheering our football and basketball players on to victory or writing in a little quirky section of the school newspaper, you are guaranteed a fresh perspective of how your life will be later on down the road. This is a time you will never forget--make it count!

Make drug testing mandatory for some South interns

By KELLY FICARELLI kficarelli@gmail.com

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KELLY FICARELLI | OPINION EDITOR

ast week was Red Ribbon Week for Mobile County Public Schools. Teachers took time out of their busy schedules to teach students about drugs and the dangers of doing them, as well as ways to “Just say no.” Classroom doors were elaborately decorated, red ribbons were given out and bulletin boards were made to promote a drug-free lifestyle. Elementary school students were able to enjoy activities such as “Say No to Drugs” pep rallies, crazy shoes day, sunglasses day and many other fun events. As a stu-

dent teacher in an elementary school, Red Ribbon Week activities prompted many questions and concerns regarding students and drugs, from the elementary level to the college level.

Earlier this year, Mobile County school board members voted to spend more money drug testing high school students. Elementary and middle school students are not tested, and only high school students who park on campus or participate in extracurricular activities are subject to random screenings in Mobile County. Larry Mouton, executive director of career and technical education, said school officials have quite a few reasons for testing students. First of all, students need to know that any industry they go into, be it education, engineering, computer programming or the medical profession, will require a clean drug screen to obtain employment. Let’s face it, even Winn-Dixie and Walmart test you before you can work. Secondly, if a student is found with traces of drugs in his or her system, parents are notified and the student is offered help through the Drug Education Council. In fact, students are put on a six-month pro-

bation during which they agree to be re-tested and must prove they have received drug counseling before they can participate in extracurricular activities again or drive on campus. Another reason area schools test students is simply to deter children from doing drugs and to give them a reason to say no to peers who offer them drugs. Mouton said he hopes students will continue to be drug-free throughout college and into adulthood.

His statement leads to my initial thought and proposal, which concerns college students being drug-free.

I believe certain students at South should be drug-tested before beginning internships. At present, South performs random drug screenings only on student-athletes. While I don’t suspect any one student in particular of doing drugs, we as student teachers are affecting children’s lives every day.

Pre-med, pharmacy and nursing students have patients’ lives in their hands while learning and working in the field.

Health and education students should have no problem agreeing to random drug screening. Jayne Kennedy, academic adviser and senior instructor

in the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education, said mandates such as drug testing usually come from the Alabama State Department of Education. I can’t help but wonder, if the state requires teachers to be drug tested prior to employment, why wouldn’t they require student teachers to be drug tested before they spend three semesters in our schools? And if USA hospitals require employees to pass a drug test before being hired, why wouldn’t they require students who will be working in their hospitals to be drug tested before interning?

Being drug-free is an extremely important issue in our schools and in society, hence Red Ribbon Week. As a parent of an elementary school student, I need to know that my child’s teacher, librarian, counselor, principal and anyone else working at her school is drug-free, and that includes student teachers who are very much involved with her and other children. Implementing pre-internship or random drug screenings would help to ensure that education, nursing, pre-med and other health professional students are drug-free.

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