VANGUARD
THE
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
SEPT. 2, 2013
VOL. 53, NO. 6
Stimpson plans to have a ‘close working relationship’ with local universities
INSIDE
By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
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► News: Director of public relations, Keith Ayers, retires. See Campus News, page 4.
► Life: Local coffee shops offer free fun alternatives. See JagLife, page 7
SAM ANDREWS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sandy Stimpson celebrates his mayoral victory at Fort Whitting in downtown Mobile on Aug. 27.
andy Stimpson won Mobile’s 2013 mayoral election over incumbent Mayor Sam Jones on Tuesday night, Aug. 27. Stimpson, a businessman who has never run for political office before, led the race with 28,934 votes to Jones’ 24,582 votes with 97 percent of polls reporting. At his victory party at Fort Whitting in downtown Mobile on Tuesday night, Stimpson walked out to give his victory speech as a crowd of supporters cheered his name. “When we unite as one community from Tillman’s Corner to Trinity Gardens, downtown, midtown, Springhill, West Mobile… when we all come together, I’m telling you, we cannot be stopped,” Stimpson said in his speech. “My goals are ambitious, but together we’ll do it,” Stimpson said. After his victory speech, the crowd of supporters attending the victory party chanted “One Mobile.”
Meanwhile, at what supporters hope would be Sam Jones’ victory celebration, the current mayor discussed why he thought he lost the election. “Money is not what won the election. What won the election was really turnout. We expected to do a lot better in turnout… but now that’s behind us,” Jones said in his concession speech. “For the last 26 years, I had an opportunity to make a real difference in our county government, in our city government and in our community as a whole. It is perfectly possible [for Mobile] to be one of the greatest cities in the country, and we are headed in that direction. Let me ask all of you to join in making that happen,” Jones said. Jones also had some words of advice for the mayor-elect. “I think Sandy might want to listen to this. When you do these jobs, you have to put your ‘big boy’ pants on. You have to be prepared to deal with whatever the situation is,” Jones said. See Stimpson wins Mobile vote Page 2
USA reveals record-setting enrollment total ► Left of Center: Experience of a first-time fan. See LOC, page 8
► Sports: Recap of the Jaguar’s football game against the SUU Thunderbirds. See Sports, page 9
By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
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t a press conference held on Monday, Aug. 26 at the Whiddon Administration Building, USA’s acting president Dr. John Smith announced that 15,311 students are enrolled as undergraduates this fall, a record for the university. The record enrollment for undergraduates is an increase of 428 students from last fall’s numbers. There are also 4,283 new students and 3,466 graduate students enrolled this fall, both of which are also record numbers for South Alabama. “The quality of the freshman class is the best ever with an average ACT score of 22.9, which is significantly above the state and national average,” Smith said. The state average ACT score is 20.4 and the national average ACT score is 20.9. Smith also added that there are over 500 students with an ACT score of 28 or above in this year’s freshman class.
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“We have a great story to tell at the university. We have excellent academic programs, a very talented and engaged faculty and staff, and a very vibrant campus life. You put all of that together, and it results in a record enrollment,” Smith commented. The president also made known the top five feeder schools to South Alabama. They are, in order, Baker High School, Murphy High School, Mary G. Montgomery High School, McGill-Toolen High School and Alma Bryant High School. Smith also added that South Alabama drew freshmen from over 300 high schools in the country. “We’re excited about the record enrollment. I think it’s a reflection of the hard work of the faculty and staff, our competitive tuition, our great scholarship program, our facilities. … It’s just a combination of all those things,” Smith said. USA awarded 2,693 degrees this past academic year, bringing the university’s total number of degrees awarded to more than 75,000.
Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com
STUART SOX | SENIOR REPORTER
Acting President John Smith announces the University’s enrollment total and statistics for the fall semester.
In this Issue:
Life, Page 5 Left of Center, Page 8 Sports, Page 9 Opinion, Page 14
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Stimpson wins Mobile vote Continued from Page One.
The mayor also had words of thanks for his supporters attending his concession speech and for those who voted for him. “Thank you for being there for me through all of these years,” Jones said. Come November, Stimpson plans to be very transparent in his work as mayor of Mobile. “We’re going to take the door off the mayor’s office so that everyone knows we’re open for business,” Stimpson said at the victory party. “I think that I’m going to be a mayor that is out to serve the people,” Stimpson added. Stimpson also spoke briefly about his plans for South Alabama and other universities in Mobile. “We will have a real close working relationship with the colleges and universities,” Stimpson said in an interview with The Vanguard at his victory party. “There are several things you have to do to make college students want to stay here when they graduate from South but also when they come back when this is their home… and it all has to do with being a safe city, the quality of life and job opportunities,” Stimpson said. Stimpson’s main campaign platform was his promise to make Mobile the safest and most business-friendly city in the United States by the year 2020. He will officially take office this November and begin making his vision of “One Mobile” a reality.
SAM ANDREWS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sandy Stimpson speaks to the crowd at Fort Whitting of his vision for “One Mobile.”
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Weather for Sept. 2 - 8 “University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”
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 Matthew Strickland
Stuart Sox Noah Logan
Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Matthew Rhodes
Advertising Advertising Justine Burbank Graphic Designer Ryan Keller Sheldon Hall
Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan
Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.
Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or thevanguardeditor@gmail.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail thevanguardeditor@gmail.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.
PATRICK BIGBIE | STAFF METEOROLOGIST
Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx Virgo 8/24-9/23 You are keeping secrets. From the stash of Ramen Noodles you are hiding from your roommates to the fact that you dropped most of your classes in favor of sleeping late. Remember, your roommates can’t tell your parents about your schedule if they have a mouth full of noodles. Libra 9/24-10/23 Your school spirit is admirable.You sport your JagGear everyday and can recite the entire football team roster. (That part is a little creepy.) Don’t take it too far. A full facial tattoo of a jaguar limits your job opportunities post-graduation.
Horoscopes Scorpio 10/22-11/22 You may be taking on too much. Too many extracurricular activities may cause you to fall behind in your studies. And you could end up streaking through campus at noon on a Tuesday. Sagittarius 11/23-12/21 You are broke already. After spending all your money on textbooks that you don’t need and can’t return, you have $50 to make it to the end of the semester. Lemonade stand, anyone? Capricorn 12/22-1/20 You have met one of the most important people in your college years, intelligent and reliable with great penmanship. Now you just have to figure out how to get their notes for every class. Aquarius 1/21-2/19 You are feeling the pressure this week. Syllabus week is over and your professors actually expect you to attend classes and even participate. There is only one solution. Donuts. They make everything better, especially when you eat them in class. Pisces 2/20-3/20 You have been charged with a quest. You must seek wisdom from the Guardians of Knowledge. You must venture to a land you have only speculated about: the Library. Speak quietly so you do not offend the gods of the Pages.
Aries 3/21-4/20 College is all about time management. Use the time before the fall premieres of your favorite shows wisely. When you completely slack off, you will only be a couple of weeks behind on your school work at midterm. Taurus 4/21-5/21 Are your jeans a little tight? All that free pizza has to go somewhere. Haul your heiny to the Rec Center to burn those extra calories and maybe meet a cute new workout buddy. Bonus points for walking there, not driving. Gemini 5/22-6/21 You need to express yourself artistically. Go old school with a coloring book and crayons. Tear out the pictures and give them to all of your friends.They need art for their walls, too. Cancer 6/22-7/23 The heat is getting to you. On your daily treks across campus, you discover that you can cool off by stopping in each building on your way. You are cool but you haven’t made it to class in two weeks. Leo 7/24-8/23 You thought the parking situation would improve by the third week of class. You were wrong. It will resolve itself in one of two ways. You decide to stay home or you get to park in the spots that the slackers who stay home leave vacant.
This is a work of fiction meant for entertainment.
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Public relations director to retire By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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ublic Relations Director Keith Ayers is retiring after 15 years of service to USA. Bob Lowry, the director of public relations for USA hospitals, will temporarily assume Ayers’ position in September as interim director. Ayers explained his reason for retirement simply. “I’ve given it my best and I’m proud of what the University has accomplished during my time here, but it’s time.” Public relations isn’t a department that most students will be familiar with on a day-to-day basis “My job was always to try to help the world better understand what the University of South Alabama is trying to accomplish,” Ayers said, summing up his duties, “and to make sure people see the contributions that this University makes every single day.” Ayers said that he was especially proud of his work with the football program and the marching band because more students were in favor of these programs over any other requests he received. He also addressed his satisfaction with organizing the 50th year anniversary celebration and leaving the University during such a time of optimism. “To end my career on such a positive note where so many good things are happening is very satisfying.” “The proudest moment I have might surprise you,” Ayers reminisced while tears welled up in his eyes. He described that moment when a student walks across the stage and his or her life changes forever. “I’ve been able to do that twice a year and it gets better every year,” Ayers said. Ayers’ experience with graduations has led him to believe that moment of change depends on the university. “Every life is being changed at that
NOAH LOGAN | STAFF REPORTER
Public Relations Director Keith Ayers (left) is retiring with 15 years of employment at USA and the director of public relations for USA hospitals, Bob Lowry (right), will cover Ayers’ position as interim director. moment based on what your university was able to contribute.” The dedication Ayers has shown is reflected in his colleagues’ esteem for his work. “Keith is a very valuable member of our team,” Acting President John Smith said, “and he’s been a joy for me to work with over the past five years. He is a true professional with a deep love for the University of South Alabama. It is impossible to calculate the number of hours that Keith has put in behind the scene to make sure that Board of Trustees meetings and other special events on campus went off without any issues. His wisdom and insight will be missed by all of us.” “For years, Keith has been the mastermind behind some of this institution’s most public milestone events,” Dean of Students Michael Mitchell said. “His attention to detail and love for this University will be sorely
missed.” Lowry acknowledged the challenge of following Ayers, but is very optimistic about his future and the University as a whole. “Needless to say, he leaves some huge shoes to fill,” Lowry said, admitting his feelings about stepping up to Ayers’ position. “But the University has matured to the point to where it will not only survive but will thrive with the next people who are put in charge.” When asked about possibly removing the interim title of his position and becoming permanent director, Lowry simply and politely implied he would be glad to do whatever the University needs him to. “The University has been a terrific employer for me,” Lowry said. “I would love the opportunity to continue serving the University in whatever capacity they want me to.”
VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
jagLIFE
Pi Kappa Phi strikes, bikes for charity By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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our brothers from the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity are hoping to make an 800-mile bike trek from Miami to Tallahassee, Fla., and attempt to positively impact lives on the way. Jacob Broussard, Jonathan Pennington, Joel Langley and Jake Lewis are each striving to raise money to participate in the annual Gear Up Florida even next May. Started by the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in 1977, PUSH America is a national philanthropy dedicated to helping people with disabilities across the country. According to www.pushamerica.org, the nationally recognized non-profit’s motto is “Building leaders tomorrow by serving with people with disabilities today.” Throughout the 16-day journey of Gear Up Florida, these men will make overnight stops at the homes of people with disabilities. At each stop, or friendship visit, they will work to spread awareness about men, women and children living with disabilities in America. Each student participating said his motivation for joining came from fellow brother, Andrew Augastine, who participated in the event last year. Broussard specifically stated, “It sounded like a larger-than-life event that very few people get to do. It just
NOAH LOGAN | STAFF REPORTER
USA students (left to right) Jacob Broussard, Jonathan Pennington, Joel Langley and Jake Lewis plan to participate in the Gear Up Florida trip next May. has such a big impact.” When asked about what each of them is most looking forward to, Langley said, “Making a difference and being a part of something that is a whole lot bigger than myself and any of us.” Pennington added, “This is something that really separates you from the average fraternity guy and as a man in general.” Pennington also added that he is most looking forward to spreading awareness but in a particular
way. “When you talk about spreading awareness, it really boils down to treating people with disabilities just like you would treat anyone else.” Though the cause is great, each student has the task of raising $2,500 before he can ride. The boys have been hard at work making plans to get the money required. Broussard explained some of the fundraising methods they have used so far as well as their plans for the future. “We first got a tropical smoothie
fundraiser going and saw limited success [around $200],” Broussard said. “We get alumni that donate to us, and we’re hoping to make T-shirts as well. We plan on going to different local businesses and getting them to pay to have their business on the back of the shirt, and then we’ll sell the T-shirts on campus.” Pennington then went into detail about their plan for raising the rest of the money, and it’s sure to take the university by storm. “Our big fundraiser will be a money drop in the circle on campus. We will hang in our Enos [a brand of portable hammocks] high in the trees. We’ll hang up there for days until our remaining fundraising amount [TBA] is met. We won’t be able to come down to eat, drink or use the bathroom or anything.” The rest of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity will be present to facilitate the event and help spread campus knowledge of the PUSH America organization. Due to fundraising still being in the early stages, the guys do not have a date set for the Eno hang. However, they are sure that it will be sometime soon. The Vanguard will certainly inform students when a date is made and will be on hand during the hang to help each student reach his fundraising goals.
Question of the edition: What campus change has been the most surprising to you this semester?
EMMA MITCHELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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Weekly Lowdown All events free unless otherwise noted.
Monday > Sept. 2
Labor Day: No School
Tuesday > Sept. 3 Speech and Hearing Center stuttering selfhelp group: 6 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building
Thursday > Sept. 5 Allied Health and Nursing Career Fair: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Mitchell Center Lobby
Friday > Sept. 6 Women’s Volleyball versus Samford: 10 a.m. in the Jaguar gym Women’s Volleyball versus Jacksonville State: 5 p.m. in the Jaguar gym Cary Hudson live: doors open at 7:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m. at Satori coffee house
Saturday > Sept. 7
Public Relations Student Society of America benefit yard sale: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Communication Department USA Jaguars football at Tulane: 2:30 p.m. Patrick Morrison Graphic Design - Senior
Beth Lawyer Nursing - Senior
Alton Wilson Biology - Freshman
Candace Calloway Radiology - Senior
“How well the campus is kept”
“Sorority recruitment during school”
“Diversity on campus”
“Parking at the dorms”
Want your event featured? E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under 10 words) to eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Mobile Medical Museum offers 300 years of history By EMMA MITCHELL eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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oused in the historic Vincent/ Doan home, the Mobile Medical Museum is one of the only medical history museums in Alabama and the only one located in Mobile. With a vast and continually expanding collection of almost 300 years’ worth of medical history as well as several unique miscellaneous items, the museum prides itself on having things that “you’re not going
to see any place else,” said Monica Tapper, the museum’s director. According to Tapper, who became the director earlier this year, the Mobile Medical Museum “is the only place that shows the importance of regional medical history.” Constructed in 1827 by sea captain Benjamin Vincent, the Vincent/Doan home is the oldest house in Mobile still on its original property. Though it has been remodeled several times by its multiple owners over the last 186 years, most
MONICA TAPPER | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Mobile Medical Museum intern Michelle Rodgers displays a first generation heart bypass machine.
of the original features are still represented in the house’s modern design. After the most recent renovation in 2003, it seemed like an almost natural place for the Mobile Medical Museum’s artifacts to call “home.” Since the museum’s founding in 1962 by Dr. Samuel Eichold, everything in the Mobile Medical Museum and its archive has been generously donated from a variety of patrons and donors worldwide. Though there are many pieces and sets on display for the public, the majority of the items donated to the museum are archived. Kristi Bodine, senior anthropology major and museum volunteer in charge of inventory, said, “My favorite thing about the museum would have to be the surprises we get when looking through things for inventory. We have found anything from an instrument used at a concentration camp in Germany to a human skull.” The museum has many interesting objects in its library, including a number of surgical equipment sets used during the Civil War, a fifth of the Rosenthal antique spectacle collection and a functional, first-generation cardiopulmonary bypass machine. It also houses original documents and photographs from the first medical school in Alabama, the Medical College of Alabama, which was founded in Mobile in 1858 by Dr. Josiah
Nott. In addition to these items, the museum boasts a series of mysterious, unidentified pieces of medical equipment from the early ages of radiology and radiological practices. Jason Largen, a fourth-year medical student and museum tour guide, said of the museum, “It’s a unique chance to see just how far we’ve come in health care. Just 100 years ago we had doctors traveling by horse from house to house, prescribing ‘medicines’ [including whiskey] MONICA TAPPER | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER that would never be used today. … It also provides a chance for Museum volunteer and USA anthropology many [older visitors] student Kristi Bodine shows the museum’s to relive and retell sto- World War II restraining jacket. ries from their childence. It would surprise people to know hood.” “I feel that all South students would the extent of medical history that Mobile benefit from the [museum],” said mu- has to offer.” To find out more about the museum seum intern Michelle Rodgers. “The Mobile Medical Museum offers visitors or schedule a visit, “like” them on Facefrom Mobile a unique historical experi- book or call 251-415-1109.
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Local coffee houses, restaurants provide free fun By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
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he city of Mobile has many local coffee houses and restaurants with more to offer than just food and drinks. Mobile offers several things for college students to do, but most come with a price. As students are already having to pay for school and its acces-
SAM ANDREWS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Taylor Knighton performs “He’s a Tramp� from “Lady and the Tramp� at Satori’s Disney themed Open Mic Night.
sories, free fun is always an attractive alternative. Satori Coffee House, conveniently located just down the street from USA’s campus on Old Shell Road, holds Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. At Open Mic Night, anyone can perform whatever talent they possess, whether it is music, poetry or stand-up comedy. “I really like the diversity between the different artists at Open Mic Night,� said South Alabama junior Laura Fliegel. “Everyone is invited to perform, and people with all different talents take advantage of it.� Serda’s Coffee, located on Royal Street in downtown Mobile, is another local coffee shop that USA students frequent and enjoy. On Tuesday nights, Serda’s hosts a free trivia night during which you can win prizes and free drinks. USA senior Sarah Blythe said, “I think trivia nights are loads of fun. It gets people to visit local coffee shops and eateries all while testing their knowledge.� Every Wednesday night at 8 p.m., Serda’s holds Singer/Songwriter Night, during hich all are encouraged to come take part. Carpe Diem is another local coffee house on Old Shell Road across the
SAM ANDREWS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sydney Right-Hand and the Blasting Caps perform a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues� for Satori’s Open Mic Night. street from Springhill College. While it may not offer karaoke, bingo or trivia like the other coffee houses, students say its atmosphere is perfect for studying. “I love Carpe Diem because it is a great local coffee shop,� said Frankie Barrale, a junior at South Alabama. “Everyone who works there is really
friendly, and it is a great atmosphere to study and do homework.� There are even more free events at other restaurants in Mobile. Just down the road from Serda’s Coffee on Dauphin Street, Moe’s BBQ holds a trivia night at 7 p.m. on Mondays and at 9 p.m. on Thursdays. O’Daly’s Irish Pub in downtown Mobile holds a free scav-
enger hunt. For those who enjoy karaoke, OK Bicycle Shop, a restaurant in downtown Mobile, hosts free karaoke on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Keep reading the Life section of The Vanguard to stay updated on events and entertainment in the Mobile area.
U S A A L L I E D H E A LT H & N U R S I N G
CareerFair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Mitchell Center Waterman Globe Lobby
R5 .5 , 5 &."5 , 5 '*&)3 ,R5 ,/#.#(!5 ),5 /&&7.#' 5 '*&)3' (.5 ( 5 &#(# &Call USA Career Services for more details. Visit online for a complete list of employers.
, ,5 ,0# -5R5BhkgC5jlf7lgnn www.southalabama.edu/careerservices
LEFT OF CENTER 8
ALYSSA NEWTON, LOC EDITOR akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Diamonds Girls, baseball’s best friend By MONICA BURRUSS mlb1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOR
South Alabama fans cheering at last Thursday’s opener against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
Forever faithful to the Jaguars Transfer student shares his first game experience as a South Alabama fan By TRACE HARRIS
Arriving at the stadium was a feeling so different and more exciting than anything in the world. It was my first time going to a college football game as a college student. I arrived at the stadium during the tail end of the prowl, during which the players get off the bus and enter the stadium. It was a felling as if you were on that team and going to play. There were butterflies in my stomach. I entered the newly renovated stadium and saw the promotional posters and logos on each side of the stadium. The Jumbotron was showing highlights of the Jaguars. The seats were empty for now. I got right up front because I was excited and ready
to be loud. As students entered the stadium and filled the seats, the clock clicked towards game time and the anticipation built. The national anthem triggered the start of a new season and a blank slate. I was immediately immersed in the culture, from the chants at kickoff to the singing of the fight song and the forbidden cheer of “South in Your Mouth.” Right away, it was apparent that it would be an emotional game. The Jaguars received the ball but had to punt on their first possession, and Southern Utah then scored a field goal. It seemed as if every time the Jag-
Ladd-Peebles Staudium before the Jaguar’s season opener.
ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOR
tdh1322@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
hursday, Aug. 29 could have been any other school day, but it wasn’t. The skies over Mobile were bluer than ever, everyone at school was decked out in red and there was excitement and smiles everywhere. It was the opener for South Alabama Jaguars football. It was the Jaguar’s first year as a BCS program, as you could see on the banners all around Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The time between the end of day’s classes and going to the mall for the bus to the stadium seemed like the longest four hours.
uars had the ball, a penalty was called, angering all the fans. Southern Utah scored a touchdown in the first quarter, making it a twopossession game, but the Jags came back with a vengeance when the back-up quarterback Brandon Bridge scored a 40-yard rushing touchdown run and paid homage to Cam Newton. In the second half, South Alabama made a comeback, but Southern Utah kicked a last minute field goal to win the game. In my first South Alabama football game, I experienced all the regular emotions of a football game and more. These included amazement of what I saw, the total excitement, the anger, the sadness and the pride in my new team. Although the Jaguars lost their home opener, my first experience at a Jaguar football game will always be a great one. Waking up to a sore throat and a newfound sense of belonging reminded me that no matter what the outcome of the season, we will be Jag Nation and forever faithful to our South Alabama Jaguars.
s the saying goes, behind every successful man is a great woman, or in the case of the South Alabama Baseball program, 30 women. For those of you who don’t know, the University of South Alabama Diamond Girls is a volunteer organization that works very closely with the baseball team. As an organization, their main responsibilities include team and game promotion, participation in various community service projects, and field management by serving as bat and ball girls during the home games at Stanky Field. During the baseball season, each diamond girl is assigned a baseball player as a “big brother,” whom the girl encourages and supports throughout the season. In a way, they’re kind of like the baseball team’s cheerleaders, minus the pom-poms, handsprings and actual cheers. To become a diamond girl, hopefuls must fill out an application and sit through a five-minute interview with club officers, advisor, sponsor and a few current baseball players. Each year, before the interviews, the diamond girls hold informational open houses at the baseball field. The next open house will be Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. Attendance at one of the open houses is not required to apply. Applications will be due to the club sponsor, Andrew Carden, no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. Interviews will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 18, starting at 4 p.m. To find the current diamond girls application, go to www.usajaguars. com under baseball and click on the “Diamond Girl Application.” Follow the instructions for application carefully.
VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
SPORTS
JT CRABTREE, SPORTS EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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PATRICK HERRING | SPORTS REPORTER
Danny Woodson makes a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Jags lose to Thunderbirds 22-21 on last-second field goal Missed field goals, late turnover and penalties haunt Jags, drop opener for second straight year By PATRICK HERRING pwh802@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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he South Alabama football team didn’t show up to their game Thursday night against the Thunderbirds (1-0) of Southern Utah University. The Jaguars (0-1) fielded a team and played a game, but by all accounts, this wasn’t the 2013 version of the South Alabama football team. A last-second 28-yard field goal by SUU kicker Colton Cook sealed the Jaguars’ fate and capped a 22-21 victory for the Thunderbirds. The outcome was all too reminiscent of last season’s season-opening home loss to Texas-San Antonio, which ended with a 51-yard field goal in the waning seconds. “We’re a better football team than that,” quarterback Ross Metheny said after the game. Despite Metheny’s 112 yards and two touchdowns, the Jaguar defense couldn’t get a stop in the fourth
quarter to seal the win. “I’m tired of seeing this happen,” senior defensive end Alex Page said. Page, who recorded five tackles, including two for a loss and one sack, was obviously displeased with the Jaguars losing another close game, as the 2012 incarnation did far too often. Head Coach Joey Jones expressed a similar sentiment. “You’ve got three of four plays to win a ball game or to lose a ball game,” Jones said. “It’s gonna be like that all year. We’ve gotta win some close ball games, and that’s one we let slip away.” The Jaguars got the ball to start the game, and Metheny completed his first four passes. Unfortunately, the fourth, which would’ve put the Jags on the SUU 32, was negated by a pass interference call. The penalty moved USA back to their own 33 for a third-and-25. They were unable to convert, and Scott Garber punted to
the SUU 23. Southern Utah came into the game and drove down the field. Quarterback Aaron Cantu completed passes of 13 and four yards to receivers Griff McNabb and Fatu Moala to get the Thunderbirds close to midfield. The running back duo of Malik Brown and Raysean Martin took over from there to rush for 44 yards on five carries to get the ball down to the USA 16, where the drive stalled. Cook made his first field goal of the day to put SUU up 3-0. A promising Jaguar drive started with Metheny completing three of four passes for 28 yards, sandwiched by a pair of five-yard runs by tailback Cris Dinham. However, Metheny was sacked on third down at the SUU 24 to stop the march. From there, redshirt freshman kicker Aleem Sunanon missed a field goal from 41 yards out. Southern Utah took advantage of the miss. A pass interference call
on USA was followed by a 54-yard completion from Cantu to tight end Chandler Alphin down to the USA eight-yard line. It took Martin two rushes to get into the end zone from there to put Southern Utah up 10-0. The teams traded punts on their respective ensuing drives. Jones then decided to call the number of heralded back-up quarterback Brandon Bridge to direct the Jaguar offense. Bridge handed off to Jay Jones for an 11-yard gain and followed it with a 12-yard scamper of his own to get the ball to the SUU 20yard line. Again, the offense stalled and Sunanon was called on to put South’s first points on the board. And again Sunanon’s kick failed to make it through the uprights as it was blocked by Southern Utah’s Toi Taufa. The Jaguar defense came out hungry on the ensuing drive. Senior linebacker Enrique Williams sacked
Cantu, who fumbled the football. It rolled backward 27 yards before being recovered by SUU. The Thunderbirds were later forced to punt on the fourth-and-43. South’s offense came out with an intensity to match that of its defense. After Bridge completed a pair of passes to put the Jaguars on the SUU 40, he pulled the ball down on a draw play and bolted his way into the end zone to put USA on the board. Sunanon’s extra point was good to make the score 10-7 in the final minutes of the first half with Southern Utah still leading. Neither team could muster a scoring drive before the halftime, and they went into the locker rooms with the same score. The Thunderbirds got the ball to start the second half. Punter Brock Miller executed a fake punt to See Jags drop season opener to SUU Page 10
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Jags drop season opener to SUU Continued from Page 9.
perfection and rushed for 26 yards down to the USA 28-yard line. The SUU drive would again stall, and Cook was called upon for another field goal attempt. The try was good from 37 yards out to extend the Thunderbird lead to 13-7. Running back Jay Jones decided to steal the show for USA. He gained 10 yards on the first two plays of the drive, and then, two plays later, busted through a gap in the line and carried the ball 57 yards down to the SUU four-yard line. The rush was the fifth longest in school history. Jones finished with 92 yards on nine carries. Three plays later, Metheny found junior receiver Jereme Jones in the middle of the end zone to give the Jags a touchdown. Sunanon’s extra point was true, giving USA a 1413 lead with 7:38 left in the third quarter. A few three-and-outs later, South had the ball again. On a secondand-11, Metheny completed a short pass over the middle that newcomer Danny Woodson Jr. turned into a 33-yard gain down to the SUU 20. Two plays later, the pair hooked
up again on a 20-yard scoring pass. Sunanon hit his third extra point to put the Jaguars up 21-13 early in the fourth quarter. Woodson finished with 63 yards and the score on just three receptions. Later in the quarter, Southern Utah intercepted a Bridge pass to take over possession at the USA 43. From there, Cantu was sacked, but struck back with a 44-yard toss to a wide open McNabb down to the USA six-yard line. Three plays later, Cantu hooked up with receiver Anthony Norris in the corner of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown. The Thunderbirds went for two, but the attempt failed, which put the score at 21-19 with USA still leading. All the Jaguar offense had to do was run some precious time off the clock as they took over with 6:13 remaining in the game. However, the offense managed only to move it down to 4:43 before handing the ball back to SUU. This proved to be plenty of time for the Thunderbirds to get in scoring position. Southern Utah marched methodically down the field on Cantu’s arm and the legs of Brown and Martin before calling a timeout with two seconds left with the ball
on the USA 11-yard line. Cook made the chip shot to send the Thunderbirds home with the victory. Bridge ended the game with 92 total yards, 56 and a score came on the ground, and another 36 through the air. His rushing total tied for fifth best all-time by a USA quarterback with teammate Metheny, who racked up the same number against FIU last season. The receiving corps was led by S. Smith and Jereme Jones, who caught five passes each for 52 and 26 yards, respectively. Enrique Williams led the defense with 12 total tackles, including a sack. Charles Watson tacked on eight tackles, and Maleki Harris chipped in seven, including 2.5 for a loss. Cantu’s final stat line included 183 yards and one touchdown pass. Martin rushed 23 times for 107 yards and a score, and Brown added 40 yards on nine carries. McNabb and Norris caught four passes each for 77 and 20 yards, respectively. The Thunderbirds converted all five of their red-zone opportunities. The Jaguars will travel to New Orleans to play Tulane in the Superdome next weekend. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m.
PATRICK HERRING | SPORTS REPORTER
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
2013 USA Football Predictions: Week 13-15
The Vanagurd finishes the three-part series with match-ups against ULM, Georgia State and ULL
ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC SPORTS EDITOR
Brandon Bridge contributed 56 rushing yards against Southern Utah. By SAMUEL BROWN sjb1102@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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eek 13: vs. UL Monroe (Nov. 23, 2013) Advantage: Offense – UL Monroe Defense – UL Monroe Louisiana Monroe shocked the country last season in week one after knocking off #8 Arkansas in an overtime thriller. The following week, UL Monroe lost a heartbreaker to Auburn in overtime, followed by another heartbreaking five-point loss to Baylor. This is a Louisiana Monroe team that can compete with bigtime BCS Conference opponents, and that team returns a total of 17 starters in 2013. Out of those 17 starters, none is more important than quarterback Kolton Browning, who is on the Davey O’Brien preseason watch list. He was one of the most electrifying players in the Sun Belt a season ago and returns with a Sun Belt championship on his mind. Not only did he throw for 3,000 yards last season, he led the Warhawks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Aside from Browning, the Warhawks did struggle in the run game last season, but that is expected to improve as four offensive linemen return, along with all three running backs. Browning should have a ton of targets to throw to, as five out of
the six top receivers from a year ago return. The Warhawks’ defensive line and secondary should be solid this season as both units return four starters from a year ago. Linebacker is the biggest area of concern for the Warhawks, as they lose standouts R.J. Young and DaCorris Ford. The key for the Warhawk defense is for the sole returning starting linebacker, junior Ray Stovall, to take on the leadership role that Young and Ford filled last season. It will be hard for any defense in the country to stop Kolton Browning and the Warhawk offense from putting up points, and I don’t see it being any different against the Jaguars. Kolton Browning will connect with his receivers and run for a touchdown or two, making it extremely difficult for the South Alabama offense to keep up. Players to Watch: QB Kolton Browning, WR Je’ron Hamm, WR Tavarese Maye, RT Joseph Treadwell, NT Gerrand Johnson, CB Rob’Donovan Lewis and FS Isaiah Newsome. Prediction: UL Monroe 38 South Alabama 27 Week 14: vs. Georgia State (Nov. 30, 2013) Advantage: Offense – South Alabama Defense – South Alabama Georgia State, much like South Alabama a year ago, is in its first
season as a Sun Belt member and is ineligible for a bowl game and for the conference championship until 2014. The Panthers are coming off their worst record in the football team’s short history, going 1-10 against an FCS schedule and getting blown out by teams such as South Carolina State, William & Mary, Richmond and Maine. Even though Georgia State brings back 16 starters from last year’s team, expect the Panthers to be easily the worst team at the FBS level. The production from the quarterback position last season was a big reason behind Georgia State’s struggles, as the quarterbacks threw 22 interceptions to only 13 touchdowns. The same core of quarterbacks returns, along with the signing of JUCO quarterback Clay Chastain, whom the coaches are hopeful will come in, win the starting job and produce better numbers than last year’s rotation. It doesn’t help that the returning offensive line may be the worst in the conference. The brightest spot on this offense is senior Albert Wilson, the returning wide receiver and one of the top receivers in the conference. It’s yet to be seen if there will be enough quarterback production and pass protection to be able to get Wilson the ball on a consistent basis, as the offense tries to transition into a pro-style attack
brought in by first-year Head Coach Trent Miles. The defensive line is Georgia State’s biggest strength, as they are led by senior all-conference defensive tackle Terrance Woodward, who is undoubtedly the Panthers’ best overall player. Georgia State’s secondary may be the weakest unit on the team, as they lack experience and depth all around. Brent McClendon is a very good corner, but with this being the case, teams throw away from him and find success doing so. Behind Southern Utah, I believe this is easily South Alabama’s second easiest game of the season. Our defense should be able to create turnovers and put our offense in great position to score easily down the field via the pass game, which I believe will play a huge factor in this game. Players to watch: WR Albert Wilson, RB Travis Evans, RT Grant King, NT Terrance Woodward, CB Brent McClendon and MLB Joseph Peterson. Prediction: South Alabama 37 Georgia State 20 Week 15: vs. UL Lafayette (Dec.7, 2013) Advantage: Offense – UL Lafayette Defense – UL Lafayette Last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns won nine games for the second season in a row and only the fourth
time in program history. They finished second in the conference and earned a bowl bid to the New Orleans Bowl, which they won for a second straight season. This year, the Ragin’ Cajuns want to take a step forward with the goal of winning the conference. They are preseason favorites to win the Sun Belt and rightfully so. UL Lafayette returns a modest 13 starters from last year’s team, which includes a core crop of players, and has them favored to win the conference. Terrance Broadway, who is considered by many to be the best quarterback in the conference, is back and ready to add on to a magnificent season in which he threw for over 2,800 yards and ran for another 770 yards. Along with Broadway’s successful ground game, the Ragin’ Cajuns return a stable of running backs, Alonzo Harris, Effrem Reed and Torrey Pierce, whom some consider to be the backfield out of all the non-AQ schools. The offensive line does have to replace both of last year’s tackles, but there is enough talent on the interior to make up for the losses. With the great run game comes a great passing game, as UL Lafayette has one of the best wide receiver duos in the conference with Jamal Robinson and Darryl Surgent. See Jaguar football predictions for 2013 Page 12
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Lady Jags kick Bulldogs to the curb, win 3-2 By JT CRABTREE
jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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he Lady Jags soccer team started the 2013 season off on the right foot, primarily the right foot of Lauren Allison, who scored two goals in a 3-2 win over Mississippi State on Aug. 23. The Lady Jags defeated an SEC opponent for the first time since 2001 in front of a record crowd of 742 and also gave first-year head coach Graham Winkworth his first win at the Division I level. “Since I’ve been here, I’m so proud of the way the girls have worked for me,” Winkworth said. “Since day one, they’ve really given me the chance to get the most out of them, and I’m so proud of how much they ran today.” After an Allison goal at the 35th minute and a Mississippi State equalizer at the 50th minute, Allison took the lead back quickly seven minutes later with another goal. Jordan Duncan added a goal of her own at the 61st
minute. The Lady Jags would allow a late goal to the Bulldogs before walking away victorious. “It’s also important that the girls enjoy tonight, experience the feeling of winning,” Winkworth said. “Hopefully, they’ll develop the right attitude and do this again.” For their efforts in the Mississippi State game, Duncan and Shelby Owen were named Sun Belt Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. South Alabama is only the third school in conference history to sweep the weekly league awards in women’s soccer. “I’m proud of the girls,” Winkworth said. “It’s a huge honor to sweep early in the season. Jordan helped on a great team goal before putting herself in a position to score against Mississippi State, and Shelby is one of the team’s unsung heroes. She’s always one of the first named to the team because of her quality and a work ethic that is second to none.”
Jags add Marvin Shinn, former Alabama wide receiver By JT CRABTREE
jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
S
outh Alabama has added another former Alabama football player to their roster, announcing on Aug. 23 that wide receiver Marvin Shinn has in enrolled in classes at USA. Shinn, who played for Vigor High School in Mobile, Ala., will have to sit out the 2013 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He will be allowed to practice with the team and will have two years of eligibility remaining entering the 2014 season. “We may have the best scout team receivers that we’ve ever had,” head coach Joey Jones stated. “I’ve already seen Marvin jump over defensive backs three or four times to catch balls. He is an SEC-quality receiver, he is a great route-runner and has great hands, but his height advantage is going to bring us a dimension that we really haven’t had in the last two to three years.” Shinn stands 6-foot-3 and appeared in all 14 games last season
for Alabama. Shinn recorded six passes for 42 yards. He caught a season-high two passes in the national championship game against Notre Dame. Shinn was an Under Armour and SuperPrep All-American coming out of high school, receiving four stars from every recruiting organization. As a senior, Shinn caught 50 passes for 782 yards and nine touchdowns.
He was also recruited by Auburn, LSU, Florida State, Texas Tech and California out of high school. The Jaguars have a knack for bringing in former Alabama players, as Shinn is the second player this season to transfer to South Alabama, joining Danny Woodson Jr. Shinn is the fourth former Alabama player, joining BJ Scott and Charlie Higgenbotham.
ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC SPORTS EDITOR
Jaguar football predictions for 2013 Continued from Page 11.
The Ragin’ Cajun offense has all the pieces to be the best offense in the conference. Returning six on the defense, head coach Mark Hudspeth brings in former Texas Tech defensive coordinator and Alabama linebacker coach James Willis to run the defense. James Willis will bring a defensive approach that will utilize Lafayette’s speed on defense, of which they are expected to have plenty. The defensive line should
be fine, anchored by defensive end Christian Ringo and nose tackle Justin Hamilton, both of whom are one of the best at their respective positions in the conference. Justin Anderson, one of the best linebackers in the conference, returns and looks to be the leader of the Ragin’ Cajun defense once again. The secondary is a concern for UL Lafayette, as it’s extremely important in James Willis’ scheme, which utilizes as much speed as possible, relies on heavy
secondary packages. UL Lafayette welcomes in JUCO transfers Corey Trim and Cedrick Tillman, who are expected to provide depth at safety, something that could have come in very handy last season. With this expected to be South Alabama’s last game of the season (assuming they do not make a bowl game), I expect the Jaguars to come out in Ladd-Peebles Stadium and play the Ragin’ Cajuns very tough in the first half. But later, it will be proven why
Terrance Broadway is considered the best quarterback in the conference, while the offense as a whole will be just too much for the Jaguar defense to handle. Players to Watch: QB Terrance Broadway, RB Alonzo Harris, WR Jamal Robinson, WR Darryl Surgent, DE Christian Ringo, NT Justin Hamilton, MLB Justin Anderson and FS Rodney Gillis. Prediction: UL Lafayette 34 South Alabama 21
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PATRICK HARRING | SPORTS REPORTER
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
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Opinion
KELLY FICARELLI, OPINION EDITOR kficarelli@gmail.com VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
Don’t allow social media to cause you to procrastinate
By JESSICA THORNTON jdt1105@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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ost of us can relate to some good, old-fashioned procrastination of a school project or paper. You start off with total conviction, telling yourself, “I’m going to start this project early and not be burdened with it.” That conversation quickly turns into, “I’ll have enough time if I start a few days before the due date.” Then you get into something along the lines of, “I have five more hours until this absolutely has to be turned in.” By this point your stress level is im-
measurable, and the pressure is on! Everyone has had those miserable moments when the pit of your stomach is sore from stress that you’ve caused yourself. So why do we do it? Distractions! They are at an all-time high, thanks to social media. Welcome to the 21st century where procrastination consumes all of our lives. Even the simple task of checking your email turns into an hour-long journey. From a quick status update on Facebook to watching 45 minutes worth of cat videos on YouTube. The once magical and wonderful internet has turned into a black hole for the common procrastinator. We have become victims of our own era and lack the self-discipline to defend ourselves. Social media is a direct link to procrastination, and it is only growing. According to CNET News, total usage of social media among U.S. adults is up
from 67 percent in December 2012 to 72 percent in May 2013. This sounds like bad news, but it is entirely feasible to overcome this torment. I can honestly say that I am an easy target. It is nothing new for me to open my laptop with the genuine intention of only productivity but come out with hours of scrolling through pictures and reading funny tweets. How can we stop the madness of procrastination? My simple advice: fight the urge! Do what you need to get done, and then reward yourself with those hours of scrolling through ‘What’s Hot’ on Reddit. Remember not to beat yourself up; we’re only human. But don’t forget why you’re doing this project or paper. Use the motivation of why you’re in school to help you get through the impulse of going straight to Twitter after opening your browser. Keep your eye on the prize!
Develop technology to improve the world for us all
By KELLY FICARELLI kficarelli@gmail.com
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s a required component in my education program, I had the privilege of observing for a few hours in a classroom at the Regional School for the Deaf and Blind. Although these children and their teachers face unbelievable challenges when it comes to communicating and learning, this school provides positive opportunities for these students to reach their full potential. Teachers here use computers, SMART Boards, videos, closed caption television, auditory processors, screen enlargers and microphones to instruct visually and hearing-impaired students. I walked away from this
school with a new appreciation for my sight, hearing and ability to communicate effectively. I also walked away with a new appreciation for technology. I recently learned of a convenient, inexpensive speech aid app that would help those with communication disabilities. It’s a text-to-speech app made by MyVoice called the TalkRocket Go. With this app, students can customize their own keyboard, quickly get messages out with its sentence prediction feature and sound life-like with real voices of men, women, boys or girls. It has features that make it physically accessible for those who struggle to tap on screens. The app has customizable screen reading for the visually impaired. Particularly for college students, this app has just released a free downloadable vocabulary collection called the “College Life Pack.” The College Life Pack includes hundreds of phrases that make it easier to ask questions in a lecture, independently access campus facilities and participate in social experiences. It also offers compre-
hensive vocabulary related to services on campus such as the registrar’s office, disability services and academic departments, making the learning environment easier to navigate. This feature will encourage those with hearing and visual impairments to attend college and empower them by helping them succeed. This is important because, according to the 2011 U.S. Census, students with disabilities are half as likely to graduate high school, and those students are half as likely to get a college degree. Eighty percent of young adults with communication disabilities are unemployed. This greatly impacts our society. Technology can continue to improve these statistics. The iTunes Store sells the TalkRocket Go at $99.99, making it an affordable solution for those with speech challenges. We have to keep developing technology for the betterment of our world. Being born with a disability doesn’t mean you have to live disabled, thanks to great teachers and inventors.
RYAN KELLER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Remember good times at The Shed day nights listening to the bands and having fun together. When we started showing up for work Tuesday, Aug. 13, though, we saw a note on the door that said The Shed was closed. We were all caught off guard and confused about why the restaurant we loved so much was closed. Some of the staff spent By ELIZABETH LYONS that gloomy day together talking about eal701@jagmail.southalabama.edu fun times and wondering how and why hen I was a freshman at this happened so suddenly. ThroughUSA, I saw that The Shed out that day we rallied together and BBQ and Blues Joint was opening even cried. As more news came out reacross the street from campus. Being garding potential reasons for the closfrom Ocean Springs, Miss., I knew The ing, we were all insulted by the owner’s interview telling us Shed’s reputation and was excited. We were all insulted all, “Hey, ya gotta go get a new job.” I put my applicaby the owner telling We have stuck totion in and was gether and helped lucky enough to beus all ‘Hey, ya gotta each other find new come a member of go get a new job.’ jobs. We feel supthe first “Shedhead” ported by the people staff in Mobile. I - Elizabeth Lyons of Mobile. Mulworked there for tiple businesses have two years and felt out offering interviews fortunate to have such an awesome r e a c h e d for any displaced employee. job. the closing, I know I I can say, with complete honesty, D e s p i t e that I have never had a job that I loved have made some great friends who will so much. I became very good friends be around even if The Shed in Mobile with the staff, and we made some is not. I will always remember that job great memories. We would spend Fri- and the fun times I had there.
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013
By LISA DENHAM lisasdenham@ymail.com
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ave you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope? Like you just couldn’t go on? Like nobody understood where you were coming from? Maybe you just needed a fresh perspective on a situation you were dealing with. Maybe you thought about seeking help but didn’t have insurance or the extra funds. Well, I would like to share some exciting information with you. Here at South Alabama, we have free counseling services, and, unlike at most universities, there are no limits to the number of sessions you may receive. Most insurance companies don’t even offer limitless counseling visits. What an awesome benefit! Sometimes we can get so caught up in our everyday routines that we can begin to become depressed or
out of focus. Quite often we forget that help is right here on our campus. “I take satisfaction in seeing the names of people we have helped or contributed to in some way make it to graduation day,” said Dr. Bob Hanks, Director of Counseling and Testing Services. Don’t you want someone who has your personal interest and success at heart? Some of the counseling services include: individual/group relationships, distress, depression, test anxiety, grief, alcohol/substance abuse, and so on. You can visit the Counseling Service Center website to find out more information on the various services offered. Dr. Hanks said, “Try to call to make an appointment when possible, but we will see walk-ins when time allows.” The staff at the Counseling Service Center consists of licensed professional counselors, as well as two graduate students. The Counseling Center also offers testing services for a nominal fee. If you are unsure of a career field, they offer a couple of tests that can help you choose the right path. One is an interest assessment, the other a personality assessment. These tests are $30 each and can be extremely valuable in helping you
choose a fulfilling career path. They also offer the CLEP for $110. On this test, there are 30 accepted courses in which you can earn college course credit for each subject passed. Also of note, Tuesday, Sept. 10 is “World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day.” This year, the South Alabama Counseling Center is participating. They will have a table set up in the fast food dining lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day. They will also be offering training to the faculty and staff on how to recognize early signs of suicide and intervene. Stop by and support suicide prevention. Additionally, they will soon be offering students the chance to attend stress management sessions and an “Overcoming Shyness” group counseling experience. Being a psychology major, I believe this is an enormous asset to South Alabama. I would encourage you, if you’re in need or know someone who is, to call today at 251-4607051. Take advantage of everything our university has to offer. Don’t just passively attend, actively participate! “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” - Richard Bach
By JOHN BLYTHE johnblythe@gmail.com
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’m 30,000 feet high right now as I fly toward Atlanta before getting on yet another plane to fly to Indianapolis for some business. I rode in a car to the airport. I’ll get in one when I land in Indy. While it’s easy to take this all for granted, the grim reality is that people die in cars and planes. Some people have more of an acute awareness, in the form of fear, of this possibility. Instead of writing off such fears and those who hold them as simply irrational, we’d do well to let the facts and related stats speak to the matter. According to the National Safety Council, there is a 1-in-98 chance of you dying in a motor vehicle accident over the course of your life compared to a 1-in-7,178 chance on a plane. So, no biggie, you’re only 73 times more likely to die in a car while on your way to that Jags game (Go Jags!). Feeling pretty safe, huh? These numbers obviously can go much further to tell the story, but such raw data should clue us in that our gut assumptions aren’t hitting
the target on this one. So why would you grab the arm of your seat when taking off from a runway but not think twice when jumping in your car and heading to grab some froyo and Redbox? Well, because it’s easy to think in terms of the least that can happen. In other words, there is a sense of gradation when it comes to cars: fender benders and totaling your car probably won’t kill you. A plane crash, however, is a binary matter: either we’re in the air or we’re all dead. So we fear because we fear death, and we assume a greater likelihood of it in the case of air travel due to the disparity in the nature of the accidents, not the actual numbers. Yet those numbers say otherwise. The fear ultimately goes deeper than that of death, though. The bedrock fear is rooted in a lack of control and its twin sisters, helplessness and hopelessness. Yet the reality is that we are very rarely in control. And even when we are, it’s usually partial or borrowed. The solution, then, isn’t to look at numbers — helpful though they may be — but rather that we find an anchor in our lives and embrace it. This looks different for everyone, and we all tend to think our anchor is the best. Whatever the case, in order to overcome fear, you must have something to hold on to when it all comes crashing down — no pun intended. Happy travels!
By LOUIE GANNON theprowlusa@gmail.com
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ast week kicked off a longhallowed tradition here in the South: football. In this part of the world, it is a religion, and Saturdays are its holy day (with the exception of when blessed and holy TV sports networks call and want the games moved to Thursday night). As with all religious experiences here in the South, there is that Blessed Sacrament everybody looks forward to: gathering together to eat with friends and that crazy looking guy your cousin brought. For students like myself, who enjoy a filet mignon dinner on a hot dog bud-
get, here are some tips to make your tailgate the talk of the parking lot. First, buy in bulk. Crazy as it sounds, you can save money. For example, 80/20 ground chuck at Monarch Foods is $24.99 for a 10-lb pack. That is 20 eight-ounce burgers for $1.25 a-piece. Monarch Foods is a restaurant supply house that is open to the public and located at 1500 W. I-65 Service Rd. South. They have supplies as well. Next, marinate cheap cuts of meat. Chuck eye steak and the flat steak family are economy cuts. Because of their location on the cow, they can be tougher meats. To make them tasty, a simple overnight soak in a marinade will turn tough leather steaks into tender works of art. This is also helpful for dark meat chicken and turkey, which is cheaper than white meat poultry cuts. Think ethnically. Many ethnic recipes use economy cuts of meat and cheap veggies. Do some research and test-cook your favorites before the tail-
gate. Pool your knowledge and resources. It’s not just about the meal but about the preparations as well. This is a time to make lasting memories and friendships. Finally, be smart, and use safe cooking practices. Follow these guide-
lines and you, too, can become a tailgating master. Have fun this season, and GO JAGS! Louie Gannon is the program director of The Prowl. You can listen to him Monday through Friday from 7-10 a.m. at www.theprowlusa.blogspot. com.
Express
Big Lou’s tips for tailgating on the cheap
Yourself!
Take advantage of South’s free Counseling Center
Check your travel fears at the gate
Email Kelly Ficarelli at kficarelli@gmail. com to write for The Vanguard Opinion section PATRICK HERRING | SPORTS REPORTER
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VOL. 53, NO. 6 / SEPT. 2, 2013