Y/N?
Meet Rocky Top’s official rocket men >>See page 3
Enter a “Bonnaroo state of mind” >>See page 5
Knoxville natives weigh in on new TN logo Hannah Marley Staff Writer
Freshman Kyle Alexander shines in summer league >>See page 12
Volume 129 Issue 3
The Volunteer State might be getting a facelift not all Tennesseans are in favor of. In recent weeks, Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee State legislature have faced criticism regarding the new Tennessee State logo, a $46,000 upgrade that would replace the existing logos currently used by 172 state organizations. The change, according to Haslam, is intended to unify the state departments and agencies
operating under the Tennessee state legislature, which all currently use individual logos and designs of their own. “I think part of the idea is to have a consistent brand across state government. There are some people who might not like that brand, but that becomes a question of choice,” Haslam said to the press after announcing the change. For some Knoxville residents, bitterness toward the legislature’s decision stems from more than difference in artistic taste. Alex McNabb, a high school sophomore
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and Knoxville native, said Haslam opted to change the logo as a branding decision rather than honor the culture of Tennessee as well as the 110-year-old symbol of state identity. “They think of it as a business thing, when it should really be about the culture of the people,” McNabb said. “They didn’t ask the public, they just kind of thought of the business value. It’s worked for over a century, and now they want to change it. They should ask the people first.” See TN LOGO on Page 3
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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CAMPUSNEWS
The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
THE DAILY BEACON STAFF EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Jenna Butz Managing Editor: Hayley Brundige Chief Copy Editor: Liv McConnell News Editor: Heidi Hill Sports Editor: Jonathan Toye Arts & Culture Editor: Megan Patterson Multimedia Editor: Hayley Brundige Photo Editor: Esther Choo Design Editor: Bradi Musil Copy Editors: Sterling Martin, Altaf Nanavati, Marina Waters Editorial Production: Michael Lipp, Hannah Marley
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LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Editor, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. CORRECTIONS POLICY: It is the Daily Beacon’s policy to quickly correct any factual errors and clarify any potentially misleading information. Errors brought to our attention by readers or staff members will be corrected and printed on page two of our publication. To report an error please send as much information as possible about where and when the error occurred to Editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com, or call our newsroom at (865) 9745206. The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Wednesday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com The Daily Beacon is printed using soy based ink on newsprint containing recycled content, utilizing renewable sources and produced in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner.
Volunteer Bridge program expands for associates degree seekers Altaf Nanavati Copy Editor
UT and Pellissippi are bridging the gap between community and state colleges. Students assigned to the Volunteer Bridge Program, a dual enrollment program between Pellissippi State Community College and UT, can now receive associate degrees from Pellissippi while pursuing their studies at UT through a reverse transfer option. The Volunteer Bridge Program, which celebrated its first 19 graduates this year, is a program tailored toward students who applied to UT, but were initially rejected. The applicants are then given the opportunity to attend Pellissippi for one year. If participants earn at least 30 credits and maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher, they can automatically transfer into UT as sophomores.
Jason Mastrogiovanni, director of first year studies at UT, said the program aids students with the transition between the two schools since they are allowed to stay on UT campus and utilize most of its facilities while studying at Pellissippi State. “Part of the reason why the program was started was to ease that transition,” Mastrogiovanni said. “We believe that by having them here and having them get acclimated to the university, they do have a much smoother transition.” On June 2, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Pellissippi State President Anthony Wise signed a memorandum that will offer Volunteer Bridge students an opportunity to take part in the reverse transfer option. Students who are enrolled in the program and have already transferred to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree now have a choice to opt-in for an associate’s degree. As long as students meet the program’s credit
requirements, Pellissippi awards the degree free of charge. This new addition to the program was tested back in the fall of 2014 and had its first round of reverse transfer enrollees last spring. Leigh Anne Touzeau, assistant vice president for enrollment services at Pellissippi State, said the program received positive feedback from the students as the last semester concluded. “The students really like the program,” Touzeau said. “What we have found is that there are a lot students who will be accepted into the University of Tennessee, but will ask if they could do the Bridge program.” Shaazan Wirani, a senior in computer science, said the Volunteer Bridge Program provided more than just a transition between two universities. “The program was beneficial because it helped me understand how to balance school and social life in order to be successful when
Cumberland shutdown causes headaches for merchants Hannah Marley Staff Writer
Marked by the intersection of orange construction cones and yellow barriers, the Cumberland Avenue Project is on schedule and in full swing. With phase one’s utility repairs completed by the June 6 deadline, the confusion on Cumberland can now be attributed to phase one of the street repairs and loading zone construction, as well as phase two of the utility repairs, which involves replacing gas and the water and sewer lines at the intersection of Volunteer Boulevard and Cumberland Avenue. While the six-week construction plan has resulted in intense traffic congestion through University Commons and along Cumberland, Annie Wallace, the Cumberland Avenue Project’s project manager, encourages students and residents to follow a detour outlined on their website, taking Neyland to Joe Johnson, and Joe Johnson to West Volunteer and Cumberland. Construction will ultimately improve pipelines and add more accessible two-lane streets and loading zones along secondary roads, but for now, traffic congestion has taken its toll on local businesses. “That really hurts us,” said Jimmy Webb, the general manager of Cumberland’s Pilot gas station. “That’s really cut our business in half. We’ve had to cut back expenses since our sales are down.” Cookout has experienced similar losses, with construction currently surrounding both
The second phase of Cumberland construction has affected both Cookout entrances Photo by Tanner Hancock • Daily Beacon entrances to the restaurant. Manager Matt Loverun added that a lack of information about the exact opening and closing of side streets surrounding the restaurant has made adapting to the changes difficult. “We can’t really get any definitive answers about the progress,” Loverun said. “There’s a lot of miscommunication. There’s not a lot of clarity on that.” Webb added that city representatives have been present at business meetings and held separate meetings with the merchants affected to keep them informed of upcoming changes. Despite short term inconveniences, Loverun said he thinks that the changes will help Knoxville expand and develop to accom-
modate both city and university growth. “It’s tough, but in the long term, it’s for the best,” said Loverun. “That’s part of the growing process, I think. For the university and for the town.” Despite current construction’s negative impact on business, Wallace said she hopes that the expansion will encourage private expansion after the project has been complete, citing the new apartment’s current construction as an image of the future Cumberland Avenue. “We’re making an investment in the public aspect,” Wallace said, “and we anticipate that the private aspect will follow behind us.”
CAMPUSNEWS
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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Fledging space club to launch first rocket Heidi Hill
News Editor Buzz Lightyear isn’t the only one who dreams of infinity and beyond. Equipped with a $300 budget, Grayson Hawkins, a junior in chemistry, and the five other founding members of the Volunteer Space Program are planning to launch their first rocket as an organizational outlet for students fascinated by one of nature’s final frontiers. “I think it’s a niche that needs to be filled,” Hawkins said. HAB-II, the greenhorn club’s first craft, is currently in the works at Estabrook’s machining shop with the help of the club’s “resident expert” Joey Nardeli, a recent UT graduate in mechanical engineering. The mission goals are simple—to launch a rocket, take a photo and recover the vessel from its undetermined landing point. “So many things go wrong, and this is a lot of money on the line for us,” Hawkins said. “If we feel like it gets to a point where we won’t be able to recover it, we’ll have to terminate the mission.” As with any launch, weather and atmospheric conditions will ultimately determine the date for an official run, but members of the Volunteer Space Program plan for the launch to take
TN LOGO
place in the first week of July. A special computer, known as a “Raspberry Pi,” will act as a tracking device for the rocket, providing the Volunteer Space Program a way to locate the rocket once it has landed. Hawkins said a successful guinea pig mission will create a foundation for recruiting new members next fall by offering the first campus venue for students interested in space exploration, engineering and technology. The goal for the upcoming semester, Hawkins said, is to assemble members, successfully launch a rocket and attract campus attention with success. Nathan Webb, a junior in psychics and cofounder of the Volunteer Space Program, attributes the club’s genesis to a global call for interplanetary thinking, promoted by figures like the late Carl Sagan, former American astronomer, and Elon Musk, creator of Paypal and owner of SpaceX—a state-of-the-art company that manufactures rockets and spacecraft. For both students, the appeal of an interdisciplinary field and interplanetary world imagined by figures like Stephen Hawking and Bill Nye fuel their desire to build the Volunteer Space Program for future UT engineers. “I’ve just been reading a lot about SpaceX and have just been totally thrilled by the idea of Former TN logo
New TN logo
continued from Page 1 Knoxville photographer and resident Chryseis Dawn Patterson agreed with McNabb, stating that the tri-star should be a sufficient representation of the state and that the cost of changing the logo is illogical. “I know simple is more when it comes to branding, but I don’t see how it’s necessary,” Patterson said. “I think it’s self-explanatory, what the logo was originally with the three stars, so I don’t know why they would change it, or spend so much money to do it.” The $46,000 cost of the new logo was an area of contention for several Knoxvillians, calling into question how the money could have been spent in ways that would better benefit their community. “Everyone is always talking about jobs, jobs, jobs and the economy, so why not use that money to help improve the state infrastructure?” Ethan Fawkes, a UT graduate and Knoxville resident, said. A few also mentioned long-time problems in the city, such as chronic homelessness and school funding, as possible alternative uses for taxpayer revenue scheduled to pay for the design. Lisa Hetchel, an elementary school teaching
Courtesy of TN government assistant for Knox County, suggested putting more money toward education, mentioning that several of her colleagues were let go due to budget cuts from the state. “Considering I work for Knox County Schools, we’ve taken some major cuts this year, so it’s a little personal for me when I think, ‘Oh, you’re willing to spend this money to change a logo, yet a teacher lost their job for that much or less,’” said Hetchel. Kacie Wilson, who works in film production, said she thinks the money should be used to address homelessness in Knoxville. “My initial response is that it’s unnecessary and should be used for other problems that we have going on, like homelessness,” said Wilson. While there is no specific timeline for when the logo will be implemented by state agencies and departments, it will be added to state websites in the coming weeks.
privatized space flight,” Webb said. “The idea of not just the government promoting space exploration, but the people, the private companies that are like ‘This is becoming profitable,’ and that’s exciting to me.” Hawkins cited Purdue University’s collaboration with space pioneer Buzz Aldrin to send a craft to Mars as an example of VSP’s potential, should the club’s fall launch gather adequate momentum. College-wide research and development competitions also offer prize money for the best and most promising entries, creating professional opportunities for organizations like VSP to chase their galactic dreams beyond campus. “If it’s well-researched and well-engineered, they’ll even build it,” Webb said. HAB-II Blueprints “There are projects where these teams have • Illustration by Grayson Hawkins gotten together and NASA has said, ‘Yeah, the chance to explore untapped potential offered let’s do it.’” by space exploration. Webb said assembling a core group of fee“I’m struggling to find something that would paying members remains the club’s primary actually progress mankind,” Hawkins said. “If I goal, noting how such a group could gain sup- was a chemistry major, I’m sure I could get an port from UT’s engineering faculty as resume awesome job and do fun things at the plant, but builder and hands-on experience. to be out at the forefront of field, to be on the cutThough the founders plan to launch a high ting edge of science—what is bigger and what altitude weather balloon in the fall as their sec- has more potential than space travel right now?” ond mission, the ultimate draw for Hawkins is
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Chris Stapleton brings outlaw flair to country music, Bijou Marina Waters Staff Writer
When asked about his “country music outlaw” persona, Chris Stapleton wryly replied, “You know, I’m a law-abiding citizen for the most part. I speed every now and then, pay my taxes and all that kind of stuff.” However, most everything else about the artist begs to differ with his humble reply. Stapleton is a rising country artist and seasoned songwriter, having written songs recorded by artists like Tim McGraw, George Straight and Adele. He’s a man who dons the bearded appearance of an artist from the days of the outlaw originals: Willie, Waylon and Merle. Today, this humble country star will make his way to play a sold-out show at the Bijou Theatre. Although Stapleton just released his debut solo album, “Traveller,” in May, he’s no rookie to the music scene. • Photo Courtesy of Chris Stapleton The Kentucky native has written songs for some of music’s major players while also serving as the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated bluegrass band, The Steeldrivers. However, the country star said he sees this journey simply as a converging path. “It’s all kind of one wheel for me,” Stapleton said. “They all kind of feed off of each other and turn into other things when artists hear songs. The Adele song was a song off of a Steeldrivers record that she had heard. It was a very organic path to those kinds of things.” It’s that very same sort of natural journey that took Stapleton from writing songs to sharing his raspy-meetssoulful scream with the emergence of his latest album. “The main thing is do things that you love,” Stapleton said. “That’s how I wrote songs back then and that’s what I was trying to remember on this record. You
write things because you love ‘em and you play things because you love ‘em. That way it will be authentic to you.” Though many artists have borrowed Stapleton’s words over his 15-year Nashville journey as a songwriter, “Traveller” serves as a personal tribute to the country artist’s life thus far. “I wouldn’t have made this record two years ago,” Stapleton said. “Now was the time for me to make this record. Some people would say it was a long time to get to that, but for me it was the exact right time to get to that.” Weaving tales about life and love, as displayed in his latest single and album-titled track “Traveller” about a drifter’s traveling heart, has always been Stapleton’s niche. Whether or not critics appreciate this style has never been a cause of concern for Stapleton. “People will call things what they’re going to call them and label things what you’re going to label them, and that’s really not anything I have control over,” Stapleton said. “I’m mainly concerned with making the best music I can make and at live shows, give them the best show I can give them at the end of the night.” And with a final, humble conclusion, Stapleton added, “And out of that if somebody wants to say something nice, well I certainly appreciate it.”
ARTS&CULTURE
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
Festivalgoers flock to ‘The Farm’ Anastasia Tantaris Contributor
Jenna Butz
Editor-in-Chief
When most people think about rural Tennessee, they imagine hilly, open farms populated by mass quantities of livestock. Yet, for four days each June, the hills of rural Manchester, Tennessee, are populated by tens of thousands of music-oriented, bath-less festivalgoers. Last weekend, Manchester hosted the fourteenth annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, where people come from all over the globe to sleep in tents and opt out of running water for the opportunity to listen to live music and appreciate art. The festival lifestyle is not for the faint of heart though, especially with the heat and humidity that characterize Tennessee summers. Yet, Bonnaroovians who experience extreme sleep deprivation as well as an incredible lack of hygiene are fueled solely by their desire to see their favorite artists and escape reality for a few days. Bonnaroo showcases artists from a variety of
Florence & The Machine took over the What Stage Sunday. • Photo Courtesy of FilmMagic
Band harnesses unique Texas twang Marina Waters Staff Writer
Texas has to be one of the most interesting states in our great country. I’ve always said that if any of our 50 states were to fly solo, it’d be the one (after all, it is, well, the size of Texas). This goliath state naturally has its own distinct culture; within that is Texans’ own brand of music. Texas music is something all its own, but JB and The Moonshine Band somehow found a pleasing balance of current country music and Texas music, with neither side being too heavy. “Mixtape” is the band’s third album following “Ain’t Going Back to Jail”(2010) and “Beer for Breakfast” (2012), and has a combination of twang on tunes such as “How Can I Miss You” and “You Can’t Take My Backroads.” With a sliding steel guitar in the back-
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ground and a slow, traditional sound, the two of these songs drive home the group’s identity as a true blue country band. However, there’s a great deal of country rock present on most of “Mixtape.” Reminiscent of the days when Jason Aldean’s music rendered similar guitar riffs, JB and the Moonshine Band tastefully creates a hard-hitting rock sound while still embodying country themes and undertones with songs such as “Shotgun, Rifle, and a .45” and “Keep a Couple Beers Cold.” In typical country music fashion, there is an underlying religious turn on a few songs on the album, as well. These song’s lyrics evoke stories of drinking beers on the weekend and then going to church on Sunday, in true southern style. With a combination of thick country tunes, rock sounds, slight religious themes and a current country sound, the band certainly succeeds with the title of the album—it truly is a mixtape.
different genres, including folk, rock, indie, punk and more. This year’s lineup highlighted EDM artists such as Deadmau5 and Bassnectar, but also included headliners such as Alabama Shakes, Mumford & Sons and Billy Joel. Thursday opened the festival with high school metal band Unlocking the Truth from New York. Without a headliner, the night allowed attendees to experience smaller acts like electronic band Glass Animals, Australian rocker Courtney Barnett and indie musician Mac DeMarco. Friday marked the first full day of the festival. Nashville psychedelic rock band Moon Taxi enticed a large crowd at the Which Stage, and Athens, Alabama rock band Alabama Shakes played a sunset set at the main stage before headliners Kendrick Lamar and Deadmau5 played late into the night. The What Stage carried the most popular performances with breakout Irish singer-songwriter Hozier in the afternoon followed by rock veterans My Morning Jacket and then folk band Mumford & Sons making their return two years after having to cancel their last headlining set due to medical conditions. The festival closed Sunday with Ed Helms’s Bluegrass Situation Superjam featuring Sturgill Simpson and the Punch Brothers among others See BONNAROO on Page 8
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
UT alum’s South Knox brewery to open doors Michael Lipps
Production Artist “There goes a runner,” observed Adam Ingle, Alliance Brewing Company’s head brewer and UT alumnus, as he sat by the window in the new brewery set to open on Sevier Avenue in South Knoxville. “Is that Eden? One second,” Ingle said before jumping up and heading to the door. Once Eden heard Ingle’s shouts over her headphones, she took a quick detour from her run to come inside and check out the progress of her friend’s brewery. The two know each other from the Bearden Beer Market, where Ingle first entered into the world of craft beer. “Next thing you know you’re on a run...,” Ingle said. “...And then you’re here,” Eden finished his sentence. “That’s a good thing, you should advertise that.” Alliance Brewing Company uses the taglines “active beer culture” and “earn your beer” in an effort to promote the balance of a healthy lifestyle. “Craft beer, for the most part, has a few more extra calories than the light stuff, so you need to be able to go out there and take care of business,” Ingle said. “Then you can have a few beers at the end.” Ingle entered the world of craft beer after a friend introduced him to Chris Morton, owner of the Bearden Beer Market, and within 20 minutes the two were at the future site of what would become the beer market. “We were knocking down walls and talking about what Knoxville needed,” Ingle said. “By the end of that day, I was employee number two.”
Following his time at Bearden Beer Market, Ingle learned how to do things on a commercial scale at Smoky Mountain Brewery. Now, Ingle and his team are busy preparing to officially open Alliance. “We have been looking forward to this for a few years now, so I am pumped up and eager to start brewing,” said assistant brewer and artist Ben Seamons. “We feel at home in South Knoxville, and I can say we are excited that it has become our launching point.” With the South Waterfront development, the Baptist Hospital redevelopment, and the proximity to Ijams Nature Center, the brewery seems poised for success. Ingle explained that helping to get more businesses to locate in a particular area is something breweries are typically able to accomplish. “It gets people saying, ‘Hey, if they’re doing a good job and making a go of it, then I’m not afraid to put a business in there as well,’” Ingle said. The three-unit building will soon become home not only to Alliance, but also to a coffee shop and possibly a restaurant. Though Tennessee has the highest state tax on gallons of beer at $1.29 — compared to Wyoming’s $0.02 -- Knoxville’s beer scene continues to grow. “A rising tide raises all ships, so I can’t wait until there’s plenty of breweries in town and everybody’s making killer beer,” Ingle said. Ingle went on to explain how the brewing community is a tight-knit one. “If I’m running low on hops, or all of a sudden I’m making something and I don’t have it here, I can call Matthew at Pretentious and say, ‘Hey man, do you have some California Ale Yeast?’” Ingle said. “And he’s going to say yes or no, but if he’s got it he’s going to be like, ‘Absolutely, come get it.’ And I expect the same
Alliance Brewing Company’s UT alumnus and head brewer, Adam Ingle, stands in the new brewery. All photos by Michael Lipps • The Daily Beacon
The brewery is set to open at the end of July.
The blueprints of Alliance Brewing Company.
phone call.” When describing his vision for Alliance and the physical space itself, Ingle said it will have a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere that will be community driven with long tables and plenty of standing room. “We’re going to start off with 12 taps, and we’ll probably have a guest tap and a gluten free option,” Ingle said. A couple of mainstays will be Kölsch, Scotch
Ale, IPA, Belgo, Saison and Oatmeal Stout. The other taps will most likely be seasonally appropriate ales and lagers. Alliance Brewing Company plans to open near the end of July, and it is evident that Ingle and his team are full of passion and excitement. “Beer is a lot of fun—being able to be part artist, part scientist,” Ingle said. “Hopefully I’ve created something in the end that people enjoy.”
ARTS&CULTURE
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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Using energy costs more than money
Franco D’Aprile Off the Beaten Path
Of all environmental topics, the one that may touch us all the most is energy. Coming in the form of liquid or solid fuels, electricity, heat, etc., energy can be one of the most complicated topics to address. Humanity has been playing a game of Pokémon with energy, trying to catch them all, for centuries. Wind energy has been used by ancient cultures to move their ships, by the early Dutch empire in windmills to pump water from their lands and now by almost every developed nation to produce electricity. However, the wind is just a small part of the game. Heat from the sun has been used for drying and preserving for centuries, for example. Sure, when we think of energy we directly jump to electricity, but it exists in many forms. What has changed is the form of energy we utilize and how we use it. I remember how power outage was just an inconvenience when I was a kid. We would eat all the cheese in the fridge, and life would go on. If the power goes out in 2015, I am pretty sure I would be more worried about where to charge my phone rather than eating all the cheese. Considering that I like cheese more than some members of my own family, that really says something.
Seriously though, as technology has become more affordable and commonplace in people’s lives, the amount of electricity we use to power these devices has also increased significantly. So what’s the problem here? Well, for starters, electricity is expensive. Even if it is just a few cents, we still have to pay to charge our laptops, to use the microwave or to fall asleep in front of the TV on a Saturday night. Also, as one of the biggest energy consumers per capita in the world, Americans play a big role in spending money on their electricity bills. The other problem faced here is the way we produce electricity. Yes, some forms of electricity production are much better than others. Hydroelectricity has a much smaller carbon footprint than burning coal; however, it still has an environmental impact because of the flooding it creates. So, the best thing to do is to take a look at how we utilize power. There are only a limited number of ways to be more environmentally friendly in terms of energy when looking at the issue from the top down. It boils down to implementing more renewable energies that have a lower impact on the environment and using fewer methods of energy production that require dirty fuels and produce harmful substances that have to be
cleaned up. Yet, when looking at the issue from the bottom up, we have a vast array of possibilities. For starters, let’s take a look at blankets. Blankets are one of the easiest ways to save energy. Instead of using a blanket while watching TV in the middle of a scorching summer and having the fan on while sleeping in the middle of winter, turning the thermostat to a comfortable and appropriate temperature for the season can save a household big bucks and watts. Light bulbs are also a big saver. Many countries now are not legally allowed to sell bulbs that are not energy efficient. Not only do they last longer, but they also consume a fraction as much as incandescents. Speaking of lights, the little girl that is haunting your apartment does not need the bathroom light on when you’re not in there. There are a lot more ways to save electricity, which can be googled in a heartbeat. But what is important to remember is that doing so is good not only for you, but for the planet.
that is what going to church is supposed to feel like. Going to Roo is truly like entering another world—a colorful, hot, cheerful world. Women walk around topless or with cheeky pasties without an ounce of self-consciousness. Strangers high five while yelling “Happy Roo!” like it’s a holiday similar
special though is the people. God, I love the people I meet at Bonnaroo. I don’t necessarily make “friends” there, at least not good friends. I don’t have pals that are just Bonnaroo pals. I know people that have their camps grow every year because they invite their new Bonnaroo friends to camp with them the next time. No, for me, it’s just nice to be around people that are happy and genuinely want you to have a good time with them. They care about your well-being and are helpful no matter the problem. (On more than one occasion, I’ve seen people pass out in crowds and watched strangers rush to help and call the medical team.) Not everyone is like that, but you can at least revel in the fact that everyone probably hates those people as much as you do. For a festival that massive and generally mainstream, you would expect more people to suck. Nope. Instead, there’s an intimate feeling I have never found anywhere else. It could (again) be the drugs, but I’d like to think it’s that everyone is just as tired, dirty, sweaty, stinky and just generally as gross as everyone else and accepts each other in possibly our worst physical state. That’s the Bonnaroo state of mind.
Franco D’Aprile is a senior in sustainability. He can be reached at fradapr@vols.utk.edu (mailto:fradapr@vols.utk.edu).
An Ode to the Farm
Jenna Butz Odes for Odes
Like many other 20-somethings, I just returned home from Bonnaroo. And like many others, I almost cried with joy when I took my first shower in four days Monday morning at 2 a.m. I mentally cheered as I watched the days worth of dirt rush down the drain and did a serious happy dance when I ran my fingers through my soft, dry hair the next morning. Later that day, I wore my brand new Courtney Barnett t-shirt to Whole Foods and talked with an employee there about why Bonnaroo is literally the best music festival ever. I’m not a fan of the dirt or the bugs or the sweltering sun or having to poop in port-a-johns. And I definitely won’t lie and pretend that sleeping on a cot under a canopy for roughly four hours a night while you can still hear thumping music is my idea of a good time. Nor will I praise the lady that made a bahn mi sandwich with dry chicken and mayo (What!? Does this woman know what a bahn mi is?) But when I tell people about my weekends at Bonnaroo—this was my third year on the Farm—I don’t tell them about any of that. Instead, I talk about listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers playing “Free Fallin” from the ferris wheel as the sun set or Jack White’s seven song encore and cryptic life advice or leaving the Alabama Shakes’ sunset performance thinking that
“Going to Roo is truly like entering another world—a colorful, hot, cheerful world.”
to Christmas or Thanksgiving. People happily spray others with water to help their newfound friends (briefly) cool off in the Tennessee summer. Chalk it up to southern hospitality or the drugs, but whatever causes this community to bond and love each other is an act of magic. Yes, the music is great, spectacular even. I mean, I saw Robert Plant perform Led Zeppelin songs and Ed Helms play banjo with Mumford & Sons. When will I ever get to experience that again? Despite that, what really makes those four days
Jenna Butz is a junior in English. She can be reached at jkw546@vols.utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
BONNAROO continued from Page 5 as well the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, with his band the Sensational Space Shifters. Finally, Bonnaroovians ended the weekend with a sing-a-long to Billy Joel’s classic hits like “Piano Man� and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.� Jaqueline Adams, a junior in psychology, attended the festival for the second time this past weekend and said Florence + the Machine, who released their third album June 2, was her favorite performance of the weekend. “She is wonderful at getting a crowd pumped up,� Adams said. “She actually went into the audience twice. And her voice is so beautiful it gives me chills.� Kelly Barton, a sophomore in nursing, echoed Adams, also saying that Florence + the Machine was her top artist. “We were about five rows from the stage,� Barton said. “It was the best because her energy on stage was incredible to watch. The festival hosts more than music
though. Art and food also take centerstage. Vendors sell handmade goods, and eateries from all over the Southeast set up shop to share their cuisine with the masses. “The food was my favorite part of the festival,â€? Barton said. “There were hundreds of food trucks and vendors to choose from and my favorite being Baconland.â€? While some Bonnaroovians opt to sleep in an RV or stay in a hotel, most festival goers decide to camp in the different “pods,â€? or camping areas, without showers, electricity or real toilers. Yet, attendees often make friends with their neighbors and socialize on the hikes leaving and returning to their tents, adding to the communal feeling of the weekend. The festival’s motto is “Radiate Positivity,â€? urging Bonnaroovians to respect and support their fellow music lovers. It is the center of how others interact and something Adams said adds to the atmosphere. “There’s something magical about Bonnaroo. Everyone there is so excited and so positive,â€? Adams said. “The energy is incredible, and you can become best friends with a stranger in two seconds.â€? Mac DeMarco crowd surfed during his set Thursday. • Photo Courtesy of FilmMagic
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PUZZLES&GAMES
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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dadoodlydude • Adam Hatch
Cartoons of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
White House won’t confirm Prince performed for Obama Associated Press
WASHINGTON— Prince performed some of his greatest hits at a weekend White House party for President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. But although guests put details on social media, White House spokesman Josh Earnest is refusing to confirm the “Purple Rain” singer’s attendance. Earnest says he has no details about the private
event. A reported 500 lobbyists, corporate executives, celebrities and other guests attended. Earnest says the Obamas threw the party “on their own dime.” He didn’t say how much it cost or what they would pay for. The Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted Sunday after leaving the White House that it was “awesome” to see Prince and Stevie Wonder together on the keyboards. Prince performed in town Saturday at the Warner Theater.
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 ___-Seltzer 5 School of thought 8 Custodial implement 11 Hither’s partner 14 “Whatcha ___?” 15 Donna of Clinton’s cabinet 17 Pastoral mother 18 Piedmont wine 19 Directorial triumph for 61-Across 21 Dearie 22 Series of online comments 23 Destroy, as paper documents 24 Film featuring 61-Across 27 Crooner Williams 28 Roman Stoic philosopher 29 Hair-raising cry 31 Prehensile ___ 32 61-Across’s role in 24-Across 38 Hosp. areas 39 With 43-Across, panic-inducing production of 61-Across
41 Treasure lost on the Spanish Main 43 See 39-Across 45 Surmounting 46 Friend of Eeyore 47 Akio who co-founded Sony 49 Many a pilgrim to Mecca 52 1958 film by 61-Across 57 “___ luego” 59 Figure in “The Exorcist” 60 Result of rapid service? 61 Noted director/ actor born in May 1915 63 Greek vowels 64 Kwik-E-Mart clerk 65 Kind of strength related to stress 66 Alternative to boeuf or jambon 67 Caustic substance 68 Things checked by the T.S.A. 69 Nincompoop 70 Johnson of comedy DOWN
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Upcoming senior Von Pearson turns upfield with the help of a block by rising junior Marquez North during Tennessee 34-19 victory against Arkansas State on September 6, 2014. Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon
Wide Receivers hope for return to former dominance Taylor White
Assistant Sports Editor
Once seen as the strength of Tennessee’s offense heading into the 2014 football season, the wide receiver position turned into somewhat of a nightmare for the Vols as the season drew to a close. Freshman phenom Marquez North ended his slightly disappointing sophomore season three games early due to a torn labrum that had also limited his reps in spring practice. Rising junior Jason Croom also missed spring practice after injuring his knee in December bowl preparations, and Josh Malone’s explosion on to the scene in the 2014 Orange and White game turned into a dud once his freshman campaign began in the fall.
That was just the tip of the iceberg, however, for the seemingly snake bitten wide receiving corps. After a freshman season to forget, Josh Smith was playing arguably as well as any wide out on the team before a high ankle sprain suffered against Oklahoma ultimately ended his season. Highly touted junior college transfer Von Pearson also missed three games with an ankle injury that affected him throughout the remainder of the season. Even with the problems this group has been through, the upgrade in talent over the past couple years at the wide receiver position is obvious to the coaching staff. “We’re good, we’ll be good,” receivers coach Zach Azzani said during spring practice. “We’re thin, but I’ll tell you what, it’s like night and day from a couple springs ago.” Through all the struggles, one player stood out becoming a go-to target for Justin Worley
SPORTS and then for Josh Dobbs in key moments throughout the season. Rising senior Pig Howard led the Vols in catches (54) as well as yards (618), while pulling in one touchdown despite a height of just 5-foot-8. After being suspended indefinitely before the 2014 season, Howard “took care of his business” and was reinstated over the summer, becoming Tennessee’s most consistent option at the receiver position. As one of the few seniors on the team, Howard’s main focus going forward is improvement from a leadership standpoint. “I wanna make the players around me better,” Howard said. “Be a leader and just when my number is called, go out there and make a play. I just want to continue to get better and to give advice to the new guys coming in.” The main focus for Azzani and his receivers this spring was getting healthy. Croom was said to be ahead of schedule on his recovery, while North saw more and more action as the spring progressed. It was a big spring in terms of recovery for Josh Smith. Smith caught 10 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown in less than three full games before his injury, but according to Azzani, Smith didn’t pick up where he left off before the injury. After sitting out for an extended period of time, Smith lacked conditioning while suffering occasional lapses in technique at the beginning of spring practice. As practice went on, however, Smith began showing glimpses of his former self. “He came out, and he attacked things,” head coach Butch Jones said of Smith late in spring practice. “Obviously, he is in better football condition. I think that is a byproduct of overtime, of practice. He played with confidence, caught the football, and he was able to advance the football--just played aggressively.”
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
North also began to show improvement toward the end of spring practice, and his 6-foot-4 frame, combined with his freak athleticism, points to the Charlotte, North Carolina native as a prime candidate for a break out season.
“We’re thin, but I’ll tell you what, it’s like night and day from a couple springs ago.” -Zach Azzani
North pulled in 38 balls for 496 yards and several highlight reel plays as a freshman before taking a step back in his sophomore season. He has been named Preseason Third Team All-SEC by three separate publications over the course of the summer. After a highly anticipated freshman season that included several dropped passes in critical situations, the coaching staff is looking for a more consistent sophomore season out of Malone. The Gallatin, Tennessee, product had an up-and-down spring practice, but the staff saw progress throughout the spring. “I see him more mature, I see an inner drive,” Jones said. “He is working exceptionally hard. Going to work every day. I
Women’s basketball hall of fame names south Rotunda after Pat Summitt Staff Report
Pat Summitt retired from coaching three years ago, but her legacy transcends time. The women’s basketball Hall of Fame paid tribute to the legendary head coach on Friday, naming its South Rotunda after the winningest coach in college basketball. Knox County mayor Tim Burchett and Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero were in attendance for the ceremony, as both gave speeches commemorating Summitt’s impact on women’s basketball. Summitt herself was not in attendance
see Josh Malone maturing, really trying to pay attention to the fine details of playing winning football.” One name to keep an eye on this season is Johnathon Johnson. Johnson might not get the recognition of the Vols more high-profile
though. Instead, current Tennessee coach and longtime friend Holly Warlick spoke in her place. “I know she’d be up here saying, ‘Thank you,’ from the bottom of her heart,” Warlick said. “But she’d say it’s not about her. It’s about God’s faith, it’s about family love, friendships and this great game of basketball.” Brad Smith, a longtime coach in Oregon City and 2015 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, attended the ceremony, admitting that joining Summitt in the hall of fame is an indescribable feeling. Smith said: “There is not a greater ambassador or self-sacrificing servant to the game of basketball than Pat Summitt.”
wide outs, but his work ethic and consistency is something Azzani says he wants in all his receivers despite his 5-foot-9 stature. “He’s a heck of a player. When people come out there they always go, ‘My gosh
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who is 81?’ He always gets overlooked,” Azzani said. “Maybe that’s because he could walk under a table, but he’s been awesome. Being a senior, he knows what to do now.” While Johnson may not be a big play threat, he’s proven to be sure-handed target in the red-zone or in third down situations. With all of the injured players expected to be 100 percent by September, the lone question mark for the receiving corps is the status of rising senior Von Pearson. Pearson was named as a suspect in a rape investigation in April and was suspended indefinitely from all team activities. That investigation is still ongoing, and Pearson has not been charged with anything at this point. If he is not charged in the case, then it seems likely he will rejoin the team this season, but until then, Tennessee will have to prepare to play without the electric junior college transfer. Wide receiver has the potential to be Tennessee’s deepest position in 2015, but the Vols must avoid the injury bug that has bitten them the past several years. “The expectations are there,” Azzani said. “They know what to expect … They’re not trying to figure it out, they know why I’m standing there coaching them and critiquing them. They know what they did wrong now. The difference is the expectations this season.”
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Opinion: Five freshmen to watch Alexander leads the freshman during the 2015 football season class in Rocky Top League debut Stephen Kasper
has the potential to make a very big impact in 2015.
Sam Farmer
The hype train for the Tennessee Volunteers football team seems to gain more steam with every passing week. And now that former five-star recruits Drew Richmond and Kahlil McKenzie are officially part of Team 119, the buzz isn’t likely to slow down any time soon. But there are several other newcomers who, while talented, aren’t exactly expected to immediately perform at the same level as Richmond or McKenzie. Here are five under-the-radar summer enrollees that could make a surprising impact in 2015.
Ralph David Abernathy IV, Running Back/ Return Specialist
The eighth annual Pilot Rocky Top Basketball League kicked off Monday night with multiple current and former Volunteers competing on the various teams. One of the most impressive players on the first night of competition was Kyle Alexander, an incoming freshman in Coach Rick Barnes’ first recruiting class at Tennessee. Alexander, a 6-foot-10, 200-pound power forward from Ontario, Canada, dominated both ends of the floor for the DeRoyal Industries team, scoring 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting and snagging nearly every rebound available in his Rocky Top League debut. His versatility and length gave his team an added advantage on the offensive end. He got off to a quick start, scoring two out of the first three baskets for his team, refusing to slow down. Alexander scored most of his points on the offensive glass, pulling down rebounds and getting put backs. “I like to think of myself as a person who wants the ball most … when it’s coming off the rim,” Alexander said. “I always try to go after those, that’s where I like to get most of my points.” Alexander is working on adjusting to the college game, as most freshmen do in their first summer camp. He excelled on Monday, but knows he has to become more physical. “Everything is faster, a lot more physical, so that’s a big adjustment for me,” Alexander said. If he is able to make those adjustments, his versatility could help Tennessee add another dynamic on offense. Alexander can shoot threes, an accomplishment most players his size can’t claim. “I’m no Kevin Durant, but I’m pretty comfortable [from three],” Alexander said. “I’m working on that. I have a good percentage from there, so I like to take a couple a game just to get the feel.” Tennessee, led by Barnes, hopes this ability will develop in the coming months, giving them
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Kyle Oliver, Tight End It’s not uncommon to see Head Coach Butch Jones use multiple tight ends on offense. And at 6-foot-4 and nearly 230 pounds, Kyle Oliver is already a physical specimen fit for the tight end position. With the departure of a promising Daniel Helm, who transferred to Duke in December after just one season with the Vols, Oliver could fill a much needed void in Tennessee’s tight end depth. If Oliver can add 10-15 pounds during summer workouts, he could see some legitimate playing time this season.
John Kelly, Running Back It’s safe to say rising sophomores Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara will receive the vast majority of carries for the Vols. But in the SEC, teams need more than just two running backs. In an ideal scenario, Coach Jones would prefer to redshirt a player like John Kelly. But the truth is, he doesn’t have that luxury. With depth at running back a serious concern for the Vols, Kelly is all but certain to see the most playing time of any other running back not named Hurd or Kamara.
Darrell Taylor, Defensive End Derek Barnett became one of the best defensive linemen in the SEC as a true freshman under Defensive Line Coach Steve Stripling. And even though competition will be stiff with other incoming freshmen Kyle Phillips and Andrew Butcher, Darrell Taylor has the athleticism to be this year’s Derek Barnett. With arguably the best recruiting class of defensive linemen in the country added to an already potent group of pass-rushers, Taylor will have his work cut out for him. But with the help of Coach Stripling, Taylor
As a graduate transfer from Cincinnati, Ralph David Abernathy is reunited with the head coach that originally recruited him out of high school. At 5-foot-7 and only 160 pounds, Abernathy reminds many fans and experts of former Vol running back Devrin Young. Like Young, Abernathy isn’t likely to serve as more than the occasional support role at running back. However as a return specialist, Abernathy could give Tennessee the ability to rest star cornerback Cam Sutton on punt returns, as well as stepping in for current kickoff return man Evan Berry if need be. It may not seem like much, but if Abernathy can contribute quality reps in the return game, he could play an important role in the field position battle.
Micah Abernathy, Cornerback Micah Abernathy, the younger brother of the aforementioned Ralph Abernathy, joins a defensive backs group that finally seems to be adding quality depth. Of the five potential starting defensive back positions, only two are set in stone: Cam Sutton at corner and Brian Randolph at safety.
Micah Abernathy Assuming he doesn’t make the switch to safety, that leaves room for Abernathy to compete for the other cornerback position or the nickel position. At 6-feet, 185-pounds, Abernathy already has the size and speed to play corner in the SEC. If he can compete well in fall camp, he could break the rotation for some solid playing time early in the year.
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some much needed spacing on offense. Alexander comes from a basketball family. His sister, Kayla, was the eighth overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft and currently plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars. He didn’t always play basketball, though. His father never pushed him to play, but once he started, he was pushed to be the best he could be. “My dad didn’t want it to be a chore, he wanted it to be something that I loved,” Alexander said. “Eventually, he told me I wasn’t using my height or my athleticism, so he put me into a training camp.” Before basketball, Alexander played soccer as a child, which is something he said he believes will help him on the court. “I played soccer for about four years, and I think that constant running and change of direction really helped me as I developed,” he said. This athletic ability helps Alexander excel on the defensive end. He tallied multiple blocked shots in his first Rocky Top League game on Monday night and will look to maintain that presence going forward. Alexander looks the part of a young contributor but will need to put on some weight to fill out his frame. If he is able to do that, he might be a valuable asset for a Vols team hoping to surprise.