Knoxville’s newest pie shop helps folks get their fill on tasty treats with a hint of Southern charm
See which albums, films the Beacon’s Arts and Culture staff chose as the best of 2013
Sigma Kappa helps students Hold ‘Em like they do in Texas for a charitable cause
ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 6
NEWS >>pg. 2
The Beacon’s Pick ‘Ems competition is in its final week, see the staff’s exiting thoughts
ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 5
SPORTS >>pg. 11
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Issue 69, Volume 124
Pi Kappa Phi’s revoked charter causes latest stir for UT Greek life Staff Writer
On Friday, the national office of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity announced the closure of its UT chapter, which will not be allowed to recolonize until August 2017. Investigations into hazing allegations at Pi Kappa Phi are continuing, and members could face criminal charges, according to a UT release. In a letter signed by Dudley F. Woody, national president of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, the UT chapter violated the risk management policies and standard of conduct laid out by the fraternity’s national headquarters. The national release noted violations by UT’s chapter included collective involvement in hazing and the use, sale and/or possession of alcohol and drugs. Allegations of hazing last spring propelled the fraternity toward disciplinary probation starting this fall. This placed the fraternity on notice but allowed it to function as normal. Incidents of hazing continued this semester and led to the closure of the chapter. The UT Police Department received a report on Nov. 22 from a parent claiming his son and other new members pledging for Pi Kappa Phi were being
physically and verbally attacked during fraternity activities. The parent provided evidence of this misconduct in the form of a photo showing a new member bleeding after a fraternity event. “In this situation, it seemed like the entire chapter was involved with hazing, and it was rampant throughout the entire pledging process,” said James Jackson, associate director of Student Judicial Affairs. “This wasn’t one isolated incident.” Several incidents involving drugs and alcohol at Pi Kappa Phi this semester also contributed to the closure of the chapter, including the Nov. 2 arrest of two fraternity members for underage drinking, indecent exposure and public intoxication. Now, members will not be allowed to live in the fraternity house and must find alternate housing for next semester, according to Lindi Smedberg, director of Sorority and Fraternity Life. “There are 21 men who are living in the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house right now,” Smedberg said. “With it being so close to final exams, our office and Pi Kappa Phi Headquarters thought it would be best to allow them to remain in the house so they can focus on their studies.” See FRATERNITIES on Page 2
Who’s left on Fraternity Row? • Graphic courtesy of Dillon Canfield
Hayley Brundige
Fraternity Park Drive has 13 houses; in the past five semesters, five of those houses have been suspended or forced out (symbolized by the red lines). Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha and Pi Kappa Phi were removed from their houses; Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Chi are on interim suspension.
Spanish department unveils second annual ‘Cultural Oscars’ Community Michael Tremoulis Contributor
With the Academy Awards approaching, UT’s Spanish department will put on an Oscars presentation of its own. This event, entitled “The Cultural Oscars,” will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. in the Black Cultural Center.
For the second year in a row, students in intensive 150 and 112 Spanish classes created a semester-long video project that depicts aspects of Spanish culture, and the department will host an awards show where the students’ work is judged and graded. “There are several topics for them to choose from – for example, music, dance, art, food and sports,” said
Patricia Harriman, a Spanish professor who helps with the event. The videos are generally around five minutes long, put together by students in groups of three, and uploaded in advance to YouTube or Vimeo so they can be viewed at the event. The project is worth 10 percent of the students’ grade, and since it’s a semester long project, professors make
the students have certain deadlines throughout the semester so students don’t get behind. At the “Cultural Oscars,” students can win prizes if their video places in first, second or third. If a group places first, they win $150, and second and third get monetary awards as well.
Former Tennessee senior defensive lineman Maurice Couch admitted to accepting impermissible cash benefits during his playing career in an interview with Tennessee Sports Radio on Monday morning. Couch, who was speaking publicly for the first time since allegations surfaced about him accepting money from a man acting as a liaison for NFL agents in September, stated he accepted the money out of necessity to provide for his family. “I’m not a traditional student-athlete,” Couch said. “I’m married. I have a child. So the stuff they give us, if I was just a normal student-athlete, I believe it can help to a certain extent, but when you have
a young one and your wife, there’s more you have to bring to the table. “I was at a point where I was going to lose my family, and me, I know I wouldn’t be able to focus without knowing that my family would be taken care of. I used all my resources possible. I couldn’t get any help, so as a father, I did what I felt like I had to for my family.” Couch, who transferred to Tennessee from Garden City C.C. after the 2010 season, said he had no family support and because of his money situation, his own family was at risk of being broken up. “We don’t have any family support in Tennessee,” Couch said. “My family is in Florida, and her family is in Kansas, so she would have to go back to Kansas to have support and to have some stability.” See MO COUCH on Page 10
Donald Page • Tennessee Athletics
Former Tennessee defensive lineman Mo Couch talks to his teammates during the Vols’ 52-20 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 7. Couch was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA after it was found he accepted impermissible benefits.
“I understood how important recording was to her, because I was now feeling that desperate urge to collect what was already slipping through my hands.” @UTDailyBeacon www.utdailybeacon.com
Megan Sadler
Contributor
See CULTURAL OSCARS on Page 6
Couch admits to accepting money during UT career Staff Report
college route offers low-cost bridge to UT
ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 7
Due in part to rising college tuition, beginning post-secondary education at community colleges is emerging as a popular path for high school graduates. Tuition at Pellissippi State Community College is based on the number of classes students are enrolled in, unlike UT’s flat rate for full time or part time courses. Students who transfer to UT from Pellissippi with a minimum 3.0 GPA may apply for a $1,500 per year scholarship which could help save additional dollars. R a c h el C ra g l e , Pellissippi’s advising director, has worked at the community college for 17 years. “Of the students who transfer to UT, I would say that the majority of them end up staying to get their degree,” Cragle said. “Most of them plan on transferring out after a year, but most of the time, they just end up staying.” Cheyenne Lewis, a freshman at Pellissippi, plans on transferring to a four-year college like ETSU after completing two years of course work. See COMMUNITY COLLEGE on Page 2
INSIDE THE DAILY BEACON News Opinions Arts & Culture Sports
Page 2 Page 4 Page 5-8 Page 10-12
2 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 News Editor Hanna Lustig
CAMPUS NEWS
hlustig@utk.edu
Assistant News Editor Emilee Lamb
elamb1@utk.edu
CRIME LOG: FALL FRATERNAL EDITION Sept. 28 at 10:34 p.m. While speaking to two fraternity members, officer observed a resident of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in possession of a bottle of whiskey. The alcohol was confiscated and the member was issued a misdemeanor citation for underage drinking.
Nov. 2 at 1:37 a.m. An officer observed two suspicious persons causing a disturbance in front of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Both were arrested for public intoxication and underage consumption. One was also cited for indecent exposure for urinating on the tire of a silver minivan. Nov. 5 at 1:27 a.m. Officer responded to an active fire alarm at Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. While checking the alarm source, officers discovered a baggy containing marijuana and a stainless steel grinder. Two members were issued misdemeanor citations.
Nov. 10 at 2:48 a.m., Officer responded to an active fire alarm at the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a member had discharged a fire extinguisher, knowing it would set off the fire alarm. The member was arrested for public intoxication, underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and falsely reporting a fire.
Nov. 15 at 1:13 a.m. Two officers conducted a welfare check of Sigma Chi fraternity after observing two individuals standing outside the building in 33 degree weather. It was found that a member under the age of 21 was consuming an alcoholic beverage and that the fraternity president was aware of underage drinking in the house. The member was arrested for underage drinking and the president was arrested for enticing a child to purchase alcoholic beverages.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE continued from Page 1 “If anything, one good thing would be cost. It’s the same thing with anywhere,” Lewis said. “You have to look and see what programs they offer, if they are effective or if they are good at all. Pellissippi has good engineering and you all have a nursing program. ... It’s just individual to every school, not just university versus state college.” Many students enrolled at UT opt to take more difficult courses through a community college. Ginger Reaves, a sophomore at UT decided to retake a course at Pellissippi during the summer that had given her
Staff Writer
FRATERNITY continued from Page 1 Based on the student handbook, Hilltopics, UT defines hazing as “any intentional or reckless act which is directed against any other student that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health or safety, and includes treatment of a violent, abusive, shameful, insulting or humiliating nature.” In total, four reports of hazing this semester have implicated Pi Kappa Phi,
er last year, house directors were assigned to Phi Sigma Kappa and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Off-duty police officers were contracted to patrol on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Fraternity Row. Smedberg said she remains hopeful the strong tradition of UT fraternities will not suffer as a result of incidents this semester. “I view fraternities and sororities as a home away from home, a close community of students who believe in the same things and want to share experiences together,” Smedberg said. “Fraternity can mean so much, and I don’t think we’ve forgotten that.”
“Everyone applies to UT, but not everyone can get in,” Cragle said. “The program provides a way for students to be a part of the social scene and become part of the culture at UT while taking classes at Pellissippi. It’s a way for them to earn their way into UT with their academics.” Jared Glenn, a junior at UT majoring in marketing, participated in the bridge program in 2011, its inaugural year. “It is a totally different experience than UT,” he said. “The feel at UT, you feel sort of connected to other students. At Pellissippi, you don’t have that same connection of a university feel. You still build bonds with other students and get to know other students; it just has a different feel.”
UT sorority delivers Vegas feel to campus Samantha Coley
Alpha Tau Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Chi. These reports describe forcing pledges to clean the fraternity house wearing costumes, isolating a new member and kicking, punching and verbally berating pledges. At Lambda Chi, one pledge sustained injury to the head during an exercise conducted by other fraternity members. “Fraternities are about fostering brotherhood,” Jackson said. “New members shouldn’t be subjected to mental distress. At some point, we have to step in to make sure students are safe.” As a result of the Greek Life Task Force put togeth-
trouble during the UT school year. “Taking the class online at that community college actually helped me understand it a lot better because I could go my own pace,” Reaves said. “It was just weird how the lectures were. They were in these huge auditoriums, and they would go really fast. There wasn’t any SI for that class either. So, I couldn’t really find help. I actually learned it way faster, just over the summer online.” Pellissippi also serves as a stepping stone to UT for those students not initially admitted to the university. Applicants placed on a waiting list have the opportunity to participate in a bridge program offered by the community college.
The glitz and glam of Vegas arrived in Knoxville for Sigma Kappa’s second annual Sigma Hold ‘Em philanthropy event. The three-day event, which began on Nov. 12, included different activities for Greeks including the Vegas Tribute Show, poker lessons and a poker tournament on the final day. Olivia Rothermel, an organizer of the event, said she loved the idea of making Sigma Hold ‘Em bigger and grander than the previous year. “We wanted to build it and continue to have this event grow in its potential and participation,” Rothermel said. A new addition to the philanthropy event, the Vegas Tribute Show, took place on Tuesday. The activity allowed participants representing their own organizations to perform
multiple talents on stage. “It consisted of a celebrity impersonation portion, a formal wear, and a question and answer,” Rothermel said. The proceeds collected from the event are used to support the chapter’s national philanthropy, the Sigma Kappa Foundation. “The philanthropy that Sigma Hold ‘Em raises money for actually goes to five different philanthropies all within the Sigma Kappa Foundation,” Rothermel said. “Our main one is Alzheimers.” Other organizations the money supports are the Maine Sea Coast Mission, Gerontology, Support a Sister and Inherit the Earth. Despite successful fundraising, some chapter members like Lindsey Steffy, a sophomore in business, said she did not enjoy some of the new activities. “I thought the events that were added to our philanthropy
event this year were a good addition, however, a lot of members of our chapter were really unsure of what to do,” Steffy said. “It really wasn’t a good situation.” In Steffy’s opinion, the event’s most successful activity was the poker tournament. “My favorite part of Sigma Hold ‘Em was the same as last year. I really like the actual tournament,” Steffy said. “It’s just really fun to dress up and walk around and serve people food and see all your sisters dressed up. That’s always really fun.” Rothermel said she thought the event was a success. “I just look forward to bigger and better things from it,” Rothermel said. “We had more participation in the poker tournament this year, and I thought we had a great number of participation in the Vegas Tribute Show this year. I thought it was a great time, and it went really well.”
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 3
4 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Editor-in-Chief R.J. Vogt
OPINIONS
rvogt@utk.edu
Contact us letters@utk.edu
Chief ly Speaking R.J. Vogt Editor-in-Chief
The softening of America We can do anything we set our minds to; the sky is the limit; all it takes to be extraordinary is that little bit of extra. As a millennial, every college student on this campus has grown up on a steady diet of these encouraging phrases and clichés. When Dr. Spock wrote Commonsense Book of Baby and Child Care and stressed the importance of children’s self-worth, our parents’ and grandparents’ generations dutifully paid attention, pumping us up with the belief that we can change the world. And now, as we begin to pour into America’s workforce, employers say we’re indulgent, needy and lazy. According to a study by EY, we’re not good team players. Our iPhones make communication immediate – we expect everything else to work likewise. Not to be too radical, but maybe our indulgence developed when we started winning trophies for not winning anything at all. Those participation awards we all “won” every time we showed up for a game are outnumbered only by the Certificates of Achievement we “earned” in elementary school classrooms. Maybe letting us stroll around a track in gym class, instead of submitting us to the potential embarrassment and sweat of jogging, instilled a distinct aversion to hard work. Who knows – maybe it has a part in the monstrous obesity rates of today’s America. Maybe all those character-building posters, with hearty messages about respect for everybody, taught us that respect is nothing to be earned. It is simply and freely given, no effort necessary. Maybe we’re needy because we were never left in want. Somewhere after “sticks and stones may break my bones,” words began to hurt us. Criticism became bullying. Discipline became hazing. Spanking children became corporal punishment. The hard reality that college should teach us – the reality that life after college most certainly will reaffirm – is that only one player wins. Everyone else has to lose. And losers don’t get trophies in the workplace – they get to watch their bosses congratulate the recently promoted winner. The phrase “don’t sweat it” – rewrite it. If we’re not sweating, if we’re not running, if our noses aren’t pressed to the grindstone, then we will not pass. Gym class is over, and all the kids that were running have lapped us. And though nobody should deny another his right to human dignity, nobody should grant respect unearned. After college, nobody will. High-powered CEOs will not walk up to us as interns and ask our opinions, because we will not have proven our opinion to be worth the walk and breath it takes to ask. People will criticize us, embarrass us, ridicule us, demand productivity from us and make us feel uncomfortable. If we don’t learn how to handle those situations, we need to find organizations to teach us. Good luck. There’s not a whole lot of those left. And even if we manage all that – even if we remedy all the things that make soft and childish and poor workers – we have to come to grips with the one cliché that is true. Life isn’t fair. Some of us won’t achieve the things we set our minds to; some of us won’t make our dreams come true; extraordinary is much more than a little extra. Look around – as Americans, we enjoy excellent infrastructure, in-house toilets and efficient garbage management systems. Do you think the people who pick up your trash dreamed of doing that someday? Do you think the people who worked factory jobs to create those Nike running shoes dreamed of making your outfits? The world is built on broken dreams. And if we want to keep our dreams intact, we have to build them from sweat and endurance and sacrifice. Unlike those plastic trophies, success won’t be granted just for showing up. R.J. Vogt is a junior in College Scholars. He can be reached at rvogt@utk.edu.
Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.
Here’s to Pong, the chapter that made me The Taboo Parlor by
Chase Parker I love an educated opinion, but I unabashedly hate an unfounded one. Last Friday, at around 5 p.m., I received an email that said all it needed to say in the very first sentence, “…the charter of the Alpha Sigma Chapter, located at the University of Tennessee, is hereby revoked…” Quickly and viciously, 16 words brought one of the most important aspects of my life crashing to the ground in a fiery heap of legalese and passive aggression. The house formerly known as Pong is gone. As the decision has filtered into local news and social media, many have taken the opportunity to voice their opinions towards the UT Greek system and, more specifically, their opinions of the group of men who have been removed as a result of the decision made by Pi Kappa Phi. Along with the typical list of grievances against the inherent nature of social fraternities, many have taken it upon themselves to make claims on multiple local news sites as to the character of Pong’s former members, claiming we were undeserving of being accepted into the university; that we, along with other Greeks, solely focus on what I can only directly quote as “partying and Ho chasing” and “do what they call sex to each other” (sic).
Editor-in-Chief: R.J. Vogt Managing Editor: Melodi Erdogan Chief Copy Editor: Gage Arnold News Editor: Hanna Lustig Asst. News Editor: Emilee Lamb Sports Editor: David Cobb Asst. Sports Editor: Troy Provost-Heron Arts & Culture Editor: Claire Dodson Asst. Arts & Culture Editor: Cortney Roark Online Editor: Samantha Smoak
has never had a significant impact on this university: You have never shaken my hand or seen me study. If you peeked at my bank statement, you would see more 3 a.m. runs to get $5 Cookout trays than country club dues. Most importantly, many of the ones who have generalized mine and my brothers’ characters have never pledged and worked to be a part of something like Alpha Sigma, because pledging creates an “environment of subservience.” In my eyes, Pong was something to be earned, and I earned it. No other place will create men who built the Torch Bearer, the very symbol of our volunteer tradition. No other place will create men who could ride a bicycle 4,000 miles across the nation, stopping everyday to help the disabled along the way, in a matter of one summer. No other place can take a person like me, who came to Knoxville alone and uncomfortable, and give them the confidence to find themselves in a place completely foreign to them. No other place will have the honor of calling itself Pong. It may no longer be recognized by the Pi Kappa Phi National Organization or by the University of Tennessee, and the last words spoken of it may exist only on the record of unintelligible Internet comments. But 1,400 men will forever recognize Alpha Sigma as the place that made us brothers. And I, for one, will know it as the place that made me. Chase Parker is Alpha Sigma 1324 and a junior in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology. He can be reached at sparke23@utk.edu.
Hunger Games’ fictional tyranny applies in real world Turn of Phrase by
Sarah Hagaman “Catching Fire” is an absolutely amazing movie. I had no idea what I was in for when I strolled into the movie theater a week ago to see the newest of Suzanne Collins’ sensational trilogy. I love the books, but usually, sequels tend to disappoint. Not this time – I sat on the edge of my seat, watching the quick-action tempo and the complex characters unfold with wide eyes. Unfortunately, a week of studying had clearly gotten into my head, and I couldn’t help but notice the highly political aspects the film portrayed, and the more I watched, the more intrigued I became. In the story, futuristic America has turned into Panem — a country with a unified series of 12 Districts, each geared towards a certain sector of production; the Capitol serves as the central political and cultural city. In the world of the futuristic Panem, there are no real freedoms. People who act against the government — like the man who holds up the mockingjay symbol in the beginning of the film — quickly face death for betraying the government. The people in the districts have absolutely no freedom of speech and no
Non Sequitur • Wiley
EDITORIAL
Although I wish I could come home to my high school friends with grandiose tales of “doing sex to each other,” I have regrettably spent more time with my studies and hockey practice rather than exploring mine and my brothers’ homoerotic sides. Sarcasm aside, I am typically fairly toughskinned, especially against Internet comments – egregiously using “2” and “r” interchangeably with “to” and “are” – about my character and the validity of my acceptance to this university. However, reading these comments in news reports and Facebook posts, hardly a few hours after I had read the email, hurt even more so than finding out I was losing my home here on Fraternity Park Drive. It is easy to throw stones and yell slurs from inside the vehicle of Internet anonymity, especially at a Greek group with an inherent quality of exclusivity and a stigma of immorality. But I am not writing to ask that you, the reader, defend us. I am not writing to ask that you change your opinion of what constitutes a “standard of conduct.” I am most certainly not writing to ask you pity the loss of the Alpha Sigma Chapter here at UT. I am simply writing that Pong accomplished its goal. My life changed from the moment I walked into the front door of 1828 Fraternity Park Drive. I transformed from a gawky, socially inept and insecure 18-year-old to an adult with self-confidence and self-worth that I would have never found anywhere else. Even if those on the outside believe I merely paid for them, the friends I made were brothers I earned. For all those who claim to know that Pong
rights under which they are protected. The first declaration of America’s Bill of Rights is the freedom of speech. When looked at closely, this right creates one of our most sacred tenants of democracy. We get to pick up a paper and read different opinions and perspectives on the day’s events. We turn on the channel and watch reporters give diverse aspects of national events and columnists — average people like myself — give our personal opinions on essentially anything we choose. For a government, the voice of the people can be both powerful and extremely threatening. Millions of people live beneath oppressive governments; these regimes very notoriously monitor the televisions and restrict access to books, shows and exposure to certain areas of thought. Even textbooks and university systems can be modified to hide unwanted information. Our channels have different stations where we get the weather, traffic, headlines and news reports. Our political analysts discuss the day’s politics. To us, the stream of news is completely ordinary. We live in America, and we have free access to a constant stream of communication. The storyline in “Catching Fire” is absolutely riveting, aside from the underlying message. Katniss, the protagonist, struggles to survive in a second series of games and understand her feelings for Peeta and Gale, her two different love interests. The movie hinges on the young woman’s desire to protect her family from the leaders of the prior Hunger Games and the president himself.
Maybe I was just immersed in the story. But honestly, I think the film shows a very important truth — governments that silence the people’s voices do not belong only to young adult novels. Many countries around the world experience the inability to honestly state an opinion without fear of punishment. I don’t edit the things I say or write because I’m afraid the government will find me and threaten my family or me — but at this very moment, many people do. Look at the massacre at Tiananmen Square in China or the heavy censorship in North Korea. Specifically, North Korea does not allow any independent journalism, and all media is specifically filtered through the government. Having no voice renders people unable to understand and influence the government, and the subsequent gap is the foundation for tyranny. Our First Amendment rights are very sacred and deserve to be highly protected and used. I’m grateful that I don’t have to look over my shoulder to make a comment about a political decision, and I’m grateful that I can read a paper or watch a station to hear about national events. Great movies like “Catching Fire,” along with many other fantastic cinematic qualities, can speak about injustice with such creativity and insight. Oh, and Team Peeta. Sarah Hagaman is a sophomore in English. She can be reached at shagama@ utk.edu.
Get Fuzzy • Darby Conley
Photo Editors: Janie Prathammavong, Hannah Cather Design Editors: Lauren Ratliff, Katrina Roberts Copy Editors: Steven Cook, Hannah Fuller, Megan Hinson, McCord Pagan, Dargan Southard
Editorial Production Artists: Jonathan Baylor, Emily Kane, Hannah Kline, Steven Woods Classified Adviser: Jessica Hingtgen
Advertising: (865) 974-5206 beaconads@utk.edu
CONTACTS
Editor-in-Chief: (865) 974-2348 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION
To submit a press release, please e-mail pressreleases@utdailybeacon.com
Advertising Manager: Sookie Park Media Sales Representatives: Lauren Gregg, Caitlin McCleary, Ryan McPherson, Alley Wilcox Advertising Production: Jamie Reed
To report a news item, please e-mail editor.news@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-2348
To place an ad, please e-mail beaconads@utk.edu or call 865-974-5206 To place a classified ad, please e-mail orderad@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-4931
Classifieds: (865) 974-4931 orderad@utdailybeacon.com
Main Newsroom: (865) 974-3226 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday 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
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.
The Daily Beacon is printed using soy based ink on newsprint containing recycled content, utilizing renewable sources and produced in a sustainable, environmental responsble manner.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 5 Arts & Culture Editor Claire Dodson
ARTS & CULTURE
pdodson@utk.edu
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Cortney Roark
croark4@utk.edu
I-House offers peaceful student getaway for finals Knoxville pie shop serves up
Eyes on Knoxville handmade Southern slices
Hannah Cather • The Daily Beacon
Contributor
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop sells about 500 mini pies, like this apple version, a day.
Hannah Cather
Photo Editor Americans love pie, especially in the last two months of the year. Bearden’s newest bakery opened just in time to catch the first wave of the high demand for the dessert. Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, named after a Southern slang term for a cloud pattern that resembles the dairy product, baked more than 1,400 pies in preparation for Thanksgiving. On Nov. 14, when the store had its grand opening, workers began taking pre-orders for the upcoming holiday. Before they day was over, they were forced to stop accepting orders to avoid an overload. “We barely had a chance to get our baking legs under us before the holiday hit,� Meredith Layton, co-owner with Scott Layton said. “We were working 16 hour days to fill all the orders – lots of time in the kitchen.� Spending time in the kitchen is a favorite of the Laytons. The couple opened The Cup, which sells a variety of cupcakes, about seven years ago. After serious consideration, they decided to move into the pie business and a new home on Kingston Pike. Buttermilk Sky’s location – a free-standing, quaint building with ample parking space – is located beside the newly-opened retail store Anthropologie. Inside, the pie shop feels like
grandma’s kitchen. “We wanted it to have a really homey, Southern feel,� Layton said. “We decorated it with lots of things we had in our family, like the stuffed armadillo named Crusty.� The armadillo had circulated throughout the family as a joke Christmas present, and the Laytons decided to keep it. Vintage pictures of Meredith and Scott’s grandmothers also decorate the space. “They were the pie bakers in our families,� Layton said. “His granny and my nanny were the ones who taught us to bake.� Scott’s grandmother specialized in fruit pies and cobblers since they were surrounded by orchards. Meredith’s grandmother, however, focused on cream and pecan pies. The recipes have been passed on and are still prepared today with fresh and simple ingredients. “Everything is homemade from scratch here,� Jenna Ross, one of the shop’s bakers, said. The proof is in the perfectly flaky pie crust. With locally sourced ingredients, the pies move away from the freezerburn taste of grocery store desserts. “Some of our wiser population who have been around for awhile come in, and they rave about our recipes,� Layton said. “They say things like ‘this is just how I make it – now I don’t have to anymore.’� Even with 500 mini pies and
Hannah Cather • The Daily Beacon
Corinne Smith
50 large pies prepared each morning, the store sells out well before 5 p.m. The small kitchen space and lack of an automated pie-crust press has limited their production capabilities. While they wait for specific parts for a pie-crust machine they acquired from an Amish bakery, all of the pie crusts are hand pressed. “My husband has the largest forearms you’ve ever seen,� Layton joked. The bakery had community members in mind when they decided to start a program called “Pie it Forward.� Each month, a different pie recipe is connected to a local charity. December’s is a chocolate chess pie, and 50 cents from each pie purchase will be donated to the Love Kitchen. There’s a catch: in order to try the new pie flavor, customers have to pay for two mini pies. They get one, and the next customer in line receives a free pie. This way, Buttermilk Sky is able to raise $1.00 from each transaction. Students also benefit from the bakery’s good will with a 10 percent discount on each purchase. The business hopes to enhance the community’s holiday spirits. “We don’t mass produce anything, and we hope people understand that,� Layton said. “It’s all done with much care and love.�
Serving as a gathering point in the middle of campus for international and American students alike, the International House is a resource for everyone on campus. Though it’s true the I-House developed as a place to help international students get accustomed to life at UT and feel at home, it’s also meant to be something all UT students can utilize. The I-House offers several programs every semester that are geared towards all students on campus in an effort to promote knowledge of the global issues and the diverse cultures that are represented on campus through international students and organizations. These programs include the Coffee House, Culture Night, Global Hour and Language Labs. They can concentrate on anything from Zimbabwe to global hunger. The Culture Nights focus particularly on teaching students about one specific culture and last around three days. Typically, a student organization or outside organization will represent that culture and do the teaching. This semester, the Confucius Institute represented China and the Korean Student Association helped with South Korea. Cameron Hensley, sophomore in accounting and international business and student assistant at the I-House, said the organization’s programs are intended to aid more than just international students attending UT. “Those are geared towards teaching students about those cultures and issues,â€? Hensley said. “So they’re not so much for international students ‌
Beatrice Flamenbaum, left, Gerard Keubeung Fokou, left middle, Joanna Merkel, right middle, and Falone Domle Jiejup dance on Nov. 14 at the International House during its French Cultural Day. they’re really to promote those things in the students here to broaden their understanding of a more global environment.� The I-House also offers oneon-one assistance to students trying to learn a new language through Language Labs, where students can learn from other students that are native speakers of the language. “They run it as an informal class where you get to learn a little more about the language and culture,� Hensley said. There’s more than meets the eye with the I-House though. Below the first floor, which holds the more ‘homey’ amenities, the I-House has conference rooms and a great room. Keenan Ibrahimbacha, senior in finance and economics and I-House enthusiast, explained the multiple features of the I-House. “The International House works as a two-prong thing,� Ibrahimbacha said. “The top floor is a student center, and the bottom floor is a conference center. Downstairs there’s the great room that can fit like
200 people in it. ‌ We did that for orientation for international students. There are a few conference rooms downstairs and a full kitchen that different organizations will use.â€? Hospitality at the I-House proves to be a major pro for students involved in the program. Students can take advantage of the space as a quiet place to study, help themselves to free hot tea or hot chocolate and visit to make friends from a different culture. Shufeng Zhang, senior in biochemistry who is also a student assistant at the I-House, encouraged all students to stop by during finals week. “For any international or UT students, we have snacks and drinks here for free,â€? Zhang said, “and they’re more than welcome to come here, study for finals and get snacks.â€? Zhang said visitors can even take naps in the TV room if you need a quick place to rest. Hensley also added: “That room has the most comfortable couches in the world.â€?
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz 39 Plus
1
1 “Ad ___ per aspera� (Kansas’ motto)
ACROSS
40 Take every last cent of
14
15
6 Fine pillow stuffing
42 Inflatable safety device
17
18
44 Curt denial
20
11 Car with a checkered past? 14 Turkish money
TUTORING 7(6735(3 (;3(576 *5( *0$7 /6$7 )RU RYHU \HDUV 0LFKDHO . 6PLWK 3K ' DQG KLV WHDFK HUV KDYH KHOSHG 87 VWX GHQWV SUHSDUH IRU WKH *5( *0$7 /6$7 2XU SUR JUDPV RIIHU LQGLYLGXDO WXWRU LQJ DW D UHDVRQDEOH SULFH &DOO IRU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ ZZZ WHVWSUHS H[SHUWV FRP
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
UNFURN APTS 6SDFLRXV %5 DSWV 87 DUHD DQG :HVW .QR[YLOOH DUHD &DOO IRU DQ DSSRLQW PHQW
7+,6 63$&( &28/' %( <285 $' &$//
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
HOUSES FOR RENT 1HZO\ UHPRGHOHG %5 %$ KRXVH 6RXWK .QR[YLOOH )HQFHG EDFN \DUG PLQ WR 87 PR
HOUSES FOR RENT
15 Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treatment
45 10 Downing St. residents
1HZO\ UHPRGHOHG KDUG ZRRG IORRUV JUDQLWH FRXQWHU WRSV EHDXWLIXO EDWKURRP %5 %$ 6RXWK .QR[YLOOH 'RZQWRZQ PLOH IURP FDPSXV )HQFHG LQ EDFN\DUG FDU JDUDJH PR
17 Audibly shocked 18 Military muscle
53 Fade
20 Sign of change at the Vatican
54 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goâ&#x20AC;? signal
23 Ogle
59 Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home
24 Ship slip
CONDOS FOR RENT
25 RR stop
60 Network that aired â&#x20AC;&#x153;Monkâ&#x20AC;?
26 Chief Norse god
61 007, for one
%5 FRQGR EORFNV IURP FDPSXV 3ULYDWH SDUNLQJ ODXQGU\ DQG SRRO $YDLODEOH -DQXDU\
28 Saffron and ginger
62 News that may be illustrated by a graph
%5 FRQGR QHDU /DZ %OGJ ([WUD TXLHW 3RRO HOHYDWRU VHFXULW\ QHZ FDUSHW QHZ FHUDPLF WLOH
37 Word that can follow both halves of 18-, 20-, 32-, 40-, 54- and 57-Across
ANNOUNCEMENTS $UH \RX ([SHULHQFHG" %ORZ \RXU PLQG ZLWK PRYLH 7KH /LIH RI -LPL +HQGUL[ RQ 3%6 RUJ $PHULFDQ PDVWHUV PLQV )5(( VWUHDPLQJ
32 Functional lawn adornment 36 Per person
63 Fictional detective ___ Archer 64 Like the north side of some rocks 65 ___ Park, Colo.
O R E M
R E A T A
A M F M
L Y R E
G E G A O C O C O H W H O N O C S O L E U S R E T A G R A N G X S S I E D V R T L E D A E R A T R Y S
P O E R A N I I N X P E R E E C S A O G T E T S
O M E G A S
6
7
8
9
28 36
29
30
H I H O
M C A N
E A S Y
P E L E O V P E I N D G O O M
O W N E D
T E A R
U N T O
P E S O
12
13
33
34
35
51
52
16 19 22
26
31
27
32 37
38
39
41
42
44 47
11
24
40
46
10
21
43
45
48
49
53
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE D A O R E R E R E A G M E G A D I P G E S E D M A E L E R O L I T A T L S
5
25
57 Using all of a gym, as in basketball
I M H O
4
23
22 Prell rival
H A W K
3
46 Scoring 100 on
16 Egg: Prefix
49 One who keeps plugging along
%5 %$ FRQGR LQ )RXQWDLQ 3ODFH LQ )RUW 6DQGHUV DUHD :DONLQJ GLVWDQFH WR 87 &RQYHQLHQWO\ ORFDWHG QHDU VKRSSLQJ GRZQWRZQ DQG LQ WHUVWDWH 8WLOLWLHV SDLG FRP PXQLW\ SRRO RQVLWH SDUNLQJ DQG ODXQGU\ )RU VKRZLQJV FDOO 7HQDQWV &KRLFH DW
2
54
50
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
DOWN 1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;There oughta be ___!â&#x20AC;? 2 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alasâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;ahâ&#x20AC;? 3 Curly hair or hazel eyes 4 Haile Selassie disciple 5 Bad-mouth 6 Actress Jenna of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dharma & Gregâ&#x20AC;? 7 Moron 8 Almost any character on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Big Bang Theoryâ&#x20AC;? 9 Fencing blade 10 Radio format 11 Shrink in fear 12 Deflect 13 Word with canal or control
19 Place to get free screwdrivers, say 21 Free throw, e.g. 24 Said, as â&#x20AC;&#x153;adieuâ&#x20AC;? 26 â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ for octopusâ&#x20AC;? 27 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, like you have a chance!â&#x20AC;? 28 Regulatory inits. since 1934 29 ___ around with 30 Winter driving hazard 31 Wide strait 32 Word of qualification 33 Priestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garment 34 Org. with a prohibited-items list 35 Sharerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opposite 38 Parisian assent
41 Yule libation 43 Quarantine 45 & 46 Quite bad 47 Effectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner 48 Something acquired by marriage? 49 Shore fliers 50 Shore fixtures 51 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snowyâ&#x20AC;? wader 52 ___ Valley, German wine region 54 ___ girl 55 Regrets 56
Senators Cruz and Kennedy
58
Machine part
6 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Arts & Culture Editor Claire Dodson
ARTS & CULTURE last year for their videos. CULTURAL OSCARS roomA standout video last year continued from Page 1 The judges are a panel of Spanish professors who judge on a rubric that places heavy influence on creativity as well as a focus on perspective in Spanish culture. “We really wanted to access culture,” said Doll Young, the Spanish language program director who is in charge of the event. “… It’s not the only way to access culture, but it’s a very creative one for students.” Young said in the past the videos made by the students were so creative that the department had to do it again this year. “The most rewarding thing is to see what students can do,” Young said. Young said she was happy to see that students went beyond what they learned in the class-
compared Spanish art in World War II to art in America during the same time, as it was interesting for both students and professors to learn how perspectives of what can be going on in the world can vary by culture despite that it’s all occurring at the same time. In the previous year, the turnout for the event was so large the organizers didn’t have enough chairs for people who showed up. The event’s funding is largely due to Young’s generosity, who pays out of her own pocket, according to Harriman. “I’m really proud of the students more than anything,” Young said. Following the video presentations, there will be a reception for attendees. Admission is free for both students and the public.
pdodson@utk.edu
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Cortney Roark
croark4@utk.edu
Top 5 albums and movies of 2013
5
“The 20/20 Experience Part 1” – Justin Timberlake
Claire’s Take: JT brought back the definition of cool with the first half of the extensive “20/20 Experience.” While the second half seemed a little contrite and excessive, the first part was a refreshingly nuanced track list of awesome music. Highlights: “Pusher Love Girl” and “Strawberry Bubblegum.”
4
“Days Are Gone” – HAIM
Claire’s Take: In 2013, HAIM has spiked in popularity, becoming the coolest girl rockers of the past decade. “Days Are Gone” is an excellent record with spunky riffs and a uniqueness that will hopefully keep them around for a long time. Highlights: “The Wire” and “Don’t Save Me.”
3
they can “Family Tree.”
“Mechanical Bull” – Kings of Leon
Claire’s Take: Kings of Leon returned to music this year after a few rocky moments among the members, and I am so glad. “Mechanical Bull” is simultaneously rough and smooth, with bass lines that are so cool barely be handled. Highlights: “Don’t Matter” and
2
“Music from Baz Luhrman’s ‘The Great Gatsby’” – Jay Z, Lana Del Rey, various artists
Claire’s Take: One of Baz Luhrman’s hallmarks is putting contemporary music in classic stories. With this soundtrack, Luhrman and producer Jay Z excel beyond measure. The songs are interwoven throughout the film, intensifying the characters and storyline. They also remind us that the excess and materialism of the 20s are not so different from today.
1
“Modern Vampires of the City” – Vampire Weekend
Claire’s Take: Hands down the best album of the year. Vampire Weekend’s third effort succeeds with its highly allegoric songwriting and Paul Simon-esque vocals courtesy of Ezra Koenig. This record is poppy and subdued, all under the contemplative guidance of Koenig. Highlights: “Step,” “Ya Hey,” and “Diane Young.” But really all of them.
5
“Iron Man 3”
Cortney’s Take: In most cases (”SpiderMan 3”), the third installment of a superhero franchise is predictable or overdone. This was not the case for “Iron Man 3.” This movie saw Tony Stark break down and ask for help, which developed Stark in a way the viewer had not yet seen. The usuals were still present with just enough exploding and Robert Downey Jr. charm.
4
“Monsters University”
Cortney’s Take: This movie did something that no other movie has ever done: it put monsters in college. Not only college, but a fraternity. The familiar Mike and Sully took the adventure through college (for them, one year) in a way that children could enjoy and college students could appreciate.
3 2 1
“Man of Steel” Cortney’s Take: This movie was my childhood on the big screen; placing it as No. 3 was tough. It had been too long since a good adaptation of “Superman” had been made, and this was more than good. Also, Henry Cavill wore Clark Kent glasses.
“The Great Gatsby” Cortney’s Take: This adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel put the viewer into the world of new money that is Jay Gatsby. The music was fantastic, as well as the costumes. Leonardo DiCaprio perfectly captured the character of Gatsby and as usual, died beautifully.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
Cortney’s Take: It is not often that a sequel is better than the first movie, but that is exactly what “Catching Fire” was. The effects, costuming, music and overall portrayal of the districts and the Capitol were spot on. We’re lucky there are two more “Hunger Games” movies remaining.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 7
ARTS & CULTURE Cyber Monday considered busiest day of the year for online shopping Associated Press NEW YORK — It’s the day of the online deal. Millions of shoppers are expected to shop with the click of their fingers on Monday as retailers offer online deals on the first working day after the fourday Thanksgiving weekend. Cyber Monday is expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the year. The National Retail Federation, a trade group, predicts more than 131 million people will shop online on Monday, up about 2 percent from last year. And research firm comScore expects Cyber Monday sales of $2 billion, up from about $1.47 billion last year. Online sales account for about 10 percent of total holiday spending, which is expected to grow about 3.9 percent to $602.1 billion for the months of November and December. “We’re expecting to see strong gains as retailers roll out new promotions and make new products available on their websites,” said Jay Henderson, strategy director for IBM. “Online commerce seems to really be driving this holiday season.” Cyber Monday comes after retailers’ failed efforts to boost spending during the extended holiday weekend. They offered big discounts in early November, and several opened stores on Thanksgiving Day itself. But The National Retail Federation predicts that spending fell for the first time ever, down 2.9 percent to $57.4 billion, during the four days that ended on Sunday. Retailers plan to lure online shoppers with on Monday with deals. About 81 percent of retailers say they will have Cyber Monday
specific deals, according to the NRF’s online arm, called Shop.org. But this year so-called Cyber Monday seems to have stretched into Cyber Week or even Cyber Month, with retailers from Amazon to Wal-Mart rolling out online deals since the beginning of November On Monday morning, Abercrombie & Fitch was offering 50 percent off everything online plus free shipping. Target had deals including $70 off a 32-inch TV with a Roku streaming stick, on sale for $229.99 and a Dyson vacuum for $399.99, $200 off. Amazon started its cyber deals on midnight on Sunday, including halfoff some toys and half off a 46-nich Samsung LED HDTV at $477.99. And WalMart began offering onlineonly deals on Saturday, including $500 off a 55-inch LED TV bundle and free shipping on orders over $35. Stephanie Appiah, 25, a student in Williamsburg, Va., started looking for online deals on Thanksgiving but held off buying most items to see what the deals would be like on Monday. At 4 a.m. Monday she bought a Chromecast streaming video and music device from Google because the freeshipping offer on the $35 device wasn’t going to last. On Monday morning, Arthur Baynes, 30, was checking out email deals on his smartphone. Baynes, a travel insurance claims adjuster from Richmond, Va., was looking for a new TV and Blu-Ray games for his younger relatives. “When I’m looking for something, I’ll look it up on my phone and then use the Amazon app on my iPad to buy,” he said. “It’s just easier. I don’t have to sit down where my computer is.”
Arts & Culture Editor Claire Dodson
pdodson@utk.edu
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Cortney Roark
croark4@utk.edu
A granddaughter’s soliloquy: The reason I write memories that defined our bond. And I slipped away, too, becoming more focused on college and what I was going to do with my life. On Thanksgiving Day, I sat by my
Claire Dodson Arts & Culture Editor It was my Granny Barbara who gave me my first notebook. And the second. And the around 50 that came after. Each time I visited her cozy, shagcarpeted house, I would beg her for a new one. I never filled in all the pages, but I was enchanted by that opportunistic blankness of a brand new spiral. It was my Granny Barbara who taught me about creation, sitting with me for hours while we crafted the perfect paper dolls. She laughed and smiled as I told her my dolls’ names and gave them stories and adventures. She was the first person that encouraged me to write things down. My grandmother was a civil servant and a Marine wife. She was also a writer – never published, but always capturing, always recording. She traveled with my grandfather to California, North and South Carolina, Hawaii, each time rebuilding a life and home for my dad and uncle. When my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago, I wasn’t convinced things would really change in our relationship. Though, of course, they did. She gradually slipped away, losing many of the
“ I understood how
important recording was to her, because I was now feeling that desperate urge to collect what was already slipping through my hands.” -Claire Dodson
slipping through my hands. While going through some of her things, I found a typed journal entry that talked about me and a time we had gone to McDonald’s together. “I was enchanted with Claire as she played on the equipment, but especially as she showed her great fondness of Ronald McDonald by sitting on his lap, in the crook of his arms for a long time. Claire hugged Ronald and kissed his face and said, ‘My Donald.’ Then she looked over at me so contentedly and said, ‘I could stay here forever.’” When you read this in today’s Daily Beacon, I like to think that this makes my grandmother a published author, even if it is just of a somewhat embarrassing recollection of my 3-year-old self’s obsession with Ronald. Although I was too young to remember this moment, I can picture it – the sun shining down on Ronald’s plastic head and Granny Barbara just looking at me and smiling, content. Maybe she was also thinking “I could stay here forever.” Despite the sadness of the past few days, I have been reminded of the subtle impacts my grandmother had on the lives of others. She was a supportive friend, a loving mother, a good listener. She was also my Granny Barbara – a woman who taught me about grace and fresh starts and the importance of words. And it is through my words that we really can stay here forever.
Granny Barbara in hospice as she passed away after a stroke. I held her hand and told her not to be afraid, told her how important she was to us and that we loved her. Some part of me thinks that even in her debilitated state, she heard. Immediately after she died, the first thing I could think to do was write, capture all of my memories of her before I forgot. I understood how important recording was to her, Claire Dodson is a junior in because I was now feeling that desper- English. She can be reached at pdodate urge to collect what was already son@utk.edu.
8 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Arts & Culture Editor Claire Dodson
ARTS & CULTURE
pdodson@utk.edu
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Cortney Roark
croark4@utk.edu
•
Photo Courtesy of “Spirited”
‘Spirited’ production elicits widespread holiday cheer
Janet Clazzy makes up the two-person variety show “Spirited” with Jonathan Cringle. The production is a combination of music, singing and humor. “Spirited” will incorporate storytelling and Christmas carols just in time for the holiday.
Live, Learn, and Work with a Community Overseas. Take charge of your future while making a real impact as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Learn a new language and get the crosscultural & technical skills to create projects in your community. Make a difference overseas and return home with the experience and global perspective to stand out in a competitive job market. Paid travel, vacation time, living stipends, DQG IXOO PHGLFDO EHQH¿WV DUH LQOXGHG ZLWK Peace Corps service.
You could be making a difference overseas by this time next year. Submit an online application NOW to be considered for programs departing before December 2014! www.peacecorps.gov/apply For more info contact Peace Corps’ UTK Campus Recruiter Amanda McRoy at peacecorps@tennessee.edu | (865) 974-0428 Like Us on Facebook: Peace Corps at the University of Tennessee
Claire Dodson Arts & Culture Editor “One hour. Great music. Incredible originality. You will laugh. You will cry.” This is how conductor and musician Janet Clazzy describes “Spirited,” a two-person variety show featuring Clazzy and bestselling author of “Mr. Kringle’s Tales … 26 Stories ‘Til Christmas,” Jonathan Cringle. The duo began traveling full-time around the country in 2010 with a show combining stories from Cringle’s blog, Jonathots
and Clazzy’s original music. The two will bring “Spirited” to Colonial Heights United Methodist Church Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. “We realized that the first week of December was ideal for putting together a onehour version of our material and offering it to folks in a kind of early-getting-readyfor-Christmas-before -peo ple-become-crazy,” Clazzy said. “As Jonathan says, ‘We need a good Christmas this year.’” When Cringle wrote “Mr. Kringle’s Tales,” he said he intended it to be for
all ages; he said he wants “Spirited” to have the same effect. “One of the worst things we do in our country is approach everything by demographics, as if someone who is 18 years of age can’t enjoy something that would intrigue a 50 year old. It’s ridiculous,” Cringle said. “I think funny is funny, heartfelt is heartfelt and truth is truth. As long as you don’t act like the best things that happened were 20 years ago, you can keep your message current, and therefore ageless.” “Spirited” will combine storytelling and Christmas carols just in time for the holiday season. Clazzy said the show brings in a diverse array of music and stories they hope will entertain every audience. “Some of the stories are Santa-toy-shop -hilarious, some are sacred, some are actually sci-fi,” Clazzy said. “I play the oboe and the WX5 wind machine, which has 250 different available sounds. Also, there’s our version of ‘Silent Night,’ called ‘Stille Nocturne,’ a tribute to the original version, which was both German and heard on the guitar. “I play it on the Spanish guitar sound on the wind machine, and it is gorgeous.”
Both Clazzy and Cringle said sometimes the true meaning of Christmas gets lost amid the busyness of the season, and they hope to provide attendees with a reminder of what they feel is the purpose of the holiday. “(We want) to give people the opportunity to establish the true message of Christmas – the knowledge that the birth of a baby to a peasant woman changed the world,” Clazzy said. “How much could we change our own world just by incorporating a little more giving and a little less selfishness?” Cringle also emphasized the power of the holiday in how it can bring people together. “(‘Spirited’) is a combination of music, singing, humor, essays and just great stories about how the Christmas season has transforming power in all of our lives, from the time we are little tots until our journey is through,” Cringle said. “It’s a chance to connect the dots between each other by sharing the memories we have in common. “Christmas is our universal picture album, which each one of us shares with all mankind,” Cringle added. “We just pull it out of the cobwebs and let people enjoy the reflections.”
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 9
10 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Sports Editor David Cobb
SPORTS
dcobb3@utk.edu
Assistant Sports Editor Troy Provost-Heron tprovost@utk.edu
Mullins breaks UT’s all-time digs record, caps decorated career Contributor
It took 1,786 digs, 126 matches and four years of wearing orange and white for Ellen Mullins to get where she is today, but it took just a single moment for the Tennessee native to become a Vol for life. And it was a moment the leader of UT’s 2013 volleyball team had been awaiting for her entire life. “I’m from Nashville originally, so UT has always been close to my heart,” Mullins said. “It means a lot, and it’s something to take pride in, coming here. I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else.” Mullins stepped onto the court four years ago for the Lady Vols as a fourtime Tennessee state championship competitor, a finalist for the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009 and the first player in her alma mater’s history to start each game for four consecutive years. However, her greatest success was yet to come. Flash forward four years, and Mullins is now entrenched as one of the best defensive specialists in Tennessee Lady Vols history. After a home match against the Florida Nov. 20, Mullins became the career digs leader in the history of Tennessee volleyball. She closed her career last week with 1,786 digs.
Mullins not only topped former Lady Vol record holder, Chloe Goldman (1,755 digs) in Tennessee career digs history, but she has also passed Goldman on the all-time leader board for career digs in SEC history, leaving Mullins at No. 5. Though Mullins has left a few humble words in her interview trail following her record breaking success, head coach Rob Patrick illustrated just how monumental Mullins’ feat truly is. “The thing I think people need to understand is that it’s not that she just broke our records. It’s that most records she’s breaking are held by allAmericans (Amy Morris), by defensive players of the year (Chloe Goldman),” Patrick said. “She’s breaking records that were set by some of the very top players that played NCAA volleyball. That’s what makes what she does so incredible.” Apart from becoming one of the greatest Tennessee volleyball players Knoxville has ever seen, she’s also shown her admirable character as, first and foremost for Mullins, a member of the Tennessee volleyball team. “She’s a team player,” said Patrick. “Individual awards are really secondary to Ellen. That’s what so great about her. She’ll talk first about winning the SEC championship before she’ll talk about her records. That’s just who she is. She lives that. She lives that every day in practice. And then she lives that every day in matches.
“That’s what makes her such a great player. I couldn’t have a better player on the team. I wish I had 12 of her.” Though Mullins’ success has been abundant, her four years have included trials. A rebuilding UT squad struggled to a 9-23 (1-16 SEC) record this year. “This year she’s a captain,” Patrick said. “And she’s suffered a lot. We have such a young team and a lot of newcomers on the team. But she’s somebody that has affected the team in an incredibly positive way, not just on the court, but off the court.” So what’s this volleyball standout going to miss about being a Lady Vol? She offered a few answers prior to Saturday’s season-ending match. “They’ve given me so many things to miss,” Mullins said. “I’m gonna miss my teammates. They’re like my sisters. And the coaching staff, they’re like my family. I’ll miss just running out of that tunnel out of TBA. It’s hard to know that it’s gonna be the last time I step foot, playing, in Thompson-Boling.” However, Mullins’ isn’t the only nostalgic member of the Tennessee volleyball program as she concludes her career. “I just couldn’t be more proud of who she is as a person and how she’s represented Tennessee for four years,” Patrick said. “Like I said, she’s one of the all-time great Tennessee volleyball players. I’m so glad — I’m so blessed Tennessee senior libero Ellen Mullens records a dig against the — that she’s part of our program.” LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena on Nov. 17.
Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon
Marina Waters
MO COUCH continued from Page 1 The Orlando, Fla., native missed the Vols’ final 11 games after being ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA, something he said was not easy to handle. “It was tough watching because I never ever thought I’d be at home watching my boys play,” Couch said. “But my wife, she helped me a lot through it. And the fact that I’m graduating, it kept me positive throughout the whole process.” Collegiate players receiving benefits has been a problem for the NCAA for years, but Couch
said he doesn’t think that players will ever stop accepting money. “You have guys from all different backgrounds, especially if you grew up not having anything,” Couch said. “You have this guy that will pop up in your face and say, ‘You’re a great athlete. I’m going to give you 10,000.’ From having nothing and seeing that kind of money, of course you’re going to take it. It happens all the time. “A lot of guys still do it, and it’s never going to stop. It’s just a part of it.” Couch said he has been invited to the Senior Bowl, which will be played in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 25, 2014 and has been
told by Tennessee head coach Butch Jones he is welcome to participate in UT’s pro day. “Probably not too many coaches would have done that,” Couch said. He also apologized to the fans and his teammates for any distraction the situation may have caused. “I’m going to take full responsibility for what I did, and I don’t have any regrets at all,” Couch said. “I just felt I owed it to the fans, and everybody should know I’m not going to sit in a closet and hide from everybody and let everybody else take care of it for me. As far as being a distraction, I wanted to apologize for it.”
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 11 Sports Editor David Cobb
SPORTS FIRST PLACE
dcobb3@utk.edu
Assistant Sports Editor Troy Provost-Heron tprovost@utk.edu
Beacon staff’s final thoughts on Pick ‘Ems Gage Arnold Copy Chief
No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn No. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State Rice - Marshall
This Year: 50-20
SECOND PLACE
Patrick Lamb Media Specialist III
Troy Provost-Heron
Melodi Erdogan
David Cobb
Assistant Sports Editor
Managing Editor
Sports Editor
Fifteen weeks. Six contestants. One winner. Even though that one winner will not be me, as the assistant sports editor, Troy Provost-Heron, likes to point out, one will emerge above the others. Like they say, the best will succeed. Except they don’t say that. I say that. But that doesn’t make it any less true. This year, I’ve had the lovely opportunity of participating in this amazing competition that plots me against my fellow peers and co-workers. When I was first approached about being a part of this community, I had to ask myself, “What is pick ‘ems?” Now, I know a whole lot more. My intelligence of football has drastically changed ever since I started contributing as the managing editor to The Daily Beacon’s weekly pick ‘ems. For a brief amount of time, I held the top spot, where Copy Chief Gage Arnold now sits; before this football season, I had only been to one football game and now I have been to three. THREE! I now know and understand the significance football holds in the Knoxville community and to UT in general. I’m sure lots of people say this, but football has changed my life. I would love to say a final few words to my friends and competitors. Gage, you smell fantastic. Troy, shave those sporadic placements of hair that you call a “beard.” Media Specialist III, you’re my favorite media specialist III. David, UT athletics will miss you. Cortney, bless your heart. Finally, thank you UT athletics for opening my eyes to Tennessee’s true culture.
As the sports editor, my primary concern is for the well-being of the sports section as a whole. This role can require self-sacrifice in order to cultivate a sharp, engaging newspaper that members of the UT campus will enjoy perusing. Though the possibility of not winning this competition is damaging to my pride, the fact that the standings have remained close all season means I have done my job. Could I have dominated the competition and picked each game correctly all season? Certainly. But who would find pleasure in following a competition that is, in fact, no competition at all. Now let’s change gears and switch to a serious note. Serving as the sports editor of The Daily Beacon this fall has been an honor. More specifically, the opportunity to offer commentary to the campus on UT football each Monday has been a privilege. This fan base is so passionate about the Vols, and it has been my goal to connect with fans and fellow students in a down-to-earth way by articulating my take on the state of affairs on Rocky Top. Beyond that, reporting on a controversy between UT and the Pride of the Southland Band allowed me to bring previously unreported information to light. What an honor that people so invested in a team and this university would trust me to inform them on something they care about. That’s why I love journalism. That’s why I’m crazy enough to try and make it my profession. People deserve to be informed on the happenings at a public university that they attend, that they work at, that they donate to and that they love. Thank you for letting me try and inform you, both this semester and over my now two and a half years working in some capacity for the Beacon. Though there are plenty of slow news days and this staff consists of young journalists still gaining their bearings, I firmly believe that the presence of an editiorially independent student newspaper at a public university like this is a vital neccessity. Best of luck on finals. Merry Christmas.
Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn Throughout this tumultuous football seaNo. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State son I’ve made some dumb picks – A&M Rice - Marshall
over LSU and Tennessee to beat Missouri, just to name a few – but never once have I let those picks rattle me. THIRD PLACE After falling 3 games back in this little contest just two weeks ago, I rebounded to Troy Provost-Heron Asst. Sports Editor go 5-0 last week to climb within one and No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State regain a chance to claim the title. No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State And honestly, my late resurgence doesn’t No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn shock me, nor should it be a surprise to anyone else. No. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State Pardon my hubris, but just like my pal Rice - Marshall Michael Jordan, I have always been a clutch This Year: 49-21 performer in almost every competitive arena I have ever entered. FOURTH PLACE Unlike Jordan, who won his first title Melodi Erdogan Managing Editor seven seasons into his basketball career, I’m going for my first championship in my No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State debut season. No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State Once again, I am not surprised. No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn I was blessed with a gift and I’ve never No. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State found a reason to complain. My good friend and Daily Beacon copy Rice - Marshall chief, Gage Arnold, seems to be learning all This Year: 48-22 of this as well. While Gage Sauce has held the top spot FIFTH PLACE on the Pick ‘Em now for quite some time, he hasn’t been able to shake me and going David Cobb Sports Editor perfect last week has gotten to him, I can No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State see it in his eyes as well as the way his No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State femininely-fragranced hands are shaking. No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn Just like Ned Stark, Gage will be beheadNo. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State ed this week, and his executioner, the one who will be making his “handsome” face Rice - Marshall fall in the standings, will be me. This Year: 48-22 I personally guarantee a championship, anything less and it will be a failure of a DEAD STINKIN’ LAST season – even though beating Mel will be Cortney Roark Asst. Arts & Culture Editor pretty sweet – and I don’t know what failure feels like. No. 20 Duke - No. 1 Florida State The game clock is running out. No. 2 Ohio State - No. 10 Michigan State Watch me hit the game-winner.
This Year: 49-21
No. 5 Missouri - No. 3 Auburn No. 7 Stanford - No. 11 Arizona State Rice - Marshall
This Year: 39-31
Troy Provost-Heron is a sophomore in journalism & electronic media and a soonto-be champion of Pick ‘Ems. He can be reached at tprovost@utk.edu.
Melodi Erdogan is a sophomore in well, none of you actually care, so I’m not even going to waste my time. She can be reached at merdogan@utk.edu.
David Cobb is a junior in journalism & electronic media. He can be reached at dcobb3@utk. edu or on Twitter @DavidWCobb
12 • THE DAILY BEACON
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Sports Editor David Cobb
SPORTS
dcobb3@utk.edu
Assistant Sports Editor Troy Provost-Heron tprovost@utk.edu
Season-ending win has Vols trending upward
Troy Provost-Heron Assistant Sports Editor
his shoulders. Instead, he looked like a signal caller with a promising future, all while playing with a banged up right leg and hand. Rajion Neal and the offensive line ran all over the Wildcat defense. The young wide receivers managed to play well, even without Marquez North, who has been one of few consistently contributing from the position. Defensively, the line dominated, and the secondary that returns every starter next season shut down the Wildcat passing attack, especially Cam Sutton, who should be one of the premier shutdown corners in SEC for years to come. And yes, all of this came against Kentucky, a team that has a total of two wins against Division I opponents in the past two seasons, but it isn’t easy to get up for a game when it really doesn’t matter. The proof of that comes from one of Tennessee’s biggest rivals, the Florida Gators, who had a very unlikely chance, but a chance nonetheless, at a bowl game berth and squandered it by losing to Georgia Southern. Credit is due to Jones and his staff, as well as the seniors, for getting the team up to play for a game that meant a lot more for the future of the Volunteer football program than it did for Team 117. This season may be marked as a failure on the field, but the program definitely took a few steps forward in terms of regaining some of its former glory by developing and recruiting. Oh, and most importantly, by finding the right coach.
It’s safe to say the 2013 college football season didn’t go exactly how the Volunteer faithful thought it would. The season wasn’t filled with national title aspirations or even thoughts of an SEC Championship, but a 6-6, 7-5 record didn’t seem like too much to ask for. Then came a loss against Vanderbilt that, added to Auburn and Missouri outplaying their preseason projections by a lot, turned what seemed like a quality season into a disappointing 5-7 record for the Vols with no bowl game on the horizon. First-year head coach Butch Jones said throughout the season that the team’s goal was to make it to a bowl game, so from that perspective, the 2013 season was a failure. With that said, it was not a step back, and Saturday’s matchup against Kentucky proved that. All week Tennessee players – especially the seniors – talked about finishing the season off 1-0 to start up a UT winning streak on the road and create some momentum heading into the off-season. They backed that talk up inside Commonwealth Stadium, arguably playing the best game as a team they had all season. Freshman Joshua Dobbs Troy Provost-Heron is a didn’t look like the 18-year- sophomore in journalism & old quarterback that had the electronic media. He can be hopes and dreams of hundreds reached at tprovost@utk.edu. of thousands of Vol fans on
Grading the Vols’ season Daily Beacon Sports Editor David Cobb covered every UT football game — save Oregon and Kentucky — in 2013 and totalled the position grades from the Beacon staff into a cumulative grade per position based on their performance this season.
Quarterbacks
2.08 C
Running Backs
3.00 B Wide Receivers
2.70 BOffensive Line
2.86 B-
Defensive Line
2.58 C+ Linebackers
2.52 C+ Defensive Backs
2.25 C
Special Teams
2.92 B-
Joshua Dobbs played the best game of his young career at Kentucky on Saturday in UT’s season finale, but it could not save the quarterbacks from receiving a low grade for the year. Dobbs’ growing pains and Nathan Peterman’s disastrous start at Florida showed that Justin Worley probably was UT’s best option under center in 2013.
Rajion Neal surpassed 1,000 yards at Kentucky on UT’s second play from scrimmage when he scampered 60 yards for a score. He and Marlin Lane provided stability in the backfield this season for an otherwise unstable Tennessee team.
This group entered the season as the biggest rebuilding project on the roster after losing an abundance of playmakers from the 2012 roster. Freshman Marquez North proved better than advertised and Alton “Pig” Howard emerged as a legitimate playmaker. Jason Croom established himself as a player that could remain relevant even after an influx of new wide receivers enter the picture in 2014.
This group entered the year touted as perhaps the best offensive line in the SEC, if not the nation. Though it’s safe to say the veteran-laden line failed to live up to expectations, the group played sufficiently in 2013. Unless Antonio “Tiny” Richardson returns for his senior season, a massive rebuilding project lies ahead for the offensive line.
Corey Miller embodied the theme of the season for the defensive line on Saturday with his school-record 4.5 sacks against UK. Resurgent seniors led this group all season and helped them show improvement in the return to a four-man front following Sal Sunseri’s problematic one-year tenure as defensive coordinator in 2012.
This group struggled much of the year without Curt Maggitt, who opted for a medical redshirt. A.J. Johnson, Dontavis Sapp and Brent Brewer held down the middle of the Vols defense for essentially the entirety of the season but struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks and slot receivers.
Cameron Sutton played far beyond his years in 2013. Vanderbilt All-American receiver Jordan Matthews burned the freshman cornerback in a key situation of a key game, but that aside, he takes the honors for best UT defensive back this season. The rest of the secondary will likely be fighting for jobs against an influx of talent next season.
Michael Palardy deserves an “A” for his performance in 2013, especially given the sizable turnaround from his previous three years at UT. The kickoff return team failed to affect games, though, and UT’s kickoff return defense showed susceptibility.
Season GPA: 2.46, C+ As I predicted they would in the football preview edition, the Vols finished 5-7 in Butch Jones’ inaugural season as head coach. If recruiting were a category in these grades, UT’s GPA would be much higher. However, until the results come in the form of wins, the jury should stay out on Jones.