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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012 • WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY • WKUHERALD.COM • VOLUME 88 NO. 11
SPORTS BASEBALL FALL PRACTICE UNDER WAY PAGE 8 NEWS DIVERSITY OFFICE EXPANDING FOCUS AT WKU PAGE 3 CASH CONSCIOUS RESPONSIBLE CREDIT CARD USE PAGE 3 ONLINE INTERACTIVE CRIME MAP WKUHERALD.COM
TWEETS FROM THE HILL PAGE 5
Robberies near campus prompt attention from WKU Whitten told police he thought it was “a little odd” for the two men to be wearing hoodies as he watched them approach him. The men robbed Whitten as he walked on 13th and High Street to reach his residence. Whitten followed the men for several minutes while on the phone with police before losing sight of them on State Street. Smith watched as the culprits ran at him, robbing him
CAMERON KOCH NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
Bowling Green police responded to two armed robberies near campus last Friday, prompting a WKU text alert. Two black males wearing black hoodies and bandanas robbed Springfield, Tenn., senior Ryan Whitten and Glasgow senior Tevis Smith at gunpoint in two separate instances, according to the police report.
as he walked on 13th and Park Street toward his residence. In each case, one of the robbers told Smith and Whitten at gunpoint to “give me everything you got,” with Smith having a gun placed on his chest, according to the report. Smith and Whitten both surrendered their wallets containing cash as well as debit and credit cards. Smith also gave up his iPhone. Smith began to track his stolen phone and provide in-
formation to BGPD while remotely activating a tone from the phone, according to the report. As police responded to the scene, two men fitting the reported description fled on foot. A BGPD search of the area near the 1200 block of Center Street recovered Smith’s stolen cell phone, as well as a Daisy CO2 powered BB gun pistol, according to the report. The suspects may have fled to and drove off in a vehicle,
though the report states BGPD attempts to locate it were unsuccessful. Mandi Johnson, WKU Police Department’s communication officer, said though WKUPD wasn’t directly involved in this matter, they monitor BGPD dispatch and pay close attention to crimes near campus. “We thought there might be a possibility of them coming onto campus,” she said. “That’s why the alert was sent, just to give everybody a heads up.”
Security pulls singer Matt Shultz out of the crowd for the second time in a row during Cage the Elephant's set at Starry Nights on Saturday. DANNY GUY/HERALD
Thousands flock to farm for
starry nights ALLISON GOODAN & ANNA ANDERSON DIVERSIONS@WKUHERALD.COM
The crowd arrived in droves on Friday to Ballance Farms. Tires slashed through the mud and gravel crunched underfoot. Tents were assembled in what seemed like a choreographed style as peo-
ple settled into their campsite for the weekend. Some wandered among the food and art vendors, chain smoking and chatting with new people. As the sky began to dim, a cool fog rolled in. At 9:30 p.m. Buffalo Rodeo kicked off the weekend. A plume of smoke — cigarette and
maybe some pot — hovered over the crowd. The Starry Nights Festival had begun. The fourth year of the festival, which skipped last year, was in full force. “This year, it’s a lot bigger,” WKU alum Allison Paul said. The 21-year-old Bowling Green resident has attended every Star-
ry Nights since the first festival in 2008. Paul said she keeps coming back to have a good time with her friends. This year, 23 bands were featured on two stages, the “Big Dipper” and the “Little Dipper.” The music started on Friday at 9:30 p.m. SEE STARRY NIGHTS PAGE 2
Booth at international fest aims to help Ugandan children ELLA BURNSIDE DIVERSIONS@WKUHERALD.COM
Hundreds of Bowling Green residents flocked into downtown Bowling Green on Saturday for the International Festival. Each year, on the last Saturday in September, Bowling Green’s Circus Square Park becomes a one-stop, international marketplace. People of all different ethnicities come to share their culture and heritage with residents through music, dance, authentic foreign foods and activities that educate children about the different cultures represented. The festival, which began at 9 a.m. and lasted until 7 p.m., was a flutter
of activity. People lined up outside the fence to get into the festival, families walked from booth to booth, and children performed the dances of their culture in traditional clothing. Those running the booths and serving food spoke to one another in their countries’ native language. Louisville freshman Leah Brown described the festival as a miniature representation of the diversity of America. “The United States is called the ‘Melting Pot’ for a reason,” Brown said. “We are a very diverse country and it’s cool to see all of that diversity in one place, Thet Thet, 12, of Thailand waits with fellow dancers for her performance to begin at the Inter-
SEE FESTIVAL PAGE 3 national Festival in Bowling Green on Saturday. DOROTHY EDWARDS/HERALD
TUE. 67˚/ 57˚ WED. 74˚/ 53˚ THU. 82˚/ 67˚ TOPPERS STILL LOOKING FOR 'COMPLETE' WIN SPORTS PAGE 8
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ADJUST TO WKU LIFE PAGE 2
FORENSICS TEAM HOSTS TOURNAMENT PAGE 3
FRI. 75˚/ 46˚
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OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
STARRY NIGHTS CONTINUED FROM FRONT
and lasted until 2 a.m., picking back up at 11 a.m. on Saturday and going until 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Nashville’s The Kingston Springs played at the Little Dipper on Saturday afternoon. The band has been a part of Starry Nights for two years. Ian Ferguson, one of the band’s singers/guitarists was surprised by turnout of the crowd. “This is unreal compared to two years ago,” Ferguson said. The Kingston Springs woke the audience up with bluesy Southern rock. The band has also played at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. When asked about what type of venue they like, the group said they enjoy playing house shows the most. The band related Starry Nights’ small crowd and relaxed atmosphere to the “soul of a house show.” “People go crazy,” drummer, Matt DeMaio, said. Today, The Kingston Springs’ second album, self-titled and self-produced, will be released. While many were returning to Starry Nights, there were new faces as well. It was Savannah Wolfgram’s first music festival. The 18-year-old Nashville freshman came to see her favorite artist, Justin Townes Earle, for the eleventh time. “It’s more exciting every time I see him,” Wolfgram said. At one point, she wanted to see Justin Townes Earle but had to have jaw surgery. Her mother emailed him, and Townes invited Wolfgram to a private show. “He even called me,” she said. “But I couldn’t talk because my jaw was wired shut.” Also new to Starry Nights were brothers Cary and Michael Thorup of Hippy Trippy Brothers Tie-Dye. The brothers set up a colorful tent where they sold their hand-dyed shirts, tapestries and bed linens. Based out of Lebanon, Tenn., the Thorups were busy this summer making merchandise and traveling to festivals such as Gnarnia and Summer Solstice. Cary and Michael took
time off from their full-time jobs to pursue tie-dye over the summer. The brothers personalize their tie-dye by using up to 36 vibrant colors and designs such as mushrooms, guitars and stars. “So many people have done this,” Cary said. “But this is our own twist on it.” After working this summer at music fests, they’ve acquired new dye and chemicals, found a local store that manufactures T-shirts and made more connections. Cary and Michael said they feel like they have a solid base to continue tie-dying. They hope to get a website started soon and would eventually like to expand their business even more. “A shop would be cool as shit,” Michael said. As for the food vendors, supplies ran short. There were five, and the long lines clogged the main thoroughfare by the stages. Of the few vendors, only three offered full meals and continued to run out of ingredients. Despite a few hiccups, a lot of people said they enjoyed themselves. “We had a really good vibe on stage,” Ben Stix, the drummer for Space Capone, said. “I like how it’s more of a local vibe.” Space Capone, a funky R&B band from Nashville, has been around its fair share of music festivals. Mikie Martel, the trumpet player for the band, worked at Bonnaroo for nine years. Martel said Starry Nights was less corporate. This year was Starry Nights’ most popular year to date. By Saturday night, everyone was soaking in the atmosphere. Despite the damp, cold fall air, thousands were present, adorned with glow sticks, face paint and costumes. Some danced, some swayed, moshed and sang, but all enjoyed the live music. Band members and audience members alike seemed to enjoy the colorful community. Some people, like Stix, would like to see Starry Nights reach its full potential. I see room to grow,” he said.
Forensics team co-hosts “Forensics Fiesta” TAYLOR HARRISON NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
The WKU forensics team co-hosted and took place in a two-part tournament over the weekend. The other co-host was Miami University of Ohio. WKU didn’t win overall — or in forensics jargon, “sweepstakes” — for either tournament, because host schools do not enter sweepstakes, even though they had enough points to win Sunday. Dawn Lowry, individual events coordinator, said the students put in a lot of work to get ready for the tournament, which lasted from Friday to Sunday. “We put in hours of practice every day,” Lowry said. “On the weekends, they’ve been working extremely hard preparing for this tournament.” Lowry said the tournament consisted of many different speech events including limited preparation, acting and interpretation, debate and public speaking events. “The kids have worked hard to become a competitive force,” Lowry said WKU’s team closed out the semi-finals in a debate cat-
Miami junior Nick Gilyard pages through his binder before his event at the WKU/OU Fiesta Speech and Debate Tournament in the basement of Cherry Hall on Sunday, Sept. 30. DANNY GUY/HERALD
egory, winning the top four spots for the Lincoln-Douglas one-on-one debate. Even though this tournament was the first for individual events, the debate team has had one tournament already. Chris Joffrion, director of debate, said there is a lot of pressure on the team, because they finished second in the nation last year instead of first for the first time in years. “At Western, we take speech and debate as seriously as the university takes athletics,” Joffrion said. “They work just as hard as athletes do.”
Members of the team took home several of the individual events. Junior Marshall Covert, of St. Paul, Minn., participated in multiple events, such as interpretation and limited preparation. “I like duo interpretation the best, because it’s the only event that you get to work with a partner, and so you get to play off each other’s reactions and kind of like show a relationship building,” Covert said. Covert and his partner, Emma Wilczynski, earned second place in the duo interpretation event on Saturday, despite “first tournament jitters.”
Crime reports Reports • Sophomore Arielle Carter, Pearce Ford Tower, reported a subject in need of medical assistance in the PFT courtyard on Sept. 30. • Freshman Sabria Yocum, PFT, reported her laptop computer stolen from the lobby on Sept. 30. The value of the stolen property is estimated at $300. • Freshman Connor Sikora, Keen Hall, reported his vehicle was damaged from a baseball striking the rear hatch window on Sept. 29. The damage is estimated at $1,000. • Freshman Devarus Rashard Robinson, McCormack Hall, reported his debit card and food stamps card stolen from his wallet on Sept. 29. • Graduate student Meghana Gaharwar,
Bowling Green, filed a harassment complaint to WKU Police Department on Sept. 28. • Freshman Cody Thompson, Barnes Campbell Hall, reported his laptop computer stolen from his room on Sept. 29. The value of the stolen property is estimated at $1,500. Arrests • Police arrested Hopkinsville sophomore Ross Goodaker for alcohol intoxication on Sept. 29. • Officers observed an active fight on the sidewalk between Poland Hall and PFT on Sept. 29. Police arrested freshman Adam Rutherford, McCormack, for disorderly conduct and freshman John Tyson, PFT, for disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication.
OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
Diversity office restructures TAYLOR HARRISON NEWS@WKUHERALD.COM
The Office of Diversity Programs is changing a lot, including its name, in order to be more productive this year. Starting Jan. 1, the office will be called the Office of Diversity Inclusion and Outreach. Richard Miller, vice provost and chief diversity officer, said the new name reflects a plan for the office to focus more on outreach and a broader definition of diversity. “I think we owe that to our students more so than anything else because they’re the ones that are the primary stakeholders here and they’re the reasons why we’re here,” Miller said. At a diversity enhancement committee meeting Miller led, the group discussed the many planned changes. Miller began the meeting stating diversity is more than just race. “The conversation has really shifted from an exclusive focus on race,” he said. “It is now a broader conversation which is, I think, something that is reflected in our diversity plan.” Miller also said he feels the diversity office has been marginalized in the past. “There are some things that it should be doing that it hasn’t been able to do for a variety of reasons — not the least of which are the resource limitations,” he said. Another change is the Minority Hiring Plan. This academic year is the first time the office has been able to secure recurring funds for the plan. Miller said all minorities are eligible, even women in a male dominated profession or vice versa.
“So we’re looking at diversity not only from the standpoint of race, but also an individual that is underrepresented in their discipline,” he said. If a department is able to identify and hire a qualified miMILLER nority applicant, the CDO diversity plan will pay 50 percent of the person’s salary and benefits for the first three years and 25 percent of the person’s benefits and salary for the next three years. Another issue discussed was the lack of a diversity presence on South Campus. The office used to be represented there, turned into a place to send unruly students rather than its intended purpose, Michelle Hollis, interim director for the office, said. Hollis said South Campus adds diversity to the university because a lot of African-American students attend South Campus. “I think that if you take away the students from South Campus, WKU as a whole loses some of its diversity,” Hollis said. Aaron Hughey, professor in Counseling and Student Affairs and member of the committee, said he believes diversity is important for students. “I was raised in a small rural community in Tennessee with very little diversity and a great deal of racism, and I think if we’re ever going to overcome racist views that are held by a lot of folks, then discrimination education is going to be the key to that,” Hughey said.
FESTIVAL
CONTINUED FROM FRONT at one time, and have it be something that is celebrated.” Within the melting pot of the international festival was one booth that stood out to many of the festivals attendees. The booth was squished between the Costa Rican stand and the stage where young Burmese dancers performed a line dance together. It was run by Elizabethtown-based non-profit organization “Fields of Dreams Uganda.” The executive director of Fields of Dreams Uganda (FoDU), Michael Warneke, spent
the day talking to festival attendees about his organization and the work they do to help children in Uganda. The mission of FoDU is to provide hope for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Uganda through the vehicles of soccer and education. Volunteer and WKU alumni Rebecca Redd joined Warneke. Redd graduated with her bachelor’s in social work in 2008 and her master’s, also in social work, in 2010. While at WKU she was a member of Phi Alpha and was a homecoming contestant in 2008. Redd became involved in FoDU when she met Warneke through an or-
DIVERSIONS@WKUHERALD.COM
Adjusting to life on campus can be difficult for freshmen, from knowing what to wear to a party to deciding whether or not to go to that class without an attendance policy. But, international students at WKU have to adjust to more than college life — they are living in a brand new culture, language and lifestyle. Graduate student Meha Patel is 8,050 miles away from her home country. Patel walks around campus at night with friends when she starts to miss her cool, green country and her family. “It clears my mind,” she said. Patel is a healthcare administration major who wants to return to “green” Nairobi, Kenya, after graduation. Saturday, at the Bowling Green International Festival, Patel worked a henna tattoo booth. She brushed flowers, butterflies and her own Indian-inspired designs onto festival-goers. Patel said she learned how to do henna in Kenya. Patel said events like the International Festival and the work of the International Student and Scholar Services are important because they bring people of different cultures together. “You have to have respect for other cultures,” she said. “I believe you should respect all people and all beliefs.” Sophomore Noah Rajab is about 7,380 miles from home, but wants to stay in the U.S. as long as possible. “Coming to the first country in the world was such a dream of mine, especially coming from a non-developed country,” he said. “I was more excited
than scared. I had to start from scratch and leave everything back home behind — my family, friends, girlfriend.” Rajab keeps in touch with his family in Najran, Saudi Arabia, through phone calls and Skype. Before transferring to WKU this fall, Rajab lived in Arkansas but chose to come to WKU because the people here are friendlier, he said. Rajab said he was in a hurry to learn English when he came to the U.S. so he could adjust to the culture. “I believe when you plant something good, you get something good,” he said. Sophomore Minh Dao is around 8,700 miles from home. Dao volunteers at WKU’s English as a Second Language Institute so that more international students can improve their English before coming to WKU, like she did. “I’m really glad I chose WKU,” she said. “Here, professors are really helpful and nice to international students.” In Da Nang, Vietnam, Dao said she was afraid to approach her professors for help. “In Vietnam all we do is study, study, study,” she said. “But here I am free to get involved in organizations on campus.” She said people at WKU have been kind to her, even giving her rides to Walmart where Dao buys groceries and $20 phone cards for a 500-minute connection to home. Although she misses her family, the beaches and fresh seafood of home, Dao said she hopes to attend graduate school at WKU and teach communication at an American university.
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ganization called Sweet Sheep. She has been to Uganda twice. “The people of Uganda lack almost everything we have, but they have this intrinsic joy that we will never have,” she said. Warneke said FoDU wouldn’t have been at the International Festival if Redd hadn’t told him about it. Redd said it was a great opportunity to make many people aware of the work the organization was doing to help children in Uganda. She’s been attending the festival for four years. “I love the International Festival,” Redd said. “I look forward to it every year.”
USE YOUR
Foreign students adjust to WKU MARY ANNE ANDREWS
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
Opinion STAFF EDITORIAL
A Slow Start:
Delays compounded by lack of communication THE ISSUE: WKU’s Panda Express and RedZone are expected to open this week after originally being planned to open in September. OUR STANCE: As happy as most students are at the news that the two restaurants are finally opening, the Herald is disappointed in both the delays and the way WKU Dining has communicated with the students during the past month and a half.
S
tudents have a reason to get excited, and it’s not because of their football team’s record: There are more restaurants opening on campus. RedZone, originally scheduled to open on Sept. 14, and the new Panda Express, scheduled to open on Sept. 23, are opening this week. As with many things associated with WKU Dining and Catering, it
seems, there are some dim spots. Panda Express is opening during fall break and will have a “soft opening,” which means it will only be open for lunch. Not to mention that when Redzone opens it will open with “reduced menu items.” So besides the fact that students have had to wait so long for it to open, they won’t have as much food to choose from. The openings are so late that the coupons Dining and Catering gave out at the beginning of the semester for Panda Express have now expired. Options have already been limited in other areas on campus. Freshens and Java City in Downing University Center, which carried grab-n-go options as well as drinks, have been removed due to the renovations. What is most disappointing, however, is the way Dining and Cater-
DARREN VOGT/HERALD
ing has notified students about the openings. Updates have been nonexistent. Posters up until recently have been ambiguous with “coming soon” listed as the opening date. Students simply did not know when the restaurants were going
to open, and that isn’t fair on their part. WKU Restaurant and Dining owe it to the WKU students to make up for the ridiculous food issues that have started since the beginning of the semester. Meal plan pricing has
stayed the same, which Dining and Catering has advertised as a plus for students. It is true that having meal plan prices stay the same as before is a good thing, especially with tuition increasing yearly. But when added with the fact you can only spend your meal plans at a limited number of places, it defeats the purpose. We were all aware that the DUC renovations were going to cause inconveniences, yet the Herald thinks there are many simple things that could have been done to ease the headaches that have been caused. Communication during the process could and should have been better, along with updates on the project. Later hours for already opened campus restaurants is another option that should have been considered. Long lines are often inevitable with a campus as big as WKU’s, but the
consistently long waits at Subway and other restaurants have been ridiculous. And when meal plans do not roll over, students are rushed to spend them so they don’t waste their money. Having meal plan prices stay the same doesn’t matter that much. It’s time for WKU Catering and Dining to take a hard look at how the openings and closings of campus restaurants are affecting students. Its job is to serve the students, and delays or not, they haven’t been doing a good job as of late. Well, if you’re not satisfied with the options on main campus, you can head over to eat at South Campus’ food court. Oh, wait. Never mind.
This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald's 14-member editorial board.
PEOPLE POLL
“What are you eating on campus while you wait for Panda Express and RedZone to open?”
“Subway. It’s getting old. I’m looking forward to some more variety while eating on campus.” -Karlos Harbo, St. Louis senior
“I’m eating Izzi’s, Bene Pasta and Chick-fil-A. I’m tired of it. I’m really excited about Panda Express. I know it’s going to be packed, but that’s just like every other restaurant.” -Tiana Rutledge, Louisville freshman
“Pasta. It’s good, but it gets tiring. Chick-fil-A, too.” -Darrell Williams, Dublin, Ga., sophomore
Have an opinion?
“I’ve been eating at the Topper Cafe, mostly. I think it’s the most bang for your buck.” -Sol Govin, Franklin, Tenn., freshman
“Subway, almost every day.” - Jared Jones, Evansville sophomore
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
opinion@wkuherald.com 270.745.4874
Political apathy no excuse for upcoming presidential election
1. Letters should not exceed 250 words, and commentaries should be about 500 words. 2. For verification, letters and commentaries MUST include your name, phone number, home town and classification or title. 3. Letters may not run in every edition due to space. 4. The Herald reserves the right to edit all letters for style, grammar, length and clarity. The Herald does NOT print libelous submissions. 5. Letters and commentaries must be received by 5 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday.
“Yes we can, yes we can,” were the words shouted out by hundreds of students in support of then-Senator Barack Obama. “Country first” were the words shouted out by hundreds of students in support of Senator John McCain. Then, on Nov. 4, 2008, it was announced that Barack Obama would become the 44th President of the United States of America, and we as a people could say that we achieved great things, but can the same be said in 2012? Walking the Hill now, the level of activism and drive for either President Obama or former Gov. Mitt Romney is lacking. The argument of saying that students really don’t care is a reality that is being visualized on our campus. Even the level of unregistered voters on campus is an action
that is appalling. Over 500 students since the start of school have been registered to vote by campus organizations, but the question is "How many of them will actually go vote?" Has the drive democratic and political involvement died since ’08? Have we gotten to a point where we can say that the dream has been achieved? Until every American, whether black, white, Asian or Hispanic, all can enjoy the great pride and feeling of the American dream, can we say that the dream has been achieved? No matter what the election of 2012 presents, can we say that we did our part, or have we entered a state of numbness for good? Austin Wingate, Fort Knox senior
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VOICE YOUR OPINION Opinion 270.745.4874 opinion@wkuherald.com The Herald encourages readers to write letters and commentaries on topics of public interest. Here are a few guidelines: 1. Letters shouldn't exceed 250 words. Commentaries should be about 500 words and include a picture. 2. Originality counts. Please don't submit plagiarized work. 3. For verification, letters and
commentaries MUST include your name, phone number, home town and classification or title. 4. Letters may not run in every edition due to space. 5. The Herald reserves the right to edit all letters for style, grammar, length and clarity. The Herald does NOT print libelous submissions. 6. Submissions must be received by 7 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper DO NOT reflect those of Western Kentucky University's employees or of its administration.
OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
college heights
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advertising@wkuherald.com Classifieds Manager: Courtney Cook
HELP WANTED Part-time Law Clerk Year round in personal injury law office. Send resume and transcript to: Attn: Law Clerk Position 607 E 10th Ave Bowling Green, KY 42102
CITY OF BOWLING GREEN PARK RANGER (part-time) Patrol parks and recreation facilities by vehicle and on foot, open and lock gates, monitor participants, escort participants to and from vehicles, inspect facilities during and after usage hours, ensure that rules and regulations are followed, handle complaints from participants and visitors, take appropriate action for offenders, deter inappropriate conduct and contact Police if needed. Possess High School diploma or GED, related security experience preferred. Must possess valid KY drivers license and good driving record. Ability to work on one's own, show initiative to complete duties and maintain daily work schedule, handle and take control of tense situations that require calming participants or offenders, and removing disruptive policy violators from public facilities. $12.64/hour; 18-20 hours/week. Varying schedule primarily evenings and weekends. See www.bgky.org/jobs for details on work schedule. Interested applicants should obtain an employment application from the Human Resources Department in City Hall, 1001 College Street, Bowling Green or from www.bgky.org/jobs Position is open until filled. The City of Bowling Green is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
CITY OF BOWLING GREEN AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR: Instructs aerobic activities, including yoga, spinning, and other specialty classes. CPR & First Aid Certifications required. Classes are primarily in the evenings with some mornings, and weekends; $17.29 per hour. Positions open until filled. Interested applicants should obtain an employment application from the Human Resources Department in City Hall, 1001 College Street, Bowling Green or from our website at www.bgky.org. The City of Bowling Green is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
Join our team and be a part of the Magic of Macy's! Macy's Direct to Consumer Fulfillment Center is Hiring! Seasonal Pickers, Packers & Equipment Operators Apply at www.macysjobs.com Macy's is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
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Across 1 1983 movie about a taxi company 6 Place for a sala 10 Home on the range 14 Kukla’s dragon friend 15 Israeli weapons 16 Optic layer 17 Leader for whom Houston’s airport is named 19 Really tired 20 Highlands honey 21 Narrow-bodied river fish 22 Intrinsically 23 Christmas __ 24 “The Chimpanzees of Gombe” writer 27 Fixed, in a way 29 Farm feed item 30 Salon supply 31 Saloon orders 32 Hot tub reaction 33 Bit of background in a Road Runner cartoon 34 “Superfudge” novelist 38 Nick and Nora’s pooch 41 Cold War agcy. 42 Shell propellers 45 Starfish arm 46 WWII craft 47 Not a good thing to be at the wheel 49 Pro Football Hall of Famer nicknamed “Crazylegs” 53 Traffic cops gp.? 54 Maxim 55 Do lunch, e.g. 56 Speaker with a .345 career batting average 57 Stallion feature 58 TV series that first aired 9/23/1962 whose family shares first names with 17-, 24-, 34- and 49-Across 61 Henry VIII’s fourth 62 Verdi slave 63 Squander 64 Ponies up 65 Office furnishing 66 Some McFlurry ingredients
Down 1 Zigzag hole feature 2 Chop chopper 3 __ held: in few hands, as stock 4 Snob’s affectations 5 Avoid, as an issue 6 Like many Miamians, by birth 7 Clear blue 8 Girl sib 9 Campfire remains 10 Like ice or dice 11 Run-of-the-mill 12 Spotty condition? 13 Kneecap 18 “I say!” 22 Patio planter 24 Savior in a Bach cantata 25 Purpose 26 Interstate H-1 locale 28 __ vu 32 “Modern Family” network
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33 Square food? 35 Salt sprinkle 36 Himalayan myth 37 Dance in a pit 38 Visitors center handout 39 Zoe of “Avatar” 40 Abuse of power 43 Flower for one’s honey 44 Foreknow, as the future 46 Caustic stuff 47 Part of a Molière comédie 48 Avoids an F 50 Arches with pointed tops 51 Oboist’s supply 52 Noted vowel seller 56 Nicholas II, e.g. 58 Wee bit 59 Hotfoot it, old-style 60 Pair
Friday's crossword solution
@OhMyy_ — Startin to hate my school #WKU & THESE dang hills! legs sore &S! — sent 10/1 Monday 7pm Wednesday 6pm Friday 7pm Saturday 1pm
$3 per class/ $2 with WKU ID 601 State Street Bowling Green, KY 42101 (Behind Circus Square Park)
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@aaron_jernigan — So, maybe trying to dry my pants by sunlight instead of using a dryer wasn't such a good idea... #dormlife #wku — sent 10/1 @Scottty_D — Thanks WKU parking and transportation for blocking off the first floor of the structure for an "event". Isn't class an event?!?!? #WKU — sent 10/1 @Jared_McLemore — I'm not sure what I'm more pissed off about; all of this rain we've been getting or how awful WKU's drainage is...my feet are soaked. #WKU — sent 10/1 @EmmaleeRyan — Saw my first albino squirrel on campus today #wku #friendlyanimals — sent 10/1 @bcamp25 — I was eating Panda Express yesterday...until I woke up from an awesome dream #openthepanda #wku — sent 10/1 @marley569 — To the showering girl who yelped when I flushed the toilet I am sincerely sorry. I hate dorm bathrooms too. #WKU #dormlife — sent 9/30 @thedonvespe — According to Fresh, they are serving "Omlets." #WKU #spellcheckplease — sent 9/30 @YNLDLEWIS — When I die bury me out front of PFT #S***YouHearOnCampus #WKU — sent 9/30 @TheBeardOfEvan — It's been 3 weeks since #WKU has lost a game in any sport.. #TopperNation — sent 9/29 @melredden — Still too excited about the #WKU win to try to sleep! Love this team's determination. #Hilltoppernation — sent 9/29
@kevinworthy12 — I am lucky to go to a school with a beautiful campus day and night. #WKU #pretty #CherryHall — sent 9/30
@awkward_ash — proud to be a Hilltopper. congrats guys. #WKU #WKUWIN #WKU26arkst13 #TOPPS — sent 9/29 @ugowhere — Hilltopper football is on FIRE #wku #winning — sent 9/29 @KimmelMckenzie — i dont normally watch football but when i do i watch the hilltoppers #tops #wku — sent 9/29 @d4land — May I have your attention please? This #WKU football team is for real. There is no quit in these Tops. With or without their starting QB. — sent 9/29 @EBMitch113 —A beautiful day for a rugby game!! #WKU — sent 9/29 @kevinthomas226 — I am confused when my #WKU friends ask #WhatsOurName Did they forget or do they really not know. Media needs help I guess. #WKY #WKentucky — sent 9/29 @jonwarren1 — If you're going to play music obscenely loud in Centennial Mall, can you at least make it good music? #WKU — sent 9/28
@Kelsey_Faulkner — Big Red proposed! #GoTops #WKU — sent 9/30
@brandon_4 — hey #WKU... i think this guy is just trolling. hard. for kicks. right? clearly, standing is not a burden. — sent 9/28
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OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
Moyers energizes WKU Before I was...
MACIENA JUSTICE
DIVERSIONS@WKUHERALD.COM
Charita Moyers is known at WKU for her infamous birthday board and putting love on the hamburgers by making hearts with the ketchup. Moyers, 49, works as the front line supervisor at Grille Works in Garrett Food Court. Before she came to the position at WKU, she worked at Tailgater’s Sports Bar. When the restaurant closed, Moyers was forced to go on a job hunt. Working in the food industry for most of her life has always been her passion. Her parents bought a convenience store when she was 16 where she worked as the grill queen. “I’ve always loved the public and fixing them something to eat,� she said. On Sept. 9, 1999, Moyers was hired at WKU and since then, she’s become a familiar face for students in the food court. On a white board next to Grille Works, she lists the students’ birthdays that she’s friends with on Facebook. “I take pride in my birthday board,� she said. Even after they have graduated, she posts a picture on Facebook, tags them in it and submits their names to WBKO. “They might be far away from family,�
Each Tuesday, the College Heights Herald brings you a story from professors, faculty or staff before they came to WKU.
she said. “It is a way to recognize them.� Moyers said her heart beats for WKU and the students that visit her at Garrett regularly. She goes to all the theater shows and tries her best to go to all the sports games. When her son, Chris, was 11, Moyers dedicated herself to being a sports team mom. She helped her husband, Willie Moyers, coach several PeeWee Football teams, including the Packers and the Falcons. Willie, 58, said his wife helped with fundraising to make sure the teams had everything they needed. “We bought all the football players jackets,� he said. She also made sure there was enough money to feed the players and have Gatorade for them. Chris, now 24, played on the football and baseball teams for his middle and high schools. He remembers his mom being just as devoted to the whole team as she was to him. “She always brought great energy,� he said. “All the guys called her Mom.�
Charita Moyers said she loves who she works for: the students. "I watch them grow, listen to them if they broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend." SETH MYER/HERALD
Chris said she would paint her face and wear a jersey with his number and “Mom� on it. “She got everyone energized,� he said. “I was never embarrassed. I 100-percent loved what she did for us.� Charita said as a team mom, she was responsible for checking grades, arranging fundraisers, informing players and parents of any changes, and planning the after-season parties. She was the president of the Athletic Association at Moss Middle School while Chris attended. Charita made sure the players were taken care of by sending them menus before game day so they would have
their choice of what to eat. Now, Charita said she’s watched Chris’ teammates grow up, get married and have babies of their own. “My husband and son can’t go anywhere without meeting someone who knows me,� she said. Her number of Facebook friends is close to 4,000, and many are WKU students. Although Charita has impacted many, she said they have impacted her too. At Garrett, she tries her best to make sure she is full of smiles for students who visit her. “I love these babies so much,� Charita said. “They put smiles on my heart.�
CASH CONSCIOUS
Spend-easy plastic can lead to financial troubles
Of all the encounters that I’ve ever had with a credit card, not one had my name on them. I’ve seen students swipe them at the WKU Store, I’ve had friends use them for online purchases, and my relatives call out their numbers when booking a hotel reservation over the phone, but I’ve never owned one. You see, when it comes to that piece of spend-easy plastic, I see it as imprisonment. I’ve witnessed over and over again too many people taking on thousands — and even tens of thousands — of dollars in debt because of credit cards.
Then, they either spend years trying to shave it back down, or steer their eyes away and spend themselves into bankruptcy. WINKLEMAN This isn’t Cash Conscious to say that credit cards don’t have a place in society, but if you’re too loose with them, they can carry a lot of disadvantages. And one of the biggest is the frequent misuse. “It’s very easy to over spend because it doesn’t feel like
you’re actually spending anything,� said Andrew Head, director of Financial Planning Program. What helps the borrower feel like they’re not under a crushing amount of debt is the minimum payment, which is around two percent. The issue with this false security is that it can encourage the borrower to spend more. “I’ve had clients call me up on my professional side that have had $30,000 in credit card debt, and they’re having to fork over lots of money per month to make (the minimum payments),� Head said. But even if the borrower has reached $10,000 in debt, Head said paying just the minimum
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payments could last for 20-30 years, and trying to dig out of that can be very difficult. Dr. Jean Snavely, an executive-in-residence in the finance department, said credit cards are an inexpensive and convenient way to not have to carry around cash, but if the borrower doesn’t pay the balances every month, then the loan rates can get very pricey. In fact, some of the cards that have been tailored to students can carry an annual percentage rate up to 22.99 percent, according to creditcards.com, a website that allows users to compare credit card offers. If you’re carrying more than one card and each one is maxed out, it can keep you
from getting a long-term loan. “When they want to go borrow for something like a house or a car, they can’t because all their loans are on their credit cards,� Snavely said. For students who have a credit card, Snavely suggests only buying things that would have been bought anyway, and set the cash aside instead of spending it again. She said this helps build a credit history without getting into trouble. “One rule of thumb for credit in general is the term of the loan should not be longer than what you’re using it to purchase,� Snavely said. “Don’t think of it as extra money that you have available to go do what you want to do.�
CROSS COUNTRY
Hinken finds success early in career JONAH PHILLIPS SPORTS@WKUHERALD.COM
It hasn’t taken Lindsey Hinken long to become a standout at WKU. The freshman was the first Lady Topper to cross the finish line this weekend at the Greater Louisville Classic, finishing 14th out of more than 250 runners. She also finished first on the team at the Belmont Opener and second among WKU runners at the Commodore Classic. Hinken came to WKU after being named the 2011 Northern Kentucky Female Cross Country Runner of the Year. She helped lead St. Henry District High School in Erlanger to three state championships. Hinken was part of a recruiting class that had the coaching staff excited. “With this class, there is a variety of talent in several events,� head coach Erik Jenkins said. “Our goal will always be to have a well-rounded team and not just focus on one area. “This class continues to exemplify that.� Hinken said in an email that her decision to come to WKU was “an obvious
choice.â€? “I loved the campus, the Honors College, the friendly environment and the cross country program — including its rich tradition in the Sun Belt Conference and the caliber of its athletes,â€? she said. â€œâ€Śwhen (women’s distance coach Michelle Scott) reached out to me and told me WKU was interested in having me join their cross country team, I was extremely excited to accept their offer.â€? Her consistency thus far has caught the eyes of many, but Jenkins predicted her success. He said in a preseason interview that he expected her to contribute immediately to the success of the program. “I think I ran pretty well at the first two meets, considering I’m still adjusting to collegiate running,â€? Hinken said, “However, I am hoping to improve a lot as the season progresses, to run faster and place higher in our key races to better help the team.â€? Hinken has done well while a lot of the Lady Toppers are still trying to establish some consistency. “I knew (Hinken) was
going to do really well — it is other people that haven’t lived up to expectations,� Scott said. Hinken has managed to catch the eye of senior teammate Vasity Chemweno. She was out-run by Hinken in the Belmont Opener and Greater Louisville Classic but finished in front of her at the Commodore Classic. “Lindsey is one girl with potential,� Chemweno said. “She started her season well, and she is getting better every day.� As a freshman, Hinken has done well transitioning to collegiate running and to college life, Chemweno said. “During practice, she is focused on her workout and puts in a great effort,� Chemweno said. “I personally am happy to have Lindsey as a teammate.� Hinken attributed much of her success to Scott. “She always challenges the team during workouts, has high expectations of us and is a great motivator,� Hinken said. “Even though I’m very new to the team, I feel that I have already improved as a runner under her coaching. “I am extremely lucky to be part of this team.�
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OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
IMPORTANT
CONTINUED FROM SPORTS
Senior defensive end Quanterus Smith chases down Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin during WKU’s 26-13 win over the Red Wolves on Saturday at Liberty Bank Stadium. Smith had 3.5 sacks in the win. JEFF BROWN/HERALD
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8-of-12 for 104 yards while the WKU defense recorded a shutout in the final 30 minutes. Andrews said WKU’s confidence never wavered under the secondstringer. “We’ve got full confidence in James and Brandon (Doughty, WKU’s third-string quarterback),” Andrews said. “When a guy goes down, we’ve got the next guy ready to step up.” Andrews had been dominant in the past two games, but he had possibly his best game yet on Saturday. He ran all over the field against ASU, rushing for a career-high 215 yards and two touchdowns in a performance
FALL BALL
CONTINUED FROM SPORTS
batting average and led WKU with 46 walks. Wilcox said he played “decent” last year but thought he began to tail off near the end of the year. “I want to finish strong and continue playing well all throughout the year,” Wilcox said. Sophomore left-hander Austin Clay burst onto the scene last season with 11 starts for the WKU pitching staff. He was second among WKU starters with a 4.74
Taggart called “filthy good.” Strong performances from Andrews and senior defensive end Quanterus Smith vaulted them toward the top of the NCAA in several statistics. Andrews is No. 2 in the country in all-purpose yards per game with 213‚ and Smith currently leads the NCAA in sacks per game with 1.68. Smith had his biggest game of the season on Saturday, sacking ASU quarterback Ryan Aplin a season-high 3.5 times. Smith now has 6.5 sacks on the season and his efforts against ASU were enough to earn him recognition as the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. “More than anything, he’s doing what he expected from himself and really putting the work
in,” Taggart said about Smith. “He played with fanatical effort on Saturday.” WKU’s 4-1 start is a far cry from last season, in which the Toppers lost their first four games before beating Middle Tennessee in overtime. That win over MTSU was a spark – WKU has won every Sun Belt game since then. With a bye this week, Taggart said the Toppers would use the time off to rest and prepare for Troy, their second Sun Belt opponent this season, on Oct. 11. “Knock on wood, but we’ve been fairly healthy,” he said. “It gives our guys a good chance to get their bodies back together and be ready to attack that week with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
ERA and alcount in the lowed just 19 fall,” Clay said. walks on the “You just want season. to make sure Clay was you got all your named to the stuff and stay Great Lakes consistent.” League AllThe Toppers Star Game this were just 13-17 summer for the in the Sun Belt work he put in Conference last on the mound year, but young CLAY Pitcher with the Lextalent across the ington Husfield has players tlers. and coaches excited for He went 3-0 in the sum- the 2013 campaign. mer league and boasted “We’ve got a lot to ima 2.82 ERA. prove on with only 25 Clay is building upon wins, but we’ve got a his breakout year by good group of guys comfocusing on throwing ing in here," Wilcox said. strikes in fall practices. “We’re expecting a lot out “Wins and losses don’t of ourselves this year.”
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“My first year here they had our number, but last year felt different,” Stutsman said. “We carried some momentum into the tournament and just did our thing and got over the hump.”
Like every team in the Sun Belt has done for WKU, the Lady Toppers themselves have circled MTSU on their schedule as the one game they put extra focus on. “They could walk out there with two players and still play well because it’s Middle Tennessee versus Western Kentucky,” Hudson said. “It’s going to be war.”
our only conference loss (in 2011), kept us from a bowl game. Came out here and got this win, I don’t see nothing in front of us.” Well, there are a few obstacles that lie ahead for WKU. Games against Troy, Florida International, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette will all be good tests for the Toppers. WKU’s Nov. 1 game against projected lightweight Middle Tennessee State even looks a little tougher after the Blue Raiders dominated Georgia Tech 49-28 on Saturday in Atlanta. We’ll spend plenty of time talking about those matchups in the future. But for the time being, the Toppers have passed their most important test. Get used to Mauro-to-Henry Redshirt freshman quarterback James Mauro didn’t just help save WKU’s Sun Belt championship hopes on Saturday — he gave an exciting glimpse into the future.
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Mauro connected on two touchdown passes to sophomore tight end Mitchell Henry, including a beautiful, over-the-shoulder-in-stride, 22-yard strike that put the Toppers in front. With the team’s No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 tight end, Kawaun Jakes and Jack Doyle, graduating after this year, Mauro and Henry could become the primary passer-to-receiver combo starting in 2013. “He throws me the ball a lot in practice and I’m just used to it,” Henry said after the game. Henry’s caught 13 passes in his WKU career, five of which have gone for touchdowns. The former Elizabethtown High School standout is a sure-handed red zone target who will start getting a lot more touches once Doyle graduates. It also looks like he has a good feel for Mauro, as evidenced by the 22yard pitch-and-catch touchdown on Saturday. Doyle’s a special talent that will be competing next year for a chance to play on Sundays. Jakes has also become an effective quarterback and strong offensive leader. But the Mauro-to-Henry connection that we’ll see a lot more of starting in 2013 could be just as good.
SOCCER BRIEF: LADY TOPPERS TAKE ONE WIN, ONE LOSS IN FLORIDA WKU soccer took its first loss in league play on Sunday in Florida. Florida International, the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship, defeated the Lady Toppers 1-0 in overtime on Sunday. “I don’t think either team played their best soccer, which was even more of a disappointment because if we had played to our capability we could’ve came home with two wins this weekend,” said Head Coach Jason Neidell. The Panthers won the Sun Belt championship last year after beating WKU in penalty kicks. This was the third straight game in which the Lady Toppers and the Panthers went into overtime while playing each other. It was the first game since Sept. 9 in which WKU allowed a goal. Friday night, the Lady Toppers also went into overtime against Florida
Atlantic, winning 1-0. “The girls were not happy with our play over the course of the weekend,” Neidell said. “We came out flat against Florida Atlantic and it took a while to find our rhythm.” In the fourth minute of overtime, freshman Lauren Moats scored after a pass from senior Amanda Buechel. The goal was Moats’ fifth of the season. “It was our first time in overtime this season, and then to have two overtime games in the same weekend was a challenge,” Neidell said. “The combination of playing on the road and in two overtime games took its toll on the girls physically.” WKU’s next game is at 7 p.m. Friday at Louisiana-Lafayette. After that the Lady Toppers will travel to LouisianaMonroe to play at 1 p.m. Sunday.
- Natalie Hayden
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012 • COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • WKUHERALD.COM
sports FOOTBALL
4-1 Toppers still looking for first ‘complete’ win LUCAS AULBACH SPORTS@WKUHERALD.COM
Senior outside hitter Jordyn Skinner makes a block against Lipscomb in Diddle Arena on Sept. 11. WKU won 3-0. CONNOR
CHOATE/HERALD
RIVALRY RENEWED ‘Our most exciting game of the year’ ELLIOTT PRATT SPORTS@WKUHERALD.COM
WKU and Middle Tennessee State have a lot in common. Looking at the teams’ records this year it doesn’t seem that way. But WKU’s 17-3 record and MTSU’s 4-14 mark will be thrown out the window when the rivalry goes down at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Alumni Memorial Gym in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Junior outside hitter Paige Wessel said this will be the game of the year for the Lady Toppers. “Our most exciting game of the year is playing at Middle Tennessee,” Wessel said. “Their atmosphere is so intense. The fans are there cheering because it’s a huge rivalry. “I always look forward to playing there.” The two schools are travel partners in the Sun Belt Conference and are coming off a weekend trip to Louisiana-Lafayette. The No. 20 Lady Toppers swept ULL Friday night, and the Blue Raiders defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 3-1 on Saturday, grabbing their first conference win of the year. The Lady Toppers go way back with the rivaled Blue Raiders from the ‘Boro. MTSU has defeated WKU more than any other Sun Belt team in the 17 years under head coach Travis Hudson, who has a record of 21-15 versus MTSU. Another similarity is prominence in the Sun Belt. Like the Lady Toppers, MTSU has been one of the top 50 teams in the nation for a long time.
Excluding last year, MTSU held WKU’s number for two years. In 2010, the Blue Raiders swept the Lady Toppers twice in the regular season and went on to defeat WKU again in the Sun Belt Championship game. In 2009, MTSU defeated WKU twice in the regular season and advanced to the Sun Belt title game by defeating the Lady Toppers in the semi-finals. Last year, the two split regular season contests before the Lady Toppers prevailed over MTSU to win the Sun Belt. But Tuesday night, the Blue Raiders will welcome WKU with a 4-14 overall record, their worst record at this point in nearly a decade. Hudson reminded himself that MTSU can still be dangerous despite their struggles this year. “Looking back last year, they were struggling like they are now when they came into Diddle Arena and beat us on our home court,” Hudson said. “You can throw it all out because this is a rivalry game. They are going to be at their very best and I expect it to be a big challenge.” Hudson connects MTSU’s youth to the surprise slump the Blue Raiders have faced. “They run a very complex system that just takes time with that many young players,” Hudson said. “When you watch them on film, their system is the same as it’s been, it’s just not as consistent with all the youth everywhere.” Junior setter Melanie Stutsman has seen victory and defeat against MTSU, but she said that was “just different.” SEE RENEWED PAGE 7
JONESBORO, Ark. — All last week, the Toppers preached,“to be the champs, you’ve got to beat the champs.” WKU beat defending Sun Belt Conference champion Arkansas State 26-13 on Saturday, but coach Willie Taggart still isn’t content. “Great teams are never satisfied, and our guys aren’t satisfied yet,” Taggart said on Monday. “We want to go out there and see how good we can be, and we haven’t put that performance out there yet, but we’re doing some good things. “We want to go out and put a complete ballgame together, and we haven’t done that yet.” The Toppers played two entirely different halves on Saturday, so the coach had plenty to criticize in the win. WKU faced a 13-0 deficit at halftime, and senior quarterback Kawaun Jakes was out with a knee injury. Jakes’ injury was severe enough to keep him out of the game in the second half, but Taggart said the quarterback was feeling better in the days after the game and will undergo an MRI on Monday. Results of the MRI were unknown as of Herald press time. Junior running back Antonio Andrews was the bright spot on offense in the first half, accounting for 80 of WKU’s 114 total first half yards. The Toppers, led at quarterback in the second half by redshirt freshman James Mauro, were a different team after halftime. Mauro tossed two touchdown passes to sophomore tight end Mitchell Henry and finished SEE COMPLETE PAGE 7
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Toppers start Sun Belt play at the top BRAD STEPHENS SPORTS@WKUHERALD.COM
JONESBORO, Ark. — The first one's the most important one. And when your first Sun Belt Conference game is against the defending league champs, the team you spent the whole 2011 season looking up at in the standings, then it gets a little more important. Last year, WKU dropped its league opener to Arkansas State, burying itself in an 0-1 hole from the start of Sun Belt play. No matter that the Toppers rallied to win their last seven STEPHENS games of the year and finSports editor ished conference play 7-1. The Red Wolves took control of the conference from that early win going forward and rode to a Sun Belt title and bowl berth. Considering those circumstances, WKU’s 2613 comeback win on Saturday night over Arkansas State at Liberty Bank Stadium was the Toppers' biggest win of the early year. This season, WKU won’t spend October and November playing catch-up with the Red Wolves. No, this time WKU is squarely in the driver's seat to accomplish what players and coaches have set out to do from the beginning — win the Sun Belt. “We had a lot riding on this game,” said junior running back Antonio Andrews, who ran for a career-high 215 yards on Saturday. “This was SEE IMPORTANT PAGE 7
WKU baseball returns for fall practice TYLER LASHBROOK SPORTS@WKUHERALD.COM
The Toppers are back on the field months before their February opener. WKU held its first official fall practice on Sept. 18 and will continue practicing until its annual Fall World Series on Oct. 26-28. The fall practice provides a way to establish a team identity, head coach Matt Myers said. “We need cohesiveness,” Myers said. “We’re teaching the game of baseball and evaluating individually all of our players.” Myers joined the WKU coaching staff in 2007 and was named head coach in July 2011 after former coach Chris Finwood left for Old Dominion. The Toppers went 25-33 last season, Myers’ first at the helm. Myers said he’s excited to have new faces mix in with returning players like junior right-hander Justin Hageman, junior utility player Scott Wilcox and senior catcher Ryan Huck. The Toppers are bringing in 16 new faces this year with the hopes that nearly all of them can come in and help out right away in the field, in the lineup and
Black team freshman catcher Ty Hogan fires a throw to first base during the Black and Red inter-squad game at Nick Denes Field on Sept. 30. The Red team won by a final score of 8-0 in 8 innings. IAN MAULE/HERALD on the mound. Myers raved about each of the new guys individually but thought a few in particular could make an immediate impact on the mound. “(Junior right-hander) Andrew Edwards, (junior right-hander) Jake Thompson and (junior righthander) Mason Justice are junior college guys that
can come in and help right away,” Myers said. But Myers also wants to see how his returning guys have improved through their summer programs. Wilcox was the only Hilltopper to start all 58 games last season. He was third on the team with a .276
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