January 18, 2021 by College Heights Herald

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

Volume 96. Issue 14

COLLEGE HEIGHTS

HERALD

Kentucky's vaccine plan:

Where you fall

A2 NEWS

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

In loving memory of our friend, Elliott Wells A week before Christmas, Elliott Wells passed away unexpectedly, serving as one of 2020’s final reminders that there isn’t fundamental fairness in life.

My hope is that each of us who knew him will be able to exhibit some of his best qualities to the world. When I think of Elliott, I’ll always remember the authenticity of his smile and the attentiveness he showed in every conversation he had.

Elliott was 22, a senior and a friend to so many at the Herald and WKU. It seems only fitting that the first print edition of 2021 be dedicated to him.

May we all honor his memory each day with his decency and genuineness, and be better for having known him.

Elliott was involved on campus in the broadcasting program, his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Herald and the Athletic Department.

-Laurel Deppen, Editor in Chief

His impact on all of us is obvious. It’s seen in the outpour of love and support for him on social media and in a Herald scholarship dedicated to honor his memory. But I know that we can only do so much, and no amount of money funneled into a scholarship or words in a newspaper can replace who Elliott

Photo by Carrie Pratt

Illustration by Madalyn Stack

was. These things can’t bring him back. All we can really do is share our condolences with those who knew

him. Elliott touched so many — his family, friends and classmates, and to all those people, I am so, so sorry for your loss.

Read more about Elliott on WKUherald.com

"I will never meet a man like Elliott. He was the most honest and loyal person I knew... I don't even know if I would consider Elliott one of my friends, he was like my older brother." -Matt Gadd

Former Herald photographer and fraternity brother

A3 NEWS

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Quarantine housing relocates, updates meals

By Michael J. Collins

WKU announced changes to COVID-19 housing and quarantine policies to more accurately provide for and protect students on campus during the upcoming semester. Bob Skipper, director of media relations, said in an email that the new system will place quarantined students within a wing of Bates Runner Hall and the International Village. “[Last semester] WKU had approximately 280 quarantine spaces allocated and used only a fraction of those spaces,” Skipper said. “This semester, we have allocated approximately 50% of the fall number, which we anticipate will meet the institution’s needs.” In the fall, WKU relied on several different locations to house quarantined students. Logistical challenges resulted in Barnes Campbell Hall, currently under deconstruction, becoming the primary location for students to quarantine.

Quarantine meals have also changed, with the university opting instead to provide students with a customized box of food items that students select themselves. “All meals are microwavable, so students can have a hot meal of their choice on their schedule,” Skipper said. “It also includes drinks and fruits and vegetables in addition to breakfast items and deli supplies to prepare sandwiches.” This differs from last semester wherein meals were chosen daily via student surveys, prepared at DSU, then distributed throughout quarantine locations, leading to some students reporting missing meals and cold food. According to the email, supplies will also include: thermometer, shampoo, soap, lotion, other hygiene products, laundry detergent pods, dryer sheets, cough drops, coloring books, colored pencils, toothbrush, toothpaste and shower caps.

“Thanks to the Student Government Association and HRL’s Residence Hall Association, we have a supply of items to help make our students’ stay in quarantine as pleasant as possible,” Skipper said. Online games will also be hosted, which Skipper said “will help to build a sense of community and ease feelings of isolation.” Students have the choice to opt for 10-day stays if they have tested negative or 14-day stays without a test, which still adheres to updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Previously, all students, regardless of their test result, were required to quarantine for 14 days if they had come in contact with someone with a positive result. Within four hours of being made aware, students who require quarantine will need to contact the COVID Assistance Line at 270-745-2019.

WKU’s Healthy on the Hill guidelines, mandating masks and social distancing, have remained largely unchanged and still require adherence to CDC suggestions. As of Jan. 18, Graves Gilbert Clinic at WKU will extend testing hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Digital News Editor Michael J. Collins can be reached at michael. collins527@topper.wku.edu. You can follow him on Twitter @MJCollinsNews.

SPRING 2021:

NEW TOPPER TRANSIT ROUTES Feeling lost or overwhelmed about your place in this world?

There is hope for the future. RED LINE • WHITE LINE • BLUE LINE FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.wku.edu/transportation

For info on the College Ministry, contact Brian and Carolletta at collegeandcareergbcky@gmail.com 110 Mark Trail, Bowling Green, KY 42101 www.gracebaptistbg.com (270)781-5355

A4 COMMUNITY

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

From the editor

The only consistent thing is change By Laurel Deppen

Print edition published weekly by WKU Student Publications at Western Kentucky University. First copy: free | Additional copies: $1

EDITORIAL BOARD

Laurel Deppen Editor-in-chief Ellie Tolbert Managing editor Nick Fuller Digital director Lily Burris Assignment editor Michael J. Collins Digital news editor Nick Kieser Sports editor

Julianna Lowe Community editor Gabi Broekema Sam Mallon Multimedia editors Zachery McClain Social media manager Megan Fisher Design editor Hannah Crisp Copy desk chief

OTHER LEADERS AND ADVISERS Robin Robinson Distribution manager Brian Kehne Advertising manager Emma Spainhoward Cherry Creative director

Carrie Pratt Herald adviser Will Hoagland Advertising adviser Chuck Clark Student Publications director

The print edition of the College Heights Herald looks different than it has for the past few decades, but our mission to deliver excellent journalism to our community remains the same. The idea to switch our broadsheet-style newspaper to a tabloid format came after suspending our print edition for the duration of the spring 2020 semester. That decision meant our newsletter was the primary way to reach our audience. The newsletter is still our primary way of reaching our readers, which leaves us to brainstorm ways to maintain our print product's relevance. For too long, the Herald focused its entire work week on the Monday night print deadline, leaving our digital presence as an afterthought. When the newsletter reached nearly 24,000 subscribers and no one was on campus to pick up our paper, it was abundantly clear that mindset needed to change.

POLICIES

I’m proud to say that last semester, my team successfully restructured our years-old procedures and managed to maintain our online presence while still producing 13 beautiful print editions. In our newsletter, you’ll find daily stories about our community and breaking news that affects you. Our print edition is reserved for more in-depth news, features and sports stories. It seems fitting that this new view of the print product be reflected in a changed format. Change is scary, and it’s very hard to reform old habits. We would have all loved to come back after spring break 2020 to a broadsheet paper that doesn’t contain the word “coronavirus,” but that’s not the world we live in. If anything, 2020, and even the few weeks we’ve been in 2021, has taught us that change is inevitable. Whether we like it or not, it’s on us

to adapt and accept those changes in order to thrive. I’ve seen my team do that since March. Regardless of the medium, we strive to deliver quality journalism. We want to meet our audiences where they are. We seek to answer our community’s questions and provide them with the information they need not only to be informed but also to be safe. Whether you get us in your inbox or in a kiosk across Bowling Green, please know we are part of your community, and we are listening to you. The Herald’s mission remains the same: we will cover and reflect our community accurately and fairly. I’d love to hear your thoughts on our coverage. What are we missing? How can we improve? You can email me at laurel.deppen774@topper.wku. edu.

Got an art submission? Email herald.opinion@wku.edu

Opinions expressed in the College Heights Herald are those of student editors and journalists and do not necessarily represent the views of WKU. Student editors determine all news and editorial content, and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions.

REPORT AN ERROR: herald.editor@wku.edu 270-745-5044 NEWSROOM: herald.news@wku.edu 270-745-2653 or 270-745-5044 ADVERTISING: herald.advertising@wku.edu 270-745-6285 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: herald.opinion@wku.edu ON CAMPUS: Adams-Whitaker Student Publications Center, 1660 Normal St. ONLINE: WKUHerald.com NEWSLETTER: WKUHerald.com/newsletter SOCIAL MEDIA: • Twitter: @wkuherald, @wkuheraldsports • Facebook, Instagram: WKUHerald • YouTube: wkuheraldvideo • Tiktok: wkuherald

Illustration by Tayshaun Hassell

FUN PAGE

WKU Herald 1/19/21 Trivia Puzzle

Herald 1/19/21 Crossword

Across

PuzzleJunction.com

Women's History

40 44

42 46

49 53

WKU

WKU Herald 9/8/20 Sudoku 1

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Sheepskin holder Hard to find Intentions Mount with spirit San Diego team Still-life subjects Polynesian paste

8 Chinese zodiac animal 9 Demeanor 10 Sheltered, nautically 11 Impose, as a tax 12 Ticks off 15 Tough going 20 Dabbling ducks 22 Off one’s feed 24 Airedale 25 Bizet work 26 Former 27 Trunk 29 Go belly up 31 Applies lightly 32 Twosomes 33 Miscue 34 Stadium walkways

36 Regard 38 “Ol’ Man River” composer 42 More rational 45 They can be tossed 49 Fall from grace 51 Start out 54 Terrestrial lizard 56 Femme fatale 57 Flying mammals 58 Nobelist Pavlov 59 Horror film staple 60 Angler’s hope 61 Kind of agreement 62 Test choice 63 The good life 64 Henna and others 67 Neighbor of Ger.

8 2

5 7

1 3 5 6 2 7 6 8 8 91 1 5 3 7 4 6 6 8 93 4 1 1 34 6 5 9 3 7 7 56 1 5 3

4 7

PuzzleJunction.com

66 Calendar abbr. 68 Impressive display 69 Bakery items 70 Extinct flightless bird 71 Recycle 72 Bygone blade 73 “Is that ___?” 74 Leg joints

PuzzleJ

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution

1. When were married women legally allowed to have a credit card in their own name? (a) 1969 (b) 1974 (c) 1978 2. When did Princeton and Yale first admit women as undergraduates? (a) 1969 (b) 1976 (c) 1963 3. Barbara Walters became the first woman news anchor when? (a) 1976 (b) 1983 (c) 1970 4. What president declared one week in March as National Women's History week? (a) Bill Clinton (b) John Kennedy (c) Jimmy Carter 5. The first women to be admitted to a U.S. Military Academy was when? (a) 1985 (b) 1976 (c ) 1990 6. The Olympic Committee approved women's boxing when? (a) 2004 (b) 2000 (c) 2012 7. When could women serve on juries in all 50 states? (a) 1973 (b) 1980 (c) 1969 8. Women were given the right to own property in what year? (a) 1952 (b) 1939 (c) 1945 9. When were women allowed to run in the Boston Marathon? (a) 1960 (b) 1981 (c) 1972 10. Olympic ski jumping was prohibited for women until what year? (a) 1998 (b) 2014 (c) 1990

6.c 7.a 8.b 9.c 10.b

1.b 2.a 3.a 4.c 5.b

6.c 7.a 8.b 9.c 10.b

Sudoku Solution

WKU Herald 1/19/21 Trivia Puzzle

2 7 6 8 1 3 5 1 4 2 9 7 7 9 5 3 4 2 1 5 3 7 8 9 8 6 2 9 5 4 9 4 8 1 7 6 3 2 7 5 6 8 6 3 9 4 2 1 3 5 4Women's 8 1 6History

1. When were married women legally allowed to have a credit card in their own name? (a) 1969 (b) 1974 (c) 1978 2. When did Princeton and Yale first admit women as undergraduates? (a) 1969 (b) 1976 (c) 1963 3. Barbara Walters became the first woman news anchor when? (a) 1976 (b) 1983 (c) 1970 4. What president declared one week in March as National Women's History week? 31 32 33 34 (a) Bill Clinton (b) John Kennedy (c) Jimmy Carter 5. The first women to be admitted to a U.S. Military Academy was when? (a) 1985 (b) 1976 (c ) 1990 6. The Olympic Committee approved women's boxing when? (a) 2004 (b) 2000 (c) 2012 43 7. When could women serve on juries in all 50 states? (a) 1973 (b) 1980 (c) 1969 47 8. Women were given the right to own property in what year? (a) 1952 (b) 1939 (c) 1945 9. When were women allowed to run in the Boston Marathon? 52 (a) 1960 (b) 1981 (c) 1972 Herald 1/19/21 Sudoku 1 10. Olympic ski jumping was prohibited for women until what year? 56 (a) 1998 (b) 2014 (c) 1990

9 3 6 4 7 5 1 8 2

4 8 1 6 3 2 9 5 7

1.b 2.a 3.a 4.c 5.b

1 Clutch 6 Raises 9 French Sudan, today 13 Side dish in India 14 Ely of Tarzan fame 15 Gulf ship 16 Packing heat 17 Actress Peeples or Long 18 Christopher of “Superman” 19 Abandons 21 Two bean-shaped excretory organs 23 Low grade 24 Prefix with photo 25 Choose 28 Out of harm’s way 30 Painter’s tool 35 Motivate 37 Songbird 39 1944 Gene Tierney classic mystery 40 Cork’s place 41 Pedigree figures 43 Road shoulder 44 Derby prize 46 Old Italian money 47 Organ knob 48 Bouquets 50 Feminine suffix 52 A.A.R.P. members 53 Perjurer 55 German resort 57 Theory type 61 Went ‘round and ‘round 65 Steer clear of

A6 PHOTO

A7 PHOTO

DELAYED

Left: Smith danced in circles around her living room with her roommate Grace Alexieff to mimic ‘going on a bear hunt’ as a music and movement activity for toddlers. “I feel like it’s pretty obvious that I did not gain what I needed to from that experience, and there’s no way to know actually how helpful that activity that I created would have been in a classroom because I did it with a literal adult," Smith said.

Western Kentucky University student Maggie Smith faces the hardest challenges of her career in the face of COVID-19.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students earning an education degree have had to stop visiting classrooms for observations and fieldwork. “Now, all of my observation hours are videos; I have to go on YouTube and watch videos that have been taken of classrooms or of just children,” Smith said. “Sometimes they’re five minutes, sometimes they’re 30. I have to watch those and try to learn what I can from those videos.” Typically, in a classroom setting, Smith would be able to follow up with the teacher and ask unanswered questions from her observation, but observing through videos does not allow for such interaction and has limited her learning experience.

“Sometimes it’s hard, you get frustrated,” Smith said, “But working with Rush, I try to allow him the space and the ability to do what he wants to do and to live the way he wants to live because he is a 17- year-old-boy,” Smith said. "Patience is a necessity as a caregiver or a teacher." When she is frustrated, she must still react calmly, and simply wait for Rush to come around and listen to her.

“As Donna, [Rush’s] mom, was walking me through his routine, I just fell into place and I was just doing it like second nature like I’m working at Sproutlings again." Smith said, "Then I spent a night with him, an entire day and an entire night, and it was totally fine. When I got there, I just realized I’m completely qualified for this. This is literally what I’m meant to do.” Although respite work on top of school and a part-time job making pizza is a lot for Smith to juggle, she is grateful for the opportunity to learn from and with Rush.

OVID-19 forced college students to decide whether to continue their academic career despite the challenges and limitations of online school or to pause and risk falling behind their peers. For Maggie Smith, a junior from Louisville, her academic experience has gone through unique changes. As an interdisciplinary early childhood education major, Smith would traditionally be required to complete hundreds of hours of observations in classrooms. Due to the

pandemic, Smith now observes classrooms via pre-recorded videos, which she feels are inadequate preparation for the real world. Making up for a lack of in-person educational experience, Smith started a job as a respite caregiver for Rush Renshaw, a 17-year-old with low-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. “Working with Rush is very similar to working with a four-year-old who has the exact same condition he does,” Smith said. “One of the core foundations of early childhood educa-

tion is seeing every single child as a capable and competent learner, seeing every child as an individual who knows what’s best for themselves.” Smith is grateful for the opportunity to work with Rush and feels that it has helped fill the holes in her online education. “Now that I’ve done this, I’ll be able to take my experience with respite care and caring for individuals above the age of five who are severely disabled, and I will be able to work with them in

“I’m working with respite care because I really have a passion for working with individuals with special needs, and I [normally] only get to do that at Sproutlings,” Smith said. While she is used to working with children with special needs at Sproutlings Pediatric Daycare, working with Rush, who is a seventeen-year-old on the autism spectrum, has been a relatively new experience for Smith and she was nervous at first. Smith quickly adapted and knew she should not have doubted her qualifications to work with Rush.

the future,” Smith said. “I’m really happy that I’m able to do it because it gives me more confidence going into my field, knowing that I’ll be able to help [older] people who really need someone who understands them and is able to work with them.” The pandemic may have limited Smith’s ability to benefit from her classes, but her commitment to working with individuals with special needs has yielded her unique opportunities through which she continues to grow as an educator and as a human being.

"Sometimes it’s hard, you get frustrated, but working with Rush, I try to allow him the space and the ability to do what he wants to do and to live the way he wants to live because he is a seventeen year old boy."

-Maggie Smith

WKU student and Rush Renshaw's current caregiver

PHOTOS AND STORY BY SAM MALLON

A8 NEWS

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

WKU aids in contact tracing for spring 2021 By Leo Bertucci

Fresh Food Company Mon. – Fri. ............7am – 8pm Sat. ................10:30am – 7pm Sun. ...............10:30am – 8pm

Einstein Bros. Bagels NEW! Mon. – Thurs. .......................... 7:30am – 2pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed Located at Mass Media Technology Hall

Located at Downing Student Union

RedZone NEW! Mon. – Thurs........... 11am – 9pm Fri. ...................... 11am – 8pm Sat. ..............................Closed Sun. .....................4pm - 10pm

The Den by Denny’s @ Tower Mon. – Thurs. ............................11am – 11pm Fri. .............................................. 11am – 3pm Sat. ......................................................Closed Sun ..............................................4pm – 11pm Located at Tower Court Next to PFT

Located behind DSU Food Court

DSU Food Court Mon. – Thurs. ... 10:30am – 11pm* Fri. ............. 10:30am – 10pm* Sat. ............ 10:30am – 10pm* Sun. ................Noon – 11pm**

The Pit Stop Convenience Store Mon. – Thurs. .......................... 10am – 10pm Fri. .............................................. 10am – 6pm Sat. ......................................................Closed Sun. ............................................ 5pm – 10pm

Located at Tower Court Next to PFT

Located at Downing Student Union

Java City NEW! Mon. – Thurs. .......................... 7:30am – 2pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Burrito Bowl Mon. – Thurs..10:30am – 8pm Fri. ............10:30am – 2:30pm Sat. – Sun. ...................Closed Located at Downing Student Union

Located in Garrett Conference Center Lobby

GCC Subway NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ................... 10:30am – 2:30pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Located at Garrett Conference Center

Starbucks NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ..7:30am – 8pm Fri. ...................7:30am – 4pm Sat. .......................8am – 2pm Sun. .................... 10am – 5pm Located at Downing Student Union

Subway @ Bates NEW! Mon. – Thurs.... 8:30am – 11pm Fri. ..................8:30am – 8pm Sat. .....................10am – 8pm Sun. .................. 10am – 11pm Located at Bates-Runner Hall

NEW!

P.O.D. Market @ Bates Mon.–Thurs. ........ 7:30am – 11pm Fri. .................7:30am – 10pm Sat. ......................3pm – 9pm Sun. ....................3pm – 10pm Located at Bates-Runner Hall

Garrett Food Court NEW! Mon. – Thurs. .........................7:30am – 3pm* Fri. ..........................................7:30am – 2pm* Sat. – Sun. ...........................................Closed

WKU will join the Barren River District Health Department as a resource for COVID-19 contact tracing beginning this semester. The health department stopped performing contact tracing for COVID-19 cases last November because an “overwhelming number of cases of COVID-19 caused a strain in resources.” According to a press release, WKU’s contact tracing partnership with the health department was announced last May. Director of Environmental Health and Safety David Oliver said WKU staff members will serve as the university’s contact tracers. The new contact tracers will work in concert with the health department staff. “We are performing initial contact tracing with the goal of getting folks into quarantine as soon as possible, both confirmed positive cases and close contacts,” Oliver said. Oliver said WKU’s contact tracing efforts will supplement the work of the health department. “When folks call the COVID assistance line, we can provide guidance

and help facilitate their quarantine,” Oliver said. “Public health may take two to three days to initiate their tracing actions.” Bob Skipper, director of media relations, said the health department is currently concentrating on tracking the number of positive cases in their service area. WKU provides a campus-related positive case count in its dashboard. The university updates the dashboard with new positive case data twice per week. “We will continue to work closely with the health department on the positive cases and will take on a larger role with the contacts,” Skipper said. Skipper said the health department believes it will not be able to provide WKU with positive case data that is specific to the university. As of Jan. 15, WKU has reported 1,078 cases of COVID-19. Leo Bertucci can be reached at leo.bertucci665@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @leober2chee.

Located at Garrett Conference Center (Papa John’s closed on Fri.) *Grille Works opens at 7:30am. All other stations open at 10am.

Panda Express Mon. – Thurs. ........................ 10:30am – 8pm Fri. .................................... 10:30am – 2:30pm Sat. – Sun. ..........................................Closed

Located at Garrett Conference Center

DaVinci’s NEW! Mon. – Thurs. ......................... 7:30am – 2pm Fri. – Sun. ............................................Closed

Located at Snell Hall

Hilltopper Hub NEW! Mon. – Fri. ................................7:30am - 8pm Sat. – Sun.......................................5pm - 8pm

Located at Hilltopper Hall

We Accept Meal Plans, Meal Plan Dollars, Flex, Dining Dollars, Big Red Dollars, Cash and Credit/Debit Cards (Visa or Mastercard).

*Hours subject to change

The Barren River District Health Department sits in downtown Bowling Green on Jan. 18, 2021.

BRITTANY FISHER

NEWS A9

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine: What does it mean for students? What students need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine

By Debra Murray

While some WKU students have begun receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, others are uncertain of when they will be vaccinated. The general population of WKU students will likely receive the vaccine based on their health, age or occupation, much like the general population of the state. The order of when people will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will depend on the phase they fall into. According to Team Kentucky’s vaccine website, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and health care personnel are in phase 1A. Phase 1B is first responders, anyone 70 or older and K-12 school personnel. Phase 1C is for anyone 60 or older, 16 or older with Center of Disease Control highest risk or COVID-19 risk conditions, and all essential workers. Phase 2 is for anyone 40 or older. Phase 3 is for anyone 16 or older. Phase 4 is for children under the age of 16 if the vaccine is approved for this age group. Susan Eagle, a public health instructor at WKU, explained the purpose of the organization of priority when receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. “Kentucky’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan focuses on balancing the need to limit illness and death in vulnerable groups of people with the need to keep society running,” Eagle said. “The plan divides the state’s population into groups that are prioritized for access to the vaccine based on the risk of severity of the disease and risk of exposure.” Eagle said while a timeline specifically for students to receive the vaccine is not known, students will

fall into another phase to know when they are eligible. Phases vary based on occupation, health and age. “In Warren County, people in group 1B are now receiving vaccines,” Eagle said. “Some students may be in group 1A or 1B rather than group 3, based on occupation, then they should be eligible to receive the vaccine. Any students who are working in essential services, as well as students with specific health conditions identified by the CDC, will be eligible to register for the vaccine with group 1C, which should be available sometime in February.” Eagle said faculty and staff of WKU would follow the phase they are in based on age or health, rather than their occupation, since colleges and universities don’t appear in the vaccine distribution plan. Other universities, such as the University of Kentucky, have started to respond in different ways. “The University of Kentucky has started to vaccinate certain faculty, staff and students who meet specific requirements,” Eagle said. “Many WKU faculty and staff have been wondering about their place in the distribution plan, but the university hasn't publicly released any vaccine access information for any priority group.”

Photo Illustration by Sam Mallon

Jamie Barbalas is a junior from Bowling Green studying dental hygiene. Barbalas received her vaccination at the WKU Health Science Complex. “I texted a hotline number for healthcare workers with my name, number, email and job,” she said. “They texted me an appointment time, and a day later I went in. It was painless, and I was in the building for about 30 minutes total.” Garrett Payne is a sophomore from Glasgow studying architectural science. Payne received the vaccine at TJ Sampson Community Hospital in his hometown. “[I decided to get it] to protect me and others around me,” he said. “I also work with a lot of elderly people on a daily basis in a pharmacy.” Payne also said he set up the appointment by filling out an email survey, then went for his appointment the following day.

“Getting the vaccine was quick and painless,” he said. “It was sore for a few days after but it quickly went away, which was expected.” There is a long process before everyone will have access to the vaccine so following CDC guidelines is still recommended. The mask mandate will continue in Kentucky. “Although we have a vaccine and are hoping the end of the pandemic and a return to normal is in sight, it’s more important than ever to follow the safety guidelines,” Eagle said. “We know that the vaccine prevents people from developing COVID-19, but we don’t yet know if the vaccine prevents the transmission from person-to-person.” Debra Murray can be reached at debra.murray940@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter @debramurrayy

A10 SPORTS

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

TOPCARE focuses on athletes' mental health

By Nick Kieser Waffle House napkins were where the first drafts of TOPCARE were laid out. Mike Gaddie, director for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, and sports psychologist Dr. Joey Case met there on Russellville Road every week in 2019 laying out the program plans and website design. For 11 months the pair have adjusted to working at WKU amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We want to be comforting,” Gaddie said. “We want to provide health care, we want to provide great health care. But some of this is so unknown, and it was changing so fast, that it really, really made it hard for our staff to be able to be who we want to be.” Case has reached the athletes he’s worked with through posting tips to @WKU_TOPCARE on Twitter and Instagram and meeting one-onone for telehealth sessions.

“We’ve tried to have that constant presence there,” Case said. “Whether it is making telehealth sessions available, making team meetings available or even just resources [students] can use to study while they’re home.” Early on, Gaddie and his staff were part of the initial return-tocampus plan. According to the Big Red Restart Plan, June 8 marked the partial return for the football program. “Personally, I was at the front door almost every morning, early, when we were coming in,” Gaddie said. “We were coming in doing screenings when we started this brand new process of temperature checks and symptom checks.” Gaddie said an important key to early success was educating everyone as much as possible once staff and athletes came back for training. “What our staff has had to do is kind of remain patient, kind of be the calm person in a time

WKU sports psychologist Dr. Joey Case gives a presentation on athletic health to WKU student athletes in August 2020. Photo courtesy of Joey Case.

TOPCARE Psychological Skills Coaching session with WKU soccer via Zoom. Photos courtesy of Joey Case.

alarming,” Gaddie said. “The pace of a pandemic and the pace of athletics are never intact.” On the other side, Case is someone on staff who helps athletes practice their mental toughness. He uses the acronym C.U.S.A. M.V.P. for control, universal experience, support, accept, monitor, values and process. Case said his motivation working with these athletes stems from seeing their success — exactly why he does what he does at WKU. “It’s a fantastic feeling to see and to walk alongside somebody who is hurting or going through something, and to see them get to where they want to go and be part of that process,” Case said. “It’s very humbling for me to have that opportunity.” Beginning the spring semes-

ter this week, Gaddie and Case expressed their hopes for athletes playing their respective sports. “[What] I'm hoping to keep driving home with my athletes is just living in the moment, let's not worry about what might happen,” Case said. “I'm really trying to drive the point home of let's just really hone in this present moment awareness, and focus on where we are right now.” Gaddie said the biggest thing about sports returning this spring is most programs are returning at the same time. “What will happen for the [athletes] is it’ll be more testing,” Gaddie said. “Because they’re gonna be home and away, coming in at 3 a.m. and have to test at 6 a.m.” Sports Editor Nick Kieser can be reached at nick.kieser036@

A11 SPORTS

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

Lady Toppers to host Middle Tennessee State University By Drew Toennies The Lady Toppers (3-7) fell short on Thursday night’s game against Marshall (3-5), (2-4, C-USA) but managed to be victorious in Sunday’s match to split the series 1-1. The Lady Toppers are now (2-2) in C-USA play. WKU will continue its conference schedule against the Middle Tennessee State University Lady Blue Raiders this weekend at home. The Lady Blue Raiders are one of the conference’s strongest teams as they currently sit at 7-3 overall and are 5-0 in Conference USA play. The Lady Blue Raiders currently sit at the second-highest spot in the eastern division of C-USA. “It will take a team effort,” WKU head coach Greg Collins said when asked what it will take to play against MTSU. Redshirt junior Anastasia Hayes is the Lady Blue Raider’s best offensive player as she averages 28.3 points, 4.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game per season. Hayes currently leads C-USA WKU guard Hope Sivori (1) passes the ball to guard Meral JACK DOBBS Abdelgawad (40), with Ball State guard Anna Clephane (30) trying to block. in overall scoring. The 5-foot-7 junior has

scored as many as 35 points this season in a match against Lipscomb and has proven her ability to draw fouls to get to the free throw line. Hayes has gone to the free throw line 18 times in one game this season. “She’s without a doubt one of the best two or three players in this conference,” Collins said. “We’ll have our hands full trying to guard her. It will probably take more than one person. Even then, we may have a hard time keeping her contained.” WKU Junior Meral Abdelgawad also talked about the upcoming matchup against MTSU and what the team will need to do to contain Hayes. “I think coach Collins will talk about that,” Abdelgawad said. “I think Hope will guard her.” WKU senior and Senegalnative Fatou Pouye is one of WKU’s top offensive players who average is 13.1 points per game. Pouye is ranked 18 places behind Hayes on the list of top scorers within C-USA. WKU senior Raneem Elgedawy is another player of interest as she recently returned from her hometown of Cairo, Egypt to rejoin the

Lady Toppers this season. Elgedawy made her home debut on Jan. 14 against Marshall, where she dropped 17 points to give her 28 total double-doubles in her career. Elgedawy had 20 points and five rebounds against Marshall. Junior Meral Abdelgawad will also be a potential performer as she dropped 16 points against Marshall on Sunday and had seven rebounds. Abdelgawad was the second highest scorer on the Lady Toppers behind Elgedawy. The Lady Toppers will be hosting the Lady Blue Raiders in Diddle Arena on Friday and Saturday. Both games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Women’s basketball beat reporter Drew Toennies at drew.toennies900@topper. wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @drew_toennies.

SPORTS A12

Week of Jan. 19, 2021

Hilltoppers poised for second sweep By Kaden Gaylord WKU secured its first sweep of conference play against Marshall (7-4), (1-3 C-USA) this past weekend to move to (11-4), (4-2 C-USA) on the season. “When your teams are player driven, those are your best teams,” head coach Rick Stansbury said. “We can’t coach every possession from the sideline, in particular with the mask on. If we don't have one guy that can

do it we have to do it collectively.” It was a big weekend for guys like Josh Anderson, Carson Williams and Charles Bassey who set a career high for rebounds in game one. All were big when it came to the momentum swinging in WKU’s favor to pull out close victories against its Moonshine Throwdown rival. WKU will wrap up their three game road swing against conference rival Middle Tennessee State University. The Hilltoppers have won the last two meetings between the conference opponents. The last time these two teams met on the court, the Hilltoppers took home the win 69-53. Senior Taveion Hollingsworth led the team in scoring with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting, 2-of-2 from behind the arc, and had five rebounds, two assists and three steals. The Blue Raiders are currently last in the East Division of Conference USA, sitting at (3-7), (1-3, C-USA) after dropping both games to Southern Mississippi on the road. MTSU is led BRITTANY FISHER Western Kentucky University junior Charles Bassey (23) blocks a layup by redshirt junior by Andrew Taylor (0) during Friday night’s game in Diddle Arena on Jordan Davis and, Jan. 15, 2021. The WKU Hilltoppers defeated the Marshall University recently inserted Thundering Herd 81-73.

into the starting lineup, junior Dontrell Shuler. Both players average about 11 points a game and are the only two on MTSU’s roster who average double digit points. The Blue Raiders are currently last in the conference in scoring offense, putting up 62 points a game, but are third in scoring defense, giving up 63 points a game. “We haven't looked a lot at Middle Tennessee yet, we take it one game at a time,” Carson Williams said after game two against Marshall. “We’ll try to figure out their strengths and weaknesses and try to attack them based on that.” MTSU doesn't get to the free throw line that much, getting to the charity stripe 127 times this season hitting 90 of them for 71%. That's an area WKU can take advantage of since part of the Hilltoppers identity is shooting more free throws than its opponents even attempt. WKU has taken over 100 more free throws than the team that’s second in free throws taken. MTSU has the worst team field goal shooting percentage out of all of the teams in the conference but WKU has the worst defense, allowing teams to shoot an average of 45% shots per game from the field, so something has to give. A big difference in this year is having Charles Bassey on the court. Especially coming off of a series where he had a career high in rebounds for a game, he can possibly do the same against a team who’s leading rebounders are both 6-foot-6. “Going into there, I'm going to be even more aggressive as I was in the previous game and today’s game,” Bassey said after game two against Marshall. “We’re just gonna go in there and do what we do. Go in there and win.” As WKU gets deeper into the

schedule, cutting down the turnovers will be essential for this team if it wants to make a postseason run, and that can start this weekend against its ‘100 Miles of Hate’ rival. The Murphy Center Complex will be the home for this series as game one takes place on Saturday at 4 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. start on Sunday. Game one will be shown on ESPN+ while game two will be shown on the CBS Sports Network. Men’s basketball beat reporter Kaden Gaylord can be reached at kaden.gaylord559@topper.wku.edu. Follow Kaden on Twitter at @_KLG3.

BRITTANY FISHER

Western Kentucky University junior Charles Bassey (23) attempts to dunk the ball during Friday nights game in Diddle Arena on Jan. 15, 2021. The WKU Hilltoppers defeated the Marshall University Thundering Herd 81-73.