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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011 • College Heights Herald • Vol. 87, No. 24 • Western Kentucky University
HS games over weekend will change parking By NICK BRATCHER news@wkuherald.com
JABIN E. BOTSFORD/HERALD
Head Coach Willie Taggart celebrates with his team after WKU defeated Troy 41-18 on Saturday to finish the season 7-5.
WHAT A RIDE Toppers complete improbable turnaround
By BRAD STEPHENS sports@wkuherald.com
What a difference two months can make. WKU sat 0-3 in late September, coming off a 28-point loss to Football Championship Subdivision opponent Indiana State. That loss was the 33rd in the team’s last 35 games. Junior quarterback Kawaun Jakes had lost his starting job, only to go back on the field after backup Brandon Doughty went down with a seasonending knee injury. Meanwhile the defense had surrendered 40 points two games in a row. Head Coach Willie Taggart told fans after the Indiana State game not to give up on his team, but admitted “if they decide not to come I understand that.” There were perhaps several Topper fans who gave up on the team and didn’t come back. They missed one heck of a show. WKU narrowly lost its next game to Arkansas State but then won seven of its last eight to finish with a 7-5 record. Two months after the Indiana State loss the Toppers are bowl eligible and have a winning record for the first time since 2007. WKU put the finishing touches on its regular season run with a 41-18 win over Troy on Saturday in Smith Stadium.
When Smith Stadium hosts the KHSAA state football championships Friday and Saturday, an expected 35,000 fans will be on WKU’s campus throughout the two-day period. Parking Services is also making some changes to accommodate for the influx of visitors that will require some extra measures by students this Friday and Saturday. Both the commuter Parking Structure No. 2 — located between Diddle Arena and Smith Stadium — and the Creason Lot will be used exclusively for paid public parking all day. Parking Services requires all students to remove their vehicles from the Creason lot by 5 p.m. Thursday to avoid a $100 fine. “WKU Housing students who normally use Creason Lot should park in other housing lots or Chestnut South Lot,” Parking Services stated in a press release. Sturgis freshman Riley Hall lives in Keen Hall and owns a housing permit for on-campus parking. Despite Parking Services sending warning emails to students about the 5 p.m. deadline, Hall said he thought he “had to be out by Friday sometime.” SEE PARKING, PAGE 9
“It’s crazy,” senior left tackle Wes Jeffries said following the Toppers’ Senior Day win. “We started off 0-4. We just turned it completely around. Now, we’re one of the best teams in the conference.” Saturday’s game was an illustration of the factors that led to WKU’s turnaround. The Toppers ran for 338 yards offensively, dominating the Trojans up front, while the WKU defense held Troy to just 27 yards on the ground. Meanwhile Jakes turned in another solid performance, going 11-of-18 for 156 yards while avoiding any turnovers.
CAB planning Big Red's 32nd birthday party
SEE TOPPERS, PAGE 11
news@wkuherald.com
WHAT'S INSIDE: PAGE 10
Bowl scenarios Regular season recap PAGE 11
Bobby Rainey's records
By MELISSA HARDESTY Campus Activities Board wants to help WKU students show Big Red some love on his 32nd birthday. CAB will on Wednesday host Big Red’s Birthday Bash in the Preston Center. The event will feature activities such as laser tag, an obstacle course, a Velcro wall, a mechanical bull, inflatable boxing and a caricature artist. There will also be traditional birthday party activities — a magician, a DJ and a five-tier birthday cake, according to CAB news release. Sylvia Reyes, CAB president, said the organization hopes to have the WKU band, cheerleaders and singing groups Major Redz and Amazing Tones of Joy involved in the celebration. SEE BIRTHDAY, PAGE 2
Joplin, Mo., teen inducted into WKU honor fraternity By TESSA DUVALL news@wkuherald.com
When Phi Sigma Pi recently initiated nine of its newest members into the brotherhood, it did so with a mix of sadness and pride. One of those initiates never knew any of the members, but he will forever hold a place in the hearts of PSP’s Beta Phi chapter at WKU. Will Norton, an 18-year-old graduate of Joplin (Mo.) High School, was made an honorary brother of the fraternity on Nov. 18. Norton was killed during the May 22 tornado that struck Joplin on his graduation day. He was driving home with his father when they were caught in the storm. Although his father survived, Norton’s body wasn’t found until several days later in a nearby pond, just blocks from his
undamaged home. It’s because of Norton’s story that David Serafini, a history instructor at WKU and the adviser of PSP, first organized a trip to Joplin to help with rebuilding efforts. The first trip was in June and the second followed in October during fall break. As Serafini watched the search for Norton unfold after the storm, he felt connected to the story, saying it brought out the big brother in him. Serafini began to learn about Norton, a YouTube star and budding filmmaker, and felt that he embodied the PSP tripod of scholarship, leadership and fellowship. After returning from the second Joplin Run in October, Serafini said he proposed to the PSP officers making Norton an honorary brother of the fraternity. It was approved unanimously by the of-
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ficers and then by the full chapter. “We knew it was going to happen,” he said. “Joplin has become our project, I suppose, and we’ve all adopted Will in a way. He’s the reason why we go.” During the initiation, Serafini stood in as Norton and signed the role book on his behalf. The ceremony brought mixed emotions for Serafini and the fraternity. Despite the sadness, Serafini said he was proud and happy to make Norton an honorary brother. “Now we must ensure that we tell Will’s story JABIN E. BOTSFORD/HERALD to each initiate class from here on out,” Serafini said. History instructor David Serafini, Phi Sigma Pi adviser, kneels at the foot of Will Norton’s grave Chris Storath, a Hen- over fall break in Joplin, Mo. Norton, who was killed last May by an EF-5 tornado — the same dersonville, Tenn., sopho- day he graduated high school — was recently inducted as an honorary brother of Phi Sigma Pi. more and initiate adviser things I could imagine,” “This is probably the Norton and hearing about for PSP, said he is thrilled Storath said. “No one re- least we could do for his the Joplin Runs. to have Norton as a broth- ally represents the tripod family and his friends.” er. of our fraternity more than Storath said the initiates “It’s one of the greatest he does. have loved learning about SEE JOPLIN, PAGE 9
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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
a thousand words
Photo & Story By JOSH MAUSER
Bardstown senior Andrew Delaney searches for meteors during the Leonids meteor shower Nov. 18.
Hot chocolate kept hands and bellies warm on Nov. 18, and as the temperature dropped, the number of astronomy enthusiasts increased. This night marked the end of the Leonids meteor shower, which typically hits its peak in November.
Spectators from WKU and the general public came out to Chaney’s Dairy Barn, 9191 Nashville Road, with high hopes of seeing a spectacular show. Rachel Campbell, an observatory education scientist in physics and
astronomy, offered students as well as amateur observers the opportunity to see the shower. Campbell answered any questions posed and helped set up more than four telescopes. Fourteen-year-old Whitney Heard, of Bowl-
For more information visit WKUHERALD.COM
ing Green, brought out her own telescope with hopes to learn more about using it. Part of the event was aimed at helping people learn how to use the equipment they own so they can explore astronomy on their own. Lights from the show-
er emitted off Chaney’s, glowing in the background while making light pollution and cloud cover more and more of a problem as the night went on. Campbell was wary about how the event would turn out because
BIRTHDAY CONTINUED FROM FRONT
Everything is free for all WKU students when they show their WKU IDs. The party will begin at 11 p.m. and end at 1 a.m. At midnight, there will be a toast to Big Red, followed by the birthday cake. For his birthday, Big Red is asking for toy donations for children in need during the upcoming holiday season. Donations are not required but are appreciated. “We definitely want to attach the Western spirit to this party, and a giving spirit is a big part of Western,” said Kenneth Johnson, assistant director of Student Activities. The toys will either be given to Toys for Tots, a national organization sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps or the Salvation Army, said Johnson. Toys for Tots’ goal is “to deliver,
CRIME REPORTS Reports ■ QuaShaun Stewart, PFT, reported on Nov. 21 the theft of his backpack from the Preston Center. The estimated value of the theft is $549. ■ Melissa Rushton, Northeast Hall, and Katherine Knight, Bowling Green, reported on Nov. 21 that Knight’s clarinet was stolen from Ivan Wilson Hall, room 239. The estimated value of the clarinet is $699.60.
Arrests ■ Trent Schum, Pearce-Ford Tower, was
the sky was so bright and the wether so cold. But after about an hour, she was happy with the results. “Over 30 people came out, and we had a bunch of kids,” she said. “It generated a lot of public interest in the science we are doing.”
through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens,” according to the Toys for Tots website. All donated toys should be new and unwrapped. This is CAB’s first year participating in Big Red’s birthday celebration, so all the members are very excited, said Reyes. CAB is prepared to host about 600 to 1,200 students at the party. If the event is a success, CAB plans to participate in future celebrations and increase the scale of the event. “Hopefully this event will be on a scale that would make Big Red proud,” Johnson said. According to wkusports.com, Big Red was born in the fall of 1979 and celebrates its birthday on Dec. 1. Big Red was originally designed and built by WKU student Ralph Carey, a member of the class of 1980 and Cincinnati native. arrested on Nov. 28 on University Boulevard at Smith Stadium and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol under the age of 21, failure to illuminate headlights and possession of an open container of alcohol. Schum was lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail and released the same day. ■ Michael Shopmeyer, Crestwood, was arrested on Nov. 27 at Chestnut Street and Regents Avenue and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and failure to illuminate headlights. Shopmeyer was lodged in the Warren County Jail and released the same day.
3 Academic team invites new players to join
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
JOSH MASUER/HERALD
Mt. Sterling freshman Blake Soper answers a question during the Academic Competition Club practice. The club has been slow to grow but is constantly gaining new members.
By MONTA REINFELDE diversions@wkuherald.com
Athletics isn't the only discipline where students compete bearing the WKU name. The academic competition, mostly known as “quiz bowl,” is more an intellectual matchup rather than muscle or strength
-related. WKU Academic Competition Club was established in spring of 2010 by two WKU students, Leitchfield junior Nick Conder and Smiths Grove junior Brian Riddle, who met in a quiz bowl tournament during high school. The club consists of different students and
faculty members who help with all aspects of an academic competition. Select members who wish to compete form teams. Because the WKU Academic Competition Team is new compared to other collegiate teams in the nation that have been around for decades, they are not ranked yet.
“Since we started, we have done fair,” said Riddle, who is a finance major and the club’s treasurer. “We are in the middle of the pack.” Guy Jordan, who is an assistant professor of art history and the club’s adviser, said he thinks this team has a lot of growing to do. However, Jordan said he knows the team will get better and earn a ranking one day. “I do not think there is anybody currently on our team who is sort of a monster player who will just gobble everything up,” he said. “To have a team like that that works, everybody has to be on that same level, sharpening swords and making one another better.” Currently the Academic Competition Team is looking for new students who would like to participate. “We always need new players and people to help read questions, keep scores and perform other simple tasks,” said Conder, who is a history major
and the club's president. Although it may seem daunting to join a club based on intelligence, Conder said people don't need a 4.0 GPA to be successful players. “I know someone who played for another team,” he said. “He was one of the best players in the country, but he was a terrible student, who ended up dropping out of college. There are people who do not fit the normal definition of smart who excel quiz bowl.” Quiz bowl is very competitive, Conder said. It's a lot like playing physical sports, but instead of using the body, people use their minds. Riddle agreed with Conder and added that playing quiz bowl is not as large of a time commitment as being on a sports team. People have enough time to do other things as well, he said. The team practices Wednesday nights and plays up to 30 games a semester, Conder said. During a season, the
team travels to a lot of different places, including Washington D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., among others. “The best reason to participate is we go to a lot of places,” Riddle said. “And we have fun.” Besides traveling and competing, Conder said academic competition is a good way to expand knowledge on various academic subjects and meet a lot of people. For example, Jordan met his wife in one of those tournaments at the time he played. “It is a good way to go places and meet people,” Conder said. “I know people from all around the country.” Trips and housing are always paid, Conder said. The only thing players have to pay for is food and sightseeing tours. Jordan encouraged students to participate in the Academic Competition Team. “It is a pretty laid back atmosphere,” Jordan said.
WKYU-PBS SGA hosting Dine overhauls studio with Decision Makers with USDA grant By TAYLOR HARRISON news@wkuherald.com
By MICHAEL MCKAY news@wkuherald.com
The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded WKU a $577,114 grant from the Rural Utility Service to update equipment in the WKYUPBS station. WKYU-PBS is the public broadcasting station for south central Kentucky and northern Tennessee. The station is currently using analog studio equipment and the money will allow the station to switch over to high-definition digital equipment to provide better programming. Linda Gerofsky, WKYUPBS station manager, said the grant will allow the station to update its 20- to 40-year-old equipment, which cannot take advantage of the digital format. “Some of it’s on its last legs or failing already, and we’re really in dire straits when it comes to that kind of stuff, not to mention that we’re not able to produce things in digital format, and that’s a problem with digital television,” Gerofsky said. Gerofsky said everyone in
the studio was thrilled to finally receive funding. “It just seems almost unbelievable because we’ve gone so long and needed this for so long and tried some other sources to get money, and it’s just not easy,” Gerofsky said. “So we were kind of, you know, keeping our fingers crossed, but we were trying not to get our hopes up too much that we would get it.” Katie Gibbs, a senior from Connersville, Ind., and a student worker at WKYU, said she was happy the station was upgrading because a lot of the equipment the station currently uses is antiquated. “The model of switcher that we have in the control room was actually used in the first Star Wars,” Gibbs said. Gibbs said its been about 30 years since the last time some of the equipment was replaced in the control room. “Whenever one of our station managers, Linda Gerofsky, gives tours, she’s reluctant to go in there because it’s so old in there,” Gibbs said. “She’s like,‘This is a museum and then this is all of our modern stuff.”
wkuherald.com
The Student Government Association is bringing highly regarded individuals from the community to WKU with the Dine with Decision Makers event on Thursday. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Cupola Room in the Downing University Center. Students are invited to attend for free and can RSVP on the SGA website. This is the third year the event has taken place. SGA Executive Vice President Kendrick Bryan said it was former SGA President Kevin Smiley’s idea to create the dinner. Getting ready for the event has been a group effort from various members of SGA, which is the sole sponsor of the event, Bryan said. SGA President Billy Stephens said the event benefits both decision makers and students. “Dine is a great event because it gives students the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with the leaders not only of our great state, but this university,” Stephens said. As of now, 14 decision makers have been con-
firmed. President Gary Ransdell and Robbin Taylor, vice president for public affairs, are confirmed to attend the event. Local mayors that will attend are Rhonda Trautman from Glasgow, Ron Payne from Owensboro and Tim Walker from Elizabethtown. Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon will also attend the event. A representative for Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo will attend in his place. KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer will also attend. Six state legislators — Jim DeCesare, Jody Richards, Dorsey Ridley, Wilson Stone, Mike Wilson and C.B. Embry — will be on hand. Pending RSVPs are Auditor-elect Adam Edelen, the Board of Regents members and Bowling Green City Commissioner Melinda Hill. SGA Administrative Vice President Devon Hilderbrandt said the event will cost about $1,500. Legislation was not passed to fund the event because money is set aside specifically for it at the beginning of the year. “It shows decision makers what Hilltoppers really can offer, and it also shows us to what we can do to help better ourselves as leaders and future decision makers,” Hilderbrandt said.
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11.29.11
College Heights Herald • Western Kentucky University
people
EDITORIAL CARTOON
POLL What is the best and worst gift you've ever received?
JEN MCCARTY Evansville senior
Best: A yorkie puppy named Missy Worst: “It was this thing that was supposed to be a scarf with a hood — it was bad.”
COLUMN
Don't take Christmas for granted Like most people, I absolutely love Christmas. I love the warm family traditions, nonstop Christmas music blasting from every speaker in town, the reds and the greens, and the ribbons and bows. I love it all. I’m a true sucker for the retail and commercial Christmas. I’m sorry if you don’t enjoy all the bright and happy Christmas ads with cheery carols trying to sell you something — honestly it makes me think you’re a sad person. Really, I can’t stand listening to people talk about how much more “commercialized” Christmas becomes each year. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, people, so stop complaining about “the man” out to get your money and losing the real meaning of Christmas. Receiving presents elates anyone from ages 1 to 92, and you can’t argue that with me. Yes, I know my mom, along with many other moms, have fought over toys and electronics for their kids, pulling hair and
SPENCER JENKINS Scribbled Words opinion@wkuherald.com
scratching at each other, but in the grand scheme of things it’s totally in the holiday spirit. Moms love their kids so of course they’re going to fight for that iPad or Xbox so their child will smile
Christmas morning. I’m a strong believer that people don’t really ever lose the real meaning of Christmas, because in the end, the crazy things we do during the holiday season is in the effort to brighten people’s lives with the spirit of giving. Maybe it bugs me when people complain about Christmas because I feel like they’re taking it for granted. Last Christmas was the first Christmas I experienced without my father who passed
away the summer before. When they say the first holidays are the toughest when you lose a loved one, they aren’t lying. Christmas was hard, but I had the rest of my family with me. To take our minds off of the passing of my father as much as possible, my family and I spent Christmas Eve in an airport and Christmas Day at the Fontainebleau in Miami. We got away from the cold but we still brought the Christmas spirit with us. It’s kind of nice being able to lay out on the beach on Christmas for a change. Like everything in life, you never know when your last day is, and Christmas is supposed to be one of the most cheerful days of the year, so don’t ruin it by complaining about anything. Don’t take any Christmas, or any day for that matter, for granted. I sure don’t, and I love spending it with my mom, stepdad and amazing brother. Oh, and I also still celebrate it with my dad, just in a different way.
NATHAN SMITH Lawrenceburg freshman
Best: Car Worst: “My worst was a savings bond when I was 8 years old. All I wanted was a new Pokémon game.”
LEANDRA HOOSIER Russellville freshman
Best: Car Worst: “Barbie dolls… I didn’t really play with them.”
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Secondary education should not be underestimated I appreciated Nick Weller’s commentary in the Nov. 11 Herald, “Do this many people need to be going to college?” Although I question some of the statistics he cites; i.e., “Forty-two percent of recent college graduates are unemployed,” I agree with his basic premise that the decision to attend college should be taken more seriously by many students. At the same time, the increasing relevance of extending one’s formal education beyond the secondary level should not be underestimated. Does that mean everyone needs to go to college? No, but it is becoming obvious that edu-
cation must be a central tenet of any viable strategy for sustainable job creation and economic growth. The fundamental nature of work is changing, and unless Americans embrace this reality, our prospects will continue to be in jeopardy. Unfortunately, far too many Americans still have antediluvian notions about its evolving role in their lives. And pursuing the wrong credential, as Mr. Weller alludes to, can make your economic situation significantly worse. Charlatans, opportunists and fear mongers are already cashing in on the naïve who believe any job in health services or
information technology will precipitate a higher standard of living. All work is increasingly knowledge driven. Constant training and retraining are the new norm; today’s proficiency is tomorrow’s obsolescence. In a fast-paced, knowledge-driven global economy, everything can — and often does — change overnight. You either keep up or are left in the dust. Education is becoming the only path to job security. Aaron Hughey Department of Counseling and Student Affairs
TONY KING Cleveland senior
Best: “An iron. I like homey stuff. I hope I get a cooking set for this Christmas, like a nice one, like a 200 dollar one.” Worst: “I got a stuffed animal and I was 19. I can’t be getting stuff like that. It was real stupid.”
COMMENTARY
Tempting rubicon: Civilized society both 'divided and lost' TAYLOR HARBIN Paducah senior A wise man once said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. He also said the first thing to do when you’re lost is to admit it. Such wisdom is slaughtered and sacrificed upon the altar of our nation with its “progress” and “educated people.” The rising prominence of the Occupation of Wall Street and the Mississippi Personhood controversy are just two things that have reminded me that we are both: divided and lost. One hundred and fifty years
ago we distinguished between humans and non-humans based on the color of skin. The issue makes me question if we ever believed in the right to life. But that doesn’t matter. We’re much more civilized than we were in 1861, civilized to such a point that CNN printed a single article on the anniversary of Fort Sumpter, its causes and implications, as if everyone had already forgotten the events of the last presidential election. Such guidance, by the example of our elders, is dismissed as irrelevant to modern life. I don’t waste my time brokering speaking terms between circled
wagons of zealots, lest I be torn asunder. Camp David won’t be the place where it all ends. Though we still pride ourselves as a people of reason, gone are the days when we actually used the gift. Our fathers made that same mistake, and now we’re on the verge of killing each other, yet again, because we don’t bother with talking. This time, there won’t be stone walls and charges up the long slope. It will be everyone versus everyone else. America: 1789 style. Decades from now, surrounded by the children who managed to survive their time in this world,
I’ll stand amid fresh graveyards. A man in a three-piece suit will wipe his tears and say what a horrible war it was, and then ask why it had to happen. Why did it happen? We simply wouldn’t have it any other way. And as he continues to pour out such archetypes of suffering in motion, the olden tombs will welcome, with silent nods of acceptance, the newly baptized members of the mute witnesses. If I had a dollar for every stake being driven through the heart of this nation, I’d still be broke. A new breed of abolitionists and fire-eaters have made
themselves known, waving blood-soaked shirts with thunderous cries that echo amongst the hushed voices of those who came before. “That’s not true,” many say, “things are different.” Yes, yes, “peace, peace.” We don’t refer to each other as Johnny Reb or Billy Yank, Ivan or Gringo. But we still bleed Red, erase bitter memories written in Black upon the White, and sing the Blues while our tired heads turn Grey. This commentary doesn't necessarily represent the views of the Herald or the university.
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NOVEMBER 29, 2011
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
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ACROSS 1 11/11 honoree 4 Father 8 __ up; tied an old corset 13 Finished 14 Hawaiian feast 15 Remembered Texas mission 16 Provo's state 17 Very dry 18 Send in payment 19 Not __ so; possibly untrue 22 "__ a tough job but somebody's got to do it" 23 Respect greatly 24 Takes care of 26 Diplomacy 29 Old sayings 32 Gather together 36 Mister, in Germany 38 Strike with an open palm 39 Market basket 40 Late Russian leader Vladimir 41 Casino game 42 France's dollar 43 Was in the red 44 Valuable 45 __ Nevada; California mountain range 47 Cubs or Reds 49 Strike hard 51 Of the skin 56 Bowler or fez 58 City in Tennessee 61 Pennsylvania Mennonites 63 Pub order 64 Commotions 65 Hose down 66 Like a poor excuse 67 Fender blemish 68 Borders 69 Looks at 70 __ as a fox
from the hill @mscharzangelz: Pause..... S/O to the WKU Football and Volleyball Teams!!! #Proudalumni #Letsgotops -sent Sunday 11/27 @KellyPotts4: Upset WKU isn't playing at UK. That would have been too perfect. -sent Sunday 11/27
@sworthington18: WKU volleyball selection show was fun! Awesome singing the fight song when Coach Taggart came in! #proudtobeatopper #ibleedwkured -sent Sunday 11/27 @RossBjorkAD: #WKU Community- join me in thanking this Sr. Class, @ CoachTaggart & his staff on a great season & turnaround..........only the beginning! -sent Sunday 11/27
DOWN 1 Casts a ballot 2 Make into law 3 Giggle's sound 4 Blood component 5 Precursor of a seizure, often 6 Twosome 7 Examine the financial books 8 Upper part of the trachea 9 Frothy drink 10 Short negligee garments 11 Discharge 12 Specks
@RD_Beal: Would love to see the #tops down in memphis for the liberty bowl!! Beale Street is calling my name. #gotops #wku #walkinginmemphis -sent Sunday 11/27 @ESPNCFB: Off-Radar PlayerOfTheDay: #WesternKentucky RB Bobby Rainey. 44car/217yds/3TDs as WKU beat #Troy4118 for 1st winning season in FBS (7-5) -sent
THE HE ED Daily aiily C Commuter ommutter Puzzl Puzzle
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@jayyyryyye: Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so #thankful for my amazing family, friends, cheer sisters, sisters & being a cheerleader for WKU football -sent Thursday 11/24
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Mark William Scholarship Cornhole Tournament, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Lawn KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl, 11 a.m., Smith Stadium Choral Winterfest, 7:30 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic Church Winterdance, 8-10 p.m., Van Meter Hall iPhone App
Saturday, 12/3 KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl, 11 a.m., Smith Stadium Christmas In Kentucky, 11 a.m., Kentucky Museum Winterdance, 8-10 p.m., Van Meter Hall
Mark William Scholarship Cornhole Tournament, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Lawn Hugh Poland Candy Cane Sale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., DUC Lobby Sunday, 12/4 RA Selection Process, 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Grise Hall 235 Zeta Phi Beta Open Mic, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., Garrett Ballroom Men's basketball vs. Bowling Green State, 2 p.m., Diddle Arena Planetarium show: The Star of Bethlehem, 2 p.m., Thursday, 12/1 Hardin Planetarium Winterdance, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Van Meter Hall Free HIV Testing, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., DUC Third Floor Greek Week Meeting, 4 p.m.-5 p.m., DUC 308 Monday, 12/5 Poetry Rap: World AIDS Day, 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. Men's basketball vs. Murray State, 7 p.m., Diddle Arena Mark William Scholarship Cornhole Tournament, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., South Lawn Planetarium show: The Star of Bethlehem, 7 p.m., Women's basketball vs. Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m., Diddle Arena Hardin Planetarium
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6 Men accept No Shave November challenge COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
JABIN E. BOTSFORD/HERALD
JABIN E. BOTSFORD/HERALD
Hopkinsville junior Cory Mayes is participating in No Shave November. “I have never done it before and some of my fraternity brothers were doing it,” he said.
Munfordville sophomore J.D. Shadburne said No Shave November is “a way to express our manhood.”
By ZIRCONIA ALLEYNE
Prostate Cancer Foundation. Those are just two charities involved in No Shave November, according to Noshember. com, a website dedicated to the shave-free month. For Mayes, No Shave November was a time to bond with his brothers of Alpha Tau Omega. On Oct. 31, they did the clean shave and decided not to shave until
diversions@wkuherald.com
Although it may be too early to spot Santa’s silky white mane, it’s just the right time to see some WKU students let their scruffy beards go wild. In honor of the national phenomenon “No Shave November,” they’ve gone the entire month without shaving.
St. Louis sophomore Jon Lindsey acts as if he's lost all his razors. “You’re supposed to just let it grow,” he said. “No trimming, no grooming, no touching of the beard.” People like Hopkinsville junior Cory Mayes were inspired by the chance to donate to charities such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the
the end of November. “It’s a chance to show your manliness,” Mayes said. “We’re going all out.” However, this isn’t just a fraternity tradition. Lindsey tried the tradition in high school, but said his mom forced him to shave it off. Since then he’s kept his beard shaven, but leaves a little hair on his chin sometimes.
“I’ve had a couple of people say they like me with a beard,” Lindsey said. With a few supporters and some friendly competition, he thought it was time to try the tradition again. Lindsey decided to boycott shaving with his friends Munfordville sophomore J.D. Shadburne and Bryan Sircy, a senior from Lafayette, Tenn. Shadburne said he plans to have the longest beard out the group since it only took him two days to grow one before. “I expect to look like Paul Bunyan,” Shadburne said. For Sircy, the hairy feat may be a little more difficult. His dark-red beard stays fairly thin and curly, but he hopes it will grow to be two inches long. “At least something I can pull into a hair bow,” Sircy said. Despite the ability to grow a beard, other factors may decide the outcome of the guys’ burly adventure and if they can make it to the end of the month.
Sircy didn’t know if his untamed beard would be a hit at WKU Teleflora, where he delivers floral arrangements parttime. “My boss thinks it’s going to be tacky,” he said. However, Sircy said he can still make it look respectable. Mayes isn’t expecting disapproval from his employers at Monster Energy. “They’re crazy people, so I think they’ll be supportive,” he said. Shadburne said his girlfriend, Sarah Roy, wasn’t a fan of No Shave November. Roy, a sophomore from Hendersonville, Tenn., said she actually doesn’t mind the tradition. “It’s fun for guys to get together and brag about their beards,” she said. Roy said she likes Shadburne with a beard, as long as it’s groomed. Shadburne said he’s sure she will like his new look. “I’m going for the gold,” he said. “I’m just going to let it go wild and do its own thing.”
Woman’s Club raises money for WKU scholarships By MELISSA HARDESTY news@wkuherald.com
The Bowling Green Woman’s Club annual Christmas Home Tour will return for its 17th year of Christmas cheer on Dec. 11. Seven local homes and businesses are participating in the tour this year, according to a news release from the club. Each location on the tour will feature both indoor and outdoor holiday decorations. “It’s really up to individual
home owners whether they want to focus more on the inside or the outside,” said Lynn Hulsey, one of the tour’s organizers. “Some people have music playing. Last year, one lady had her son playing piano during the tour. It was very lovely.” The Woman’s Club hosts the tour as a way to raise money for four $1,000 scholarships given yearly to WKU students. “The tour is our big moneymaker,” said Cathy Adams, the club’s International chairman.
Adams has been a member of the Woman’s Club for two years but has taken the home tour for the past five years. She said the tour is what originally drew her to the club and eventually led her to join. The club is a civic organization made up of local women who are interested in volunteering and community awareness. The tour is one of many ways that members can get involved in the club and in the community. Adams said the club also encour-
ages women of any age, including WKU students, interested in volunteering to “roll your sleeves up” and come to a meeting. Many members of the Woman’s Club have ties to WKU, including Hulsey, member of the class of 1984. “The tour is pretty important to us,” Hulsey said. “That’s the reason we do this — to give scholarships to Western students.” Hulsey said planning for the tour began in June. The group has been working to secure houses
and put together a booklet, which will be handed out with each ticket purchase. Booklets feature a map of the tour route and a photo and paragraph with background information about each home Tickets are $10 when purchased in advance at participating locations and $12 on the day of the tour at the first house. To purchase tickets, contact Cathy Adams at Manelines Hair Salon at 270-991-0107 or 270782-6550, Monticello Bank, or Werner Lowe at 270-796-2683.
NOVEMBER 18, 2011
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
Christmas pageant highlights Kappa Sigma's philanthropy By TAYLOR HARRISON news@wkuherald.com
The fifth Kappa Sigma Christmas Pageant will take place on Dec. 7 at the Downing University Center Theater, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The event’s proceeds will go to Kappa Sigma’s philanthropy, Toys for Tots. Contestants are charged an entrance fee, and there will be an admission fee to attend the event. Louisville senior and Christmas Week Chair Matt Hodgson said the people that participate in the pageant are mostly from WKU’s sororities. Each sorority can enter up to three contestants. This year, Hodgson said that fraternities can nominate someone to participate as well. The pageant has three rounds. In the first round, participants can wear their organization’s letters. In the second round, they wear outfits that show “Christmas spirit.” The third round is formal wear. The judges are usually alumni — last year, Gary Ransdell’s wife, Julie, was one of the judges. Last year’s winner was Poorvie Patel,
representing Alpha Omicron Pi. Hodgson said a Chi Omega came in second and Omega Phi Alpha was in third. There are also other events in Kappa Sigma’s Christmas week. These include a Griff’s Deli Night on Dec. 6, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to Toys for Tots. Kappa Sigma also goes caroling to the sororities’ houses the night after the pageant. The president of AOII, Laura Brittany Wathen, said the process for selecting participants requires that girls will be nominated within the sorority. Once as many people as they want to participate have been nominated and accepted the nominations, the process is stopped. Wathen said that ever since she’s been in her sorority, they have participated in the pageant. Kappa Sigma president Rob Whittley said the pageant is for a great cause, adding that the girls also seem to have a fun time participating. “It gives the chance for the Greek community to donate to a philanthropy in a fun and exciting way,” he said.
■ NEWS BRIEF WKU iMedia provides coverage at Hong Kong conference
Students involved with WKU iMedia with the School of Journalism & Broadcasting were commissioned by the Global Editors Network to provide editorial reports during the 2011 News World Summit this week in Hong Kong. The class, taught by Kerry Northrup, the iMedia Coordinator and journalist professional-in-residence, will cover the events through a combination of streaming video, social networking and online reports from Hong Kong for the next three days. Marjorie Yambor, an
instructor in the SJ&B, is also leading the trip. “The GEN wants to promote collaboration across all news platforms,” said Bertrant Pecquerie, Global Editor Network’s Chief executive officer, in a WKU news release. “This is why we are very interested in the innovative newshandling techniques used by Western Kentucky University’s journalists-intraining, which will ensure the summit’s coverage to integrate all the media platforms.” Updates and coverage of the summit is located at news2011.org. iMedia designed and operate the website. — Michael McKay
Check out the Herald online www.wkuherald.com
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NOVEMBER 29, 2011
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
9
Alum writes screenplays in LA By LINDSAY KRIZ
apartment. “I was a squatter,� he said. Simms said once he reached California, his first goal was to get a movie made in order to advance his career. “I want to do one after another,� he said. “But first, I’ve got to make the first one.� Currently, Simms is filming the trailer for his first production called Misirlou. He is using the website KickStarter.com to help fund the trailer, and will eventually shop around to potential producers. In order to make the movie, Simms will need $200,000. Simms said writing the script for Misirlou took about a year after he
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WKU alumnus Trevor Simms said he knew where he needed to be in order to turn his filmmaking dream into reality. And it only took him a day and a half to get there. “I think I broke a record,� he said. Simms graduated from WKU in December 2009 with a TV/film production degree and a double minor in writing and film studies before moving to Los Angeles in February 2010. He stopped only once on the drive to sleep for about four hours in Texas. Once in Los Angeles, he slept in an empty
PARKING CONTINUED FROM FRONT
“Creason’s a big lot, and there’s going to be a lot of cars having to move out, so all the other lots are going to fill up quick too,� he said. “I’m paying $90. I figured they would at least give us some other place to park.� During last year’s Gridiron Bowl, Parking Services had all student vehicles towed that caused a crowding issue. A temporary lot at the Bowling Green Hot Rods Stadium was also opened to accommodate for students displaced by the influx of vehicles. Jennifer Tougas, director of Parking and Transportation, could not be reached for comment on whether towing might be enforced this year. Nashville freshman Nathan Garcia lives in Keen Hall and owns a housing parking permit. He said the changes in parking were understandable. “I guess it’s not really that big of a deal,� he said. “It’s one weekend. I’ll find somewhere else to park.� For commuter students who usually park in PS2 or Chestnut South Lot, Parking Services encouraged use of the Center Street Gravel Lot or the park and ride lots which shuttle students from remote parking spaces to
JOPLIN CONTINUED FROM FRONT
Keegan Tinney, a Joplin native and 19-year-old freshman at Missouri Southern State University, was Norton’s best friend since middle school. When Serafini and a group of 14 WKU students made a return trip to Joplin in October, they met with Tinney to talk about the storm and Norton’s life. It is at this time that Serafini first
came up with the idea. “It was originally going to be a short that we were going to shoot on Venice Beach,� he said. “But then it turned into a psychedelic thriller.� Simms recently finished drawing up the storyboards, which look like cartoons, he said. He is currently in the process of shooting the opening sequence. “You start thinking your shots as you’re writing,� he said. “Then you either get someone to buy it or you make it yourself.� He is also searching for other talent to complete his trailer and is currently interested in casting two friends of his, Andrew Keegan, who starred as Joey Donner in
campus. Buses run from the Campbell Lane and South Campus lots every five to eight minutes for commuting students. The surface lots around Diddle Arena, the South Lawn Lot between the Downing University Center and Preston Health and Fitness Center, and the Russellville Road Lot will also be reserved exclusively for game officials and media. Parking Structure No. 1 — located up the Hill from Diddle Arena on Avenue of Champions – will be used for excess public parking starting at 3 p.m. on Friday and continuing all day Saturday. Unlike the Creason Lot, students are not required to leave that structure. Scottsville freshman Matt Wade commutes to campus Mondays through Fridays each week. He said he is worried about finding a place to park on Friday. “When they’re not even having state games or basketball games, you still don’t have a parking spot on a regular day here,� he said while exiting PS2 Monday. “You’ve got to park in Egypt or somewhere else and walk.� Parking Services also said in the press release that students will notice a heavier congestion of traffic Friday
and Saturday and should plan accordingly. Game times are at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. both days. After each game, traffic exiting PS2 will be directed north onto University Boulevard to Kentucky Street. Traffic exiting PS1 will be directed east onto College Heights Boulevard. Traffic exiting the Creason Lot will be directed south on Creason Drive to Emmett Avenue. The right lane of Avenue of Champions closest to Diddle Arena will also be closed to traffic on Friday and Saturday.
told Tinney of the plans to initiate Norton into the PSP Beta Phi chapter. “After his life, he’s continued to impact people,â€? Tinney said following the initiation. “He’s lived a great life and he’s still living in a different manner, it’s still cool.â€? Tinney said he was happy to meet the group and know his friend made an impact on them. “It’s cool to see people my age‌That many miles away, they care and are doing something — they want to help people they
don’t even know. They want to honor people that they don’t even know.� Joplin Run III will likely be the first half of WKU’s spring break, with Joplin Run IV following in May for the first anniversary of the tornado, Serafini said. Storath said he’s “definitely� going back in the spring. “I will go on every single Joplin run that we have,� he said. “Pretty much nothing is going to stand in the way of that. I would move there if I could.�
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Ten Things I Hate About You, and Erik Von Detten, who acted in the Disney Channel movie Brink! and Princess Diaries, and served as the voice for Sid in Toy Story. Simms also works on an organic farm and said it’s hard to find time for filming, but that he needs the money. “In 10 years, I want to be able to make whatever movie I want and to make it a large-scale production,� he said. While Simms is making his way in Hollywood, he still has fans back home. Dale Augenstein, another WKU alumnus who lives on Hilton Head Island, S.C., said he and Simms still keep in touch. “His work ethic is in-
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bitious,� Bender said. “Very driven.� Simms sent Bender two to three scripts of his right away, as well as a DVD of projects he participated in while in college. “It was unique stuff,� he said. “They were very offbeat, very different and kind of refreshing.� Bender said that Simms still comes to him for advice on a frequent basis, and Bender tells him that this kind of thing doesn’t happen overnight. “Success at the end of the day is about who’s prepared and who’s willing to take chances,� Bender said. Simms hopes to raise $5,000 to complete his first production by Jan. 2.
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When they’re not even having state games or basketball games, you still don’t have a parking spot on a regular day here."
credible,� he said. “He was up at the computer virtually all hours of the day and night, writing.� The two first met on WKU’s campus, and Augenstein said he knew right away that Simms was very creative. “He’s the finest young man you can find,� he said. “He will be very successful.� While friends and family from back home keep an eye on him, producers that Simms has approached are doing the same thing. Christopher Montgomery Bender, a Hollywood agent and producer, has known Simms for about three years, after Simms was referred to him by a former client. “He was very am-
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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
WKU waiting to hear on bowl invitation By BRAD STEPHENS sports@wkuherald.com
Head Coach Willie Taggart went out for his son’s birthday on Saturday night hours after WKU beat Troy for its seventh win of the year. With the Toppers in the hunt for a bowl berth, he said his son wanted to head to the bowling lanes. “He said he wanted to go bowling because he felt we were going bowling,” Taggart said. The Toppers (7-5) are bowl eligible for the first time since becoming a full Football Bowl Subdivision member in 2009. But WKU hasn’t yet received
a bowl invite, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will. Taggart said after the game he believes his team will indeed receive that bid. “What we’ve been doing and you look at where we’ve come from in three years, to be bowl eligible and doing what we’re doing, why wouldn’t you want us?” Taggart asked. WKU postseason hopes took a shot on Nov. 19 and 21 when the two bowls with which the Sun Belt Conference has direct tie-ins, the GoDaddy.com and New Orleans Bowls, offered invites to Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette. Suddenly WKU was found it-
YOUTHFUL CONTINUED FROM SPORTS
That wasn’t the case on Saturday. “We actually focused,” Fant said. “The first practice we had the other day was intense. We went out there and did rebound drills — we also had a little team get together talking
self waiting for an at-large bid from bowls which don’t have enough teams qualified from one or both of their tie-in conferences. There are currently 71 teams eligible for the 70 spots provided by the 35 bowls. As many as four teams could join that group this weekend, the last of the FBS regular season, pending the results of other games. For example, West Virginia beating South Florida on Thursday would make the Bulls bowl ineligible, thus helping the Toppers’ chances at claiming the Big East Conference’s vacant tie-in to the BBVA Compass Bowl, played Jan. 7 in Birmingham.
about how we need to get better and focus.” It’s all been a part of this team growing up, and they’ve had to do it fast. At least two freshmen have started every game for WKU and four have started the past three. The freshmen class as a whole has accounted for 62 percent of the team’s scoring. McDonald said he noticed some of the players, namely Fant, who had to sit out the
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Other projections have WKU taking part in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 17, Albuquerque, N.M.) and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (Dec. 31, San Francisco). WKU could receive an invite to those bowls or others between now and Sunday night, when the full bowl schedule is released. Taggart said the Toppers will take a few days off and will start practicing later this week when they hear something more concrete. In the meantime, Athletics Director Ross Bjork has kept encouraging Twitter followers to log onto wkusports.com and reserve bowl tickets.
team’s first four games due to an NCAA rules violation, still had some jitters a few games in. McDonald said Fant didn’t have much time to shake off those jitters because he was needed to contribute right away. “I told him before the game, alone, that I wanted him to have a breakout game,” McDonald said. “I told him, ‘The jitters are gone. You’re not a freshman anymore — start acting
According to the website, fans can place a $25 down-payment toward the bowl game for which WKU is selected. The down-payment is fully refundable, and will be applied toward whatever bowl game for which WKU is selected, should they receive an invite. Taggart said he’ll let WKU’s administration handle direct communication with potential bowls during the week. “I’m a football coach. I’ll let those guys do that,” he said. “I did my part. I got this football team ready and we went out and took care of business. Now we sit back and see what happens.”
like it. I want you to demand the ball, continue to slow down.’” Fant said he and the other freshmen were on board with that idea. “I’m telling you, we’re young, but we’re not going to play the young card — not going to play the all-freshmen card,” he said. “We’re going to go out there and play like we know how to play and get more focused.”
WKU's regular season in review GAME ONE: Kentucky 14, WKU 3 Sept. 1
The WKU defense intercepted Kentucky quarterback Morgan Newton three times, but junior Topper quarterback Kawaun Jakes went just 9-of-27 and threw four picks in the loss. Head Coach WIllie Taggart said WKU “let one get away.”
GAME TWO: Navy 40, WKU 14 Sept. 10
Navy’s option offense ran roughshod over the WKU defense for 410 rushing yards. Meanwhile an ineffective Jakes was pulled in the third quarter in favor of redshirt freshman Brandon Doughty, sparking a quarterback controversy.
GAME FOUR: Arkansas State 26, WKU 22 Oct. 1
Football Championship Subdivision opponent Indiana State dominated WKU behind 221 rushing yards from running back Shakir Bell. Both Doughty and junior wide receiver Marcus Vasquez were lost for the season with torn anterior cruciate ligaments. A late first down run by Jakes was nullified after a review of the ball spot, and an ensuing fourth-down stop gave the ball back to Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin. He marched the Red Wolves 64 yards for the winning score.
GAME FIVE: WKU 36, MTSU 33, 2 OT. Oct. 6
Rainey gained all 25 yards in the Toppers’ decisive double overtime drive, including a game-winning seven yard reception. It was WKU’s first win of the season and first over the rival Blue Raiders in three years.
GAME SIX: WKU 20, Florida Atlantic 0. Oct. 15
The WKU defense spoiled the Owls’ first-ever game at FAU Stadium, pitching the Toppers’ first shutout since 2007. FAU tallied just six first downs and didn’t reach the 100-yard plateau for the game until well into the fourth quarter.
GAME SEVEN: WKU 42, La.-Lafayette 23. Oct. 22
WKU broke an 18-game home losing streak that dated back to 2008 with a Homecoming upset of the 6-1 Ragin’ Cajuns. Rainey ran for 206 yards and three touchdowns, while Jakes went 15-of-18 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
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GAME EIGHT: WKU 31, Louisiana-Monroe 28, OT Oct. 29
Freshman kicker Jesse Roy hit a 24-yard game-winning field goal to clinch the Toppers’ second overtime win of the year. ULM forced the overtime period after the teams combined for 22 points in the final minute of regulation.
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GAME NINE: WKU 10, FIU 9. Nov. 5
Senior kicker Casey Tinius, who had lost his starting job to Roy, won it back with a game-winning 34-yard field goal. The WKU defense held FIU to 180 offensive yards, less than half of the Golden Panthers’ 404.8 yards per game average.
GAME 10: No. 1 LSU 42, WKU 9. Nov. 12
LSU running back Alfred Blue went for 119 yards and two scores on nine carries to put away a WKU team which trailed 14-7 at halftime. News broke at halftime that defensive coordinator Lance Guidry had been arrested that day for driving while intoxicated.
GAME 11: WKU 31, North Texas 21. Nov. 19
Rainey accounted for 262 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, while Jakes went 19-of-29 for 231 yards and three touchdowns as the Toppers clinched bowl eligibility for the first time as a Football Bowl Subdivision member.
GAME 12: WKU 41, Troy 18. Nov. 26
Rainey broke both the school’s career and single-season rushing records as the Toppers clinched their first winning season in their three years as a fully fledged FBS member. WKU beat Troy for the first time in school history.
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GAME THREE: Indiana State 44, WKU 16 Sept. 17
By BRAD STEPHENS | sports@wkuherald.com
NOVEMBER 29, 2011
COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD
11
Rainey re-writes record books in WKU win Football Bowl Subdivision in 2009. The Toppers were led in the win by Rainey, who ran for 227 yards on 43 carries with three touchdowns on his Senior Day.
Right now it still really hasn't hit me. It's just a blessing to be a part of history." —Bobby Rainey CHRISTIAN RANDOLPH/HERALD
Senior running back Bobby Rainey broke school records for both career and single-season rushing yardage on Saturday in WKU's 41-18 win over Troy.
By BRAD STEPHENS sports@wkuherald.com
Bobby Rainey was asked Saturday afternoon about his record day. The senior running back had just eclipsed school milestones for both career and single-season rushing yardage in a 4118 win over Troy. Rainey began to talk about his appreciation
of the history of his accomplishments when junior quarterback Kawaun Jakes interrupted him. “Can I answer this one real quick?” Jakes asked. “I know he probably wasn’t worried about the record. During the week I didn’t hear him speak on it… He just wanted to come out and win, and I’m happy for him. His mindset as a Topper, he thinks
about the team first.” Both Rainey and his team were celebrating after WKU handled the Trojans on Saturday at Smith Stadium in their regular season finale. The win was the Toppers’ seventh of the year, including seven straight in Sun Belt Conference play, and clinched WKU’s first winning season since the program moved up to the
WKU senior running back
A 28-yard Rainey gallop in the second quarter allowed him to break former WKU running back Lerron Moore’s 4,396yard school career rushing record. Then in the fourth he passed former Topper running back Joe Arnold’s single-season rushing mark of 1,668 yards. Rainey finished the 2011 regular season with 1,695 yards for the year
and 4,542 for his career. He could have a chance to add to both totals should WKU go to a bowl game. “Right now it still really hasn’t hit me,” Rainey said of the records. “It’s just a blessing to be a part of history.” Head Coach Willie Taggart has spoke in the past of how valuable Rainey is to his team and to the program as a whole. Rainey leads the nation in rushing and earned his third Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday. But Taggart said his favorite of his running back’s accomplishments is that Rainey rushed for more yards this year than he did last season, when he ran for 1,649. “You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse,” Taggart said. “Nobody stays the same. “I don’t think Bobby was really concentrating on the record. He was concentrating on getting 200 yards so he could have more yards than he had last year… That’s kind of what he did. He not only got it, he wrecked it.” Rainey, who has credited much of his success during his time at WKU
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Jakes has thrown just four interceptions in the Toppers’ last eight games after throwing eight during WKU’s 0-4 start. And even after three missed field goals and an extra point, the Toppers still beat Troy going away. Taggart called his team’s 0-4 to 7-5 reversal “one of the great stories out there.” “These kids, what they’ve been through, everybody told them they suck,” he said. “We got in our cocoon. We went out and took care of business.” WKU’s turnaround from a 2-6 Sun Belt record in 2010 to a 7-1 mark this season is the biggest in league history. It’s validation for Taggart, who picked the Toppers to finish first when Sun Belt coaches voted for the preseason league poll. Despite his first-place vote, WKU was tabbed to finish seventh in the nine-team league. The Toppers are now second in league standings and can share the Sun Belt title if Troy beats first-place Arkansas State on Saturday. “Everyone thought I was crazy when I said we’re going to be No. 1,” Taggart said. “I picked us No. 1, but I truly felt that way. “It’s big for our program. We’re not
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The move to WKU has also allowed Riley to continue mentoring George Fant, the star of his 2010 and 2011 Warren Central regional champion teams and a freshman forward for the Topper men. Riley said Fant often drops by his office to talk basketball with his high school coach. “He’s come in here a number of times, given me scenarios, and I try to be very positive but at the same time try to explain how I see the situation,” Riley said. “I’ve been a little sounding board for him.”
These kids, what they've been through, everybody told them they suck. We got in our cocoon. We went out and took care of business." —WILLIE TAGGART Head Coach
where we want to be at, but we’re headed in the right direction.” WKU’s season may not be over yet. The Toppers are waiting to hear whether or not they’ll be invited to their first bowl game since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2009. Taggart said the team turning its season around to the point of reaching a bowl would be a direct result of how it responded to early adversity. “The motivation for us was people telling us what we couldn’t be,” he said. “We said we were going to go out and label ourselves and I think our guys have done a great job.”
Fant said Riley ran high school practices similar to what he’s been through at WKU, which has eased his transition to playing college basketball. “He kind of helps me on my game still, just telling me things I need to remember,” Fant said. “I’m just kind of picking at his brain now like I did my whole high school career.” So far the Lady Toppers are just 1-5 during Riley’s first season as an assistant. But he said his primary goal for the year is to see the team improve. “There’s always limits to where you can take a team to,” Riley said. “And I want to help our team be as good as it could possibly be.”
■ NEWS BRIEF WKU finishes road trip with BGSU tonight The Lady Toppers play their third straight game away from Diddle Arena tonight when they take on Bowling Green State at 6 p.m. WKU (1-5) will be looking for its second win in three games after an 0-4 start to the season. The Falcons are 2-2 this year and come into their matchup with the Lady Toppers riding a two-game winning streak. BGSU is led in scoring by guard Chrissy Steffen, who averages 14.5 points per game. The Falcons have also received significant contributions this year from forward Danielle Havel (7 ppg, 6.3 rebounds per game, 3.8 steals per game) and guard Jessica Slagle (8.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg). WKU will be looking to exact revenge on BGSU after a 72-68 loss to
the Falcons one year ago in Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers enter Tuesday coming off a 1-1 record over the weekend at the UAB Thanksgiving Classic in Birmingham. WKU beat Samford 58-57 on Friday in the tournament opener, the Lady Toppers’ first win of the season. WKU was led in the win senior forward LaTeira Owens’ game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, as well as sophomore guard Ellen Sholtes’ careerhigh 11 points off the bench. But the Lady Toppers couldn’t carry over the winning performance, losing 58-36 to tournament host Alabama-Birmingham the next day. WKU struggled offensively in the loss, turning over the ball 26 times while shooting just 19 percent in the second half. — Brad Stephens
“The last couple of days in practice we’ve been spending time doing what we do and trying to stay in a rhythm and they’ve been two pretty good days coming back off Thanksgiving break,” he said. “We’re doing the things we do well and we’re looking forward to getting to Champaign.” Buffalo Wild Wings was filled with the volleyball team’s supporters, who
to the offensive line, said he’ll take them out to dinner now that he broke the career rushing record. Between the rushing records and his team’s Senior Day win, he also said he couldn’t have pictured a better way for his last home game to play out. “Just being without the seniors, man, knowing where we’d been and where we’re trying to go, it’s just been great,” he said. “It’s just been a great ride.”
Rainey by the numbers ■ 4,542 career rushing yards, a WKU record ■ 1,695 rushing yards in 2011, a WKU record ■ 42nd on the NCAA career rushing list ■ 11th on the NCAA all-purpose yards list ■ 5th player since 1980 to lead nation in carries two straight years By: Brad Stephens
came to recognize a 31-3 season. Attendees included WKU President Gary Ransdell and football Head Coach Willie Taggart, who joined Hudson in leading the crowd in singing WKU’s fight song during the Selection Show. Taggart said the viewing party was an example of the community’s support of WKU athletics. “This place was packed with volleyball fans,” Taggart said. “It goes to show the appreciation they have for a winning team and what they’ve done this year.”
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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • Vol. 87, No. 24 • WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
VOLLEYBALL
Former Warren Central coach Riley back on WKU sidelines By BRAD STEPHENS sports@wkuherald.com
CHRISTIAN RANDOLPH/HERALD
Freshman middle hitter Heather Boyan and her teammates celebrate at Buffalo Wild Wings Sunday as WKU's name is called during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. The Lady Toppers will play Marquette in the first round Friday in Champaign, Ill.
Back to the Big Dance Lady Toppers prepare for NCAA tournament after selection show party By LUCAS AULBACH sports@wkuherald.com
WKU’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Marquette was announced to roaring cheers on Sunday as the Lady Toppers celebrated the start of postseason play with a selection show viewing party at Buffalo Wild Wings. The first-round match will take place in Champaign, Ill. — the site of the team's firstround loss to Cincinnati in last year's NCAA Tournament — at 4:30 p.m. Friday. If the Lady Toppers win, they will face either Central Michigan or Illinois, who was No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll for much of the year and is currently No. 1 in the ratings percentage index.
Head Coach Travis Hudson said the match against Marquette is a favorable draw for WKU. “It’s a winnable first-round matchup, and I’ll take that,” he said. “If we go and play well, I think we’ll have a chance to win the match.” Marquette (23-10) has faced two teams that the Lady Toppers played during the regular season, going 1-1 in two matches against Middle Tennessee State and 0-2 against Cincinnati. The Lady Toppers won two of three against MTSU, including the Sun Belt Conference championship, and lost their only match against Cincinnati. Senior middle hitter Lindsay Williams said the Lady Toppers will learn more about their opponent before the
match this week. “I’m sure we’re going to get a lot of film on them this week and find out more about what we’re up against,” Williams said. “I’m just really excited about it. I think it’s going to be a great match.” WKU comes into the tournament on a 10-match winning streak, including three wins in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, and is ranked No. 24 in the AVCA poll, the highest the school has ever been ranked and the first time WKU has been ranked in the Top 25. Hudson said his team has looked good in its recent practices leading up to the tournament. SEE TOURNAMENT, PAGE 11
Tim Riley knows Diddle Arena well. Riley “wiped up sweat and did whatever” as a student assistant for WKU men’s coach Clem Haskins in the 1980s. Two decades later he won seven Fourth Region Tournament title games held at Diddle as head coach of the Warren Central High School boy’s basketball team. Now Riley is coaching at WKU, hired over the summer from Warren Central to serve as an assistant under women’s Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles. He said the decision to leave the Dragons after 14 years for the Lady Toppers was a tough one, but it was an opportunity TIM RILEY he had to take. “I had been interested in working with Mary for a number of years so when there became openings on her staff I called,” Riley said. “This job could’ve been filled and not opened back up until 10 years later.” There were several differences between his new and old jobs, the most obvious being he was now working with women instead of men. But Riley said that hasn’t been as much of an adjustment as one might think it would be, saying “basketball is basketball” regardless of the players’ gender. Cowles agreed, saying Riley’s transition from coaching men to coaching women has been a smooth one. “He loves working with young people, and I don’t think it matters if they’re male or female,” she said. “He just has a true passion in working with young kids.” Riley said the biggest change for him has instead been adapting to life as an assistant after 21 years as a head coach. “For me the big adjustment has been picking my spots in practice,” he said. “It’s been trying to find the right way to be a good assistant coach for Mary.” Riley works with the whole team but said his niche since coming on staff has been working with the WKU’s post players. He helps coach a frontcourt which includes the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, senior LaTeira Owens (12.5 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game) and seniors Jasmine Johnson, Teranie Thomas and Keshia Mosley. “We’re strong inside,” Riley said. “That’s got to be what the strength of our team is.” SEE RILEY, PAGE 11
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Young team ‘learning lessons on the job’ By COLE CLAYBOURN sports@wkuherald.com
Head Coach Ken McDonald made it clear before the season started that his young team was going to be “thrown to the fire.” Seven games in, although the results might not show it, McDonald said he’s happy with how his team of seven freshmen and few upperclassmen have handled adversity. They passed perhaps their biggest test on Saturday night while squeaking out a 72-67 win against visiting Southeastern Louisiana — WKU's second win of the season, and one against a team with eight upperclassmen. “It’s not always easy, and we’re learning lessons on the job,” McDonald said after Saturday’s win. “They’re learning how to finish a game out. You got to have some confidence in what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Nothing does it better for your confidence than a win.” The win came at a good time for the Toppers.WKU had just
lost four in a row, including two straight to Virginia Commonwealth. The second loss to VCU was a 23-point blowout at home after the Toppers had played the same team closely just three days before, losing by five at the Charleston Classic. As the losses mounted, so did the frustration for the youthful Toppers, most of whom came to WKU unaccustomed to losing. “It’s a sick feeling,” freshman guard Derrick Gordon said. With five losses this season, Gordon has already experienced more losses than he did in his final two seasons at St. Patrick High School (N.J.). Freshman forward George Fant said the losing streak caused the team to be discouraged but also gave them some motivation. Fant talked after the second VCU game and after Saturday’s game about focus. Against VCU, he said the team was lacking it. SEE YOUTHFUL, PAGE 10
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Freshmen guards Kevin Kaspar and Derrick Gordon celebrate with senior guard Jamal Crook after WKU's 72-67 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night. The freshman class has accounted for 62 percent of WKU's scoring through seven games this season. The Toppers face Murray State at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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