April 2, 2019

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 94, ISSUE 23

WKU announces new business college dean

BY JEREMY CHISENHALL HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

pus meeting between the college’s department heads and President Timothy Caboni today. Additionally, a special called University Senate meeting has been set for Thursday, April 4.

In the email announcing Snyder’s

Christopher Shook has been selected as the next dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business, Provost Terry Ballman announced in an email on Monday.

“I am grateful to the GFCB Dean Search Committee chaired by University Libraries Dean Susann deVries for their hard work and diligence throughout this process,” Ballman Christopher said in the email. “Dr. Shook Shook is an excellent choice for the GFCB Newly Deanship, and he is appointed very excited about join- dean of ing WKU. I would also Gordon Ford like to thank Dr. Cathy College of Carey for her dedica- Business tion and service as interim Dean this year.”

Shook is currently a professor of management serving as the dean for the University of Montana College of Business in Missoula. He has a doctorate in business administration from Louisiana State University and is a certified public accountant, according to Ballman’s email.

“I’m just so thrilled, and I’m honored to join the team,” Shook said. “The strategic plan really resonated with me. Caboni’s emphasis on students first really resonated with me. I’m really excited about the student demographic.”

Shook said he is well aware of WKU’s budget concerns amid the Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation, but he is coming into the job seeing it as an opportunity.

“I know that there are challenges forthcoming, but I am confident that we can rise to meet them,” Shook said.

“Higher education — the whole industry is changing dramatically and is facing challenges, but if we face those challenges and rise to the occasion and put emphasis on the students, we will succeed … students are my number one priority.”

Shook has previously discussed his passion for putting students first. He held a forum at WKU on March 15 where he was introduced as a candidate for the position, and he used the forum to talk about his “Dean for a Day” program at the University of Montana.

“I traded places with a student, I went to his or her class,” Shook said at the forum. “It was really helpful for me to put myself into their place.”

SEE RESIGNATION • PAGE A2

SEE SHOOK • PAGE A3

IVY CABELLO • HERALD

Theater student Brooklyn Stephens, middle, stands with protesters on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in front of the Wetherby Administration Building. The protesters sang freedom songs, chanted “we want the truth” and “stand with Snyder.” Larry Snyder resigned from his position as dean of Potter College on March 26.

‘TELL US WHY’ WKU community seeks answers

BY REBEKKAH ALVEY HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

On a Tuesday afternoon with seven weeks left until the end of the semester, the dean of the Potter College of Arts and Letters’ resignation was announced in a two-paragraph email from the provost. By the end of the week, the person immediately named interim dean had already declined the position.

Now, as WKU continues to undergo a review of all academic programs and the future of the university, Potter College will sit without a dean — interim or permanent — for a month.

On Tuesday, March 26, Provost Terry Ballman sent an email to all faculty announcing Larry Snyder, who served as dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters for nearly four years, was resigning from his position, effective Wednesday, March 27. Snyder had worked in the Potter College Dean’s Office for 12 years prior to being named dean in August 2015.

Since the resignation, students have held protests, chalked messages across campus and most recent-

IVY CABELLO • HERALD

The Office of the Dean of Potter College in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center is pictured on Thursday, March 28, 2019, during ongoing protests following Larry Snyder’s sudden resignation. Snyder resigned from his position on March 26.

ly, held a dialogue with Ballman to ask the question no one has gotten a real answer to yet: Why did Snyder so abruptly resign?

The faculty are asking for the same answer, but in different ways. Multiple faculty members within Potter College said there will be an on-cam-

Faculty calls for special Students demand details University Senate meeting on dean’s resignation

BY HERALD STAFF HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

Confusion and fear have been the primary responses from faculty across campus following the resignation of Larry Snyder from

the dean of Potter College of Arts BY EMILY DELETTER and Letters position last week.

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU One week later, the faculty have yet to receive a reason from Provost Terry Ballman as to why Snyder resigned.

Less than 24 hours after Larry SnyJane Olmsted, department head of Diversity and der announced his resignation as dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters, a SEE FACULTY • PAGE A3 small group of students gathered out-

side Wetherby Administration Building. They held signs, chanted and sang a “freedom song.”

During the rest of the week, the protests grew in size and spilled over to social media, chalk and flyers.

The Student Government Association

SEE STUDENT • PAGE A3

A2 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

RESIGNATION

CONTINUED FROM FRONT resignation, Ballman said Sally Ray, former chancellor for WKU’s Glasgow campus, would fill the interim position until a new dean was selected. However, on Friday, March 29, Ray declined the position, according to Media Relations Director Bob Skipper.

On Monday, Ballman announced Merrall Price, currently the special assistant to the provost, would assume the interim dean position on May 1. She said the decision was made with the recommendation of Potter College leadership.

“Until then, the Provost’s Office will continue to work directly with department chairs to ensure that processes and learning are not interrupted,” Ballman said in the email.

In an interview, Snyder attributed his resignation to changes and transitions in how WKU is structured.

He said the ongoing Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation (CAPE) is a part of that change but his resignation is not a direct result of the process.

“We always serve at the will of the provost,” Snyder said of his resignation. “As deans, at any point something like this could occur.”

He said the meeting between the provost and himself was just a normal meeting.

“I have been privileged and honored to serve this university since I started as a faculty member in 1990, and I’ve been in the dean’s office since 2003, and I can’t think of a better job in the world,” Snyder said.

Caboni showed his support of Ballman following Snyder’s resignation in an email to the Board of Regents obtained by an open records request. He said regents should expect further developments as the college “expresses its displeasure in this decision.”

“I cannot go into details around Larry’s resignation because it is a personnel matter and we don’t discuss those publicly no matter the interest,” Caboni said in the email.

“However, you should know that every dean serves at the pleasure of the provost and that it is in her discretion to make a change in academic personnel, for whatever reason she deems appropriate.”

On Monday, the provost agreed to hold an open forum hosted by the Student Government Association for students to ask questions about the resignation. Many students have voiced their concerns through protests and chalking campaigns about the lack of information being shared on the details of Snyder’s resignation.

During the forum, as students asked if Snyder was forced to resign, Ballman said she could not comment because it is a personnel matter, an explanation she also provided the Herald when asked for details.

Tony Glisson, human resources director, said there is a long-standing practice at WKU that personnel matters are not discussed. However, this policy is not explicitly stated or written in university policy.

In making these decisions, Glisson said it’s important to think about every possibility when a personnel member is terminated.

According to the WKU Faculty Handbook, tenured faculty members can only be terminated under specific circumstances. These include retirement, resignation, dismissal for cause or a decision by the Board of Regents for financial reasons or changes in academic programs.

One concern frequently voiced by students during the open forum was the ongoing CAPE, which was launched on August 29, 2018.

The process was implemented in part with the strategic plan to “engage deans and department chairs in a comprehensive academic program review to ensure WKU has an appropriate mix of study options and efficiently deploys scarce resources,” according to the WKU CAPE website.

Through the process, all 350 academic programs would be evalu-

BRITTANY MORRISON • HERALD

Cavan Hendron, senior at WKU, writes in chalk “Tell Us Why.” This protest comes in response to the recent resignation of Larry Snyder, former dean of Potter College.

ated and categorized as “grow/enhance,” “transform,” “maintain” or “suspend.” According to the website, if a program is suspended, no new students will be able to enroll in the program, but already enrolled students will still be able to graduate in the program.

During the process, tenured faculty positions will remain a priority. Teaching obligations may change, but WKU does not foresee a reduction in workforce, according to the website.

Larry On Jan. 8, 2019, Snyder department-level recommendations were Former dean due to the dean and of Potter department facul- College of ty. From there, col- Arts and lege-level recommen- Letters dations were due to the CAPE committee, department heads and faculty.

On March 18, university-wide CAPE Committee final recommendations were due to the provost, college deans, academic department heads and faculty. These recommendations were intended to be sent to the president’s office for the Board of Regents Academic Affairs Committee meeting April 12.

The final approval of the CAPE recommendations is set to be approved May 10 in a Board of Regents

meeting.

University Sente Chair Kirk Atkinson serves on the CAPE committee along with 17 additional members.

He said the committee was not involved with the timeline setting process and did its best to meet the timelines.

When the CAPE committee recommendations were passed to the provost, who in turn would send the recommendations to the president, Atkinson said the committee made Terry the decision to not Ballman make its recommenWKU provost dations public. He said it made the decision because the timeline listed a quick turnaround time, and once the provost’s recommendations were sent to the president, they would also be shared with the colleges.

“Wish I knew,” Atkinson said when asked when the recommendations would become public. He added he believes the reason the deadline has not been met could be because the recommendations were more complex than anticipated and the committee needed to “dig to understand.”

Atkinson speculated a lot of faculty may not be pleased with the recommendations, especially considering the campus climate after

Snyder’s resignation.

During its time making recommendations, Atkinson said it attempted to be as transparent as possible.

With the absence of a dean for Potter College, Atkinson said there may be some concern among faculty members as the CAPE process continues.

With Snyder’s resignation, Cheryl Stevens, dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering, is the only college dean left from former President Gary Ransdell’s tenure.

On Monday, Ballman announced Christopher Shook as the new dean of Gordon Ford College of Business.

Shook is a professor of management currently serving as the Sprunk & Burnham Endowed Dean for the University of Montana College of Business in Missoula. He will begin as Gordon Ford dean July 1.

In January 2018, Neale Chumbler, former dean of the College of Health and Human Services, was announced as dean of the College of Health and Public Service at the University of North Texas. He served as dean at WKU since 2015.

Sam Evans, former dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, personally announced his retirement in August 2017. His retirement officially went into effect June 30, 2018. Evans first accepted the dean position in 2003.

The University College was eliminated due to budget cuts on June 30, 2018, and Dennis George, the former dean, assumed the interim dean of College of Health and Human Services. There is an ongoing search for the permanent position.

Jeff Katz, the former dean of Gordon Ford College of Business, stepped down to resume teaching on June 30, 2018. The announcement was made on March 27, 2018,

by Stacey Gish, communications coordinator in the college. Katz said he wanted to return to teaching and spending time with students before his retirement.

After serving in the dean’s office for 16 years and as a faculty member before that, Snyder said he will not be completely apart from WKU. While he will be on leave during the Fall 2019 semester, he will return as a faculty member the following spring.

“I’ve been overwhelmed and honored by the support and encouragement received,” Snyder said in a message to the Herald on Monday.

“The respect of one’s colleagues and students is the best measure of a successful academic career. I’ve been very blessed and have no regrets.”

News Editor Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah.alvey660@topper.wku.edu.

Follow Rebekah Alvey on Twitter at @bekah_alvey.

Snyder’s leter of resignation, obtained via an open records request, includes a handwritten note.

• For continuous updates, see “What we know about the Snyder resignation” on wkuherald.com • Follow @wkuherald on Twitter and WKU Herald on Facebook for live coverage of the University Senate special meeting @ 3:45 p.m. in Grise Hall • Read “Dean Debacle” editorial on page A4

NEWS A3

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

STUDENTS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Executive Council released a statement Monday, April 1 asking for the student body to be informed on the circumstances surrounding Snyder’s resignation “immediately.”

“With students missing class to protest and many concerned about the future of their respective majors, it is of the utmost importance that the student body be informed about the situation,” the statement said.

Monday afternoon, Provost Terry Ballman spoke publicly for the first time since Snyder’s resignation in an open forum hosted by SGA. Ballman said during the dialogue Snyder was “absolutely not” asked to resign for any reason related to misconduct.

She said she would not comment on the reason for his resignation because it’s a personnel matter and that she couldn’t comment on personnel matters “because it’s private.”

Ballman was formerly the dean of the College of Arts and Letters at California State University, San Bernardino.

When asked by SGA President Stephen Mayer if Potter College and Ogden College of Science and Engineering would merge, Ballman was adamant in expressing that the colleges would remain separate.

“That is not the way this university will be organized, that is not part of the thinking at all,” she said. “I think that does not make sense to me.”

One point brought up during the dialogue was the apparent washing away of chalk art left by the students.

Some chalk art read “justice for Dean Snyder,” and “tell us why.”

There were several reports from protestors of the chalk messages being erased by Facilities Management on Monday, with several students claiming that the drawings that said “tell us why,” were singled out and washed away with pressure washers.

Bryan Russell, chief facilities officer, confirmed that one message was erased Monday morning containing “inappropriate language.” Russell said Facilities Management does not

FAHAD ALOTAIBI • HERALD

WKU musical theatre student Hailey Armstrong chants “Tell us why. We want to know,” with other protesters outside of Potter Hall and in front of the Wetherby Administration Building on Friday, March 29 following the sudden resignation of former Potter College Dean Larry Snyder. “Dean Snyder was one that often fought for us PCAL students because he realized the importance of Arts and Humanities,” Armstrong said. “It’s been a great experience to feel supported by my fellow protestors and students that aren’t even in Potter College. Even a passing car honking and waving as they go by shows me that even though the attitude of this university’s administration is one of disregard for the arts, people still understand what we do and why it’s important.”

typically remove any messages from campus unless they are deemed inappropriate or threatening.

President Timothy Caboni tweeted Monday evening that he was aware of reports of chalking being washed away on campus.

“I have communicated to WKU facilities that our university supports this type of expression and that it should not be erased,” he wrote in the tweet.

On Monday, students said they decided to move from outside Wetherby to Downing Student Union to reach more students. Many of the students initially present at the protests were from departments within Potter College, but they notified classmates

and friends from other colleges, encouraging them to join.

Flyers were passed around DSU by students asking for “transparency and honesty from our administrators, especially Provost Ballman and President Caboni.”

There has also been a large response to the resignation on social media. Several anonymous Twitter accounts have been created, satirizing the resignation, administration and protests, including a false twitter account for Ballman, which has since been deleted.

Melissa Rush is a current non-traditional student and has been a part of WKU as a student, parent, spouse and donor.

“That is not the way this university will be organized, that is not part of the thinking at all.”

WKU Provost TERRY BALLMAN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

SHOOK

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Shook also talked about his desire to maximize the value of a college

Assistant News Editor Emily DeLetter can be reached at 270-745-6011 or emily.deletter304@topper.wku. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @emilydeletter.

many events within the department, was a supporter of the arts and humanities and communicated the needs of the college.

“That resignation was very surprising and sudden,” Harris said. “Right now, we in Potter College are a little uncertain for the future.”

Barry Kaufkins, an instructor for Folk Studies and Anthropology, said he believes faculty members in the Potter

FACULTY

Community Studies within Potter College, said she did not know why Snyder was asked to resign and added that any sudden resignation of a dean is likely to increase anxieties. She said the manner in which Snyder was “told to resign” sent a call to action to the community.

“Given how hard the deans on this campus work, how much they are accountable for, how many people they support, how many fires they have to contain, how many innovations or just plain sound academic choices require their blessing, we might as a community feel a great deal of concern for the disruption to our friends’ and colleagues’ lives and work,” Olmsted said.

Ballman announced Snyder’s resignation on March 26 in an email to faculty. In the same message, she announced former chancellor for WKU’s Glasgow campus Sally Ray would fill the interim dean position. Just three days later, WKU confirmed that Ray had declined the interim Robert dean position.

Dietle On Monday, Ballman announced in an email Interim head to Potter College faculof School of ty and staff that Merrall Journalism & Price, special assistant Broadcasting to the provost and English professor, will be named interim dean beginning May 1.

On Monday April 1, University Senate Chair Kirk Atkinson announced in an email that he had received the necessary requests to call a special meeting of the University Senate. By the Senate

In an email to the Herald, Rush said she was highly concerned “with the firing of Dean Snyder as well as the multiple other decisions that seem to have been made behind closed doors.”

“My late husband’s grandmother was a graduate in the 1920s, his parents in the 1960s, my husband graduated in 1986, and my daughter in 2014,” she wrote. “I am disheartened to see the decline of what was once a stellar university. I am an English major in my final year and have had the most incredible professors.

I’m afraid with continued decisions made such as the one with Dean Snyder, WKU will no longer attract stellar students or professors.”

Kevin Mays is an alumni of WKU and a Bowling Green resident. His daughter, Remington Mays, is a current student at WKU. He was initially excited when she chose to attend WKU, but now feels that the culture has changed significantly since his time as a student.

“Times change, and I might have a more romanticized view, but this doesn’t seem to be the same Western I knew,” he said. “Had I known what it was like now, I might have encouraged [my daughter] to go somewhere else.”

Mays said he has known Snyder personally, serving on several leadership roles with him at their church.

He said he saw how passionate Snyder was about his position as dean.

“He was serving in a role that meant everything to him,” Mays said. “He was deeply devoted to what he did.”

He said it was “quite a shock” when he learned of Snyder’s resignation, and that he has been disappointed in the manner with which the administration has handled the situation.

“They’re lacking transparency,” he said. “Regardless that my child goes to WKU and I’m paying tuition, I think there’s more to the story than what they’re saying.”

ABIGAIL DOLLINS • HERALD

Provost Terry Ballman addresses students’ concerns after the sudden resignation of former Potter College Dean Larry Snyder during a forum on Monday, April 1.

charter, 10 senators are required to request a special called meeting. Atkinson said he received requests from 14 senators.

The topic of the meeting is restricted to “Concerns about, Implications of, and Potential Responses to Recent Administrative Decisions,” according to the email.

In an interview, Atkinson said this was the first time he has been involved with a special called meeting. He said these meetings are not reserved for “mundane” matters, and usually indicate significant issues and means there is “considerable concern.”

History Department Head Eric Reed said he disagreed with Ballman’s decision about Snyder but understands it is the provost’s prerogative to bring in

new leadership.

“The implementation of this decision was handled very poorly, though, and the resulting fallout may end up being as disruptive as the decision itself,” Reed said. “This fallout and disruption should have been foreseen, I think.”

Robert Dietle, interim director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, said he attended a meeting held between Potter College department heads and Ballman last week in which Snyder’s resignation was discussed.

“I thought her responses [to Snyder’s resignation] were not satisfactory,” Dietle said.

Scott Harris, Music department head, said Snyder was an “outstanding dean.” Harris said Snyder would attend

education for students of the business college. His forum presentation focused on increasing the value of higher education in the business college. His primary objective is to increase benefits and decrease cost.

“The perceived value of higher education is in decline,” Shook said.

“We need to tackle this perception.”

Shook will assume his duties as the new dean of the business college on July 1.

WKUHERALD.COM

”The implementation of this decision was handled very poorly, though, and the resulting fallout may end up being as disruptive as the decision itself.”

History department head ERIC REED

College are currently afraid to speak out against Ballman’s actions.

“Dean Snyder’s abrupt ‘resignation’ sent a clear message to the rank and file: fail to toe the line and you could be next,” Kaufkins said.

Reporters Nicole Ziege, Jack Dobbs and news editor Rebekah Alvey contributed to this story.

They can be reached at 270-745-6011 and herald.news@wku.edu.

Digital Managing Editor Jeremy Chisenhall can be reached at 270-7456291 and jeremy.chisenhall921@ topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @JSChisenhall.

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE @WKUHERALD

OPINION

A4

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

ILLUSTRATION BY MADALYN STACK • HERALD

DEAN DEBACLE

Cloak and dagger actions make campus uncomfortable

BY HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

Issue: The sudden, surprising resignation of Larry Snyder, the former dean of Potter College of Arts and Letters, came with no true explanation from President Timothy Caboni or Provost Terry Ballman, causing fear and concern for both faculty and students.

Our stance: WKU has mishandled Snyder’s resignation at every step, and any backlash it receives because of the situation is warranted.

An abrupt resignation from a dean who appeared to be supported by nearly everyone he worked with is enough to cause worry, and campus leaders creating confusion by not giving competent explanation for the decision is reason enough to be in dismay.

Last week, President Timothy Caboni commented on the resignation in an email to the WKU Board of Regents.

“I cannot go into details around Larry’s resignation because it is a personnel matter and we don’t discuss those publicly no matter the interest,” Caboni said in the email. “However, you should know that every dean serves at the pleasure of the provost and that it is in her discretion to make a change in academic personnel, for whatever reason she deems appropriate.”

Jane Olmsted, the department head of diversity and community studies within Potter College, also said Snyder was “told to resign.”

A leader at any level is expected to give an ade-

quate explanation any time they make a significant change whether it is a president declaring a policy change or a coach announcing a new starting quarterback. Respect and trust are not earned when people are expected to blindly accept major transitions.

The absence of clarity in the situation has also led to multiple student protests with more planned in the future. While there may not be hordes of students voicing their worries, student protests still reflect poorly on a university no matter how many take place in it.

Even the attempt to replace Snyder has already been mishandled.

Immediately following the meeting where Snyder resigned, Ballman announced in an email that Sally Ray, the former chancellor of WKU’s Glasgow campus, would become the interim dean of Potter College, only for Ray to decline the role just three days later.

Barry Kaufkins, an instructor of folk studies and anthropology, said he thinks other faculty members fear expressing their displeasure because it could potentially get them fired.

With these type of thoughts going around Potter College, who could blame Ray for declining to take the position?

Ballman participated in an open forum on Monday in the SGA Senate Chambers where she was questioned by students about Snyder’s resignation. She responded with “no comment” when one student asked why Snyder’s resignation was initially presented as voluntary before it became more apparent that he did not simply resign. Giving vague answers with no real substance appeared to be her theme for the session.

This week’s poll:

Withholding an explanation creates speculation, and it seems like no coincidence that a dean who championed liberal arts programs leaves their position soon after the announcement that pop culture and foreign language programs are being cut.

Building a new dorm and renovating a library won’t help WKU with enrollment if it continues to invite bad press upon itself.

Besides the unexpected turn of events, WKU is also suing its campus newspaper for trying to uncover sexual harassment and sexual assault information in the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp and is also involved in another lawsuit with former Student Government Association President Andi Dahmer after she accused it of playing a role in the harassment she received while in office.

Whenever the appropriate amount of information is released about Snyder’s resignation, it still won’t make up for the colossal mismanagement of the situation up to this point. Generating fear in faculty and students hurts campus morale, and it will only continue to get worse until fault is admitted.

If WKU was going to lose a dean, the announcement should have come with a statement of reasons instead of expecting everyone to accept receiving bits of information at a time.

An overall lack of transparency has plagued the Snyder resignation just like it has with WKU’s ongoing lawsuits with the Herald and Dahmer. It’s setting a precedent that no university should want to be associated with.

WKU’s decision-making process in situations like this appears to be smoke and mirrors, except most of the mirrors are stained with controversy.

Last week’s poll:

WKU Herald

How much does Larry Snyder’s resignation as dean of Potter College concern you?

WKU Herald

What would stop you from accepting an internship?

It’s extremely troubling

It being unpaid

It bothers me some

Having to relocate

Not a big deal to me

Both unpaid & relocating Nothing would stop me

I’m too confused to know

6% 46% 8%

211 Votes

Vote

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Karen Vela Lima puts her shoes back on after taking them off to rehearse one of the dances that she and her court will perform during the party. One of the biggest parts of the event was Karen’s dress. “[Finding the dress] was very stressful. We went to Louisville, Russellville, Nashville and a lot of different places just to find it,” Vela Lima said. “I was really happy when I finally found it. I was like, ‘This is the one.’”

DANCE OF A LIFETIME PHOTOS AND COPY BY KENDALL WARNER HERALD.PHOTO@WKU.EDU

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n the Hispanic community, the 15th birthday celebration, called the fiesta de quince años, is arguably one of the most important days in a girl’s life. This cultural celebration symbolizes the transition from childhood to womanhood. “It means that I’m a girl coming of age and I’m not the little girl that I used to be,” Karen Vela Lima said. “I’m becoming a woman now.” After four months of planning, the big day finally arrived for Karen Vela Lima. “I felt really sad because I didn’t want the day to be over,” Vela Lima said. “But at the same time, I was really excited and happy because the day finally came.” Her Quinceañera started with a traditional church ceremony. “My family, we are Christian, so we want to give thanks to God before anything,” Vela Lima said. “We wanted to give him thanks for letting us have that day.” The ceremony was followed by a party that ran into the night, filled with dancing, and family and friends who traveled from all over to attend the celebration.

Vela Lima cries while her father plays the guitar and sings her a song during the church ceremony. “I cried because it meant a lot to me, and I really wasn’t expecting the day to come so fast.”

After dancing with her godfathers and godmothers, Vela Lima dances with her father, Roman. Her godparents all helped out with everything for the day. She danced with them as a way of showing thanks and to show all the guests that they are the ones who made the day possible. The day was also very emotional for her parents. “They were sad and crying because I’m not going to be their little girl anymore,” Vela Lima said. “They have to accept the fact that I’m going to be a woman one day.”

Two partygoers dance the night away. Dancing with family and friends is one of the biggest and most energetic parts of the evening.

Vela Lima rides with her court from the church ceremony to the party in a trailer made and decorated by her and her father. Her court is made up of family and close friends from when she was younger. Karen also had a horse and cowboy escort to the venue to go along with her ranch party theme.

LIFE

B1

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Cream revival hits Capitol Arts Center after hiatus

BY GRIFFIN FLETCHER HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

KENDALL WARNER • HERALD

Haylie Wells makes cranberry energy balls for Beet Box. Wells has been with Beet Box since November.

BEET BOX

KENDALL WARNER • HERALD

Haylie Wells, left, and Jessica Jones, right, prepare food for Beet Box. Beet Box sells products such as dips, salads and bento boxes, and all their ingredients are sourced locally.

Local food brings a new beet to town

BY KATELYN LATTURE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Just like its name might suggest, Beet Box didn’t have conventional beginnings. A health food provider in Bowling Green was a unique idea and something Michelle Darnall, the business’s owner and creator, wanted for the community.

“If we ever go back to Bowling Green, I want to do this,” Darnall said of a similar organic produce delivery business she used when she and her husband lived in Iowa.

Darnall said she moved from Bowling Green to Des Moines, Iowa, for her husband’s work, and that was when she found a passion for healthy living.

Beet Box began in 2014 after Darnall returned to Bowling Green as an organic produce delivery service. She opened another storefront on Broadway Avenue last year, and the store now sells more than produce — it delivers prepared meals through the delivery service, sells locally-sourced and butchered meats and stocks its refrigerators with juices from Zest! Juice for Life and dairy products from JD Country Milk along with plenty of other local foods.

Darnall said she stocks some of her shelves and her deliveries with freshly roasted coffee and espresso beans and grounds from Fine Arts Bistro in Glasgow. Peggy Bates, the co-owner of Fine Arts Bistro, said she and Darnall have been working together for around three years.

“The partnership worked really

behind a counter at Beet Box. “Fresh Food Friday” goes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Beet Box serves fresh entrees in the store during that time.

Darnall said Beet Box will never be “just vegan or just Whole30,” which is a 30-day diet program that’s seen success in recent years. Instead, she

“I love watching it grow and evolve, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”

Beet Box owner MICHELLE DARNALL

well,” Bates said. “I think what she is doing is a great addition to Bowling Green.”

Bates said she appreciates that Darnall also tries to support other local businesses and farmers, because that is a lot of what she and her husband try to do through their bistro.

“The whole premise behind what we do is that it’s healthy and it’s clean,” Darnall said as she wrote the menu for “Fresh Food Friday” on a chalkboard

wants to provide options for people with specialized diets that remove certain foods as well as people who want to be healthy without cutting out gluten, meat or dairy.

“I really want this to be a place of education,” Darnall said.

Darnall said she learned a lot about healthy living and eating after her father lost his fight to cancer. Physicians SEE BEET BOX • PAGE B3

Over 50 years ago, rock supergroup Cream released “Disraeli Gears,” a decade-defining album featuring the legendary hit “Sunshine of Your Love.”

Originally comprised of drummer Ginger Baker, bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton, Cream is receiving a rebirth of sorts named The Music of Cream. Led by Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce, Ginger and Jack’s respective sons, and Will Johns Clapton’s nephew, The Music of Cream is currently touring the United States “to pay tribute to Cream’s legendary four-album reign over the psychedelic frontier of the late 1960s,” according to the band’s website.

Johns, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, said he feels fortunate to do just that.

“I just feel like I’m the luckiest boy in the whole world,” Johns said.

“We’re just having a great old time.”

First joining forces to perform as The Music of Cream during 2017 in New Zealand and Australia, the band played more than 40 shows in North America and the United Kingdom throughout 2018, according to a press release from the band promoting its current statewide tour, “The Music of Cream: 50th Anniversary World Tour.” The tour kicked off on March 22 on the East Coast and is scheduled to end April 20 in Texas.

All accomplished musicians in their own right, Johns said he and his bandmates decided to tour and perform as The Music of Cream to call attention to the music that made it all possible.

“The music is timeless,” Johns said about Cream’s discography, which spans from 1966-69. “There’s some real substance to it.”

Though The Music of Cream features direct descendents of the original band, Johns said it will abstain from playing its predecessors’ hits note for note, adding that “no two shows are the same.”

“We like to think we put on our own stamp,” Johns said. “We’re very much in the moment.”

Johns added that he believes watching the band perform puts its vision into perspective. He said he believes that has been the case since the beginning of The Music of Cream.

“By the end of the show, they know exactly who we are and what we’re trying to do,” Johns said.

Malcolm, who plays bass and sings for the band, said he values an ability to improvise on even Cream’s most renowned successes, according to the press release.

“The uniqueness of the approach to Cream’s music means that I learn and SEE CREAM• PAGE B3

Professor named Bowling Green’s Woman of Year

BY KELLEY HOLLAND HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Saundra Ardrey, a professor at WKU, was happily surprised when she won the 2019 “Woman of the Year” at the 27th annual Women of Achievement Awards in Bowling Green last week.

The awards were presented by the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission. Nominated by her husband, William, Ardrey was among 17 women honored for their work in various fields.

She was then selected as the “Woman of the Year” for her contributions to Bowling Green throughout her career.

Ardrey, who is originally from North Carolina, moved to Bowling Green in 1988 after her husband was offered a job. She began teaching at WKU and has been there ever since. Currently, she teaches in the political science department and is the director of African American studies.

Specializing in voting and electoral

behavior, Ardrey researches the political participation of women and minorities. She focuses on the impact of race on politics as well as the role gender plays in voting participation.

also conducted research on the women in the area and created a student exchange program between the University of Limpopo and WKU. Outside of teaching, she is actively

“I stand on the shoulders of so many women that have come before me — so many great women, both here in community as well as statewide and nationally.”

2019 “Woman of the Year’” SAUNDRA ARDREY

In 2017, Ardrey was a Fulbright Scholar and taught for a year at the University of Limpopo in South Africa. She created a gender and women’s studies course, which was the first of its kind at the university. This course then developed into a gender and women’s studies program. While in South Africa, she

involved in the community. She is a member of the Bowling Green NAACP, serving as its political action chairperson. She has also been involved in the organization Black Leaders Advocating for the Community and has moderated political forums for the organization as well as shared presentations with its

members.

“I was not only surprised, but I was humbled,” Ardrey said about winning the award “To be in the room with so many women that achieved, I was surprised that my efforts were recognized.”

Ardrey said it was nice to be recognized, especially since she is nearing the end of her career and is almost ready for retirement.

“It was nice to have that affirmation that what you’ve done has been appreciated by the community,” Ardrey said.

“This community has been very supportive of the kinds of things that I am interested in.”

Ryan Dearbone, president of the Bowling Green NAACP, met Ardrey when he was an undergraduate at WKU. He has known her for around 15 years and wrote a statement of support for her for the Annual Women of Achievement Awards.

SEE WOMAN OF YEAR • PAGE B3

B2 LIFE

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Former student explains health struggle and faith

BY TAYLOR METCALF

HERALD.LIFE@WKU.EDU Pain, hospitals, fruits and vegetables are all things 25-year-old Mallory Jenkins knows well.

In 2013, Jenkins was diagnosed with a pseudopapillary tumor, a rare tumor in the pancreas that is typically found in young women. She was only 20 years old and a junior at WKU. She was forced to drop out of college and move back home to Elizabethtown.

stripped of comfort, purpose, my dreams and my health,” Jenkins said.

“I quickly went from a super healthy, busy, strong, active 20-year-old to a sick, dying patient who couldn’t even bathe herself.”

After a hospital visit in February 2014, Jenkins said she wasn’t able to eat any food by mouth for around 300 consecutive days. In late 2014, she underwent a procedure to completely remove her pancreas in hopes it would help with the pain. Half of her pancreas had already been removed in the Whipple surgery.

“It was either continue with a mis-

husband, Tyler, her brothers, family and friends helped her immensely, but she said she especially had a lot of faith in God’s strength.

“My faith in God is 100% what

Faculty House behind Cherry Hall on Thursday.

“We will be hearing her story and how God has used trials in her life to grow her faith and her love for God’s

“We will be hearing her story and how God has used trials in her life to grow her faith and her love for God’s word.”

Panhellenic Worship Night coordinator MADELINE BRENAN

pulled me through,” Jenkins said.

“He taught me that when I am weak, He is strong. When I feel I am alone, He is with me. When I don’t think I can keep going, He will carry me through the storm.”

Jenkins will be speaking at the Panhellenic Worship Night in the

word,” event coordinator Madeline Brenan said.

Jenkins writes about her journey on her website, stillwaters1.com.

Features reporter Taylor Metcalf can be reached at 270-745-6291 and taylor.metcalf496@topper.wku.edu.

KENDALL WARNER • HERALD

Mallory Jenkins, 25, had to suddenly drop out of school at the beginning of her junior year at WKU when she was 20 years old. Jenkins was abruptly diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor, which required extensive surgery to remove and turned her life upside down. Shortly after the surgery, Jenkins began her battle with pancreatitis. “It was unrelenting,” Jenkins said. “It resulted in me being on a 24/7 feeding tube and going 300 consecutive days without eating anything at all by mouth.”

erable, slow death from a sick pancreas or take the chance of going through the surgery and brutal recovery to hopefully discover a better chance at life,” Jenkins said.

The next two years were hard for Jenkins. She said she could not “describe the misery of that time.” She couldn’t eat without severe pain, nausea and vomiting. Her weight had dropped down to only 85 pounds, and she said she was living on broth and pureed vegetable soups.

Jenkins was also diagnosed with ”Within one year, my gastroparesis, a chronic condition that causes a severe delay in digeslife was stripped of tion or even complete inability to dicomfort, purpose, gest foods.

From 2017 to now, Jenkins said my dreams and my she is continuing to heal and find health.” her new normal. She said her quality of life is better now, and after fiveFormer WKU student and-a-half years on her journey, she MALLORY JENKINS is still learning. Her body has its good days and its bad days, so she can’t commit to anything consistently, Jenkins said.

Jenkins focused on what went into an email. her body and what helped her body In October 2013, Jenkins had her the most. She said she’d been learnfirst surgery — the Whipple surgery. ing about plant-based nutrition and The procedure removed part of her how to use food as medicine. She pancreas, some of the bile duct and said she loves juicing and sharing gallbladder and in some cases, part it with others. She said the fact that of the stomach. But she was still in she is finding her normalcy and conpain. tinuing to grow stronger is “nothing She said it was only six weeks later short of a miracle.” that complications with pancreatitis Jenkins said she had a great supbegan and the pain got worse. port team that helped her through “Within one year, my life was her pain and sadness. She said her In her time at WKU, Jenkins was a dean’s list student and said she loved everything about it. When she had to leave, she said she hoped she would soon be able to return and be with her friends at a campus she loved.

“When I left, it wasn’t a goodbye, but a see you later,” Jenkins said in

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LIFE B3

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WOMAN OF THE YEAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

“I think she is definitely one of the best women we have in Bowling Green, so it is no surprise to me that she was nominated and won Woman of the Year,” Dearbone said in an email.

Dearbone said he feels this award is important for women in the community because it elevates the work they are doing.

“It lets them know that the community at large sees what they’re doing and recognizes it,” Dearbone said.

Ardrey said she hopes her work and achievements will be able to inspire others.

“I stand on the shoulders of so many women that have come before me — so many great women, both here in community as well as statewide and nationally,” Ardrey said.

“What I want to do, then, is have young people stand on my shoulders. I want to pay it forward.”

Ardrey said one of her passions

BEET BOX

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 later told her about foods that are helpful to fighting cancer and foods that feed cancerous cells, which she took to heart.

An out-of-town couple from Georgetown walked in as Darnall talked and organized the counter.

They were in town for a few days, and the woman had apparently done some research before coming.

When she found Beet Box online, she said she knew she had to stop by before returning home. She and Darnall talked about homemaking

CREAM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 grow every night we play,” Malcolm said in the press release. “There is always something new to be discovered in the music: tempo, feel, groove, notes, dynamics, inflection. It is truly wonderful to be able to improvise on stage.”

Kofi said his and his bandmates’ familial ties to Cream’s music are especially rewarding, according to the press

”It lets them know that the community at large sees what they’re doing and recognizes it.”

WKU professor SAUNDRA ARDREY has always been to give a voice to the voiceless. Additionally, she wants young people, especially young women, to know that their voices have an impact.

Going forward, Ardrey plans to continue to push for social change.

“The fight has not ended to be considered equal,” Ardrey said. “We have to be ever-vigilant. I would like to die knowing that we’re still not fighting for equality.”

Features reporter Kelley Holland can be reached at 270-745-6291 and kelley.holland872@topper.wku.edu.

LYDIA SCHWEICKART • HERALD

Saundra Ardrey, a professor at WKU, was recently awarded the 2019 “Woman of the Year” award at the 27th annual Women of Achievement Awards in Bowling Green last week. In this archival photo, Ardrey sits for a portrait after being given a Fulbright Scholar Award in 2017.

nut butter and the crunchy textures it sometimes produces.

In December, Darnall bought a local nut butter company, Gone Nuts, and all the nut butters are now made in the Beet Box kitchen. The nut butter containers sit neatly stacked on the counter and in the refrigerator.

Darnall said Beet Box carries hardto-find items and tries to support local as much as possible. She knows supporting other local businesses means receiving support in return, and it also helps build a community.

Maggie Copeland, the owner of Cocomo Confections, said she has been working with Darnall and Beet

Box for three years. Copeland said she first started working with Beet Box when Darnall asked if she could use Copeland’s kitchen before Beet Box had a kitchen of its own. Now, Beet Box has its own storefront and sells some of Copeland’s chocolates and other confections.

“The local businesses need to thrive and support the community,” Copeland said.

Much of owning a business is figuring things out, Darnall said, especially when the business keeps growing. One of her friends once told her, “If you say, ‘I’ll figure it out’ one more time, I’ll scream,” Darnall

release. He said he believes the reactions The Music of Cream has received throughout its current run are enough to keep the band’s purpose in sight, as well.

“I really enjoyed playing with Will and Malcolm as we share a bond over this music that our fathers created,” Kofi said in the press release. “And meeting the fans after the shows and hearing their thoughts really validated and inspired me to keep playing this music.”

On Saturday, The Music of Cream will

make a stop in Bowling Green at the Capitol Arts Center to continue its tour.

The show is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available online at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center website, by phone call at SKyPAC or at the Capitol on April 6 two hours before the show starts.

Though he’s toured across the world, Johns said he believes Bowling Green sounds like a nice place to be. He said

recounted with a chuckle.

Darnall said she has a lot of dreams for Beet Box. It already delivers in Barren, Simpson and Warren counties and still wants to expand. There are many other projects and ideas in the works for growing Beet Box and making Bowling Green a healthier place to live.

“I love watching it grow and evolve, change,” Darnall said. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”

Features reporter Katelyn Latture can be reached at 270-745-6291 and katelyn.latture423@topper.wku. edu.

he looks forward to the show and the opportunity it promises.

“It’s a real privilege and an honor to be able to see somewhere like Bowling Green, Kentucky,” Johns said. “It’s just perfect.”

Reporter Griffin Fletcher can be reached at 270-745-2655 and griffin. fletcher398@topper.wku.edu.

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SPORTS B4

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Strong pitching keeps WKU undefeated in C-USA

BY SOPHIE AUSTIN HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU The WKU softball team earned its third-straight sweep of a Conference USA opponent this weekend in a threegame series against Florida Atlantic.

The sweep not only made the Hilltoppers 26-5 overall on the season but also undefeated in conference play at 9-0.

“I think, honestly, at this point, we expect to come in and play every game hard,” senior outfielder Shannon Plese said. “So, to see the work pay off means everything to this team.”

The Hilltoppers swept the doubleheader on Saturday and carried that momentum into Sunday’s game with exceptional performances both in the circle and at the plate.

The first game of the series ended in a 10-3 win for the Hilltoppers in which junior Kelsey Aikey recorded a career high 11 strikeouts, allowed just three hits and earned her seventh win of the season. Sophomore Shelby Nunn replaced Aikey after five innings to work the final two frames and earn the save, allowing just one hit and no runs.

The second game of Saturday’s doubleheader ended 2-0. It would be the closest game of the series.

Freshman Kennedy Sullivan worked to earn the complete-game shutout, her fourth of the season. She allowed just five hits and three walks to improve to 14-2 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.

COACHING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B6 almost his entire coaching staff was “huge.”

“Just knowing our players, knowing our system, obviously, and it’s also been great to have new staff members come in, as well, to bring their input and tell us some things that we can improve and things they like and things they don’t like,” White said.

After the first practice on March 12, Helton said he was happy with the older players on defense stepping up.

Helton expressed an even stronger sentiment 11 days later.

“I love our defense intensity — they play well for each other, they believe in each other,” Helton said on March 23. “They’re a mature bunch, and they showed it out here today.”

White echoed Helton’s thoughts following the eighth practice.

“They’ve done a good job of retaining the information from the season before,” White said. “The first group has definitely shown some things that we definitely think can help us a lot.

I like what I see so far — the speed is

LINEBACKERS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B6 their current strengths.

Brown said the team gets more work done in current practices, and the younger linebackers are getting valuable experience in the process.

“You’re getting a lot of reps,” Brown said. “A lot of reps. We’re doing, like, two groups right now, and you got the starters and the backups getting a lot

A big day at the plate led the Hilltoppers to their third win of the weekend on Sunday.

FAU scored first, earning one run in the top of the first inning. The Hilltoppers responded in the bottom of the first when sophomore catcher Kendall Smith homered to score sophomore outfielder Jordan Thomas and give WKU a 2-1 lead.

“I feel great,” Smith said. “Coming from last year, not such a good offensive year for me, and this year, just seeing the ball better, having more confidence. My teammates are having my back up there, they expect me to get on in a positive way. I just felt great, I saw it, and I hit it.”

Smith’s home run was her seventh of the season.

The Owls evened it up in the top of the second with one run, but a huge third inning at the plate put the Hilltoppers back in the lead after they added five runs, making the score 7-2.

“When Kendall hit that two-run home run, I think it changed our momentum to our side,” head coach Amy Tudor said. “Any time you can hit one off the third story of the parking structure is sending a big message. I thought that was a game changer for us, and then everybody else kind of built off it.”

The fourth and fifth innings saw no runs from either team, but the Hilltoppers broke through in the bottom of the sixth, adding three runs and gaining an eight-run lead to end the game early with a final score of 10-2.

definitely there.”

Helton said on Friday his team’s ninth practice, which featured the first full scrimmage, featured competition and “a lot of juice on both sides of the ball.”

“At the end of the day, you want both sides to play really good,” Helton said.

“It’s just a matter of trying to identify

BRITTANY MORRISON • HERALD

Kendall Smith slides into home during a game against Florida Atlantic on Sunday, March 31, 2019.

Aikey earned her second win of the weekend after entering the circle to replace Nunn two innings into the game. She recorded five strikeouts and allowed no runs off just two hits.

“I thought when Aikey came into the game, she did a great job in the circle,” Tudor said. “Brought some intensity, picked up where we were just laying down just a little bit. I thought Nunn did a good job as well, we just didn’t make a couple plays behind her.”

In addition to making the team 9-0 in conference play, the series sweep put the Hilltoppers on an 11-game

mage, Helton said, showcasing flashes of the same brilliance that made the unit a diamond in the rough to end last season.

After a 1-9 start to what ended up being Sanford’s final campaign, the Hilltoppers finished 3-9 after convincing wins against Texas-El Paso and Louisiana Tech.

“The first group has definitely shown some things that we can definitely think can help us a lot. I like what I see so far — the speed is definitely there.”

Defensive coordinator CLAYTON WHITE

who are the starting 22, and then, let’s get those guys more reps, and then, the young guys that need to help contribute — we got to get them involved as well.”

White’s defense forced the offense into more turnovers than Helton was comfortable seeing during the scrim-

Many speculated the pair of performances White’s defense put together in those games would be enough to save Sanford’s job. Instead, the staff proved it deserved another year together under Helton by tallying six interceptions and nine sacks combined.

White said he has not made any ma-

of reps, you got the freshmen getting in on the other side getting a lot of reps, so everybody’s learning defense, and I think it’s keeping everybody warm and getting the plays right.”

Along with most of former head coach Mike Sanford’s defensive staff, linebackers coach Maurice Crum will return to the Hill for a third season.

Bailey sees the continuity of the defensive staff as a major advantage for the Hilltopper linebackers.

“Having the same coach just real-

ly keeps that bond,” Bailey said. “You know exactly what you’re going to be coming to every day, and you know you’re going to be in the same system.

Having that same coach just keeps that relationship with him, and then it just keeps the material the same.”

Brown said he is committed to doing whatever it takes to stay on the field the whole 2019 season.

“Playing a whole season, man,” Brown said. “Because you know first year you’re actually getting a chance to

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winning streak.

“I think playing a top-quality opponent in Kentucky, getting a win on the road, I think that that was huge for our confidence going into this series,” Tudor said. “And, you know, a confident team is a scary team.”

The Hilltoppers will be back for more home action this Wednesday when they take on Louisville. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

Softball reporter Sophie Austin can be reached at 270-745-2653 and Sophie.

Austin380@topper.wku.edu.

jor changes to the system WKU has been running since his first stint in 2010, but more than just “tweaks” and “some different things” will be necessary for a unit that will take the field without five starters from a season ago.

White said safety Antwon Kincade and nickelback Ta’Corian Darden are “natural” leaders, while defensive linemen Jaylon George, DeAngelo Malone and Juwuan Jones, have been the defense’s front four standouts.

By the season opener, WKU’s defense will have a plan to improve upon 2018, a year that saw the unit finish 82nd in total defense after allowing 422 yards and 27.8 points per game.

But before the unit opens its year, it will need to find one thing.

“Just playmakers,” Helton said.

“Who are the playmakers on the team, who steps up when the lights turn on?”

The Hilltoppers will find out Aug. 29 against Central Arkansas.

Sports reporter Drake Kizer can be reached at 270-745-2653 and clinton. kizer287@topper.wku.edu.

Follow Drake on Twitter at @drakekizer_.

start, so staying healthy and finishing the season out as I started.”

Bailey said he wants the linebackers to play fast and nasty in 2019.

“Our goal is just to be the baddest things out there on the field,” Bailey said. “You want to be the fastest things running with the worst intentions.”

Reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 270-745-6291 and alec.jessie226@topper.wku.edu. Follow Alec on Twitter at @Alec_Jessie.

SPORTS B5

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Hilltoppers move within a game of first place in C-USA

BY KADEN GAYLORD

HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU WKU won its third series in Conference USA play against the Charlotte 49ers 2-0-1. The unbeaten weekend put WKU one game out of first place in the standings. “[This series] shows that we battle no matter what and we like to play all the way through the end,” junior right fielder Jake Sanford said.

Game 1 saw both teams go back and forth scoring multiple runs in the early going, as a total of 11 runs were scored in the first three innings alone. WKU scored one more run in the sixth inning to take an 8-4 lead that stood for the rest of the game.

After the 49ers scored four runs in the second inning, sophomore relief pitcher Dalton Shoemake came in and pitched a shutout for the remainder of the game. He only gave up three hits while throwing five strikeouts and retiring 22 of the 25 batters he faced in 7.2 innings pitched.

”The team is disappointed, obviously. I thought both teams had their chances to win the game.”

Head coach JOHN PAWLOWSKI

In Game 2, the 49ers took an early 4-1 lead before the Hilltoppers had a four-run third inning. Starting with a Ray Zuberer III solo home run, a series of singles and sacrifice fly RBIs helped the Hilltoppers get a 5-4 lead.

WKU scored a run in three of the next five innings while holding the 49ers to one run for the rest of the game to win 8-5.

FAHAD ALOTAIBI • HERALD

Senior infielder Nick Brunson runs to first base during WKU’s game against Northern Kentucky University on February 15, 2019.

Game 3 was WKU’s highest-scoring game of the season, but it didn’t see a true ending.

In a span of three innings, the teams scored 20 runs combined. Going into the ninth inning, WKU had a two-run lead, but the Hilltoppers relinquished it after giving up an error and hit-bypitch that tied the game.

Before the game, both teams agreed to a 3:30 p.m. curfew because Charlotte had a flight to get on later in the day. The Hilltoppers failed to score in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the game ended in a 13-13 tie.

“The team is disappointed, obviously. I thought both teams had their chances to win the game,” head coach John Pawlowski said. “We settled on a curfew before the game started, and

the curfew ended up getting us, but I really like the way our team competed.”

Sanford went 9-for-14 in his plate appearances for the series, including seven RBIs and two home runs. Senior infielder Davis Sims went 5-for-12 in plate appearances with two RBIs and five runs scored.

Freshman outfielder Jackson Swiney went 6-for-11 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored.

The Hilltoppers’ next game will come on Tuesday against Vanderbilt, the sixth-ranked team in the country.

The Hilltoppers have lost four games in a row against the Commodores.

WKU’s last win against Vanderbilt was in 2014, where the Hilltoppers won 3-2.

The Commodores are 22-6 and won their last series against Tennessee 2-1.

“It will be an exciting test for us,” Sims said. “Like I said, we are playing really good baseball right now, and I know a lot of the guys are excited to go down to Nashville and see what we’re made of.”

The Hilltoppers’ next series will be against Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Last season, the Hilltoppers lost the series 2-1. The series will begin Friday night at 6:30 p.m., continue Saturday at 4 p.m. and wrap up Sunday at 1 p.m.

Baseball reporter Kaden Gaylord can be reached at 270-745-6291 and kaden.gaylord559@topper.wku.edu Follow him on Twitter at @_KLG3.

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B6

Linebacker corps moves past loss of key members

BY ALEC JESSIE HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

JOSEPH BARKOFF • HERALD

Members of WKU’s women’s basketball team walk off the court after a loss in the Conference USA Tournament at The Star in Frisco, Tx.

ONWARD

Lady Toppers’ season concludes in WNIT

BY DRAKE KIZER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

WKU’s women’s basketball season came to an end this week, concluding a campaign that saw the squad make it to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament round of 16.

The Lady Toppers were already the last remaining Conference USA squad in the WNIT, but since the NCAA Tournament was down to its Sweet 16, WKU was also one of only 32 total schools left in the two premier postseason tournaments for women’s basketball.

The Lady Toppers couldn’t manage to get past Ohio (30-6) after overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit in the first round and a three-point halftime deficit in the second round. WKU was shockingly sunk by its failure to overcome a one-point halftime deficit in the third round — by far its smallest yet.

“This was a really good basketball team that we played tonight,” Greg Collins, women’s basketball head coach, said postgame. “We were going to have to play better than we played to beat them, and I felt like there were moments where we were doing that, but we had some breakdowns there on defense. Really, that was the difference down the end of the ball game — they got to the rim and made their layups, and we got to the rim and missed our layups.”

Following the loss, WKU dropped to 5-11 on the road and 18-14 all-time in the WNIT. The 2018-19 season is now officially over for the Lady Toppers, but the

year came with many highs, including the squad winning six of its last eight contests.

WKU finished with 214 made 3-pointers, which ranked second in school history for a single season and put the team 28 shy of the program record set in 2016-17 with 242.

The Lady Toppers program also notched its seventh straight 20-win season, matching a record set by former WKU head coach Paul Sanderford

will also become eligible after sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules.

“I think it’s really going to be good for us to get this experience on the court,” junior guard Whitney Creech said about the WNIT last Tuesday.

“We’re bringing back a majority of our players, and so, it’ll give us good experience and momentum to carry over into next season, as well.”

Although the Lady Toppers have unfinished business they can work toward

“We’re bringing back a majority of our players, and so, it’ll give us good experience and momentum to carry over into next season, as well.”

Junior guard WHITNEY CREECH

from 1982-83 to 1988-89.

Collins became the sixth WKU head coach since 1973-74 to capture a 20win season in their first year at the helm. Collins’ 20 victories also ranked third among 23 first-time Division I head coaches this season. Minnesota’s Lindsay Whalen and Northern Colorado’s Jenny Huth tied for first place with 21-11 overall records in their first years.

It won’t be long before preparation for the 2019-20 season begins for the Lady Toppers, who should return a wealth of experience to the hardwood next fall.

Barring any transfers, WKU should only lose seniors Jae’Lisa Allen, Sidnee Bopp and Kayla Smith from this season’s squad. Senior Sandra Skinner, a transfer from Virginia Commonwealth,

in future years, the 2018-19 team lifted itself out of a four-game losing streak in February and went on to win two postseason games, which Collins said was a testament to his players becoming physically and mentally tougher as the year wore on.

Before Collins shifted his focus to the offseason, he reflected on the year that was.

“I hope they’re remembered for the passion and the pride that they played with — especially down the stretch — representing WKU and the improvement that they made throughout the course of the season,” Collins said.

Women’s basketball reporter Drake Kizer can be reached at 270-745-2653 and clinton.kizer287@topper.wku.edu. Follow Drake on Twitter at @drakekizer_.

The WKU football team is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2018 campaign. The linebacker corps is a key group in the improvement of the defense and the team as a whole.

The Hilltoppers have seven linebackers listed on their roster, with redshirt senior Eli Brown and junior Kyle Bailey, a former safety, as the likely starters, heading into the fall after WKU lost a couple major pieces at the position.

Both Masai Whyte and Ben Holt are set to graduate this spring. Holt, who has one year of eligibility remaining, announced his intention to transfer to Purdue on Feb. 14.

Holt led the team in total tackles in 2018 with 116. Whyte was fifth on the team in tackles with 76 and had the third-most sacks with four.

Defensive coordinator Clayton White said replacing two starting linebackers will be a major hurdle for the unit.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” White said after the team’s eighth spring practice. “Those guys played a lot of snaps for us for two seasons. I really think the best thing about it is that those guys taught our guys a lot when they was here before they left, so I hope our guys have a chance to really take that and move on and make the best of their career.”

Brown and Bailey are poised to step up, and experience will not be a problem. Bailey played in every game a season ago as a safety. Brown missed only one, tallying 25 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Redshirt sophomore Rex Henderson also appeared in all 12 games, recording three tackles.

A trio of redshirt juniors may also make an impact for the Hilltoppers.

Demetrius Cain has been a pass-rushing linebacker for the last two seasons despite his designation on the roster as a defensive lineman, while Damon Lowe and Clay Davis will be eligible this season after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.

Redshirt freshman Trey Urquhart and redshirt freshman Mario Wright did not play last season and will get opportunities to get on the field as backups.

Even with the key losses, coach White is confident in his group of linebackers.

“It’s a really good group,” White said about the linebackers. “I love their speed — IQ, [tackles for loss] and their coverage ability, and I think that those guys can do a good job of really bringing us a lot of speed to our defense.”

White has turned to practice reps as a way to prepare his linebackers for the competition in fall and to build on

SEE LINEBACKERS • PAGE B4

WKU defense looks for growth with same coaching staff

BY DRAKE KIZER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

Another week of spring practice has elapsed for WKU football, which means the team has only five practices left before the Red vs. White spring football game on April 13.

First-year head coach Tyson Helton and offensive coordinator Bryan Ellis

have been busy this spring installing a brand new offense for the Hilltoppers, which is aiming to return to the air raid passing attack that brought the program to its highest heights.

But while WKU’s numerous returning players on offense have been learning from a staff they’ve been around for only a few months, their defensive counterparts have felt right at home.

One week after being named head coach on Nov. 27, Helton announced

he would keep four of the five defensive staff members who served under former head coach Mike Sanford together for a third season, including defensive coordinator Clayton White.

“Our offensive staff will bring an exciting brand of football back to the Hill, and our defensive staff is comprised of veterans who have the total trust of our players,” Helton said in a press release on Dec. 4.

Linebackers coach Maurice Crum,

defensive ends coach Jimmy Lindsey and defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin returned to the staff along with White. The only new face in the defensive meeting room is safeties coach and special teams coordinator Andy LaRussa, who worked as a special teams analyst at Southern California last year.

White said Thursday that returning

SEE COACHING • PAGE B4

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