MTSU
SIDELINES
2// 12 // 2014 E D I T O R I A L LY INDEPENDENT
Political unrest from Ukraine reaches MTSU Pg. 4 Your own Olympic game Pgs. 6-7 Boro wilderness Pgs. 12-13
Why you should step up in class Pg. 14
A family effort
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3 NEWS 6 A&E 10 COVER 12 Features 14 OPINIONS 15 SPORTS S T A F F
Emily West >> Editor-in-chief John Coulston >> Assistant A&E Editor
Amanda Gambill >> Managing editor Sam Brown >> Sports Editor
Quint Qualls >> News Editor Connor Grott >> Assistant Sports Editor
Daniel Jansouzian >> Assistant News Editor Robert Allen >> Opinions Editor Taylor Davis >> Assistant News Editor Laurel O’Neill >> Designer
Bailey Robbins >> Features Editor Cat Murphy >> Photo Editor
Claire Osburn >> Assistant A&E Editor
Noel Heath >> Assistant A&E and Features Editor
2 SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
Maranda Faris >> Copy Editor Leon Alligood >> Adviser
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Cover designed by Laurel O’Neill and Cat Murphy. John Bragg Mass Communication Building Center for Innovation in Media 1301 East Main Street P.O. Box 8, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132 Editorial: 615-904-7648 mtsusidelines.com Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines. Tune in Friday to Sidelines FM on 88.3 from 6-8 p.m.
NEWS Death is not the end for students of bones and bodies By Quint Qualls // News Editor Excavating and examining decomposing human remains isn’t a part of the average student’s curriculum, but it’s commonplace for members of the Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery team. Hugh Berryman, forensic anthropology research professor, and his team of students recently made headlines when they assisted Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office detectives in the recovery of human remains on Jacobs Hill off Big Springs Road on Feb. 2. But that’s a typical occurrence for Berryman and his team. Though the semester has only just begun, the FASAR team has worked on at least three human remains cases. Last semester, the team handled around eight or nine. “The Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery team came about just from that need to involve the students and get them out in the field,” Berryman said. The FASAR team consists of 16 members, whose majors include forensic science, anthropology, biology and criminal justice. When they go out to handle cases, the conditions are seldom in their favor. Rarely are the remains conveniently located for the team in one single place and the wilderness and elements and are constant complications.
to Naomi Plant, FASAR member. “Sometimes there might be buried remains,” said Tabbitha Herbert, FASAR member. “Sometimes police and law enforcement will get a ‘hint’ on where the body is and we’ll go in and do actual archaeological methods like digging and excavating to see if we can find anything.” Other times the team will sift through the ashes of homes, searching through burned down houses for pieces of someone’s life, according to Charlotte Whittaker, FASAR member. “When you look at bones you can determine the age, the sex, the race, how tall they were, the different types of diseases that affected their life,” Berryman said. “You can look at what caused their death and what happened to them after they died… it’s like you can take someone who’s long since dead and do an interview with them.” The FASAR team will fly to Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 18 for the annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting. One student, Heather Hammond, will be presenting her research on a methodology she created for collecting gunshot residue and human hair. To contact the news editor, email Quint Qualls at news@mtsusidelines. com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines and @sidelines_news.
“You have the elements that may have moved the bones around. You have animals, coyotes, scavengers,” Berryman said. “The 206 bones that are supposed to be right here are now scattered over an acre, as well as any piece of evidence that could be important in identifying that person or determine what may have happened to that person.” But it’s all worthwhile, according to the students. “You get to be the person’s voice,” said Justin Lowe, FASAR member. “You got to remember they’re not just bones – they’re people, they’re somebody’s kid, somebody’s father, somebody’s mother.” The work that the team does varies from case to case. The human remains recovery on Jacobs Hill involved a “line search,” a procedure where the team forms a line and gradually moves forward, scanning the area for bones or any other pieces of information that may aid the investigation. Practice for line searches consists of Berryman tossing pennies and nickels into a forested area and leaving the team to find them, according
This year’s FASAR team. Photo provided.
SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 3
NEWS
Kiev
UKRAINE Political unrest in Ukraine stretches to MTSU By Daniel Jansouzian // Assistant News Editor Illustrataion by Laurel O’Neill. Though a world away from Ukraine, some students and faculty remain tethered to the unrest that has plagued the nation since late November. Protests began at Independence Square in Kiev on Nov. 21, 2013 and have only escalated since then with more than 300 injured and four dead, according to The New York Times. “To some extent modern Ukraine is the United States before the Civil War,” said Andrei Korobkov, political science professor. “There are two absolutely differently countries that were before registered to be one state.” Korobkov, a Ukraine native, still has many family and friends there. He said Ukraine is politically and geographically divided with the European influence on the West and Russian influence on the East. Both countries are fighting for control and until November, President Viktor Vanukovych had been planning to join the European Union.
“Nobody is able to seize political power in Ukraine,” Korobkov said. “And while it makes political life in Ukraine hectic and unstable, it also guarantees that nobody is able to establish monopoly and build a dictatorship.” While Ukraine is an independent state, it shares close cultural, political and economic ties with Russia, Korobkov said. Millions of Ukrainians work in Russia and energy supplies come exclusively from Russia, so there is a high level of interdependence. “For [Russian President Vladimir Putin], the loss of Ukraine is totally unacceptable,” Korobkov said. “For him, Ukraine represents the core of the Russian state, and he does not want to go down in history as the Russian leader who lost Ukraine. Therefore, he will fight to the end.”
The protests began when the government revoked its decision to join the EU in November. Western Ukrainians believe Russians oppress their country and the government is corrupt, according to Korobkov. For them, overthrowing Vanukovych and starting a relationship with the EU would represent a positive change.
For Ivan Syzonenko, an MTSU master’s candidate in basic and applied science and a Ukrainian native, the protests could mean the end of a long strand of corrupted political leaders in his country. Although he lives in the Eastern city of Dnipzopetrovsk, he was born in Western Ukraine, so like the majority of Western Ukrainians, he believes Ukraine needs to be free of Russian influence and have a more European identity.
Young people and college students have primarily dominated the protests. According to Korobkov, the majority of the population ignores it. Their issue of focus is economic survival.
According to Syzonenko, Eastern Ukraine is better off financially because it has many factory plants and more jobs than Western Ukraine. In the West, many people have to work in Europe for a time just to
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make ends meet. When people are not even making a living, they are driven to make a call for change, he said. Ukrainian politics are a means for people who don’t have any money to go into government and “get rich” off bribes and people’s tax dollars, Syzonenko said. He hopes a change in government will lead to an end of this trend. Unfortunately, the uprising does not have a solid political party or any leaders capable of effectively turning the government around at this time, he said. Syzonenko said that Putin recently lowered the price of oil exported to Ukraine and gave the country some money. This was a way for Putin to give Vanukovych’s political party, the Party of Regions, a new reason to stay with Russia, he said. According to Vladimir Borodin, a basic and applied science doctoral candidate and Ukrainian native, Ukraine is better if one leader runs their country. A dictator who is not corrupt is better than many people running a country, he said. The Ukrainian president assigns the positions in the Parliament and Cabinet of Ministers. The protesters want the 450 parliament members to assign the members of Cabinet.
NEWS Ukraine needs Russia to be economically stable, Borodin said. For him, the unrest is proof that a government controlled by many people with differing views is dangerous. Neither party is at a place to compromise at this time, Korobkov said. “What Ukraine needs is a deep systemic reform in its political mechanism,” he said. The Russian opposition to Ukraine joining the EU puts the nation in an economically tough position regarding the protests, according to Emily Baran, history professor and historian of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova. “At the same time,” she said, “The resilience of the protestors suggests that this movement has real staying power and is likely to result in at least some reforms to the political system. Even modest changes to open up a greater space for European engagement and to wean Ukraine off Russian dependency would be welcome. Ultimately, Ukraine’s past may be deeply interwoven with Russia, but I cannot help but feel that its future lies within the European community.”
To contact the news editor, email Quint Qualls at news@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_news and @mtsusidelines.
CRIME BRIEFS
VAGRANCY Gracy Hall Feb. 7, 12:08 a.m. Authorities issued an active warrant for Jakiel D. Maurek Lindsey, 20, for criminal trespassing. DRUGS Judd Hall Feb. 6, 11:05 p.m. Authorities responded to a complaint of drugs in a dorm room. Drug paraphernalia was found in the room, and the student was referred to Judicial Affairs for discipline. DRUGS Womack Lane Apartment C Feb. 5, 6:47 p.m. Authorities arrested Melaneece Joyce Drake, 19, for simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. ARMED ROBBERY Tennessee Livestock Center Feb. 3, 7:13 p.m. Authorities responded to a report of an armed robbery near the stables of the Livestock Center. The suspects were described as three black males in their early-to-mid 20s wearing black hoodies and pants. The first suspect was described as having short dreadlocks and a thin mustache, the second as having a goatee and the third was described as having a mustache. SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 5
A&E You’ll need to pace yourself for
THIS
Olympic game
Since the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, began last Friday, preparation is already underways. Lasting three weeks means plenty of time for you to stretch and warn your body of what is to come. We’re not talking about doing actual physical activities like our favorite rock star athletes. We’re talking about drinking. Follow this intense, not-to-be-done-in-onenight drinking game to make sure you enjoy the Olympics the way the vodka-drinking Russians intended.
By Amanda Gambill // Managing Editor
See the torch, shot of Fireball
The spirit of the games mixed with the ancient Greek tradition of the torch should leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. If that doesn’t work, take a shot of Fireball every time you see the eternal flame.
Shot of triple sec every time for every triple loop
With pairs, men’s, women’s and free dance figure skating happening at the Olympics, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the whirling movements in action. Make sure not to take too many shots, or you’ll be the one crashing hard.
Every time you laugh at curling, chug
With the winter games come one of the oddest sports known to human kind: curling. Every time you catch yourself laughing at grown men and women using a broom to move stones on ice, chug whatever is closet to you. The rules are lax in this round because let’s face it, when curling is on, no one’s really watching anyways.
Russia equal vodka
While the Russians tend to favor potato vodka, any brand will do. So in the spirit of this year’s winter games’ host, add their beloved booze to your viewing nights.
Illustration by Laurel O’Neill. 6 SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
A&E
Photo by Amanda Gambill.
When home gets the gold, down a Yazoo
A staple in the South and brewed in Nashville, Yazoo is the perfect drink to embody patriotism during the games. Tie that ‘Murcia spirit to the United States bringing home the gold, and you’re set.
Snow to sober
During downhill skiing, mix up a downhill racer
Every time you see snow, take a gulp of cold, chilled water. You’re going to need it.
Hockey Fight, Crown Royal shot
This Canadian blended whiskey is the perfect match for your hockey viewing nights, eh? One of the best things about hockey is the fighting, and the Olympics is the perfect stage to up the ante. If you’re feeling extra adventurous and want to up your game, take a shot every time your team shoots and scores.
As the athletes race down a snowy mountain, chill out with a downhill racer cocktail. Mixing white rum, amaretto liqueur, pineapple juice and a splash of lime juice will leave you feeling calm amidst the adrenaline of the games.
Speed skating means White Lightning
This action-packed sport calls for one drink: White Lightning. As the athletes move as fast as white lightning, you can participate in the games by sipping on the moonshine of the same name.
To contact the A&E edtior, email Claire Osburn at ae@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_ae and @mtsusidelines.
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A&E
Five Olympic films that deserve gold medals By Ben Belemjian // Staff writer
A perfect 10 for Will Ferrell and John Heder in “Blades of Glory.” Photo courtesy of Facebook.
With the Winter Olympics underway, what better way to celebrate the games than to skip your prior engagements, sit on your couch and watch films devoted to Olympic athletes dominating their competition?
5. “Blades of Glory” — Back in 2007, Will Ferrell and Jon Heder starred in this comedy about two disqualified figure skating rivals,
who must work together in order to fight their way back onto the ice. Vivacious performances, a ridiculously hilarious script and an engaging plot come together to create an Olympic comedy that snatches its gold medal, skates away, completely wipes out and screams, “This ice has not been properly Zambonied!”
4. “Chariots of Fire” — Hugh Hudson’s 1981 Olympic epic tells the true story of two British track athletes with differing faiths, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, competing in the 1924 Olympics. The film showcases what can internally drive an athlete to success and how surrounding societal issues affected these athletes during their competition. If that fails to convince you to check out this remarkable true story, maybe the fact that it won four Oscars will.
3. “Cool Runnings” — This 1993 classic tells the true story of a Jamaican bobsled team who attempt to qualify for the Winter Olym-
pics. The journey four Jamaican athletes and their coach, John Candy (“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”), embark on is comical, inspirational and heartwarming. With Jamaica’s bobsledding team competing in this year’s games, this is the perfect time to check out this heartfelt comedy.
2. “Miracle” — Commonly known as the Olympic film to experience, “Miracle” tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) taking on the responsibility of coaching the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team tasked with the seemingly impossible challenge of defeating the unstoppable Soviet team. Even though the title gives away the ending, the final match is incredibly nerve-racking, and Kurt Russell’s famous battle speech is worth the price of admission alone.
1. “Munich” — Steven Spielberg’s controversial drama retells the horrific events that took place at the 1972 Olympics where 11 Israeli ath-
letes were murdered by terrorists. The film follows five men who were chosen to assassinate the perpetrators. Even though “Munich” is a hard film to watch because of its strong violence and 164-minute runtime, it’s well worth the emotion and time investment for its fantastic performances, beautiful cinematography and compelling narrative.
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A&E
The Sounds of Sochi 2014 By John Connor Coulston // Assistant A&E Editor
Since the start of Sochi Winter Olympics, now is the perfect time to put some Olympic jams into your everyday playlist to soundtrack a month of skiing, luge, figure skating, curling and more. “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis Taken from the film of the same name, “Chariots of Fire” is synonymous with the Olympic Games. Its orchestral buildup causes instant visions of slow-motion running montages. While orchestral scores might not be for everyone, this inspiring piece will get you through the monotonous parts of your day. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” has been a quintessential sports anthem since it appeared in “Rocky IV” almost 30 years ago. Play this song on your iPod to turn your daily exercise routine into an Olympic training session. “All Gold Everything” by Trinidad James A main component of the Olympics is, of course, winning. The United States has 87 gold medals in the Winter Games thus far and has already added to that total in Sochi. Hopefully, the American team will walk away with more gold than Trinidad James has in his rings, chains and watch combined. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen The Olympics bring out the patriot in all of us. It’s a time when Americans can join together to support a common cause: winning. This stadium anthem from The Boss is the epitome of patriotic rock. Put it on if you need an extra dose of ‘Murica in your life.
“My Day” by Danielle Bradberry Every Olympiad has an official song. And while Muse’s epic rocker “Survival” was chosen for 2012’s Summer Games, the Winter Games’ official track is much more mellow. “My Day” is an uplifting country ballad from “The Voice” winner Danielle Bradbery and will surely be played countless times during NBC’s Olympic coverage. “Started from the Bottom” by Drake While “Started From the Bottom” is told from Drake’s perspective, at its core it’s a song about success. Anyone who’s passionate about competing — whether in the Olympics or in life — can surely relate to its theme of coming from nothing and rising to the top. “Back In the U.S.S.R. [Live]” by Billy Joel This will be the second time Russia has hosted the Olympics. The 1980 Summer Games were held in Moscow, but were famously boycotted by 65 countries due to the Soviet Union’s war with Afghanistan. However, 2014 seems to be the year of a successful Olympics. Let Billy Joel’s cover of the Beatles’ classic help celebrate the games being “back in the U.S.S.R.” “Gonna Fly Now (Theme from ‘Rocky’)” by Bill Conti When discussing great American athletes, everyone from Jackie Robinson to Michael Phelps comes to mind. However, one great American competitor
shouldn’t be forgotten: Rocky Balboa. Even though he’s fictional, Rocky is a perfect example of America’s drive to win. On top of that, he’s got an anthem, a horn-led theme song that goes along with the Olympic mindset. “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk The primary lyrics for Daft Punk’s 2001 electronic jam are quite simple: “Work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger.” These lyrics and building tempo of the track mirror the process of training and honing your skills, something that Olympic athletes know a lot about. “Mother Russia” by Iron Maiden If you’ve seen Olympics ceremonies in the past, host countries often use the opportunity to show off their culture to the rest of the world. As viewers, it’s an amazing opportunity to leave our country’s cultural bubble and learn about other places. Let this riff-heavy cut guide you as you absorb Russia’s culture over the next month. Make sure to the check out our playlist on Spotify. To contact the A&E editor, email Claire Osburn at ae@mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sidelines_ae and @mtsusidelines. You can find the playlist on Spotify.
SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 9
COVER
Coaching: A Family Affair By Sam Brown // Sports Editor Photos by Cat Murphy. The success of the MT basketball team may not be just because of Kermit Davis’ coaching skills. While Kermit relies on his budding student athletes to score baskets, he finds love and support both on and off the court from his wife, Betty, and two daughters, Ally and Claire. His tie to family runs even deeper, being the son of a coach. Kermit’s father coached at the collegiate level during his career, including seven years at Mississippi State, both of the Davis’ alma maters. The highlight of Kermit Sr.’s coaching career came when he was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1971 his first year as head coach of the Bulldogs.
Ally 10 SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
Born in Leakesville, Miss., Kermit began as an assistant coach at Mississippi State in 1983. Though it took him 24 years to become a coach, he always knew would happen — it was in his blood. “I just kind of knew I was going to coach when I was probably four or five years old,” Davis said. “I just knew. I didn’t know what level I would coach at. I just always knew that I was going to be a basketball coach at some level: junior high, high school or college.”
Family backbone Getting to see his father lead young men as a head coach and experiencing all the highs and lows that come with the job helped Kermit learn what it meant to be a coach and understand the importance of having a strong family support system behind you. “When you go back home, and you see your wife and your daughter, and you get over great wins and you get over tough losses. It’s good to have a support system like that,” he said. As the coach of a competitive Division I basketball team in one of the top conferences in the nation, Kermit will always hate losing, but it’s something he began to get used to an early age. “I got to see the year my dad was SEC Coach of the Year to tough times when there was no fans in the stands to fans not saying such great
Betty
things about your father. I’ve experienced it all, and I was used to it,” he said. After 16 years as a Division I coach, Kermit has enjoyed his share of wins and suffered his share of losses holding a 295-196 career record. While he might be used to the losing part after years of experience, he knows it never hurts to have that strong family foundation. “Your business — your ups and downs — are going to be on the front page of the paper. You better have a tight family, or you’ll struggle for sure,” he said. Even when it’s late at night after a long day or a tough loss, Davis can rely on his family to help him relax and let loose before mentally moving on to the next game. “You get home at night about 10:15, but then you can sit down and visit with them for an hour and 15 or 20 minutes, and eventually you smile and laugh and the next day you get up, and you got to get your team going again,” he said passionately. “I don’t look forward to losses, but I look forward to how people respond in adverse situations like that.” Not only does the family of a coach provide a solid support system, but they also have to be ready to move. The Davis family is no different. Both daughters were born in states they aren’t currently living in, and the family has picked up and moved at least nine separate times.
Kermit
“Betty and I have lived in Starkville, Miss., at Mississippi State when we coached there, junior college in Mississippi, then went to Moscow, Idaho, for four years and then College Station, Texas, to Florida to Utah back to Idaho, then to Baton Rouge, [La.] and then to Murfreesboro,� he said. Kermit likes to let his players and staff spend time with their family and is always ready to get home to see his own. “I’m not a guy that tries to grind our staff late at night, you know, because ... I want to see my family, and I know the other guys do to. Really kind of everything we do is centered around family,� he said.
High school sweetheart to college coach Kermit and Betty met through her cousin in a not-so-usual way. “I dated her first cousin; I dated the mayor’s daughter,� Kermit said, laughing. The two first met when she was a senior in high school, and he was a college sophomore playing point guard at Phillips Junior College in Mississippi. Betty liked Kermit, but her parents weren’t too fond of her dating a basketball player.
to the University of Arkansas and graduated from there, so I had to go my freshman year and then transferred to Mississippi State my sophomore year,� Betty said.
“Ally has four jobs, and her mom and sister have zero, so she’s the earner in our family,� Kermit said, jokingly with a smile. “She works hard.�
Transferring to Mississippi State proved to be the right call for Betty and Kermit: the two will celebrate their 31st anniversary this March.
Thanks to technology, Claire is able to be supportive of the Raiders and either watch or follow every game, as do Kermit’s parents. While his other immediate family supports the team from afar, Ally is at every game, men’s or women’s, and has become a household name at Murphy Center. “I think she owns Murphy Center,� Betty said.
Many may see being the coach’s wife as an easy job, but outside of helping the coach and being a mother-like figure to the players, there is even more to the job. “It’s tough on them because they’re the ones that have to do all the school finding and the houses, buying and selling houses� Kermit said. “The coaches just go and start working. So coaches’ wives go through quite a bit for sure.� Seeing the players as her second family, Betty helps Kermit with the recruiting young athletes, hosting cookouts and cooking meals for the players. She enjoys the recruiting battles, but she said that her favorite part is getting to know the players and watching them mature into young men.
Kermit smiled and added, “My pal says that Ally is a rock star because everyone knows her by her first name. I don’t care if I’m the coach of Middle Tennessee. I’m Ally’s dad and that’s Ally’s mother. It’s not Kermit or Betty,
COVER
I promise you, we’re known better through Ally than anyone for sure.� Ally loves the fame and enjoys being close to the players she considers family. Her favorite player is current MT starting point guard Tweety Knight.
“I like our point guard, Tweety. He’s better than [Tweety’s brother] Marcos , who I miss. I miss Marcos and his slam-dunks. Neiko Hunter, too. They all love me,� she said. For however long Kermit continues coaching, Betty, Ally and Claire will always have his back. And while he may not forget a painful loss, he knows his family will always be there to help him keep going.
“We get attached to the players; its fun to see them grow up and change,� Betty said.
The Davis daughters
“Kind of much to her parent’s dismay early on,� Kermit said, grinning. “She didn’t need to date the local junior college point guard.�
The Davis’s have two daughters, 26-year-old Ally and 21-year-old Claire.
The two continued seeing each other, but Betty still faced family pressure. While Kermit was transferring to Mississippi State, Betty, born in Helena, Ark., faced the pressure to attend college at the University of Arkansas. “Everyone in my family has gone
While Claire is a junior at Mississippi State getting her degree in marketing finance, Ally is constantly going and holds four separate jobs in Murfreesboro. Ally works part-time at Kroger, is an assistant librarian at both the Discovery School and Scales Elementary and helps at a local therapy clinic.
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FEATURES
A breath of freshness is in the air By Bailey Robbins // Features Editor ‘Tis the season for love. Or rather, ‘tis the season for lacing up a pair of tennis shoes and running to a serene place far, far away from all the love letters, heart-themed teddy bears and sweet-nothing inspired giggles that Valentine’s Day manages to bring along. Though Murfreesboro — which is sparsely hilled and more urban than rural — tends to be the odd-city-out when it comes to finding the ideal, outdoorsy getaway experience, one place is tucked inside of town, where the only sound of lovers’ chatter emits from the birds. Meet Barfield Crescent Park. Located off South Church Street on Veteran’s Parkway, the park, which is better known for its ball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, disc golf course, tetherball and volleyball court, also has a tranquil, unique side. Beyond a wall of trees, a remaining 300 acres provides an area for those looking for a breath of fresh air and a bit more space. With nearly seven miles of paved and unpaved hiking trails, a dozen campsites and the Wilderness Station that organizes both nature-based and adventure-based activities, quiet-seekers have found a match. “We still get a ton of people coming in here saying, ‘Oh, I had lived in Murfreesboro all my life and had no idea this was back here.’ And, we’ve heard that all along,” said Rachel Singer, the program coordinator of the Wilderness Station. “At the beginning you were expected to hear that, but now, being 14 years into this, and we still hear that. So, it’s really neat when people first discover us, and they come back for more.”
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used that area as an overlook because it wasn’t grown up as much, and they could see a long way toward Shelbyville. Whether they built the fence or not, that’s kind of debatable.”
An adventure with a helping hand Hiking from the heart, for the heart At the mouth of the paved hiking trail, an immediate hill that might require some people to slouch forward and walk awkwardly up the steep incline beckons adventure-seekers. Afterward, it’s smooth sailing. Hikers can go in one of three directions. The first option will wind up at the Wilderness Station. The final two options will eventually take the trail-walker to the campsites or, if chosen, the west fork of Stones River. “I think Murfreesboro is so lucky to have this park,” Singer said. “When you start comparing other cities that are the size of Murfreesboro, most cities don’t have a facility like this or a trail system like this.” Unlike the greenway, all things that whiz by on wheels are forbidden on the paved trails. So, there is no fear of flatten toes or side-swept clothes. Behind the Wilderness Station, three unpaved trails – Marshall Knob, Valley View and Rocky Path trail – are for those craving a small dose of thrill. It can be somewhat strenuous, for those not accustomed to hopping between rocks and up at a steep incline. In the end, each trail has something visually different to offer. For instance, the Marshall Knob trail is the longest at approximately three miles and levels out at a point where a rock wall can be seen for long distance. “We don’t have any definite answer,” Singer said about the wall’s origins. “There’s been some historical people say [it’s from] the Civil War and that people
A deeper interaction with the park can be found through the environmental education and outdoor adventure programs. “We offer a lot of environmental education programs that are more nature-based like themed hikes [about] mammals and birds and reptiles,” the program coordinator said. “And then, the other part of it is the outdoor adventure. So, we offer a lot of camping groups … [like] family campouts that are staffed. Basically, it’s kind of for beginner backpackers, so we try to make it as easy as possible.” The outdoor adventure programs often go beyond the park, where camping, kayaking and canoeing trips are
FEATURES offered in warmer months. “The thing that I like about us — that I think makes us unique — is that we do offer both the environmental educational program and the adventure program,� Singer said proudly. “I kind of feel like some places that are similar to us might just do one or the other.�
Building relationships based on passion If lacing up tennis shoes to get away on a cold February day aren’t in the cards, the vacant footwear will still have an opportunity to see all that the park has to provide in the months to come.
“The patrons that come are great,â€? Singer said with an excited laugh. “We have lots of regulars that come, that we get to know on a first name basis. They might come everyday, they might come every week, but it’s just kind of neat to build those relationships ‌ [Patrons] start their kids at one-years-old coming to programs, and then we watch them grow up and they come back as adults even. Being here for 14 years, we’ve almost seen it come full circle.â€? To contact the features editor, email Bailey Robbins at features@ mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines.
You can join in on the circle at: 697 Barfield Crescent Rd Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Photo by Bailey Robbins.
“I love all the seasons out here,â€? Singer said passionately. “Every season offers something different. In the spring, all the wildflower popping up is a neat time. The animals are nesting and breeding and being more active ‌ Summer is always fun ‌ The trails are beautiful. A lot of people walk their dogs, and let their kids play in the river ‌ Each season offers its own uniqueness.â€?
And, whether it’s cold and bitter or hot and sweltering, the back-end of Barfield Crescent Park manages to see people year round.
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www.thirstyturtlesportsgrill.com SIDELINES | Feb. 5, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 13
OPINIONS A call for more leaders in the classroom By Robert Allen // Opinions Editor
Education reform is all the hype these days. Everything from better access to pre-K to increasing college graduation rates is on the political agenda. While the merit of many of these reform measures is well established, nothing is being done to solve the root causes behind America’s fall from educational excellence: a lack of leaders in the classroom. It’s an epidemic across the nation, and something I’ve noticed more throughout my career as a student. Teachers simply aren’t inspiring their students to achieve at the highest level. In fact, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation set out on a three-year, $45 million research project to find ways to measure effective teaching across the country, as it is a growing concern. Students are becoming more distracted, disengaged and disinterested than ever. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of inspiring instructors. The problem isn’t across the board, but I shouldn’t be able to count the number of great professors I’ve had since I entered college on one hand. The problem may stem from government pressure to boost graduation rates or to increase enrollment in universities, which ties professors down more with workload and procedural meetings. However, I think the problem is much deeper. Many just don’t know what it truly means to teach.
Although I wouldn’t question the knowledge or credentials for any professor at the university level, I would question the ability to lead and communication skills of some. All of the knowledge in the world won’t make an effective presentation. It has to be shown in a way that is engaging and practical, or people won’t want to listen. I’ve been in classes where the professor enabled all of us to achieve more. For example, Ryan Otter, who teaches biology, boosted the entire morale of the class each time we met. He encouraged discussion and feedback with each of his simple yet applicable lectures, and I’m confident that each student in his class was able to use and understand more biology than what they ever expected they could. Another example is William Ford, the Weatherford Chair of Finance, who teaches economics. He makes all of his lectures engaging with the class, and you can tell he is well prepared. He focuses solely on applying economic principles in the real world and doesn’t get caught up in memorizing textbook definitions. These are the types of strategies and principles that effective educators must use. Because going up to the board and reading from a PowerPoint doesn’t motivate students to action. The solution is to make leadership a critical component of the education for professors and teachers. This isn’t something that comes natural to everyone from the academic world. However, if we have leaders in our classrooms, students will fight for more attention, higher grades and better opportunities. I know the problem isn’t one sided. Students have to want to have a better future and more promising career for themselves. But to all the professors out there feeling like their students aren’t engaged or just aren’t getting it, that future you paint has to be compelling and something we think we can attain. In the educational world, we’re all in this together. If each of us has to demand a little more from ourselves than we ever thought possible, the heights we will reach will shatter old expectations. And again, America will be on top. Want to write an opinion? Email Robert Allen at opinions@ mtsusidelines.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mtsusidelines.
14 SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com
SPORTS MT boosts promising recruiting class By Jordan Mayton // Staff writer Photos from MT Athletic Communications.
Middle Tennessee State University’s first signing day as a member of Conference-USA was a success, with 23 commitments and nine early enrollees. On offense, the Blue Raiders picked up one quarterback, one running back, three tight ends, two wide receivers, and five offensive linemen. These pickups were key due to the departure of graduating seniors, Logan Kilgore, Kyle Griswould, Tavarres Jefferson, Josh Walker and Jadarius Hamlin. Defensively, MT picked up a defensive end, a defensive tackle, four linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties. This bodes well for a secondary that picked off 15 passes in 2013 against some stellar Conference-USA offenses. “We did a great job of filling our needs with this class,” said head coach Rick Stockstill. “We needed some older guys in certain positions, and we did that with our mid-term signees. We could sign 23, which is what we did today. I am not going to take someone for the sake of taking them. I like this class a lot and can’t wait for them to arrive on campus.” The jewel of the class was defensive back, Pat Martin. Martin, rated the number one JUCO Safety by ESPN, chose the Blue Raiders over offers from in-state rival Memphis, North Carolina,
Oregon State and West Virginia. The ballhawking safety, originally committed to the University of Tennessee out of high school, but left the team before the start of fall practice and played instead for Highland Community College for two years. Joining the blue chip defensive back are eight other enrollees including OL David Adams, TE Tyler Barron, DB Jordan Frost-Dixon, LB Cavellis Luckett, OL Maurquice Shakir, LB Quay Watts, K A.J. Wells and DB Trey Wafford. Wafford, a three-star rated safety by rivals. com, collected 83 tackles, 14 TFL’s, 3.5 sacks and an interception en route to leading Mississippi Gulf Community College to an 8-2 record. Playing out of position at linebacker at MGCC, the junior still managed to put together a solid stat line that garnered attention from several Division I schools, including Houston, Southern Miss, and UAB. These three-star recruits both have a chance to come in and immediately start for the Blue Raiders opposite All Conference-USA Honorable Mention, Kevin Byard. The remaining 14 players will reporting to campus in the summer are OL Robert Behanan, WR Ty Clemons, LB Darius
Harri, RB J’Vonte Herrod, WR Richie James, OL Carlos Johnson, DE Darrius Liggins, TE Max Linder, OL Jesse Moffitt, CB Darryl Randolph, LB D.J. Sanders,TE Sean Smith, and DT Patrick Stewart. Receiver Ty Clemons may be the sleeper of the entire class. While playing out of position as a quarterback in his senior year, he completed 82 of 141 passes for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing 79 times for 1,171 yards, which was good for a 14.8 yard average and scoring 16 touchdowns on the ground. Clemons chose the Blue Raiders over offers from Louisville, Ky., and Syracuse. While MT has a solid 23-player recruiting class, Stockstill said there might still be some room left for a few more players. “We’ll evaluate what’s out there, what’s available in both high and junior college. I’m not going to take somebody just to take them because we’ll have such a small class next year; I’ll just use those numbers in that class,” he said. To contact the sports editor, email Sam Brown at sports@mtsusidelines.com. Like us Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ sidelines_sport and @mtsusidelines.
SIDELINES | Feb. 12, 2014 | www.mtsusidelines.com 15
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