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125th YEAR | ISSUE 25 @REFLECTORONLINE /REFLECTORONLINE
NOVEMBER 22, 2013
FRIDAY
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Aldermen resolve issues with cell phone restriction policy
Priscilla Brown lights up Montgomery Hall, demonstrating love and loyalty.
MISSISSIPPI STATE’S UNSUNG HEROES
BY ZACK ORSBORN
“I think if it’s from a distraction standpoint, I think it’d be best to have the mayor to ask to The Starkville Board of Al- put their phones on silent,” he dermen passed a resolution ask- said. In support of the ban, Ward ing citizens to power down cell phones or put them on silent 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn mentioned a cell during meetphone that was ings after denyI think if constantly going a proposed it’s from a ing off in the last resolution to meeting. ban cell phones distraction “We want to due to disturstandpoint, be transparent, bances. and we just want The resolu- I think it’d be best some respect,” tion, after revi- to have the mayor she said. sion, planned to ask to put their Ward 5 Alderto ban cell phones on silent.” man Scott Mayphones but nard offered a gave exemp- -Ben Carver, motion to revise tions to “mem- Ward 1 Alderman the resolution bers of the that would not press, mainstream media and Mississippi ban cell phones. Instead, citizens will be asked by the mayor State journalism students.” Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carv- at the beginning of meetings to er said he could not support the silence or power down all electronic devices, effective Dec. 3. resolution. Multimedia Editor
EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR
Priscilla Brown, Montgomery Hall custodian, has a love for the MSU staff that can be seen in her cheerful interaction between them. Known for her incredible work ethic, Brown considers the workers in Montgomery Hall her family. BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer
A lady in a maroon shirt and khakis inside Montgomery Hall never leaves people without a smile on their faces. Priscilla Brown, who has worked as a custodian for the past nine years at the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said appreciation for others
can provide a major source of motivation. “You’ve got to have love and a big heart for people. That is what keeps me going,” Brown said. Brown has a degree in hotel and restaurant management from East Mississippi Community College but said she chose not to work in that field. “I like what I am doing. It
gives me inner peace,” she said. Carolyn Hood, admissions assistant at the Office of Admissions and Scholarship said she has known Brown for over 20 years. “Priscilla is always ready and willing to do whatever she can to help. A friend like Priscilla is always great,” Hood said. “She takes her job very seriously and does a wonderful job of taking
care of our building.” Brown’s work ethic can be seen in her dedication. “I get up at 3 a.m. every day. I do not consider my work stressful because Montgomery Hall is my second family, and knowing this gives me the drive to get up and do the best for them because I know sitting at the desk is hard,” Brown said. SEE FACES, 2
SEE ALDERMEN, 2
Rhodes Scholar finalist demonstrates leadership Bulldog Cab BY LACRETIA WIMBLEY Staff Writer
Faculty and students of Mississippi State University cross fingers for Donald “Field” Brown, as he became a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship Oct. 31. The Rhodes scholarship is an international award created by the will of Cecil John Rhodes, designed for the purpose of educating future leaders who would be committed to service in the public good and whose interactions in Oxford, England would promote international understanding. The University of Oxford has contained two of the most prestigious graduate scholarships: the Rhodes Scholarships and the Clarendon Scholarships. The interview process, which will determine if Brown will receive the scholarship, takes place Nov. 23 at the University of St. Louis.
provides reliable transportation across Starkville
Donald Brown, Vicksburg, Miss., native and senior English and philosophy double major, said becoming a Rhodes finalist requires more than simple academics. “The idea is that you have to make sure you are a great student, you have to do community service and be an overall great leader,” Brown said. “When you think of what Cecil Rhodes wanted, he stressed wanting really intelligent people and well-rounded people who were involved in the community as well.” Brown said he plans to get a Ph.D. in post-war African-American literature and attend one of his topthree graduate school choices of Harvard, Columbia or the University of Pennsylvania. “I screamed out in excitement and called my mom, dad, brother and other family and friends when I found out I became a finalist,” Brown said. “They are very proud of me.”
BY LACRETIA WIMBLEY Staff Writer
DONALD BROWN | COURTESY PHOTO
Donald Brown, Rhodes Scholar finalist, shows dedication not only to his academics, but also to community service. Brown’s curiosity for various fields, including creative writing, philosophy and religion, has paid off, landing him a fellowship at Stanford University.
SEE BROWN, 3
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Starkville’s Bulldog Cab and Shuttle Company provides transportation for residents of Starkville and Mississippi State University through use of its premiere taxi service. The Bulldog Cab and Shuttle Company began business in July 2008. It is a privately-owned business not affiliated with university transportation systems. Lane Etheridge, owner and administrator of the Bulldog Cab Company, said the company serves as a credible and
valuable source of transportation for residents in the local area. “About 85 to 90 percent of our trips are from campus and apartments to Walmart or to other local areas away from campus,” Etheridge said. “We have a lot of international students who have come to MSU and do not have vehicles or licenses to use our services.” The company provides services seven days a week beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. on Sundays. Business usually shuts down an hour after all bars have closed. SEE CAB, 3
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NEWS
2 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
THE REFLECTOR
FACES
continued from 1
Robin Graves, director for enrollment marketing at the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said Brown is a positive and upbeat person. “She always comes in with
a smile on her face, and she puts it on a personal level. She is always genuinely interested in my family and kids,” Graves said. Brown said she is a
emma katheirne hutto | the reflector
Priscilla Brown speaks with an employee in Montgomery Hall. Brown has been at MSU for nine years and makes a point to be friendly.
Starkville resident and has two daughters and three grandchildren. “I try to achieve all my goals. Sometimes I fall short, but I don’t stop. I believe God put all of us here for a purpose, and if you are having a bad day, it is my job to come up to you with a happy smile and make you feel better because we are here for each other,” Brown said. Brown seems to have made friends since beginning to work at MSU. “I am proud to say that Priscilla is my friend, and anytime I need her, day or night, she will be there for me,” Hood said. Torian Corathers, student worker at the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said Brown is truly a wonderful person inside and out. “There is not a day I see her without a smile on her face. She reminds me of my grandmother, who was a very loving and caring lady,” Corathers said. Ceci Land, data management coordinator at Montgomery Hall, said Brown is a joy to work with because she always has such a positive attitude and happy demeanor. “On days that she doesn’t come into my office, I miss her. She goes above and beyond what’s required for her job, and it shows. She has pride in her work,” Land said. Dan Coleman, former director for recruitment, said Brown is a mother-like figure for him because she gave him guidance in many areas of his life. “She was so inspirational, and her job, to me, went beyond a custodial. I was so thankful to have her in Montgomery Hall, and she did her job with pride and
emma katherine hutto | the reflector
Priscilla Brown cleans different rooms and offices in the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. Brown says it is important to always work with a smile on her face.
humility,” Coleman said. Brown says she tries to keep positive. “You’ve got to have a vision, and you’ve got to have a goal, even though if you fall short today, there is always a tomorrow. You can always accomplish your goals tomorrow, and with God’s help you can certainly do it,” Brown said. Shannon Newell, data management specialist at the
Office of Admissions and Scholarships, said she considers Brown a member of every department in Montgomery Hall. “She is probably the friendliest person on campus. She is not only extremely dedicated, but she takes pride in what she does. She has definitely never met a stranger. Even on my first day, it seemed like she had known me for years,” Newell said.
Brown said her message to graduating seniors is to do what they do well and for the betterment of the world. “Make sure you know your job, learn your job well. If you do what you are supposed to do, someday somebody will see the good in you. You may have a hard time, but the things you achieve with hard work are given by God, so work hard, spread happiness and love everyone,” she said.
ALDERMEN
continued from 1
other urgent and necessitous matters involving their department.” Wynn expressed concern about a letter of opinion in support of forming a committee to review city ordinances for a city mandate from Chief Executive Officer for Greater Starkville Partnership Development’s Jennifer Gregory
Any violators of the rule would be asked to leave the meeting. Not straying far from the old resolution, the proposal said the chief of police, chief of fire department or their designees “may retain cellular phones in the Board meetings for the sole purpose of being informed of emergencies or
under the GSDP letterhead. She said President of the Executive Council for GSDP’s Richard Hilton informed Wynn the comments were not official opinions from the executive council. “I was concerned about this letter because it does not bear the signatures of Mr. Hilton or any of the executive coun-
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cil members, rather it was the opinion of Mrs. Gregory presented on GSDP’s letterhead,” she said. “I respectfully request that, in the future, Mrs. Gregory not use her title in the Partnership to convey her opinion under the Partnership letterhead to this board.” During citizen comments, Gregory said she understood that she was being accused in a public meeting of falsely presenting a letter of advocacy from the GSDP as her own. “I’m outraged at that false allegation,” she said. “I’m confident that any and every GSDP executive council member will confirm that there was unanimous support for that measure, and every member of the executive council confirmed and voted yes for that measure.” Gregory said she had confirmation from Hilton that he was misrepresented by Wynn’s comment and called for a public record to reflect the truth. “This is absolutely ridic-
ulous and unacceptable for a community member to be called out on false allegations for an opinion. I’m very disappointed,” she said. In a rebuttal, Wynn said Hilton assured her the letter was not the official opinion of the executive council. “If Mr. Hilton will issue me a statement citing that, I will be more than happy to woman up and apologize to you and the Partnership, but until then, my letter that I read tonight will stand,” she said. “And next time, if that is the case, what I would advise you to do is have them to sign the letter along with you because they left you out by yourself. Ask them to put their names on here because it was only you.” In other business, the request for approval of the C Spire Fiber To Home franchise agreement was not eligible for discussion, and the request to advertise for the vacant chief administrative officer position, previously held by Lynn Spruill, was approved on consent agenda.
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CAB
continued from 1
Etheridge said business is kept open as long as possible, but it is difficult to have a set closing time. “We offer a range of services. We will service just about any area,” he said. “Frequently, we’ve transported individuals to the bus station in Jackson, Tupelo, Birmingham and the Tuscaloosa airport. We even offer private chartering services for premier upscale services such as weddings. In these cases, it can be similar to renting a limousine but a lot less expensive.” Jemell Jenkins, Bulldog Cab driver, said the company’s services benefit students and faculty by providing safe transportation. “This service shows that we have responsible students and faculty that choose to call us for a ride to and from bars,” Jenkins said. “During Leon Carrubba | the reflector the weekend and during big events is when we get a lot Bulldog Cab has a fleet of vehicles to provide taxi service to Starkville residents. The of calls. It shows how people drop-off fee for passengers is $10 for one person and $5 per person for a group. want to have a good time, but want to do it responsibly.” Jenkins said Bulldog Cab came to pick up my friends a group of friends. I under- senger large van and two has quite a few regular cus- and I,” Peñafiel said. “They stand that they have to make 15-passenger large vans. tomers, both on and off cam- will come wherever you are, their profits,” she said. Prices for Bulldog Cab pus. Etheridge said employees and shuttle vary. A one-perwhich is really convenient. Maria Peñafiel, senior inter- They picked us up in front of have access to Bulldog Cab son drop-off fee is $10. The national business major, said Ruby Hall and took us to the vehicles throughout the day, price per person is $5 each Bulldog Cab is a convenient Cotton District.” making them ready to make for a group of two or more source of transportation, esPeñafiel said she feels its routes. passengers. To schedule pecially for international stu- prices are quite reasonable. The company has a fleet of pick-ups, those interested dents. “Individually, their prices vehicles used for their trans- can contact 312-5003. For “I hadn’t heard of this com- make sense. Five dollars a per- portation services including more information, visit bullpany until last fall when they son is not bad, especially with one minivan, one 12-pas- dogcab.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 19 • 8:34 a.m. A student passed out at McCain Hall. The subject refused transportation to OCH. • 9:25 a.m. A student’s vehicle was hit while parked in the Longest Student Health Center parking lot. • 1:00 p.m. A student was arrested on a warrant at the Dean’s Office for making a fraudulent phone call to OCSD. • 3:19 p.m. A student reported her pouch missing from an unknown location on campus. • 3:19 p.m. A student reported fraud on his Regions bank account. • 7:11 p.m. A student was arrested on a warrant at McKee Hall for petit larceny.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 • 4:23 p.m. A student was arrested on a warrant at McKee Hall for conspiracy. • 9:00 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and a student referral for smoking marijuana behind Evans Hall. • 9:00 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and a student referral for smoking marijuana behind Evans Hall. • 9:00 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and a student referral for smoking marijuana behind Evans Hall. • 9:00 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and a student referral for smoking marijuana behind Evans Hall. • 9:01 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and a student referral for smoking marijuana behind Evans Hall.
Thursday, Nov. 21 • 12:25 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for running a stop light and driving under the influence.
Citations:
• 14 citations were issued for speeding. • 7 citations were issued for disregard of a traffic device.
BROWN
donald brown | courtesy photo
MSU senior Donald Brown is a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Brown majors in English and philosophy.
Christopher Snyder, dean of Shackouls Honors College, said within the last 15 to 20 years, MSU has only had a few students reach the finalist stage. “It’s exciting to see a student in humanities receive this honor. Rhodes Scholars overall have a heavy reputation in humanities,” Snyder said. “This university’s historical reputation has been strong in engineering and agriculture, so this shows the nation what outstanding professors and students we have here.” Brown recently completed summer research projects at the University of Iowa and at the University of Stanford. He
has received the Leadership Alliance Mellon Initiative Fellowship at Stanford University, the Kerry D. Kimbrough Memorial Scholarship for the College of Arts and Sciences at MSU and the Study Abroad Scholarship for the International English Honor Society of Sigma Tau Delta. At MSU, Brown is the founder and co-editor-inchief of “The Streetcar,” MSU’s creative arts journal, the Dean’s Student Advisory Council member for the College of Arts and Sciences and president of the Philosophy and Religion Club. Snyder said Brown is a oneof-a-kind student whose hu-
mility underlines the fact that he is a great intellectual. “You don’t just decide one year that you’re going to be a Rhodes Scholar,” he said. “You’ve got to have drive, ambition and a dream, and you’ve got to work towards that goal.” Snyder said Brown does not try to impress people with what he knows, but instead tries to learn from them and integrate what he knows. “He’s all you can ask for in a student,” he said. Tommy Anderson, professor of English and Brown’s mentor, said the Rhodes Scholarship is one of the highest fellowships for an American undergraduate. “Field is a remarkable student who understands the complexities of literature and race in ways that are uncommon for undergraduates studying literature,” Anderson said. “He writes beautifully and thinks about broad philosophical topics in clear ways that are not bound by margins.” Laura Dunn, admissions coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences and Brown’s adviser, said college deans and faculty members have pitched in to help prepare Brown for the interviews. “Everyone has been asking him intricate questions and doing mock interviews with him,” Dunn said. “The fact that he made it this far is a huge accomplishment, and we are very proud. He is incredibly intellectual, humble and extremely hard working with
a great attitude. He always puts his best foot forward.” Brown said becoming a finalist speaks volumes about the faculty and MSU as a whole. “I’m a curious student. I like doing things, and I’m interested in ideas, but I had no sense of direction,” he said. “I feel in particular that Dr. An-
derson and Dr. Snyder, along with other staff members, have been with me for a very long time and have really encouraged me. I’ve been pushed to do things that I probably would have never done.” The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world.
Thirty-two Americans are chosen each year as Rhodes Scholars. The Rhodes Trust, a British charity established to honor the will of Cecil J. Rhodes, provides full financial support for scholars to obtain degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit rhodesscholar.org.
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OPINION
4 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
OPINION EDITOR: ALIE DALEE | opinion@reflector.msstate.edu PONDER THIS
“30 days” on Facebook gives opportunity for Thanksgiving
O
ver the course of time, we’ve begun to think of Thanksgiving as that in-between holiday. Due to the symbolic decorations associated with Halloween and Christmas, merchandise businesses and mass media almost ignore Thanksgiving completely. Many of us think of this holiday as a “gather around the TV and eat” day. It only makes Brooklyn Tucker is a junior sense that we take Thanksgiving majoring in kinesiology. She for granted due to cultural influcan be contacted at opinion@ ences. The purpose of the holiday reflector.msstate.edu. is also easily overlooked in general. However, one form of social media has made a huge impact in on our minds all the time. Stuour lives and is a common tool we dents don’t sit in a classroom every use to express ourselves. I’ve no- day and think about how grateful ticed Facebook is currently used they are to be able to receive an to express gratitude. Some Face- education. But, if asked, almost book users like to count the days anyone would say they are grateful and express what they are thankful to have the resources to continue for. Such posts receive both posi- their education. In order to make tive and critical reception from the a Facebook post, one has to think public. of what to say and how to word it. People who choose to be op- The same is true for Thanksgiving timistic about this string of posts posts. I decided to continue with stand by the notion that it could the posts around “Day 7” because be a good thing. If other Face- it made me stop and think about book users choose not to partici- exactly what I have to be thankful pate, they like to for. read some of the No one can ever posts. Could it tell who is sincere What it be that Facebook about any kind comes could be one of of Facebook post down to the many tools to because it’s social is that is reinforce the purmedia via the Inpose of Thanks- impractical to judge ternet. Anyone giving? For some whether these can say whatever people, these they want. With posts give them posts are beneficial Facebook, most something to or a waste of wall people know at think about. For space. It’s best to least some of their users that choose focus on the impact Facebook friends. to post, it reminds It doesn’t take a them of just how it has on you spegreat writer to many things we cifically, if it has any write something have to be thank- impact at all.” that sounds sinful for. cere if they mean On the other it, and it doesn’t hand, others feel take a skilled that Facebook reader to discern shouldn’t be considered a reliable what is sincere and what’s not. way to express thanks. The truth What it comes down to is that is we can’t tell who is truly sincere it is impractical to judge whethabout what they say. The idea is er these posts are beneficial or that one day they are thankful, a waste of wall space. It’s best to and the next day they forget all focus on the impact it has on you about it. Many Facebook users la- specifically, if it has any impact at bel such posts as cliché and scroll all. Personally, I would rather see down the page. a Thanksgiving post than an anWith these ideas in mind, I was gry post. I was also intrigued that hesitant draw any conclusions something was there to remind about these posts. In fact, I don’t me about the purpose of Thankslike to rely on Facebook as a form giving. As for the reception of the of expression. But once I thought Thanksgiving posts, Facebook is it through, I decided that the pos- generally a light-hearted tool of itive reception has more support social media anyway. It’s full of and decided to start with “Day 3” meaningless posts for our amuseto see if it made any impact on me ment. If someone says what a at all. good time he or she is having at It is true that we can never tell an event, does it mean anything who is sincere about their posts to anyone else two minutes later? and who isn’t. But no individual So, if the Thanksgiving posts ofcan judge others for being grateful fer someone something to think one day and ungrateful the next about for about five minutes, why day. We all do that because the not read it for what it is? It’s better things we are thankful for are not than the usual nothing.
BROOKLYN TUCKER
Managing Editor
Editor in Chief
News Editor
Kaitlyn Byrne
Anna Wolfe
Multimedia Editor
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Zack Orsborn
Daniel Hart
Alie Dalee
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Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.
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The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.
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LIVING BY MY WITS
Coffee: the good, the bad and the caffeinated A s each day starts, hundreds of students clutch a coffee cup in one hand as they drag their feet to class. As the first class of the day ends, many shake their zombie-like trances, as others rush to the Colvard Student Union or Mitchell Memorial Library for another cup of liquefied energy. A recent survey found that 18 to 24 year olds often turn to coffee instead of sodas or other caffeinated drinks for a quick boost of energy. Though it is no surprise that college students grasp at any form of energy just as germaphobes grasp at antibacterial soap, the benefits and drawbacks of regular caffeine consumption could shock you. We all know the standard disadvantages of caffeine consumption include lack of sleep. That’s the whole reason we drink it, right? But that decision to drink six cups of coffee at 3 a.m. so you can finish your paper could have you rushing to the hospital. Though it is atypical to overdose on caffeine, American University professor Laura Ju-
liano states that more than 250 at that statement, and others milligrams of caffeine a day is wonder if I have any idea how not good (npr.org). In fact, it hard that would be. I promise, could trigger symptoms such I’m on your side. I too wake as an upset stomach, fever or up every morning dreading the rapid heartbeat. time it will take my cup (or On the other hand, studies three) to kick in. have shown coffee lowers the Limit yourself to three cups risk of many health problems. a day. When you need an afAccording to the Institute for ternoon pick-me-up, reach for Scientific Information on Cof- an apple. Yes, an apple. Apfee, coffee blocks a substance ples contain about 13 grams in the body that could play a of natural sugar, so they wake role in the you up just as development effectively as Studies have of Type 2 dicaffeine does. shown that abetes. OthStrange, I coffee lowers know. er findings include the Also, keep the risk of notions that a bar of dark many health problems chocolate on coffee is good for your skin ... coffee blocks a you. Dark and decreases substance in the body chocolate your chance that could play a role does conof developing tain caffeine, in the development of Alzheimer’s but it’s also or dementia Type 2 diabetes.” a heartlater in life. healthy opSo, how are tion. You’re we as college less likely to students supget that rapid posed to combat sleep and take heartbeat from a piece of choccare of ourselves at the same olate. Plus, how could you say time? Go easy on the coffee. no to chocolate? I know many of you scoff If you just absolutely feel the
CLAIRE WILSON Claire Wilson is a junior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
need to drink your energy, stay away from the energy drinks. Alternate between coffee and hot teas. Hot tea doesn’t contain quite as much caffeine as coffee, but it does have enough to boost your mood and keep you alert and focused in class. Call me cliché, but the best way to keep your focus is to get a full night’s sleep. Even if you don’t have time to sleep for eight hours, try to fit a twohour nap into your all-nighter. You’ll feel much better, stay focused longer and appreciate the next morning’s coffee more.
PICKING UP THE PIECES
Teacher evaluations are more than just a mundane survey
R
ecently across campus, students have been asked to fill out evaluations on their professors. The evaluations are anonymous, and the professors are required to leave the room. Students must check boxes and answer questions that describe the style of teaching and grading. Once completed, a student volunteer takes up the evaluations, seals them in an envelope and takes them to the designated department. The instructor does not see the evaluations until next semester. Even though these evaluations are anonymous, students should be honest and accurate in their critiques. These evaluations help the university better assess its employees and help the professors understand what needs improvement and what works for them in their classroom. Many students see these as a waste of time and will not take it as seriously as they should. Also, students should not base their answers on the one bad grade they received or the assignment with which he or she did not agree. Whatever a student’s
grade is, they earned it. It is it allows a student to find an not the professor’s fault, nor instructor who will mesh well should it be taken out on him with his or her personality and academic expectations. or her. It is important to remember In addition to the on-campus evaluations, there are websites these types of websites and the such as RateMyProfessors.com. on-campus evaluations can be It is the largest online destina- extremely biased. Students oftion for professor ratings. Users ten base their assessments on have added more than 14 mil- any number of non-sequential lion ratings, 1.3 million profes- reasons: a grade they received, if an instrucsors and 7,000 tor is male or schools to RateStudents female or mayMyProfessors. should not be the student com. User-gendoes not like erated content base their subject. Ratemakes answers on the These reasons MyProfessors. are mundane com the high- the one bad grade students e s t - t r a f f i c k e d they received or the and should try to site for quickly assignment with researching and which he or she did be as unbiased as possible. Sturating profesdents should sors, colleges not agree.” want their anand universiswers to reflect ties across the United States, Canada and the an accurate depiction of that United Kingdom. More than 4 professor’s style of teaching for million college students each future students base his or her month are using RateMyPro- selections. fessors.com. All in all, these tools can be This resource is a great tool beneficial to both instructors for students to use when reg- and students. A student should istering for classes because research their future professors
CHELSEA RHODES Chelsea Rhodea is a freshman majoring in English. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
to verify that the professor is right for him or her. On the flip side, a professor should consider the evaluations and go with the majority consensus. Professors and teachers should not let one or two bad assessments affect their confidence in the classroom because in all likelihood, the few bad reports came from bitter students who were biased. Students should be accurate and honest because it will be better for everyone in the grand scheme of academics.
I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT
A handbook to cure all your senioritis ailments
F
Kristen Spink
THE REFLECTOR
or many Mississippi State University students, time narrows toward graduation. Time to either say goodbye to the school we love so much or buckle down and get ready for the next level — graduate school. As for the juniors and sophomores, it may seem like forever until it is your time to graduate, but forever will be here before you know it. For us seniors, forever is here. Yet, still it seems so far away until the day we actually walk across the stage and hold that diploma in our hands. In the meantime, some of us fall into what I like to call “senioritis.” Senioritis is a disease that can be found in many college seniors and has been found among some juniors and sophomores. This disease attacks students’ determination and causes them to become lazy and uninterested. Senioritis has the biggest effect on students’ grades, causing them to drop in percentage. LaDarion Ammons, a senior majoring in political science, said he currently battles senioritis. “I just feel like everything is irrelevant now. I would think I would be the most motivated now because I can see the finish line, but that’s not happening. It’s just dragging on,” he said. Ammons graduates in December and wins the fight against senioritis, but have you won the fight? If you have never heard of this infectious disease before
and are not sure if you have it, I will show you the symptoms and how to cure yourself quickly. The symptoms of senioritis are easy to spot in others but more difficult to spot when you catch the disease yourself. The first symptom is tardiness. Waking up for class is hard when there is no one to force you to wake up and no consequences for tardiness. Once a student gets in the habit of waking up late for class, it is hard to break. If you constantly have to rush to class because you keeep hitting the snooze button, this could be your first sign of infection. The second symptom is procrastination. Telling yourself, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” is a clear wake up call. If you catch yourself waiting until the last minute to complete the majority of your assignments, you could have senioritis. You are not in too deep yet. There is still time to cure yourself before your friends or, more importantly, your professors notice you are infected. The final symptom of senioritis is the pajama symptom. Wearing pajama pants or other sorts of lounging attire to class is the ultimate clear sign of senioritis. Now you are in deep. It has become clear, and everyone around you realizes you have senioritis. But all hope is not lost. Senioritis is very contagious. Once someone close to you starts to show symptoms, it is
not uncommon for the people around them to start showing the same symptoms. But it is never too late to turn it around. As easily as senioritis is caught, it can be cured. This is how to do it. Don’t hit that snooze button. Set your alarm for a reasonable time, and when it goes off, get up immediately. If you keep the alarm clock by your bed, move it across the room. This way you are forced to get out of bed and get moving. Fight the urge to jump back under the covers and immediately make up your bed once your feet touch the floor. Do not push that assignment to the side. Try to start on it as soon as it is assigned. Students are swamped with work from their teachers who sometimes do not understand we have other classes besides theirs. I get it. That does not mean you should push the work aside until the day before it is due. This will only create stress. Keep a planner. Write down all of your assignments and the days you plan to work on them. Give yourself a good amount of time to complete each of the assignments and stick to this schedule. Your busy work load will become a little bit easier, trust me. Last and certainly not least, look your best. John James, a senior majoring in kinesiology, gives this advice to battle senioritis. “When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel
SEQUOIA RICHARDSON Siquoia Richardson is a senior majoring in political science. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
good, you do well. People will start to be impressed, which will motivate you more,” James said. You will feel less anxious to jump into bed when you are not wearing your comfortable pajama pants. I am not saying you have to pull out your Sunday best to go to class. Just make sure you look nice and neat. Jeans and a nice T-shirt will work most of the time. Following these steps will get you back to being a great student in less than a week. Show your professors and everyone around you that you take your education seriously. Your grades will increase and your stress levels will drop, even if it is only by a little. As a bonus, your professors are more willing to help you out if you show them you made an effort to be senioritis-free.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | 5
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
11-22-13
BULLETIN BOARD CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost. HELP WANTED
Part-time position available at OCH Regional Medical Center. Certified pharmacy tech with experience working in hospital or retail pharmacy preferred. Call 662.615.2990 for more information. Weekend work required. Benefits eligible. Apply online at careers.och. org. The Fairfax puchasing agency seeks a strong candidate for purchasing coordinator. The person in this position will assist and support the purchasing department with the planning, ordering and scheduling of all materials for the manufacturing process and the other support departments as required to ensure a smooth flow of materials and supplies. Responsibilites include but are not limited to: maintain
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A nice two-bedroom, twobathroom mobile home two miles from Walmart on a private lot is for rent. $500 per month with a $500 deposit. Call 662.312.5038 for more information. CLUB INFO
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@reflector.msstate. edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.
WESLEY FOUNDATION
Insight Bible study and worship Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at 286 East Lee Blvd. next to Campus Book Mart. Follow on Twitter @MSStateWesley or on Facebook. MANIFESTING GLORY PRAISE TEAM
Free music clinic Nov. 21 and 22 in the chapel of memories. The Manifesting Glory Praise Team is offering voice lessons, vocal techniques and teaching songs. All are encouraged to attend. STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
Care about the environment? Love activism? Come join SSC on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in McCool 111 to make a difference. Follow on Twitter @MSU_SSC. YOGA MOVES CLUB
School or work stressing you out? Get moving into Yoga Moves! Try our moves to get into shape and our relaxation techniques to handle the stress. Yoga Moves meets at the Sanderson Center in Studio C, Thursday evenings from 5:30-7 p.m. Like Yoga Moves Club-MSU on Facebook.
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THE REFLECTOR
6 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
LIFE EDITOR: DANIEL HART | life@reflector.msstate.edu
LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
A wild ride: Moon Taxi makes its grooving return to Rick’s Friday BY HILLARY LAPLATNEY Staff Writer
Moon Taxi, the Nashville-based indie progressive rock band fresh off its national television debut on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” headlines at Rick’s Café Friday. Moon Taxi formed in 2006 and quickly made a name for itself in the music industry. According to its website, ridethemoontaxi.com the band has released three albums to date and appeared at popular music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Forecastle and Lollapalooza. Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Café, said Moon Taxi has played at Rick’s before, and the band performs Friday because its following has grown consistently since its last performance at Rick’s. “They’re great guys and a great band,” Welch said.
finally see Moon Taxi play in Starkville, and the band has songs that play well in all situations. “My favorite song by Moon Taxi is ‘Mercury.’ The beat of the drums and the guitar are in perfect harmony,” Hawes said. “It’s just a good song to listen to whether you’ve had the best or the worst day ever.” Hawes said she especially looks forward to the band’s show since it comes on the heels of its newest album. “I’m stoked for the concert, especially since they have MOON TAXI | COURTESY PHOTO released their latest album, Moon Taxi’s performances, like the one seen above, ‘Mountains Beaches Cities,’” are known to have psychedelic, funky atmospheres. Hawes said. “Mountains Beaches Cities” AmericanSongWriter.com has called the Nashville-based has received positive reviews indie progressive rock band “Nasvhille’s best-kept secret.” on iTunes, Relix and Amazon, and AmericanSongWriter.com “They’ve been here before, and support the guys.” Emma Hawes, senior com- listed Moon Taxi as “Nashbut they’ve gotten even more popular since then. I really munication major, said she is ville’s best-kept secret.” Niah Jamerson, senior comhope everyone will come out thrilled at the opportunity to
Fantasy, fiction and film: BY GENY KATE GURLEY
munication major, said she has met the band members personally and their jovial, easygoing nature impressed her. “They spent a lot of time joking around and teasing the friends I’d dragged along,” she said. “They seemed really down to earth for the most part.” Jamerson said the band’s song “Square Circles” grabbed her attention and, like the band, grew on her with each repeated listen. “(The song) holds a special place in my little hipster heart because it was the first song by them I heard,” Jamerson said. “I had to listen to it twice before I could figure out if I liked it or not. Once I got past the fact that it was so different, I loved it.” Jamerson said “Mountain Beaches Cities” reflects a maturation of the band’s music
that parallels the band’s increasing fanbase. “(The band) seems to be going in a different direction, and I think it’s great that, even with their recent popularity, they’re still growing and doing new things instead of sticking with the sound that made them famous,” Jamerson said. According to an interview posted on Moon Taxi’s website, guitarist and vocalist Trevor Terndrup said the band draws its musical inspiration from touring, traveling and exploring. “We made a conscious effort with the last record to write meaningful songs and produce them in an exciting way,” he said. “That is still the ultimate goal. We strive to produce something that will outlast us as a band.” Ticket information may be found at rickscafe.net.
Popular culture’s lucrative interest in book series-turned-movies continues
much of the work’s genre-combining. The “Harry Potter” series is a good example. The books are easy to read and exist parallel to the real world. The characters in the series go to Over the past 15 years, Peter Jackson filmed J.R.R. Tolk- boarding school, learn to make friends, grow up and fight a ien’s “Lord of the Rings” series, and J. K. Rowling published war. Rowling incorporates elements of a magical world, like pothe “Harry Potter” series, which was also adapted into film. George R. R. Martin expanded his “Game of Thrones” series, tions classes, dragons and hippogriffs, without sacrificing the and the books became a TV show. “Doctor Who” maintains details of daily teenage life and ethical dilemmas. The struggle a strong fan base, three “Chronicles of Narnia” books were between good and evil drives the story, and readers can underadapted into film, Suzanne Collins published the “Hunger stand Potter’s struggle. C. S. Lewis once said, “At all ages, ...(fantasy and myth) Games” trilogy and the second movie, “Catching Fire,” precan give us experiences we have never had and thus, instead of miered Thursday. Fantasy and science fiction is hardly new. In fact, it fills an- ‘commenting on life,’ can add to it.” Lewis’s good friend Tolkien agreed with him and said fantacient and medieval legends and tales, but the genre receives sy’s escapist nature is what makes it great. By entering a differmore attention than ever in current popular culture. ent setting or world, readers can see themE. D. Kain, writer for “The Atlantic” selves more clearly. magazine, credits this popularity to select Fantasy used Fantasy and science fiction are broad works that can appeal to many different to be for dorks. genres in both setting and readership. The types of people. You didn’t take a labels can include mythological tales or fu“Fantasy used to be for dorks,” Kain turistic space wars. There are wizards, vamgirl out to see a said. “You didn’t take a girl out to see a fantasy flick, and your grandmother didn’t fantasy flick, and pires, hobbits, dragons, robots, cylons and jedi — the list goes on. Some stories appeal read ‘Dragonlace.’ Books like ‘A Game of your grandmother didn’t to different generations, and children who Thrones’ and ‘Harry Potter’ have changed grow up with a particular story often carry all of that. When I began recommending read ‘Dragonlace.’ Books Martin’s books to friends, I didn’t limit like ‘A Game of Thrones’ and it into adulthood. Readers enable stories my recommendations to fantasy readers. ‘Harry Potter’ have changed to live on. Rowena Cory Daniells of “The Australian Literature Review” said despite To my great surprise, many people I knew similar settings, fantasy stories always have who sniffed at fantasy before told me they all that.” -E.D. Kain, a shared interest in humanity. couldn’t put the books down.” “They all share a common theme: the exKain said fantasy was not mainstream “The Atlantic” magazine ploration of the human condition,” Danin the past because the majority of readers only associated it with exclusive fantasy games like “Dungeons iells said. “Even the much maligned medieval/quest fantasies offer their readers the chance to vicariously explore a wondrous and Dragons” or off-kilter mythology. After the success of fantasy series like “Harry Potter,” both world, battle evil and restore justice. Even a lowly Hobbit can change the course of the world by destroying the ring.” fantasy movies and books are lucrative enterprises. Daniells said fantasy appeals to our sense of wonder and will Eric Christensen, writer and blogger for “Fantasy Fiction News,” said the relationship between film and print is cyclical. never cease to captivate readers. Mary Hallberg, a teen reader writing for the “Young Adult A book sells, movie rights are purchased, the movie is produced, then the books sell more copies and producers and Examiner,” noted the pervasive element that keeps fantasy and science fiction genre relevant and engaging generation after publishers look for more stories like the original book. “This relationship is fragile. It only works if people keep generation. “Sci-fi and fantasy allow us to escape our world while simulbuying books, watching movies and subscribing to premium channels,” he said. “When it comes to fantasy, people are cur- taneously learning something about it,” Hallberg said. “They rently doing all three, and publishers and producers are rush- are grounded in the real world, and if these series didn’t strike a nerve beyond magic and fantastical creatures, they wouldn’t ing to give us more.” The latest increase in the profitability of fantasy stems from have been as popular as they have for quite as long.” Staff Writer
SCHOLASTIC PRESS | COURTESY PHOTO
LIONSGATE | COURTESY PHOTO
SCHOLASTIC | COURTESY PHOTO
WARNER BROS. PICTURES | COURTESY PHOTO
Fantasy book series like “The Hunger Games” and “Harry Potter” franchises have skyrocketed in popularity in the last 15 years. The cycle of fantasy book series coming out, making the books into movies and then producing more books seems to progress at a faster and faster rate.
In the swing of things: ballroom dance club tangos, teaches BY JAKE JONES Staff Writer
For most people, a list of sports includes football, basketball and baseball. Ballroom dancing, however, does not typically come to mind. Mississippi State University has had a competitive ballroom dance club since 2005. The Mississippi State University Ballroom Dance Club is a student-based and student-run organization that meets twice a week and also travels to workshops in cities like Tupelo, Jackson and Atlanta. The club teaches several
styles of dance, including the fox trot, waltz, tango, east and west coast swing, night club two step and many more. Club president Amanda Washington, fifth-year senior biological science major, said joining the club is easy, and suave dance moves are not required to become a member. “It’s very simple,” Washington, who is in her second year of presidency, said.“Just walk through our door. There is no fee. It’s absolutely free, and you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of the club or any dance experience at all.” Ballroom dancing is an offi-
BALLROOM DANCE CLUB | COURTESY PHOTO
Students attending a ballroom dance club practice their moves in the Sanderson Center. The club is open to all students regardless of dance knowledge or experience.
cial MSU club sport, and the MSU Ballroom Dance Club competes in one competition a year, and this year’s competition is in February. Washington said several couples are on the dance floor dancing at once during competitions, but the whirlwind of dancing is a fun experience. Though the idea for a dance club started in 1997, the club got its official start in 2005. Dance lessons began after the club’s constitution and bylaws were adopted. During the first semester as a club, the club had 100 members, but that number grew to 120 by the second semester. Erdem Topsakal was the first dance instructor, but soon after the club began, students learned to instruct. Washington said training new dancing instructors is an important aspect of the club, and they consistently work to increase their knowledge and number of instructors. “We’ve made sure that we are continually bringing in new freshmen, training people to continue student instructing,” Washington said. Daniel Stevenson, junior electrical engineering major, has been a dance instructor for the MSU Ballroom Dance Club for two years. Stevenson
BALLROOM DANCE CLUB | COURTESY PHOTO
Daniel Stevenson, two-year dance instructor, throws Nandita Gupta, ballroom dance club vice president, into a dip as the two dance competitively. Club members said they dance for fun and leisure but also compete in ballroom dancing club sport competitions. said he started to take dance lessons in high school and then taught at a dance studio in Tupelo before he came to MSU. He said the club not only provides an outlet for dancers but provides a community of dancers, as well. “It’s really fun. It’s good to have a place for people who already dance to have a place to dance,” Stevenson said. “It’s social. It’s a really great
way to get to know people.” Club vice president Nandita Gupta, junior electrical engineering major, joined the dance club as a freshman. Gupta said the club is great exercise, helps her to relax and allows her to find friendships that extend outside the dance floor. “Ballroom is my family. You meet amazing people, and you really get to know
people,” she said. “Once you get to know them, you start to hang out with them outside of just dancing. You have a lot of fun.” The MSU Ballroom Dance Club meets Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. In Studio A in the Sanderson center. More information about the club may be found at ballroom.org.msstate.edu.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | 7
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
Basketball sweeps home stand, ready for road test BY QUENTIN SMITH Staff Writer
After five days of rest from its last win, the Mississippi State University men’s basketball team improved its undefeated record to 3-0 after taking down in-state rival Mississippi Valley State University 94-72, improving its all-time record to 4-0 against the Delta Devils. Unlike the first two games, the team got off to a quick start against the Delta Devils. The Bulldogs controlled the game from the opening possession and held a double-digit lead for a large portion of the game. The Bulldogs scored a season-high 94 points and shot a season-best 52 percent from the field. A large part of the MSU offensive success came from dominating the post and receiving good play from center Gavin Ware. Head coach Rick Ray said getting the ball to Ware early contributed to the team’s successful start. “I thought we did a really good job trying to force feed the ball into the post to Gavin, and I thought we did a good job of not just getting the ball in the post to Gavin, but also Roquez (Johnson) and Colin (Borchert),” Ray said. For Ware, he recorded his fourth career double-double,and scored a career-high 23 points and led the team
with 11 rebounds. Even with his dominant play down low, Ware said he commended his guards for getting him open looks. “It’s not my effort — it all starts with them,” he said. “The other team had smaller post players, and my coaches told me I needed to use that to my advantage, and I did.” Along with dominant post play, the Bulldogs also controlled the boards, out-rebounding their opponent 4127. MSU received good play from its bench as well. The Bulldogs were without their starting point guard, I.J Ready, who is out for two weeks due to a strained hamstring, which led to freshman point guard Jacoby Davis playing his first game with meaningful minutes. Junior point guard Trivante Bloodman said he was impressed with Davis’s play. “He did great. That was his first time playing that many minutes. He came in with a huge impact. He got a steal when he came in, and he knocked down wide-open shots. He did what he had to do,” Bloodman said. The Bulldogs have their first three games of the season completed, but still search for their identity. Ray said as the competition continues to stiffen, the Dogs will start to figure things out and develop their playing style.
Now, after finishing up their three-game home slate, the Bulldogs will prepare for their first road test of the season as they travel to face Utah State Saturday at 7 p.m. Bloodman said the team will try to build on its previous wins as it gets prepared for its first game on the road. “It’s going to be a rough environment, and they’re a good team, so we have to come out with a lot of energy and hit first,” Bloodman said. Ware said even though the team has been winning, this will be a true test for the team against Utah State. “It’s a tough atmosphere. We can’t come out sluggish like the last two games. We have to work every single possession of that game because that’s going to be a test of the willingness and competitive spirit of our team,” Ware said. Although it’s the team’s first road game and will be its first true test, Ray said he has no concerns about the new atmosphere affecting his team. “I don’t know if it’s a big thing or not, but I don’t ever worry about road games,” he said. “To me, if you start talking to guys about the difference between playing at home and playing on the road, then they start thinking about it too much. It’s still 94 feet and 10 feet. It’s still basketball. We’re still going to play.”
EMMA KATHERINE HUTTO | THE REFLECTOR
Sophomore Gavin Ware scores a lay up (top) and slam dunks (bottom) in Tuesday’s win over MVSU. Ware and the Bulldogs take an undefeated record to Utah State Saturday.
COACH’S CORNER
NBA eligibility rule benefits college basketball
M
oses Malone, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James are just a few of the big names who entered the NBA draft straight out of high school and went on to have successful professional careers. 2005 was the last NBA draft where a player would have such an opportunity. That summer, the league negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, and one of the new rules negotiated in that agreement was the raise in age for players to be eligible for the NBA draft. Under the new rules, a player had to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from his high school class to enter the NBA draft. David Stern, the NBA commissioner at the time, said he wanted the league’s scouts and general managers out of high school gyms and that too many young, urban Americans incorrectly saw the NBA as a sure path to fame and financial security. Some of the top high school prospects at the time disagreed with the rule change. Bill Walker, who was eventually drafted in the second round in 2008 and is now in the D-League, said, “I’m against it. I don’t see why you have to be 19 to play a game of
basketball when you can be 18 and Kwame Brown who simand go to war for our country ply are not ready to enter the NBA. It hurts those players by and die. It’s ridiculous.” Jerryd Bayless, currently a stunting their growth. A player can only develop point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, said, “It’s not fair at so much by practicing and all. If a tennis player can go sitting on the bench. There pro at 13, I don’t understand is no substitute for in-game why a basketball player can’t action, which is what players can get if they go to college. go pro at 18.” Proponents of both sides Most high school players that would try to have their bego to the NBA liefs, and I beFreshmen just are not lieve both have like Jabari good enough legitimate cases yet. They get for their points Parker, drafted beof view. So the Andrew Wiggins cause of their question bepotential upcomes is the and Julius Randle rule fair? Should make huge impacts side, athleticism and meaplayers be able on their teams.” surables. to enter the The probNBA draft after lem with that is those players high school at the age of 18? When the rule first came get drafted and end up sitout back in 2005, I was against ting on the bench. Not only it, but as I see how the league do those players miss the ophas benefited and how college portunity to maximize their basketball has benefited, my ability for growth, but they view on the rule has changed. also take up roster spots that I think the rule works. It helps could go to veteran players the players, and it helps the who could help an NBA team. The truth is anybody with NBA teams as well as the college game. superior size and athleticism Yes, we have seen players can look good at the high like Bryant or James come school level. NBA front ofout of high school and go on fices and general managers to be great all-time players in should be allowed to see playthe NBA. But for every Kobe ers compete against tougher or James, there are four or five competition to better gauge players like Sebastian Telfair how their talents could trans-
FORREST BUCK Forrest Buck is a senior majoring in kinesiology. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com.
late to the NBA level. We see the benefits of GMs seeing players in college, even for only one year. A couple of years ago, Austin Rivers, a shooting guard for the Pelicans, was the second overall player in his recruiting class. Had players been allowed to come right out of high school, he most likely would have been picked too high in the draft. Because of the rule, we got to see him at Duke University. Though still a good player, he clearly was not the prospect he was made out to be coming out of high school. That has been the case with many high school prospects who perhaps were good enough to test the NBA waters coming out of high school. As far as the college game
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
goes, I think it really helps. Now in this glory age of instant, national media and social networking, sports fans know of most high school prospects and many of them gain significant hype coming out of high school. This creates a level of excitement for the college game.
Look at this season, for example. Already, freshmen like Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins and Julius Randle are making huge impacts on their teams and intrigue the sports world. The 2013-14 college basketball season could be one of the best and most interesting in some time.
College football weekend slate (4) Baylor (10) Oklahoma State (20) Oklahoma Kansas State (19) Wisconsin (25) Minnesota
(5) Oregon Arizona
Big 12 Pac-12 Big Ten SEC
(17) Arizona State (14) UCLA (8) Missouri (24) Ole Miss (12) Texas A&M (22) LSU ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
8 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN GALATAS | reflectorsports@gmail.com
SPORTS
THE REFLECTOR
STAT OF THE DAY: MSU IS SEEKING TO WIN CONSECUTIVE GAMES OVER ARKANSAS SINCE WINNING THREE-STRAIGHT MEETINGS IN 1916, 1939 AND 1992.
Hear from Head Coach Dan Mullen On this week’s quarterback situation… “We’ve got to see what’s going on with those guys as the week goes on. They came in. They’re getting better, and they get treatments today. We don’t practice again until (Tuesday) afternoon. So we’ll see where everybody is at at that point.” On other injuries on the team… “The rest of the injury status for us this week is pretty much status-quo. Talking to the trainers, there wasn’t a whole lot. We have a couple of guys with the flu out right now, but that happens this time of year. Deontae Skinner they said again is day-to-day. They think he should be good, that he was really close to playing. But you have to look out for the health of young men and long-term futures. Hopefully all of his symptoms all go down and he’s able to play this week, which would be the thought.” On the challenges Arkansas presents… “This week’s game is a great, challenging game for us. You look at the type of team they have right now and Bret (Bielema) is a first-year coach. He’s trying to build right his program there. It looks like they’re playing a lot of young players and have some very talented guys. They have two extremely talented running backs and a big, big physical offensive line. They are one of the better running teams in the conference, and have ran the ball on everybody. You look at the average, and sometimes averages can be deceiving statistically speaking,
but they’ve had success run- relates to this week’s game. ning the ball on every team in (Arkansas) likes to run the ball the league, so that’s a challenge and they’re a big, physical runon that side of the ball. ning team. I think last game Defensively, they’ve got a and this game can tie together. We’ve got to get in the cold great front that can cause a lot of pressure on you. You watch tank and get all the bruises them on film, and I think healed up and everybody kind they’ve played good defense. of healthy and get ready for They’ve been bit a lot by big another punch-in-the-mouth, physical game. plays. You watch But every them play good The game has its defense, and then all of a sudden, challenging own way and has its uniquethere are three part with ness. You kind big plays, and of know what they’re giving up that is that I don’t think you can go you’re getting points. when you’re The challeng- into a game saying playing Aling part with that we’re just going to abama. You is that I don’t knew that think you can go go bombs away going in, and into a game say- and hope we get we’re expecting we’re just go- the three 80-yard ing a physiing to go bombs away and hope touchdown passes.” cal game this week.” we get the three -Dan Mullen, On the dif80-yard touch- MSU head football ficulty playing down passes. You in Little Rock, want to play con- coach Ark… sistent offense. “I think I think they’re going to have a big, physi- anywhere on the road is tough cal front. We’re going to have to play in the SEC. I don’t some challenges moving the know that it’s more difficult there than it is in Tuscaloosa ball on them.” On how the MSU defense or Baton Rouge or Auburn builds a good performance or here in Starkville. I think a against Alabama… lot of people think it’s awful“Well, play better. It wasn’t ly tough to come here to play. good enough. I mean, a great And a lot of that is the passion defensive game is to hold of the fan base. them to one less point than we Obviously, I’m not happy scored. A great offensive game that we didn’t win the game is score one more point than (Saturday) compared to othwe give up. That’s how you er games, but a lot of people look at it. have said we played well on But I thought we played Saturday. It was our best enphysical. And the matchup, vironment, loudest crowd and I don’t know how much it a best recruiting weekend. All of
these things tie-in together. It’s amazing how that works. You’re going to Little Rock, a place where the fans are very passionate about playing. It’s a loud, hostile environment and that always gives you a great homefield advantage in this league, and it makes it always very difficult. Our fans gave us that Saturday night and made it difficult for Alabama and inspired our kids to play at a high level. Certainly that helps you in recruiting an awful lot as well.” On how coaches deal with focusing on preparing for games with rumors surrounding other job positions… “You always just have to completely block that out. Like one question, ‘are you on the hot seat?’ Well, I hate to break it to you — if you’re coaching in the Southeastern Conference — I’ve been on the hot seat here for five years now. Go over to Tuscaloosa and ask. You might not think it, but wait until they lose a game. If we had won on Saturday night, he’d (Nick Saban) be on the hot seat. You’re about a game away in this league from that situation. The SEC and the passion in the SEC, more so than everywhere else maybe except for the NFL, (is intense). But you can still lose six games in the NFL and win a Super Bowl. That just comes with the territory. I think you have to accept that as part of coaching in this league. To be honest with you, with all that stuff, the toughest part is not on the coaches. I’m in my office from 7 in the
morning until 11 at night. One of things I think is always tough on us is families. Will (Muschamp’s) kid has to go to school, my wife has to go to the grocery store and Bret’s wife goes out for dinner. When you get in this league, sometimes your families are out there in public a lot more, and that is a huge stress to me. If I ever think about one thing, I’m much more concerned about any impact it has on my family than it has on me. I deal in the realities. I’m so far past last Saturday’s game and into this week’s game. Some ask if I think of our record. I have to think about what our record is right now to be able to answer and that takes your focus off the task at hand, which is beating Arkansas. I think it is tough on families sometimes around the league. And with Kevin (Sumlin), I’ll put it this way: you’re either on your way out the door because you’re winning or on the way out the door because you’re losing. I guess for Kevin you’d rather be out the door for winning than losing.” On the mindset of the team becoming bowl eligible… “We just need to win on Saturday. With them, the focus obviously is all about this. We talked about how the Texas A&M game was a great learning experience. I know we needed to come back and score a couple of touchdowns, but you can’t score the second TD until you score the first one. And then we scored 21 points in the fourth quarter.
You’ve got to score the first one and then worry about the second one next. Our guys have been able to do that. Historically speaking of things this team can accomplish, if we win the next two games and finish 6-6, that probably doesn’t seem like a banner season. But we will have won in the state of Arkansas against Arkansas for the first time in the history of Mississippi State football. That’s pretty historical. If we win two, we’d have gone to four consecutive bowl games for the first time Mississippi State football. In a historical context, there’s an awful lot of things this team can accomplish. They’re not going to be the next team to go win something. They’re going to be the first team to do something. So our guys in the motivation of winning this week and finding a way to get to a bowl game is if we’re able to win this game, there’s an awful lot to play for in every game. Never winning in Arkansas before and we’ve won four out of five Egg Bowls. In the historical context of the team, we talk about that. As we want to build a championship team we’re building a foundation. There are a lot of programs out there where the foundation was built, and they’re doing something that’s been done before. We’re trying to build a foundation to do things that haven’t been done before. I think our kids really can understand that and see the positives and the opportunity to go do that.
Athletic department adds experience to media staff BY KRISTEN SPINK
is a special place with great, hard-working people,” Martin said. “The leadership is After a three-month search, strong, and the staff has a pasthe Mississippi State Univer- sion for making the fan and student-athsity Athletic lete experience Department announced After many unforgettable. I am proud to the hire of Bill trips to join the team Martin as the Starkville and look forassistant athletward to being ic director for over the years, a part of the media relations I know that community.” Thursday. M a r t i n M a r t i n Mississippi State is comes to MSU a special place with g r a d u a t e d from Louisiana great, hard-working from LSU in December State Universiy people.” 2007 with a where he finbachelor’s deishes his time -Bill Martin, gree in general as the associate MSU assistant studies with sports informa- athletic director for concentrations tion director. media relations in sport studIn a news reies, business lease, Martin administration said he is extremely excited to be a part and communication studies. After graduation, he worked of the Bulldog family. “After many trips to at the University of Florida for Starkville over the years, I a semester before returning to know that Mississippi State the bayou to work full-time in June of 2008. He has worked closely with the Tiger football team and women’s basketball team. At MSU, Martin will be the primary football contact for media relations and Managing Editor
serve as the department’s spokesman. Scott Wetherbee, MSU senior associate athletic director, said Martin Martin’s passion will be a great addition to the athletic department. “We could not be more excited to have Bill join our staff,” Wetherbee said. “His experience working with national media members will continue to further our efforts telling the story of Mississippi State.” Martin was congratulated by numerous people via Twitter Thursday, and he tweeted about his new job as well. “It’s official. Come January I will be a @msstate Bulldog as new Assistant AD/Director Media Relations! #HailState... The No. 1 thing that sold me on @msstate was the people. I am a people person and I look forward to being a part of the #HailState community...My last day here at @LSUsports will be before Christmas. Start at @msstate on Jan. 6 And yes My Twitter handle will change #Hail State,” Martin tweeted in a series of three tweets.